Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Steadfast - Guest Blogger Sunni Jeffers


This Wednesday's guest blogger is Sunni Jeffers. Thank you for joining me in my little corner of the blogosphere. You have an incredible story to share.


Sunni Jeffers is the award-winning author of 15 books. Her life has taken many turns, from Navy wife and mother, to business owner and office manager, to rancher—all of this in partnership with her wonderful husband of 48 years. Now she writes as she and her husband travel the country most of the year, living in a motorhome. Visit her at http://www.sunnijeffers.com.


God Does Answer Prayer

I’m a Pollyanna sort of person. Not that life has always been rosy, but I tend to see the bright side of any situation. It’s nearly gotten us in trouble a few times. My husband is a bit of a risk-taker. I’m not. But if he says to me, “Do you think we could…?” my response is always, “Sure.” In truth, I’m not sure at all.


Back in the 1970s, after ten years in the Navy, my husband got out so we could move to Denver, Colorado. We had promised his parents we would come run the family business so they could retire. The business was only six years old. As neither of us had a business background, it was a leap of faith—or a jump into a pit without looking.


Our retail locksmith business sold and installed residential and commercial security. We had an expiring lease on a store in a strip mall, and several step-vans that did residential and commercial calls. When an old, small building and vacant lot came on the market across the street from our store, my husband said, “Do you suppose we could…?” and I said, “Sure!” Our banker was a lot like me and he said, “Sure, and we’ll lend you the money.” Oh boy, we were off and running.


We hired a contractor with a good recommendation (who ran out on us 2/3 way done, and he had not paid the subs, but that’s another story). Our landlord assured us that we could stay there on a month-to-month until our new shop was built. We tore into the old building, ripped it back to studs, and open three sides (leave one side and it’s a remodel). Then we started to build on a two-story addition. We’d just gotten started when the business owner next door came to tell us we had two weeks to get out, because she had leased our space.

We were devastated. Now what? It was the end of November. We had a dozen employees to pay, customers who counted on us, and Christmas was coming. We could not use the new store, as it was a construction zone and a hazard. We faced the impossible. We could keep our trucks operating out of the back of the unfinished building, but a big portion of our business relied on walk-in retail.
We prayed and asked our employees to pray. Some were believers, but others were not—yet. Then we pushed forward. Everyone worked overtime to move our merchandise and equipment into the basement of the old building and set up a makeshift work area against the one intact wall. We parked a step van in front of the new building, right next to a 2 Hour Parking sign. We put a locksmith and a space heater in the van, even while temperatures outside dipped into the teens, and ran a big extension cord from the shop to keep him operational. Another locksmith ran back and forth between the van and the shop to do work or deliver merchandise. Meanwhile, the other store employees worked days and evenings and weekends to get the old side of the building finished.
The local police departments and cities purchased locks and safes from us, and they would walk right by the 2 Hour Parking sign to do business in our van. For an entire month, until we were able to open the main part of the store, our only shop sales were done out of that van.

At the end of the month, I added up the sales totals. And re-added the totals. I couldn’t believe it. We had had one of our best months ever! Shop morale was at an all-time high. We’d survived and thrived during the impossible. And everyone—even our non-believers—gave credit to God. There was no other explanation. God heard our prayers and answered, working in and through us to accomplish the impossible.

This was not my first experience, nor my last of God intervening in my life and answering prayers. Some were painful situations or hard lessons that have shaped my character, deepened my faith, and given me life experiences that fill pages and characters in my books. This one was amazing and affirming.


Have you experienced something in your life that you know was God answering a prayer? I’d love to hear about it.



Sunni is offering a free copy of her new book!




Spiritual forces are at work to destroy mankind…

Dr Ellen Larson has heard myths of fallen angels, but she has no idea they exist—or that they’re after her. She has enough on her mind--her research and her own strange DNA, which she’s kept secret since she discovered a mutation in medical school that’s never been seen before.

Then the impossible happens. Two patients admitted to the University Medical Center—Rafe Zacharias and Homer Wilton--have the same genetic mutation! Without transfusions, the men will die. Ellen can’t withhold what may be their only hope: her blood. She has no choice…

Her secret must come out.

Unseen, a battle rages around them. A battle to bring an ancient curse to life. Ellen, Rafe and Homer are pawns in a war mankind can't afford to lose...

This sounds so good! I can't wait to read it!

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of this book just leave a comment and your email address. I love Sunni's question at the end of her story. Answered prayer anyone?

Last week's winner is Patti Iverson! Congratulations!

Grace and peace to you,

Bonnie

9 comments:

  1. Just discovered Sunni Jeffers and would love the opportunity to read Heaven's Strain. Answered prayer in my life... there have been so many. Maybe one of the most significant was meeting my birth father for my 50th birthday. geninut@cox.net

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  2. Geninut, what a fabulous answer to prayer. I hope it was as wonderful as you always dreamed it would be.

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  3. Love your answered prayer.. When our son was in a motocross (dirt bike) accident. Ran head on into the tractor working the track(in the wrong area) we thought IF he made it he would have health problems. PTL, prayers! He came though and has no problems! answered prayers :) would love to read your book Sunni...
    dkstevensneAToutlookDotCo M

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  4. Deanna, that is amazing. What a testimony he has! I'm sure God will use that in his life to help others see God's hand. What a frightening time for you! Thanks for sharing. I love hearing how God answers our prayers.

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  5. Wow, what an incredible testimony. Just what I needed to read right now.

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  6. Leigh-Anne, I'm glad you found this encouraging. When you're in the middle of a valley, you can't see the tops of the peaks around you, and the climb out is hard. We were in the depths last winter with our son-in-law, who went to Heaven in the spring. Some days we could barely call out to God. He didn't heal Gary here on earth, but he healed him for eternity and restored his sight (he'd been blind for many years). But God answered so many prayers through His people and through little miracles, and we know He is still working. Sometimes we can only see as we look back, though. Keep praying. God is good, even when life isn't.

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  7. Sunni, such words of encouragement. You are a wise woman.

    Thank you.

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  8. Well we're in a valley at the moment, so your blog was so encouraging to read, Sunni. And thanks be to God this Christmas for answering our prayers. We desperately wanted to visit our daughter Jenni's (now living in heaven)husband and two little girls who live a 12 hour drive away. For several reasons it was impossible for us to go. To cut a long story short, God provided everything we needed and we spent a wonderful week with our granddaughters and family.
    Sunni's book sounds fascinating, please enter me in the draw. Thank you.
    ruthanndell2@gmail.com

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  9. Ruth Ann, what a wonderful example of God's care about the details of our lives. I'm so glad you were able to have that special Christmas. I'm sure it was bittersweet, without your precious Jenni, but what a wonderful Christmas gift for your granddaughters. I'm sorry you are still going through struggles. God is faithful, even when we can't see what He is doing. Don't give in to despair.

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