v
Vannetta is graciously giving away a copy of Joshua's Mission to a commenter. Please be sure to leave contact information or you'll be disqualified if we don't know you.
Print or ebook, USA only.
Joshua’s Mission – Finding romance and grace in the midst of disaster
Print or ebook, USA only.
Joshua’s Mission – Finding romance and grace in the midst of disaster
Thank you for allowing me to visit your blog today. I’m very
excited about the release of Joshua’s
Mission (2-1-16), which is book 2 in my Plain & Simple Miracles series.
This book is a Christian romance story, but some of you may wonder … how do you
find romance in the midst of a disaster? And how is this sort of story about
the grace of God? Great questions!
First a short description of the story. Joshua Kline travels from his farm in
Oklahoma to offer aid to an Englisch town on the gulf coast of Texas
after a category 4 hurricane has ravaged the area. What will Joshua find when
he arrives in Texas? A budding romance? A call from God? A possible healing of
his relationship with his brother? Joshua’s Mission is a story of love,
forgiveness, and the grace of God that carries us through even the worst
situations.
1.
Romance?
I love writing romance. I adore happily-ever-after,
and I can find those stories in just about any situation. Middle of a
hurricane? No problem. While your brother is intent on finding trouble with the
law? Yeah. I can do that. During a recovery mission? Absolutely! I think love
is, literally, all around us. And sometimes, it’s when we have trouble in our
lives that we’re most open to a new relationship.
2.
Grace?
Disasters are a terrible thing. If you’ve ever experienced a first hand natural
disaster, or been on site soon after one, you know what I mean. It’s
heartbreaking to see people’s lives ripped apart. So how can we possibly have a
story about grace in such a terrible situation?
The answer is in the way that we
comfort one another. Christ told us to be His hands and feet, and during
disasters we find people doing that very thing. We put down our cell phones,
unplug from the internet, turn off the television, and we become involved with
each other’s lives.
I had the awesome chance to
experience this recently after we had massive flooding in central Texas. On May 25, 2015, the towns
of Wimberley and San Marcos were hit by catastrophic flooding from the Blanco River. The river crested at an estimated 41.5 feet, nearly
30 feet above flood stage. Lives were lost. Homes were destroyed. But the
people in the area pulled together. Volunteers showed up in droves. Donations
came in. Rebuilding began. The experience I had helping one family certainly
changed my outlook. As one of the men told my husband, “We had no idea where to
begin, and then you all showed up. You gave us hope.” Wow. Grace in the midst
of disaster.
3.
Fiction.
Joshua’s Mission is a fictional account of a hurricane that hits the Texas
gulf, but I was able to use first hand testimonies of hurricane victims in
other areas, my own experience working on an emergency response team, and
interviews with people in the area to weave together a story. There’s a little
romance and a whole lot of grace. I hope
that you’ll give it a try.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever experienced a
natural disaster or helped in a recovery effort? If not, maybe you know someone
who has. Tell us your story.
Vannetta Chapman
Bio and Links
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational
fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching
her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her novel, Falling to
Pieces, was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery. Chapman was a
teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas hill
country with her husband.
http://www.amazon.com/Joshuas-Mission-Plain-Simple-Miracles-ebook/dp/B018676F02/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
18 comments:
would love to win. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
I love your blog, Laura! This book is definitely on my bucket list to read! I'm trying to get my library to order a copy! Great review as always! Blessings on your giveaway!
Sarahsmithstorm@gmaildotcom
Hi Angela. Thanks for stopping by!
Sarah, thanks for adding my book to your bucket list. That's awesome!
Our church groups have sent personal hygiene items, food, clothing and other supplies to areas affected by hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters. Locally, our family helps with an organization called MCEF(Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions). MCEF is able to help local residents with various needs. We never know when someone or even our own family will be in need. God wants us to help others. I am looking forward to reading this book. :-)
Sounds like a great book. The support you gave them will stay with them forever, Vanetta
Hi Melissa. It sounds like your church is doing wonderful work! That is awesome, and I know it is very much appreciated by those in need.
Hi Vickie! Thanks for your comment. I agree - I think it's life changing on both sides when you help someone who has been through such a disaster. It's certainly humbling in that you realize how much you have to be thankful for.
I have some friends that are missionaries to Haiti. When they had the disaster a few years ago, we gathered items together and sent them to help out. Thanks for the chance to win one of your books. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
When Hurricane Katrina hit, our church was a Red Cross shelter. We could not believe how many families came to seek a place to stay. We had round the clock people there to serve them. Many were in shock after losing everything. There were some in desperate need trying to find other family members. It was an experience we have never forgotten and some of the people we helped started coming to the church. There was an outpouring of supplies and help from the community. I remember a member of the church went and bought three pair of jeans from his own money to give to a man whose clothes were caked with mud. I would leave there in tears thinking of those families who had nothing but never complained.
I haven't helped in a natural disaster, but some of our church/community members have. We've been affected by a few hurricanes. Thanks for this chance.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
While I have never experienced such an event, I have read about many of them and the effort it takes to help restore afterward. Really looking forward to reading Joshua's Mission!
While I have never experienced such an event, I have read about many of them and the effort it takes to help restore afterward. Really looking forward to reading Joshua's Mission!
dcasti2705@sbcglobal.net
I have never been in a disaster such as a tornado or hurricane nor have I actually had any close family and friends affected. So while I have not physically been able to help others through such a tragedy, I always offer my prayers. Can't wait to read this book!
jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)(com)
I have never experienced such an event myself, nor been close enough to help out beyond my prayers. Can't wait to read this book!
jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)(com)
I haven't actually helped in a crisis but I, along with other church members, gathered items to aid the people of West Liberty, KY when it was hit ty a tornado a few years ago. Food, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items were gathered to help them as they worked to clean up.
I look forward to reading your book.
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I've helped through donations in my area, physically I can't help. We had a tornado in another town not far from me several years ago (unusual for this area but becoming more common) and several floods in other towns.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
I'm waving wildly at you all. Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing your experiences. I think when we make people aware of mission work, they're much more likely to support it. Blessings to each of you.
Congratulations, Dali!
Post a Comment