Beyond Common Sense

Someone once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” I’ve learned the truth of that statement many times over the years, so perhaps this is just another one of those times.

A friend recently asked me about my writing, and I said, “Well, after this devotional (Happy Trails), I have the three more books in my Pennsylvania Legacy Series. Then, I’d like to write my “memoirs” for my kids and grandkids because they’ve asked for them. Then, I’m done.” Hmmm. We’ll see.

Lately, all the efforts of marketing Happy Trails have caused a lot of anxiety, and I don’t like that. Before 2020, I was going great guns, but then we moved in with my mom to care for her, and everything derailed. Since her passing in December 2022, I’ve learned a lot. I certainly haven’t arrived, but I’m much further down the road of writing than I was before. To be quite honest. I’m tired.

As November slips away and December comes charging in, I’m still trying to get Happy Trails into as many hands as possible. So, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you, dear friend, to check it out. (Click HERE.)I will guarantee that reading through the Bible with a heart set to know God better will change your life. I’m just offering a plan that will help you to be more successful.

Then, it’s off to the races with Journey of Faith. I am not a quitter, but I’ve spent many hours trying to get this next novel accepted by a publisher. I’m probably too picky, but I’ve laid that idea aside for several reasons, mainly because of my ancestors.

Journey of Faith has been so fun to research! It is based on a diary of one of my ancestors, written in 1804, recounting the journey from Mohringen, Germany, to Philadelphia. All my life, I heard about this diary from my mother’s side of the family, but when I’d ask about it, Mom would say, “Oh, it’s here somewhere.” I never saw it until we moved in with her. I was so fascinated by its content that I cloistered myself in my bedroom one day and mapped out the journey on Google Maps.

I believe that most publishers would want to cut George Kiess’s (the diary writer) out of the book. His words started the ball rolling. He gives great detail about the trip, more than I have been able to find anywhere online. I’d like to keep as much of it in the book as possible.

The book is written. It has been edited once and could be edited more extensively, but I believe I need to get it out there. My huge fanbase of five million followers is clamoring for it! Seriously, I just believe it is time.

So, I will be looking for ARC (advanced copy reader) readers once again. Below is a blurb about the book. Let me know if you would be interested. (And if you don’t know what it means to be an ARC reader, just ask me!)

“Sophia faces impossible hardships on the ship to America, a journey she never expected to take. Can she survive in the Pennsylvania wilderness? And how could she be attracted to the sailor who caused her grief?

Based on an 1804 diary kept by her ancestor, Wanda weaves those detailed facts of the journey from Germany to Williamsport, PA, into a tale of faith, adventure, and redemption.” (OOO! Doesn’t that sound exciting? LOL)

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It may be my favorite holiday—no hype or confusion, just a quiet day to thank the Lord for all His goodness. I pray that you will be able to spend some time with your heavenly Father that day. Write Him a note, or try praying a prayer full of praise and thankfulness without asking for anything.

Blessings,

Wanda