If you've read my book Asylum, you know I'm not a big fan of doctors. I know a few personally, and they are awesome people, but in general, I've not had the best of luck with them. Let me share a couple examples...

After I had my second child, I went to a doctor to see about losing weight. He labeled me morbidly obese and said he couldn't do much for me, but I was on the path to having a heart attack. "In fact, it would be easier for me to treat you if you had one," he had the nerve to say.

When I asked another doctor about losing weight, thinking I'd probably be recommended for bariatric surgery, she said, "Weight Watchers is a great program. You should join that."

I was in a tailspin of eating my feelings for way too many years. I hid behind depression, fear, anger...and comforted myself with cheesecake, pizza, and ice cream.

But there's been a major change.

After my last onstage performance, I was inspired. Inspired by the way I felt after seeing myself on camera. Inspired by the hope of the next production. Inspired to get healthy for myself and for my kids.

I changed my diet. I started eating single-ingredient foods--vegetables, fruit, meat. I stayed away from sugar and carbs (knowing fruit and veggies have healthy carbs). I drink only water. I forced myself to get up and start walking. Instead of sitting and watching a Netflix show, I pulled it up on my tablet and rode our stationary recumbent bike.

As of today, I am down 51 pounds! And that's not the end of it. I've discovered a lifestyle change. I like the way I am eating. I feel good. My brain fog is gone. Depression is gone. I can deal with and work through the feelings that come my way. I no longer have to take my daily prescription for heartburn. I like the way I am exercising. I feel strong. Energetic. Ready to take on the world. I finally like myself, and I haven't felt that way in a very long time.

I've done this without doctors, without Weight Watchers, without a gym membership. This has been a partnership with God Who's given me the strength and courage and will to keep going. Looking back, the journey hasn't been that difficult. I wish I had done it sooner. But the timing is right. And I'm grateful.

I'm proud to announce Book 2 of my Star Sailors series is now available!

This is the story that actually inspired the entire series, and it's one of my favorites! Commodore Jameson Kendrick falls in love and gets into a heap of trouble. Isn't it wonderful when characters do that?

Here's the official description:
Now commodore of the Kendrick Brothers Star Lines fleet, Jameson Kendrick eagerly anticipates the maiden voyage of the newly remodeled flagship Corona. But the expected arrival of the ship's headline musical act leads to unexpected chaos.

While Jameson attempts to stick to his shipboard duties and resist the charms of the young woman who is slated to entertain his passengers, he is caught up in a web of galactic politics, including a plot to kill her. Who knew she was at the center of a secret that could threaten the entire galaxy? Solving the mystery and helping her could jeopardize his star lines, but Jameson is compelled to do the right thing…

Get your copy today on Amazon! Click here for more.

In recent years, I've had many family members and friends comment on how "innocent" I am. Certain words slip out, and people apologize to me. Certain board/card games won't be played because they are a bit unsavory. Certain movies won't be discussed. The list goes on and on.

What they don't know about me is that I used to swear like a sailor. I used to play those unsavory games. I used to watch nasty movies. (Okay, maybe not nasty, but pretty bad.)  And much worse.

But you know what changed? It's sounds trite, although it's anything but.

God got a hold of me.

​When I chose to place my faith in Jesus Christ, I also had to choose who I was to become. Would I continue to walk in that lifestyle? Consume whatever I felt like, be it books, movies, songs...and let all that affect my behavior? Or would I "go and sin no more," as Jesus told the woman caught in adultery.

To make matters better (I can't say worse because I got to marry my sweetie!), I became a pastor's wife. Not only was I needing to fight that battle within. It was on display for a church full of people!

Now, I'm not perfect. Far from it. But I am choosing to fill my life with good things. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." That's what I choose to fill my life with.

Sometimes I slip. I've written a series of books that are far edgier than anything I've written before. And just last night, I started watching a movie that went from bad to worse. I tolerated more than a few F-bombs because I wanted to see where it was going. And when it went to a place that made me super uncomfortable, I turned it off. The images, though, stuck with me through a good part of the evening. And that's the problem. Even when you turn stuff off, it's still in your head.

Please don't hear me say that I think I'm better than you. Not one bit. I am a sinner saved by grace. This is a choice I make for me--to keep myself in check and to be an example for my children. I'm now wearing my innocence proudly. I'm a child of the one true King. I want His voice to lead me. I want His words to fill my mouth. I want His spirit to fill my heart.