When Dreams Delay

When I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. I also wanted to be a missionary. I dreamed about reaching the nations with the good news that God loves us. When I was in high school and college, my missionary dreams continued to grow. I read every mission’s report I could find—I KNEW God was calling me to service. As I prayed, I felt sure God was telling me that someday I’d be traveling the globe sharing His peace and love. I was certain the promises I’d heard God whispering to my heart were going to come true.

Then I became ill.

Quarantine was a difficult time for me. Not only because of the physical pain, but also because it made me doubt the things I’d heard in prayer. I felt sure that God had said He was going to send me to the nations, but how could I travel the globe when I couldn’t even enter a grocery store? I began to doubt God’s voice, and as disappointment crept into my soul, I began to doubt God’s existence.

As my quarantine stretched on, I gradually put away my disillusionment and began reestablishing my relationship with God. I reexamined my faith and decided that despite heartache and pain, God is real, God is good, God is intimately interested in every moment of my life, Jesus must be kept in the center of my faith, and God is trustworthy in spite of tragedy. With my faith restored, I began learning how to give my dreams into God’s keeping. One by one, I relinquished my desires into His care.

Time passed. The years came and went.

My life felt like it was at a standstill, but curiously, I was no longer resentful of that fact. I had stopped struggling, and instead, I was basking in the Lord’s peace. I figured that God had a good plan for my life, and even though I didn’t understand what it was, I knew He would bring it forth in His good timing. Ceasing to struggle was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was also the best and most fulfilling thing I’ve done. There’s something incredibly beautiful about peace. There’s something wonderful about trust.

More years came and went.

I began writing The Time Counselor Chronicles, and eventually, I received a contract from Prism Book Group for Time Tsunami, the first book in the series. Prism recommended that I start a blog, but the thought terrified me. After all, what did I have to blog about? What could I possibly say? Would anyone even read what I wrote? Would I make an idiot of myself? Could I even do it?

As I pondered the swirling questions, once again, I felt God’s peace surrounding me. It was almost as if I could feel Him smile. Feeling totally out of my depth, I decided to start even though I had no idea what I was doing. I named my blog dragonflydanele after the dragonfly incident that let me know God loved me—an incident described on my blog’s welcome page. After prayer, I decided to use my blog as a platform to tell people that God loved them. I wanted my readers to know that even though bad things happen, God is still real, life is still good, and the future is still bright. I wanted to bring hope.

When I started blogging, I wasn’t sure that anyone would read what I had written, but chronicling the lessons I’d learned during quarantine felt right. Giving praise to God for His never-ending love brought me a sense of peace. As the months passed, something amazing began happening. People began sharing my posts with their friends, and their friends shared my posts with their friends. WordPress has a feature that tells you how many people view your articles, and I was amazed to see the number growing. Although readers’ identities are kept secret, WordPress has a feature that tells you what countries your readers are from. I was astonished when I realized that my articles were being read in places other than the United States. Every time I saw a new country listed, I would squeal and tell my family. It simply amazed me.

As more time passed, my amazement turned into reverent awe as I remembered God’s promise to send me to the nations. My old dreams of spreading God’s love around the globe were coming to pass in a way I hadn’t expected. I thought I would be a missionary—God planned on making me a blogger, and through my computer, I’m reaching more people than I ever could’ve imagined. Each time I read my WordPress statistics and see the map of the nations where my articles are being read, I feel a sense of wonder. All I can say is that God is AWESOME!

Friends, hold onto your God-given dreams. And if your dreams seem to be delaying, don’t despair. God has a way of making things happen in His own timing and in His own way. God’s promises ALWAYS hold true. Even if you can’t see how it can happen, God can make your impossible dreams a reality.

LIST OF NATIONS WHERE dragonflydanele IS BEING READ:

Albania

Angola

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belgium

Brunei

Botswana

Brazil

Cambodia

Canada

Chech Republic

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cote d’Ivoire

Croatia

Curacuo

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Estonia

European Union

Finland

France

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Grenadines

Guatemala

Hong Kong SAR China

Hungary

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jersey

Kenya

Kuwait

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Malaysia

Mexico

Moldova

Mongolia

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

St. Vincent

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Trinidad & Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

US Virgin Islands

Venezuela

Vietnam

 

“Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Habakkuk 2:3b

“What a God He is! How perfect in every way! All His promises hold true!” Psalm 18:30a

Gail Pallotta–Author Interview

Dear Friends,

Do you know someone who is not only extremely kindhearted, but who always makes you smile? I sure do! Her name is Gail Pallotta, and I feel extremely blessed to call her my friend. Gail is an incredible person, and the love of Christ just seems to radiate from her! I’m so pleased to announce that Gail’s new novel, Barely Above Water, has just been released by Prism Book Group!

Danele: Gail, I’m delighted to have you with us today!

Gail: Hi, Danele, it’s my pleasure to visit.

Danele: The pleasure is all mine! I can’t wait to learn more about you! Can you tell us when you gave your heart to Christ?

Gail: I can’t remember when I wasn’t a Christian. My grandfather was a minister, and my father quoted from the Bible daily. My mother started praying with me when I was a toddler. Through her faith, I drew close to God, and He became part of my life. She encouraged me not only to pray formal prayers, but to talk to God, to tell Him the things I needed, to thank Him for my salvation and all He’d done for me. I believed God loved me at a young age, and in return, I loved Him. I can’t pinpoint a particular moment when it happened. But I learned that God answers prayers, and when we have no one else to turn to He’s there for us. I’ve cherished this precious gift my entire life. For that reason, I did the same with my daughter.

Danele: That’s beautiful, Gail. It’s as if God’s presence has always been flowing through your life in a peaceful golden stream. I can’t imagine anything more lovely! Now, my illness taught me the importance of trusting God.  Have you ever had a difficult situation when you needed to totally rely on God?

Gail: There are many ways in which I rely on God; it’s difficult to select just one. I live in an area where traffic is horribly dangerous, and I pray twice a day for safe travels. When I was in college, I was in a car that was caught in a sudden ice storm. We were singing “He Leadeth Me” when we slid to the edge of a cliff. We would have tumbled down the rocky precipice, but the car banged into the trunk of a tree on the steep overhang.

Danele: How frightening! I’m so glad that God protected you!

Gail: I could go on and on about God’s protection; however, since I have a new release that tells how God led a girl with a mysterious illness to an alternative doctor, I’ll talk a little about that situation. The characters and plot of Barely Above Water are fiction, but the symptoms and the treatment are taken from my experience with Chronic Lyme disease. And the part about how God intervenes and lets the girl know where to find help is real. You see, I grew very sick ten years ago. After much testing, the medical doctors still couldn’t diagnose my problem. They declared they couldn’t do anything for me, and I went home thinking I would die from a weird malady.

Danele: Oh, Gail, that’s awful! What happened next?

Gail: A chiropractor’s last name popped in my head over and over. I remembered hearing about him from a friend who’d seen him ten years earlier. About the same time, a lady where I swim laps raved about how much he helped her. Even though I couldn’t understand after all those years why his name rumbled around in my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking I should see him. I had no reason to visit a chiropractor, and I didn’t even know his first name. However, I finally called my friend. She gave me his full name and phone number. He was a holistic doctor as well as a chiropractor, and he started treating me immediately for a toxic substance. He also found out within a few months that I had Chronic Lyme disease. There’s no doubt in my mind that God led me to him for the treatment I needed. By the grace of God and with the expertise of this doctor, who is also a wonderful Christian person, I’m on my feet.

Danele: That’s amazing! I love how God led you right to your answer! I’m so glad that you wrote a story based on your experience with Lyme disease!

Gail: In the back of Barely Above Water, two experts answer questions about the baffling disease. I’ve learned that what I started believing as a child is true. God isn’t limited by time, space or evil. There’s nothing He can’t do, and He will not forsake those who believe in Him.

Danele: That’s beautiful, Gail. I’m so glad that you’re using your horrible experience with Lyme disease to help people. There are so many people hurting in this world.  What would you say to them?

Gail: Life can be cruel and difficult, but if we take the journey with God by our side, it will be less so because He will sustain us. He has a purpose for our lives, and He even knows the hairs on our heads. I’m reminded of the poem, “Footprints in the Sand,” by Mary Stevenson.

Danele: Oh! I love that poem! And what you had to say is so true! God does carry us through all our difficulties! One of my favorite verses is John 14:18 where Jesus says, “No I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.” It’s wonderful to know that Jesus will always be by our side! Do you have a favorite Bible verse, Gail?

Gail: My favorite verses are Matthew 22:36-39, because Jesus tells us the essence of the Gospel in only a few words. “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Danele: What awesome verses! They remind me of Psalm 50:14-15 where God tells us what He wants from us: “What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled. I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give Me glory.” I love the fact that God not only stays by our side to help us, but that He also lets us know what He expects of us. Now, Gail, before I let you go, can you give us a list of the books you’ve written?

Gail: Of course! I’ve written Stopped Cold and Mountain of Love and Danger. My new release is Barely Above Water.

Danele: Can you tell us more about your new release?

Gail: Barely Above Water is a romance about a young woman with a mysterious illness. It was released on April 15, 2016 by Prism Book Group.

Danele: I know that Barely Above Water is already getting rave reviews. Can you share a couple of the reviews with us?

Gail: Sure! Nancy Mehl, the award winning author of the Finding Sanctuary series, says, “Gail Pallotta’s contemporary romance novel, Barely Above Water, is a touching story of loss, hope and healing…” The main character, “Suzie’s search for physical healing leads her to discover something she didn’t expect. The kind of love that can also heal her wounded soul.” And Loree Lough, bestselling author of over one-hundred award winning books says, “The main theme in Gail Pallotta’s Barely Above Water is “overcoming incredible odds.” Readers will find themselves rooting for characters who face illness, unemployment, and heartbreak. I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy this story about trust and faith!”

Danele: What wonderful reviews! Can you share the back cover blurb for Barely Above Water and a purchasing link with us?

Gail: An illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. Suzie relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, and turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida. She takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners. Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but can he overcome his fear of losing a loved one and regain Suzie’s trust?

Here’s the Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Barely-Above-Water-Gail-Pallotta-ebook/dp/B01DN2UTTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459457378&sr=8-1&keywords=barely+above+water

Danele: Your new book sounds wonderful, Gail! And I think the story will be even more special because it’s based on health struggles that you personally endured! I want to thank you for being on my blog today! I really enjoyed talking with you!

Gail: Thanks so much for having me, Danele.

 

Friends, Gail Pallotta is such a special person! She has an incredible heart for the Lord! If you would like to learn more about her or her books, please follow the links below. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Web site: http://www.gailpallotta.com

Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

Twitter: Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords

Love Is A Slice Of Buttered Toast

When I was in quarantine, I thought quite a bit about love—after all, I write romantic suspense novels. But after years of theoretical flights of fancy, I’ve come to the conclusion that real love expresses itself best in a piece of buttered toast.

During my quarantined years, my parents voluntarily lived a “quarantine-safe” lifestyle so they could be near me. They avoided all perfumed products, hairsprays, fancy shampoos, and lotions, and they used only the soap and detergent I could tolerate. My chemical intolerances were so acute that if someone who wore perfume brushed up against my parents, and then my mom or dad came near me, I became extremely ill. That meant that if my parents had been around other people, they would have to change in the garage, put on a robe, and shower before they could approach me. The hoops my parents jumped through were extreme, and they did it out of love.

That brings me back to the slice of buttered toast. You see, whenever I would have breakfast with my father, he always made sure that when the toast was ready, he would butter my toast before he buttered his. He knew that I liked my butter melted on hot bread, and he made sure that as I bustled around the kitchen, my toast was prepared just the way I liked it. Dad buttered my toast out of love.

During my quarantine, my mother knew that one of the things I missed the most was shopping. I hated being unable to enter stores. On the rare days when I could get out of the house, she would drive me to a small town (large towns had too much car exhaust) and then she would park in front of a store so I could “window shop.” From inside the car, I would feast my eyes at the trinkets and bobbles in the window display. My mother’s willingness to “take me shopping” was another act of unselfish love. She’s terrific.

My family also rallied around me. They knew I couldn’t attend family gatherings, so many times, they would go to my house and stand outside my window and talk with me through the glass. They would lift their babies up so I could tap the glass and coo at them. They would stand in a flowerbed, hold their phones to the glass, and show me videos of their children’s special events. They made sure that as the years slipped by, their kids knew they had an “auntie” who loved them. They deliberately kept my place in the family open for me so that when I was finally able to leave quarantine, I still felt like I fit in. To me, that’s love.

Love comes in many shapes and sizes. It can be thought of as moonlit balcony scenes and romantic strolls on the beach. But after seven years of separation from society, I’ve come to the conclusion that love expresses itself best in the small things. To me, love is a slice of buttered toast.

“Love each other just as much as I love you.” John 13:34b (words of Jesus)

I Hate Mint!!!

I hate mint. I don’t just dislike it. I LOATH it!!!!!!! You see, years ago—back when I was certain that knew everything and that I was the smartest person on the planet—my mother asked my opinion. We were in a greenhouse selecting plants, and she showed me a potted mint plant. She’d heard that mint could act like a weed, and she wanted to know if I thought it would be a problem if she planted one in her flowerbed. Feeling flattered that she asked my opinion (and also feeling quite sure that I KNEW what I was talking about) I told her that it wouldn’t be a problem at all. I thought that if she surrounded the plant with rocks and only gave it a little circle in which to grow, she would be fine.

SIGH!!!!!!!!!! GROAN!!!!!!!!! (((DOUBLE GROAN!!!!!!!!!!)))

Sometimes, I really am the STUPIDEST person on the planet. And thinking that I had the expert knowledge of a horticulturist after only reading a few articles certainly proves that fact!!!

At first, everything seemed fine with the mint—at least it did until the second year when the mint plant decided to explore greener pastures and swarm over—and under—its confining hole. By the third year, that GHASTLY mint’s roots had spread under the rock barrier and into the holes set aside for neighboring plants. By the fourth year, the mint’s insidious roots and ferocious leaves were waging war against my mother’s favorite mini roses, and it had choked out her carnations.

I was APPALLED.

Feeling responsible, I pulled, weeded, and waged a war of my own against that nasty mint. The mint just raised a cocky eyebrow, stuck out its tongue, and seemed to double its territory overnight. About six years into the battle, I did the only thing I could think of—I dug up Mom’s flowerbed and completely redid it. With meticulous attention to detail, I carefully picked all the mint roots from the dirt, and I doubled the layer of rock on top of the soil.

Did it work? Are you kidding????? I managed to kill several of Mom’s plants in the process, but that nasty, awful, HORRIBLE mint survived. I will say it again: I HATE MINT!!!

It’s been close to twenty years since I disastrously gave my mother my “wise” advice. During that time, many things have changed in my life, but the one thing that has remained the same is my horrible war against the mint. It is a never-ending battle—and one I always seem to lose.

The other day as I was picking mint from around my mother’s roses, I began feeling philosophical (it was either philosophize or toss my trowel across the yard). Anyway, as I mused, I realized that bitterness is a lot like mint. I used to think that harboring bitter thoughts wasn’t a big deal, but down through the years, I’ve learned the opposite is true. Allowing anger and unforgiveness to fester is just as dangerous as buying a wretched mint plant. It seems safe in the beginning, but each day, those horrible little roots will creep a little further, choking out good things.

I have the type of personality that tends to brood about past hurts and humiliations, but I’ve learned that bitterness is something I can’t afford to harbor. I’ve learned that “hurt feelings” and “pity parties” are incredibly destructive. They color how I think, how I talk, how I interact, and how I view the world. I’ve come to believe that embracing bitterness is a horrible sin—it murders who I am as a person.

It can be incredibly difficult to do, but when something happens that hurts or humiliates me, I try HARD to let it go immediately. I do my best to refuse to dwell on it. I’ve found that giving my hurts to Jesus and REFUSING to shelter them in my mind is the only way to stop bitterness’s unrelenting march through my personality and my life.

I hate mint, and I hate bitterness. Both are horribly destructive, and both need to be dealt with in the same way—they should NEVER be planted in the first place, and if they are hanging around, they should NEVER be allowed to grow.

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” Hebrews 12:15b

Gay N. Lewis–Author Interview

Dear Friends, I’m delighted to introduce you to Gay N. Lewis. Gay is such a special lady! When I joined Prism Book Group she surrounded me with love and support, and there have been many times when she’s stood with me in prayer. Gay is a pastor’s wife from Texas, and she is EXTREMELY talented. She has produced movies, worked in interior design, been a portrait photographer, is an active speaker, teaches a Bible study, leads worship, plays the piano—the list goes on and on! Gay is also a talented writer. She has published faith features for various church periodicals, and she has also written a book series about Sarah, a clumsy angel who helps humans while undergoing a perpetual stream of humorous accidents and bumbles. Friends, it’s such an honor to have Gay on my blog!

Danele: Gay, I’m so glad you’re able to talk with us! This is such an honor!

Gay: Thanks, Danele, I’m happy to be here. You have been a real inspiration to me. The situations you’ve been in would make most people crumble, but you set an example in fortitude and faith.

Danele: Wow! Thank you, Gay! That’s so nice of you to say! God’s strength is what got me through. If I hadn’t had God by my side, I would’ve given up a long time ago. My illness taught me the importance of trusting God. Have you had a situation in your life when you needed to totally rely on God?

Gay: I sure have. As a young mother, I developed a major infection and spent almost six weeks in a hospital. During that time, I had five surgeries and ten pints of blood. The body only holds six to eight, so I had more replaced than I owned. I spent four days in ICU, and was transferred to another special hospital. I reminded my doctor that I had three girls at home who needed me. I knew Paul could get another wife, but my daughters wouldn’t have me as a mom, and they needed ME! It was scary and the physical pain was horrendous at times, but through it, God was with me. I had times when I doubted He would heal me, and those uncertainties caused emotional turmoil.

Danele: What an experience! I’m so glad you’re okay. And I agree about uncertainty causing emotional turmoil. The uncertainty about my illness was terribly hard to handle. Have you ever dealt with a chronic illness?

Gay: My blood pressure and I go round and round these days. My doctor says I’m a challenge. My sweet hubby agrees. (Giggle. Giggle.) I’m learning to dodge stress and avoid salt, but most of all, I’m learning to trust God with this problem.

Danele: Learning to trust God is such a difficult lesson to learn—believe me, I know. Trust is something I really struggle with at times. Is there another area in your life where God is teaching you?

Gay: Dealing with the loss of a loved one. I’m learning in that area too.  My daughter’s husband passed away in September, 2015. She is devastated and we are helping her with decisions. The months have been overwhelming for all of us. I have days when I think I’ll never see the end of the tunnel. The legal issues are unfathomable, and I have stacks of documents in my office that are growing.  I’ve learned from this mess that people should prepare for their own death—not only by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, but also by taking care of earthly business. Organize documents, finalize details as much as possible, gather insurance policies, make sure banking can be done by someone, etc. I could go on and on.

Danele: Oh, Gay! I’m so sorry. Dealing with the death of someone you love, and handling the aftermath, is so hard. I will be praying for you and your family. There are so many people hurting in this world—what would you like to say to them?

Gay: I would say that God heals in two ways. 1. A miracle. 2. Time. If He doesn’t give the miracle, He gives time. Trust Him. This too will pass.

Danele: Those are very wise words! It’s sometimes hard to understand why things happen the way that they do. When I get to heaven, I’m looking forward to finally understanding some of the things that have puzzled me. Of course, I suppose that when I do get to heaven, getting answers will probably be the last thing on my mind.

Gay: Isn’t that the truth! When I get to heaven, the first thing I’m going to do is thank Jesus for His goodness, mercy, and forgiveness. I’d like to wash His feet with tears and dry them with my long hair—like Mary, Martha’s sister did back in Bible days—but of course, I won’t be able to do that. Since there are no tears in heaven, I’ll praise Him for His great love.

Danele: I can’t wait to see Jesus! Can you imagine a worship service in heaven? Wow!!! In the meantime, is there a special “earthly” place where you feel the presence of God the most?

Gay: I love my Sunday morning preparation. I teach adults and put the finishing touches on my lesson early—very early. My Sunday begins about five o’clock. I like that time best because I’m forced to concentrate and have no interruptions.

Danele: I love my morning prayer sessions too. There’s something so special about starting the day basking in God’s presence! I usually pray in big brown chair in my basement. Is there a specific place where you like to pray?

Gay: I sit in my chair in the living room with a table full of books beside me. A hot cup of coffee is my silent companion. I use my iPhone to look up study questions.

Danele: Studying the Bible can be so fulfilling! Right now, I’m really diving into Psalms. Is there a specific Psalm that you really love?

Gay: I have many, but I really love Psalm 139. God tells us He knew us before we were formed. He also says in the passage that He knew the words we would say before we were born. Now that comforts me! Why? Because I open my mouth and say dumb stuff, but He chose to love me in spite of what I’d do and express. Isn’t that cool?

Danele: It really is, Gay! Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Psalm 91 and the protection that God promises to give us. It’s comforting to know that when we face scary things, we aren’t alone. Has God protected you from an accident or something scary?

Gay: The first year we lived in Houston, I had nine car wrecks. All were scary, but several gave me funny stories for my Sarah Series.

Danele: Nine accidents! Wow! I’m so glad you’re okay! I’ll agree that sometimes the scary things can give us funny stories later. I love God’s sense of humor. Has God ever revealed Himself to you in a humorous way?

Gay: I’m thankful for an acute sense of humor. I know God has one too, because I almost hear Him laughing with me on a daily basis. Sometimes I look up and say to Him, “Have you thought about that?” Then I’ll cackle and say, “Just kidding.”  Of course He’s considered it—maybe invented it. I rounded a bend once while driving in the Canadian Rockies and the scene was breathtaking. I said, “Father! Have you seen this?” And then we both laughed.

Danele: Oh, Gay! You just made me smile! I have such a blast talking with you! Now, here’s a silly question. If you could be a Bible character, which one would you choose NOT to be?

Gay: I wouldn’t want to be Mary’s sister, Martha. I can’t cook. Can you imagine the expertise it took to organize a big food gathering for Jesus and a bunch of apostles? Nope, I wouldn’t be Martha.

Danele: Oh! You just made me laugh! Thanks for the chuckle! Now, here’s a serious question for you. Why do you think it’s important to go to church?

Gay: Jesus gave Himself for it. That’s reason enough, but I love the singing, preaching, and fellowship. It’s good for the soul.

Danele: Church is pretty special, isn’t it? Some of my fondest memories have been made inside the walls of a church. My parents made sure that church was a central part of our lives, and I gave my heart to Christ at an early age. Can you tell us the circumstances surrounding your decision to invite Christ to be your Savior?

Gay: I was six years old and attending a church with my parents. I confess to dilly-dallying through the service, but when the decision time came, the tug on my heart was real. Music has always been part of my being, and I remember we were singing the hymn. “Almost Persuaded…Now to Believe.” Without a word to my parents, I walked the aisle and gave my life to Christ.

Danele: That’s beautiful, Gay! Now, before I let you go, I’d love for you to tell us about your writing. I know you’ve written several “Sarah” books. Can you list them for us?

Gay: Sure! Sarah: A Mission of Love, Sarah: Laney’s Angel, Sarah and the Widow’s Mate, Sarah and the Internet Dating Service, Sarah and the Scary Ferris Wheel, Sarah and a Dad for Mandy, Sarah and Three Times A Charm, Sarah and the Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island, and Sarah and a Date for Mackenzie.

Danele: I’ve read several of the “Sarah” books, and they’ve kept me rolling. Your klutzy, kindhearted angel is SO much fun. I’d love for you to tell us about your latest Sarah book. Can you share the back cover blurb and a purchasing link?

Gay: It would be my pleasure! Here’s the blurb for Sarah and a Date for Mackenzie: Merciful heavens! Getting acquainted with adult teachers in a high school is one challenge, but hang with the kids too? Sarah, heaven’s little love angel—known for bungles, has dealt with children and enjoyed them, but teenagers? My stars! They are a different ballgame. She doesn’t understand their jargon, clothes or hairdos. And mood swings? Forget it. She knew nothing about them—nada —zippo. She’d seen and heard them from above—even wondered at times why they existed on the same planet as adults. They were unique and interesting, but to mingle with them? Not a chance would she choose to do so—well, not until her latest assignment. Why would the Superiors send a bumbling angel like her to help a shy teenager find a date for a high school prom? Poopty doopty! A nightmare is about to happen. http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Date-Mackenzie-Gay-Lewis-ebook/dp/B01AGMJB0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452705215&sr=8-1&keywords=sarah+and+a+date+for+mackenzie

Danele: Gay, it’s been so much fun talking with you! Thank you for being on my blog!

Gay: My pleasure! You asked questions that made me think, chuckle, and even look up Scripture.  Good job! I appreciate your attention to detail and your love for our Lord.

 

Friends, Gay Lewis is such a WONDERFUL person, and her “Sarah” books are so much fun. If you would like to learn more about Gay or her books, please follow the links below. I hope you have a wonderful day!

http://prismbookgroup.com/angels

http://gaynlewis.com/

http://www.gaynlewis.blogspot.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/gaynlewis

www.facebook.com/GayNLewis and also on Twitter @GayNLewis2.

Sarah has her own Facebook page. Follow Sarah on Facebook@ Sarah Wingspand

Glorious Spring and Great News!

There’s something GLORIOUS about spring. This week, I took a walk and drank in the sights. I saw new grass peeking up through the earth and robins building their nests. The tulips were blooming in the garden, and the huge snowdrift that’s been occupying a corner of my yard is almost gone. Looking around at the beauty of spring, I felt so wonderful that I just had to sing—not well, mind you, but LOUDLY and JOYFULLY.

As I walked, I began thinking about the seasons and how they represent certain times in our lives. I’ve talked about how my illness and quarantine were like a long winter, and I’ve talked about how spring always comes. When I think back on quarantine, I can remember the long, weary, painful days. Seven years is a long time, and there were days when I thought I’d never be free—but I’ve learned through experience that even the longest winters come to an end. I think there’s such security in knowing that winter’s snows ALWAYS give way to spring’s lovely floral hues.

Friends, as I write this, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. You see, my personal spring keeps on unfolding. You all know that during quarantine I wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles. The first book in the series, Time Tsunami, was released on January 15, 2016. Having Time Tsunami published by Prism Book Group was such a blessing, but today, I can report that the blessings haven’t stopped there. Are you ready for some wonderful “springtime” news???

My editor has given me the official release date of my second book! Time Trap is being published on June 17, 2016! And if that isn’t enough, I’ve just received a contract from Prism Book Group for the third book in my series, Time Search.

When I was ill and in quarantine, I thought my winter would never end, but God brought me through that difficult season and ushered me into a glorious spring. I don’t understand many things, but there’s one thing I know: God will absolutely make EVERYTHING turn out for our good. In Joel 2:25, God promises to restore the years the locust have eaten. I hung onto that promise during quarantine, and it has proven to be true. If I hadn’t been ill, I never would’ve written my books. God has a good plan for each of our lives, and when we trust Him, even the things that seem horrible, puzzling, and hard will become blessings in the end. That’s the promise of spring. That’s what I think about every time I see a blade of green grass or a robin building a nest.

Friends, if you’re in the middle of winter in your life, please don’t despair. Please don’t give up. I know that you may be weary, and hurt, and extremely tired of the storm you’re facing—but your storm WILL end. Spring WILL come. Everything is going to be okay. And when your spring finally comes, it will be GLORIOUS!!!

“‘There is yet hope!’ [says the Lord.] ‘I promise right now, I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!’” Zechariah 9:12b

“For surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet!” Proverbs 23:18

 

For more information about my books, you can follow this link:  https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/my-books/