Amsterdam

I had a fabulous time in Amsterdam and North Holland. I only regret we could stay just two and a half days. Everything was so beautiful there. The houses were so narrow, but beautiful inside. The canal was great. We had to pack a week of activities into just a couple of days so now I need a vacation from my vacation. I slept the whole day after we got back. John had to work, poor baby. If you get any opportunity, visit. It's a wonderful place.

Challenging Times

Challenging times are those times when the answer doesn't rest in flesh, but is found only in and through God. They won't last always. They are there to teach us to make God our first choice rather than our last resort.

We Have Toddlers, Times Two

We have two toddlers now knocking into everything around the house. Picking up stuff, going different directions, and being a regular handful. Pray for us.

The Mouth of a Toddler

Seems everything he gets go directly to his mouth. What does that mean?

100 Donated Bibles

I'm so proud to be a part of a great group of women on Facebook and even on Goodreads. My online life sometimes feels like a whole new world. The people are helpful, intelligent and willing to do whatever they can to help you succeed.

One of my friends wrote me about our prison ministry. She happens to work at a Christian bookstore and was able to get 100 bibles, good quality study bibles, donated to our work in the justice system. That is what I call a God-connection.

Babies

The babies are a handful of joy, and a headache. It's hard being a new mom, but I'm grateful for a husband who is truly helpful.

Lazy Days

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I've had many, many lazy days lately. I'm not posting here like I should. I'm tired all the time. We'll see if I can play catch up.

Husband Issues

I wrote an article for a local newsletter about marriage. I've read so many marriage books, but somehow nothing prepares you for marriage like marriage. So anyway, while writing the article, my husband, John, told me that he'd prefer if I didn't given anyone marital advice because it's a surefire way to draw demonic attacks. LOL! I should have listened. No sooner than the article ran, John and I began arguing every five minutes. LOL! We actually had a big tif at the grocerers. I left out crying. When I look back, it's quite funny. However, I learned that even perfect marriages are not perfect. My husband is a wonderful man, but he gets on my last nerve most times, especially since I'm pregnant.

I guess we'll call this entry "Husband Issues" because he's the reason I cry so much. He's either too nice, not nice enough, always there or never there enough. You know those pregnancy hormones. So, I told the publisher that I didn't want to do any more marriage articles until I got these extra surging hormones under control. Actually, I probably should have called this "Pregnant Wife Issues" - LOL!

Terrible Pains

Today, I tried to work on my writing but the pains were so great that I couldn't focus. I finally went to the hospital only to find out that they were only Braxton Hicks. The pain was terrible, but it's subsiding now. Thank God!

Lacresha Hayes on My Blog ~ Truth and Intimacy Tour

Today, I interview Lacresha Hayes about this great marriage book she and her husband wrote together. We will be giving away a $100 gift basket to one commenter who purchases the book. Without further ado...

Lacresha, tell us more about yourself.

- Hi Erica. I'm not sure what to say. I'm a wife and mother. I love being with my family. I'm also a business woman and an author. I love writing because it gives me the opportunity to share what I've learned.

What was your inspiration behind this newest book, Truth and Intimacy?

- We've ministered to so many couples concerning their marriages. We've ministered to pastors and other ministers to stay and make their marriage work. The advice we've given has worked for them all. We felt that a book would get that advice out to more of the world. The divorce rate shows that marriages need more consistent building. Couples need more tools to get through the difficult spots of marriage.

Give us one piece of marital advice from the perspective of a wife.

- The best piece of advice I have is that you must learn to be prayerful, slow to speak and quick to forgive. It's important that we don't make mountains into molehills because marriage is a permanent thing. If we make a fight out of everything we don't like, all we'll have one day is a relationship filled with pain and frustration. We must be quick to forgive. It's no different than how a mother must adapt to her crying baby. You can't keep a baby from crying. You have to give them time. Same with your spouse. You can't stop disagreements from happening, but you can have patience with the things you disagree about. It works out with time, prayer and understanding.

Why should readers purchase this book above all the others on the subject?

- Well, I'm partial. I haven't read a lot of books that deal with the harder issues on marriage with grace and understanding. We dealt with real issues and gave real, applicable advice.

Lacresha, give us some contact and purchasing information.

- You can contact me at preacha1975@yahoo.com and visit my websites:
http://lacreshatheauthor.weebly.com
http://truthandintimacy.blogspot.com
If you'd like to purchase the book, go to http://store.livingwaterspc.com

Thanks for interviewing me, Erica. You're the best!

The Truth and Intimacy Tour Stops Here

I'd like to announce that the Truth and Intimacy tour will be stopping by my blog on Sunday, September 28. Please stop back through here.

We will be giving away gift cards for commenters and purchasers. Don't miss it.


We have book tours stopping by all next month. Don't miss the chance to win some great books and prizes.

Broaden My Horizons

Since I've been pregnant, I can't seem to focus on anything else. I've decided to change the title to my blog and broaden the focus. There's so much other stuff I want to do and write about, like Braxton Hicks and Charlie Horses... LOL!

So, I'll be more active now with this blog because we're going miscellaneous!!!