My husband and I recently attended Half-Stitch the Musical, in Sarasota, Florida. This delightful musical play is based off my novel, The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club. There were six people who attended Emma Yoder’s quilting classes in the story. One of them was Ruby Lee Williams, the wife of a minister. Due to some problems they were having in the church where Ruby Lee’s husband pastored, Ruby Lee wanted him to leave the ministry. Is leaving the best answer when a preacher feels that the congregation is displeased with him? What are some other choices a minister might make instead of leaving a church he has felt called to shepherd?

Did Ruby Lee support her husband by suggesting that they leave? Could it be that she felt as if she was near the end of her rope and saw no possibilities of a positive outcome? What are some ways we can keep our faith strong when going through trying times?

When an old year passes away and a new one takes its place, we tend to reflect on the past and focus on our future, which we hope and pray will go well.

In my novel, The Healing Jar, Lenore became discouraged and felt frustrated about her future and her desire to be married and have a family of her own.

Have you ever become impatient with God’s timing and plan for your life and tried to work things out your own way? Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t see clearly which direction the Lord was leading? If so, what did you do about it?

One thing I plan to do during the upcoming year is to spend more time thinking and praying about new insights, reading the Scriptures, and considering how to incorporate the things God reveals to me into my life.

With Christmas coming soon, many people have begun thinking about gifts — what to buy for family and friends–and what gifts you might be hoping to receive. Some people may even wonder, “Is it better to give a gift or receive a gift?”

The greatest and most important gift anyone could receive is the gift God gave the world when He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. Romans 6:23 it tells us that the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you have not already done so, I hope that you will receive God’s gift this Christmas season. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. (KJV)