Newsletter

Growing

The Growing Garden Series isn't the only thing growing around here! The trials of life seem to provide the greatest opportunities for spiritual growth. My dear mother-in-law had a kitchen fire last month and needed a place to stay. She has been living with us since the beginning of April. Though we have had our challenges, we're learning how to share space until she can have her home back. In the meantime, we were able to work side by side on the next book in our new children's series. Our work relationship is growing. Abby Apple came out just one day early on April 14th! Oliver Orange is in review and should be available on Amazon by next week!  Right now, Oliver's link takes you to a sneak peek inside from my webpage, but I will share the Amazon link as soon as he's published.

In other news, I am over the moon to be specifically promoting The Power of Discovering Your Husband is a Genius and all of my other books at Dylan's Dairy in just over a week on Saturday, May 13th from 1PM - 3PM. Please feel free to invite family and friends of all ages. You can click "going" on their Facebook page  if you're able to join us.

What to Expect

• Prize drawing for adults and children

• Excerpts from several titles

• Children's activity

• Adult activity

• Q&A with the author

• Book signing

Set Back or Set Up

I had an amazing privilege of walking through the publishing process with my younger brother! His book just came out and it is fantastic. It's available on Amazon and featured at the right. You can click to purchase! I am very proud of Joe. He is a talented writer and a wonderful brother. This has been a dream of his, and I feel so honored he welcomed me to play a tiny part in seeing it come to fruition.

Congratulations, Joe!

Your book is a work of art!

A local event featuring the Art of Marriage ministry allowed me to promote The Power of Discovering Your Husband is a Genius last month! I realize sales are the goal of promotion, but connection is what sticks with me. I sold some books and I pray they bless the readers! Even more importantly, I was able to make some meaningful connections with some of the ladies in attendance. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity!

My next adult project will address substance use and the negative impact it can have on any family. I have been working with the local school and recently received a mini grant from Thrivent to provide prizes for a very important event  put on by Chippewa County's Take a Stand Against Meth initiative addressing the topic.

Town Hall Meeting

March 29, 2023 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Cornell School Library

FREE event featuring education about drugs in our community, Crime Stoppers, Narcan, and more. Explore the Hidden in Plain Sight Room. Hear from a panel of those with lived experience and professionals. Break-out session with interactive games for youth ages 10 and up.

 I am excited to begin preparing for a reading and book signing on the beautiful patio (weather permitting) at Dylan's Dairy in Cornell, WI May 13th from 1-3 p.m.

February 17th, my husband had a very serious incident at work. We spent a tenuous five days at the hospital in Marshfield while relying copiously on the hard work, support, love, and prayers of family and friends to keep things rolling at home. I suppose we have every right to look at that time as a set back, but my husband is an incredible man. I believe he has taken this time to evaluate his work, his priorities, and his life. He has inspired me to do the same. 

When we offer all the pain, all the fear, all the trials, and all the set backs of life to God, I believe, he uses them to set us up for what is now, what is next, and what is eternal.

As always, thank you, dear reader, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and encouragement. It means more than you will ever know.

-Jen

One Thing Leads to Another

During the Author Open House event last December, at the Bloomer Public Library, I met the amazing author of Hidden Places, Bobbi L Graffunder and made a meaningful connection. I have been working on a novel about teen substance use and Bobbi encouraged me to hone my fiction skills through collaboration by inviting me to a small focus-group based on her book. I am very excited to learn from Bobbi and grateful for her willingness to help. Her book is not only engaging and powerful to read, but the potential impact of her work is immeasurable on the very important topic of unplanned pregnancy. 

In marketing my work, I have reached out to Focus on the Family, Saddleback Church, Sparking Hope, New Hope, and several other local women's ministries to promote The Power of Discovering Your Husband is a Genius with some encouraging leads. Please pray for God's wisdom, provision and grace as I learn the marketing aspect of this work.

I am very excited about the Growing Garden Series for children on the fruit of the spirit. The illustrator and I are hoping to have the first one available for purchase by April 15th!

Additionally, on the subject of teen substance use, I have become involved in advocacy and hope to help our local district participate in vape-free school through partnerships with Prevea, Thrivent, and the school itself. Three educational sessions have been held in the Middle School at Cornell and more advocacy is in the works for next month.

Thank you, dear reader, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and encouragement. It means more than you will ever know.

-Jen