Meet Lacie Heatherton from BURK'S SURRENDER, a Christian Romance Book

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.

Hi guys! I’m Lacie Heatherton. Oops, I mean Lacie Harmon. Burk and I have only been married a few weeks, so I still haven’t adjusted to my new name. My thirteen-year-old daughter, Violet, lives with us along with my grandma Wilma. But I suspect Grandma won’t be here too much longer. Monty’s been coming around every night. Can you believe she finally ditched the baggy sweatpants? :)

Tell us about where you live and why you choose to live there.

We live in Harrison, North Carolina, in a Craftsman home I saw online. I’d bookmarked it, thinking I could scrounge up enough savings to buy it for Violet and me. But, then I almost lost my job and Violet needed braces. And, well, you know how it is being a single parent. Of course, the listing expired, but Burk’s twin brother, Beck, remodels and stages homes for a real estate company. His company picked up the listing for the tiny house. He added a bunch of square footage and transformed it into a gorgeous home. We snapped it up. It’s perfect for our family, and I love it!

What is a quirk of your personality that most people wouldn’t know?

Burk couldn’t stand that the number four by the front door at Grandma’s house hung crooked. Every time he came over, he straightened it. What he didn’t know was that I twisted it just to mess with him. He never found out!

What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your happily-ever-after?

I had to harness the fear that rose up like a tidal wave and threatened to drown me. Fear that he would hurt me just like all the other men in my life. Fear that a man in Violet’s life would hurt her and complicate our lives. I had to trust him and trust that our ten years of friendship meant something, that it proved he was a man I could depend on and that he would never hurt us.

Tell us about your knight in shining armor. What makes him special?

Like I said, he would never hurt us, and his friendship has never wavered. Even when we went through a rough patch and I told him to leave, he didn’t. He’s been my friend since practically the day I met him. Part of my job was to take the Parks and Rec collections to him every day. After a few months of doing that, I started to plan my visits for late afternoon, after everybody had gone home, so we could chat uninterrupted. He was always kind, never complained that I took up too much of his time, and he seemed genuinely friendly. He never tried to push my buttons or ask me out. One night I complained that our washer had kicked the bucket. He offered to fix it. That was the first of many fixes and dinners that I cooked in trade. So, when Renee left me in the lurch with the senior trip, I knew I could count on him to go with us if I asked. Nicely. Which I did. And can you believe he accused me of batting my eyelashes?

But you know what really lights up my heart about my husband? His faith. It’s quiet, but steady and sure. Just like him. And he’s a family man. After his faith, he puts his family first. Always has.

The first time you saw him, what did you think? Did you like him immediately, or did he have to grow on you?

Oh, I liked him. With his friendly smile and that incredibly deep voice, how could I not? But the first time I saw him, he was a college intern and I was…pregnant. I didn’t introduce myself. What was the point? Dating was not on my agenda. I had more important things to worry about. Like how to keep my job when I spent every morning running to the bathroom or where I would sleep that night.

But then he became Finance Director, and I finally had the chance to really get to know him. I thought he’d arrange for me to turn in the collections to someone else, being so busy and all, but he didn’t. Our conversations started veering to personal things, and we became friends more than business associates.

And he’s over six feet of gorgeous! But like him? Not a chance! Not after being beaten by Violet’s father when I told him I was pregnant and then being kicked out of the house by my stepfather. Poor Burk had his work cut out for him. I’m so glad he didn’t give up!

COMING SEPT 18
With Pelican Book Group

Deputy City Manager Burk Harmon has always been the strong one for his family, but recently those responsibilities have dwindled. When Lacie Heatherton, Assistant Director for Parks and Recreation, ropes him into a city-sponsored trip to the mountains with fifty seniors, Burk has two things on his mind: considering a possible promotion and wooing Lacie past friendship and into a future. Lacie has emotional scars and a thirteen-year-old daughter to remind her that men can be cruel and unforgiving. Can Burk convince Lacie to relax her "no dating" policy or will he surrender his dreams of family and love?

Have you lost your HAPPY? (part 2)

In last week's post, we discussed how we're not always given a choice regarding divorce, health or even life. But...

Do we have a choice when it comes to being happy?

Let's gauge our happy level. How many of these phrases have you repeated? 

"I'll be happy when I...

Land the right job.

Make more money.

Meet Mr. Right.

Snag that publishing contract.

Finish school.

You get the idea.

Once you achieved those goals, were you happy? Maybe for a time, right? Until another goal or achievement was added to the list.

Happiness isn't found in a place or thing. It's not an event like a wedding or a divorce.

I'm a firm believer that being

HAPPY involves a choice, a daily decision, on my part.

So, how can a person find their HAPPY? 

Dive into the Word. This is the first place I seek refuge, to find a way out of the darkness, to dig myself out of the hole of discouragement.

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) 

Discover who you were created to be (a child of the King) and what you were created for (worship).

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)

Yeah. I know it's not easy to shout for joy when you're slogging through tough times. But, that's what we were made for and praising God will naturally lift your spirit.

Rest on God's promise to never leave you or give up on you. Deut 31:6 (NIV)

Pray. Ask God to help bring the joy back into your heart.

Focus outward, not inward. Get a job, take up a hobby or volunteer for an organization with a cause that you're passionate about. Spending time with others, whether it's of the people or animal variety, takes your mind away from your problems. Always a good thing, right?

Recognize that time heals. Each day that passes lessens the sting of whatever trial or pain you're suffering. Have you ever gone through a bleak period, and then looked back later to realize you'd grown stronger because of it? Take heart in this. Know that tomorrow, while you might still hurt, God will eventually calm the storm. 

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 

They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. 

Psalm 107:29-30 NIV

Have you lost your HAPPY?

What are you doing to get it back?

Come back next week and we'll discuss specific short-term ideas

to regain your HAPPY.

Agonizing over a decision?

Stand at the crossroads..ask where the good way is, and walk in it..you will find rest for your souls. Jer 6:16 NIV

Do you ever reach a crossroads in your life and agonize over which way to turn?
Whether it's a relationship issue, a major purchase, selling your house, a move, retirement, or a career choice.

Crossroads aren't restricted to age or inexperience.
I'm over fifty (that's still young, isn't it?), and I still experience crossroads in my life.
I'm facing one now with my writing.
Nothing life-threatening, but still a major decision with long-reaching consequences.

What do you do?
Do you close your eyes, pick a direction, and continue along on your own?
Or do you beg God to hold you by the hand and lead you, to give you strength for the journey?

Over the next few weeks, I'll share more about a door that God has opened for me, an answered prayer, but an opportunity that both thrills and worries me.

I can choose to close my eyes and continue on my own, or I can beg Him to hold my hand, to alleviate my fear, to provide the strength and peace only He can provide. 

I choose God's way.

  

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is 41:10 NIV

What about you?

What crossroads are you facing?

How will you respond?