I had a scare the other day when I went to my kidney doctor. My blood pressure which normally runs a little low was very high, 160/100 high. She asked me if I was upset or anxious about anything, but I couldn’t really think of anything that would make my BP zoom like that. She took blood to run a lab test and sent me to the local pharmacy to get a BP medicine, something I hadn’t taken since my stroke five years ago. The prescription was marked “critical” because she wanted me to take it right away and get my pressure down. So, I got my med, took it, went to an appointment at church with the pastor and then went home and rested. After resting, I was supposed to take the pressure again and if it was still high, I was supposed to take a fluid pill. I didn’t need the second pill because my pressure had gone back to normal.

That was quite a scare for me since I recall that when I had my stroke, my BP went up to over 200/140 and it seemed to be inching that way. But God knows how we are made, and before I took the BP pill, I prayed that it would work and that God would keep my heart beating properly. The heart is such an important organ, pumping the life-giving blood all over our bodies. Anyway, that got me to thinking about the important job that the heart does. But it isn’t just a physical job. The heart has a spiritual job to do, too.

What a powerful Scripture this is! Whatever is in our heart flows out of our mouths, be it blessing or curses. How did it get into our hearts? We put it there by what we listen to, see, and even talk about. How we spend our time is vital to the health of our hearts. We need to store up good things so that good things come out, things to bless others because that is our purpose, our real purpose.

This photo really inspires me! I want my heart to spill over with beauty and goodness, with praise to the Lord who spilled His blood for me!

This is how we should see our heart…as overflowing with with blessings from the Lord. And those blessings should be used to bless others. We are meant to be a flowing river, not a stagnant pond. So, blessings to you so that you may bless others. And remember to guard your hearts!

This is a clean, sweet Amish story about a young woman who steps outside of her comfort zone and sets out on her own to establish a new life. Eva Coblenz moves from Ohio to Maine to become a new school teacher. A really new school teacher, since she has never been employed as one before! Her neighbor in this new environment is Willis Gingrich, a blacksmith who has taken on the responsibility to raise his three younger siblings after the death of their parents. I really enjoyed the scenes with Willis and the adorable children. They weren’t afraid to tell how they were feeling and in doing that, they also kept revealing how their brother was feeling. I enjoyed getting to know Eva, an independent and resilient young woman who faces new challenges with a can-do attitude that was refreshing. The conflict comes in with Eva’s domineering brother and his lazy wife because they did not want Eva leaving Ohio to begin with and try to make her miserable enough that she will return. I could tell that this book is from a series because there were new people introduced about whom I want to know more and expect the author to write more about them in the future. Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy the story of the adventures of Eva and the trials of Willis.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Available in all formats on March 1st. Available now as an ebook!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38Igipy

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2SMYILD

Excerpt – THE AMISH TEACHER’S DILEMMA by Patricia Davids

Willis thought he had enough time to fix the new teacher’s chair, put four shoes on Jesse Crump’s buggy horse and get supper on the table by six o’clock. It was seven-thirty by the time he came in to find his family gathered around the kitchen table with a scowl on every face. Thankfully, he couldn’t see Bubble but he was sure she was scowling, too.

“I know I’m late. One of Jesse’s horses had a problem hoof and I had to make special shoes for him. I’ll fix us something to eat right away.”

He went to the refrigerator and opened the door. There wasn’t much to see. “I meant to set some ham­burger out of the freezer to thaw this morning but for­got to do it.”

“You should leave yourself a note,” Harley said. He was paging through a magazine about horses. He was always reading. Willis fought down the stab of envy.

If Willis could write a note, then he’d be able to read one. He couldn’t do either. The most he could man­age was to write his name. No one in New Covenant knew his shameful secret. Children as young as Maddie learned to read every day but he couldn’t. No matter how hard he’d tried. There was something wrong with him.

He hid his deficiency from everyone although it wasn’t easy. He’d been made a laughingstock by the one person he’d confided in years ago. He’d never been able to trust another person with his secret. The bitter memory wormed its way to the front of his mind.

He’d been twenty at the time and hopelessly in love with a non-Amish girl. She was the only person he had told that he couldn’t read. He hadn’t wanted to keep se­crets from her. She claimed to love him, too. He had trusted her.

Later, when they were out with a bunch of her friends, she told everyone. They all laughed. He laughed, too, and pretended it didn’t matter but the hurt and shame had gone bone deep. He didn’t think anything could hurt worse than Dalene’s betrayal, but he’d been wrong. She and her friends had much more humiliation in store for him.

He pushed those memories back into the dark corner of his mind where they belonged. He had to find some­thing to feed the children gathered at his table. “I guess I can scramble us some eggs.”

“Again?” Otto wrinkled his nose.

“Bubble says to be thankful we have chickens.” Mad­die beamed a bright smile at Otto.

“Bubble can’t say anything because she isn’t real, stupid.” Otto pushed his plate away.

Willis rounded on him. “Never call your sister or any­one else stupid, Otto. You know better than that. Apolo­gize or go to bed without supper.”

“Sorry,” Otto murmured. He didn’t sound apologetic.

A knock at the door stopped Willis from continu­ing the conversation. Who needed a blacksmith at this hour? He pulled open the door and took a step back. Eva Coblentz stood on his porch with a large basket over her arm.

She flashed a nervous grin. “I’m used to cooking for more than just myself and I made too much tonight. I thought perhaps you could make use of it for lunch to­morrow. It’s only chicken and dumplings.”

Willis was speechless. Maddie came to stand beside him. “Teacher, how nice to see you.”

Eva smiled at Maddie. “It’s nice to see you again, too. How is Bubble?”

Maddie stuck her tongue out at Otto. “She’s fine but kinda hungry. We haven’t had our supper yet. Willis had to give Jesse Crump special shoes so he was going to make scrambled eggs again, but Otto isn’t thankful for our chickens.”

Eva blinked her lovely green eyes. “I see.”

“Do you?” Willis couldn’t help smiling at her per­plexed expression. “Then you’re ahead of me most of the time.”

Harley came to the door. “Let me help you with that.” He took the basket from her and carried it to the table. He began setting out the contents.

Otto pulled his plate back in front of him. “That smells great.”

Harley dished up his own and then passed the plas­tic bowls along. Willis thought his siblings were acting like starving animals. He could hardly blame them. He was going to have to learn to cook for more than him­self. Normally, he didn’t care what he ate or when he ate it. That had changed when the children arrived, and change was something he didn’t handle well.

Eva folded her arms across her middle. “I will be going so you can enjoy your meal in peace. Have a won­derful night, everyone.”

He didn’t want her to go. He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door from the prying eyes of his family. “How’s your head?”

She touched it gingerly. “Better.”

“I fixed the chair. You won’t have to worry about tip­ping over again.”

“I appreciate that.” She turned to go.

“The school board hired me to supply and install the hardware in the new building. I’ll get the rest of the coat hooks, cabinets and drawer pulls installed tomorrow. Have you had your supper? You are welcome to join us.”

“I have eaten. Danki. Don’t forget to feed Bubble. She’s much too thin.”

Willis raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t know why Maddie makes things up.”

She gave him a soft, kind smile. “Don’t worry about it. A lot of children have imaginary friends.”

“Really?” He wanted to believe her. When she smiled he forgot his worries and his ignorance.

“Absolutely. She will outgrow her invisible friend someday soon. Until then, enjoy her imagination.”

“I reckon you have seen a lot of things like this in your teaching career.” It made him feel better to know Maddie wasn’t the only child who had a pretend com­panion.

“This will be my first year as a teacher. I was actu­ally surprised that the position didn’t go to someone with more experience. Perhaps my enthusiasm won the school board over.”

“I think you were the only applicant.”

She laughed and clasped a hand over her heart. “You have returned my ego to its normal size. How can I ever thank you?”

He smiled along with her. “We are blessed to have you.”

She leaned toward him slightly. “We will have to wait until we have Bubble’s assessment of my teaching skills before jumping to any conclusions. Guten nacht, Willis Gingrich.”

“Good night, Teacher.”

She walked away into the darkness. He watched until he saw her enter her house across the way. There was something attractive about Eva Coblentz that had noth­ing to do with her face or her figure. She was the first woman in a long time who made him want to smile.

He went back inside the house. The children were still eating. He took his place at the head of the table, bowed his head for a silent prayer, then reached for a bread roll. It was still warm. He looked at Maddie. “What did you say to your teacher that made her bring food here tonight?”

Maddie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

“You must have said something.” He took a bite of his roll.

Maddie had a whispered conversation with the empty chair next to her. She looked up and grinned at him. “Bubble says that she told teacher you need a wife who is a good cook.”

He started coughing. Otto pounded on his back while Harley rushed to give him a glass of water. When he could catch his breath, Willis stared at Maddie in shock. “Eva thinks I’m looking for a wife?”

Maddie nodded.

Willis hung his head. Nothing could be further from the truth. There was no way he could keep his secret from a wife. Even if he found the courage to reveal his handicap to a woman again, there was still one pressing reason he had to remain single.

Amish ministers and bishops were chosen by lot from the married men of the congregation. At baptism every Amish fellow vowed to accept the responsibility of be­coming a minister of the faith if he should be chosen. What kind of preacher would he make if he couldn’t read the Word of God? The humiliation didn’t bear thinking about. He would remain a single fellow his entire life. That was God’s plan for him.

He turned his attention back to Maddie. “You were wrong to tell your teacher that I’m looking for a wife. I’m not. Now what am I supposed to do?”

Maddie lifted both hands. “Just tell her you don’t want a wife. How hard can that be?”

I hope that you enjoyed this little excerpt and will purchase this exceptionally sweet and clean romance.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, so that fact may have led to my initial confusion about what was happening.  The time period is the 1940’s and the setting shifts between three places in the British Isles.  At the beginning, I was put off by the number of characters as well as the jumping around from place to place.  There seemed to be totally different and unconnected stories.  About halfway through, the strands of the two or three stories came together, and I was a much happier reader since I was finally understanding more.  I felt that the book was slow-paced but it was entertaining.  I particularly liked the main character, Cat Carlisle, because she is like a Robin Hood figure, giving her riches to the poor and abused women and helping them to find new lives.  The murder that occurred at first seemed to be an offside story, but as I understood more, it took center stage and helped to weave the story together.  I will definitely look for more books by this author and really need to read the first two books in the series.  Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book as long as they stay with it and don’t expect a quick resolution.  
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book is available now a online and at your local bookstore.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V65OvZ

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2ufi2Yd

Today is a day to remember the way the United States of America was founded and the Presidents who are our examples to follow. Much has been in the news in the state of Virginia in the last couple of years about our leaders who were less than perfect. Aren’t we all? We all just wake up each morning and try to do the best that we can. We serve God and ask Him to show us what we should do that that day. For me, I ask Him to show me what I should write that day. I don’t have many followers and hardly anyone likes/comments on my posts daily. But, still, God has not released me from blogging, so I continue with this commitment. Today, I am struck with the quietness in my home. I have turned off the sound of the blaring television and was sitting reflecting on the fact that we have no real errands to run today. After all, the post office is closed in honor of Presidents Day. Then, I read Dr. Denison’s post and knew that I needed to honor the Presidents who gave so much to make this nation what it is today. President George Washington was a Revolutionary War hero and the first president of our nation. He is revered because of his bravery and love for this new country. President Abraham Lincoln fought to keep our nation united, not divided under the guise of fighting for or against slavery. It was a battle to unite us under the ideals that began us. And, so today, I want to honor the men who sacrificed private lives to live under a microscope of public scrutiny, even today.

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/surprising-facts-about-washington-and-lincoln-how-their-humility-created-and-saved-our-nation/

Truly, I believe that Washington and Lincoln were men who served our nation with honor and humility and today I honor them as the patriots that they were.

Blessings to each of you as you spend this holiday in whatever way you choose, but I hope that you will remember these great men. And if you live in the USA, be thankful for their love and humility that began this nation and continued it. Thank you, Lord, for great men who serve without thinking of self!

Having been married for almost 47 years, I have had others ask me how I have managed to stay married for so long. My answer is always the same, “I took a vow and made a commitment.” No, our married life has not always been an easy one. Mostly, that was because I was spoiled, raised in an upper middle class family and living in one hometown for my whole life until I left for college. Becoming a military wife was not just a culture shock, it was a heart attack on a stick for me. I was left alone…a lot! The first six years of our marriage, my husband was with me only about two of them. So when Harry came home, I was demanding and clinging to him, not wanting him to disappear again. That period of life ended with my being resentful every time he left. I was alone with three children, usually in a new place to which we had just moved, and he was sent away. The anger I felt was real and boiling over, so that when he did return for his infrequent visits, I was a kettle ready to explode because I had been left on the “hot eye” of single parenthood for too long. Yes, I found and developed friends at church and on the bases where we were living, but I was desperately lonely for my companion, the one God had given me. Instead of expressing how much I missed him, I would explode with rage over every little thing. Slowly, God got me under control, reigning in my anger and bitterness and letting me know that when Harry was gone, He was going to be a husband to me. God never left me and never disappointed me, so I was more content after that. I look back on those wasted years with shame, but I have prayed that God will redeem and restore those years. Since 1996, when my husband retired from the military, we have been together for most of the time and are enjoying these years together. Not all sunshine and roses for the last 46 years, but we have overcome the hard times and face a future together that is one based on trust of each other and in the Lord who created us and who has kept us together. Getting a divorce would have been easier in many ways, but so difficult for our children and also against what I believe is God’s best for me. I was told by many family members just to leave him, especially when he became physically abusive in response to my verbal attacks. Nevertheless, I persevered and I’m happy that we will go out to eat something together today and just cuddle quietly in bed later tonight. Love doesn’t mean never saying you’re sorry. It means saying you’re sorry daily as needed, just like taking vitamins. It makes you stronger and more resilient to the infections around you, the infections that say that divorce is the only option.

This is Dr. Denison’s article from today:

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/bachelor-contestant-makes-her-faith-public-a-valentines-day-call-to-courageous-love/

Have a blessed and happy Valentine’s Day! We love because He first loved us!

My little brother in Christ Stu tagged me for The Barnabas Award. Thank you so much, Stu! It is a humbling experience to know that you thought of me for this award because I do strive to inspire, but I’m not always sure that I hit that mark.

Here are the guidelines:

Thank the person who nominated you and share their blog.

Think of five bloggers that encourage and inspire you and nominate them.

List five things about yourself.

Answer the questions you got asked.

Finally, ask your nominees five questions. Why five? Because it is the number that signifies grace.

“You have been chosen for this recognition because of the encouragement and inspiration you bring to your readers.”

5 things about Vickie that you may not know:

1. I met my husband on a Greyhound bus. He was on leave from the USN and headed to see his brother in Virginia. I was returning from a beach trip with my college friends. We were going to the same place and ended up talking for most of the trip. In April, we will celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary.

2. My father was a drug addict and dealer, so from him I learned how to forgive, over and over. He was a great car mechanic, but when I was a very young child, he was in a bad fire and ended up on a lot of opioids. I think that is when he got addicted, but I don’t know for sure. He was a good daddy to me all of my life, but after I was grown and left home, things changed quickly and he ended up in a really bad place. I’m thankful that he found his way back to God and reconciled with my siblings before he died.

3. I used to crochet and made blankets for each of my older grandchildren. My largest blanket is the one I made in my first winter in Maine. I just crocheted every day that it snowed and that blanket will fit a king-sized bed.

4. I am a cat person. I like dogs okay, but large ones frighten me, so I’m not comfortable around them at all.

5. I became a Christian on February 28, 1973, after reading the Book of John. I fell to my knees in my small bedroom apartment and asked for God to forgive me of my sins. The next day, I told my neighbor what had happened. Verna had given me the Bible to begin with, so we rejoiced together. Then, she invited me to her church, and my journey of learning about my Lord and Savior began.

Here are the questions that Stu asked me to answer:

1. Do you encourage others when you see them crying or distressed? How do you encourage them?

I do encourage those hurting, as the Lord leads. I have found that a gentle word telling someone that I’m a good listener or a hug with a shoulder to cry on is the best encouragement.

2. Who was your mentor growing up?

I had a lot of mentors when I was growing up. I think the one I recall the best is my high school Spanish teacher, Mary Smith. She recognized that I had a talent for languages and encouraged me to pursue it.

3. Who do you go to when you need encouragement?

I used to go to my best friend Heidi, but she passed away in 2018. So, I have been turning more and more to my daughter. She is a solid Christian who always prays with me and encourages me to keep on doing what is the right thing, even if it’s hard or unpopular.

4. Which teacher do you feel encouraged you to keep learning and to do your best?

Well, look back at question #2. There was also a pastor and Bible teacher named Dean Harvey, who is still preaching, who knew so much about the Bible and encouraged me to be a Berean and check things out for myself by reading and studying the Bible.

5. As a blogging community, how can we encourage one another more?

Write encouraging comments and tell other bloggers about blogs that encourage and inspire you.

Here are my fellow bloggers who encourage and inspire me:

Herry Chic Counsels

Amazing Tangled Grace

Tom Neary

YBP

Loved by the King of Kings

Here are the questions for my nominees:

1. Who is the person that has most influenced you in your faith walk? Tell us a little about him/her.

2. Other than the Holy Bible, is there another book that you read that encourages you? Can you recommend it to us?

3. If you could walk anywhere to spend some “alone” time with God, where in the world would you want to be and why?

4. Do you have a favorite praise song? What is it?

5. Do you ever send notes or cards of encouragement to someone? Why or why not?

To those whom I have tagged: Please do not feel obligated to participate. Tagging you was just a small way to say thank you for the inspiration and encouragement that you have been to me. Blessings to all for a day filled with hope, encouragement and love!