Dear Reader,

I do love my job, and in particular, "going" to Blessing to spin stories about my favorite people. A reader says, "I am reading your Red River series again. . . . They have a lot of old farming machinery around here and every time I see it, I think of Haakan and his threshing crew!" It's a delight to know that you feel the same way.

Now, on to what's been happening and what you can look forward to! Once again I've been reminded of the verse in Ephesians about God's ability to supersize my dreams: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations forever and ever. Amen."

A secret kept...with difficulty During the days before the opening of another dream come true—my new store on my website, LauraineSnelling.com—I could barely keep my composure with all that God was doing. More than I could ask or think! I admit I teased my Facebook friends with a countdown. You''ll find Ingeborg's Red River Cookbook, note cards with my watercolors (I''m still amazed at how beautifully they turned out), and my art prints. The sea turtle is proving to be popular! Please stop by.

Reissued titles! A blessing from God and an answer to my asking is the reissue of Believing the Dream. Those of you who've faithfully followed the Blessing children remember Thorliff, the one with an itch to write? And Elizabeth who risked all to become a doctor? A reader review from Amazon states exactly why I love to write these stories: "As a daughter of a Swedish immigrant that homesteaded in North Dakota in the early 1900's, I have read the 6 book series of Red River, and the first 2 Return books. I have shared them with my sisters and daughter. Today I am buying return #3. These books are so real, they are like re-living my childhood…" (Edith A. Alexander)

Along with that, Saturday Morning, a contemporary women's fiction is out again. I empathize with character Andy Taylor with my joy that Waterbrook Press is publishing this with a new cover—and lower price of $6.99. Here's a snatch of the book and Andy's elation over her own triumph (soon to be challenged, of course): “We did it! We did it!” Andy Taylor threw the purchase order in the air, leaped from her chair, and whirlwind dance-stepped around the workshop barn of Lavender Meadows. “We finally made it.” She switched from shouting to singing, making up words as she went. “We’re in the money. From now on every day will be sunny. Give lavender sachets to your honey. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” Broken by life’s disappointments, four women forge a friendship that leads in unexpected directions.

And still God isn't finished blessing... These events, along with continuing to write and travel, would be sufficient for a year, but God wasn''t finished. In March, A Heart for Home debuts. It''s book three of the Home to Blessing series from Bethany House Publishers. In the continuing story of Astrid Bjorklund, she longs for home, but isn''t sure where home really is, what with her all-encompassing work on the Rosebud Indian reservation and Joshua Landsverk''''s perplexing behavior. Just what does she want? And if she gets what she thinks she wants, will she lose a chance to be loved? Also in this story, Ingeborg finally faces a spiritual crossroads that just might separate her faith. Forever. Sometimes journeys of the heart are traveled on solitary roads. Check to see if you've missed any books.

Husband Wayne, dog Chewie, and I have again covered many miles in our motor coach... and enjoyed it all: the sell-out crowds in North Dakota for the Bound for Blessing play in Drayton, ND, a 50th high school reunion (When did all those people go gray?) and family, friends, and fishing in Washington state and Utah.

What a year it's been and it's not over yet. I fully expect my Father in Heaven to continue His winning ways in my life and yours. What are you waiting for with grateful expectation? If you're on Facebook, do stop by and tell us what that is—and how you like the newest story in the Home to Blessing series. Otherwise, be sure to email me about how you liked A Heart for Home.

Who do you know who missed out on reading Believing the Dream and Saturday Morning the first time? Let them know they have a new opportunity, won't you?

Blessings and a hug,

Lauraine