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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  ~Psalm 100:4 NIV

Dora here. On this Thanksgiving Thursday, my laptop sits idle on my desk, my office even more quiet than usual. Not a word will make it into my wip. My fingertips won’t dance across the keyboard.

But that's okay.  

Because once again our house is bursting with family. It's loud with excited chatter and laughter, bubbling over with joy, little boy hugs, and more food than our family could possibly consume. We’re skirting make-shift beds on the floors and getting tangled in electronic cords and groaning over an endless cycle of dirty dishes.

But that's okay.

Because as much as I savor the solitude of my early mornings and the tranquility of my writing routine, this moment is something that will never come again. Time is fleeting and precious, and not one of us is promised tomorrow. This journey is meant to be shared with our loved ones, family, and friends.

And that’s where you come in.

We cherish you, dear readers. Thank you for traveling this writing journey with us. For faithfully stopping by to read our posts, for brightening our days with your comments, and for sharing us with your friends.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
What about you? Will you find a quiet spot to squeeze in writing time today?

Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You!

Image courtesy of  Bing.com

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

I Thess 5:16-18 NIV

The Seriously Write team would like to thank you, dear readers, for traveling this writing journey with us. For faithfully stopping by to read our posts, for brightening our days with your comments, and for sharing us with your friends.

Wishing you a day filled with love and laughter, family and friends, faith and fun.

Happy Thanksgiving 

from your friends at Seriously Write!