The Classic Valentine Fight of 1975 & Interview with Amy Litzelman
Love is in the air...or not. It depends on how things look after Valentines Day. Am I right? In the past I have measured my happiness by how a sweetheart behaved toward me on this 'most important' holiday.



I have to tell you a funny story. While Terry and I were engaged, the society lady of our small town newspaper asked us to be the 'sweetheart' couple in the local interest section of the paper.

We were two weeks away from saying our vows and very strapped for money. (How many of you know that to a 19-yr-old girl, Valentines Day is much more important than silly old money?) Mrs. Mahood asked that we bring a Valentine Candy heart with us for the photo shoot.

I was intending to be sarcastic when I told Terry that we could use the old heart my ex-boyfriend had given to me some three years earlier. (Actually, I was hoping for a jealous reaction.) He said, "Great! That will save us some money!!!"

Can you believe that I fumed all the way to the newspaper office. I was ready to call off the wedding. (almost) I couldn't believe that he didn't understand the significance of the 'all important' Valentines box...but...he was thinking of our future.

We got through that photo shoot and managed to look like we were in love. (By the time I got through letting Terry know how I felt about his non-jealous moment, he was equally angry with me.) It was a very nice write up in the paper.
We have made it through 37 Valentine's Days. He has never forgotten to get a card or something sweet for Valentine's Day. He still isn't jealous of anyone. He is very secure in my love so he doesn't see the need. He is, after all, he is my Valentine.


I would like to introduce you to a new author friend of mine.

Amy Layne Litzelman

Christian Non-fiction, Devotional, Christian Life

This Beloved Road: A Journey of Revelation and Worship

http://AmyLayneLitzelman.com
1. How long have you been an author and when did the desire to write (the writing bug) bite?
This Beloved Road is my first book, but writing has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started out as a young girl filling stacks of journals, but soon expanded to newspaper work and earning a Journalism degree with a minor in English Education from the University of Wyoming. Growing up with a very gifted father also planted in me a deep-rooted love for music. Over the past 15 years I have written/composed over 75 songs and recorded four CDs. I started a blog in 2002 while leading a band and music ministry, and continue to share writings through that venue, as well as working on a second book and posting an occasional guest blog.

2. Why did you choose the genre you write in? Are there plans to write in another genre
My daily walk with the Holy Spirit is central to all of who I am and what I do. It constantly fills my heart, mind, and writing, so Christian non-fiction has become a natural outlet. I dabbled in fiction and children's literature when younger, so they may overlap with my writing again someday.
3. Please tell about each title here:
This Beloved Road is a snapshot of my pursuit to know God. To really know Him. It is about taking faith beyond believing that God is out there, somewhere, but not really involved too much in my life.

It records my ever-expanding realization that He is more powerful and magnificent than one could imagine, yet more personal than we could hope for. It is about recognizing His voice and believing His words.My goal is to stimulate the idea that a relationship with God is more than theology; it is a daily, growing friendship like all others – and yet so far above all others.

Can we know God? Yes, more intimately than imagined. We are meant to have a friendship full of laughter and tears, questions and answers, and like any relationship it takes time and effort over many years to cultivate. Through 80 essays and songs, I discuss numerous topics, including faith, trust, forgiveness, perseverance, peace, purpose, grace, and love.This book is not age, race, or location specific. Rather, it is for anyone with a spiritual longing.
It is intended to spark desire in those who don’t yet know Jesus, but hope that He is more than just religious duty. It is also for those who have a relationship with God, but long to go deeper in hearing His voice and understanding His ways.
This Beloved Road is also for the faithful for whom the journey deep into their Father’s heart has been long, and now need encouragement to persevere. This Beloved Road is meant to give a taste of the sweetness of God’s friendship and the vastness of His power.
My desire is that you, the reader, will be strengthened and encouraged. I want to share aspects of God that you may have never considered. I hope to open a window and let you see something that will motivate you to walk outside and experience it for yourself.

4. Do you do speaking engagements? Tell about your subject matter.
Yes, I have traveled across the United States and to the Philippines and China to lead worship and teach. Whether leading small groups in a home, training worship leaders and teams, or speaking in churches or at conferences, I love to share biblical truths that bring hope, wisdom, and freedom, and help us learn to see from God's perspective. My favorite topics center around knowing God and living a life of worship.

5. What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?
Three things come to mind: First, writing always takes me deeper in my relationship with God. It challenges me in ways I never could have imagined, but then encourages me to keep going. The process of writing and compiling This Beloved Road was no different. It opened doors to reveal much more beauty and truth about the One I believe in and made me hunger to go yet deeper in Him. This process never ceases to amaze me.
Second, I love that the Holy Spirit can take words on a page and use them to drastically change the lives of others for the better. I have received numerous letters and notes saying that specific pieces of my writing described exactly what that person had already experienced or needed to hear in order to continue on. I've also been leading a study using This Beloved Road for the last few months and am so blessed to see these ladies changing right before my eyes as they apply what they are learning. What an amazing God to put all of these pieces together.
Third, it is very rewarding, very encouraging, to be able to go back and re-read words that I wrote and have read dozens of times before and have them still minister truth and hope to me.

6. Where can your books be purchased?
Several purchasing links are listed on my website
(http://amylaynelitzelman.com/ ):

•signed copies

•eBook download

•Amazon

•Barnes & Noble

•Tate Publishing
Locally: Valley Bookstore and The Cottage Bookstore (Jackson, WY), and Barnes & Noble (Idaho Falls, ID).
Numerous other outlets can be found through Google.

7. How can readers reach you through twitter? through facebook? through your blog? through your website?
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AmyLitzelman

Website: http://AmyLayneLitzelman.com

Blog: http://AmyLayneLitzelman.com/blog

LinkedIn:

Goodreads:
8. We all know that writing can be a lonely occupation, what do your family and friends do to lift you up when you are down?
I have a wonderful family and am surrounded by very encouraging friends who pray for me and remind me that God uses this gift for His purposes in my own life and the lives of others. But mostly, my greatest encouragement and strength comes from the Holy Spirit, Himself. I have learned not to try to get from people what only God can give. He alone releases in us the flow of Life and fills us with the courage and ability we need to obey. Without a constant diet of His presence, my writing and my life become empty and weak.

9. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Most of my younger years were spent on a farm in Montana. Toys were limited, but our imaginations were free to run wild. My very favorite thing to do was build forts - in the woods, in a haystack, in a snowbank, in the bushes or garden - anywhere we could find. And to this day, I can't walk past the bushes in my yard or hike in the woods without thinking, "Oh, that would be a great fort!"


Books by Elaine Littau:

Some Happy Day is the first book in the series I have just begun writing. Rescued...A Series of Hope follows the Nan's Heritage Series. It is being released this month. For the whole month of February 2012, I am offering "Some Happy Day" for a lower price. After February, the price will go up.

Your book will be sent to you as soon as they arrive at my house.

I am selling all 5 of the books in the Nan's Journey Series:
Nan's Journey
Elk's Resolve
Luke's Legacy
The Eyes of a Stranger
Timothy's Home
Print versions for $55.