Bite the Dust

Years of dreaming, praying, and lots of hard work have led to my first cozy mystery being published by BelleBooks. It's the first book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series.

Here's the back cover blurb:

One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.

Proving her innocence could be a tall order. The local police never solved the hit-and-run that killed her parents; Andi Grace isn’t sure they’ll solve this crime either…not when they have a convenient suspect—one caught with the possible murder weapon in her hand. She’ll have follow every clue and call in every favor, even if that puts her in danger.

I've been asked to speak and sign books at Wesley Village in Wilmore, KY. If you're in the area on April 8 at 1:15, I'd love to meet you.

I'll also be signing books April 15 at The Lakes at Litchfield in Litchfield, South Carolina. I'm not sure about the time, but if you're interested I'll let you know.

While writing is hard work, it's also a joy. 

Through this journey I've been encouraged by my family and many good friends. 

Philemon 1:7 says, "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people."

Encouragement

"But David encouraged himself in the Lord." 1 Samuel 30:6


Today I'd simply like to share Psalm 42 with you. These words are from David. Yes, King David. He struggled with doubts, depression and cruelty from his enemies.

Despite everything going against him, David found encouragement in God.


1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Never Give Up Part 2

Last week I shared how I got into pharmacy school. I loved living in Athens, Georgia and attending UGA. But there were hard times. I didn't breeze through my classes.

I always struggled with wanting to be a good mother to Bill and studying. There were times I considered giving up. I could finish one of the other degrees I started with a lot less stress.

During some of these times it was my mother, Nancy Lutz, who kept encouraging me. She told me I could do it. She reminded me Bill depended on me to graduate so I could provide for him. She had faith in me and wouldn't let me give up on myself. She was the voice of encouragement in my ear.

I did eventually graduate. During my time in Athens, I met Tim. We fell in love and married. Eventually we moved back to Kentucky to be closer to family.

When Bill went to college, he told us he wanted to be a pharmacist. I'll be the first to tell anybody Bill is way smarter than me. He got into UK and is now a pharmacist. I joke about him surviving pharmacy school twice, and he's a great pharmacist.

Here's Bill today with his wife, Amanda and their beautiful daughters.



In this picture you'll see the four pharmacists in my family. Dick Lutz, Chris Lutz, Bill Sturdevant, and me surrounded by our loving, and encouraging family.



If you're struggling today, I'd like to encourage you to never give up.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Voice

During Tim's recuperation from hip replacement surgery, we've discovered a show called The Voice.
We've never seen it before. A singer takes the stage and performs while the judges have their backs turned. The judges listen to them sing without actually seeing the performers.
It made me stop and wonder how often I judge others based on appearance. The Bible warns us about this very thing.
So the next time I see a blue haired, tattoo covered person, I'm going to try to be completely open minded.
I'm not sure how this TV show will end up, but right now it seems to be a fun and encouraging show.

Encouragement

There's a park in the back of my neighborhood. The other night we were riding bikes around the walking/bike trail. In the center of this trail are many soccer fields.
One team was finishing up for the day, and I heard the coach call out and ask the little boys and girls to gather round. He said, "I loved the teamwork. I loved the passing. I loved your attitude." That was all I heard as I rode by, but that replayed in my mind for the rest of my ride. Wouldn't it be great if we all worked together in our jobs and life? How much smoother would life be?
The Bible is full of encouraging scripture. Encouragement means to strengthen or stimulate. Barnabas means son of encouragement.
Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."