Inspirational Writing and Performances

God blessed me with inspiration and a novel that combines humor and Christianity.  He produced through me a perfect recipe for entertainment: heartwarming characters, hilarious dialogue, and the forgiveness of Jesus.  I believe that a great novel doesn’t just exist on paper, but comes to life in the reader’s mind.  In my novel, Recipe for Forgiveness, Mrs. Gunderson exudes life through her recipes, orneriness, flair for trouble, and love for Jesus.
I enjoy acting out the first chapter for audiences.  Mrs. Gunderson’s sassiness, orneriness, and honesty will bring tears of laughter to your eyes.  If your church needs an inspiring speaker, please contact me.  I would love to share one of the gifts with which God has blessed me.  

Here is a sample of the first page of Recipe for Forgiveness

copyright 2008

Chapter 1:  Apple Pie

          “Don’t need my spirit saved,” Mrs. Gunderson claimed as she tried to shut the door in Pastor Bob’s face. 

            Pastor Bob stopped the door with his leg and winced.  “Now, Mrs. Gunderson, I’m just here to see how you are.”

            “Hummph!”  She snorted.  “You’re here to eat some of my apple pie.  Then you’ll tell me, ‘Oh, Mrs. Gunderson, that’s the best pie ever!’.”

            “You do make the best apple pie.”

            “Now stop sassing me.  You eat my pie and then you whip out your Bible and start to quote the Lord.”

            “And what’s wrong with that?”  Pastor Bob asked.  He smelled the sweet aroma of fresh apple pie and could almost taste the flaky crust melting in his mouth.

            “I don’t believe anymore.  I’ve done told you that for over twenty-five years now.  I believed once, but no more, I tell you.”

            Pastor Bob’s large waistline shifted the door open as the sweat trickled down his forehead onto the tip of his nose.  “I’m not going to give up on you,” he said, puffing.  “Someday, you’ll return to the Lord.  You’ll see that salvation is only through him.”

            “Oh, come in then and close the door, before you let all the air conditioning out.”  She grimaced.  “I’ll cut you a piece of pie, but mind you, any talk about religion and I’ll kick you out.”  She narrowed her fierce blue eyes.  “And I won’t let you finish your slice of pie.” 

            Pastor Bob followed the petite Mrs. Gunderson to her kitchen.  She patted her hair, smoothing a few silver strands back into the towering beehive of hair that was stacked neatly with rows of bobby pins.  Her ironed white apron circled her waist, tied in the back with a precise bow.  As she cut the slice of pie, juices seeped onto the plate. 

            Pastor Bob licked his lips and smiled. “How do you make the best pie in all of Iowa?” He asked as he swallowed a bite of pie.  “Can you give Miriam your recipe?”  He mumbled with a full mouth.

            “Your wife is a fine cook and don’t need any of my recipes.” Mrs. Gunderson remarked, “Besides, if you eat any more than you do, you’re likely to rip those pants.”

             He chuckled. “I suppose you’re right.”  He sipped the lemonade she set before him, and wiped his hand on the crisp linen napkin.  “Now, you know, Mrs. Gunderson, the Lord says those who rebel must forgive.”

             She snatched his half-eaten plate of pie, and glared.  “You know the rule, Bob, no talk of God here.  God abandoned me long ago.”

             Bob reached for the plate, but pulled back his large beefy hand under her fierce glare.  “God never abandoned you.  He’s with you still.  He’s fighting for your soul.”

            “He let my poor son die from cancer!  Then I miscarried my second and third child.”  She dumped his warm pie into the garbage.  “And then The Lord stole my Henry from me.”