I recently saw a quote that discussed how we are at times frustrated with someone for the things they cannot do (as in someone struggling with dementia, chronic pain, paralysis, or other debilitating struggle)…if we are that frustrated with them, how must it be for them knowing they can’t do the things they could once do, or would love to do? It’s message was clear. We need to have compassion. Our world is full of pain. Broken bodies, broken relationships, broken lives. How can we come alongside someone who is struggling? In the past couple of weeks, I have heard from people struggling with t ..read more

Check out these new July 2024 Releases from ACFW Members, then scroll to the bottom for the listing of books on sale for Prime Days on Amazon! More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: Renee by Sandra Ardoin — A bake-off competition can change widow Renee Burnette’s life and mend a frayed friendship. As the bake-off competition intensifies, Renee’s office relationships are strained, her sweet son becomes unruly, and the rift with her old friend widens. Can a decades-old cookbook help Renee restore the bonds every woman need ..read more

The glorious days of summer have arrived! Here, in no particular order, are five fun things to do to celebrate the season. Plant flowers. Our family decided a few years ago to plant all of our annuals in containers. This is much easier to maintain and much easier to prevent our flowers becoming a buffet for the multitude of wildlife that call our neighborhood home. Want a fun way to bless others this summer? Plant a container of blooms for a neighbor or for someone who may be unable to plant some themselves. Play on the swings. When was the last time you sat on a swing, pumped your legs, and ..read more

America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! source As we celebrate Independence Day, I’m so grateful to live in a country with so many freedoms. Those of us, myself included, who have never lived outside of the U.S. cannot fully comprehend just how blessed we are to live in this great nation. May we never take for granted the liberties we wake up to each day—liberties our ancestors fought and sometimes died for. May we never forget their great sacrifice. Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from ..read more

Happy release day to Dreams on the Horizon! It wasn’t long ago that Mae and Landon’s story was just a blip on the radar, begging to be written. snag your copy here Blurb: Can love overcome all obstacles? Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf has finally come to fruition. All is going well until she receives devastating news: the railroad wants to build a spur through the property where the Horizon School for the Deaf is located. What will become of the children who attend the school and the employees who so tirelessly commit their time and resources? Mae questions why God would al ..read more

On the online thesaurus, there are over 50 synonyms for “encourage”. Words such as support, inspire, enliven, revitalize, and strengthen are just a few on the lengthy list. It seems a simple thing to, yet why is it often easier for us to discourage someone rather than encourage them? Make no mistake, our words are powerful. But just how powerful? There’s a quote that states “Words are powerful. Use them wisely.” They can either build someone up or tear them down. Below are eight ways we can be encouragers: Encourage each other in everyday life. Life isn’t easy, especially in our current cult ..read more

I am super excited to celebrate the 15th Blogiversary of Random Thoughts from a Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author! Read on for information on how you can enter to win a copy of Dreams of the Heart and a $25 Amazon gift card! Back in 2009, I started this WordPress blog on the heels of my third book, 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference. My first blog post was titled “Preparing for a Writer’s Conference”. I followed that post with a humorous one about why I wasn’t a cowgirl due to my adventures on a persnickety horse in the Montana wilds. It soon became clear my blog wouldn’t have ..read more

June 2024 New Releases There are so many amazing books being released this month! Check out the following from some of your favorite Christian authors. More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Biblical: Petra: An Unbroken Legacy by Lisa L. Dorsey — Embark on a journey through time and faith. Witness as the survival of a family’s faith intertwines with pivotal moments in history to build a spiritual legacy anchored in God’s steadfast Love, timeless Word, and infinite Wisdom. (Biblical Adventure from hope*books) Contemporary Romance: The Trip ..read more

God commands us to serve wholeheartedly in Ephesians 6:7. To do so is easy in some circumstances. But what about in those times when serving others is difficult? How can we still follow this command? For example: When it’s not reciprocated. Sometimes the most difficult times to serve others is when it’s not reciprocated. However, there isn’t a disclaimer in God’s Word telling us to serve only when the favor is returned. Rather, we are to serve others as if serving the Lord, even when it’s not appreciated. When there is no more of you to give. There is so much need in today’s world and so man ..read more

May we never forget those who gave their lives for our country. May we never forget freedom isn’t free. And may we preserve those precious freedoms so many fought for (and continue to fight for) and for which so many lost their lives. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends ~ John 15:13 ..read more