Shannon here: Erica Vetsch shares heart-rending insight into her real life romance plus an interview with her characters from her latest Historical Romance, My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, TX. Comment or answer the question at the end of this post to enter the drawing. Reader’s Choice of ebook or print. US Only. Deadline: Feb 4th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Erica:
Another Chapter in a Real Life Romance of Erica Vetsch
Just about five years ago, I was a guest blogger here on the Inkslinger Blog, talking about my real life romance with the love of my life, Peter. We had been married 22 years, had two children who were nearly grown, and life was good. We were in love still, even more than when we said, “I do.”
Five years on, a lot has happened. We have now been married 27 years, we still have two children who are now grown, and life is good. Our love had grown, steady and sure.
We’ve lived and loved and matured and grown. Mostly through little, every-day things. Graduating our son from our home-school, graduating our daughter from college, helping our son move into an apartment of his own, house-hunting with the daughter. Home improvement projects, contracts for new novels, the expansion of the family business.
Then there was the summer of 2016.
My darling husband was diagnosed with cancer. A Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor. A Sarcoma.
I’ll tell you, the moment a doctor says “Cancer,” time stops, you feel as if you’re hearing someone speak underwater, and a huge clock starts ticking in your head.
That moment became a continental divide in my life. There were times before we knew. There are times after we knew.
It is at that time that all the mundane in the world is what you crave. You want those easy days of ordinary things. Scary things come at you fast. Surgery, recovery, doctors, scans, blood tests. Chemo pills, insurance, appointments threaten to overwhelm you, and all the while you’re wondering what happens now?
And through it all, intense, immediate, all-consuming love.
There have been tears, there has been a lot of prayer, and surprisingly, there has been laughter. We feel things more deeply, and we express those feelings more readily. We know the reality of not being promised tomorrow, and we are learning to trust and lean on God’s strength for today. Our hope rests in the promises of our forever future, and our eyes are fixed on that eternal goal.
This journey through cancer will, I hope, be a long one. I hope we have a lot of routine CT scans and blood tests ahead of us. As of now, the doctors are declaring my husband cancer-free, and the chemo he is taking is to assure that no cancer will return. And because God has proven His faithfulness over and over, we rest in the assurance that no matter what the coming days and years bring, He is strong enough to carry us through.
About Erica: Multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and college basketball. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she married her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks. You can connect with her at www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!
About the book – My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss Texas: Journey to Fort Bliss, Texas, where a battle of emotions versus ideals is about to be waged. When a high-steppin’ eastern fashion artist, Priscilla Hutchens, swoops down on the fort to gain custody of her twin niece and nephew she is met with resistance by their uncle, post surgeon Major Elliot Ryder, who thinks he knows what is best for them. Who will win the battle? Or will a truce be called for the sake of love and family?
Question for Readers: God is faithful! Tell me something that happened in your life where God showed up in a big way in the last five years!
Come back Jan 27the for Valerie Comer!
I would love to win this book for two reasons. One, I love historical romance and two, I was stationed in Ft. Bliss, Texas when I was in the Army. My oldest daughter was born there as well. Great memories. Thanks for the giveaway and the heartwarming story. Good luck everyone.
My parents bought a new house just before they both passed away and i got the house
Actually It’s almost EXACTLY 5 Yrs ago On Valentines Day That I feel like God gave me a Miracle.
11 Years ago My Mother passed away and though I have a Great Happy Relationship with My Hubby we quit celebrating Valentines Day because My Mother Passed Away and The Day was A Very Sad Day for Me and My Family. Well 5 Yrs ago on Valentines Day My 3rd Child and 1st Girl was Born So Now My Family Hubby and I celebrate Valentines Day again
Thanks for the post The Book sounds Great
Beautiful report, thanks for sharing. I love this kind of tribute about what real love is–would like to see this kind of living more than 3-D romance on TV or in the movies.
Congratulations on the good news from the doctor. Hoping for many more great reports!
God showed up in a big way when my father passed away. He made it possible for my husband and me to take care of the arrangements in less than 2 days.
I am very interested in the background/region of the story as I grew up just a few hundred miles from that area. So much interesting history. I am still alive after cancer, and I am grateful for every day, month, and year. Best wishes to Erica and her husband. Always enjoy your blog and reviews, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate.
So glad Peter is doing well. Your post made me teary.
God has shown up since my husband went from bi-vocational pastor to full-time. We took a BIG income loss, but God has consistently seen us through. And the time we have for our family and our church family is priceless.
Erica, thank you so much for sharing your testimony! We serve a MIGHTY God!
Oh Erica, I hope Peter continues to do very, very well. Last year, my mother fell and broke her hip. After surgery, her mind was not the same. She is now in memory care and we have a new normal but God has been and will be with us every step of the way.
I do hope your husband continues to be cancer free, Erica!
Very soon after our daughter’s passing away four years ago, one of my nephews sent me a Scripture that he said the Lord brought to his mind as soon as he heard of her death. It was such an affirmation of our faith in God and her eternity with Him.
Psalm 45: 13 & 15 ~ All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king…With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.
I have a winner! Debbie Clatterbuck won the drawing. I appreciate Erica for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.