On "Coming Home"

Revolving door image from Flickr

With three big trips since April, I was starting to feel like my front door was a revolving door! Mind you, I had a wonderful time on my travels to Europe on the dream of a lifetime Rhine River Cruise, our family "Bucket List" trip to Yellowstone where I finally got to see Old Faithful, and then a trip to Michigan. This last trip my time was spent mostly on Mackinac Island rather than in Mackinaw City, where I've spent the past several summers. I got some great research in on my next two books! But I wasn't in one place and ended up with revolving door syndrome on the last trip going from place to place to place. Great to see old friends and family members even if for shorter time this visit.

Beautiful Lake Michigan

In preparing for the coming home, I visited Fort Michilimackinac, the setting of my latest story  Mercy in a Red Cloak. The image above is right inside the fort. And for my readers I bet you'll recognize the image below as a similar door that frames Mercy on my cover!

Gate out of Fort Mackinac

Unfortunately, before I left Michigan, I had to visit the hospital in St. Ignace, for an Urgent Care exam due to extreme heel pain. As I'd stepped into a carriage on Mackinac Island, it felt as though something tore apart in the bottom of my left heel. I can tell you it hurt like crazy. I was told I hadn't broken anything and fortunately for me I had scheduled a visit with my orthopedic doctor for when I came home.

Pelston Airport

After having a wonderful visit with a dear friend from my hometown, I left the next morning from a small nearby airport. The decor there is so quaint--I love it. See a picture above. I got there early as I knew I'd need extra time walking with my very painful foot. I sure was looking forward to getting home and getting some help! Although I was reassured nothing was broken, I knew that something pretty bad had happened in my heel.

Coming home meant I also got to get back to my home church, Northside Christian Church. My fantastic orthopedic doctor (who had a character named after hime--Dr. Michael Potter--in my novella "Shenandoah Hearts" in the Backcountry Brides collection) quickly diagnosed a tear in my fascia and put me back in a boot. Part of my overcoming journey has been getting out of a boot as I spent almost five years in one with my Achilles tendon problems. Big sigh. But the boot (and my knee roller) will hopefully resolve my issue. We also did a PRP procedure to help that troublesome Achilles (painful but in the past it has been very much worth it.)

My guys were here, my hydrangeas were blooming, and I've gotten to see a few dear friends since I've been home. And I've been getting to spend time with my daughter who will soon be a beautiful bride! Now to try to get myself and my son, who has been suffering with ongoing pain issues, both in a little better shape before school starts. And we know who we can look to, because with God, we can overcome.

Question: As you are waiting on God to help you overcome something, what has helped you most?

Alexis A. Goring -- Overcoming Sugar Addiction

Author Alexis A. Goring

Alexis, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers! It's an especially timely topic during summer. Thanks for sharing!

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

One of the most difficult things in my life that I had to overcome was my addiction to refined sugar. I used to crave it morning, noon and night. The cravings would not subside until I feed it with something sweet. Some people can simply sleep off the cravings but I’m a natural night owl so I couldn’t resolve it with a good night’s sleep and that’s when the cravings would hit me the hardest.

Sugar --image from Pixabay

Thankfully, through prayer and fasting, God helped me to overcome my cravings for refined sugar. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it. When the sugar cravings hit, I coped by eating oatmeal and fresh fruit. I did this fast a few summers ago when nectarines were in season and that was my substitute for refined sugar. As the days and weeks continued without me giving into my cravings, the nectarines started to taste sweeter and my appetite grew to be satisfied without consuming sugar. By the 41^st day, I felt free. No longer do I experience midnight cravings for sugar that won’t let up until I give in. Years later, I still don’t crave it like crazy and I am so grateful that God honored my fast and set me free from the stronghold of sugar.

I know that my prayers coupled with the prayers of my prayer warrior friend really helped me to reach the point where I no longer craved sugar. I am forever grateful to that friend and to God for working together to set me free.

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

Philippians 4:13 was a very helpful Bible verse to me during that time because it taught me that I can do ALL things through Jesus Christ who, in this case, can strengthen me to overcome my sugar addiction.

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty?

Prayer support from a prayer warrior friend and a few pastors who I talked to about my sugar addiction. My own prayers to God coupled with fasting helped me to cope with this difficulty.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? 

Do you have any in large print? 

No, neither of my books are available in audio format or in large print. Sorry.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

No, I don’t. Sorry.

BIO: Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Alexis A. Goring’s Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex

Website: https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7260528.Alexis_A_Goring

“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com 

Book Links for A Second Chance:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2kAP4HX

B&N - http://bit.ly/2uguncU

BAM! - http://bit.ly/2tafzga

Giveaway: Leave an answer to Alexis's question to enter for the giveaway of Alexis's romance! Question:Have you ever needed a second chance? If so, share your story.

Overcoming Fear by Leslie L. McKee

Leslie L. McKee, Author & Editor

Overcoming Fear

Guest Post by Leslie L. McKee

Thanks so much for the invite, Carrie. I’m happy to be here.

In January 2016, I toyed with the idea of writing some devotionals about something I’m quite familiar with: worry — and learning to let go and let God. I chose some verses, but that was as far as it went … until September.

I received an email which I knew was God sent: the opportunity to be part of a devotional book on topics near and dear to my heart: stress, fear, worry … and letting go of them. I knew I needed to be a part of this, especially as the title was the same title I toyed with back in January. The problem was I had never written a devotional in my life. Sure, I have read many of them. I’ve written poetry since I was a child and book reviews for more years than I can count. I’m also an editor. This project, while exciting to consider, was totally outside of my comfort zone. However, I felt God telling me to take the leap of faith and just start writing. After all, I had a lifetime of experience to choose from, and I had numerous meaningful verses already chosen.

Since the focus of your blog is on overcoming with God, I decided to discuss the devotion I wrote based on a situation which really put my faith to the test. It was one of the scariest times I’ve ever faced in my life.

In February 2016, my husband underwent a major surgery. The procedure itself went well, but there were complications. His hospital stay grew from a proposed three days to ten. Our family does not live nearby, so I had to rely on virtual support. I’ve been a Christ follower for years, so I knew God was with us in that hospital, too. He showed up in many ways — phone calls, text messages, songs, the hospital staff, and even the birds in the hospital aviary. All of these things provided me with reminders that I didn’t need to stress or worry because God was watching over us.

Despite the events occurring around me, I could feel an unexpected sense of peace. In that hospital, I was able to follow the words of Lamentations 3:57, which states, “You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, ‘Do not fear!’” I made the choice to choose faith over fear and overcome with God’s help. Did it automatically stop all my worries and “what if” thoughts? No. But I was no longer succumbing to my fears.

Revelation 3:21 states, “…to him who overcomes…” The phrasing here comes from the Greek word nikao. God wants us to be — in fact, He calls us to be —hupernikaos, which means “more than overcomers.” The great news is that, no matter the circumstance, it is possible to overcome with God’s help.

I’m so honored to have my devotions included in Just Breathe 

Bio: Leslie L. McKee is a professional editor and proofreader. Her editing career began as a reviewer for RT Bookreviews Magazine, where she still reviews books of various genres. She also reviews for Publishers Weekly. Books have always been a significant part of her life. She has been professionally editing and proofreading manuscripts for authors and publishing houses since 2012. Leslie’s lifelong love of reading and learning, in addition to reviewing and teaching, led her into the publishing industry. Editing and reviewing are not merely jobs. They are her passions. Leslie is an avid reader with an eye for detail, making her a perfect match for this career. 

Leslie is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and has served as a judge for their First Impression, Carol Awards, and Genesis contests. She is also a member of The Christian PEN.  Some of her devotionals were recently accepted by Ellie Claire to be part of a compilation which will be released in July 2017.

In her spare time, Leslie enjoys reading, playing piano, crocheting, spending time with family and friends (and her turtle!), and rooting for the NY Giants. 

You can find out more about her editorial and proofreading services on her website: (www.lmckeeediting.wixsite.com/lmckeeediting ). You can also find her on her blog (www.lmckeeediting.blogspot.com ) or on Twitter (@lmckeeediting).

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of Just Breathe to a reader who is willing to read and review this new devotional book (USA only.) If you don't have a blog but would like to share your review with the OWG blog, please indicate that as well.