About

Even though my husband is a Navy reservist, I never really considered myself a military wife. My first real experience with the military was as a journalist, covering stories in Iraq the first year of the war for Baptist Press. That experience led to my first book which I wrote with with Oliver North, A Greater Freedom: Stories of Faith from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The book was nominated for a Gold Medallion in 2005 and my stories covering faith and war were selected by the Library of Congress for their archive of electronic media covering the Iraq War.

In 2007, my life came full circle when my husband was deployed to Iraq. No longer was I just covering military families and spouses: now I was one. I’ve tried to take what I’ve learned to encourage and inspire other military wives by starting a military wives support organization, Wives of Faith.

My writing

I have always loved writing but never considered it as a career option until through a series of events, God opened the door, or should I say He pushed me through it and the pace has never slowed down! I started my professional writing career in 2000 as the news and media relations director for Union University in Jackson, Tenn.. I worked full time in the university’s office of university relations while attending classes part time towards finishing my bachelor’s of music with an emphasis in communications, which I officially received in May of 2004.

In 2003, our family moved to Nashville after I was offered a position at LifeWay Christian Resources in their corporate communications office as a staff writer. Two months later, I had the opportunity to travel overseas to cover the first week of the Iraq War for Baptist Press. I didn’t know then just how much that trip would change the course of my life.

After two and a half years at LifeWay, I came home to write full time. After A Greater Freedom released, I started the web site, AGreaterFreedom.com that my husband helps me with. I’ve written for Baptist Press, Purpose Driven Ministries and publications such as Home Life, Preaching Magazine, and Christian Retailing. I’ve also written a total of nine books, most as an unidentified collaborator or ghostwriter for best-selling Christian authors. I’m blessed to be represented by one of the best literary agencies in the country, Alive Communications, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Currently, I’m a frequent contributor to several military spouse publications and websites, including Military Spouse Magazine and CinCHouse.com. In 2008, I was recognized by Military Spouse Magazine’s “Who’s Who Among Military Spouses” for 2008.

My military ministry

In 2006, I co-founded Wives of Faith, a military wives support ministry that connects, supports and encourages military wives from all branches and types of service. I love speaking to and encouraging military wives, particularly those dealing with deployment, and reminding them of the hope we all have when we have a relationship with Christ. My newest book, GOD Strong: A Military Wife’s Spiritual Survival Guide, focuses on this and releases in February 2010.

My family

I am married to the love of my life, Cliff. There has not been a day since we met that he doesn’t make me laugh. He is a friend to everyone and has the best sense of humor. God knew what He was doing when He put him in my life!  Follow him on twitter (@whodeeni).  We just celebrated eleven years of marriage together and we have one son, Caleb, who is in third grade. Our second “child” is Sammy, a not-so-miniature miniature schnauzer who keeps me company when I’m writing or working in my home office, usually at my feet or right behind my chair.

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you’ll visit again soon!