When I signed up for this date several months ago, I was sure I would have the fifth book in my Front Porch Promises series, A Baby to Call Ours, finished and for sale. I don't even have it ready for presale. Three reasons. First, I found out in February that my computer hard drive was failing, and I had to have it replaced. Thankfully, I do have everything backed up in the cloud, but even with that, it takes a week to get the new hard drive installed. Then it takes another week or more to reload the software and all the files on the new hard drive. Secondly, we had unexpected grandparents' duty. We watched our grandchildren for a week, and that included two cross-country flights from Arizona to New Jersey and back. That meant three weeks of my writing time disrupted. Finally, I have no cover for the book. Here are the covers of the current books in the series.
As you can see all the covers have front porches. I want a cover with a front porch with a baby crib or carriage on it. I have been unable to find a photo that works. The first, second, and fourth books have covers made from stock photos. The third book is a photo I took of my friend's front porch with the three chairs on it. The child's chair was borrowed from one of her friends. I would take another photo myself, but I don't have a crib or cradle or a front porch. While the book is being edited, I'll keep looking for that perfect photo to use for the cover. All of this reminds me of the verse in Proverbs. "The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NRSV) I am trusting that this book will come out at just the right time. Not my plan, but God's.
Have you ever made plans and found that God had something else in mind for you?
PS If you come across a photo with a front porch and a crib or cradle on it, please send me a message. You can contact me through my website. Click here to find the contact page.
Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of America. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.
Jean C. Gordon here with two new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on the cover to purchase the book. And to learn more about Valerie and Laura, click on their names.
ASSIGNMENT: SINGLE MOM SURVEILLANCE The Military K-9 Unit series continues
Her serial killer brother’s escaped—and it’s single mom Zoe Sullivan who’s under suspicion! Sgt. Linc Colson trusts two things: his instincts and his Rottweiler K-9 partner, Star—and certainly not the pretty face he’s assigned to monitor. He’s done everything to keep her from getting under his skin—now he must stop those who want to put her six feet under.
WRONGFULLY ACCUSED A Callahan Confidential story
When fire investigator Mitch Callahan is attacked at a crime scene, he’s shocked to uncover the body of a slain ex-girlfriend—and realize someone’s framing him for murder. Widowed ER nurse Dana Petrie believes Mitch is innocent, and not just because he makes her feel alive again after tragedy marred her past. But is she willing to risk everything only to love and lose again?
The Exhortation to the Apostles, James Tissot, 1886-1894, Brooklyn Museum. [PD-US]
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."
John 15:9-17
If you have any prayer needs,
please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You
do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just
say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you
have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
WHERE AM I GOING? HOW DID I GET HERE?
Have you ever wondered how you got to where you are today? As I look back, my life seems like a convoluted plot that was thrown together by a committee of demented writers! Of course I know better. Looking closely I can see the Lord's hand in every step, even if I had no idea at the time.
I was born in Cleveland, OH, and ran away when my parents informed me that the family was moving to CA. That could have been disastrous except I wasn't allowed to cross the street so I just kept riding my bike around the block until I ran out of the snacks I'd packed to take with me, gave up and rode home. :)
We could have settled in any area of Southern California but we ended up in Rosemead where I went to high school with the boy who was to eventually become my husband. Are you following me? Any other house on any other street and who knows how my life would have turned out? He moved away during my junior year and I thought I'd never see him again. We weren't dating so it was no big deal. But then he came back to visit and I ran into him in the hallway at school. I'd been having trouble with my chem class and he offered to help. I, in turn, thought it would be polite to ask him to dinner so I did. See? Everything had to happen in just the right order at just the right time. I used to think I was lucky but now I know better. God was in the details.
As our life together progressed it was filled with so many similar occurrences it boggles the mind. The way we struggled to make ends meet and muddled through raising children, the moves we made that each, in its own way led to further blessings and on and on. How I decided to try my hand at writing the kind of books I loved to read is another fantastic story. All I wanted to do was take a college class in writing at the same university where my married daughter lived. It was a girls' day out. I thought it would be fun. Boy, was it! But if she hadn't married the student she did, and if they hadn't lived in the building where the class was held, and if I hadn't happened to see the brochure for the Saturday class, and if I hadn't had a car that would make the long drive, and if we hadn't run into the instructors at - are you ready? - McDonalds after class, and if they hadn't bothered to encourage me and on and on. I wrote in longhand and typed on a borrowed typewriter, cutting and pasting and then making copies at a store. It took forever and I was also holding down a "real" job.
Rejections? Sure. Then and now. But if something like that was going to stop me it would have done so long, long ago. To be a published author you not only have to be blessed, you have to be BRAVE.
This is my first autographing session. I don't do those much anymore but at the time it was a real joy. And both instructors from my college class showed up! At the time, if I had known how much work lay ahead and how deeply the Lord would draw me into His plans I would probably have insisted it couldn't be done. But it was. And it is. Not a day passes that I don't thank my heavenly Father for the opportunities- and the trials - He has provided. Usually on the far side of those trials and looking back as if I knew what I was doing all along!
My May book is BOUND BY DUTY. I went back and counted and it is the 53rd Christian novel. There were 18 secular before that, making a total of 71. Yes, I counted on my fingers. I can spell anything but never, never, never ask me to do math! Or chemistry, despite having the best tutor ever.
by Lisa Jordan, @lisajordan If you walked in my attic, you'd probably suggest it for an episode of Hoarders. I don't have a problem...honest...unless you count lack of time to clean and organize the boxes and totes of crafting supplies. My creativity isn't limited to words. I've done almost all of it--sewing, counted cross-stitch, crocheting, scrapbooking & stamping, crocheting and knitting. In my spare time, I love to stamp and make cards. Papers and stamps and inks...oh my!
Every writer needs a hobby other than writing. Since writing is my career, I no longer consider it a hobby. Something about deadlines and royalty checks, you know. In addition to caring for my family, I work part-time, write, and juggle church obligations. And someone needs to clean the house, shop for groceries, and fold the laundry.
So when in the world do we have time for a hobby??
Well, I schedule time to craft with friends on a regular basis. I need the downtime to recharge my batteries.
Sometimes, if I'm home alone, I'll put in a movie, and then make a stack of cards while getting caught up in someone else's happily ever after. Cardmaking relaxes me and allows me to focus on something other than my growing to-do list. I've even used that time to brainstorm plot points in my novels. Once I've created a stack of cards, I send them to family and friends, hoping to add encouragement to their days.
Whether you work at home or outside the home, you need a hobby. Hobbies aren't limited to things like knitting or scrapbooking. Hobbies can be physical too--running, hiking, fly fishing, bird watching, miming in the park--whatever makes your heart happy...but keep it legal.
Hobbies allow you to express yourself in creative ways to be in touch with both sides of your brain. Hobbies allow you to de-stress in a positive, tangible way. Hobbies allow you to have time for yourself when others demand so much from you.
If you don't have a hobby, think about what you enjoy, and then consider trying that. You're never too old to learn!
Your turn: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Jean C. Gordon here with a two new must buys from our Love Inspired Historical authors. Just click on the cover to purchase the book. And to learn more about Rhonda and Sherri, click on their names.
THE RANCHER'S TEMPORARY NANNY
Laura Lee has longed for a child of her own—but she never expected one would suddenly appear on the school steps. With a note begging her to raise the baby girl, the teacher must find a new home since there’s a rule against children in the boardinghouse. Her only option is becoming a temporary live-in nanny for a rancher.
Widowed single father Clint Shepard needs a nanny for his daughter immediately—even if hiring Laura means he’ll have to find someone else in a few months when school starts up. But after spending time with her and the little girl she’s raising, he starts falling for them, and wishing their arrangement could be permanent.
STAND-IN WIFE
Russ Halloway’s mail-order bride never boarded the bride train! In her place is recently widowed Anna Darby Linford, sister of the last woman to jilt Russ. He’s surprised to see Anna again—and stunned when he discovers she’s pregnant. Marrying Anna seems the right thing to do...especially since love continues to evade him.
Anna hopes Russ will help her find employment—becoming a wife again never even crossed her mind. Yet as she struggles to start over in the small town, Anna forges a genuine connection with Russ. When secrets from her past threaten Russ’s future in politics, can they protect their family in the making?
Christ the True Vine, 16th C Greek Icon, Athens. [PD-US]
Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
John 15:1-8
If you have any prayer needs,
please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You
do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just
say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you
have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.
Hello, Jolene here. With summer vacation just around the corner, my husband and I are talking about places to go. All my stories are set in my home state of Texas. The small towns of the Hill Country are in my DNA, but I love to travel beyond our borders.
My father was a commercial airline pilot, and growing up we traveled a lot. On the other hand my husband grew up on a ranch (ranchers do not take vacations) and was one of eleven children. Needless to say traveling was not done, so I love to take him to new places.
We've been talking about our favorite places and maybe revisiting one of them. New York City and New Orleans are right on top. My husband was surprised by how much we enjoyed our experience in New York. The energy and vibe of one of the biggest cities in a very land locked piece of property was amazing. We got to dance in the rain in Times Square. I was able to see works of art I’d only studied in art school.
We found a family diner off not far from our hotel on Wall Street. My husband was exited to discover burgers under 5.00 plus the owner spoke Spanish.
We found this gem of a family diner off Wall Street. Home cooked food with very good price.
Just the history alone was mind boggling. I have to say the people were super friendly and even when we got a bit confused in the subway there was always someone willing to help.
Lower Manhattan – It amazes me that so many people can live in such a small space. It looks as if it could just fall of the little piece of land.In the city you can hardly see the sky. From the river it looks like another worldCentral Park
The human spirit is amazing…you can see it and feel it in large doses all over New York, but no matter how many building we build we still are drawn to nature. Central Park is an oasis in the mist of a man made jungle. Did I mention the history everywhere you looked?
Then there is the southern city of New Orleans.
Reid, my hero in The Texan's Twins is a native of New Orleans. Katrina relocated him to Houston as a kid. I listened to hours of videos to hear the voice patterns of people from this beautiful city. It was fun and if you read, The Texan's Twins I hope you can hear the sounds of the city in Reid's voice.
A big city with a completely different feel from New York. Relaxed, happy, laid back and ready for a good time. We were sent to New Orleans with a Smithsonian Educational grant and I wasn't sure what to expect. I’m not a party person so I wasn’t sure about New Orleans. We fell in love with textures, people and food.
Waiting to enter the unknown in New Orleans.On the way to Pirate Ally in the French Quarter’s of New Orleans.There is so much art and creativity in New OrleansAnyone who has ever been to New Orleans will tell you to stop by the Cafe Du Monde, any time of day or night.So many shops had a cat in the window. This one was watching over a weaving shopYou can’t go to NOLA without at least one visit to the cemetery. This was taken at Lafayette Cemetery No 1
Taking the Paddle Boat down the Mississippi while listening to live music was a wonderful experience. Warning: save your money and skip the dinner.
We stayed in the French Quarter and walked everywhere, even late at night we felt safe. We stepped onto Bourbon Street for about five minutes, that was enough.
The history, art, music and people made this a trip we want to make again.
Have you been to both of these cities? If you had to choose one which would it be: New York or New Orleans? Maybe neither? LOL
Do you have a favorite city that you would visit over and over?
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