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Sunday, December 2, 2012

A Tribute to the Late Sandra McLeod Humphrey – The 26th Person Who Made a Difference






By Lorilyn Roberts 
Founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network

This week has been a difficult one for the John 3:16 Marketing Network family. We lost one of our own, Sandra Humphrey, and her dear husband, Brian, who died in a tragic house fire. Sandra helped many authors in the network—through her heart-felt encouragement, her sacrificial involvement with all of us, as well as sharing her beautiful writing.

When Sandra applied to the John 3:16 Marketing Network, I went to her website, as I do with all prospective members. Her love for children struck me—the website colors were kid-friendly, and her encouraging messages to young people excited me that she wanted to join our group. Shortly afterwards, when she discovered I was a homeschooling mom, she sent me a copy of her book, They Stood ALONE, 25 Men and Women WHO MADE a DIFFERENCE.

When the book arrived, I found the following words Sandra penned to my two daughters on the front page: “To Manisha Hope and Joylin, May you always follow your hearts and never give up your dreams! With Much Love, Sandra McLeod Humphrey.” 

Another time I posted a blog about a member of the network, Melissa Main, who had just returned from a mission’s trip to an orphanage in Mexico. I shared a little about the international adoption of my two daughters who were also orphans, http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com/2012/08/they-will-know-we-are-christians-by-our.html

Sandra commented on the piece that she and her husband had adopted a five-year-old little Korean girl many years ago, after “she had been found wandering the streets chewing on stones when someone from the orphanage found her.”

More recently, I just released a YA novel, Seventh Dimension – The Door, and someone emailed me that I should see if Sandy would write a review for me. I contacted Sandy and she responded she would be more than happy to. I added her name to my “to do” list to send her a copy of my book. Before I had a chance, Sandra bought my book and posted a beautiful review on Amazon—just a few days before the tragic accident—and then emailed me that Amazon sent her a note that someone found her review helpful. 

As busy as she was, she always had time to do the small things that made you feel like you mattered to her, that she cared about you. Little did I know, three days later she wouldn’t be with us any longer.

Tears fill my eyes as I think about how much her family must be grieving at their tragic loss, especially the day after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas. How great must be their sorrow, as well as all of those whose lives she and her husband touched. The newspaper article made numerous references to Sandy and her husband’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, their love of family, their commitment to church, and their outreach into the community – even helping the animals at the local humane society.

Because we are a closed group to the public, I wanted to share a few comments by others in the John 3:16 Marketing Network and what she meant to them—what she meant to so many authors.

Please read the comments below and be blessed! If you would like to do something in memory of Sandy and Brian Humphrey, the family has asked that memorials be sent to the local human society en lieu of flowers: Hennepin County Animal Humane Society. Gearty-Delmore 763-553-1411

***

I am so shocked and sad to hear this. Sandra became a friend who helped me above and beyond with my launch. She was kind and caring. She pulled back after her launch to make preparations to downsize and move house. This is tragic.
Rich will be her reward for their tender loving hearts. 
Yvonne Pat 


Oh my! how tragic. My prayers and condolences to the family. This is a tough one. May the God of all comfort, be with [the family] at this difficult time. 
Valerie Knowles


I am in shock. I follow Sandra and received all her Facebook updates with regard to her love of animals so I was stunned to read here that she had passed away. I just went to the Mpls. Star Tribune and found this article. http://www.startribune.com/local/west/180687261.html
This is surreal. I had no idea Sandra lived about seven miles from me. She lived in Minnetonka and I live just a couple miles from Minnetonka.
Julie Saffrin 


What a wonderful lovely tribute. God bless this family. I will pray. 
Rose Johnson 


This is shocking, sad and a reminder of how we should all live our lives. What a legacy!! 
Carol Round


My heart is broken. Sandy reached out to me as I am still a newbie to this group. She read my blog posts, commented and encouraged me. I helped with her last launch, and to be perfectly honest, I was concerned when I did not hear anything at all from her during my launch. Not that she had to reciprocate, but I just knew that she would have encouraged me in some way. I write this with a much-saddened heart. My prayers are with the family and as difficult a pill as this is to swallow, I know they are at peace. 
D. Washington Jones
  

My heart goes out to the family of this wonderful couple. Their sudden death will leave a large hole in their [family’s] lives.
Barbara Ann Derksen

  
I worked last night so I'm just now responding to this tragic news. I am a bit overwhelmed with this news of Sandy and her husband. A young man that my family knows recently died in a terrible accident. He also was a wonderful, dedicated Christian husband and father. These are such abrupt reminders of the frailty of life and that God holds the numbers of our days in His hands.

As I stare at Sandy's book that I recently purchased, I'm reflecting on the subtitle: "25 Men and women Who Made a Difference." There should be a chapter in that book for Sandy herself as she has made such a difference in so many lives. I will miss her and be in prayer for her family. 
Elaine Cooper

  
My prayers go out to her family. So sad. Life is so fragile. 
Paulette Harper


Holding the family close in heartfelt prayer and love...No words for such tragedy. 
Elizabeth Chalker


I never knew Sandy, or had the chance to talk with her. But, my heart breaks for her family. I lost both of my parents several years back so I can relate to her children, and I know exactly how they are feeling dealing with the sudden deaths of their parents…please let me know if there is anything I can do. I would love to send out as many copies of my book to the family - however many they need. Please just let me know. 
With a heavy heart, 
Jessica Zondervan


Oh my goodness, how tragic!
I so enjoyed Sandra, and as someone else mentioned earlier, she was a great encourager.
She will be missed terribly.
Praying for the family - as well as the John 3:16 Family - for the loss of a great friend.
Amanda Stephan


What a great loss for the Humphrey family and all who knew this precious couple. We mourn with you and pray God's boundless peace and comfort over you all. What a beautiful tribute to two parents who modeled Christ with their actions, words, and giving of themselves. They leave behind such a powerful legacy and precious memories for all who knew and loved them. May God multiply their outreach - even from their heavenly abode and touch many lives for Him. 
Our prayers and condolences are offered to their children and grandchildren with greatest sincerity and sadness... 
Deborah McCarragher


Friends,
Knowing the shock of losing a loved one suddenly and tragically, I know how meaningful it was for folks to write of their experiences with my son.
They really warmed my heart.
An idea: How about those of us who had encounters with sweet Sandy, jot what those were and mail them to the family/children?
She was such a beautiful encourager and from heaven, she might want that to continue.
I tried to navigate to catch the details of the article, but cannot. Sigh! So I wasn’t able to find the address or details.
Can someone be an angel and send me the address? I’ll be sending the family my book as well. But I will wait a little while until the shock subsides.
Janet Eckles


Sandra was a good sister and friend of mine, always with her support through the emails that I received from her, sharing and posting my promotions. I was [a] partner in her last book launch promotion. I'm very sad, but my bad English doesn't reach to express it.
We request that the Lord accompany their family in all [ways].
Roberto, Cuba



This is so devastating! Sandra helped me recently with my book launch. She was such a lovely lady. How do we contact her children?
Laura J. Davis


So sad! Our hearts and prayers go out to the family.
Krystal Kuehn


So sad. My prayers are with the family. I am truly inspired to give more. Thankful to the family for sharing their story.
Heather Bixler


I'm so saddened to hear about this. What terrible timing to have this happen right before the holidays. Praying for the family to be comforted. It's at least comforting to know that Sandy and Brian will be spending their holiday in the presence of the One whom they faithfully served. 
Marlayne Giron


When my new blog at Broken Psalms launched, Sandy was quick to post an encouraging comment. I appreciated the love in her heart that came through in every email message she sent me. 
Alice J. Wisler

I was shocked and so sad to hear about Sandy and her husband's tragic passing. Sandy was also giving and helping promote others above herself. A great example to us all!
Shelley Hitz

I was so sorry to hear about Sandra. We were working on a project together and she was such an encourager to me. She will be sorely missed in this world. 
Debbie Malone


I didn’t meet Sandra in person, but we developed a friendship through email. She was a supportive person. I didn’t know how strong of a connection we had until I heard of her death. It hit me hard. One side of me was extremely sad, but the other side was rejoicing knowing she was in heaven. 
Tom Blubaugh



I knew Sandy through the John 3:16 Network, and was sad that her suggestion "I've been thinking it would be cool to share a blog with several other authors who write character education kinds of books for kids--is this something you might be interested in?" was never realized. I only knew her though our correspondence, but I considered her a friend, and am keeping both of them in my prayers. My condolences to the family...
Sherrill S. Cannon



  So sorry for the shock of the loss of both of your parents. You all are in my prayers as you both grieve and give thanks for the wonderful legacy they have left you. I had only begun to get to know Sandra through the John 316 Network. I appreciated and share her passion for the children. I’m praying the Lord strengthen you in your inner being and comfort you and walk with you through the grief. 
Blessings, Carol Brown


***





God gained two amazing saints when He brought Sandy and Brian Humphrey home to glory – riding on the wings of an angel. I can’t wait to meet this couple in heaven. They bask now in the presence of Jesus—and I pray we all remember the great love Sandy shared with everyone. May we follow her Godly example. Sandy wrote the book They Stood Alone! 25 Men and Women WHO MADE a DIFFERENCE, and I declare Sandy the 26th person WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE.


Believers Who Have Died
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Fearless Friday - Meet Elaine Marie Cooper!


Deer Run Books
 

 
About the author:
Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for her historical novels. She currently resides in Iowa. She has written a three-book historical series, the Deer Run Saga: The Road to Deer Run (2010), The Promise of Deer Run (2011), and The Legacy of Deer Run (2012). Her first two books have each won several awards. She has been a magazine freelance writer for several years; her work has appeared in such periodicals as Better Homes & Gardens and Life: Beautiful. She also has a devotional published in Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home by Edie Melson.

Information on the three books in the saga can be found at http://DeerRunBooks.com
Connect with the author on Facebook



 

The Road to Deer Run:
The year was 1777.

The war had already broken the heart of Mary Thomsen, a young colonial woman from Massachusetts. It had also broken the spirit of British soldier Daniel Lowe, a wounded prisoner of war in a strange land.

They were enemies, brought together by need. Would their differences overshadow the yearnings of their hearts? Or would the bitterness of war keep them apart?

Buy on Amazon


 

The Promise of Deer Run:
The Year is 1790.

The American Revolution has long been over, but the wounds of battle still linger in the hearts and minds of many.

A veteran Continental soldier still awaits the return of his missing father, years after the last battle. Haunted by the painful memories of war and scarred from betrayal in love, the young man turns away from faith. The only hope he clings to is that perhaps his father still lives.
 
Then he discovers his hope is shared by a young woman, who understands loss and the longing for a father. As they encounter this unexpected connection, their hearts become drawn together. But jealousy, slander, and misunderstandings ignite a fire of doubt and mistrust—destroying their relationship.

Can two souls longing for healing and trust, love again? Can faith—and a family—be restored?

Buy on Amazon 

 

 
The Legacy of Deer Run:
The Year is 1800.

A young man makes weapons for the defense of America, still a fledgling nation. He also protects his heart from the allure of a young woman who seems so far above his station in life that he cannot win her.
 
The lady fights her own war against loneliness and grief. Despite her finery and airs, she is drawn to the young armory worker, who is distant yet disarming.
 
Love is the not the only entanglement. The nation's enemies are afoot. They creep within the very walls where America’s defenses are being forged. Who are they? When will they strike? Who will survive their terrorism?
 
Intrigue of the heart and intrigue of the times are only part of this compelling story—Book 3 of the Deer Run Saga. This series finale is a gripping mix of romance and deception, faith and forgiveness, transgression and trial.

Buy on Amazon

 
  
Now for the fun, personal part!
Your unique talent:

Well…I can entertain three two-year-olds with silly songs and dances and change three sets of diapers REALLY fast. Is that a talent??? J
(A scary-good talent! ~Lisa)
 
 
Share something not many people know about you:

I type with one finger—but I’m pretty fast! When I was a child I had an accident that led to nerve damage in my left hand. I’m so used to it now, I can’t imagine typing two-handed!

 
Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets?:

Definitely pets. I currently have two dogs and one cat. J I would live on a farm if I could!

 

Would you rather travel or stay at home?:

Yes. J I love to stay at home but, if I did that all the time, I’d never see my loved ones far away.

 

Do you read more or write more?

I probably write more than read.

 

Prefer cake or pie?:

Probably cake but that’s a tough one…

 

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car?

The first time I rode a motorcycle, I burned my leg on the hot muffler. That was my last ride on a motorcycle as well!

 

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church?:

That depends on your definition of a large church. My church has about 750 attendees.

 

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail?

I usually e-mail for most of my correspondence, but I also text. I still like a real conversation, though, so I can hear someone’s voice! It depends on who I am contacting.

 

Do you eat at home or eat out?

Prefer eating out but often have to eat at home. I confess, I dislike cooking. L

 

Listen to music or prefer quiet?:

I like to listen to music, but usually, when writing, I turn off every distracting sound. But I LOVE to put on loud Christian music in my car when driving. Kerri Roberts is one of my favorites.

 

Prefer sunrises or sunsets?

Sunrise! It’s the hope of another day.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Win One of Five Copies of Seventh Dimension - The Door


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Seventh Dimension - The Door by Lorilyn Roberts

Seventh Dimension - The Door

by Lorilyn Roberts

Giveaway ends December 10, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Mystery/Adventure Free this Black Friday weekend





Lost in the Woods: A Bible Camp Mystery, a mystery/adventure for preteens and teens, is available for free today and Sunday in the Amazon Kindle Store.

The book set in the Florida backwoods is the story about a boys’ church group whose first-ever nature retreat turns into a nightmare.  Problems begin early when the no-see-ums strike at dusk. And it’s downhill from there when 13-year-old Zack mysteriously disappears in the middle of the night, several of the campers become sick, and a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast.

The story shares biblical principles and the message of God’s saving love in an action-packed plot with a cast of lovable characters. Readers encounter the nature-loving Zack, shy, video-loving Chang, tough and cocky Steve, and the reluctant chef, Bill.

The book is authored by Cheryl Rogers, a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network who publishes the New Christian Books Online Magazine, a free publication with new book announcements, excerpts, author marketing news, digital book news, features and an online storefront.

“As a mom I’ve been privileged to work with school and church groups. I try to capture the realism of those experiences in a fiction account that shares my faith,” Rogers says.

An experienced camper and native Floridian, Rogers has traversed the backwoods trails, swatted no-see-ums, paddled canoes, and pitched her tent on primitive campsites sans electricity.


Exclusive details about the lovable Bible Camp Mystery characters will be published in the coming weeks at New Christian Books Online Magazine.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Meet Rose McCauley!

 
Rose McCauley
Rose has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is a proud member of ACFW--American Christian Fiction Writers which she highly recommends for all those aspiring to write top-class fiction of all genres. Her first fiction was published last September, 2011, in Christmas Belles of Georgia. A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for 44 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to four lovely, lively kids! You can reach her through her website where she runs a book contest each month at www.rosemccauley.com or blogsite at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com



Surprised by Life—and Love—at Christmas
Four letters are mailed from Monticello, a small antebellum town in Georgia. Sisters once, now heirs to a historic plantation, each young woman must come to terms with the circumstances of her birth. . .
When she learns in a letter she’s adopted, Holly feels betrayed by her parents—and she books a flight out of Missouri immediately. Will she ever be able to love again?
Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will he remember her? . . .forgive her?
In one year, Starr has lost her parents, boyfriend, and job, so she’s sure her letter is more bad news. When the attorney flies to California to offer proof, Starr takes a second look—at the message and the man.
Noelle always knew she was adopted—and she’s always loved the foreman on her father’s Texas ranch too. But he’s so distant. . .perhaps a trip to Georgia is the break in life she needs.
Will the sisters receive a traditional Christmas gift. . .of love?

ISBN: 978-1-61626-480-2
Purchase info: These books are available at www.amazon.com, www.barbourbooks.com, www.cbd.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com, both in paperback and ebook form.


I wrote this book because I liked the intriquing idea, and I love it because it is a Christmas book and also one that includes a tradition we did with our family when our kids were younger.

The book is published by Barbour Publishing, so can be bought through them or anywhere that carries their books--WalMart, most Christian bookstores and www.cbd.com or www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com It's release date is September 1, 2011. You can also pre-order by clicking on the links on the home page of my website

Your unique talent: Seeing both sides of the coin, as will be explained below.

Share something not many people know about you--I took violin lessons in 2nd grade and played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" for the program, and haven't touched it since.

Rose answered our little survey - Which best describes your personality:

In college after studying this topic, I decided I was between a realistic idealist or an idealistic realist, so I warn you right now that many of my answers might seem wishy-washy. It's not that I don't have opinions, I can just usually see and argue both sides in a discussion!

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets? I did enjoy dogs and cats and goldfish while growing up, but since I am now allergic to both dogs and cats, we have no indoor pets, but have had numerous farm dogs and barn cats over the years.

Would you rather travel or stay at home? I love to travel and have visited 10 European countries, Canada, Mexico, Barbados, Honduras, and the Bahamas as well as around 40 of the states, but I do miss my home and am always glad to return where I can begin to plan my next trip!

Do you read more or write more? I would like to read more, but usually write more since it takes me so much longer to write a chapter than read a chapter!

Prefer cake or pie? Again, a double-minded answer--both! Especially if it is lemon or chocolate!

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car? I prefer a car. I haven't been on a motorcycle since my teens. See! I do have a strong opinion about something!

How about taking the bus or walking? I grew up taking the city bus whereever I went since we didn't own a car, but I do love to walk, and even completed a half marathon (13.1 miles) last year!

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church? Bet you thought I couldn't answer both to that question, but we do both! We worship with our oldest daughter part of the time in a smaller country church, and with our youngest daughter the rest of the time in a larger church.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful? Joyful. Because of the love of Christ I can be joyful even if circumstances make me unhappy.

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail? Either is fine with me. I think email is usually quicker, but sometimes a phone call can take care of business quicker than going back and forth in email.

Do you eat at home or eat out? Since we live 6 miles or more from the nearest restaurant, we eat more meals at home, but still eat out much more than we did when our kids were at home when we ate almost every meal at home together.

Listen to music or prefer quiet? Depends. I love classical or soft worship music in the car or while doing certain tasks around the house, but have to have quiet to write!

Prefer sunrises or sunsets? Both, altho I take more sunset pictures since my husband and I take a walk almost every night around that time.

Thanks for hosting me, Lisa. It's nice to learn more about the others in John316 Marketing Network.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Learning from the Master - Book Launch, by Laura J. Davis




Free books today only (Tuesday, November 20)!  When you purchase Come to Me or Learning from the Master visit http://tinyurl.com/9wrru6a for more details.


Are you sold out for Christ? Would you do anything He asks you to do? Many people believe they are living fully surrendered lives to God, but when the worries of this world start to crowd in, they cry out in frustration and anger instead of bowing before Him and saying, “Thy will be done.”

But what does Jesus say about this? How did He lay down His life so willingly? By following the lives of Jesus, His mother Mary, and the apostles, we can discover what true surrender is all about.

Based on the award-winning novel Come to Me, Learning from the Master follows the life of Christ, from birth to resurrection. Each chapter in the study will take you through the book Come to Me, giving you the opportunity to know Jesus in an intimate setting as He interacts with His family and friends. From there, the study takes the reader through various topics such as: faith, family, trust, doubt, and even wilderness experiences. In addition, other topics of discussion include the significance of the Bethlehem star, the last supper and of course the resurrection.

With over twenty topics of discussion, Learning from the Master: Living a Surrendered Life, is ideal for your ladies bible study group, or for private study. Each topic leaves the reader with a clear understanding of how to live a fully surrendered life.


“Embracing the fullness of life means accepting the truth to find that life. Laura has captured the essence of pursing and getting hold of that truth from our Master, Jesus Christ. The beauty in this study guide, is that Laura guides us along a rich journey of discovery through the tender  and loving eyes of Jesus’ mother, Mary. Learning from the Master is rich with compassion; but chock full of challenges and wisdom. Be prepared to be transformed.”
– Heidi McLaughlin, Author of Sand to Pearls


Learning from the Master will guide those who read it into a deeper understanding of what it means to live a surrendered life.”
 – Rick Larson, Creator of The Star of Bethlehem DVD




Author Bio:

A singer and a songwriter for over 25 years, Laura J. Davis turned her hand to writing full-time, after an emergency surgery caused the loss of her singing voice. Her debut novel, Come to Me, received a Reader’s Favorite Award for Historical Fiction. She has appeared on 100 Huntley St. as both a singer and writer. She is a member of Canada’s largest community of writers who are Christian, The Word Guild. She is also a member of Christian Women’s Affiliate and The Christian Writer’s Guild. Laura currently resides in London, Ontario with her husband, son, and two cats. You can contact her to speak at your next event through her website at http://www.laurajdavis.com
.