Sarah Martin Byrd's Blog, page 9

Social Media Chaos

A couple of years ago when I started marketing my first novel, Guardian Spirit my publicist gave me a list of “must do’s”: I must set-up a Facebook page. Not just one but two, one for my personal use and one to use strictly as an author page. Not just set the pages up but try and attract hundreds of friends. And we all know to get friends you’ve got to be one… that takes a lot of time.

 

Another “must do” was I had to set-up a twitter account and start tweeting. Tweeting and re-tweeting was just not me. It’s hard to say everything I want to say in only 140 characters? I set the account up a few years back but didn’t really start tweeting until two months ago. I have to admit I’m kind of enjoying it. But here again to get followers you must become a follower.

 

Then the publicist said I needed to create a website, and blog consistently. Consistent for me is once a week. Usually on Mondays, depending on my schedule sometimes it’s Tuesday. The publicist said I needed to blog about my novel and the art of writing. That’s all well and fine but after a few months of telling about my book I was pretty sure folks were tired of hearing about Sadie and her guardian spirit, Blackie.

 

Sure I blog about my work, and, the art of writing but now and then I have to broaden the horizon and talk about other aspects of life. I’m a spiritual person. I like to blog about things that will uplift someone, or let them know that other people have hard times too but that we must keep on trudging forward. Tomorrow is always a new beginning.  Our slate is wiped clean at the break of each new dawn.

 

Other “must do’s” are: Join writing communities such as, Redroom, She Writes, Good Reads, Google +, Book Club Network, Live Journal, Amazon Author Central, ASMSGS, World Fiction Writers, Fiction Writers Guild, and The Author Think Tank! These are just a few. There are literally hundreds of groups you can choose from. So, how do we pick? Writers certainly can’t accept every invitation that pops up on their iMac screen.

 

This writer is finding it hard to gouge out a few hours a day for writing because of all the social media demands. I read some good advice the other day, not sure where it came from but it said that a writer should pick two or three of the above writing communities and interact with them, and not try to keep up with them all. Why? Because it is impossible.

 

When I joined one of the above groups a few months ago I started out getting a few emails from members everyday, now there are over 600 coming my way in one day. Needless to say I don’t have time to read every one of them so they go in the trash.

 

Another situation that I’ve found very irritating is when someone posts about a million Facebook messages a day. Last week an author sent out almost 200 messages about her new book in only a few hours. I have my Facebook messages sent to my email so it took me a good long while to get all of them deleted. Then guess what I did? Not only did I “not” buy her book I clicked the un-friend button.

 

Social media is a wonderful way to get your message out to millions of people and stay connected, but it can drive you crazy if not handled in the right way. For me what started out being fun has become a chore. Thirty minutes a day of socializing has turned into hours. So, do like me and stop friending, following and joining every group offer you get. Be selective. Pick a few places to share information and ideas and stop all this crazy social media chaos.

 

 

 

 

 

Angels All Around

Hebrews 13:2

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 

Do you believe in angels? I sure do. Do I believe our loved ones come back to earth in the form of an angel to help and comfort us? No. Two reasons why. First, God created specific beings called angels to be His messengers and helpers. Second, once we die and go to heaven God will not send us back to this sinful world. That would be too cruel.

 

I just finished reading a book titled, To Heaven And Back, by Mary C. Neal, MD. The book is her life experience of dying, going to heaven and then having to return to earth because it wasn’t her time to die. God had things for her to do. Mary was underwater for like fifteen minutes and survived with no brain damage. She says that Jesus was there with her under the water. That she felt no pain or panic. And suddenly out of nowhere a rock appeared for her rescuers to stand on so they could reach her, and then it disappeared. Coincidence? I think not.

 

Mary speaks of angels throughout her book such as being guided out of a Florida cave while scuba diving by fish angels. She believes she was rescued by angels on a muddy Mexican road when she was only a teenager and that miracles still happen in the lives of ordinary people even if we don’t recognize them for what they really are, and don’t really believe them to be of divine origin even if their miraculous nature is noticed.

 

Mary says that she thinks that each of her experiences prepared her for the next one. She lost her oldest son when he was only nineteen years old, and she believes all the events of her life were preparing her to cope with this tragic event.

 

I have to agree with Mary. All through life we question why, why, why. We don’t understand why children have cancer, or why our aging parents have to suffer. We may ask why when a marriage fails or when we don’t have money for the mortgage payment. All things happen for a reason, and when handled with an attitude of humble resolve we can find peace in our misery, because we know that ultimately God is in control. He is all around us to lift us up when we don’t have the strength to pick ourselves up off the floor. He will carry us when our legs become weak with age, and he will gather all the little children to him in their time of need.

 

It’s hard not to question life’s mysteries. What is our purpose on earth? Maybe we’ll never know on this side of heaven. But I do believe God has a plan for each of us. It is our choice whether we decide to follow the fish angels out of the deep dark cave or give up and drown.

 

When I was a young wife my husband and I were jumping waves in the Atlantic Ocean when all of a sudden the bottom dropped off and the waves started hitting us relentlessly. Not being a good swimmer the current quickly drug me under. My husband was grabbing at me trying to save me, but the ocean was fierce and I felt that my life might be coming to an end. My husband said I was gurgling.

 

Then all of a sudden a voice inside my head said, “Swim.” I overcame my panic and started swimming and it was as if I were floating across the top of the water. I could have died that day, but I believe God had things for me to do. I don’t know what those things are. Maybe He just kept me around to bring a child into the world to use in a miraculous way. My daughter, Wendy was born almost exactly nine months to the day I came close to drowning.

 

Are there angels all around us? Absolutely. They were with me on that summer day back in 1978 when the waters were trying to swallow me up, and angels have been with me many times since. In times of trouble and sorrow we just have to listen to the angels sweet whisperings. When the waves of life come crashing down on us and we’re drowning in the ways of the world, maybe we just need to relax and swim.

 

Job 1:10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?

Closed Door? Open The Window

Looking back on 2012 I have so many things to be thankful for. Good health, a family that loves me even when I’m not lovable, a God who erased my every sin with the cleansing power of His shed blood, and my writing. My new novel, The Color of My Heart was released in late October and is doing very well. The reviews on Amazon have humbled me beyond belief.

 

But all days were not perfect last year and disappointments were many. On the same day my second novel went under contract with my new publishing company I received a letter in the mail from the publisher of my first novel, Guardian Spirit. I’m not physic, but I knew what was written in that letter before I opened it. The publisher of Guardian Spirit was “Going Out Of Business.” For several reasons Lucky Press was closing their doors and relinquishing all their rights to my first novel and turning it back over to me. On the heels of my good news this bad news was nipping away at my joy.

 

What’s a girl to do? Start all over again and try to find another publisher? I had less than fifty copies of Guardian Spirit left in my possession and no promise of ever getting any printed again. Something deep inside me was rearing up. I would not let Guardian Spirit dissolve into the vast vapors of out of print books. This novel was way to close to my heart to let it die.

 

Of course the first thing I did was submit it to my new publisher. Being a Christian Publishing Company, Ambassador International couldn’t publish Guardian Spirit because of all the Native American themes and folklore, but they told me I should look at their other imprint, Ink Swift.

 

I had a decision to make. Should I invest weeks and months of my time mailing and emailing out queries to try to find another traditional publisher, or did I simply self-publish and get Guardian Spirit back out on the shelf? Personally for me the decision was a no-brainer. My new publisher and I worked together and came up with a package that both of us could live with and in a few weeks Guardian Spirit was re-born with a new cover and a renewed excitement from me about its release.

 

Almost six years ago I became a full-time novelist. My dreams and expectations of today are not the same as they were back in 2007. They have been replaced with reality. I have learned that not all good books, and maybe not even all very, very, very good books will be picked up by a major New York City publishing company. But, that is not to say there are not some really awesome books out there that are being self-published.

 

I have always been a pretty competitive person. I play ball to win. I want to finish the race first, but I learned very quickly that in this game of publishing my competition is not in the same league as I am. The big publishers and agents are so far out of reach for new unknown authors that if we wait to be read by them our dream of holding a book with our name on the cover may never become a reality.

 

I have been fortunate to find two traditional publishing companies. The first one so small that they only published three to four books a year. The other one a bit larger, publishing thirty books a year. Unfortunately not all authors have the time that I have had to submit their work relentlessly, day after day, week after week, query after query.

 

My advice for all striving new authors is to follow your gut. You have to work very hard. You must understand that every spare minute of your day has to be spent polishing your work, your query, and cover letter. And then when all is said and done and you still have nothing but a lap full of rejections you might want to consider the world of self-publishing.

 

Hey, you wrote a book. You’ve done something that a small percentage of the population can do. Be proud, and release your work into the wild. When one door closes, open a window.

 

Revelation 3:8

I know thy works; behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my work, and hast not denied my name.  

 

 

From Beginning to End

Hallelujah I made it through another year. No looking back on 2012. Just moving ahead into the unknown. Who knows what treasures I’ll uncover in the weeks to come?

 

Every day is a gift. Each new twenty-four hours is bound up tightly in colorful paper and tied with a flamboyant bow. Hour by hour we un-wrap a piece of our day and behold the magic. Don’t we wish every day would be all bright, bubbly and full of fun?

 

I know that 2013 will hold many treasured moments, but all will not be rosy. Why? Because life just isn’t like that. I especially realized the frailty of these old bodies of ours this past Saturday when I attended three funerals. Yes, that’s right, three celebrations of life in one day.

 

As the years, months, and weeks tick by I’m coming to realize how very short our span on earth truly is. We get up every morning, go through our routine, and before we know it the day is over. Then the next morning we start all over again. What will you do this year to make it your best one yet?

 

I’ve thought a lot about this for my own life. As always I plan to exercise more often, eat healthier, drink lots of water and read more books. Some days I’ll accomplish this and others I’ll fall very short. I also plan to read the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve read through most of it, but unless I look at every word from beginning to end I’ll never know if I took it all in. And what will I do when I get to the pearly gates and Saint Peter gives me a pop quiz on one of the chapters I haven’t read? Boy, I’ll be in trouble won’t I?

 

Reading the entire Bible certainly won’t give me a free pass to enter the gates of heaven, but the knowledge that falls between the bindings will no doubt help me as I stumble along life’s pathway. I’ve had several Bible’s in my life, two of which are falling apart. They’ve been used quite a bit. I’ve needed a lot of guidance through the years.

 

At a very early age I came to realize that all the answers to a young girls troubles were hidden in scripture. Then as a teenager I found advice on those thin pages to help me make important decisions, and in all the years since I find myself going to the Word to get me through the day.

 

I can’t tell you I understand all that’s inside the greatest Book that will ever be written because I don’t, but when I go to it with an open mind and a humble heart the passages become alive and the beauty of God’s message brings me a peace that nothing else can ever compare to.

 

The excitement of another New Year is intoxicating. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me. I know some of the roads I travel will be long and curvy. The hills will be steep and valleys low, but I also know that many of the paths I wander down will take me off into the sunset, beside the still waters where green pastures grow. In 2013 may we all long to draw closer to the scared side of the Savior?

 

May God Bless you all. Happy New Year!

 

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

The Afterglow

Some people feel kind of depressed the day after Christmas, but not me. I love December 26th. It’s not that I don’t like Christmas, because I really do, it’s just that I feel like everything will be back to normal soon. I am a creature of habit and the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season tends to deter me from what I love doing and that’s writing.

 

So, in a few minutes I’ll begin to take down my tree. I’ll put it away with the memories of wonderful times spent around it with my family. I’ll wrap each special ornament in tissue paper and lay them to rest until next year. When the tree and decorations are all stored away I’ll put the furniture back in place and life will be back to it’s ho-hum self. Thank goodness!

 

This time of year makes me want to clean out closets and drawers and even the basement. To get rid of those things that clutter up my life. Not just old sweaters and shoes, but other things like too many commitments and responsibilities. To focus on the things that really matter, not just family and cooking and all the domestic stuff that goes along with being a woman, but to hone in on what really makes me happy. Writing stories.

 

I’m so looking forward to 2013. I have a couple of writing projects in the works that I am really excited about. I appreciate so much the feedback from each and every one of you who read my work. I know it takes time for you to email me, send me Facebook messages, and post reviews on Amazon, but your kind words help motivate a poor starving author like me more than you’ll ever know.

 

So, today I’m basking in the afterglow of another cherished holiday with my family.  I’m also going to work on the clutter in my life, clean up my act and my house, and get down to the business of editing, The River Keeper, the next New York Times Bestseller. What? You don’t believe me? Well, a girl can dream can’t she?

 

Happy New Year!

 

Declutter Now by Lindon and Sherry Gareis was the inspiration behind this blog.

http://actionplanministries.com/declu...

 

 

There Are No Words

For several days I’ve been trying to write this weeks blog but nothing I put on paper seems to feel right. All I can think about are 12 little girls whose mother will never again be able to pin a bow in her precious angel’s hair. And, the 8 small boys whose father will not have the opportunity to cheer his son on as a basketball leaves his little hand and swishes through the net.

 

I want to dedicate this space in memory of the children, and adults who were so brutally killed on December 14, 2012 in Newtown Connecticut at their school, Sandy Hook Elementary.  And, offer up this prayer:

 

Lord, I no not Your ways. All I can feel right now is the pain of the families who lost their little children, or their mother, wife, aunt or sister. I simply don’t have words to say or the mind to understand what happened that day. All I can do is pray for mercy and peace for all involved in this tragic event.

 

Please God, rain down showers of comfort for the Mommies and Daddies and Grandma’s and Grandpa’s. Send your Holy Spirit to mend their broken hearts and give them hope for the future.

 

I believe with all my heart that you have those little children and brave ladies huddled around you right now and that they have never been happier. They will never feel pain or want for anything ever again. They are at perfect peace sitting at Your feet.

 

I offer this prayer up in loving memory of Charlotte, Emillie, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Caroline, Madeleine, Catherine, Grace, Jessica, Avielle, Allison, Daniel, Dylan, Chase, Jesse, James, Jack, Noah, Benjamin, Victoria, Anne, Dawn, Rachel, Lauren, and Mary.

 

Please God comfort a hurting world, in Your Son Jesus’  name.  Amen.

 

Romans 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

A Message For All Times

In high school I lived in fear of having to read, To Kill a Mockingbird. I really don’t know how I got around it, but I would guess cliff notes saved me. I wasn’t into literary fiction in my teenage years. The books I read were more historical fiction and love stories.

 

After all these years I can finally say I have read, To Kill a Mockingbird. Jack Walker, my high school English teacher would be so proud. I feel I must say a few words about this profound story.  Published in 1960 and written by a lady named Nelle Harper Lee, it was her first and only published novel. After reading her biography I felt a close kinship with her. Not because of any awards my books have won but because I’m not crazy about being in the spotlight either. Harper Lee’s book has won many awards including the Pulitzer Prize, but Ms. Lee is yet to be interviewed or give a speech. In fact she hated all the attention the book brought to her life. Frankly that’s probably why she never finished another one.

 

To Kill a Mockingbird takes you to the state of Alabama in a time when racism prevailed. The story is told from a nine-year-old girls point of view. Scout, as she is called is a very strong character. She and her brother Jem, who is four years older experience first hand the misery of the life of a colored family when the husband is unjustly accused of beating and raping a white girl. Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father is the attorney who represents Tom.

 

Here are a couple of blurbs I love from the book:

 

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

This book takes us to the core of human behavior. It reflects our weaknesses and prejudices, much like my recently published novel, The Color of My Heart. Some day I hope the world will truly see only the inside of a person and not their outside appearance, such as beauty, size or color. We truly are all one in Christ Jesus.

I’d like to share this review.

“The Color of My Heart is an amazing journey that will keep you turning the pages. I’ve never read any story like this before. Sarah Martin Byrd managed to capture the emotions and essence that make a good story a great one. Unique, beautiful and profound, I read all the way through to the end. Buy this book, you will not be disappointed.”

Mary Netreba/Author – Rosemary for Remembrance (Historical Fiction Romance)

Other reviews can be found, and orders placed for, The Color of My Heart on Amazon at: http://ow.ly/eNGot

Road Blocks

“You may think you’ve come to a road block, but God knows what’s in the other direction.”

 

I have had the privilege to travel to some very beautiful spots in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From the white sandy shores and clear blue waters of Kauai, to cruising the waters of Alaska where great masses of ice are slowly edging their way to the sea. But there is one place I keep returning to. Cades Cove, Tennessee. For over twenty years at least once a year we make the four and a half hour drive up into the Smoky Mountains.

 

After all these years I still think it is the most beautiful and serene place I’ve ever visited. Now don’t get me wrong, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are awesome but when I step back in time and enter Cades Cove an overwhelming peace comes over me. I visualize the homesteaders who occupied the cove hundreds of years ago. Clearing the land, making molasses, and corn whiskey. Cades Cove takes me away from the worries and anxieties of real life.

 

My husband, Jerry and I have always played a game called, “Who’ll be first in line?” The gate to enter the eleven-mile, one-way loop inside the cove doesn’t open until after sunrise. Cars line up long before the morning sky gives way to light. Our game is to see if we can get up early, dress, climb into our truck and drive the twenty minutes from where we stay in Townsend, Tennessee to the entrance of the cove and be the first one in line. Many years ago I think we were first and lots of times we’ve been second and third, but this past Monday morning we arrived at the locked gate at 6:22 am, we were first in line, and yes, it was still midnight dark.

 

We sort of thought it strange that no one came along for twenty minutes and when they did they didn’t line up behind us. They parked their truck in the lot across from us. A man got out of his truck and made his was over to us. Jerry rolled down the window and the man said, “I hate to tell you this but the cove is closed to motor vehicles today. The park staff is spraying the Hemlocks for insects. If you want to go in you’ll have to walk.” Jerry answers, “Well, we’re going in.”

 

Ten years ago we had walked part of the loop but we’d never attempted the entire eleven miles. We’d been saying we wanted to but kept thinking up reasons not to. One being could we actually walk eleven miles? I am a walker, but usually not over four miles at a time. But what choice did we have? We had not driven all that way for nothing. No soiree, we’d not tuck our tails and run. So we packed up some water, a couple of Mountain Dews, two packs of nabs and a Little Debbie cake and at 7:00 am on the noise we started our four-hour-and-ten-minute hike.

 

The locked gate could have stopped us, but it didn’t. We stepped around it and started our journey. That morning we only saw three joggers, one bicyclist, and four photographers. Someone later told us that the lady photographer named Tes Jolly was famous. I don’t know how famous she is, but she was awful nice. The solitude of that day will stay with me and give me peace for many days to come.

 

The cove is usually packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic. But not that day, what could have been a road block turned into a day spent with God and His creation. The time we spent watching the morning fog lift from the ground and meet the sky was magical. We were all alone with the deer, squirrels, redheaded woodpeckers and the universe. What could have been a roadblock turned into a special gift straight from above.

 

When life gets you down and there seems to be no way to move ahead, always remember that we know not the ways of the Lord. His way is not always the way we want to go, but He knows the best route for us. Who knows what awaits us in the other direction? Tomorrow is another chance for God to lead you to the place He wants you to be. I truly believe that all things happen for a reason. So if you’ve come to the end of your road, turn around and see what’s in the other direction. Who knows what magical surprises are waiting for you?

 

 

Cyber Monday

I just ordered two items from Amazon so it’s official; I’m a Cyber Monday junkie. No crowds, no putting on lipstick before going out in public. My computer doesn’t care one bit if I’m still in my sweats and my hair needs combing.

 

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind shopping…too much. It’s just that I never know what to buy for people. This year it’s working out pretty good. My granddaughter gave me a list with a few things she wants. Does anyone know what a GAK Copier is? I thought I’d have to make a trip out of town to find one. But low and behold when I typed GAK into the search engine of Amazon about a dozen different items popped up, and thankfully a GAK Copier was one of them. Now it’s on it’s way to my house and I didn’t even have to put on my shoes.

 

It is wonderful to be able to shop from home, but it has its drawbacks. What if that item of clothing doesn’t fit, or the person you bought something for doesn’t like the gift or already has one? You have to package it up and mail it back. You can’t just run down the street and trade it or get your money back. From the swivel chair sitting in front of my computer I can’t hear the festive music playing in shops or see all the beautiful Christmas decorations. I can’t experience the magic of the season if you don’t get out and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.

 

Yes, I love being able to shop online. But when it’s all said and done I can’t fight the urge to get out in the world and mingle. To smile as wide-eyed children gather round and wait for their turn to sit on Santa’s lap. To take advantage of the opportunity to pitch a dollar or two into the Salvation Army’s red pot, to sip cider at one of the local Downtown Shops.

 

In this busy, crazy world that we live in let us not forget that Christmas is not about purchasing gifts and elaborate decorations. It’s about a baby that was born to a virgin over two thousand years ago. Let’s make sure to take time out of our hectic schedules to sit quietly and ponder the mysteries of life. To be thankful that a man named Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all, His life. He loved us so much that He suffered and died for our sins. You can’t purchase this gift on Amazon, or anywhere else. It’s not for sale it’s free. All you have to do is ask for it.

 

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God:

 

Everyone’s invited to the official launch of my new novel, The Color of My Heart.

 

Wednesday, November 28th from 5 – 7.

At The Yadkin Valley Chamber Building

116 East Market Street

Elkin, NC

 

Light refreshments will be served.

 

 

 

 

 

A Thankful Heart

In a few days we will officially kick off the Christmas Season by celebrating Thanksgiving Day. Yes, I know Walmart has had Christmas decorations out for a month or more, but sorry, I’m from the old school and I only celebrate one holiday at a time.  Everything is moving too fast these days. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all run together. There’s hardly time to carve the pumpkin before we’re carving the turkey, and chopping down a Christmas tree. Slow down world.

 

For just a few minutes lets all take a deep breath and think of all the people and things we are thankful for. I’ll make my list and check it twice.

 

1)    Jesus, who sacrificed His life so I could live eternally because I believe that He is the virgin son of Joseph and Mary. That He walked on earth, died on a cross for mankind’s sins, then rose after three days and later ascended to heaven where He waits for the Father to tell Him to come gather His children home.

2)    Jerry, my husband of 36 years. We’ve fought our share of battles but after the bullets stop flying we settle back into our comfortable life. Love and respect pull you through many dark days.

3)    Wendy, my only child. I am so proud of my little girl and the woman she’s become. She still gets mad at me because I have to be her mama now and then and tell her what I think but we’ll always be best friends.

4)    Emma, my granddaughter. For the past eight years she has been a treasure in my life that has shone brighter than any sparkling jewel. The joy that she brings me is indescribable.

5)    I’m also thankful for my sister, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and my sister’s special cabin where we all gather for Thanksgiving.

6)    I’m thankful for those who have passed on. My Daddy and Mama and the good things they taught me. My Grandma’s and Grandpa’s. And the many saints who mentored me.

7)    I’m thankful for so many small things like toothpaste, my curling iron and fuzzy blanket, Jergens Lotion, potato chips and M&M’s. For mornings, mid-day and nights. For the changing seasons, air conditioning and heat.

8)    For being able to speak my mind and pack a pistol if I feel threatened. For living without hunger and being able to believe in what or whoever I feel led to believe in.

 

I could go on and on. What would we do without our computers and cell phones? Even though I do think we rely on them too much they are very much a part of our lives and most of us could not do our jobs without them.

 

Last but not least are my friends and fans. Since the release of my new novel, The Color of My Heart I am reminded that we are nothing without the support of people around us that believe in us. At this blessed time of year I want to thank every one of you who have bought my books, read my blogs or became a friend on Facebook and Twitter. You and your words of encouragement and praise have pulled me through many days of doubt.

 

May God bless you and your families with good health, a warm place to lay your head, a full stomach and a thankful heart. Happy Thanksgiving.