Writing came
easily for me because it came from my own personal experiences and a deep place
within me. I write very honestly and hold nothing back. I believe that by the
power of our testimony others will find healing. I believe sugar coating things
makes for a nice story but has no impact. Of course this depends on the type of
books that are being written. Creativity plays in more in some writing genre’s
than others.
When I was very
young, I remember sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen on the floor while my
grandparents and their friends sat at the table playing cards. They would play
for hours and hours and often times into the night. While I would sit there on
the floor, I was very content in doing so because I was in my own little world
doing what I never imagined would be my heart’s desire later in life. I was
writing stories and songs, and reading them or singing them out loud for my card
playing family to adore. Now, thinking back to that time and the fact I
was only about 4 years old and had no idea how to even write my name let alone
a story or a song, I’ve concluded it had to be God planting within me the
inspiration and desire to write.
Fast forward to
my teen years, I remember wondering why I was even on this earth or why would
God put me in a family that didn’t seem to even want me. I was always called a
mistake and they would tease me when I was younger that they found me on the
streets of St. Paul. It’s no wonder I married the town rebel two weeks
after my high school graduation! Finally someone loved me and I wasn’t going to
let that go.
Again, fast
forward 18 years and two daughters later, I’m re-married. My youngest daughter
was molested by her biological dad, is diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic
stress disorder) and Bipolar disorder, my oldest daughter diagnosed with
neurofibromatosis and going through numerous back surgeries, many other trials
and then being told my husband and I will never have a child of our own.
But wait! After weeks of being sick a random pregnancy test to rule out that
possibility, I’m PREGNANT! A miracle! It took us weeks to absorb this miracle
and with growing excitement from our entire family, I lost the baby 3 months
into the pregnancy.
While some write
to entertain, I found the writing process was very healing for me. Journaling
through trials helped me to empty the pain of the day from my heart onto paper
so I could start fresh the next day. As was the case when I initially started
writing “In All Things”, it was simply in a journal and a way for me to try
and process the grief of going through miscarriage. Later, my original intent
was not to publish a book, however; when I had one person read it and then
another, and another, the feedback was amazing! It was like a sense of urgency
that the message within was something people needed to hear. And even the men
who have read it have been profoundly affected.
Since the
publishing of this book, I have had inspiration for another book to be a second
in the “In All Things” series. The next one will be “In all things; Expect A
Miracle” which is about an amazing two years going through my dad’s cancer
journey with him. Also since publishing, I have been asked to speak at a few
local events and my desire is to be able to do that more. I feel when you can share your story in person, it can touch
people more deeply.
At one of events
where I shared my story, there was a lady in the audience that was healed
instantly from the pain she was suffering for two years! I would love the
opportunity to see others find that same healing and freedom to live again. I
encourage others with a personal story to get it out there, the reward, and I
don’t mean monetary, is far greater than the fear.
Author Bio: Laura works as a
medical coding and reimbursement specialist in Northern Minnesota. In All Things is a witty and raw account
of an otherwise normal life filled with incredible challenges that will make
you laugh out loud and cry tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Her little family
had no idea that the life experiences they walked through early on and one life
altering event would prepare them for the near death of her oldest daughter.
Halo Publishing and the World of
Ink Network are currently touring author Laura Smith’s, In All Things:
Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost published by Halo Publishing Int.
About the Book:
Experience an incredible journey that will make you laugh
out loud and cry tears of joy and sorrow. Learn how one miraculous encounter
with God created an unshakeable faith that would later give Laura Smith the
strength to face the near death of her oldest daughter.
To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com
There's a poem for every occasion, and the occasion at hand is Father's Day. Though the 3rd Sunday in June is the most common day for Father's Day, it's not the only one. In Australia, for example, Father's Day is the first Sunday in September. In Russia, it's February. My own Father lives in the US, and so I get to celebrate the June date, usually (almost always) by sending books for gifts. My dad likes to read sci-fi, so this year he got Mieville's Railsea and Murakami's 1Q84. Last year I wrote him a poem, as I often do, though the following one is a poem I wrote for another father figure in my life, my grandfather, who ran a boat yard for many years during my childhood. The now defunct boatyard is also pictured on the cover - the image that inspired the poem, taken by my uncle during a nostalgic visit back. The poem provides the title for (and is featured in) the poetry book 
