Friday, July 17, 2015

LETTERS FROM MY FATHER'S MURDERER - Laurie A Coombs - One Free Book

Bio: Laurie Coombs is an adoring wife and mother who remains committed to her familys needs before any others. She is a passionate writer and speaker on the issues of forgiveness, redemption, and the hope found in Jesus. Her story was featured in Billy Graham's film, Heaven, and she is a featured writer and blogger for iBelieve and Crosswalk. Laurie and her husband, Travis, make their home in Nevada along with their two daughters, Ella and Avery. Together, the Coombs family is adopting from Ethiopia.

Welcome, Laurie. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?
Im just a girl who loves Jesus. Someone who believes God enough to follow His lead. I love my husband and children more than I can ever say. I love spending time with my family and friends. I drink entirely way too many soy chai tea lattes. I am terrible at keeping a workout schedule. And I feel most alive when I speak about Jesus. 

Tell us about your family.
My family is most certainly my greatest blessing here on this earth. My husband, Travis, and I have been married almost fourteen years but have been together for close to eighteen. Its hard to believe its been that long––we were just babies, seventeen and eighteen years old, when we began dating.

Travis and I have two wonderfully amazing daughters, who are seven and nine years old, who we absolutely adore. But our family is not finished yet. Weve been in the process of adopting from Ethiopia for almost five years now and are in the home stretch to bring our three-year-old little boy and five-year-old little girl home! Quite honestly, we cannot wait see this epic journey come to completion, and so prayers are very much appreciated!!

Have you written other nonfiction books?
Not yet! But I have a sneaking suspicion God might call me to write a book on faith and belief enough to follow Him in the hard places. I have so many more incredible stories of Gods faithfulness in the face of difficult circumstances in me, but well just have to wait and see where He leads!

Do you have any other books in the works right now?
Letters from My Fathers Murderer has been keeping me pretty busy over the last three years, and I quite honestly havent had much time for anything else. I told my husband Im never going to write another book, when I was in the thick of it a few months back. His response made me chuckle. He told me writing a book is probably like having a baby––toward the end, you think youll never do it again, but once you give birth––and see the fruit of your labor––you get amnesia of sorts and are ready to do it all over again. I think Travis is right. This will not be my only book.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
I absolutely love doing just about anything outdoors––hiking, camping, backpacking, snow skiing––and so does the rest of my family. Together with some of our closest friends, we spend most weekends outside, enjoying Gods creation in one form or another.

Aside from that, I love to read. I can often be caught reading four or five books at the same time (though not in one sitting). And Id say one of my favorite things to do is to share dinner with our closest friends while our gaggle of kids run around playing with one another.

Why did you write the featured book?
To be honest, I didnt initially want to write this book. I wanted to share my story, but I knew that writing it in a book would require me to bare all. I knew Id have to share difficult things, and I quite honestly didnt want to. But greater than my resistance was my desire to see people experience freedom and redemption and healing as I had. I wanted God to be glorified for what He had done in and through my life.

I knew God was calling me to write this book. And I knew God well enough to know that if I answered that call Id most assuredly see lives change as a result of the message He has given me. God allowed me to see that good could come out of the ashes of my past. That I could play a small part in the grand story He has been unfolding since the beginning of time. That I could participate in what Hes doing in the here and now, for the good of many. And so, I chose to say yes, and of course, Im now completely on board with Gods plan for my life.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
Hope is at the heart of my message. God truly has worked all things for good in my life. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. The first part of Genesis 50:20 says, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. God brings good out of evil. Love out of hate. Peace out of despair. I believe it is His desire to do this for every one of us. You see, our pain wont be wasted. We dont have to sit in it. If we bring our pain, past and present, to God, He will redeem it.

Is there anything youd like to tell my readers about you or your book?
Id like the readers to know that we all have wounds. Every one of us. And my pain is no more valid than yours or anyone elses. I believe pain is pain, regardless of its cause. But heres the thing, Jesus came that we might have life. Life to the full. He came to bind the brokenhearted. To proclaim freedom to the captives. To release prisoners from their darkness. To comfort all who mourn. To bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes. In short, He came to redeem. To make us new.

Jesus once said that we will have troubles in this life, but, He said, take heart for I have overcome the world. Troubles will come, pain will be felt, but our troubles and our pain are not without purpose. God uses everything. Nothing goes to waste. If He allows something to take place, it is because He has a plan for it. There is absolutely nothing we might face that wont be used by God.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?
I write at LaurieCoombs.org but can also be found on iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com. I also have had the honor of being featured in Billy Grahams most recent film, Heaven, which can be viewed online at My Hope with Billy Graham. Its well worth the time to watch!

Thank you, Laurie, for sharing this book with us. I know my blog readers will be praying for you and your family as you adopt the two children.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Letters From My Father's Murderer - Christianbook.com
Letters from My Father's Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness - Amazon
Letters from My Father's Murderer - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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13 comments:

Caryl Kane said...

Great interview with Laurie. Laurie, thank you for pressing through the hard places to release this story.

Caryl in TEXAS

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book. I hope she has 'amnesia' and decides to write more.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Laurie Coombs said...

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Lena! What a blessing you are!

Laurie Coombs said...

Thank you, Caryl and Linda, for your words of encouragement! I do believe the amnesia is setting in already!

Melissa M. said...

Laurie, this sounds like a powerful book--thank you for sharing!

-Melissa M. in TN

kam110476 said...

Hi Laurie & Lena! Laurie's story sounds fascinating! I look forward to reading it!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

A lovely interview thank you.

The title certainly caught my attention.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Tammie Edington Shaw said...

What a compelling read. I would love to read this story. I live in Illinois. Thank you, Lena.

Brenda Arrington said...

The book sounds very exciting and a good read. Thanks for the interview. I live in VA.

GrandaddyA said...

I would really love to read this book. Besides good Christian fiction, I very much enjoy true stories written by Christians. Sometimes I read books by non-Christians but have to watch out for inappropriate language, etc.
Edward A in VA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Anonymous said...


Hello Laurie. I think this book is one I would like to read. Very interesting. I would love to win it.
Maxie from Texas > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I have read great reviews for this book.
Connie from KY