Julie Gumm - Author

Off to Austin

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Tomorrow I am off to Austin and excited not just about the Together for Adoption conference, but the chance to enjoy some cooler weather. It’s still hitting 105+ here and I AM DONE!

On Wednesday I’m attending a pre-conference with Dr. Karyn Purvis – one of the preeminent authorities interventions for adopted, foster and other at-risk children. Before we adopted I read her book The Connected Child from cover to cover and have referred back to it many times. I’m looking forward to gaining even more wisdom on parenting Luke & Beza. Goodness knows we don’t have it all figured out. (I’ll have to tell you the “Battle of the Egg” story.)

Thursday and Friday are the actual conference and I’ll be trying to balance working the World Orphans booth, attending a few sessions and networking with other organizations and the individuals at the conference. They expect over 1,000 attendees and I can’t wait.

There are a ton of great “meet ups” happening for people passionate about specific topics or countries. I wish I could be a dozen places at once.

I’m going to be tweeting and blogging as much as I can so I hope you’ll follow along 🙂

Blogger Meetup at Together for Adoption

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The Together for Adoption conference is just a mere 15 days away and today they announced the Featured Blogger Meetups that are happening Friday and Saturday during lunch.

On Friday the meetup will feature Jamie Ivey, Amy Bottomly, Amy Block, Zach Nielsen, , Courtney Girwood, and Jody Landers.

Saturday’s meetup features Kristen Howerton, Mary Ostyn, Angel Weir, Lorraine Patterson, Troy & Tara Livesay, Chris Marlow, Tom Davis, and YOURS TRULY.

(Updated: Tom Davis was on Friday but had to switch to the Sat group due to scheduling.)

I feel like one of the cool kids 🙂 Totally kidding.

Of course I’m just as excited about attending the meetups as I am being “in” one of them. Some of these people I’ve followed online for years. I think Angel and Mary would qualify as my “oldest” online reads back when adoption was just a glimmer in our eye. Amy and Jody are a close second. Some I’ve only recently started following but am already learning so much and FEEL like I know them.

So if you’re going to Together for Adoption, sign up for the Blogger Meetups and come have some fun with us!

And I warned Tom Davis today that I was bringing a stack of books for him to autograph. I stocked up on “Red Letters” and “Fields of the Fatherless” a while back – it’s what all my cool friends are getting for Christmas 🙂

Great time to order a great book

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Back in May I reviewed a great book, One Million Arrows. Well they’ve put together a great “Fall Book Ordering Special” that makes this an awesome time to consider using the book as a Bible study, small group study, etc. They are offering One Million Arrows at a discounted bulk price and free shipping on domestic orders. Orders placed by October 1 will also be entered to win one of three $25 Amazon.com gift certificates.

You may even want to ask your church (family education or discipleship coordinator) or your child’s school to order copies for parents.

I can’t say enough good things about the book.

For the full details, please visit the site.