Guest Author, Erma Ullrey

Erma is a wonderful critique partner and a so fun author.

 

How did a friendship between Henry Ford and his boyhood hero Thomas Edison happen?

Some say Ford worked as an engineer at Edison’s plant. At a company party given by Edison, he sought out young Ford, having gotten wind that Ford had built a car. This conversation, this common thread between two inventors, began a lifelong friendship.

(Picture provided by Substack)

Based on hard work, intellect, and Edison’s encouragement, Ford successfully built and sold automobiles. Years later, the tables turned. Edison’s plant burned down but his insurance didn’t cover the cost, and it was Ford that supplied the cash to rebuild.

Dubbed the Vagabonds, Edison and Ford and two other friends, vacationed and enjoyed life together, sharing memories they held dear and dreams filled with ideas for the future.

The time came when Edison could no longer walk. Ford purchased a home near Edison’s and bought a wheelchair so he and Edison could race in their two-wheeled vehicles.

Who could’ve imagined that their earliest conversation, where both men revealed their desire to build an automobile, would inspire not a jealous rivalry but each other’s success!

The elements of a wonderful friendship are what inspired my romantic novel, Sadie’s Gift. The prequel story, Sadie, is free on BookFunnel at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/387r562aai

 

Please let me know what you think of the story, and connect with me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/erma.ullrey and on my website at https://merryheartink.substack.com/

Thank you and God bless you!

 

 

Erma Ullrey is a follower of Jesus Christ. Married for forty-three years, she enjoys four wonderful children, three outlaws, and four precious grandchildren. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials in childbirth education (I.C.E.A.) and lactation consulting (I.B.C.L.C.). She’s served as a women’s Bible study leader, and participates in a local book club as well as local and national writer’s groups.

She posts encouraging blogs at https://merryheartink.substack.com/ and enjoys chatting with her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends. And she keeps chickens.

Erma is an award-winning author. Her writing awards including:

2024 ACFW Royal Crown Romance Finalist;

2024 Scrivenings Press, Suspense Finalist;

2024 ACFW Genesis Romance Finalist (double semi-finalist - Romance and Mystery/Suspense/Thriller);

2023 ACFW First Impressions, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller;

2023 Scrivenings Press, 1^st place Contemporary Romance;

2023 Scrivenings Press and Faith, Hope, and Love Romance Finalist;

2022 ACFW Genesis finalist, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller;

2020 ACFW First Impressions, Spec. Fic., 1st place;

2020 ICAN 2^st place, Suspense;

2020 ACFW Virginia Crown Award, Suspense, 1^st place;

2019 ICAN, Suspense, 1^st place;

2019 ACFW Genesis Finalist, Novella;

2018 OHCWC Blue Seal Award winner (tie) Suspense, 1^st place;

2018 Georgia Peach, Children’s Picture Book, 2^nd place

 

a/o 9/24/24

 

 

The Jesus We Need to Know, A Loving and Comforting Father

Two of the names of Jesus: Everlasting Father, and Immanuel, which is God with us.

 

Isaiah 9: 6:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Matthew 1: 23:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 

Being a parent is a hard job. My husband Murray and I saw doing this job as the most important thing God gave us to do, and we both admit we often failed. No person can be a perfect parent.

 

And yet, I believe that everyone, in some way, hungers for the love and support of a parent.

 

I believe that most parents do the best they can. But the most important thing we can do is let our kids know that there is an everlasting father, who wants to walk with them every day of their lives. He wants to meet every parenting need they have.

 

The older I get, the longer I’ve been a Christian, I still have so many days when I hunger for a father’s unconditional love and help. I feel bombarded by my wrongs, my fears. I need a parent’s comfort.

 

Years ago, I heard my friend Lis sing a song called, “you’ll always Be a Child in My Eyes,” explaining that even when we grow old, God still loves us like a father loves a child.

 

Hebrews 12:9-10:

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

 

I confess, I do not pretend to understand what all is meant by God’s discipline. However, I’ll share a story from Matthew 14:25 and following:

 

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

 

Jesus gave Peter the chance to have an adventure. He later reproached Peter for his lack of faith, but he still immediately reached out his hand to catch him.

 

God often leads me to verses of hope in his word, some familiar and some not, and I hope these remind you of his father’s love, no matter what your age.

 

1 Peter 5:7:

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

 

Psalm 103:13-14:

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

 

Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Isaiah 46:4:

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. 

Guest Author, Sharon K Connell

 

I always love reading Sharon’s stories.

 

Wyoming Called

 

Someone wants to get their hands on the Dunne land and isn’t particular how they go about it. Who are the strangers milling about the property, and why do they keep showing up?

 

While riding his motorcycle into Wyoming, Brett Gallagher winds up on an abandoned road. His world collides with Crystal Dunne, he’s knocked off his bike, and Crystal rescues him from an approaching mountain lion. But while he heals from the accident, tension runs high between the two of them.

 

The Dunnes need his help, but should he stay? Could this chance accident be the Godsend they all needed?

 

Purchase Links:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957246057

eBook: https://www.amazon.com/Wyoming-Called-Sharon-K-Connell-ebook/dp/B0DFR1WB7N/

 

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell

 

Website www.authorsharonkconnell.com 

 

Other books by Sharon K Connell:

 

Trust Never After

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957246006 https://youtu.be/9QyaRXSD5Kk

Amethyst Lights

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923795 https://youtu.be/dy4i84Tugx8

Tall Pines Sanctuary

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923787 https://youtu.be/BzlXYTM2_Do

Ko'olau's Secret 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923752 https://youtu.be/t0sJi8btmA8 

Sharon's Shorts~A Multi-Genre Collection of Short Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923744 https://youtu.be/s0HrpWm2qPM

Treasure in a Field 

www.amazon.com/dp/1732923736 https://youtu.be/WFwFDANNs1Y

Icicles to Moonbeams Novella 

https://amzn.to/2OfcHYi https://youtu.be/-LBMY7Pe2vo 

His Perfect Love 

http://amzn.to/2iCMALI https://youtu.be/GHMZ2Tb9sqM

There Abideth Hope 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/173292371X https://youtu.be/bQ7FT6PPLrs

Paths of Righteousness 

www.amazon.com/dp/1732923701 https://youtu.be/bBC25TioE9c

A Very Present 

Help 

http://amzn.to/2yuF4eE https://youtu.be/3a75HKgSkao

Mock Cheesecake from Kathy's Kitchen

My friend Marilyn, who was once my boss, recently told me about mock cheesecake, and I found that this works well in Kathy’s kitchen. Marilyn’s recipe is below.

 

Ingredients:

1(8 ounce) package cream cheese

1(8 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3cup lemon juice

1teaspoon vanilla

1graham cracker crust

DIRECTIONS

1. Beat cheese until light and fluffy.

2. Add condensed milk, blend well.

3. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla.

4. Pour into crust and chill until firm.

5. Top with canned pie filling or the fresh fruit of your choice.

 

We had this with cherry pie filling. Very yummy. Next time I want to use some fresh berries.

 

I went looking for more recipes, and found this online.

 

No-Bake Pudding Cheesecake

 

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1-1/4 cups of finely-crushed graham cracker crumbs (about 9 long graham crackers)

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

For the filling:

• 12 ounces very soft cream cheese (1-1/2 cups)

• 2 cups cold milk

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 package (3-3/4-ounce) Jell-O Instant Lemon Pudding & Pie Filling (or any flavor you wish)

• Optional garnishes: Whipped cream, fresh berries, canned fruit pie filling, chocolate curls

Directions

Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar and melted butter in a large bowl. (If you used a food processor to make the graham crumbs, you can use it to blend in the sugar and butter, too.) Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Spread the graham mixture in the pan and use the bottom of a drinking glass to press the crumbs into a firm, even layer. Put the pan in the fridge.

For the filling

Blend the very soft cream cheese with a hand or stand mixer on high speed until it’s creamy and smooth. Add in 1/2 cup of the cold milk and blend until combined. Pour in the rest of the milk, the 2 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla and the pudding mix. Beat everything together for two minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl once or twice.

It’s important that the cream cheese is at room temperature and soft for a successful cheesecake. Cold cream cheese will make the texture of the cheesecake look curdled and lumpy. Slice it into cubes to help it warm up more quickly.

Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust in the pan, and use a rubber spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill the cheesecake for at least two hours until it’s set and very cold.

Use the ends of the parchment to carefully lift the cheesecake from the pan, and set it on a cutting board. Cut the cheesecake into 9 slices and place them on a serving platter or individual plates. Top each slice with garnishes like whipped cream, fresh blueberries or raspberries, strawberry or cherry pie filling, or curls of dark or white chocolate.

Store leftover cheesecake slices covered in the fridge for up to one week.

 

I chose chocolate pudding and lazily used a ready-to-go graham cracker crust from the store. We topped it with whipped cream. I am so happy to have new desserts to add to our menu.