UPDATE: This giveaway has ended. A winner has been emailed!
To continue my Blogoversary celebration, I’m sharing an interview and giveaway from Marcia Moston. Her story is sure to inspire you! As head of missions while her husband was pastor of a Vermont church, Marcia led mission teams to various countries in Central America. She holds degrees from the University of Vermont, and Trinity Theological Seminary. Marcia and her husband are Yankee transplants currently enjoying sunny South Carolina. You can connect with Marcia at marciamoston.com.
Hi, Marcia! I’m so happy to host you at Doorkeeper. Please tell us about yourself. Although I hold degrees in sociology and Christian education, most of what I’ve learned has been by the proverbial seat of my pants. I’ve taught English in a Christian high school, worked with orphans in a Mayan village, led mission teams to Central America, delivered Yellowbooks, stuffed vending machines, and lived in everything from tepees to parsonages.
I love to share the stories and lessons I’ve learned along the way about what a very real God can do with the smallest of our offerings. My first and most dear word from the Lord is “Be still and know that I am God.” ~Psalm 46:10~
What do you hope readers will glean from your story?
A fresh confidence in the Living One Who Sees Them. A sense of expectancy in encountering him. Both the story and its path to publication are examples of the possibilities of an ordinary life in the hands of an extraordinary God. I hope readers will be inspired and encouraged that whether they travel a thousand miles or a thousand feet, God can do exceedingly more than they imagine.
Tell us about Call of a Coward: It’s about laying aside your hopes, dreams, and fears to follow God even though where He’s leading seems to require credentials you lack and courage you don’t think you have. And about discovering just how personal and gracious He is.
Recording events and later rewriting them helped me to see just how involved God was (and is!) in my journey. I gained a deeper appreciation of his grace, and then after the manuscript won several contests, including the Women of Faith writing contest, I realized it was a message bigger than my personal story.
It was with fear and trembling that I put my name on the same line as Moses’, but the story is not about me or Moses; it’s about the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Here’s my opening: “The problem with promising God you’ll follow Him wherever He leads is that you just might have to go.
I suspect it would be easier if you were certain of His calling—like stepping out the door and seeing the lilac bush on fire and hearing a voice commanding you. But when it’s your husband who is delivering the message—well, that leaves a little room for wonder.
At least that’s how I felt when my husband rocked my comfortable middle-class afternoon with his belief God was calling us to pack up and move to a Mayan village in Guatemala.”
And then a little further into the story: “The road exceeded my worst expectations. Cliffs rose straight up on one side and plunged straight down on the other. The dusty, rutted trail between the two was wide enough for one vehicle. It was one thing to ride a scary road with a husband you could yell at; it was another to ride a scarier road with a stranger who said with the same equanimity, ‘There’s a good view from the overlook up ahead,’ and ‘The brakes are bad, that’s why I have to pump them.’
Hernando downshifted, pumped the screeching brakes and entered the river. I couldn’t decide whether to look ahead at the slippery rocks on the steep bank, look behind from where we had safely come, or simply bury my head in my lap. If I needed a sign from God, this was it. I decided there was no way I could ride this road to go shopping, to get our mail, to find a doctor, to do anything─ ever. When, and if, I met up with Bob in the village, I was going to have to tell him so.”**
Those are great excerpts! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Now that you’re eager to read Marcia’s story, here are two ways you can get your hands on this book. As part of my Happy-Blogoversary-to-Me Month, I’m hosting a drawing for Call of a Coward . (US only) (1) Just leave a comment on this post to be included. (Contest ends Friday, August 24th.) (2) Or follow this link to purchase the book. (You may want to buy two, and share with a friend!)
**Permission link: Excerpted from Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle Class House-Wife. Thomas Nelson ©2012. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc. www.thomasnelson.com.
This week I’m linking up with Faith-filled Friday, Your Thriving Family, Still Saturday, A Heart Reflected, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday, Soli Deo Gloria, Monday Musings, Gratituesday, Teach Me Tuesday, Living Well Wednesdays, and Thought-provoking Thursday.
Would love to win! I love true stories of faith
You’re in the drawing, Debbie. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a great read. Would love to win a copy.
So glad you’re interested, Emily. Here’s to a win
I have a friend who had a similar road experience in Peru. Thank you for sharing your journey of faith.
Thanks for the visit, Elaine. We’re glad to include you in the drawing!
Thanks, Elaine, it’s a joy to share what God has done
While I haven’t been on a journey like yours out of the country, I have lived a roller coaster life as a pastor’s wife. Following God doesn’t always lead you down the rosey path, but your relationship with Him grows ever closer and that is the biggest blessing EVER.
I would love a chance to read this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for sharing your testimony here, Sherrinda. As you lift Him up, it encourages us. You’re in the drawing. Blessings!
Hi Sherrinda, Yes, I think that’s the part God’s really after–our relationship with Him.
This sounds fascinating. I would love to read more.
So glad you stopped by, Faye. Here’s to a win–but add this to your wish list just in case
I soooo want to read this!
Here’s your chance, Tammy! You’re in the drawing
This sounds like an incredible book. Thanks for the chance to win it Marcia and Renee.
God bless the both of you.
So glad you joined in the fun today, Susan. Blessings!
I hope you get a chance to read it Susan. Blessings
I was completely drawn in from the first excerpt! I look forward to reading this, whether I win or not, it’s definitely going on my must read list.
I agree about the excerpts, Shelly. I know you’ll be blessed by this story. Have a great weekend!
I would love to read this story, sounds very good. Hope I win. Thanks for the invite.
Thanks for joining in the giveaway fun, CynDee. Blessings!
Marcia, this topic calls out to me. I know God is leading me somewhere… and it seems to be taking longer than my patience wants to stretch, but I’m also aware that He’s lining up “stuff” and teaching me incredible life lessons. I’d love to win & read your book of encouragement.
Renee, thanks for hosting Marcia.
So glad you threw your name in the giveaway hat, Elaine. I pray God will give you encouraging answers to prayer–even before the ACFW Conference! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
Elaine, one thing I’m sure–He can use all the seemingly circuitous paths of our lives and weave them to His purpose, if we are just willing to trust and obey. Blessings
Stories of faith are tales our small group share. Would love to win this one, sounds like a great read.
You’re in the drawing, Samantha. But add this inspiring story to your wish list–just in case
Blessings!
What a great interview and the book sounds like an awesome one. Although I have only been in a third world country once and I recognize there poverty. However, we are serving an Inner City Mission in our area and it is amazing that right here in the good old USA there is so much poverty. One family we have worked with lived this winter in a 19 ft. trailer with their two boys. The trailer and the trailer park looked like pictures for 3rd world countries. The trailer was held together with duct tape and there were some really big complictions with the trailer during the winter. Thanks, to good people they are at least in an apartment now.
Loved this one and blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing your experience here, LeAnn. There’s nothing like hearing of another’s hardship to give us perspective on our own lives. May God bless for all you do for others. I’m glad you came by to read about Marcia today. You’re in the drawing. Blessings!
Good for you LeAnn for being willing to put feet to you faith right where you are. Blessings
I would love to win this book; it sounds like an inspirational must read.
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
So glad you stopped in, Bonnie! You’re in the drawing
Thank you Renee and all who stopped by. Do hope you are blessed by this story.
I enjoyed Lisa’s radio interview with you, Marcia. Blessings!
This sounds like just the book I’d love to read, what with my fascination for all things daring.
Thanks for the opportunity for win! What an intriguing title! 
biblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Glad you stopped in today, Rachelle. Here’s to a win!
Oh wow, that looks like quite a book! I’ll have to put it on my amazon wish list (I can’t enter the draw as I’m in the UK!) Love your blog and I’m following you! Look forward to reading more!
Thanks for leaving a comment here. I often do gift card drawings that are international, so be sure to come back for those! I enjoyed checking out your blog. Have a great day!
Marcia’s book was already on my “to-read” mental list! I hope to win, but plan to get a copy regardless. It sounds great!
How encouraging for Marcia that you were already interested in her book. Thanks for stopping by today, Jenn. You’re in the drawing!
Sounds like a truly inspiring book. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you’re interested! You’re in the drawing.
First of all, thanks for linking up with heartreflected.com. I really appreciate that.
I was so blessed by reading this. It is very God-inspiring. That you for posting. God bless!
I’m glad you were inspired by Marcia’s story. Thanks for hosting a link-up and for leaving a comment here. Blessings!
I would love to read how God is using you for His plan and purpose. I enjoyed reading your wonderful interview.
You’re in the drawing, Maryann. Thanks for dropping by!
So nice to meet you and Happy Bloggy Anniversary to you!! I am popping over from the link up. So glad I saw you button and came this way. Great to meet Marcia too. The book sounds fabulous. Hoping to see more of you and read more from you. Peace, Elizabeth
Thanks, Elizabeth. I enjoyed visiting your beautiful blog. I’m glad you were encouraged by Marcia’s story. Blessings!
Thsnks. I love true stories. So fun!
Glad you joined in the fun, Pat. Blessings!
Renee…this week you are the reader’s choice at Monday’s Musings at WJIM. Thank you for sharing your post. Blessings.
Thanks, Naomi! I appreciate your encouragement