Thanks for joining me on the journey to publish my first book! I’m so glad for the opportunity to share updates with you over the next few months, including the final cover reveal, media, and of course where to get your copy.

Coming soon from Left Field Publishers…

In the End

A Memoir About Faith and a Novel About Doubt

Part memoir, part novel, IN THE END offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of God as seen through the eyes of a child.

Christianity was the author’s birthright: she is the daughter of a pastor, granddaughter of missionaries, and so on for generations. In her earliest memories, God feels like a member of the family, bearing a promise of eternal life in heaven. But as she ventures beyond the parsonage, the world complicates those simple beliefs.

In anticipation of the book’s release, I’ve been going through old photos and even sharing a few on Instagram and Facebook. For this inaugural IN THE END newsletter, you’re invited to join me on a brief walk down memory lane…

Where better to start than at the beginning? Here’s my itty bitty baby self, all the way back in 1987. The mustachioed minister on the left is my dad, Pastor Bob. The mustachioed minister on the right is his dad. I, of course, am the newly-baptized star at the center of it all.

From IN THE END, chapter 2:

There were mud pies to make, and raspberry brambles to take turns watering with the heavy coil of green hose. We ran from shade to sun, snapping maple twigs under our feet and somersaulting into dandelions. We had rubber balls and bathing suits and squirrels chattering in the trees above us, and we shrieked because life was wonderful and our legs were free. Then, when God called us for lunch, we came in breathless with the clatter of the screen door. There was jam spread on white bread and 2% milk in plastic cups. Emily, God, and I pulled ourselves up to a square kitchen table covered in a cloth made of floral-print plastic for easy wiping; and God was there with us, chewing and swallowing and smiling.

As you can see from these early artistic achievements, I was a precocious master of realism. Back in second grade, I did indeed look something like this.

And I did wolk to church on SunDay’s, Becos we did live rit nuxt Door.

By high school, I was overachieving left and right, humbly using my gifts to give glory to God. For example, this National Honor Society certificate proves that I did all my homework, every day of every school year, forever and ever, amen.

Once I arrived at Hope College, I could often be found reading on a windowsill or attending the services held in the campus chapel four times a week.

And the story continues from there…

Keep an eye out for the next newsletter with more goodies and book info. In the meantime, I hope you’ll keep in touch by following me on social media or sending me an email of your own!