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

Tears in a Bottle by Laura V. Hilton


The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6

Laura V. Hilton

The winter months start a whole slew of birthdays and anniversaries in my family. My uncle was born near Thanksgiving, two aunts’ birthdays and mine are in December, two anniversaries—my parents and my husband’s and mine in December—a grandfather’s birthday, a grandmother’s birthday and my middle daughter’s birthday in January….

I woke up this morning, and the first thought that came to me was “Today is December 30. Happy birthday, Aunt Leota!” Aunt Leota has gone on to glory almost thirty years ago, but she is still remembered.

And that made me think about my heritage. Uncle Lundy and Aunt Leota used to go on mission trips to countries in South America (generally, Brazil, but maybe one or two others) when I was a small child. They brought back hand-woven purses and ponchos for my sister and I, native dolls for us, and a whole bunch of stories about their experiences and how they were able to help build houses for people, or build a church, or how they witnessed to so many people while they worked.

It makes it all the more amazing when you think that this uncle was the firstborn son of my Ex-Amish grandparents. Neither of my grandparents were saved when they left the Amish, my grandfather dabbled in various religions (none of them Christian) trying to get away from the Amish ‘god’ he was raised with. A god that was demanding and not loving, a god that took and didn’t give. He was saved on his deathbed. My grandmother had a long road until she discovered the goodness and grace and mercy of God and was saved—my uncle, aunt, and mother were all young adults by then—and they were saved in the same tent meeting as my grandmother.

And that made me think of my uncle. A more godly man than most. I loved him like crazy. Admired him for his missions’ work, his devotion to God and the church, his support of missionaries and preachers, and the way he led his family in devotions and prayer.

But before he was saved, he lived like the world. He made decisions that broke his mama’s heart. He got a bad reputation, and good girls were warned to stay away from him.

But God…

And because of God, because of His loving kindness, mercy, and grace for my family He reached down, drew my family to Him, and as a result I was born into a family that loved God. That worshiped and adored Him. That lived to serve Him. I accepted Christ as my Savior at a very young age. I strive to raise my children with the same values, with the same heritage, with the same love of God.

Satan wants the first born, because he knows that belongs to God. My oldest son, named after my missionary-minded uncle and my dad who was called into the ministry, has been claimed by the devil. He is living a life that probably would rival my uncle’s before he was saved. Maybe even worse, since I’m not sure drugs were readily available all those long years ago. He is breaking my heart. I’ve prayed and prayed. I’ve talked to him. Dragged him to church. Had other minister friends talk to him. Nothing seems to reach him. Not even losing his vehicle, losing jobs, and spending time in jail.

The Bible also says in Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV):  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Today I am clinging to that promise. I don’t know what will happen with my son in the next year. The way things are looking, it will be more jail time. But God meets people in jail. And maybe, someday, when he reaches the bottom, God will reach out to my son and he will reach back and embrace Him with all his heart and all his soul and all his mind—and live up to his family heritage.

If you are facing a heartbreaking situation in your own life, due to your decisions or to your child’s, or even your spouse’s, then know that God cares. He hears you. He loves you. And He will give you strength.

Psalm 56:8 (NKJV) You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

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 withWhitaker 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/ver

Amish Firefighter
by Laura V. Hilton

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne by Laura V. Hilton

My last blog post ended with these words: 

Laura V. Hilto

Paul reminds us that despite the bad things, the sad things, the storms in life, that we can find something to be thankful for.

Those of you who are facing the holidays without loved ones, for whatever reason, let's focus on the blessings that God has provided.

If you still have family nearby, hug them and tell them you love them.


And those of you who are separated from your loved ones, you’re in my prayers.

That is how I ended my last blog post. 

We live in a time of unthankfulness and ungratefulness. Christmas is coming, and while it’s my favorite holiday season, all you have to do is go to the store to see the greed and the selfishness. People have lost all semblance of kindness and like in the movie “Christmas with the Kranks” will fight for that last spiral ham and sell items you don’t need at outrageous prices. 

My preacher husband says in his messages quite often: “How much is enough? Just a little bit more.”

When I wrote my last blog post, I was anticipating Christmas day without my Coastie. We were planning on celebrating late, so maybe my Coastie could get a few days off and fly home. We are still hoping for that. He has his flights booked, but the needs of the Coast Guard come first. And the weather might factor in. Will he be here? We shall see. 

At the beginning of this year, God gave me a verse. First time He has ever done so for me, and I wondered why other people got a “word from  the Lord” and I didn’t. Was I the wrong religion? Maybe conservative Baptists didn’t get words from God about what they needed to know for the incoming year. But this year, He gave me a verse. 

Not just a word. A verse. 

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go.” (Joshua 1:7 revised Laura version)

Be strong and very courageous. 

That told me all I need to know about this year. And it was hard. Hard. HARD. I hope I can claim to be strong and very courageous, but I have cried so much this year my eyes have sprung leaks and start dripping water without warning or reason. 

My baby boy (who is so not a baby) joined the Coast Guard. Went to boot camp and is now at his first station (on the other end of the country from me). 

My oldest son has continued to break my mama heart over and over this year. From getting arrested on my birthday last year (but released without booking because he wasn’t who they wanted but happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time), to moving out to live with druggies three times, but then coming home with, “I learned my lesson,” to the call I got yesterday. He’s in jail. This time booked for multiple charges. Court date is in mid-January. I can’t bail him out. I have no money. And even if I did have the money, did he learn his lesson? I don’t know. It will either break him or make him worse. I’m hoping it will break him. He called while we were at church today, begging me to get him out of there, and he cried. It made me cry.

I would be thankful if both my boys were around the Christmas tree this year, but they won’t be. One because he is serving our country, one because he’s serving time. 
In this season of Advent, looking for the coming King, I am going to choose to find the blessings. To be thankful in the little things. My Coastie is becoming a man, and so far he is making wise choices. He has found a good Bible-believing church and is active in missions outreach with it. 

My non-Coastie had a first offense—and nobody lost their life as a result of his bad decisions. And maybe, (please, God, please) this will be the wake-up call he needs to get his life on the right track. To turn back to God. 

My oldest daughter—who is not a problem child—is going off to college in January. I have high hopes for her future there. While I will miss her like crazy, I am thankful she chose to go where she did, for reasons I will hold near and dear, just in case... 

Merry Christmas – to you and yours. 

Those of you who are facing the holidays without loved ones, for whatever reason, let's focus on the blessings that God has provided.

If you still have family nearby, hug them and tell them you love them.

And those of you who are separated from your loved ones, you’re in my prayers. I would appreciate prayers, too. 

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 withWhitaker 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/ver

Amish Firefighter
by Laura V. Hilton

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have AnticipatedWhen their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.

What State Do You Live In? by Laura V. Hilton

As I write this, we are just coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday. I will not lie. This year, Thanksgiving wasn’t the same. We were missing our Coastie. He is stationed on the opposite side of the country from us.

Laura V. Hilton

But despite the empty place at the table, we have so much to be thankful for.

There is a song, Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me penned by the Easters.

The chorus goes like this:

“There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table

And shoes on my feet

You gave me your love, Lord

And a fine family

Thank you, Lord

For your blessings on me!”

If you haven’t heard it, before, check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGzhMDsb3sY.

Philippians 4:11 (KJV) says:

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Paul reminds us that despite the bad things, the sad things, the storms in life, that we can find something to be thankful for.

Those of you who are facing the holidays without loved ones, for whatever reason, let's focus on the blessings that God has provided.

If you still have family nearby, hug them and tell them you love them.

And those of you who are separated from your loved ones, you’re in my prayers.

To be continued. . .

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 withWhitaker 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/ver

Amish Firefighter
by Laura V. Hilton

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.

When You Can't Climb Another Step by Laura V. Hilton

Nanook the Husky

Our thirteen year old Siberian Husky has some hip and joint problems. He has difficulty getting up, his feet slip on our laminate floors, and he doesn’t do stairs well. He can get down okay, but getting back up? That’s a different thing.

One Sunday a month, our church provides worship services at a local nursing home. It has good turn out, an Amen corner, and a former school teacher bound and determined to keep the Amen corner quiet. She’s a master of glares. We were preparing to start the song service when my oldest son called. He had a job interview at a local gas station and no way to get there. The interview was in ten minutes. He wanted my other son to come home and take him, but Michael is used greatly at the nursing home service, and he couldn’t. I would’ve, but there was no way anyone could drive home from where I was and out to the gas station in ten minutes. So I told my son where his dad kept the spare set of keys for his car. He texted me on Michael’s phone about forty-five minutes later, and told him he was safely home. I asked Michael to text him back and ask how it went.

We got a rather confusing message back.

“Tried, slid back down.”

What? Michael and I shared confused looks. But rather than text “huh?” back, we let it go. And I called him on my phone when the nursing home service was over.

That was when we found out that Nanook (the dog) went downstairs to the basement and he couldn’t get back up the steps! He had made it to the top step, but his legs gave out and he slid, all the way back down. Then he was afraid to try again!

I totally understand. My hips and knees were hurt when I went through chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. They weakened. I blame the radiation, but other cancer survivor friends blame the chemo, and honestly, I don’t know. Don’t care. Fact is I can get downstairs fine. Going up? It’s that last step, with nothing to hold on to. No railing. My legs are quivering, my knee buckles, and well, it’s scary! And I’m afraid to try. I’m known to pray, loudly, “God, please don’t let me fall. Don’t let me fall. Don’t let me fall.” And my family cheers when I survive that scary last step.

Nanook didn’t want to try again. He laid at the bottom of the steps and howled. “Help me, please!” But he didn’t trust my oldest son to help him. He didn’t trust Michael not to let him fall back downstairs again. He didn’t trust my husband, Steve, to keep him from falling.

And then Michael remembered the crate we’d used for housetraining him as a puppy. Nanook is full grown now, barely fits, but they talked Nanook in, locked it up and both Steve and Michael carried the terrified one-hundred pound dog upstairs.

Does any of this sound familiar? We don’t trust God enough to take care of us. We’re scared. What if we fall, fail, get hurt? What if, like Peter, God asks us to step out of the boat?

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C, has some sage advice:

“Let me tell you something about stepping out in faith: You almost always second guess yourself. You make the decision to get out of the boat-- and you have second thoughts. You wonder if you made a mistake. Did God really tell me to get out of the boat?” @MarkBatterson ~~ In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

“Most of us want absolute certainty before we step out in faith. We love 100-percent-money-back guarantees. But the problem with that is this: it takes faith out of the equation. There is no such thing as risk-free faith. And you can't experience success without risking failure.” @MarkBatterson ~~ In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Do you need help taking that final step? Are you too scared to try? Or will you boldly step out of the boat, trusting God’s hand is there to help you to walk on water. To make it upstairs, to… whatever your next challenge is?

Father, help me to keep my eyes on you.
Help me to trust you enough to try.
Amen.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV)

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton

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. 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: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

The Postcard (from Promised to Another)

The Post Card
by Laura V. Hilton

David Lapp survived a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he’s developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds work in the area tying flies and basket weaving, selling his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area. 

Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Obadiah Graber, but wonders if there’s more to life. When she sees David’s name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he’s in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he’s called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?

God's Strength by Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton

It’s been a trying day. Things didn’t go as planned at all. I’d gathered everything I needed for the DMV office. My van had totally died; we needed a new-to-us van. God provided one. Got to the DMV. Standing room only. I stand there an hour. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

And then found out that the dealer I’d bought my new-to-me vehicle from didn’t fill out the paperwork right. I have to go to the dealership. Talk to the office. Get something signed.

I am ready to cry. As tears pool on my lashes, I remind myself that it is good I didn’t go to the DMV I’d planned to stop at. Because then I would’ve had to drive fifty miles to go to the dealership. But still. Somebody has to cry. I tell that to my three daughters who are with me. One of them is helping me walk because my bad knee wants to buckle after standing so long. They say, “We’ll cry, Mama. You have to drive.”

Right. No time to fall apart. Not now.

I get the paper signed. And rediscover that they have cokes at the dealership. I need the pick-me-up more than I know when I return to the DMV and learn the original one hour long wait has doubled.

Doubled! I can’t stand there another hour. Let alone two! And no one believes in giving up their seats anymore. Not for the elderly, not for women. An eighty-year-old man was there, leaning on a cane shaking as he stands—and no one offers him their seat. I would’ve if I could. I can’t. I have none.

I am praying that God will help me keep my balance as I near the end of my wait. I pray this time, the papers I have are enough. I didn’t think to pray I’d have enough to pay for it.

No one mentions sales tax will need to be paid at the DMV. For some reason, I’d thought that was part of the purchase amount we paid. Silly me.

I didn’t have enough. I was short one hundred dollars. But I write the check anyway, knowing where that missing money is. Knowing I can go home, go on-line and transfer money and it’ll be there.

I am too tired to go to the grocery store and shop. I am shaking too badly. My knee buckles with every step I take. And I am getting a headache from the stress.

I go home. Sit to rest a few minutes while I eat lunch. And God gives me this.

“God is faithful. He is faithful. He is faithful.
God is not unaware of our need.
God’s provided in the past. He will again.
God knew this was coming before we did. He has answers prepared already.
God won’t abandon us in trying times. He draws us nearer. Nearer. Nearer.”
~~Cynthia Ruchti, Tattered and Mended, page 22

So many things this can apply to. In my life, my prodigal son. Unexpected time and money spent at the DMV. My strength.

Right now I am leaning on God. I need His strength to get me through whatever each day brings. I am drawing nearer to Him, resting my head on His shoulder, and while not crying, exactly, I’m pouring out my hurts. Anger. Frustration. Money woes.

It’s wonderful how God ministers right when I need it. Reaching out to me with the words I need, when I need it.

How has God ministered to you today?

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton

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. 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: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

The Postcard (from Promised to Another)

The Post Card
by Laura V. Hilton

David Lapp survived a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he’s developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds work in the area tying flies and basket weaving, selling his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area.

Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Obadiah Graber, but wonders if there’s more to life. When she sees David’s name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he’s in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he’s called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?

Constantly Kept by Laura V. Hilton

"Yet I am always with you: you hold me by my right hand.” - Psalm 73:23

Laura V. Hilton

I was recently asked in an interview to share a time I felt God’s separation—His departure from my story. I was unclear whether the context of the question meant God Himself stepping back and rejecting it, or the plague of writers known as writer’s block. Ugh, writer’s block. I’m told that comes from not knowing the characters well enough. I am not a plotter. I rely heavily on God while writing, and God knows my characters and the story He wants me to tell, even when I do not.

I stared at the question, not knowing what to say. I have known disappointment when a story I felt close to was rejected by a publisher. I have been saddened by not always achieving the dream for my books I wanted, but I have never known God to leave me or my story.

God’s word brings a promise: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” Hebrews 13-5:6.

God doesn’t ask us to write any of our stories alone. He will never abandon us and will answer our prayers for clarity of words, for guidance of plot, for wisdom in the spiritual application. Jesus is the only one who can honestly say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46.

His presence may seem faint or quiet at times, but it is never absent. He always stays near, sometimes reaching us through a song, a friend or loved one, another book, His Word, or a walk through the woods while we spend time in prayer and mediation. His Word guarantees that we are constantly kept.

How do you find God’s voice when He seems quiet?

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 in April 2015, and The Bird House in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

The Post Card
by Laura V. Hilton

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: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

The Postcard (from Promised to Another)
David Lapp survived a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he’s developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds work in the area tying flies and basket weaving, selling his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area.

Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Obadiah Graber, but wonders if there’s more to life. When she sees David’s name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he’s in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he’s called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?