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What I am thankful for:

For the Lord God Almighty, Who created me, saved me, filled me, and gave me a calling into the ministry that now includes spreading the Gospel through the pages and stories of the books He has given me.

For Myra, who always supports me and my writing.

For Matt Wheeler, who is always willing to help me with my covers, despite the hoops I ask him to go through.

For Diane Moody and Terry Pellman, who shared with me how I could take the books God had given me and make them available to the world.

For my church, which has graciously allowed me to write (and sell) my books, and all those who faithfully purchase each new title.

For readers I do not know but who purchase a book or read the e-book. I pray we meet in heaven.

For you who are reading this, for God has brought us together for His glory and our collective edification.

I restarted writing “The Messengers: Evolution” today. I began the book in late April but put it aside when the proofs of “A New Home” were returned. It’s been so long ago that I need to read what I’ve written to pick up where I left off.

However, I stopped at a place where I haven’t decided what is going to happen. I know the end goal, but not how to get there, nor from whose perspective: Jacob, Kathryn, or maybe someone else.

Instead, I jump two chapters to a storyline I had already written some on. As a result, I’ve added 1,800 words to the manuscript. That’s great.

I was so consumed by “A New Home” that I didn’t think about visiting Piqua and the canal boat exhibit at Johnston Farm. I want to incorporate what travel like that would have been like if Jacob and Kathryn had been on one of the canals that crossed Ohio between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Now, I’m trying to see if they have a group on the schedule during September and October that I might join. If not, I cannot write those chapters until late spring and summer. I’m very disappointed I didn’t make time for this.

This could mean a delay with “Evolution.” If that is the case, I will finish what I can, then move on to the next book, which is a re-titled “Little Known Heroes of the Bible,” itself halfway written.

Does that sound like a stupid idea? Writing two books at the same time?

The wait is over. “A New Home” is ready for you to read!

It took 370 days from the first word to the final edit, with a few pauses in there as well.

This book has been a labor of love; sometimes labor, the rest of the time, love. I have laughed more with this book than with any other. Sometimes I would come out of my office, and Myra would think I had gotten a spot on my shirt, only to learn it was from a teardrop that fell from my cheek.

This is a story that comes from real-life experiences while doing ministry, both myself and other pastors who were willing to share. You will be amazed when you read it. The phrase “You can’t make this stuff up” rings true.

It uplifting, heart-warming, and hilarious page-turner that has characters you will grow to love. And if you are a fan of Jan Karon’s “Mitford” series, you’ll love “A New Home.”

And make sure you leave a review after reading it. This will tell Amazon’s algorithm to share the book with a broader audience, so that they too can laugh, cry, but most importantly, be blessed by a story of God’s mercy and grace in loss and change.

I changed my mind!

Well, maybe it was Myra who changed my mind. Okay, let all the wives say in unison, “It’s about time!”

When I announced that “A New Home” is in the hands of my editors, I said I was going to restart “Little Knowns.” It seemed to make sense to finish a book I’d already begun.

But then Myra pointed out that I usually alternate writing one of “The Messengers” books with something else. It gives me the opportunity to exercise my creative muscles differently, with varied storylines, timelines, and characters.

But that also forces the fans of “The Messengers” to wait longer for the next book.

So far, below is when I published the various books in the series:

Messengers: Advent: 9/22/2021
Messengers: Bridges: 2/25/2022
Messengers: Crisis: 1/16/2023
Messengers: Decision: 8/25/2024

If I were to write “Little Knowns” before the next “The Messengers” book, it wouldn’t tentatively come out until October 2026, two years after “Decision.” That’s too long, and that’s what Myra pointed out. “Your readers want to know what happens to Jacob next. Don’t make them wait.”

Therefore, a change has been made. Writing for “The Messengers: Election” will begin as soon as I complete an outline. “Little Knowns” will just have to wait its turn.

The next book is about one third written. “A New Home” will be a lighthearted story of a pastor who has moved to a new church in a small town. And oh, the people he meets: a deputy sheriff who weighs 150 lbs with his gear on, a teenager who runs the sound and wears heavy metal band t-shirts, a hermit cat lady, a hypochondriac, plus more. All the while, the pastor is trying to heal from a terrible event.

It’s been fun writing so far, especially as I research stories from other pastors. You’d be surprised what ministers experience as they serve the Lord and His children, who are as different as snowflakes, and sometimes, as crazy as loons!

I hope to have the first draft finished before the end of the year, but it all depends on how crazy life becomes. The publishing date will probably be in the middle of 2025.

And then, what’s next? We’ll have to see what the Lord has for us.