Marriage...Testing Our Faith

It's hard to believe, but this good looking couple to the left just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary tonight! Yep, that's Allen & I taken a year ago on a trip to visit our son and his bride.

I told Allen as we took a short walk this evening down to our little pond, that it's not possible we've been married that long, since I'm only 35, LOL! We sat on the porch for a few minutes after walking back up the hill and before heading to town for a very nice dinner, holding hands and enjoying being together. But it's not always been that way. We've weathered some incredibly tough times in our marriage, where I wondered if we'd make it at all. My faith has been stretched, pummeled, tested, and practically turned inside out, but I've grown so much as a person, and as a wife.

Isn't that what marriage is supposed to be about? A time to grow, to mature, for the Lord to make the two of us one in Him? Yes, it's often painful, but comes sprinkled with seasons of intense joy. I'm not the person I was when I married...a girl with an expectation of a husband who would fit into the mold I'd created for him out of my own personal daydreams...The Lord is remaking me into a woman who's working hard to love and accept unconditionally, just the way I pray and hope Allen accepts me.

Funny, isn't it? We have so many expectations and ways we want our men to change...but when the shoe is on the other foot, and they're not happy with something we're doing, it hurts. I think I've learned more in those rare times that I've been able to truly evaluate how I'd feel if Allen imposed some of the same 'conditional' love that I've given to him at times....ouch! It wasn't a pretty picture.

We agreed tonight that we want to keep going for another 37 yrs....we'll barely be 90 by then, so I think we'll make it....and I pray the Lord will continue to grow and mature us in our continuing love and commitment to one another.

Multi Author Signing June 20th

Come join me at Beaverton Christian Supply on Cedar Hills Blvd, on June 20th, as I join with six other fabulous authors for 2 hours to sign your favorite books. Here's the authors you'll meet:

Robin Jones Gunn
Cindy Hannan
Miralee Ferrell
Melanie Dobson
Leslie Gould
Pat Rushford
Jill Williamson

A Few Things I've Learned

A few things I've learned in my 50+ years here on earth...by Miralee Ferrell


Life is too short to waste in worry.

We only have today, tomorrow can take care of itself.

God only gave us one body. Take care of it like you hope it will last two-hundred years, and pray that it makes it in good shape for half of that.

When I get close to the grave, I want to be remembered for my relationships, not my resources or accomplishments.

Laughter truly does do good like a medicine...you can't laugh too often.

Allowing joy to flood your life impacts you physically, mentally, emotionally and relationally.

No one will ever understand you like God does...turn to Him with every care, no matter how large or small.

If you have something to complain about, take it to God and leave it there. Most of your friends really don't want to hear about it.

If you have a big vision or dream, only share it with those who you know will encourage it.

God wants to stretch our vision beyond what we can imagine. Let Him.

You can't succeed if you don't try. Often when you try, you'll fail. Failing shows you what NOT to do next time. Try again.

A true friend believes in y0u, cries with you, and listens with their heart.

Other than your relationship with God, there is nothing more important than family.

If you don't spread your wings and try to fly, you'll live in the nest your entire life, and miss out on the world's breathtaking beauty.

God never said we could do it all....He said In HIM all things are possible. Only believe.

Sometimes you must allow your children to fail, or they'll never grow beyond where they are now.

My husband is often right, but it takes a big woman and a humble heart to admit it.

Try something new on a regular basis. You might surprise yourself and find out you love it.

You're never too old to jump into your dream. Keep your hand in God's as you jump, and you can't go wrong.

New Contest!

Susan May Warren is wrapping up the celebration for the release of her new book, Nothing But Trouble with a Super Fun FACEBOOK PARTY!

Here's Susan to tell us all about it...

PJ Sugar is a girl who I've fallen in love with - and I'm excited that others have too! I wrote PJ for everyone who feels just a little messy, just a little like they can't quite get it right. (I'm so there!) And who needs to hear that God loves them. Period. Full stop. Hallelujah.

Grab a few of your friends...some sugar cookies (or whatever Sugary goodness you prefer), your favorite beverage and your computer and let's chat. June 19th from 5-7 PM PST, I'll be answering your questions, giving you a sneak peak into book 2 in the PJ Sugar collection, letting you test your trivia skills, giving away books and a GINORMOUS Sugar Basket! Also...everyone in attendance will receive a downloadable book plate and discussion questions for Nothing But Trouble for your book club, reading group, or just for yourself!

So grab a few of your friends and come join me on June 19th from 5-7 pm (PST) on Facebook.

My Facebook account name is Susan May Warren

Wow. Fun.

We at Litfuse can't wait - this is sure to be a fun party. Help Susan Spread the Word by posting this button on your blog/website!

Code:

And, yep - just like last time, we'll be giving away a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com to one lucky person who posts the button. Send us a note at amy@litfusegroup.com that you've got your button up and we'll enter your name into the pot. Twitter and facebook it and get additional 5 entries! Include your twitter/facebook id in the email too!

Thank you all so much and hope to see you at the Sugar Party!

Susan May Warren's New Release

About the book: PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that’s become her life, she needs a fresh start.

The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister’s wedding is Boone—her former flame and the reason she left town.

Her best friend’s husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn’t know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she’ll uncover much more than she bargained for—a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she’s been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her hometown, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder--who also happens to be PJ's former flame--is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend's husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.

Read the first chapter: http://gotsugar.susanmaywarren.com/

About Susan: Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

A note from Susan May Warren

Sometimes, do you feel like you just don’t fit in? You look around you and if anyone knew how difficult it was just to put yourself together, to smile when you feel completely overwhelmed, to even figure out what you were making for supper, they’d know what a mess you were. Maybe you totally relate to those words in 1 Peter – God’s elect, strangers and aliens in the world. Do you feel like when you look in the rear view mirror, all you see are your mistakes?

Maybe not. But if so, then PJ is your gal. I wanted to write a story about the person in so many of us who just wants to get it right…but can’t seem to stay out of trouble. My friend and I have what we call the “stupid mouth” club…and we report our weekly foibles (usually on Monday, after Sunday church!). PJ is our charter member. She’s the girl that changes her mind, always hopes for the best, is always discovering that she is just a little different than everyone else. PJ is us.

And that’s good news. Because God loves PJ. He loves her messiness, and her impulsiveness, her heart bent toward others, the hope that fuels her actions. And He has a plan for PJ – one that includes her weaknesses as well as her strengths.

Yep, I need to hear that – need to hear that I don’t have to be perfect for God to love me, use me, sing over me. Need to hear that although I don’t fit in, well, I’m not supposed to…in fact, I’m supposed to be a little…alien.

I wrote PJ for everyone who feels just a little messy, just a little like they can’t quite get it right. And who needs to hear that God loves them. Period. Full stop. Hallelujah.

What is your favourite Bible verse and what does it mean to you?

My current favourite is: Hebrew 4:16, “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” It means that even when I come crawling, my face to the floor, He won’t reject me. I pull it out whenever I blow it, or feel inadequate, or when someone hurts me, or...when I hurt someone else. Basically whenever I feel like I’m Trouble, I remember that God won’t turn away. In fact, He may even do what I do to my children – turn me to face Him, despite my puffy red face, wipe off my tears and pull me into His arms.

How did I come to be a writer?

I’ve always been amazed at the journey God has taken me on. I always loved to write, but being a missionary in Russia, I never dreamed about being an author. I just tried to do the best with what God had entrusted to me, and for me that meant writing missionary newsletters. I honed my skills through my newsletter, and then, after a number of years, began to write devotionals and magazine articles. Although I tried my hand at writing novels (I wrote 4 before I ever had one published), I never thought I would get anything published. But I diligently studied craft and analyzed books, even though I was hidden away in Siberia. I’ll always be grateful that Tyndale took a chance on me! I’m still learning, and still trying to be a good steward of the gift and task I’ve been given to write books that draw people closer to God.

Where did the idea for PJ Sugar come from?

Every author dreams of a moment where someone says something, or they see something on the news, or in a newspaper and it springs out at them, nearly shouting – STORY IDEA! This happened to me a number of years ago while talking to friends about their daycare situation, and how one of the parents ended up being a murder suspect! Scary! But an interesting idea. About that time, I was a mom who wore many hats – homeschooling mom, writing teacher, speaker, children’s church leader, -- and it occurred to me that a mother really has to be a sort of PI. Not only taking on different roles, but sleuthing out daily household mysteries like, who ate the last of the peanut butter (and put it back in the cupboard?) and whose socks are laying in the middle of the floor, and finally…(in our house), who let the dog (and her muddy feet!) in the house! PJ is the alter-ego in every mom, that super-hero inside of us that allows us to have esp (I know you’re not really done with your homework!), or have “eyes in the back of our head,” (stop poking your sister!) or even figure out how to whip together an award-winning science project the night before the fair. PJ just applies all those skills to bad guys and figuring out the truth.

PJ Sugar is also a woman who wants to be all things to all people. She wants to be her nephew’s champion and her sister’s best friend, and her mother’s favorite daughter, and Boone’s special girl, and the hero of her hometown. That’s not too much to ask, is it? Maybe…because God wants her to be His girl, and satisfied in who He made her to be. And that is a journey for all of us PJ Sugars.

Blog tour schedule

5/16

Amy at Amy’s Random Thoughts

http://www.amychristopher.blogspot.com

Heather at Mumblings of a Mommy Monk

http://mommymonk.blogspot.com/

Amy at The 160 Acre Woods

http://the160acrewoods.wordpress.com

Mindy at Ponderings of the Heart

http://philippians4verse8.blogspot.com:80/

Melody at Kids, Cakes, Dishes, Laundry…In That Order

http://kidscakesdisheslaundry.blogspot.com

5/18

Tanya at In The Dailies

http://tanyadennisbooks.com/

Lena Nelson at A Christian Writer's World

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Jamie at Surviving the Chaos

http://www.survivingthechaos.blogspot.com

Miralee at Miralee's Desk

http://www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com

AnnMarie at More Than Just A Mom

http://afriedrick.blogspot.com

5/19

Leticia at My Daily Trek

http://leticiasworld.blogspot.com/

Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms

http://blog.cwahm.com

Sarah at Reborn Butterfly

http://www.rebornbutterfly.wordpress.com

Krista at Welcome To Married Life

http://www.welcometomarriedlife.com

Laura at Lighthouse Academy

http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/

5/20

Marta at Marta's Meanderings

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life

http://kaytebug2002.blogspot.com

Annette at Net's Book Notes

http://www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com

Melissa at Breath of Life

http://breathoflifeministries.blogspot.com/

Lisa ojidli@yahoo.com

Lori at Laurel's Reflections

http://laurelwreathsreflections.com

5/21

Deborah at Books, Movies and Chinese Food

http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com

Christy at Critty Joy

http://cirttyjoy.wordpress.com

Danielle at Miss. Mouthy

http://missmouthy.com/

Dawn at A Few of My Favorite Things

http://www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com

Melissa at Bibliophile's Retreat

http://bibliophilesretreat.com

Dineen at Kittens Come From Eggs

http://dineenmiller.blogspot.com

5/22

Kate at A Simple Walk

http://asimplewalk.blogspot.com/

Rel at Relz Reviewz

http://www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com

Donna at Write By Faith

http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com/

Jill Elizabeth at Artistic Blogger

http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml

Cecilia at The Epic Rat

http://epicrat.blogspot.com/

Peggy at Sips & Cups Café

http://www.sipsncupscafe.com

5/23

Cara at Cara’s Musings

http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/

Amy at My Friend Amy

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com

Suzanne at There's No Place Like Home

http://clickingherheels.blogspot.com

Pamela at Aunt Pam's Closet

http://www.auntpamscloset.com

Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood

http://www.thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com

5/26

Lynetta at Open Book

http://www.lynetta.blogspot.com

Lauren at Reading Grounds

http://readinggrounds.blogspot.com

Betsy at Betsy At Large

http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com

Lauren at Baseballs and Bows

http://baseballsandbows.blogspot.com/

Marjorie at The Writer's Tool

http://www.marjorievawter.blogspot.com

5/27

Beth at The Writing Road

http://thewritingroad.blogspot.com/

Kristy at Southeast Country Wife

http://www.ineedtoread.blogspot.com

Amy at Peek-A-Boo ICU

http://peek-a-booicu.blogspot.com/

Bev at Ribbit-Ribbit

http://ribbit-ribbit.blogspot.com/

Patty at Girlfriends in God

http://patty-girlfriendsingod.blogspot.com

Cee Cee at Book Splurge

http://Booksplurge.blogspot.com

Book Give Away!!

To celebrate my book being chosen for the ACFW May book club selection, I'm giving away a free signed copy of Love Finds You in Last Chance, CA, my new historical romance set in 1877. Here's a short summary of the book.

“IT’S 1877 AND ALEXIA TRAVERS IS ALONE IN THE WORLD. Her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the town’s all-too-willing bachelors would offer an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons men’s trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own. But despite Alex’s best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her father’s gold goes missing. Alex is at her wit’s end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin’s story than he’s willing to share. Will Alex ever be able to trust him? More importantly, will the independent woman finally learn to depend on God?”

Here are the rules for the giveaway. If you leave a comment, you get one entry into the drawing. If you link my blog to your blog or website and let me know you've done so, leaving the url for your blog (or web site), your name will be entered twice. If you refer someone to this drawing who comes and does the same, you'll get three entries. Here's the addys for my web site and blog for linking:

REMEMBER!!!! YOU MUST post your blog or web site URL to get the extra credit for the link (besides, people might come visit your site, as well!). And be SURE to leave an email addy where I can contact you if you win. To avoid spammers, list it like this: miralee at gorge dot net

http://www.miraleeferrell.com (web site)
http://www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com (blog)

If you go take a look at my new book trailer on YouTube or Tangle (formerly GodTube) and leave a comment there, you'll also get another entry in the drawing. Here's the url for the trailer:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD5ZeVzxa4

Tangle: I'll post this URL as soon as the video uploads, or do a search for my name.

This contest will close Monday night and the winner will be drawn and announced on Tuesday, so don't wait!

My Newest Review

I popped over to Amazon today to check on any new reviews and was thrilled to find this one... I'm not acqauinted with this reviewer, but she does reviews for Readers Views...they have over 4100 reviews posted on Amazon as of today, and use several reviewers. This particular woman is a PhD, and from looking at her other reviews, very well read. Here's what she had to say...

			Love Finds You in Last Chance, CA (Love Finds You, Book 5) by Miralee Ferrell Edition: Paperback Price: $10.39 Availability: In Stock		27 used & new
Exceptional read, April 30, 2009 Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (4/09) Author Miralee Ferrell has written an exceptional book that addresses courage, adversity and suspense. Her vivid descriptions of the land, characters and action make you believe you are right there with the characters. In 1877 Alexia Travers finds herself the owner of her father's horse ranch. Determined that she can run the ranch on her own, Alex finds there are many obstacles, which include men who want her farm. She is a beautiful woman, but yet desires to dress as a man and tries to operate the ranch like her father did. However, men are not going to be bossed by a woman and many feel her place is being married and raising a family. There is confusion as to exactly how her father died and where his missing gold is. Suddenly things start to go wrong as some of the ranch hands quit and go to a competitor, her horses start going missing and someone is trying to harm her. Little did she know that her father had sent for a friend Justin Phillips to help her out. An important aspect of the book I found was Alexia's lost faith in God. She cannot understand why God is letting this all happen. From page one the author has captured your attention and continues to keep you glued to the adventure until the last page. The author has done a great job on her research of the town Last Chance and the appearance and behavior of characters in 1877. "Love Finds You in Last Chance, California" by Miralee Ferrell is a great read for all.

Motivation---It helps to be deaf!

Once Upon A Time...



Once upon a time there was a bunch
of tiny frogs.... who arranged a
running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a
very high tower.

A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer
on the contestants....The race began....

Honestly:
No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the
top of the tower. You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."

or:
"Not a chance that they will succeed.
The tower is too high!"


The tiny frogs began collapsing. One
by one....

Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher..




The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"



More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....

This one wouldn't give up!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for
the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!


THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?

It turned out....That the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's
tendencies to be negative or pessimistic....because they take your most wonderful
dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart!

Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.)

Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore: ALWAYS be.... POSITIVE!

And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

Always think: God and I can do this!
Pass this message on to
"tiny frogs" you care about.

Give them some motivation!!!

Diann Mills New Release!!

DiAnn Mills - New Suspense Release-- Breach of Trust

I LOVED this book. It's the first one of DiAnn's that I've read, and certainly won't be the last, as I plan on purchasing each book in this series. Paige Rogers retired from the CIA and went into hiding after she'd betrayed by her team leader on an overseas op. She's trying to restructure her life and is making good progress when her old nemesis tracks her down and begins making trouble.

The action is fast, the plot isn't predictable, the characters have much more depth than most suspense novels, and there's a strong spiritual thread, as well. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you moving through the pages. I found it very hard to put down!

_________________________________________________________________

Paige Rogers is a former CIA agent who lost all she treasured seven years ago when her entire team was killed in a covert mission. She blames their leader—Daniel Keary—whom Paige believes betrayed them. Disillusioned and afraid for her life, she disappeared and started a new life as a small-town librarian. But when Keary announces his candidacy for governor of her state, he comes after Paige to ensure that she won't ruin his bid for office. He threatens everything she holds dear, and Paige must choose between the life of hiding that has become her refuge . . . or risking everything in one last, desperate attempt to right old wrongs.

From the Back Cover
Paige Rogers survived every CIA operative’s worst nightmare.

A covert mission gone terribly wrong.

A betrayal by the one man she thought she could trust.

Forced to disappear to protect the lives of her loved ones, Paige has spent the last several years building a quiet life as a small-town librarian. But the day a stranger comes to town and starts asking questions, Paige knows her careful existence has been shattered.

He is coming after her again. And this time, he intends to silence her for good.

________________________________________________________

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold a million and a half copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2008, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Website: www.diannmills.com

Miracle on the Hudson---Awesome Art

Rex Babin's best interpretation of 'Miracle on the Hudson '