As you may or may not have noticed, we’ve taken a pause on our blog posts here the last couple months. There are several reasons why. As I tried to juggle homeschooling my girls, my website design services, and meet writing deadlines, I realized I didn’t have enough time to do all of that well and also continue doing interviews/reviews as I hoped. After spending months struggling to keep up, I realized there was another way. One that required letting go, but also invited in rest and refreshment from the Lord. This new way to walk in means saying goodbye to the blog for now, so we can pour our hearts and time more into our families, take care of our health, and write more stories.

Starting in 2023, we’ll be taking a break here, in hopes to return with more reviews and interviews in the future. This decision wasn’t easy to make. Heather and I love our authors and readers. It’s been a joy connecting with you all for years and we will miss you greatly.

The Engrafted Word was a gift to me from the beginning. What is even more special is that YOU were kind enough to meet me here and together we grew and discovered wonderful stories. We explored many great books, but it’s the stories of the authors and readers along the way that remain my favorite. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment with us.

I hope you continue reading and supporting great Christian fiction. My TBR pile continues to grow and I can’t wait to read more great books in the New Year. You might just catch an occasional review from us here when we read something we just have to share with you. We invite you to stay connected with us through our social media too.

To celebrate the New Year and these new beginnings, we wanted to do one final giveaway. Here’s the 2 Ebooks you could win…

A year of gospel-saturated daily devotions from renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg.

Start with the gospel each and every day with this one-year devotional by renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg.

We all need to be reminded of the truth that anchors our life and excites and equips us to live for Christ. Reflecting on a short passage each day, Alistair spans the Scriptures to show us the greatness and grace of God, and to thrill our hearts to live as His children. His clear, faithful exposition and thoughtful application mean that this resource will both engage your mind and stir your heart.

Each day includes prompts to apply what you’ve read, a related Bible text to enjoy, and a plan for reading through the whole of the Scriptures in a year.

If there is one thing she has learned in England, it’s that not all Englishmen are created equal. Because this guy was turning out to be a real pill.

Tired of spending the holidays throwing up on cruises with her parents and, you know, being dumped by ex-boyfriends, Claire Frost is determined to change her luck this Christmas. Taking time off from her flower shop, she follows her friend to London, ready to enjoy all-things England. And boy, does she. The frost-covered flowers. The frozen green hills. The bright red telephone boxes. The festive Christmas markets.

Also the men. Definitely the men.

Except, of course, her friend’s cousin. Liam Everhart is super attractive, super swoony, and super English. Too bad he’s also a super jerk. A super jerk whom she now has to spend every minute with. What a blessed, blessed relief that his Darcy/Poldark looks are overshadowed by his Darth Vader/Malfoy personality. She had enough Christmas baggage to deal with, so why would she ever add a swoony Englishman to the mix?

This is a clean, sweet, wholesome romance set in present-day London, England that features the enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes, with a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

ENTER HERE:

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Thanks for entering! Giveaway ends January 8, 2023 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!

A note from Heather…

The past couple of months have been rough for me as I have been fighting the flu. So I am even more grateful to be well enough to celebrate this wonderful time of the year. As many of you know, the best part of the season is remembering what Christ did for us when He was born in a manger so long ago. His grace, love, and promises still hold true to this day.

Love and kindness are definitely two words that are close to my heart, and are actions I strive to live by, but of course, I’m not perfect. With being sick, I was reminded once again of God’s perfect love and goodness. He knows our hurts and frustrations, and He is right there beside us guiding us through the perils of life. His incredible grace is just that–incredible. This new year, try to remember a time when Jesus rescued you, and then reflect on just how amazing that is while also realizing His great love for you. That’s right–Jesus loves you!

I have so loved writing for The Engrafted Word. Working with Savanna has been a delight, and her friendship has been a gift from the Lord. Literary friends are the best! While Savanna and I have decided to take a break from this blog for a bit, don’t worry,we’ll still be around for the occasional post. Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and readership these past three years. I wish all of you a Happy New Year and the happiest of holidays! As always, happy reading friends!

A note from Savanna…

I can’t quite believe we’ve already arrived at the holidays, but I’m not complaining. I love this time of year. 🙂 And there is so much to be grateful for! God’s goodness abounds, as always.

I’m sorry we’ve been a bit silent on the blog these last couple months. Between taking care of our families, attending writers’ conferences and working on our stories, we’ve had to pause The Engrafted Word for a bit.

However, we did not want the holiday to go by without saying how much we appreciate each of you and that we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Stay tuned next week for our big annual giveaway. No holidays are complete without some great books, right?

A note from Heather…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday celebrating with family and friends. And of course, hopefully you can sneak a bit of reading time in too! My goal this season is to read at least four Christmas books…even though I’ve purchased more Christmas stories than that. 🙂 So, I’ll have to let you know my reading progress at a later date, but for now, happy reading friends!

We’ll talk with you more soon!

Welcome to the blog, Lynne. I’m so excited to have you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming release, A Fallen Sparrow.

Without giving too much away, can you tell us about one of your favorite scenes in the book?

Wow, that’s hard. There are so many. I did enjoy writing about the Continental Army crossing the Delaware before the Battle of Trenton. I have a new collection of used books on the Revolution, and one thick volume is about this single battle. It helped me to reconstruct the situation, view the experience through the eyes of my character. Meanwhile, his love interest is worried. Is Jonathan frozen in a ditch somewhere?

What drew you to set your stories in this time period?

I realized that there were very few books set during the period of the Great Awakening. I decided to write one, then realized I would need to write a trilogy and cover the Revolution as well. The revival of the gospel affected the colonies in such a way as to influence the war. Our protest was for the rule of law, a concept Christians can easily embrace, being people of the Book. On the other hand, the French Revolution embraced retribution.

I love that you focused on this time period. Such a fascinating era!

What will you remember most about writing this series?

The British connection. I hadn’t thought much about the British point of view until reading two interesting books: Redcoat by Bernard Cornwell and The Long Fuse by Don Cook. Redcoat opens with the reader immersed in a British soldier’s POV just before the Paoli Massacre. It’s a gritty tale that impacted me. The second is non-fiction, exploring why the British lost. The POV is again from the other side of the pond. Invaluable. I created my own British POV character, Lt. Robert Shirley, who ends up as a spy—and hates it. He is the (fictional) cousin of a real-life officer, Francis, Lord Rawdon, who is the grandson of the Countess of Huntingdon—the godly woman who supports George Whitefield and manages his orphanage after his death. Her grandson is not godly—I won’t give you any spoilers! But you just can’t make this stuff up!

That’s so interesting! I can just imagine how getting those other perspectives really added a lot to your stories. There are so many layers to history worth exploring!

John Russell is the hero of The Shenandoah Road, the first book in the series, and he’s around in the second and third books as well. By the Revolution he’s started to turn gray. He’s got flaws, but as a Christian he’s managed to (mostly) overcome them, and he serves as a kind of mentor in subsequent books. He’s a man’s man but a warm-hearted husband and father. He’s a Scots-Irish frontiersman, and aye, he’s got a bit of a brogue from the old country. He’s an idealized figure, a classic hero, and his strength affects the whole neighborhood. He was easy to write.

Ohhh, I love him just from your description! 🙂

What was the last book you read and what did you love most about it?

I really enjoyed Shadows of the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp. Not only did the storyline draw me in, but I was struck by her prose. She’s a great writer.

That one is on my TBR list too. 🙂

We’re so glad you could join us today, Lynne. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I’ve got two novellas in different stages of development—both part of the Russells series!

Yay! That’s great, Lynne. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great summer.

GIVEAWAY!!

Lynne has graciously offered to give away a signed print copy or ebook of “A Fallen Sparrow”. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

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Thanks for entering! US winner will receive a print copy – International winner will receive an ebook copy. Giveaway ends August 2, 2022 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!

Welcome to the blog, Mary. I’m so happy to have you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Among the Innocent.

Which character in this story was your favorite to write and why?

I’d say Leah Miller, hands down. Leah is a survivor even though she doesn’t always see it that way. At sixteen, her entire Amish family was murdered in front of her. Leah left the Amish faith because it was too hard to remain there and not remember what happened. She was adopted by the former chief of police and followed in his footsteps by joining the force.

Leah is strong, broken, and caring. Strong because she overcame losing her entire family and yet it didn’t destroy her. Broken, because the past will forever be imprinted on her heart. Even though she is an excellent police officer, Leah still struggles to make personal connections because of her past. She is caring because the love she has for her adopted mother will withstand the secrets Marge is keeping from her.

Sounds like an inspiring heroine. Can’t wait to meet her.

What first inspired you to write Amish Suspense?

I loved the idea of taking the simple Amish ways and throwing danger, suspense, and a really bad guy into the mix. I believe it helps enhance the good versus evil aspect of Christian Suspense even more.

When I wrote my first Amish Suspense, I set it in a remote Amish community in Montana and it just seemed to work. Now, most of my stories feature small Amish communities set in the mountains.

And your latest cover perfectly embodies all of it. Love it!

What is one of your most unforgettable moments from your writing career to date?

It was when I sold my first book to Love Inspired Suspense in 2012. It was an amazing journey. When the call came in, I was nervous and over the moon with happiness. I’d finally accomplished my dream of becoming a published author. Still today, with each new book, I have that feeling.

What was the last book you read and what will you remember most about it?

Lights Out by Natalie Walters. It is the first book in her SNAP Agency Series. I loved the danger and suspense as well as the romance wrapped around the SNAP team’s desperate search to find a man who might be a possible spy working in the US. It’s an amazing book.

What’s something your readers would be surprised to know about you?

I’d have to say if readers could see my workspace, they’d probably be very disappointed. Though I have an office where I can work, I prefer writing from my favorite chair in the living room. I can take breaks and watch the wildlife that occasionally pass through the backyard from my French doors. On pretty days, I take my work outside even though it is easy to get caught up in what’s happening around me and forget about what I’m supposed to be doing on my laptop.

Sounds equally beneficial and inspiring to me. 🙂

We’re so glad you could join us today, Mary. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I do have the first of four new books through Love Inspired Suspense coming out in March, and I will be sharing more news on that in the future. I’m currently working on another proposal for Revell, (fingers crossed). And I am also part of a couple of book collections with other authors. The first is entitled the Philanthropist series and will feature a new book each week starting in November. Then, in April of 2023, I am working with 9 other authors on a collection of suspense stories that are set in small towns.

That’s awesome! Lots of exciting things on the horizon. Congratulations!

GIVEAWAY!!

Mary has graciously offered to give away a copy of “Among the Innocent”. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! US winner will receive a print copy – International winner will receive an ebook copy. Giveaway ends June 30, 2022 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!

Hello.  My name is Sydney Anderson.  I am currently a stay-at-home mommy-librarian who has a love of books and all things bookish.  I work part time online as an adjunct professor for Southern Utah University (SUU) teaching Information Literacy.  I believe there is a book out there for everyone, it is only a matter of finding the right one.  I enjoy connecting with authors and readers online via social media and blogging and hope to one day write a novel of my own. 

In addition to my love of libraries and books, I also enjoy group fitness and running.  I am certified in Barre (via FiTour, Barre Above, & UpBeat Barre), Balletone, Advanced Pilates (viaFiTour), and Pumped Up Strength; I teach a few times a month.  I am also currently working on completing a group fitness certification and Pre- and Postnatal Coaching Certificate via Girls Gone Strong AND I’m training for a 10K.

When I am not working, reading, or blogging, I enjoy spending time outdoors (especially hiking); attending group fitness classes (including:  Barre, Balletone, Pilates, Pumped Up Strength, WERQ, Kickboxing, etc.); working on craft projects; singing; and spending time and going on adventures with my husband and our boys. 

Social media:  Instagram / Blog / Goodreads

Welcome to The Engrafted Word Sydney! 

I am so excited to get to talk with you today, and I know our readers will love getting to know you and your wonderful family.  

3. When did you first realize you wanted to become an author, and who or what would you say is your biggest influence in your writing journey? 

I started writing when I was in grade school. I loved stories and the written word from a young age. I had some circumstances in my personal life come up with my special needs non-verbal Autistic son (he also has developmental delays and motor skill delays) and so I am not actually writing right now. But I’m hoping to get back into it in a couple years when both my kids are in school all day.

My biggest influence and ideas come from reading lots and lots of books in genres and by authors I adore.

7. I’ve only attended a few writing conferences, and it can be difficult to decide what conference to attend next.  Can you recommend any to our readers? 

It for sure can be hard to decide which writing conference to attend. So far, I have attended Storymakers which happens every May in Provo, Utah. It’s a 2-3 day event depending on what classes and intensives you decide to attend. And I also attended a writing conference put on by Richard Paul Evans in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. I mostly decided on these conferences, because I had heard good things about them, and they were close to home. I think it would be super fun to one day attend ACFW which is a lot farther away.

8. Blogging can be a lot of fun but also a lot of work!  Why did you decide to start a blog so many years ago, and what tips could you give to someone who would like to start a blog? 

At the time I started my blog, I had just moved to a new city in a new state and I couldn’t seem to get a job, even after multiple interviews. I didn’t have a job, and I didn’t have kids yet–I was bored being home alone all day while my husband was at work. I have always loved books and reading and discovered I could participate in blog tours and launch teams for various publishers and authors. So that is what became my “job”. I figured I was already reading anyway, so I might as well write a review and post on social media.

9. Experience is everything when it comes to life–whether that is writing a story or just talking to a friend.  Are there any words of wisdom you would like to share?

I have always loved to read and use it as a way to explore other times and places. But ever since my oldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I’ve used reading a lot more as an escape and as self-care to help me cope with his diagnosis and all the therapies we do to help him, as well as a way for self-care to help with my mental health. It’s definitely a good outlet. And it teaches me to be a better writer along the way!

10. I agree with your advice–read as much as you can!  And I know many keep up with their books and reading lists on Goodreads–myself included–but I’m always amazed at how people are able to read so much!  What do you think is the best way to accomplish a high reading goal? 

Honestly, I find the best of way to take a high reading goal is to be flexible in the type of book format you are willing to read. I do lots of audiobooks as I drive my kids to preschool. But I also read print and ebooks. I even go so far as to use my e-reader to do text to speech reading for me even though the voice is robotic. 😆 I also snatch little minutes when I’m waiting in line or waiting at the doctor’s or dentist’s office etc.

Thanks so much for having me, Heather. It’s always a pleasure to talk to you!!

Thanks for joining us, Sydney! Wishing you (and all you readers) a blessed day!

Welcome to the blog, Janyre. I’m so excited to have you here today. Congratulations on your recent release, Shadows of the Mind’s Eye. Everything about this story draws me in – the title, the cover, the plot. I can’t wait to read it!

Can you tell us what first sparked the idea for this novel?

This story actually began while talking to my grandparents over a glass of lemonade. My U.S. History professor had given us an assignment to talk to family about the Depression and/or World War II. Until that point, I’d had no real concept of what the war was like, either for the soldiers or their families back home. I guess I’d thought that the greatest generation slid back into life and easily became the loving people I knew my grandparents were in their 70s. When I discovered that wasn’t the case, I wondered how they had survived the fear and drastic changes.

Even though the book idea started with wondering how my grandparents’ marriage survived the pressure of war, the book isn’t biographical. So, I needed a setting other than my grandparents’ hometown. For the characters that I was building, I needed a small town. When one of my good friends told me she had an entire book of stories from her family in Arkansas, I jumped at the chance to read first-hand history.

Amongst the Hughes family stories, I acquired the basis for Dovie May and Hot Springs, Arkansas—home to the largest illegal gambling racket in the country.

Well, I don’t have to tell you that mobsters and illegal activity are an excellent backdrop for a story with a bit of suspense. The book The Bookmaker’s Daughter by Shirley Abbott confirmed that Hot Springs mobsters operated with full permission of the authorities. In Shirley’s stories, I also discovered the foundation for Charlotte Anne’s father. All of which gave me a location and a cast of characters that could stoke Sam’s fears and make everyone (including the reader) wonder whether or not he was crazy.

Wow, I love hearing how you connected your story to history. That’s fascinating! And I love picturing you with your grandparents, learning more about their lives over a glass of lemonade. What a special conversation to share.

What will you remember most about the writing process for this book?

The tale of putting this story on paper was not at all what I expected and honestly I’m not sure I would voluntarily go back and do it again.

There have been long stretches of my life where I was all too familiar with debilitating fear. I still have occasional flashes from my childhood, the rush of adrenaline causing my pulse to pound and hands to shake. I was terrified to have kids, to be the one responsible for their physical/mental/emotional wellbeing. The last thing I wanted was for them to have the same problems I had. But, as one of my characters Dovie May says, “The best place for miracles is where we don’t fully believe, where our believing has run out.”

My husband, Chris, and his family, as well as my good friend, Sarah De Mey, and my mom (who worked hard to get help), have been amazing role models for me as I navigate what it looks like to raise emotionally healthy kids. And my family and I were doing quite well.

Until in about eighteen month’s time, I had a major medical issue requiring surgery, my daughter tore her ACL, my son had recurring pneumonia, my husband had spinal surgery, the docs thought I had lupus, and then to cap it off, my daughter became increasingly ill. After months of visiting doctors to find out why my thirteen-year-old daughter was experiencing increasing abdominal pain, she collapsed at school. What followed was a living nightmare. Doctors found her abdominal cavity full of a fungal infection that quickly went septic. That was the first time we almost lost her. She was hospitalized seven times over a few months’ time and the doctors had no idea what caused her illness.

Months later, she’d lost more than forty pounds, and both she and I were wracked with nightmares, an inability to drive anywhere near the hospital, or be in a room with needles. To this day, I can’t smell rubbing alcohol without my body responding with panic.

On paper she should not have survived, and I can’t describe the immense fear that comes from the Pediatric ICU or a parade of doctors. My girl is doing great now, and she is one of the toughest kids I know. But boy does she have a soft heart for other kids who are suffering, and I can fully understand why someone might struggle with faith in a loving, all-powerful God.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I was a little more than halfway through finish Shadows in the Mind’s Eye when my girl got sick. I don’t know that I could have done justice to my characters until I’d found the path to hope after my daughter had walked out of the hospital for the last time.

I’m enormously grateful for EMDR, my therapist, and the grace of God that much of my fear is gone.

Oh my goodness, I’m so glad to hear your daughter is doing better now! And that God is healing your heart. I’m so sorry for everything your family had to face. You’re right, Dovie May’s quote is so true. I’ve talked to many authors who seem to face very hard challenges while writing a book. I can’t help but think God is drawing them (and us) to lean more on Him. So thankful He carried you through!

Can you tell us about a recent story you read that really inspired you?

I’m currently reading The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare by Kimberly D. Brock. It’s this fabulous book that is the author’s imaginings launched from real historical nuggets about the 1585 lost colony of Roanoke, whose citizens vanished without a trace in the early American settlement. It’s the story of Eleanor’s descendants during the 1940s and is such a gorgeous story about the relationship between mothers and daughters.

I think because my girl is so close to leaving the nest, the themes are really sticking with me and making me more purposeful in my interactions with my kiddos.

That sounds so good! Being a mom myself to two little girls, I especially want to check it out. I don’t even want to think about them leaving the nest just yet  though! 🙂

Which character from any book would you like to be for a day and why?

Is there a book character that can sit and read books all day, have food delivered on request, and have not much happen? I’m only half kidding. I think I would like to be Meg in Patti Callahan’s Once Upon a Wardrobe. Not only does she get to meet and hang out with C. S. Lewis and his brother, she’s smart, kind, and deeply loved.

Haha, that sounds like a perfect day! 🙂

I hadn’t heard of that book, but I just looked it up and it looks amazing! I’m adding it to my TBR pile. 🙂

What is something you’re looking forward to this summer?

I’m looking forward to taking time off work to spend time with my kids. My oldest will be a senior in high school next year so I want to soak up every second I have with her. And my youngest is such a delight to be around. Michigan is one of the best places to be in the summer. We have fantastic beaches and water everywhere. I’m hoping to go up to the Upper Peninsula and kayak around the Painted Rocks National Lakeshore.

That sounds like a lot of fun! I love to go kayaking! 🙂 Hope you enjoy lots of wonderful moments with your family, Janyre.

Thanks so much for joining us today. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I’m in a novella collection along with Deborah Raney and Amanda Wen titled O Little Town. It releases in September.

All three stories are based on a town just a little south of me in West Michigan. I fully admit to strong-arming the other two into the location so I could write about the Japanese bombs that landed all across the western US falling as far east as Michigan. You read that right. WWII Japanese bombs in Michigan. Here’s a quick description of the whole book:

In the sleepy small town of Mapleview, Michigan, Christmas is always something special. In this charming collection of romance novellas, join three generations of Mapleview residents longing for love–and finding it–during the most wonderful season of the year.

Want to pre-order? You can do that over here: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Town-Romance-Christmas-Collection/dp/0825447488/

Wow, I never would have guessed that about the Japanese bombs. I love learning about history through fiction!

And I love that you’re doing a collection with Deborah and Amanda. Can’t wait to read it! Have a great summer!

GIVEAWAY!!

Janyre has graciously offered to give away a copy of “Shadows in the Mind’s Eye”. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US residents only and ends May 31, 2022 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!

When I was a child, I could write a long letter with little to no effort.  You see, I am from the letter writing era.  I know that concept is foreign to many, since we live in a world of emails and tweets.  However, there was a time when people communicated via post, and I was one of them.

It’s sad when I consider that the world has lost this great pastime.  I imagine the letters that Jane Austen and Charles Dickens penned.  If you have a chance to study them, you will find they are filled with much wit and humor as well as grim salutations.  Letters were how people conveyed what was going on in their daily lives–along with any sadness or happiness that came their way.  What do we do now?  We email or text someone our news, and I am afraid that in many cases our mode of communication has completely broken down.  Will we every get it back?  In many cases, I fear we will not.

More and more I see where people do not stop to take the time to notice the person they are talking to.  Their mind is filled with their to-do list for the day; therefore, there is no time to talk to the old college friend they just saw at the grocery store.  Why as humans are we like this?  When did we forget how to focus, listen, and communicate with each other?

Have you ever talked to someone before and felt they were not really listening to you, or that your conversation was one of inconvenience?  I know I have been in that place many times in my life, and I must confess that I strive to never treat others like that. When did we get so busy that we forgot how to enjoy the company of the person standing in our midst?

So how did the poets and authors of old treat other individuals?  I am sure they had their moments of strife and upset, but I also know from reading their letters that they prided themselves on being able to reach out to a family member or friend they had not seen in awhile.  Many even wrote to strangers, such as C.S. Lewis, who composed many letters to his readers.  Some of my favorite letters of his to read are those he wrote to children.  So many little ones wrote to him in order to ask about Aslan and the world of Narnia. It is so lovely to see that Lewis cared enough to not only write them back, but he also took the time to answer each of their questions regarding this special world he created in his books.  Splendid!

I wish we could go back to days of letter writing–how lovely that would be.  I know that is not possible in modern times, but there are many occasions where I do take a moment to send someone a card.  And I always love getting a hand written note in the mail from someone–it makes my day!  So take a moment this week to pen a letter to a friend or maybe even a short thank you note to your mom or grandma–I know they will cherish this timeless act!

Today is a special day for me, because it commemorates an anniversary that I will forever be grateful and humbled by–the Lord is good.  I wanted to post a poem that I wrote years ago, which talks about all that the Lord has done for me, and happily was a poem that was published in my college’s literary journal.  God bless friends!

“The Gifts”

by Heather Snyder

Love and Kindness are with me wherever I go,
They are a constant reminder of the love that was shown to me.

They are a constant reminder to me to keep going no matter what,
no matter how hard things get, these two things always seem to
give
me the strength to carry on.

They are always there to remind me that I can overcome any
obstacle,
because of being given these two precious gifts.

Whenever I think of them,
a smile comes to my face,
as I remember the day that I was awarded them.
Then with anguish I remember the days I did not have them,
yet everyday longed and hoped for these gifts to come soon.
Wondering what it would be like to have these amazing gifts in my
life,
wondering if I would ever have these gifts in my life.

My life before was filled with pain and suffering,
it was filled with broken dreams and questions of what was to
come,
what was I to become? There were no answers to these puzzling
questions,
just the drive to keep going even though the road ahead held no
promises.

Once these gifts were here it was like a breath of fresh air.
My life was never the same again, it was a thousand times better.
Suddenly the road ahead held many promises with dreams coming
true.
Pain was being erased and replaced with hope for the future.
I now understood what I had been missing for so many years,
and have been in awe of this fact ever since.

I intend to protect these precious gifts, Love and Kindness,
for they were a gift given by God directly to me.
Not to be taken for granted, but to hold dear all the days of my
life.
They were given for me to embrace life,
to embrace Love and Kindness in this life.

I will never forget Love and Kindness,
for they are with me wherever I go.

This month has been a reflective one for me–do you ever have those months?  Times when you stop and listen to the world around you–your own world specifically.  When you consider what you have done in your life up to this point and what the Lord may have brought you through.  That is where my thoughts lie this month.

Throughout my young life, there have been numerous occasions where I have needed help.  Help from those around me, but mostly help from the only person who could faithfully assist me in those moments–Someone who could help me when no one else could.  I’m sure you have already guessed that I am talking about the Lord.  This month marks a momentous occasion for me–a celebration that I thought I would never reach.  And all the glory goes to the Lord and to the love of another family.  Without their selfless decision, I would not be writing this post.

Thanksgiving and gratefulness fills my heart this month because despite what I may think at times–my life has purpose and meaning.  I must carry on because there are others who cannot.  I must live my life with passion because of the gift I was given.  I must live out loud even in a world that sometimes brings you down or questions why you are so vivacious all the time.  In those moments, remember your perkiness may bother them because they are forever in the depths of despair.  Don’t ever feel like you have to match their character.  The world needs you to make it a better place!  There are already too many grumps on the planet.

As you know by now, the Lord always uses music to speak to me and to help me through some of the most challenging events in my life.  And I have attended numerous contemporary Christian concerts throughout the years that always left me feeling inspired and encouraged to keep running the race set before me (Hebrews 12:1).  On a nostalgic note, the song by Third Day entitled “Love Song” popped into my head this past week.  This is such a beautiful song and an incredible reminder of what Christ did for us and gave to us.  As a young girl, I remember a group performing a skit to this song at my church–the audience was in tears along with a young Heather who was bawling her eyes out.  Oh, how imperative it is that we remember all that has been given to us!  Please take a moment to listen to this song today.

Life is a gift.  Everyday is a gift.  Embrace it!  Love it!  Hold on to each and every moment while remembering where you came from and what you have been through.  Live the life that God has called you to live–use the talents you have been given.  Don’t waste moments by worrying about the past and wishing you had done things differently–be different now!

As I stated earlier, this month is super special to me, and as the days go by I recall so many various events that took place long ago.  And I am left in awe and wonder at the greatness of our God.  Relying on Him is the only way I got through any of it.  He is my strength–daily and forever.  When I think back to where I was ten years ago, and what my life could have been–I am so happy to know that the Lord was and is in control.  He knew the steps before I even walked them.  Things do happen in His perfect timing, which are usually the moments that do not make sense to us.  Trust is key in these times.

My life has changed so much in recent years that there is not enough space here for me to elaborate upon it.  Just know that we serve an awesome God, and that He is bigger than anything we may ever face.  I never thought I would get through many of the trials I have endured, but God knew.  And that is all the comfort I will ever need.  God bless each and everyone of you this month!

March is an amazing month for me, because I’m blessed to be able to celebrate another moment again.  I know I have probably mentioned some of my milestones before, which equate to the grace of the Lord.  These pertain to moments in life where it is incredibly apparent that the Lord was the author of such goodness, and I cannot deny it.  Isn’t it wonderful to see how the Lord works?  To know that it is He alone Who could grant such a miracle!  And isn’t it amazing to realize that He is working in your life, because you see and understand that the Lord loves you.  The Creator of the world is saving you!

I know I tend to get a bit excited when I talk about all that the Lord has done, but it just amazes me.  Why does He love me this much?  Why does He even care?  And yet, I am remined daily of His love and kindness.

The song below is from my childhood, but it is one of my favorites.  Every time I hear the words I cry, because this song reminds me yet again about God’s power and love.  And the fact that His grace never changes.  I hope this song touches your heart too.