Being Separate by Laura V. Hilton

Whitefish Point Lighthouse* 

This past week my family went on vacation to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I have been there many times in my life since my aunt owned a cabin on Lake Superior and for years we used to spend a month during the summer there. 

My Coastie son is stationed in the UP right now, and my new series of Amish books are set there and they are both really good reasons to go to visit. 

We enjoyed our time there, introducing our three daughters to the Soo Locks, Lake Superior, St. Ignace, White Fish Point Bay and Lighthouse, Tahquamenon Falls, Mackinaw City, and of course, Mackinac Bridge. Unfortunately, we were unable to go to Mackinac Island. 

However, we did “stalk” Amish, both in the area of my new series, the Amish of Mackinac County and in Sault Ste Marie where we even saw Amish at Walmart, driving the city streets in their buggies, and visiting the Soo Locks. 

We saw Amish in Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula, visiting the lighthouse and the historical Army Fort located on the straits of Mackinac. I also have heard from people who’ve seen them on Mackinac Island and Tahquamenon Falls playing

Two Amish girls watching a parade.

tourist. 

As a writer, this provided such scope for the imagination. I can have fun with my Amish characters letting them experience life as I see it, as I know it. They are faced with the same struggles, the same heartbreak, the same problems as the rest of us, and yet they, too, take time out to have fun. That is something you don’t see much of in Amish novels.

When a people who choose to be set apart can interact with the world as tourists and members of a community and yet still maintain their individuality and reputation as a member of the Amish community, how much more so should we as Christians be able to live among the world as members of the Kingdom of Heaven and yet not become part of the world. 

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Let us strive to live in the world as members of a Heavenly community. To be separate, and yet still part of this world, so that we can be witnesses of Christ. 

Acts 22:15 (KJV)
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

Lord, help us to be witnesses unto you as we live in this world but are not of it. Amen.

About the Author

Award-winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom, and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015.

See below for information on Laura's latest, The Christmas Admirer. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Love by the Numbers

After her fiancé dies in a buggy accident, Lydia Hershberger is invited to Jamesport to manage her Mennonite aunt’s gift store while her aunt and uncle are on a mission trip. While there, Lydia gets acquainted with her aentie’s best friend, Bethel Bontrager, and her grown son, Caleb. Lydia is surprised to find herself drawn to the handsome clockmaker, Caleb Bontrager. But in spite of an instant flame of attraction between them, he doesn’t seem interested. In fact, pesky Caleb treats her like he doesn’t even like her.

Bright and sparkly. That’s Caleb’s first impression of Lydia. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause are exactly why he’s determined to change his ways and settle down. With Lydia’saentie gone, he is handling the books for the gift shop and is forced to spend too much time in her presence.

When God offers Lydia a second chance at love and family, will she take it? Or will the secret Caleb harbors cause her even more heartbreak?  

Laura V. Hilton posts the first Tuesday of every month. For more of Laura's posts, click here.

*Whitefish Lighthouse image by Jubileejourney [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Worry Ends Where Faith in God Begins by Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hitlon

As I write this, we are coming to the end of a super busy summer. School, in our area, starts August 14. We’ve had two weeks of camp, a week of Vacation Bible School, Bible Conferences, piano lessons, and, of course, for my husband work and sermon preparation and me, writing. We haven’t had a vacation, But, on August 10, my son graduates from Damage Control A school with the Coast Guard. I’m not sure this counts as vacation since we’ll be driving pretty much the whole time with little time for sightseeing, as we need to get back for church, school, work, and other duties.

He is living a life I have been so fascinated with ages. When we lived in Michigan, we lived near Grand Haven—the Coast Guard capitol. We went to the Coast Guard festival every August, toured the cutters, and talked to Coasties. Michael grew up dreaming of being one of them someday.

Me, being naïve, believed it was the military service of choice. They’ll be stateside. Safe. I had a lot to learn.

Did you know that during wartime, the Coast Guard is considered a department of the Navy? That Coasties are sometimes stationed in the Middle East? That they have top-secrets locations sometimes where they only thing their worried moms’ know is that they are somewhere in the Atlantic? That the job Coasties do are sometimes dangerous and yes, they do get killed in the line of duty?

Michael will be moving to his new station the week following his graduation—reporting on his birthday, a week to the day of graduation. (Happy birthday, son!) He prayed for a land unit and God blessed him with one. He wants to pursue his education while he is there, getting a double major in Criminal Justice and Environmental Science. His next dream job is a fish and wildlife officer.

We will be driving across country—Steve, me, and our two youngest daughters—to go to Michael’s graduation. Our oldest daughter will be in college, and I’m not sure of our oldest son’s plans. As far as I know, he is once again jobless. But I don’t know. He doesn’t communicate with us unless he needs something. And he’s burned so many bridges behind him, destroying his reputation in the process.

Our futures are all in God’s hands, He alone knows. Continue to keep us in your prayers. Both of my sons, my three daughters, my husband and I. I am fearful, worrying about so many things—ranging from finances, traveling so far, both of my sons, and more—and trying to hold tight to the promises of God.

When I had breast cancer a nurse gave me a plaque – “Worry Ends Where Faith in God Begins.” Beautiful. True. But so much easier to say than to do. I am by nature a worrier. A planner. And life never goes according to plan.

Some verses God brings to mind are:

‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7

‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.’ Psalm 56:3

What verses do you turn to when you are stressed and worried?

About the Author

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom, and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015.

See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Amish Wanderer
by Laura V. Hilton

AMISH WANDERER
by LAURA V. HILTON

Desperate for a Ticket Out
Bethany Weiss is ready to leave town. Tongues haven't stopped clacking in Jamesport, MO, since her daed, the bishop, was admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community. But her sharpest wounds Bethany hides from prying eyes, quietly biding her time until she can take a chance at a new life—away from Jamesport and away from God.

Searching for a Home
Silas Beiler was kicked out of his own family's home. Dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, he begins hitchhiking across the country, sleeping in barns where he can, working for food when possible—headed for Pennsylvania, in the hope of some stability.

A Memory of Lemonade
When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Now, however, those months of bliss seem naïve and idyllic. Will their old love overcome new pain? Or will hurt and rejection continue to haunt their path?

Would you like to read the first chapter? Click here.