My hope is twofold. First, that women who are in those situations will be empowered to seek help. That they would know they are not alone and that they are loved! God sees your pain. Secondly, that the church will be a safe haven for women who need help and healing during and after abuse. That pastors will be, first and foremost, willing to believe them and provide, prayer, validation of their pain and resources.
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 for those in need of help and can be reached toll-free: 1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are unnamed healers God has placed in my path who have prayed and counseled me through my own potholes. I still need help at times. I do live in Wisconsin where potholes are plentiful after a hard winter. So maybe it’s only natural that I hit one a time or two as I travel this road called life. The reality is—we all struggle with something.
It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey, so I apologize in advance for those I will miss. It doesn’t mean you are any less valuable and thankfully, God keeps better track of those things than I do and His “well done, good and faithful servant” has more merit than any thanks written here.
So here it goes. Special thanks to:
Mark Steele who is already enjoying the rewards of this early life in the heavenly realm. You told me I could write, but I’m sure this wasn’t what you had in mind. Thanks for your accountability and leadership and for being an instrument that God used to help me grow up. I still miss you and your hugs. I’m still waiting for you to double my pay.
Doris Pollard Wichern, my grandmother who has read everything I write and cheered me on from day one. I love you!
Elisabeth Grace Herman, who first edited my writing and taught me how to be a content editor. The process made me a better writer as she coached me. She’s done it all for free in the hopes of someday finding her name here. I’d like to think the debt is paid for that investment, but I doubt that’s possible. You, dear woman, are a pearl beyond price.
Carol Hisel who has shown me, by God’s good grace, that writing to for publication is not the big reward. It is seeing lives changed in the journey, and her journey has humbled and changed me. I’m glad we’re related, and I can call you “cousin” as well as friend and sister.
Pastor David Mundt at Community Church in Fond du Lac, who doesn’t like to read fiction but reads everything I write and has encouraged me on this journey, not only of writing, but in seeking wholeness as a follower of Christ.
Pastor Ken Nabi at Community Church in Fond du Lac, who knows the potholes I sink into and encourages me as I help others with theirs. Thanks for letting me serve in spite of my broken places.
Lisa Lickel, who, when I begged for a mentor, graciously took me under her wing, not so much to deal with nuts and bolts of writing, but the maze of this crazy world of publishing and all its choices and challenges. I appreciate you more than you could know.
Joan Alley, my boss and Editor-in-Chief, who was willing to help make a dream come true as an author, but who also took a chance on an untried editor. The process of working for Prism Book Group has made me grow in so many ways, and I am grateful for the opportunities and doors it has opened. I hope to meet you face to face someday!
Carolyn Boyles, my Content Editor for this work, for being willing to take me on and edit the editor who can’t possibly edit her own work! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder through my edits than I have working with you. Thanks for putting me through my paces.
Jesus Christ, who adopted a lonely teenager. He continues to grow me up in Him, by constantly lifting me out of the potholes in my path. May this work bring honor and glory to You.
AUTHOR BIO
Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group, specializing in bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.
Her stories have been featured in in Splickety Magazine and in the I Choose You anthology with OakTara Press. This is her first contemporary romance novel in the Orchard Hill Series, the second, Salsa and Speedbumps, will follow. She is represented by Mary Sue Seymour for her adventurous Regency Romances.
Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy...snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.
You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz.
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