Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 1:27 NLT

Recently, I’ve been writing a book. The working title is, “I Wrapped Your Name Up in a Letter and Gave it to God.” It’s a fictional story about myself and a woman named Naomi. She was my children’s nanny and has been a Godmother to us for nearly three decades and has prayed for us every day.

The storyline is fictional but the book is packed full of true life stories, trials, testimonies, God’s supernatural power, and as the title suggests the power of prayer.

Some people, places and things will be altered…because, well just because. Please pray for me as I write, and that this book and the stories inside will touch and change the intended hearts for God’s Kingdom.

“roll on, Jordan, roll” Yeah, this sad world we live in, boys, it sure can get you down When you can’t seem to get your head on straight and your feet back on the ground But I think every little thing’s gonna be alright, yeah, every thing’s gonna be alright.

Isaac Watts

Naomi was my children’s nanny at a time in our lives where seemingly my husband and our boys were “living the life.” Then crisis and trauma struck like lightning splitting our lives and worlds apart. Little did I know then the Lord would bring us back together after being separated for nearly thirty years.  Below is a brief excerpt from Chapter One:

Youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all. Oliver Wendell Holmes

I watched Naomi walk over to the back door and take her purse off the hook and hang up her apron in its place. She gave me a big warm smile and a quiet “heh heh” of a laugh. She picked up my baby Maverick and slung him on her hip like a sack of groceries and then grabbed two-year-old brother Colt by the hand. She called back to me, “I’ll meet you in the car!”

I was a little taken back by her usual happy self and shouted back to her, “You aren’t going to take your apron?”

“No”, she said, “I want you to have it. You’ll need it after I leave.”

Fighting back the tears with a forced smile and a weak reply I said,

“Ok, I’ll be right there!”

      The truth was I needed just a moment to get myself together before heading to the car. I was feeling shaky inside and I didn’t want her and the boys to see me upset. By the time I could get my shoes on, grab my purse from the bedroom and get out of the house to the car, Naomi had both of the boys buckled up and secure in their car seats. She was singing,

“roll on, Jordan, roll”

Yeah, this sad world we live in, boys, it sure can get you down

When you can’t seem to get your head on straight and your feet back on the ground

But I think every little thing’s gonna be alright,

yeah, it’s all gonna be okay

Anxiously I thought,

“How does she do that with such love and efficiency?

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Please pray for me as I finish the manuscript, decide the final title, editing, artwork for the cover and of course publishing. Please also pray for Naomi as she is undergoing back surgery and needs a healing touch from the Lord.

After Ava’s birth, they will be transitioning and returning to Challenge Farm in Kitale, Kenya. Everyone there is so very excited to see them return! Of course this will be a time where they will have to say goodbye to family and friends in the States. Please keep David and Donna, Amy’s parents in your thoughts and prayers, as well as me!

You can learn more about their journey and sign up for their newsletter at http://mavandamy.com. My plan is to visit them after Ava is born in North Carolina, and of course I am planning a visit to Africa later this year after they get settled in….

One Time and Recurring Prayer Needs
Prayer doesn’t cost a thing, or passing my contact information along. Thank you so much for your love and support.

I am praying for the following recurring partners:

100 – new prayer partners

20 – new partners at $10 per month,

20 – at $25 per month,

20 – at $50 per month, &

10 – at $100 per month

You are one of God’s Treasures, Marlene

from ashes to beauty…
Cinderella Released Ministries

I am 100% supported by the gifts and generosity.
Thank you so very much for your love and support!