Forbidden Valley of the Wolves

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 completely 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 having Bi-Polar 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 which 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 was not allowing 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 took place, 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, which 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 deeper 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 in our lives of great emotions and of constant change? I have found living life within God’s plan for me far exceeds the plan I had for myself. Life may disappoint me and be difficult at times, but with the Lord, all things are possible. Never do I travel the difficulties of life alone, for He is always with me. The Bible says I am beautifully, wonderfully and perfectly made by my God. Though at times I may think that my life is not perfection, I see perfection in my life through Christ. It is my hope and my prayer that you find the true answers to life through Christ. This is His Book, His dream, and moreover, His plan for a future for me. I recommend you try it His way, just for once, and see what life is really all about. (Not a sermon, just a thought.)


Sincerely and In Christ,
G.J. Martin Strong