Well. Who knew that you could ask people to support you, and they would?

Not me, not really.

You should know that the whole 'crowd funding' thing was terrifying for me. Yes, I put myself out there. Yes, I write things about tummy fat that other people probably wouldn't ever say out loud, but when it comes to actually asking people for things, I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat.

To be honest, I didn't really expect it to succeed. I was hopeful, yes, but not sure. And when the total was met and money started appearing in my account, I was amazed. Truly. Eyes open wide, mouth hanging, all of it.

Also, really happy.

Thank you for supporting me. It means a heck of a lot. 

Thank you, too, for teaching me again that you can ask for things that seem impossible. It's amazing what response you'll get. I had an email from someone I hardly know who gave a huge amount. "I just hope you succeed," he said. "I don't want a reward."

Another woman said, "Of course I want to help. It's good you asked. You can't help if you don't know what's needed."

I received gifts, and large ones too, from people whose names I have never actually heard before. It was astounding.

It's encouraged me to ask God for things that I normally wouldn't ask for. If strangers can respond so kindly and generously to a random request from an ordinary writer, why wouldn't God respond to what I ask of him? The fact is, I don't actually ask that much. But we're told to 'ask and we shall receive'. I might start doing a bit more of it.

THANK YOU.

I've put in my application now and I'll wait until May to hear the results. In the meantime, if you donated, I'll be in touch soon to talk about rewards.