Monday, October 26, 2015

PEACE IN THE WHIRLWIND OF LIFE by Guest Carol McClain

My guest today, Carol McClain, is offering you a chance to win a copy of her latest release Waters of Separation. Leave a comment about how God blessed you in the little things, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a copy. Winner will be announced on this blog on Sunday. Please leave your email address spelled out in the comment. 

PEACE IN THE WHIRLWIND OF LIFE by Guest Carol McClain


God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind, and that’s generally where I try to hear His voice. In truth, God more often speaks to me like he did to Elijah, subtly. His blessings flow in the little things like a hummingbird wavering in front of me, daring me to nab him, in the challenge of Words With Friends from my adolescent granddaughter whom I could swear hates all adults or in a glorious sunset.
Lately, I’ve been ruminating on God’s blessings. My mind stretched to the whirlwind times. 

However, they were all long ago. God surely had to be blessing me now. And then I saw the munificence.

We’d just moved to East Tennessee from northern New York. I knew no one, had no church support, and no social contacts.

Neil and I asked for direction, and this is how God answered (in no particular hierarchy of order):
1.      
A wonderful church
We had a wonderful church in Malone, and missed them. We explored a few churches here, but none were home. In the end, our quest didn’t take long. With the first song of our third church, we knew we had a home.

And it’s proved to be everything we needed and everything we loved. Living here fewer than three months, we now find ourselves immersed in ministry and burgeoning friendships.

2.      Wonderful friends
I’m introverted (I’m an author, so no surprise there), so friends are hard for me to create. Instantly, Wilma took me under her wing and introduced me to Dixie who loves books, Annie who loves hiking, and Celebrate Recovery where I’m training to minister. My social calendar is now filled with more than doctor or vet appointments.

3.      Writing friends
ACFW offers a wealth of writing help. I inquired about writing groups in Knoxville. Paula had been trying to start one. My post rallied the ladies, and this week we will meet for the third time in what hopes to be a long commitment.

4.      Some of the most glorious scenery in the country.

Our home faces the Cumberland Mountains. Every day, the scene changes as fog roll in, the sun sets or clouds play tag on the mountain tops. The flowers blossom in abundance—and now, in September, I have irises blooming again! I reach out to a tree I didn’t plant and pluck more pears than I can count. I watch chipmunks and deer and walk along the jade green shores of Lake Norris and rivers that smoke in warm sunshine.

5.      Etc.
I call it etc. because my blessings are too many to count: a surprise fire pit from a husband who adores me, friends and family who make the two day journey to visit, a chance to teach at a community college...


Blogs have to end somewhere. I’ll end it here. Thank you, Jesus, for your gentle voice.

WATERS OF SEPARATION BY CAROL MCCLAIN 


Africa’s secrets resurrect the despair physician assistant Anna Haas buried in America. Her pregnancy and the discovery of boys bound by slavery in the cacao sector of the Côte d’Ivoire revive her childhood guilt. Her mother’s suicide claimed the lives of the two small sisters Anna had vowed to protect. 

Her failure to save them was unforgiveable. 

It will not happen with these boys. 

Her interference prompts a corrupt government to threaten the thriving mission and the lives of Anna and her friends. Her action also threaten her marriage. 

However, doing nothing will destroy her. 


WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT Carol McClain and purchase Waters of Separation

Barnes and Noble: bit.ly/1KjcauB



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