Evinda Lepins
The Journey That Has Led Me to You
Life’s experiences have been my motivation for writing; and yet, as far back as sixth grade, I can remember turning homework into creative writing assignments, for example a report on the digestive system became this story of a character’s journey throughout the whole body and the discoveries she made along the way. But that was before my childhood got interrupted and all complicated with child sexual and physical abuse, followed by abandonment and disillusionment.
Then, as I got older, and life became more difficult to meet on life’s terms, writing took a backseat and surviving took over. Little did I know that the more I “survived,” the more junk I carried in my trunk of unresolved issues. Thankfully, divine sovereignty caused me to run right into myself – that’s a funny picture if you think about it – and I stopped “just surviving” and I chose to examine the buried and unresolved issues in my life. Piece by piece, I began the unpacking process, and despite still being in the process, I am happy to say most of my bags are unpacked! God has chosen a wonderful man for me and I've been married for ten years! We have three adult children and three grandchildren and two 4-legged kids, our dogs Baraka-Evinda and Sparky.
When I’m not writing fiction about real-life lessons, preparing for another trench class or speaking engagement, working part time as a freelance court reporter, or going for a run and/or to the gym, or cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping or just plain shopping, et cetera, I’m probably chasing our little four-year-old grandson around whom we are guardians of or cuddling up with my guy and our four-legged kids to watch a movie, or going for a walk. Life has and continues to be an adventure!
I could go on, but suffice it to say that my journey has been wrought with twists and turns, stomach-wrenching lows, and many incredible highs, but as I look back on the journey, I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade one twist, turn or even the free-falling lows, for it has led me to you, and to the opportunity to touch your life with fiction and non-fiction for your mind, body and soul.
“It takes more energy to be negative than positive for negativity is a burden carried." EL”
“Laughter from yesterday that makes the heart giggle today brightens the perspective for tomorrow.”
“Dream: Defying Reality Expecting A Miracle! Dare to dream!”
“If 'truth' is an 'unveiled reality,' then my truth may not be your truth yet!”
“If we don't press in to the things of God, we will get sucked in to the things of this world!" EL”
“Peace that transcends all understanding is contentment in uncertainty." el”
“The more we talk about our troubles and fears, the more life we breathe into them.”
“I'm banking on my ERA (Eternal retirement account) more than my IRA! Do you have an ERA?”
“Humility: The most quietly profound professor in the university of Christian living.”
“Knowledge without wisdom is like a plane without a pilot!”
“Fear screams; faith whispers!”
“A dream is a miracle turned inside out!”
“Sometimes when we don’t know how to move forward, it’s best to take a step back.”
“The bridge between panic and peace is prayer.”
“A testimony = a test often accompanied by a moan!”
“A guarantee in this life: Change! Flexibility is better than predictability!”
“Has someone or something pushed your anxiety button? Answer it with prayer!”
“Each and every day begins with a choice, the first influencing the second, the third and so on . . .”
“Deception sneaks in through the window of pride.”
“Just as the light chases the dark away, active faith sends doubt packing!”
“We shine our brightest when we are plugged into HIM”
“Death is only final when you know you're not going to see them again!”
“A little knee time first thing in the day keeps u standing all day!”
“When we quit playing Hokey Pokey with God and keep our whole self in, His blessings pursue us!”
“Sometimes it takes a meltdown to cool down.”
“A thought to ponder: If I couldn't use words to speak, what would my life be saying?”
“Only God can take our failures and turn them into victories.”
“He uses our past to positively affect our present and secure our future.”
“Complaining is truly my strongest weakness.”
“An apology given just to appease one's conscience is self-serving and better left unspoken!”
“Your current circumstances are part of your redemption story He is writing.”
“The 'HIGHway' to peace is humility!”
“In a healthy relationship, there can't be one until there's two!”
“It's time to give the gavel back to God, we were never meant to be judges.”
“What you verbalize, you internalize.”
“Stirred up pride is poison to the soul.”
“Father, in those moments of utter exasperation, help me to want You as much as I need You!”
“The difference between black and white is grace, not gray.”