What a joy to introduce Laura Leigh Harris. Readers, believe me when I say you don't want to miss this interview. Laura Leigh is not giving away one book this week–she's giving away TWELVE! Yes, when you leave a blog comment, you will automatically be entered into the drawing for a full set of her books!
Laura Leigh and I met several years ago when she was on The Christian Writer's Den mailing list (long before I started the blog), and we've been friends ever since. She has garnered life's experiences–corporate America, Para-church ministry, the nursing home industry and in-church volunteerism (teacher and certified lay counselor)–to fulfill God's call on her life. Her organization, Jeremiah's Tree AdventuresTM, allows her to author the passions of her heart and encourage men and women to become strong and fruitful in Christ. She starts "adventure groups" around the nation, through her authored set of twelve booklets, WANTED: God's Women for America-Adventure Group. She is currently working on an adventure group for couples.
Laura Leigh and Jim, her husband of over thirty years, reside in the Metro Atlanta area. Their two sons, Justin and Ryan, also enjoy life in the Atlanta area.
Now that empty nesting is a full-blown reality, they anticipate new adventures in ministry. Future plans include more published books and articles, along with teaching and speaking engagements.
Vonda: Welcome to The Christian Writer's Den, Laura Leigh. As I already mentioned, you're an author and writer, and I know you love to speak encouragement to women, but I don't know how or when you got started. Would you give us some of those details?
Laura Leigh: My uncle, a writer, would say that my writing career started early. Shortly after my birth in Washington, D.C., my family relocated to Alabama. With relatives in both states, I learned to communicate by writing letters. My uncle always told me I wrote beautifully and encouraged me to take up writing. However, I didn't begin writing until after my mother's death in 2001, spurred by the belief that I had something to say; something that would help others.
Vonda: What a great reminder of how our words can encourage others to see themselves as writers. Now, to the next question: What training have you had for your writing and speaking?
Laura Leigh: Classes have centered on creative and business writing, journalism and editing. I've attended two writer's conferences, one speaker's conference and a writer's retreat, so far. Involvement in a local writer's group has critically challenged and matured my writing and leadership skills. Advanced involvement in Toastmasters International, Inc., has also helped me hone my speech-writing, speaking and leadership skills. I used to be quite shy!
Vonda: You? Shy? I never would have thought that! You've written a set of booklets entitled WANTED: God's Women for America-Adventure Group. I'm curious, and I know the readers are, too. What is an adventure group?
Laura Leigh: It's a cluster of Christian women desiring to bring balance back into their lives, and ultimately into their communities, by regaining their personal identity, strengthening who they are in Christ, enjoying the fellowship of other believing women, and adding a measure of fun and adventure back into their lives.
Vonda: Hmmm. I'm still trying to figure out this balance thing. How often does an adventure group meet?
Laura Leigh: It's a twelve-month commitment, meeting for twenty-four hours each month.
Vonda: What a unique concept! What influenced you to create the adventure groups?
Laura Leigh: I've served as a biblical lay counselor for years, ministering and praying with women. My husband and I also minister to couples in marriage. Over the years, way too many women have expressed imbalance and unhappiness in marriage. They've sacrificed to make sure everyone else in their family is successful and happy. But many also confess feeling overwhelmed and resentful. They've stuffed their own goals and dreams into a shoe box and placed that box on a dark shelf in their closet. But what really ignited my passion? I learned that, of all the divorces that take place in the age bracket of 40-70, two thirds of those divorces are instigated by women who throw caution to the wind, follow their dreams and look for adventure! When you consider that the divorce rate is as high in the church as outside the church, we're speaking of many unhappy Christian women who are not living to the fullness of Christ and growing strong in Him.
The adventure group studies are designed to teach women how to regain balance in their marriage, how NOT to ignore the passion God has placed into each one's heart, and how to insure that life includes fun and adventure. Life with God is an adventure!
Vonda: Sounds great! But, what is an adventure and how does it fit into the adventure group setting?
Laura Leigh: Each woman completes a Bible study and a chapter of reading per month. When they gather together, they discuss new spiritual disciplines and the lesson. They spend the night fellowshipping, praying, laughing, and, oh yes . . . sleeping. Following the next morning's breakfast, they go on their adventure.
Planned adventures depend on the type of women in the group. Women across the nation have taken in exhibits, art museums, festivals and tours. Some of the physical challenges include camping and hiking, white water rafting, kayaking or canoeing, lake and boating fun, running in a 5K jog, and horse-back riding. Women have laughed during mystery dinners, enjoyed the sights in other cities and attended conferences. The list goes on and on.
Vonda: Wow! What fun! Tell me about your organization, Jeremiah's Tree AdventuresTM.
Laura Leigh: I believe that when you truly trust in the Lord–in all of life–and plant your roots deeply into Him, any Christian can become a strong tree planted by the rivers of living water. Not yet a non-profit organization, this ministry is based on Jeremiah 17:7, 8, which helps women, couples, and eventually men, to become strong, fruitful and adventurous in Christ. You can learn more at JeremiahsTree
Adventures.com. Starting an adventure group is easy! Sets of twelve booklets can be purchased through me, and they normally sell for $74.99. Mentioning Vonda's blog will save 35% ($48.75, plus S/H, and tax for GA residents). Information is on the web site.
Vonda: Do you have any words of wisdom for an author choosing his or her pen name, domain name, book title or business name?
Laura Leigh: Yes. If someone browsed the web looking for me, I didn't want to be confused with someone else bearing my name. I Googled two versions of my name and discovered a female doctor and a couple of women with questionable interests. I decided on a third version of my name as the pen name. It's a good idea to Google perspective book titles, too. And when considering names for a business, ministry or domain, it's important to avoid trademark issues by insuring the name you select is not like, or similar to, a name chosen by someone else. It pays to do your homework.
Vonda: What other projects are you working on?
Laura Leigh: During 2009, when not fulfilling duties for my deceased uncle's estate, I have worked on a new manuscript and Bible study. The working title is WANTED: God's Couples for America-Ten Ways to God-Glue Your Marriage. Couples have joined my husband and me in forming the first couple's adventure group. We're strengthening our marriages and having great fun!
Vonda: What a great idea! Thank you for sharing your passion with us. And readers, here is your chance to get Laura's book set at a huge discount. When you order through her website, simply mention that you read about her here on The Christian Writer's Den, and you'll get 35% off! Can't beat that!
And don't forget to leave a comment for Laura Leigh and you could win a complete set. (Be sure to check back next week to see if you win.)
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Christmas Special!
Books: The Gifts that Can Be Opened Again and Again!
Need help with your Christmas list? I have books for all the women, men, and kids in your life–and from now until Christmas, all my books are on sale! PLEASE NOTE: You must contact me directly for these special prices. PayPal will charge you full price if you order through my website. (Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.)
Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women
Believe
Reg. $12.99 Now $10 S&H $2.50
Bitsy Mysteries: Complete Three-Book Set
Reg. $31.85 Now $28 S&H $3.50
The Embrace of a Father
Reg. $14.99 Now $12 S&H $2.50
You can read a summary and first chapters of each book here. (Scroll down to locate selected books.) And don't forget–you must contact me through the website to order at these special discounted prices. Thank you!
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And now, as we enter this week of thanks, let's reflect on the words of the Psalmist as he said,
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
Thank you, Lord.
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
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Gary and I married young, right after my high school graduation. It was during the days of Viet Nam and Gary was in the Air Force. A year and a half later, we were anticipating the birth of our first baby. As a mature nineteen-year-old who had helped raise three younger siblings, I had a keen sense of maternal instinct. And that maternal instinct told me natural childbirth was the way to go.
the results are more than we could ever hope for, but other times they're less than we envisioned. 
Renae's interview, they have started or will be starting a blog! Wow!