Book Preview: Joshua’s Mission by Vannetta Chapman

In this excerpt from Joshua’s Mission, the second book in Vannetta Chapman’s Plain & Simple Miracles series, Becca Troyer learns about the Mennonite Disaster Service and contemplates going on a mission trip to Texas…

Enjoy the preview!

***

Daddi talked to me about going on a mission trip with the Mennonite Disaster Service group.”

Her parents exchanged a knowing look, but neither spoke.

“I don’t even understand the MDS program. And why are you two smiling at each other like that?”

“Your mother and I met on a mission trip.”

“I never knew that.”

Her mom shrugged and sipped her milk.

Her father sat forward, arms crossed on the table, and smiled at her. He had always seemed like a pillar of strength to Becca. More than anything, she appreciated the way he always spoke to her honestly—as an adult, not as a child. She liked that she could trust him to be truthful even when it hurt her feelings or she didn’t agree.

“I know that part of what we contribute in our tithe offering funds MDS,” Becca said. “I suppose I’ve known that for years. Is it only Amish who volunteer?”

Nein. Mennonites participate as well.” Her father helped himself to another piece of bread.

Her mom ran the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass. “Brethren in Christ too, even some Christian groups who are not associated directly with our Anabaptist tradition.”

That sounded like a lot of people to Becca.

“Who coordinates it all?”

“Each site has a crew manager,” her father explained. “That person may vary from week to week or may stay through the entire length of the project. While there, they oversee volunteers as well as construction materials and the like.”

“So it’s not a lot of youngies running around on their own.”

“It isn’t. MDS does serious work, Becca. We assist people who don’t have the means to recover from various disasters.

She thought about that a moment, while her finger traced the bread crumbs on her plate. “Like what kind of disasters?”

“Floods, hurricanes, fires. Pretty much any type of disaster where we can provide relief.”

“I don’t remember you two participating. Did you only go that once? The time you met?”

“We went on three different trips,” her mother said.

“Three?”

“Two before we were married and one after.”

“And then?”

“Then you came along, and we both felt we needed to stay home.”

What did that mean? Would they resume going on mission trips once she had married or moved away? She’d never thought about her parents’ life after she moved on—if she moved on. This conversation was opening up an entire new bundle of questions she wasn’t sure she wanted to address.

“Would you like to go on a mission trip?” her dat asked.

“I don’t know. It sounded like something fun to do. Well, maybe not fun exactly, but you know… different.”

“Except… ” Her mother studied her as she waited for Becca to finish her thought.

“Except I’m not sure I want to be responsible for someone else’s recovery. I don’t know anything about that.”

Her father smiled and slapped the kitchen table. “We will pray on this. All of us. You will know, Becca. If Gotte wants you to serve somewhere, you will know it is the right thing to do. Gotte will provide for you and equip you.

Her father tromped back outside to finish his afternoon work.

Her mother continued adding final touches to the postcards.

And Becca crocheted. As she did so, her father’s words continued to ring through her heart. “Gotte will provide for you and equip you.” She’d never thought of herself that way before—as a tool in the hand of God, something He could use to help others. The idea was rather exciting and frightening at the same time.

***

Excerpted from Joshua’s Mission by Vannetta Chapman

Joshua's Mission Quote Card 1

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Discover Vannetta Chapman’s Favorites from Joshua’s Mission

The celebration of Joshua’s Mission continues! First off, don’t forget that there’s a sweet giveaway going on, with a chance to win two copies of the book and all the supplies you’d need for a lovely afternoon with a friend (mugs, coffee, tea, and chocolate). To get your name in the drawing, fill out the form HERE (or at the end of the post).*

Second, this week we’re sharing a series of fun little interviews with the author, Vannetta Chapman. Today’s interview will reveal some of Vannetta’s favorite things pertaining to her new novel…

Vannetta’s Favorites

  • Character in Joshua’s Mission: My heart is with Charlie. I love all the characters in the book, but Charlie is the one who THINKS his life is over, only to find that God isn’t finished with him yet.
  • Line in the story: “The world doesn’t stand still, Charlie. And you wouldn’t want it to.”
  • Experience serving on an emergency response team: We were working on a house that had been flooded in Wimberley, Texas. The water had reached the roofline. Minutes after we showed up to work, the family that owned the house arrived, along with six children. Oh my. My first reaction was that they were going to be in the way! But those children worked so hard, and they were so respectful, that it ended up being a wonderful experience.
  • Part about living in Texas: The people. Texans are such down-to-earth, God-fearing, hard-working, good people, and I adore them.
  • Bible verse on serving others: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Your turn! Do you have some favorites from the list that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments, and remember to enter the giveaway!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

*The giveaway is open to US residents only (due to shipping costs). The form will close at midnight on March 1, 2016. Good luck!

 

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What Would Vannetta Chapman Do in Her Story? (Joshua’s Mission)

The celebration of Joshua’s Mission continues! First off, don’t forget that there’s a sweet giveaway going on, with a chance to win two copies of the book and all the supplies you’d need for a lovely afternoon with a friend (mugs, coffee, tea, and chocolate). To get your name in the drawing, fill out the form HERE (or at the end of the post).*

Second, this week we’re sharing a series of fun little interviews with the author, Vannetta Chapman. Today’s interview puts the author right in the middle of her story…

What Would Vannetta Do?

Welcome, Vannetta! Today we want to know how you would respond if you found yourself in some of the situations in your book. Would you make the same choices as your characters—or do something entirely different?

Scenario 1: You’re a young adult over the age of 18, and your parents and pastor have practically signed you up for a mission trip that begins in two days. How do you react?

  • I’m in! Sounds like a great experience.
  • Hmmm. I need to know more about the specifics of the trip before I decide whether or not I want to go.
  • I prefer not to be pressured into doing anything. I’ll pass this time and consider other possibilities for serving.

Vannetta explains: I’m always ready to jump in, sometimes without completely knowing what I’m committing to. That’s resulted in some rather funny situations that I’d rather not repeat!

Scenario 2: You’re on a mission trip in a state (or country) you’ve never visited before. In your free time, what would you most like to do?

  • Go sightseeing as much as I can on my budget.
  • Find a way to earn some extra money and save up for a big experience (for example: surfing lessons or a boat ride).
  • Stick around the place where I’m staying and find ways to help or get to know the people I’m serving with.

Vannetta explains: I would love to say C, but the truth is probably A. I love to visit new places and want to see all I can while I’m there. :)

Scenario 3: Your teenage sibling (who has a penchant for mischief) is out quite late and didn’t tell anyone where he was going. What do you do?

  • Panic! Time to send out a search party and call all his friends.
  • Keep calm. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’ll come home when he’s ready.
  • Pace the floor and prepare The Lecture for whenever he shows up.

Vannetta explains: I believe I can remember doing C a time or two when my son was a teenager. :)

Scenario 4: Your town is hit by a hurricane. After the storm passes, you want to help in the rebuilding efforts. How will you serve?

  • Give me a hammer and nails—I’m handy with tools!
  • Give me some food and an oven—everyone needs to eat, and I can cook a mean meal.
  • Give me paint and a brush—I love putting on the finishing touches to a project.

Vannetta explains: I like doing the hammer and nails stuff. I’ve hammered hurricane joists on a Habitat for Humanity house before, and pulled out hundreds of nails from a house that had been flooded. There’s something about a hammer that is satisfying.

 

Your turn! What would you do in each of these scenarios? Let us know in the comments, and join us on Friday for Part 3 of the interview!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

*The giveaway is open to US residents only (due to shipping costs). The form will close at midnight on March 1, 2016. Good luck!

 

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Multiple Choice Interview with Vannetta Chapman (Joshua’s Mission)

We’re celebrating the release of Joshua’s Mission here at AmishReader.com this month! First off, there’s a sweet giveaway going on, with a chance to win two copies of the book and all the supplies you’d need for a lovely afternoon with a friend (mugs, coffee, tea, and chocolate). To get your name in the drawing, fill out the form HERE (or at the end of the post).*

Second, this week we’re sharing a series of fun little interviews with the author, Vannetta Chapman. Today’s interview takes us back to the good ol’ school days with a multiple choice quiz…

 

Vannetta Gets Quizzed

1. Your favorite thing to do while at the beach is…

  • Surfing
  • Building sand castles
  • Searching for shells
  • Walking along the waves

Vannetta explains: I’m crazy about sea shells, especially sand dollars. I take them home, rinse off the sand and salt water, and put them out on my back patio.

2. The thing you most enjoy about traveling is…

  • Meeting new people
  • Trying new food or activities
  • Discovering new things about yourself
  • Being in a new environment for a while

Vannetta explains: I adore traveling, absolutely love going to new places, seeing new things, and yes, meeting new people. I like sampling the food and taking pictures. I like seeing how other people live. But what I like most about being in a new environment, is that it makes me appreciate home.

3. The character from Joshua’s Mission who most resembles you is…

  • Joshua Kline
  • Alton Kline
  • Becca Troyer
  • Charlie Everman

Vannetta explains: I am a little like Charlie, in that I’d like the world to stand still for a few moments. He’s nostalgic about the past, and he has good reason to be. I feel that way sometimes, and I have to be reminded that God’s in charge of such things, not man.

4. The most interesting topic you researched for the book was…

  • Hurricanes
  • Mennonite Disaster Service
  • Rebuilding after a natural disaster
  • Amish travel

Vannetta explains: Of course it’s really all of those things, but it was fascinating for me to learn how MDS commits to a particular place that has suffered a natural disaster, and then stays there until the work is done. They are literally being the hands of Christ to strangers.

5. Of the following, your favorite sea creature is a…

  • Stingray
  • Puffer fish
  • Starfish
  • Shark

Vannetta explains: Those puffer fish are pretty funny.

 

Your turn! Which answers would you pick for this quiz? Let us know in the comments, and join us on Wednesday for Part 2 of the interview!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

*The giveaway is open to US residents only (due to shipping costs). The form will close at midnight on March 1, 2016. Good luck!

 

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The Fun and Fabulous Christmas Gift-Giving Guide for Amish Fans

Who wouldn’t love a good book for Christmas? Wonder no more about what to get your friends and loved ones—just find the closest description below and away you go!

*Disclaimer: Of course, we can’t guarantee someone will love their gift. But seriously, what’s not to love, right? We hope you enjoy browsing this fun Christmas gift-giving guide. Who knows? You might even find a little treat for yourself, too! Just click the image or one of the links below it to find a site where you can purchase a copy of the book.

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 1

1. For the foodie who wants some “yum” with their fiction, we recommend…Made with Love by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 2

2. For the Amish fiction lover who’s read it all and wants something new, we recommend…My Brother’s Crown by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould!

(Note: This story is about another Protestant group called the Huguenots. Learn more about the similarities and differences between the Amish and the Huguenots in this article by Leslie Gould!)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 3

3. For the friend who needs to believe in miracles this Christmas, we recommend…Anna’s Healing by Vannetta Chapman!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 4

4. For the ebook aficionado who loves sweet novellas, we recommend…Amish Christmas Memories by Jerry S. Eicher, Mary Ellis, and Murray Pura!

(Note: This is an ebook-only collection of three previously published Amish Christmas novellas titled Susanna’s Christmas Wish, Sarah’s Christmas Miracle, and An Amish Family Christmas.)

Kindle | Nook | Christianbook

P.S. Did you know you can gift ebooks via email? Read this article to see how to gift a Kindle book from Amazon.com.

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 5

5. For the teacher or student who knows the value of a good education, we recommend…An Unexpected Match by Gayle Roper!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 6

6. For the incurable romantic who likes a lot of drama with the sweet, we recommend…Miriam and the Stranger by Jerry S. Eicher!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 7

7. For the loved one who has always dreamed of living the simple life, we recommend…My Life as an Amish Wife by Lena Yoder!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 8

8. For the curious soul with lots of questions about Amish culture, we recommend…Plain Answers about the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 9

9. For the one who wants to be inspired in her faith, we recommend…The Amish Book of Prayers for Women by Esther Stoll!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 10

10. For the cook who knows the way to your heart, we recommend…99 Favorite Amish Recipes by Georgia Varozza!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Amish Reader Gift Guide 11

Bonus: For the child or grandchild who shares your love of the Amish, we recommend…Blossoms on the Roof by Rebecca Martin!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Harvest House

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Happy Christmas shopping!

 

Part 5—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Interview Part 5 Graphic

It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) is available now, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!

Today’s interview involves a traditional Q&A inspired by Anna’s Healing

Anna's HealingAmishReader: Have you ever experienced a miracle?

Vannetta: I believe I have. Miracles of grace, miracles of forgiveness, and unexplainable miracles. I’ll give you one example.

I was walking with my son (who was very young at the time, maybe five years old). He had our small dog on a leash and I had our large dog. As we passed a neighbor’s yard, their two large aggressive dogs broke through the wooden fence. Those dogs were frothing at the mouth, snarling and snapping.

Immediately a man and woman appeared in front of us. They commanded the dogs to sit. The dogs did, without another sound. Then the man told me to take the leash from my son, so that I had both of our dogs. “Go home, and we’ll take care of this.” My son and I were both terrified. We didn’t want to turn our backs on those large dogs, but we did.

Once I had my son inside the house with our dogs, I went back out to thank the man and woman, but they were gone. The dogs were back in their yard, and a barrier had been placed against the broken portion of the fence to keep them in. Although I’d been inside less than 2 or 3 minutes, there was no sign of the couple who saved us. To this day, I believe that they were angels.

AmishReader: How did you first learn about Project Linus, a nonprofit featured in Anna’s Healing?

Vannetta: I attend quilt shows to sell books. It’s a wonderful venue, because nearly every book about the Amish includes quilting. While at one of the shows, I came across a Project Linus booth, and I’ve seen many since then. It’s a wonderful organization and one I wholeheartedly support.

AmishReader: How has your life been impacted by Project Linus?

Vannetta: When I’m sewing for someone else, someone that I don’t even personally know, it changes that task. It turns it into something very special. When I remember to pray for the person who will be receiving my blanket, I forget my own problems.

Joshua's MissionAmishReader: What was the hardest part about writing Anna’s Healing? The best?

Vannetta: Probably the hardest part was trying to explain how and why a miracle happens to some people and not to others. The best part was hearing from readers as I was writing the story—readers who told me their experience with miracles.

AmishReader: What’s coming next in the Plain & Simple Miracles series?

Vannetta: Joshua’s Mission (coming February 2016). Many people don’t realize that the Amish participate in missions—both domestically and internationally. I love having the opportunity to talk about the good work that they do. Before I wrote this book, my husband and I joined the Emergency Response Team at our church, and while I was writing it we responded to the flooding in central Texas. It was humbling to be able to help people who had lost everything, and I think those experiences helped me in the writing of Joshua’s Mission.

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Vannetta!

And thank you, readers, for joining us this week to celebrate Anna’s Healing! Would you consider purchasing a copy for yourself or a friend through AmazonSmile to support both Vannetta and Project Linus? See image below for details!

Anna's Healing - Project Linus Sharable

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

 

 

Part 4—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Interview Part 4 Graphic

It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) releases TODAY, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!

Today’s interview gives us a peek at some of Vannetta’s favorite things pertaining to Anna’s Healing

Vannetta’s Favorites

  • Character in Anna’s Healing: I adore Anna’s grandmother. Mammi is old and somewhat infirm, but she is a strong pillar of faith and encouragement. We all need a mammi in our lives, and we all need to be Mammi to someone else.
  • Line in the story: I have several favorite lines from this story. One is, “Her grandmother’s love was both deep and wide. It was a miracle in itself.”
  • Experience on her research trip to Oklahoma Amish country: When I walked into an Amish store and saw an Amish woman behind the counter sewing on a Singer sewing machine. It was allowed because she was at work rather than home. She was a much better seamstress than I am!
  • Miracle Jesus performed, as recorded in the Gospels (besides the best one of all, the Resurrection and forgiveness of sins!): One of the inspirations for this book was Mark 2:1-5. This is the story of the paralyzed man being healed by Christ. The man’s friends bring him to Jesus. Unable to get into the room, they lower the man down through the roof. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” What compassion and grace, and what a testament to true friendship.
  • Verse or chapter from the book of Psalms: I love the Psalms! One of my favorite passages is Psalm 100. These 5 verses are packed with joy.

Anna's Healing Quote Card 4

Your turn! Do you have some favorites from the list that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments, and join us for Part 5 of the interview tomorrow!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

* * *

P.S. To celebrate the release of Anna’s Healing today, we have an exciting autumn-themed giveaway happening on our Facebook page! You can enter to win a prize pack that includes a small quilt, a cookbook, two candles, and a copy of Anna’s Healing. You’ll find the giveaway form at this link → http://gvwy.io/1t68y2j

Anna's Healing Giveaway Rectangle

Part 3—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Interview Part 3 Graphic

It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) releases tomorrow, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!

Today’s interview presents Vannetta with five sets of either/or situations…

Which would Vannetta choose?

 

1. Attending a harvest festival or a quilting bee?

I can’t go to both? Hmmm. Can I quilt at a harvest festival? Honestly I would love to attend both!

 

2. Writing an uplifting article to brighten someone’s day or a hard news story that enlightens people?

Uplifting article. Lots of other people write those hard news story. I strongly believe that people need a word of encouragement.

 

2015-05-02 10.42.353. A day working in the garden or a day running a produce stand?

Hahaha. I’d pick working in the garden, and yes—I would slip a book in my pocket to read now and then.

 

4. Planning a visit with family in a different state or going on a spontaneous road trip?

I love my family, but I ADORE road trips. I have my father’s traveling bug … so I’ll pick the road trip. And maybe we can manage to visit a few family members while we’re at it.

 

5. A golden autumn afternoon or a rainy autumn morning followed by a rainbow?

I would pick the golden autumn afternoon. As I’m writing this it’s 98° in Texas in September. Bring on autumn! Plus I like the way the leaves sound when I walk through them.

 

Your turn! Which options would you choose, readers?

Join us tomorrow for Part 4 of the interview!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

*Flower photo courtesy of Vannetta Chapman.

 

Part 2—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Interview Part 2 Graphic

It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) releases this Thursday, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!

Today’s interview looks at some big concepts from the book and Vannetta’s thoughts on them…

Vannetta’s Definitions

 

1. A Miracle

In Anna’s Healing, Chloe Roberts describes a miracle as “a holy encounter, [where] you come away forever changed.”

 

2. Healing

I think of healing as restoration. Many things can be healed—relationships, communities, our faith, and of course our bodies. God’s ability to restore, or to make us whole, is a cornerstone of our faith.

 

3. Hope

Hope is mentioned 180 times in the Bible. There are references to different types of hope, but always … always, our hope is in Christ.

 

4. Love

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (I John 4:10, emphasis added).

 

5. Faith

I was a young child when I memorized Hebrews 11:1 (“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”). I love this verse. It has always been something I can hold on to. Though I might not see the answer to a certain problem, though my heart may be breaking in two, I can have hope.

 

Anna's Healing Quote Card 6

Join us tomorrow for Part 3 of the interview!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

 

 

Part 1—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Interview Part 1 Graphic

It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) releases this Thursday, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!

Today’s interview takes us back to the good ol’ school days with a multiple choice quiz…

Vannetta Gets Quizzed

1. If you weren’t a novelist, you would be…

  • A journalist
  • A farmer
  • A nurse
  • A secretary at a nonprofit

Vannetta explains: I published 150 articles before the novel-bug hit me. I like researching and trying to provide perspective on difficult topics. It’s a rewarding job, and one that would definitely be fun to do.

2. The best thing about autumn is…

  • The colors
  • The food
  • Wandering through a corn maze
  • Cozy evenings by the fire

Vannetta explains: We don’t have a lot of color in most of Texas—it’s mainly blue sky, green from crops and trees, and the rest is brown owing to a perpetual drought. We had record floods in June, and then not a drop of rain in July and August. All that explains why I love fall color. I like to plant any type of flower with color in it, and when I have the chance to see fall leaves, I’m thrilled!

DSCN7333

3. The character from Anna’s Healing who most resembles you is…

  • Anna Schwartz
  • Ruth Schwartz
  • Jacob Graber
  • Chloe Roberts

Vannetta explains: Chloe is dedicated to doing a good job, but she finds herself putting people before the story. I can relate to that! While I taught, the students always came first—before testing or administrative tasks or grading. I also like that Chloe provides a type of bridge between the Amish and the Englisch. As a novelist, that’s one of my goals.

Anna's Healing

4. The most interesting topic you researched for the book was…

  • Miraculous healings
  • Oklahoma Amish communities
  • Journalism
  • Natural disasters

Vannetta explains: I did quite a bit of research on miracles—modern day as well as those found in Scripture. It’s a fascinating topic, and one that causes me to pause and consider my faith. I also did a survey on my Facebook page. We had 330 people respond that they did believe in miracles and 3 respond “maybe.” No one said they did not believe in miracles.

5. If you could take any mode of transportation, you’d travel by…

  • Bus
  • Tractor
  • Buggy
  • Car

Vannetta explains: I would choose a buggy as long as I don’t have to hitch up the horse! But seriously, I love walking and bike riding. Anything that slows me down and causes me to actually look at the area around me, that’s a good mode of transportation.

 

Your turn! Which answers would you pick for this quiz? Let us know in the comments, and join us tomorrow for Part 2 of the interview!

* * *

vcVannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

*Autumn trees photo courtesy of Vannetta Chapman.