A Whisper of Peace

A novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Lizzie Dawson is a young woman of mixed blood: born of a white father and a mother from a native tribe of Athabascans in the Alaskan Territory. Lizzie grew up as an outcast because the tribe had banished her mother after her marriage to a white man. When Lizzie’s father had made his fortune in trapping and fur trading, he returned to California to begin a new life, abandoning both his wife and child. After her mother died, Lizzie continued to live alone in the cabin that her father had built, completely self-sufficient in caring for herself and her sled dogs. She had dreams of fulfilling her mother’s dying request that Lizzie be reconciled with her grandparents and be accepted back into the village. A few years had passed since her mother’s death and so far she had not found a way to honor her mother’s request.

Little did Lizzie know how much her world was going to change when Clay Selby, a missionary, and his step-sister Vivian, who was a teacher, arrived in the village to set up a church and school among the Athabascans. Besides becoming friends with the people of the village, Clay and Vivian wanted to also befriend Lizzie and were puzzled as to why she was ostracized by her tribe. Clay felt led to intercede for Lizzie, but her grandfather angrily told Clay that he and Vivian would have to make a choice between friendship with Lizzie or ministering to the natives. Also, Clay was coming to realize that his interest in Lizzie was more than just seeking a casual friendship.  Would he really be forced to make a choice? What did the future hold for all of them?  Would the God of Clay’s faith who brought him to the Alaskan Territory supply his needs and give him guidance as he faced these challenges?

This novel written by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the first of hers that I’ve read. It was a swiftly moving story, flowing and well-written. The author took time to give depth to the characters, along with detail that kindled my imagination.  I have no reservations about this book and would highly recommend it. 

*This book was received free in exchange for my unbiased review through Bethany House Book Reviewers.

Pray for the Veterans and the Men & Women of our Military Forces

 

Book Cover

 I started this altered book several years ago in honor of all my family members that had served in the military, and there's a long line of them.  Thankfully, none of them were seriously injured and none were lost in combat.  Sean, my grandson-in-law, was serving in Iraq, so I spent a lot of time following the newspaper reports and TV news.  Mindy, my granddaughter, and Sean had become a family of 3 just a few months before Sean was deployed overseas.  Their second son was born while Sean was serving his second tour in Iraq.

Well, the book got shelved for a long time.  I'd take it out, look at  all the ideas I had written down, and layouts that I had marked out -- and then just put the book back in the box and put it on the shelf.  I don't know why I couldn't finish it other than I'd always get emotional thinking about Sean and all the other soldiers,  all the wounded, all the deaths, all the destruction, all the heartache.  It just seemed better to wait awhile. 

Looks like the "wait awhile" has passed, so once again I've taken down the book and this time I'm going to finish it.  I don't understand war, but I know that God does, and that ultimately He knows what's needed.  My job is to have faith, to pray without ceasing, and to be humbly thankful for the brave, dedicated men and women who protect my life and freedom.  May God watch over them with blessings and protection.

Tomorrow I'm going to start on one of those new layouts, but for now I'd like to share with you a couple of completed sections.  Anything patriotic has to be red, white and blue, right?   May your Veteran's Day be a good day of remembrance and thanksgiving.

Annie 

Inside Cover - Dedication Page



The Pledge of Allegiance

Fall is in the Air, Beautiful leaves everywhere!

Blazing color right outside my window, brilliant sunshine everywhere, and here I sit by the fireplace, thanking God for His beautiful artistry and blessings.  Uhmmm, what a life!  Speaking of artistry, I have a whole array of fall leaves cards to show you.  I recently hosted a swap with 8 stamp artists and they have created some really wonderful cards.  God places a talent within each of us and it's always exciting to see how that talent expresses itself.  So enjoy and hopefully get some inspiration.

Ann - Washington

Claudette - Illinois

Dawn - Georgia

Gloria - South Dakota

Helen - Georgia

Monica - Ohio

Teresa - California

Tracy - Oregon