Book Cover Reveal!
Eight years ago, I sat on a park bench in Bryant Park in New York City, grieving the life I left behind in California, and trying to adjust to the idea of calling Connecticut home. Jimmy felt excited about this adventure. I did not. And yet, I had a strong, disconcerting feeling that this move was just as much for me as it was for Jimmy. Jimmy wanted to move. And I needed to move.
It turned out that this transition was just the beginning of a season that could largely be characterized by change and loss. I lost tangible things, yes. I lost a community and a job I loved in the wake of our move across the country. I lost five babies to miscarriage. But in the process, I also lost all of my familiar touch points of security and the props to my faith—shallow identities and false securities that had always made me feel valued and safe.
I tried grabbing for those familiar comforts again, convinced if I could control my circumstances and perform to win the affirmation and applause of others, I could stabilize these feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness that beat so strong within me. But for the first time in my life, it didn’t work and I began to realize that these strategies I had relied on since childhood promised more than they could deliver and I was left empty handed.
But the thing about empty hands is that they are open—open to cling to a Hope that is more sure and open to receiving a transforming Truth.
No longer numb with comfort, I yearned for Christ more than ever before. The possibility of another way was interesting to me. I began to fill journals and Word documents to wrestle with the pain of what I had lost. And with time, in my longing and searching, I used the dark, early hours of the morning to write the story about the lasting peace and joy that I have found.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if this book would ever be read by anyone else. I was grateful for how the process of writing had shaped my own heart but as I began to share what I was learning with family, friends, and in my speaking and blog writing, I saw that I was not alone. With little other than a hope and a prayer, I began to query agents and found the agent of my dreams—a kind and talented woman named Angela. Together, we prepared to send my book proposal to publishing houses. I quickly realized that this journey was another opportunity to practice the words I wrote—to choose peace and joy regardless of the answer I received. But by God’s grace, I found a publisher and an editor that I love who was willing to take a chance on me. We signed a contact in April of 2018 and have worked tirelessly together to refine the message that shaped my heart and changed my life.
God used a story I would have never been brave enough to choose for myself and taught me that often, on the far side of pain we don’t prefer, we find transformation we wouldn’t trade. He showed me that sometimes His rescue looks like prying our fingers off what we think we want so that we can receive what we truly need. And He taught me that being lost is merely the first step to getting found.
I am so excited to share that From Lost to Found: Giving up what you think you want for what will set you free will be published in January 2020 by W Publishing Group (an imprint of Thomas Nelson) and is now available for pre-order!
Pre-orders are significant for authors because it helps with a successful book launch as bookstores take more copies. The living and writing of From Lost to Found wouldn’t have been possible without your support and it would mean so much to me to have your help during launch season in getting this message into as many hands and hearts as possible.
Click the link below to order your copy and receive these exclusive gifts and resources along with your purchase (only available for pre-orders):
Free audiobook chapter
30% off code to Our Spare Change
A gorgeous art print to download
20 verses on hope to accompany themes in the book
Custom designed prayer cards to enhance reflection and group process
Discussion questions are included at the end of each of the four sections of the book for individual reflection or group study so grab some copies for your friends too!