You guys. The book is done.
Carry On, Warrior is finished. It’s sitting beside me on my desk as I write this love letter to you. It’s so beautiful. And colorful. And strong. And whole. It looks pretty sure of itself. I’ve been starting at it sideways and quizzically because I’m really quite surprised by how sure of itself it looks.
This book is kind of a bad-ass.
Thank you, Monkees. Thank you for every message, every comment, every act of kindness and peacemaking and openheartedness and courage that you’ve poured out here. I soaked in every drop of you – every drop of joy and pain and loss and love – and what you offered became the sweat and the tears I poured into this book. And trust me. There was sweat. And there were tears.
It’s all there, Monks. All the stuff I can’t write about on this blog. The deepest stuff, the funniest stuff, the truthiest stuff. It’s all in here. Sitting next to me, beside me on my desk.
Our book.
I’ve heard many writers say that when they hold their book for the first time, they feel like they’ve given birth. Like they labored and labored and then something beautiful, and of them, was delivered into their hands.
I guess I feel like I just had a baby, too. Because I’m exhausted and terrified and more than a little shaky and really just hoping and praying that my baby, Carry On, Warrior is lovely and tough enough for this world.
I think it is. I really think it is.
Monday’s a big day for us, Monks. I’ll reveal the incredible cover- created by a brilliant artist- and then my beloved, BELOVED publisher, Scribner, is going to hold a sweepstakes just for Monkees. You will get a chance to win a copy of Carry On, Warrior six months before its release. They’re giving two hundred books away. Because they asked me what they should do to launch this book and I said you should give. No gimmicks, just give. That’s what we do here. That’s what the Monkees would want.
My gratitude to you for chugging along beside me on this bumpy road of life and for pouring fuel into me is indescribable. You made this book possible. You made it happen. I didn’t know I had it in me before you promised me that I did.
As they say - to the moon and back, Monks. To the moon and back.
See you here Monday morning and in the meantime…
CARRY ON, WARRIORS.
Love, G
I am so thrilled for you!! Congratulations and thank you for sharing yourself so freely.
Btw, the link would not work for me
. I’ll have to wait for release! But it’ll be worth the wait Glennon!
Wow! I just read your testimony in an archived post: http://momastery.com/blog/2009/08/page/8/
I too remember feeling similar to you since the age of 8 – incredibly insecure, fat, ugly and just out of place. Always wanting to be like everyone else around me. Never wanting to be me. As as recovering anger addict/bulimic/exercise addict/anorexic/food addict I can also relate with your story of addiction, of horrible hurtful choices made and of receiving amazing GRACE and FORGIVENESS through Jesus. Daily. I never want to forget how prone I am to fall and how desperately I need Jesus. Daily. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding me of how God wants to use each of our unique stories for His purposes and His glory. I remember how freeing and amazingly loved I felt when I first realized that He would even use mine.
Thank you for sharing your life on this blog. For being real. Transparent. From one cracked vase filled with a beautiful bouquet to another. Thank you!!
Oh, and I meant to say that I can not wait to read your book!!
so excited for you Glennon! i can only imagine what this entire experience has meant for you and your family. sending love to all the meltons! xoxo Kent
Woot! and DOUBLE woot!
Oh G! How exciting! I know that you’ve worked hard and poured yourself out for this book. I look forward to the responding outpouring of love as we get the chance to read your book. Your blog has been an inspiration to start giving in every way that I can, even (especially) if it is only in a small way. Thank you thank you thank you for your bold honesty with your life.
Congratulations!!! So very excited, thrilled and overjoyed for you — and for all of us who will be able to savor your inspirational words. This book is going to have such an impact and do so much good in the world — it’s just thrilling. (We read and discussed your “Kairos” essay last Sunday as part of our ongoing Sunday School series on parenting, and it was nice to see that quite a few of the attendees already knew about your blog.) Thank you for sharing yourself and your God-given talents with the world!
Glennon
I too am a first time “commenter” for lack of a better word…Smile! I know this book has cost you in countless ways as you’ve brought it to fruition. I am so grateful for your words as it brings service to us all. Mere words is what I have to express my “thanks” to you for your open heart and beautiful words.
I cannot wait to read your book and I congratulate you!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it. I just read a quote this morning and thought of you -”She believed she could do it so she did.” You are such an inspiration – thank you.
AAAHHH! That’s so exciting! I CANNOT wait to read it! Congratulations!
Congratulations Glennon!!!! I am so proud of and excited for you!!!! Thank you from ALL OF US MONKEES!
Congratulations! Wow, that must be an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to see it!
This is great news! So very excited for you, Glennon!!! Cannot wait to read!!
Glennon, I’ve read here but never commented. I’ve read when I need uplifting and when I need to know how you and others get through the truly brutal times in life. Sometimes, I can’t read…. Because I can’t bear to see/read the pain, hardship that someone is struggling with. But when I can read again, when I am strong enough, then the pain and hardship is always equally countered with encouragement and support. Thank you for creating a place where that magic occurs.
And for you, congratulations on your book. I read how you labored, as have other writers, to create this book. And thought to myself, in the mysteries we cannot understand, maybe this is the birth, the life, that you were meant to create. Do not misunderstand me, but maybe your adoption didn’t happen so this could. I say this because my best friend of 20 years passed away 4 years ago tomorrow. I was crushed. I still miss her. It’s taken me this long to even talk about it. I can’t understand how it was meant to be but I have to believe there’s a reason I just can’t see or understand yet. And it made me wonder if you could see, perhaps, maybe, this was the “baby” you longed for, for you.
Congratulations and thank you for what you bring to the world.
Cannot wait for your book, Glennon! Congratulations!
Congratulations to you and to us! You because you wrote it, and us because we will be blessed to read it. Thank you for being you!
YAY!!!!!!!
Bursting with happiness for you! And now I want one of those copies SO BAD!
So excited! Whenever your book comes out it will feel like Christmas!! Can’t wait for Monday! I don’t ever win anything, but wow what a wonderful idea! So like you to think of it! Love you! I don’t think I have ever looked more forward to reading a book!!
I haven’t ever commented (wanted to many times) but have been reading your blog for a long time. I send it to my mom and sister almost weekly and ask them if they’ve read it. I cannot WAIT to read this book and share with the people I love! You are truly a blessing to so many. Thank you and congratulations!
Just in time for the holidays…so can I win a book and then get a “buy 3 get one free” deal because I am already planning on giving Momastery to my friends. Oh wait…we won’t be able to buy for the holidays, will we? Any chance on that changing?
I’m proud of you, Glennon! Congratulations! I have my own book coming out in less than a month, and on a very dreary day, you have reminded me of what excitement I have coming up – and inspired me to sit down and write more on the next one
Bravo…can’t wait to read it!!
I cannot wait for this. such exciting times.
SWEET!
WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!! Wonderful news!
This is amazing! You announced that ‘our’ book is done on the very day that I have read and absorbed every single word on this blog! That is wonderful! My friend, A and I are now reading you together. We cannot WAIT to have this book of love in our hands! Congratulations, Monkees!
Amazing! I am a relatively new follower of your blog, I am so excited to read your book. This is such an inspiring place. Thank you!
Congratulations G! So very happy for you, and so happy for all of us Monkees. I can’t wait to read it and tell all my friends about it!
Congrats! I know it will be beyond amazing because you are!!
OMG…I’m so excited, I think I just peed a little
Can’t wait for Monday. First you and Kristi gift me with my marvelous “We Can Do Hard Things” sign when I needed it most, and now you are giving us Monkees the opportunity to win an advance copy of THE BOOK. This might just be too good to be true. In fact, I may need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Seriously. Good times up in here, G….good times.
xoxo
Nancy
Hooray!!! Oh happy day!!
Congratulations, Glennon. You always say it’s us, not you…and you’re right. Except, if it weren’t for you, there would be no us. You are the spark that lit this whole Monkee thing up. Thank you. <3
Congratulations! That’s so exciting, Glennon. Do you think there is any chance your wonderful book is going to be translated in German one day?
There are so many people here that just LOVE you, your wisdom and your words.
Love and Peace, Nina
Yesssss!!! Can’t wait.
I’m soooo excited! Thank you, Glennon, for using your gifts and inspiring others to use theirs, for sharing the brutiful about life, and for speaking the TRUTH!
Picture of the book pretty please!!
Congrats G!!
I was just reading this old post the other day – I just clicked on that month at random. http://momastery.com/blog/2011/07/
Look how far you have come?
I’m glad you are taking a moment to pause and take in your accomplishment – you should be proud – we are of you.
Very much looking forward to this book!
Also still keeping you and Craig and the whole family in my thoughts and prayers.
(looking at the beautiful family photo of all of you as I type this comment)
Good job! Can’t wait.
Sean asked if he could have a copy to read & present to his class. I felt generations proud.
Karen Doyle
Being a fairly new Monkee…six months, and can’t wait for this book. I need to read about you other Monkees….to laugh, cry, ponder, focus, and march forward to do “the hard things” with you all. Just turned sixty, hubby with debilitating illness, drug-addicted daughter who is “divorcing” me, d-i-l who strongly dislikes my political and religious affiliations and finds every opportunity to make it known to my son/grandkids……oh, the list. But, my list of blessings is endless…and priceless, for which I thank God each and every day. And Monkeeville is right up there. Thank you, G.
Feeling love for you! So sorry for your struggles….
Eeeek!!!! So excited!!!! You are officially on my Outlook agenda for 8am Monday morning!! The amount of FB stalking that will occur will have only been rivaled by my first month of Momastery discovery, when I totally neglected ALL responsibility to absorb every word ever written by you, and commented on by my Monkee family (twice)… and possibly births of friends children… But I’m fairly certain the baby FB stalking was a distant second
.
Love you G, and so stinking proud of everything you’ve built here and that I’m actually a part of the reLOVEution that’s gonna change the world!!!
Sooooo thrilling! I cannot wait! Xoxo
Woo freakin’ hoo!!! Congrats! I can’t wait to love on your “baby.”
Congrats! Cannot wait to read it!
You know when a family member is doing something so important and you are so invested in their “thing” that you are nervous and excited for them? That is how I feel right now! SO excited for you. Kind of mad that Oprah doesn’t have her show any more because I am pretty sure this would have been one of her Books of The Month and then we could have all watched you wear something fabulous on her show. Can’t wait to read it! Congrats!!!
Congratulations
LOVE LOVE LOVE…can’t wait to read it-see it-be in the raffle 
With God all things are possible!
Amen.
Happy Monkee here
Glennon and Monkees,
This is my first time commenting. Just wanted to encourage you and let you know how much your blog has helped me. This summer I started dealing with depression and anxiety. I’ve been coming to your blog for hope and inspiration and its definitely reminded me that I’m not alone. It’s been hard going through depression because 1. Depression suuuuuucks and 2 my life has been great and totally normal up until this point. I’ve struggled thinking what’s wrong with me? Why am I so broken all if a sudden? why cant i just be happy with all the blessings God has given me? Hearing all of the “me too” messages has helped me in ways you wouldn’t believe. Thanks G and to everyone who has shared their struggles. It makes me feel so much less alone. I don’t think there’s any other messages I needed to hear more in my whole life. Carry on, warriors.
-Chelsea
Chelsea, wishing you super strength in your life. My 17 year old son also struggles with depression, and it weighs on me every day. Please don’t ever give up. We’re all in this together. Love, from a friend you just met in this amazing community.
Thanks Anne. It means a lot to have people care.
Chelsea,
Holy hell do I feel you on that! For me that moment came in 7th grade when I first tasted the bitterness of depression. I am now 33. Today, my friend Britt wrote a brilliant post that may resonate with you, and I hope, validate you! Here is a link to it: http://inpursuitofhappiness.net/blog/2012/10/10/depression-is-not-a-lack-of-gratitude/
Take Care!
-Carly
Carly,
Thank you so much for that article! Totally what I needed to hear. The more people talk about depression the less crazy I feel. We’re not alone.
-Chelsea
Chelsea, I will be thinking and praying for you. I have a wonderful life, husband, great children, grandchild. Yet, I have struggled with depression since I was a little girl. My faith has seen me through many a dark hour. I have always felt shame that even though I had so many wonderful blessings in my life, I was not always able to be grateful. I know people have many times wondered why I just couldn’t be happy. It takes courage and great strength to keep going and live life under the cloud of depression. God is good, He gives us the grace to do hard things! Don’t ever think you are weak, people who deal with depression, who still choose to live life and give of themselves are some of the strongest people I know. You are loved and prayed for!
I’m so excited to read it! And my monkee shirt I ordered arrived today!!
Woohoo! This is such a happy post! Such wonderful news! As I poured my heart out to you recently and told you how much you mean to me and how inspirational you are, I knew this day was soon coming and am so happy… just happy, happy, happy! I think I may even find a great song and do a happy dance right hear in the kitchen, right now, tonight:-) I can’t wait to read it. I simply can’t. I am so proud of you and so very thankful for you this day, and everyday.
YAY! Hoping you are taking time to rest and regroup with your hubs and kiddos and finding more strength and blessings and support to carry you through what still lies ahead. Like birthing a baby, you know there is so much more ahead- trials, tears, and lots and lots of joy. But for the moment, breath it all in and rest in full knowledge that God has you and your family in his hand. Job well done, Monkee! Looking forward to holding my copy in my hand and learning from you as I read it.
That is so cool! Great job, G. We are all so proud of you!!
WOO-HOO! You are a STUD and cannot wait to read and to give it as a gift! I am reminded of my 4year olds memory verse…. Psalm 90:12 May we gain a heart of Wisdom! Praise God for the Wisdom He has given you and your GIFT to share it with the world! Carry on!
Love it to the moon and back, a million trillion times.
CAN. NOT. WAIT.
Relax now, mama. You’ve done well. You deserve this rest.
Another resounding “Amen!”
CANNOT.WAIT! Glennon – you should be so proud of yourself! AMAZING accomplishment! Wife, mamma, Head Monkee, Author! WOW! It’s obvious………..
you CAN do hard things! XO
OMG congratulations! I cannot wait to read it!
I am soooooo very excited for you that I am giggly inside!! The emotions you feel must be so unreal!! From the bottom of my heart, I cannot think of someone more deserving…you have brought us to a new place and I am thankful to be part of this amazing community!!! LOVE!!!
awesome G! excited to be following and joining this journey with you!
G, Congratulations! I cannot wait to sit back and take in all that you have to say. I wait in anticipation…..the best is yet to come…..and boy that’s exciting!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, G! So so proud of you! At least this baby doesn’t require 3 am feedings
. Can’t wait to read it!!!
So very very proud! Yes!!
Congratulations! Can’t wait!!! Thank you to you, your family, and all Monkees!!!
Yay! Congratulations to you!
I am so excited about your book. I knew it would happen. I will cherish my copy. I have so much I could say but I will leave it at that. And whenever you are back in VA I must have my copy signed (wink).
Much love to you Glennon. I’m thinking about you.
Bravo, G! All I can say is I am sitting here, so happy for you, and yet so, so, so SO jealous because you have that book in your hands RIGHT NOW and I can’t wait to read it!
So proud of you girl! And amazed at what you’ve accomplished. Can’t wait to read it!
Kiran
G – Maybe you could record an audio version? It would be awesome to hear it in your voice! Either way, congratulations and I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations, Glennon!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You and Momastery have really blessed my life.
After I had my baby, I was shocked I had this thought, “This is enough. This is all I will ever need. I am SO in love. I am totally content.” That is how I feel about this book.
I got over it though and I will anticipate, make room, and love the others too.
SO much love.
G, is it going to be available to download on the Nook or Kindle? So excited.
Congratulations! I look forward to reading it.
what an amazing feeling that must be! congratulations!
Congratulations!! I can’t wait!
That is awesome! I can’t wait to read and share it with others in the way that you do!!
Xoxo, Jackie in NY
YEAH!
This Monkee cannot wait to read Carry On, Warrior!!! Congratulations!!!!!
Can’t WAIT!!!
So many congratulations! I can’t wait to see the cover. I am so proud of being a Monkee, and so incredibly grateful that I found Momastery.
OHMYGOSH! I am so excited, G! You are amazing and I cant wait to read it!!
Aww, good, good for you, Glennon.
I can’t wait to read it…and then get more copies to send to everyone!
Congratulations!!
Very much looking forward to reading it!!!
I’m reading this in the bath tub crying. It’s where I often come to cry and shed my innermost hurts. As I read your post my hurting crying turns to happy, proud warrior cries. I am so proud of you! Proud to be a Monk. Proud to say I love you. How can that be? I have never met you. Maybe I’m crazy. I’m not its just me, it’s who I am. When i feel it i gotta say it otherwise it builds up and poof. And we don’t want that so I’m laying it on the line. which by the way has people run away fast from me at times but I don’t care anymore..I love you! I love your hard work, your honesty, your beautiful soul that is big enough to house so many of us. .I am so proud of you today I am hooting and hollering from my bubble filled tub. Thank you for being a warrior but most of all believing that we all could be warriors too!
I love you, too! We must have been seperated at birth. Love boldly and broadly I say.
I can’t wait. I am so excited!
I really can’t wait to read it!congratulations, I am so proud of you!
wrapping you in long distance (((HUGS))) becasue that’s what we Monees do!!!
Can’t wait to read the book!!! Congratulations G
“MONKEES” not Monees….not a good day for typing :/
Congratulations G! Looking forward to a great read.
So, so happy for you, G! It’s the love, generosity and honesty that you share with so many that comes back to you. Thank you for that sharing and I simply cannot wait to read your book and most probably mark each page with my tears. Congratulations!!