Visiting our newest set of twins!

We learned this week that the mama who just had twins was having problems feeding them as she doesn't have enough milk. We went visiting with some of the Christians after church and took her formula for the twins as well as some food like fish, peanuts, and greens, to help with her strength.

A big thanks to those who have given to The ECHO Project, allowing us to help in situations like this. We will be monitoring their progress over the coming weeks and months. Donations to The ECHO Project are greatly appreciated and will used to help families in need.

Blessings,

Lisa

Some of the boys offered to help carry the food.

The babies are so tiny!

The twins with their mama and sister.

Silva helped me hand out the food.

Baptisms (plus giveaway reminder!)

Here are a few photos of the baptisms in Guinjata this Sunday! Praising God for the way He is working!

Also, if you haven't signed up for my Author Newsletter, be sure and do that for an automatic free copy of book one in my Cozy Crumb Mystery Series (ebook version) and I'm giving away a copy of of Kyle Idleman's Not a Fan on Tuesday, but you must be signed up! It's and easy and fun way to keep up with my books and book giveaways.

Be blessed,

Lisa

Not A Fan

I recently finished reading Not a Fan, by Kyle Idleman, with my kids. While I knew the subject was important for them, I was surprised at how much the book challenged me as well. 

Here's the blurb on Amazon: 

"If someone asked, 'Are you a fan of Jesus?', how would you answer? You attend every movie featuring a certain actor, you know the stats of your sports hero, and you can recite lyrics from your favorite songs. In short, you're a huge fan. But are you treating Jesus the same as the other people you admire? The truth is Jesus wants more than the church attendance, occasional prayer, and the ability to recite Scripture---the fan response. He's looking for people who are actually willing to sacrifice in order to follow him. In this teen edition of Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman uses humor, personal stories, and biblical truth as he challenges you to look at what it means to call yourself a Christian and follow the radical call Jesus presents. So, will you be a fan, or a follower?"

I certainly wasn't the only one challenged. It brought up great discussions with my kids that I think are extremely important in a too-often materialistic, me-centered world. Whether you have teens or if you're just looking for a book that can change your life, I highly recommend Not a Fan.

I think the book is so important that I'm giving away an ebook copy to one person from my new author newsletter list. Sign up before Tuesday, April 9th here and you will be automatically entered. By signing up, you will also automatically receive a free copy of Recipe for Murder, book one in my Cozy Mystery Series, and you can look forward to more giveaways in the coming months.

Happy reading!

Lisa

He is Risen!

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”

Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 

So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 

They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”

She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 

Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me,you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.  

(John 20 World English Bible)

A Matter of Trust

I’m reading through Exodus right now, and while it’s a story I’ve heard many times, I was struck again at the lack of faith of the Israelites. And how far too often, I am no different.

In Exodus 14, thousands of men, women, and children stood at the edge of the Red Sea. Their escape from a life of slavery in Egypt had already been marked by miracle after miracle—ten plagues of pestilence and death—until the Egyptians had begged them to leave.

            

Now, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them by day, and a pillar of fire to give them light at night. But when the Egyptian army decided to pursue them, the Israelites grew terrified. Moses told them not to be afraid. He stretched his hand out over the sea like the Lord told him. All night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned a section of the Red Sea into dry land by dividing the water. The Israelites went through the sea with a wall of water on both sides of them.

It had to have been a spectacular event. Can you imagine walking across the Red Sea on dry land, towers of water on either side as you walk to safety?

But three days later they seemed to have forgotten this great display of power. They left the sea and traveled through the desert, but couldn’t find water. They started to groan and mumble.

Hmm. . .I have to ask myself a question. Would I have been any different? Am I any different today? Things go wrong. I worry. I want a miracle that proves to me (once again) that God is really there. A sign. . .anything.

        

Would I really have been the one who stood up and told the crowds to stop complaining and worrying? "If God could part the Red Sea, surely he can find us a large stash of fresh water?"

          

Would I have said that? Or would I be the one grumbling right along side them?

            

Sadly, I’m afraid I would have been the later.

           

How many times has God shown his power in my circumstances, then I go on to doubt and fear I forget and wonder where he is.

           

As the Israelites complained about the lack of good water, again God showed them He was God. He turned the bitter water they found in Marah to drinkable water. But they complained again. Next it was food they craved. They wanted the food they’d had in Egypt. Even thought they’d just left a life of slavery, at least they had all the food they could eat they reasoned.

           

They had forgotten.

            

Forgotten where they had come from.

            

Forgotten God’s power.    

Forgotten where they were going.

            

God provided food for them in the form of manna. He gave them exactly what they needed. No more. 

No less. Which is another point that hits home to me. I like my pantry filled, my bank account with enough for the next few weeks (or longer), but they were to gather what they needed for the day and trust that he would provide for tomorrow.

            

That's way Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:34 to stop worrying about tomorrow. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's worries are enough for today."

Tough sometimes, isn't it? 

            

Which is probably why this wasn’t the end of the Israelites grumbling. And sadly, I know I will continue to have times when I will struggle. But I can’t put all my trust in my job, my abilities, my material possessions, or my bank account. 

It's a daily decision to simply trust in Him. 

Every day. 

            

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I trust; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 56: 3-4

“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Be blessed today,

Lisa

PS If you haven't signed up for my brand new author newsletter, be sure and sign up here! Not only will you automatically get a free copy of my cozy mystery ebook, Recipe for Murder, but there will also be many more book giveaway opportunities coming soon including Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman, and my soon to be released romantic suspense Stolen Identity.

Free Ebook!

I'm excited to announce that my cozy mystery series is now available for the first time as ebooks for your Kindle or other ebook readers!

And to sweeten the deal, I'm giving away book one. All you have to do is sign up here for my brand new Author Newsletter. This will keep you updated on all my upcoming releases!

Happy Reading!!

Lisa

RECIPE FOR MURDER


Pricilla Crumb, a superb cook and articulate hostess, plans an informal buffet at her son's mountain lodge, but the dinner party turns to chaos when a guest is found dead after sampling one of her salmon-filled tartlets. Pricilla's determination to save her reputation and find out the truth begins her unofficial career as a novice detective--and gives her a second chance for romance.

BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN


When Reggie Pierce, who runs Pricilla Crumb's favorite bakery, is found dead, Pricilla finds herself hot on the trail of another sticky scandal that begins with murder. But as Pricilla chases after clues to catch a killer, will the road to her long-distance romance with Max hit a permanent detour? 

CHEF'S DEADLY DISH                                                                 The chef is cooking up trouble! One of Pricilla Crumb’s former students from the Willow Hill Private Academy for Girls finds herself in hot water—and the situation is about to reach its boiling point. Arrested for murder at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Amateur Chef Competition, things are looking mighty grim for the young chef. . .until Pricilla follows up on a batch of clues. 

Photos from Africa

I thought I would post a few photos as things have been very busy this side of the world between ministry, homeschooling, and writing. While much of the northern hemisphere seems to be struggling with cold weather and storms, we've been thankful for some rain and cooler weather that is a break from the heat. 

Enjoy!

One of our sweet Christian women in Magola gave birth to twins last week!

Scott and the disciples have recently started teaching at two new places north of where we live.
 

Our garden is full of butterflies and flowers right now. 

View from our land.

Work continues with the roof. They are laying out metal rods to support the cement slab.

This is the structure beneath the roof that will help support the slab until it dries.

Book Covers and Basketball

It's been a crazy week as I worked overtime to finish up the manuscript I've been working on the past few weeks.

While I've been working on book two in the series, I'm finally able to share with you the cover for book one, Dangerous Passage, that comes out in September. So what do you think about the cover? Personally, I love it!

Here's the back cover blurb. And, it's now available for pre-order on Amazon!

"When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common--a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn't take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities--and their hearts.

Dangerous Passage exposes a fully-realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. Romantic suspense fans will be hooked from the start by Lisa Harris's first installment of the new Southern Crimes series."
                                           
On another note, most of you know that I recently went to visit our eldest at school. Here are some highlight from the two games I was able to watch. Loved getting to watch him play his favorite sport!



Be blessed,

Lisa

Reaching for the impossible

There always seems to be a number of things in my life that seem impossible to accomplish. Like getting through my to-do list, having an empty inbox, and losing that last five pounds.

Other things, like fixing a relationship, following a life-long dream, getting out of a financial hole, often seem even more impossible.

What about your own life? Do you feel like you just don't have the energy anymore to even attempt reaching for the impossible? 

As I look at my own life, here are four simple ideas how to reach for the impossible.




1. Seek Him first. It seems easy, but this world tends to pull us in a thousand different directions. What are your priorities. Are you truly seeking him first? Are you just a fan of Jesus or are you truly striving to be a follower. I just finished reading Not a Fan (the teen version) and was deeply challenged by what it means to become a completely committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus wants what is best for us. He wants us to dream big. Then we can rely on Him to do the impossible. Jesus said in Luke 18:27 that what might seem impossible to us is possible with God. Psalm 37:4 tells us to take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 
Take one day at a time. I can't help but think about my own writing journey when it comes to taking life one day at a time. I started my first novel sixteen years ago. I wanted to be published, but I didn't know anything about the business. I started learning about publishing, writing everyday, going to conferences, and educating myself. That first book will never be published, but that's okay. Just like relationships won't be fixed over night, financial issues won't be solved by morning, sometimes we have to take life in baby steps. Figure out what steps you need to take, then move forward.

Find an prayer partner. I've come to realize how important it is to find someone you trust that you can share with them your dreams, hurts, and victories. I have a couple very important people in my life who I pray for and I know they are praying for me daily. Living overseas makes it hard but these relationships are very important to me. Be intentional about your relationships.

Just do it! So what is your dream? To climb a mountain, run a marathon, write a book, mend a friendship, adopt a child. . .you fill in the blank. Seek Him first in all you do, take that first step, and reach for the impossible.

Be blessed today,

Lisa

Stolen Identity

Morning all!

It's been a while since I posted an update on my books, so here we go. I've been busy writing up a storm the past few months, and while the book I'm currently working on is definitely one of the most difficult books I've ever written, I'm loving the challenge.

My publisher recently sent me the cover of my June release. So if you love romantic suspense like I do, it's now available for pre-order on Amazon. 

WHO WOULD WANT HER LIFE?

Danielle Corbit doesn't understand why someone would want to steal her identity. A single mother running a small business--nothing special, right? But after discovering a dead body on the Oregon coastline, she's attacked by a dangerous hacker who will stop at nothing to frame her. Only her former fiance, Jason Ryan, is willing to help. Years ago she broke his heart, but he can't walk away from a woman in need. He'll do anything to protect her from their unseen adversary. But is there enough time to work together and untangle this twisted web of fraud and deception?




Next, it won't be too long until I can share the (gorgeous) cover for another romantic suspense series I'm writing for Revell. It's slated to debut in September.

Lastly, if you love cozy mysteries, my Pricilla Crumb Cozy Mystery Series, (three books) will finally be available as  ebooks in the next few weeks, so watch for more information here, AND a way to get your free copy of book one!

Happy reading!

Lisa

Never say never

I've said it more times than I can count.

I will never. . .

I will never move again. I will never learn another language. I will NEVER send my children to boarding school.

So as you might imagine, the decision to send my eldest off to boarding school didn't come easy for me. How could I let people I didn't even know help me to raise my teen? Wouldn't it ruin our relationship? I cried, fought God, but eventually have come to realize what a great opportunity this school is for my child.

I just returned from spending a little over a week with our eldest who is attending a missionary boarding school in Kenya. I got to hang out with him over meals, watch him play basket ball, attend some of his classes, and spoil him.

At one point he told me how a lot of his American friends can't understand why he is at boarding school. Isn't boarding school where you send your child you can't control, or when parents don't really love them? He's quick to tell them that isn't true. With options limited where we are, he wanted to go. He loves his school, and is blessed with opportunities I can't give him where we live that will equip him for the future.

One thing I did realize while I was there is how important it is for us to visit, meet his teacher, and just confirm to him how much we do love and miss him. He loved being spoiled with a plateful of somosas from the little cafe in town, and iced coffee from the city.

Below are a few shots I took of him playing basketball. This is only his second season to play, and while I might be his mom, he is really good.

I've learned through this that sometimes my plans are not God's plans, but He is able to bring good out of difficult situations, and provides for our needs.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3

Be blessed today,

Lisa

On being Intentional

For the past few New Years, instead of a long list of resolutions (that I might or might not meet) I've started picking one work as a sort of theme for my year. This year, though, has been harder for some reason to come up with that word, but thanks to a nudge from a friend's recent blog post I decided it was time to come up with my word.

After a lot of prayer and reflection my word for this year is Intentional. For me, it fits into every aspect of my life. I don't want to live this coming year in survival mode. I want to live intentionally.

Why? Because too often, I see myself (and those around me) living as if there were a drill sergent standing over us. We have dozens of tasks to do, and spend most of our time in survival mode. The clothes hamper is full, dinner is late, kids need to be driven to an activity, the dog needs a bath, the boss just called with more work. Maybe if I skip dinner, or the kids recital, or my dentist appointment I can somehow catch up. . .

Hmm. Been there?

Here are some of the things I came up with for living intentional this year in no particular order.

Be intentional with my family.

Time goes by too fast for me not to be intentional with my children and marriage. This past week, I took my now fourteen year old daughter to the beach for a few days for some mother/daughter time. We walked on the beach, ate pizza, and spent time listening to James Dobson's Preparing for Adolescence. It's a tough world out there and my kids are growing up far too fast. I know I have to be intentional about the time I spend with them.

Be intentional with my relationships.

I'm so blessed to have a several close friends that despite the miles, stay in touch with me, sometimes on a daily basis. One of these sweet friends wrote me recently, asking how we could better communicate and stay in touch. Her intentional friendship is a huge blessing to me and a reminder of how I want to be.

Be intentional as a follower of Jesus Christ.

I'm reading Not a Fan with my kids and while I'll be blogging a bit more about it soon, the book is about becoming totally committed to Christ. I might have left family to move to another country, but even I have so much to learn about being intentional as a follower of Christ.

Be intentional with taking care of myself.

I've noticed this in both myself and my friends, that turning forty seems to be a wake up call. You've spent the past decade or so changing diapers, wiping snotty noses, and going to ballet recitals. Now that the kids are a little more independent, you realize you can't remember the last time you worked out. Or ate a salad. A couple years ago, I got serious again about working out. Then last year, I started juicing and realize that it makes me feel great. But it's so easy to slip up. To find excuses of why I don't have time. Whatever your method, it's important to take the time to take care of yourself.

Be intentional with my time.

We all have twenty-four hours a day. And for most of us, it's never enough. With ministry and as an author, I find that neither job ever ends. I could work 24/7, fill up every minute and still not accomplish everything I could. Maybe that is the key word there. I want to be intentional with what I do, learn to leave the rest, and find time to "be still."

Be intentional with saying yes and no.

I can't do it all. I can't do everything that Joe Blow out there is doing, even if it's good. I want to be intentional in knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

Be intentional with my career.

If I look at everything other authors are doing, I always come up short. I'm not on social media enough. I'm not blogging enough. I'm not pounding the pavement enough trying to sell my books. . .The list could go on and on. I want to learn to be intentional with what I am doing, and be content with that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What about you? Do you have a word you want to live by this year? I'd love to hear it. 

Or maybe you feel like you're just getting by on survival mode. What are some ideas you have on living more intentionally?

Be blessed,

Lisa

A beautiful life

Scott received a phone call on Saturday afternoon from one of the Christians out in the village where we work. One of the sweet women there, who is a part of our church, was killed when a coconut tree fell on her.

As I sat on the ground at the funeral surrounded by at least two hundred friends and neighbors, I thought about her life. It couldn't have been an easy one. Village life means no electricity, walking to the pump every day for water, cooking over a fire for meals. Nothing is simple. Work is hard. She grew her own food, and washed her cloths by hand with water carried from the pump. There was no pain medicine for arthritis, or a pill to ease her comfort when she was sick.

And yet what I remember about her is her smile. She sat by me several times at church, and I was drawn to that smile. She would sit and talk to me, even though I had no idea what she was saying in the local language. She always made me smile. To me, she was a light in that village that I loved seeing every time I was there.

It also reminded of how much I have to be thankful. And that I don't have to have things to make a difference in someone else's life. I can smile at a stranger. Encourage a co-worker. Call a hurting friend. Pray with someone who needs God's healing hand.

Whatever our situation, may we all use this coming year--myself included--to be a light to those around us.

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

Be blessed,

Lisa

House update

I keep forgetting to post recent photos of our house building project as several of you have asked, so here you go. Progress is extremely slow, so I'm not counting on moving any time soon. :-) 

Living area

Living/dining room

Hallway

Kitchen

Merry Christmas & my giveaway winners

A big thank you to all of you who stopped by and commented here on my blog and on FB for my Heart of Africa Christmas giveaway. My two winners are. . .Deborah V. and Melanie! I'll be in contact with you soon.

And to all of my friends, readers, ministry partners, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and God's blessings on you in the new year.

Lisa

A house for Joachimn

Here are a couple photos of a new house built for a blind man, Joachimn in Sumbarane. Thank you so much to those who have joined with The ECHO Project to make a difference in people's lives. Joachimn now has a place to live! Thank you Bento, as well, for leading this building project. We are planning to build several more houses for homeless elderly.   

Heart of Africa Giveaway

It's hard to believe that 2012 is coming to an end. As I look back, it's definitely been a year of ups and downs, but I've seen God's hand over and over, and I am so grateful for His strength and peace.

Each year, I love giving away something from the Heart of Africa. This year, I have two, 2013 calenders from our ECHO Project fall fundraiser. All of these animal photos were taken by Scott and I, so they are extra special to me.

How to enter?

I'd love to hear what you are doing this holiday season. So please leave a comment (Facebook or blog) along with your email, and I will draw two winners from all the comments. Giveaway will close Sunday night, December 16th at midnight, PST.

I'm also doing a giveaway on the International Christian Fiction Writers blog today, so be sure and hop over there for a chance to win an ebook copy of Undercover Cowboy.

Thanks for the blessing and encouragement so many of you have been in my life!

Merry Christmas,

Lisa


PS Sorry, but the calendar giveaway is limited to US mailing addresses only.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Lion family and safari favorites

It's hard to believe that this year is about to come to an end. We are busy, enjoying having our oldest home from boarding school, finishing up a couple more weeks of school, writing to meet my current deadlines, and ministry. Here are some photos from our recent family time away I'd like to share with you. I'm always so amazed by God's incredible beauty.

While driving to the border to take care of some legal paper work for the car, we decided to drive through Kruger. There we saw three female lion with five cubs literally lying in the road. Here are a few of the highlights from our sightings, also including a leopard cub.

I'll be posting a giveaway of two animal calenders later this week, so be sure and watch for my post and leave a comment!

Be blessed today!

Lisa

Lioness in the tree

Baboon eating??

Comb Duck

Leopard cub in a rock cleft

Malachite kingfisher

Amazing sighting!

We're spending some time together as a family. Very limited internet, but I wanted to share one of the highlights of our time. Will share more later, but what an amazing experience.