Showing results by author "Julie McDonald" in All Categories

What do you think of when you think of Valentine's Day? Cards, cupids, roses a romantic dinner? Did you know the day is in honor of a man named Valentine who lived in the third century? On February 14, 269AD Valentine was beheaded by Emperor Claudius because he would not deny his Christian faith. This short, (5-10 minute read) tells about the man, the times and culture he lived in, and the progression to our modern day celebration.

This short story, about a 45 minute read, is the inspirational story of Joy Ridderhof. Not widely known, Joy was a visionary and a woman of great faith. A missionary to Honduras in the 1930's, she was forced to return to Los Angeles for health reasons. While recuperating, she began to seek out ways to reach isolated and remote villages. Her vision sparked Gospel Recordings, now Global Recordings Network. Through the use of recorded messages, by native speakers, in thousands of languages and dialects,GRN has reached hundreds of millions of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who ...

This intriguing story, a 5-10 minute read, is free with Kindle Unlimited and will be FREE to all others as often as Amazon allows! Tom Vail was a young business executive in a 3- piece suit working in downtown Los Angeles. In the early 1980's he did a Colorado River raft trip through Grand Canyon. He fell in love with Grand Canyon, the Colorado River and river rafting. Two years later, he left his career in Los Angeles to work full time as a river guide. For 15 years he taught the evolutionary theory to his passengers as they went through Grand Canyon. In July of 1994 a passenger on the ...

For thirty-five years, from 1910-1945 Japan occupied Korea. The Japanese imposed their laws upon the people, as well as their religion. In this inspiring short story, about a 20-30 minute read, you will learn about, Ahn Ei Sook, who would later be known as, Ester Ahn Kim. Ahn, a devout Christian, refused to bow at the Shinto Shrine, and spent six years in prison. Before she was captured and sent to prison, she journeyed to Japan to make Japanese leaders aware of the atrocities they were committing against Korean Christians. She warned them, "Fire and sulfur rain will fall on Japan if she ...

In the 1800's, the old American West was a desirable destination for emancipated or escaped slaves. After the Civil War, many Blacks believed the West offered more opportunity, and less discrimination. In this short, 45 minute eBook, you will read 11 stories of Blacks who discovered the West was a place for them to not only survive, but thrive. You may have heard of some, such as Bessie Coleman, (cover photo) the first African American to earn a pilots license. Or, Justina Ford, a doctor in Denver, Colorado. Many are recently discovered gems, such as lawyer John Dennis Posten, who had a ...

True stories of pioneer women in Arizona and the West. Featuring: Clara Brown, a freed slave who traveled by wagon train to Colorado and became one of the richest women in the West. Sally Rooke came from Iowa to homestead in New Mexico. Also working as a telephone operator she saved a town from a flash flood. Mary Ann Tewksbury moved with her family to Pleasant Valley, Arizona where her life was changed forever by the Pleasant Valley War, Americas most deadly family feud. Pearl Cromer spent the first seven years of her life in a covered wagon. Peter and Veronica Michelbach immigrated to ...

At age 36, Clara Brown was separated from her beloved husband, Richard, and three children on the auction block. After being freed at the age of 57, she begins a tireless search for her only remaining family member, her daughter Eliza Jane. Clara worked her way west on a wagon train bound for Colorado by doing laundry and cooking for 26 single men who were on the wagon train. What Clara accomplishes in her 28 years of freedom will simply astound you

While researching and writing, Adoniram Judson, America's First Foreign Missionary, I became very frustrated. The book was already longer than my normal 15-20 page, 30 minute read. How could I possible honor his three wives, keep the narrative running smoothly and not confuse the reader with too many characters? I came up with, what I hope, is a great idea! I decided to do an entirely separate book, featuring each one of Adoniram's amazing wives, her early background, and individual story. I really enjoyed being able to give each woman the respect due her. Each one played a major role in ...

Enjoy this fun, short read packed with practical, helpful ideas to generate funds. Whether you are an individual, family or group you will be inspired and encouraged that God can use and multiply your efforts in ways you never imagined!

Wilbur and Orville Wright inherited their mother Susan's extraordinary mechanical ability. The brothers learned from Susan how to be creative, using what is available for their many inventions. Their younger sister, Katharine, was friend, confidant, manager, nurse and spokesperson for the brothers. In this short eBook, about a 30 minute read, learn about the amazing women behind the men who were the first to fly.

Angels? Are they for real? Are they active today in our modern world? If you are a believer, you will be encouraged by the 9 short angel stories in this eBook, about a 20-30 minute read. If you’re a skeptic, I invite you to read and judge for yourself. These true stories are compelling and convincing! The question and answer section address common questions asked about angels with the answers based on scripture.

This is the true story, (10 minute read time) of a slave named Rachel. Rachel had escaped once before and when her owner captured her, he took drastic measures to make sure she would not escaped again! A leg iron, with a heavy ball and chain was clamped just above her ankle. Handcuffs were put on her wrists. She was loaded onto a wagon and bound once again for a life of slavery. The situation looked hopeless. As the title indicates, this heartwarming story of Rachel is simply miraculous.

Five inspiring short stories, total read time under 2 hours. These stories will encourage and inspire you!

October, 1853, Cincinnati, Ohio. This true story, (10 minute read) is about a fugitive slave named Louis who was one of the first slaves to be tried in a court of law under the newly enacted Fugitive Slave Law. Louis didn't wait for a verdict from the Judge, but decided to trust his own two feet rather than hope justice would prevail.

Mary Bickerdyke. Never heard of her? You're not alone! In my unofficial survey, I have yet to find a single person who has. This short story, about a 20 minute read, is a lost treasure that somehow slipped through the cracks of Civil War history. You will understand, after reading it, why she was called America's Florence Nightingale and why General Sherman said of her, "She outranks me."

This short story, about a 10 minute read, is sure to put a smile on your face! In the late 1800's Climax Jim entertained the residents of the Arizona Territory and beyond with his illegal escapades. He alternated between stealing cattle, stealing horses, and getting caught. His numerous and remarkable jail breaks were equally entertaining. He once bragged that he had "busted out of every jail in the Arizona Territory except the dreaded "Hell Hole," the Yuma Territorial Prison.

Angels rescue and protect us. Did you know that Angels also guide, lead and show us the way? That is because Angels know the way! This short eBook, about a 30 minute read, with seven true stories, will encourage and inspire you in the activities of our friends, the Holy Angels. The question and answer section at the back of the book answers many common questions asked about angels, using scripture to answer those questions.

I love my home state of Arizona! My family has been here for over 100 years. With some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, it is indeed a land of color and contrast. Equally colorful are the many characters who have called Arizona home. John Shaw was killed in 1905 in a gun fight after robbing cowboys who were gambling in a saloon. He was buried where he fell and was dug up the next day by the same cowboys he robbed; to be given one last drink of whiskey. Arizona's lovable outlaw, Climax Jim, who escaped numerous prison cells. Dollie Wiley had a revolving door of husbands and her...

This is the true story (15 minute read) of Margaret, 12 and Susan, 10 Wilkerson. In the winter of 1839, Margaret and Susan fled slavery in Tennessee and ran for the safety of their Grandparents, 200 miles north in Indiana. This story is action packed and thrilling from start to finish! While I believe people of all ages will enjoy it, I wrote it with grade school children in mind.

Eight true stories of amazing women in Northern Arizona who have not been written about before. Bess Siler (cover photo) was born in poverty in Michigan. She became a Harvey Girl and went on to become a prominent business woman and property owner in Arizona. Belle Mexicano’s life on the reservation is fascinating as well as her traditional Navajo wedding. Beautiful Cherie Blair was a rodeo champion and the American All Around Cowgirl of 1940.