God uses many ways to lead His children, including through the written word. I learned to read by kerosene lamplight. One night I said, “I wish we had a magic lamp and a magic carpet like Aladdin.” My parents pointed out that our new lamp was an “Aladdin” lamp and that books were our magic carpet. I vowed to someday write a book of my own.
In 1977 I wanted to write for God. He used a passage from Emilie Loring’s There is Always Love to encourage me: “There is only one common-sense [sic] move when you don’t like your life. Do something about it. Get out. Go somewhere. Follow a rainbow. Who knows? You may find the legendary pot of gold at the end of it.” I walked off my government job a few days later.
My “someday” book has grown to more than 140 titles and six million copies sold. Many, such as Frontiers and Frontier Brides (Barbour books) were inspired by Dad’s love of western lore. How my eleven-year-old heart pounded when I saw my first cowboy. If only I could live on a cattle ranch! (I still hope to visit one.)
I hope you get as much pleasure from reading this story as I did writing it.
Blessings,Colleen