Category: books

Tethered to Grace for this Race!

Posted on by Evangeline

 

Tethered to Grace

Recently, a loved one was telling me how tough it was being connected to a dialysis machine in their home every night.  While he was thankful for the technology that allowed him to do the treatments at home, he felt as if he was tethered to something that greatly limited his mobility. He didn’t like that feeling.

His experience caused me to do some introspection regarding what was setting boundaries/limitations for me, but on a mental and spiritual level rather than physical. Thinking through some things that were holding me back became a good lesson for me. And it helped me make a key decision:

I want my heart tethered to Grace!

Being tethered to God’s grace will mean that I am never without hope because He is always with me. And as His daughter due to the finished work of Christ on the cross, I am identified as His beloved. Due to the outpouring of His grace,

  • I am accepted in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:6)
  • He is well pleased with me because I am in (joined with) Christ. (Romans 8:1)
  • There is great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18)
  • Hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19)

Hope is a result of accepting God’s grace. So yes, I want to always be tethered to grace so that I can gladly be tied to the anchor for our souls! It won’t act to limit me in a negative way.

Believe You Can Reign Devotional

 

Helping others see their way to the grace of God is something I love doing. To  tighten your heart’s ties to Grace and to increase your hope for victory over your life’s circumstances, check out my latest book, Believe You Can Reign In Life, a 31-day devotional.

(Bonus–It’s on sale through this weekend!) Sale ends 9/27/21.

 

 

 

 

 

Being tethered to God's grace will mean that I am never without hope because He is always with me. Click To Tweet
victory over infertility -breakthrough - sticky note

My Story of Victory Over Infertility – Part 2

Posted on by Evangeline

I’m so glad I didn’t give up or give in to the doubts and fears that bombarded me during the season of infertility. You can read more about that in part 1 of my story of victory over infertility. I had friends who I trusted to give me solid and godly  advice during that season. One friend shared that I should read the accounts in the Bible of women who had overcome infertility. These were real-life stories of victory that I could hold on to, trusting that if God did it for them, He would do it for me. He would be true to His word and keep His promises of fertility. I kept a journal during this time to record my thoughts and prayers, Scripture, and experiences.

Make sure you read my related (exciting) announcement at the end of this blog post!

My Story Continues…

After five days of not having a period in November of 1987, I did a home pregnancy test and the test stick turned blue— its result was positive! I could hardly believe it. After all that time of “trying,” after all the failed attempts and negative test results, I was finally pregnant! Once it actually happened, it did not seem real. But Freeman and I celebrated (very calmly). That following Saturday, we were to play in a volleyball game with some church members. I chose to not play. I did not want to take any chances of falling or someone bumping into me.

After the game, I got a phone call from a close friend wondering what was going on since I didn’t play. We told her the good news and swore her to secrecy. 🙂  I couldn’t allow myself to completely trust the test result until I could confirm it with a test at the doctor’s office. I went in, having already told myself not to be too disappointed if it produced a negative result. The fear was real!

Finally Pregnant!

As I sat nervously in the examination room, the nurse came in and said with a big grin, “You’re pregnant!” All the nurses in the office were so happy. They had seen me go through many pregnancy tests that turned out negative. Even my doctor was surprised that it finally happened! I was to meet Freeman for lunch that day and I could hardly wait to give him the good news. After we finished eating, I showed him the test results and congratulated him for officially being a daddy. He cried! It was a precious moment.

Just a week later, I experienced some spotting—small amounts of vaginal bleeding. Of course my first thought was, “Am I going to lose the baby?” Yes, even though I had experienced victory over infertility and had finally gotten pregnant, there was still fear of an attack from the devil on my body and now, also on my baby’s life.
I had to choose whether to give in to the fear or trust God. It was my choice as to whether to accept the fearful thoughts, to cast them down, or just ignore them. I certainly did not want to give in and live with fearful thoughts. Ignoring them would have left them harboring in the recesses of my mind and having a place to silently grow into even larger, more fearful thoughts. I had to cast them down by re-directing my thoughts to God’s love and the power of His Word.

Jesus ALREADY Did It

As the spotting continued during the next several weeks, I wrote in my journal that I had to remind myself of Colossians 2:15—“Jesus spoiled principalities and made a show of them openly”. He did that for me and for my baby growing inside of me. I had to trust that this baby would make it through a full term pregnancy. Thankfully, we also had prayer support from many people which boosted our trust in God over the next few months as the spotting continued and even some cramping began.

But God was faithful to His Word that Jesus had given us victory over infertility and childlessness! My pregnancy proceeded successfully. Our precious baby boy was born in June 1988, completely healthy and handsome.

#ttc- I had to remind myself of Colossians 2:15---“Jesus spoiled principalities and made a show of them openly”. He did that for me AND for my baby growing inside of me. Click To Tweet

In time, God added to our family. He blessed us with a healthy and handsome son two years later. We were blessed with a healthy and beautiful daughter four years later. Those pregnancies occurred as soon as we started “trying” and both progressed smoothly.

God is your source of breakthrough. He can truly make a way when there seems to be no way.

Victory over infertility is indeed possible!

ANNOUNCING…

Fear, worry, and doubt have an insidious way of creeping into our minds and hearts as we navigate pregnancy after experiencing infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss. That’s why I have co-authored a new book, Conceived by Grace: A No-Fear Pregnancy Journal, with a friend who experienced multiple miscarriages. We know from experience that focusing on God’s love and power is a game-changer.

We’re excited about providing this pregnancy journal so that you keep your focus on the truth of God’s Word during pregnancy. You can record your thoughts, prayers, and experiences, read Words of Wisdom, and rely on scriptures provided to empower you. It’s coming in early 2020 so that you can be encouraged to expect victory throughout your entire pregnancy.

Fill out the form below for more info about how you can get Conceived by Grace!

Our Borrowed Hope Book Signing Party Was a Hit!

Posted on by Evangeline

This past Saturday, my co-author Angela Williams and I held our official book signing party for our book, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story. It was so much fun! The audience was packed. The usher (my husband , Freeman ♥♥ ) had to bring out additional chairs. It warmed my heart to see the support from our community.  I’m including pictures to give you a sense of how God favored us throughout the day.

Our mutual friend Inez Browning, who is also an infertility overcomer, served as the emcee. Before the party started (at my church), Inez pulled us to a small room and prayed for us, the book, and the event. All along this writing journey, our prayer has been that God would be glorified in the book and in all that we do in connection with it.

BH book signing - prayer circle

 

It pays to have talented friends! My sister-friend Maria Mwangi set up the decorations on the stage. I know she loves me because she had to go up and down a ladder multiple times to get all the pieces of fabric hung from the ceiling just right. 🙂

 

More Friends & Family at the BH Book Signing Party

Our daughters also participated in the event. They brought ministry in the Arts for our guests. My daughter, Simone, danced beautifully to “You Made A Way” by Travis Greene. Angela’s daughter, Lauren, sang “Take Courage,” a song that really drives the point home that God is in the waiting.

 

Lauren and Simone @ BH

 

La’Vista Jones shared her testimony. She is the “Modern-day Infertility Overcomer” featured in Borrowed Hope (page 95). She was so encouraging!

Nine other local authors (two were men!) were our guests at “vendor tables.” The audience saw their books as well as ours. It was our way of encouraging the authors and paying it forward.

Volunteers helped us get everything done. We were able to concentrate on delivering hope to our audience. I’m thankful that they all chose to say, “YES!” They assisted us with praying as we planned the event. Audio/visual, sales at the book table, cleaning, setting up the chairs, replenishing the refreshments, etc. were all done by volunteers.

 

This was a wonderful celebration and we’re grateful for all who came to support us.

Now we’re looking forward to starting to write the next book in the Borrowed Hope series–Rebekah’s Story!

Exciting News! The Borrowed Hope Book Bundle is Available!

Posted on by Evangeline

Borrowed Hope bookToday…RIGHT NOW… it’s finally time to pre-order my new book, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story of Triumph Over Infertility. 

Order it now so you can get some great bonuses bundled with the book. My co-author, Angela Williams, and I will personally sign your book and send it along with great bonuses to anyone who orders the book before it comes out at national book sellers.

What’s It About?

 

Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story, is the first book in the Borrowed Hope series. It is a unique presentation of the life of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who struggled for more than 70 years with infertility.

*Witness Sarah’s honest conversations with God as she longs to understand and experience His faithfulness.

*Peek into her world and hear her frustrations as she deals with seemingly impossible circumstances.

*Walk with her through fear, doubt, anger, hope, faith, and finally, to victory.

Sarah’s infertility experience is living proof that God is true to His word and that He is the final authority in all circumstances.

Sarah experienced victory over infertility.
Borrow hope from her victory so that you are empowered to hope again!

The book bundle is available for a limited time and only when you pre-order the book.

Here’s what you’ll receive when you order the
Borrowed Hope Book Bundle:

  • Your autographed copy of the book, signed by both authors.
  • A set of Borrowed Hope Scripture cards that gives you the “antidote” to negative thinking and helps you focus on God’s Promises.
  • A Borrowed Hope book mark that reminds you to not give up.
  • Membership within our new private Facebook Group so that you can build community with victory-minded women.
  • A FREE ebook– Infertility Sucks: How to Maintain Hope in Your Marriage (PDF format)
  • Regular encouragement in your inbox from Evangeline and Angela
  • FREE Shipping on your book, cards, and book marker!

⇒⇒ Order the Borrowed Hope Book Bundle NOW! ⇐⇐

Borrowed Hope book

Borrowed Hope – How Sarah’s Infertility Story Can Give You Hope

Posted on by Evangeline

Has hearing the story of someone else’s experience in overcoming a challenge you’ve faced ever given you hope? Has it strengthened your belief that you will overcome too?

That’s the purpose of my next book, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story of Triumph Over Infertility, co-authored by Angela Williams.

Sarah’s Infertility Story

The story of Sarah’s season of waiting is well-known primarily because she waited for so long– 70+ years! The Bible’s account about Sarah shows that she was unable to get pregnant from the start of their marriage. Decades of their lives had been filled with monthly disappointments because Sarah was not pregnant. Imagine what her one-on-one conversations with her husband, Abraham, might have sounded like.

You’re invited to witness conversations that Sarah and Abraham likely had in their long season of infertility. Husbands and wives of today may have very similar conversations since the emotions of a fertility struggle remain the same as what Abraham and Sarah experienced. This is their story of how they had hope in the midst of their season of waiting.

In Sarah’s infertility story, you will see how Sarah experienced the same emotions that you are possibly feeling. You will see how she moves through a gamut of emotions… from fear to doubt and anger but then begins to hope and have faith. Eventually, she transitions into a place of victory!

Pre-order Borrowed Hope

If you’ve become hopeless about your fertility, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story will encourage you and allow you to borrow hope from an overcomer.

Angela and I are so excited to release this book! If you’ve been looking for something that will increase your fertility hope, Borrowed Hope is what you need. Sarah’s Story is the first in a series of Borrowed Hope books that tell the stories of women in the Bible who suffered through infertility. The good news is that EVERY one of them overcame infertility and gave birth to a child.

ALERT: We’re offering a bundle of great bonuses when you pre-order the book! 🙂

The book won’t be available in bookstores until late October. BUT, you can pre-order the book, starting today. By pre-ordering, you can take advantage of getting bonus resources that you’ll absolutely love! Check them out HERE.

 

Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story will encourage you and allow you to borrow hope from an overcomer, especially if you’ve become hopeless about your fertility. Click To Tweet

 

Can Summer Reading Really Improve Your Quality of Life?

Posted on by Evangeline

summer readingWhen I think of summer reading, I typically think about light-hearted fiction. But in recent years, I’ve come to love non-fiction books that help me to improve my quality of life. If you appreciate a good read that gives you tips about how to live like a champion, my book, Live to Win, could be the answer to, “What should I read next?”

It’s been said that Live to Win is a blueprint for successful living. Discover a multitude of tips in its pages that empower you to get better results faster.  These tips contain the wisdom principles that Jesus taught for living victoriously.

You’ll see how to apply five powerful, results-oriented strategies that are essential for your victory and success. This kind of summer reading will have positive and enduring effects on your life for years to come!

Go to Amazon or your favorite bookseller and get your copy of Live to Win today!

A Black Friday Just for Books–The Read Tuesday Event

Posted on by Evangeline

Read Tuesday

Love to read books? Wish there were a Black Friday just for books? There is! It’s called Read Tuesday, and it happens on December 9, 2014. Some of the books are already on sale!

Take advantage of this amazing deal on my book, A Seed of Hope, on Amazon– “Buy the print edition, get the e-book for free.” What a great way to gift the book to someone else and be able to keep the ebook for yourself!

This is the season of bringing hope to others and I can’t think of a better way to share the hope of God’s promises of fertility.

If you read ebooks on a platform other than Kindle (Apple, Kobo, Nook, etc.), I have a deal for you as well. The digital format of A Seed of Hope will be FREE on Smashwords through 12/12/14 by using the coupon code BL66C.

As a bonus, I’m also discounting my book, Infertility Sucks! How to Maintain Hope in Your Marriage During Infertility. You can get it for $0.99 on Amazon on Read Tuesday (12/9/14 only).

Find out about the other Read Tuesday authors and their books here.

Happy book shopping!

 

Win A Signed Copy of My Book

Posted on by Evangeline

Paperback Edition

 

Over on Caroline’s blog, In Due Time, my book is being offered via a Rafflecopter contest.

It’s a fun way to get a free copy of my book. I’ll sign it with a personal note to you.

Check out the contest here. There’ll be three (3) winners!

Will you be one of them?

 

 

 

A Seed of Hope

Posted on by Evangeline

Two years ago this month, I released my first “real” book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility, a devotional that encourages women and gives tips about how to have hope during infertility. 

Paperback Edition
Paperback Edition

I was totally new to being an author. Writing it was a labor of love. It was a result of a long incubation period, repeatedly mulling over what I should say in it. Releasing it was a birthing process filled with anxiety, stress, and self-doubt. And yet, when I finally let it go into the digital meatgrinder of Smashwords.com and into the mouth of the online behemoth Amazon, I felt so relieved!

Here’s what a reader/fellow blogger thinks about A Seed of Hope:

“Thank you so much for your encouragement! I could send you a thank you card every day of the week for how much your testimony and faith has helped me.” 

[ Elisha at www.waitingforbabybird ]

April 21-26, 2014 will be National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), sponsored by RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association.I’d like to celebrate my book release anniversary and NIAW by sending you a signed copy of A Seed of Hope. You can order it via PayPal–click here. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to RESOLVE., an organization that educates and advocates on behalf of those struggling with infertility.

If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Feel free to leave your comment below or on Amazon.

 

HURRY! Get My Book for FREE!

Posted on by Evangeline

Smashwords - RAEWbanner1

The folks at Smashwords are putting on a reading celebration! For one week, from March 2, 2014 until March 8, 2014, you will find many titles available for discounted pricing or for FREE during their Read an Ebook Week promotion.

I’m happy to say that my book, Infertility Sucks!, will be available for FREE for the entire week! Lots of other authors will have their books available through this promotion so now’s the time to stock up on new or favorite titles.

Infertility Sucks! will help any couple who is struggling with infertility, to strengthen their marriage and to nurture and increase their hope. It is a great follow up to my devotional, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility. So if you haven’t gotten your copy of Infertility Sucks! or,  if you’d like to gift it to someone, use the coupon code TN72Q when you checkout.  Remember, this pricing is available only on Smashwords.com and you can use the coupon to get Infertility Sucks! for FREE through next Saturday, March 8th.

Infertility Sucks coverOnce you’ve read Infertility Sucks!, please let me know what you think of it by leaving a review on Smashwords or a comment here on my blog.

Thanks, and happy reading!