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 My Dear Reader,

      During a difficult time in my life, the conception of this book came into place. My marriage was not what I had wholly dreamed a marriage should be. We were a military family dealing with war and the aftermath of war and its effects on my husband, our children, our living situation, our finances, and me. To add to all this, we were dealing with poor health for me and one child; on top of all that, I was given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. I was suffering deep depression, and all sense of hope was drained from within me. The Spiritual side of my life also seemed dark. However, I always knew that Jesus loved me. That had long been planted into my spirit throughout my life by a Good News Club when I was a child, churches that I attended with my family, Vacation Bible Schools and church camps during my summers, Bible College, and, most of all, by my studying the Bible, God’s love letters to me. Praying was difficult for me at times, and even my sense of humor and talkativeness did not allow me to cope completely with the daily activities of my life. The meds the doctors wanted me to take were adversely reacting with my mind and body, so I was sent to the “Nut Cracker Suite” (my name for the part of the hospital that dealt with the mental). Being there was strange, but the most amazing thing occurred: my relationship with the Lord grew dramatically stronger, and my deep inner faith blossomed.

     One night, while I was sleeping (and I might add without meds), the Lord gave me this dream in full panoramic color and 3D life. Later, as I was writing this book, I realized that the dream that the Lord had burned into my spirit was a bit of me, a bit of hope for a good marriage (which did come in time), a more profound sense of hope planted within me, and a greater hope for my future. No matter what would come, I knew the Lord would be my strength, my comforter, my guide, and as time passed, when I laid my husband to rest, He became my husband.

      This book deals with all the emotions and all the adventures I have had in my life, although not in the same manner in which they are portrayed on the pages to follow, and certainly not with all the suspense, mysteries, laughter, tears, joys and sorrows which Kara and Jake experience throughout the unfolding of this story. Yet, in some way, do we not all have times of great emotions and constant change? I have found that living life within God’s plan for me far exceeds the plan I had for myself. Life may disappoint me and be challenging sometimes, but all things are possible with the Lord. I never travel through life's difficulties alone, for He is always with me. The Bible says my God beautifully, wonderfully, and perfectly makes me. Though I may sometimes think that my life is not perfect, I see perfection through Christ. I hope and pray that you find life's answers through Christ. This is His Book, His dream, and His plan for a future for my life. I recommend you try it His way, just for once, and see what life is all about (Not a sermon, just a thought.)

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In Christ,​
Gloria J. Strong