Praise for Christy Award>® Finalist SUSAN MAY WARREN
âSusie writes a delightful storyâ¦. A few hours of reading doesnât get better.â
âDee Henderson, CBA bestselling author of the OâMalley series
âSusan Warren is definitely a writer to watch!â
âDeborah Raney, RITA>® Award-winning author of A Vow To Cherish and Over the Waters
âSusan May Warren is an exciting new writer whose delightful stories weave the joy of romantic devotion together with the truth of Godâs love.â
âCatherine Palmer, Christy Award>®-winning author of Loveâs Haven
âNadia blended heart-stopping romantic suspense with authentic detail that plunked me into Russian life. The result was a dynamic read!â
âColleen Coble, bestselling author of Distant Echoes and Black Sands
âGet ready for an exhilarating adventure through modern-day Russia. International intrigue and a handsome stranger combine in this moving romance.â
âJefferson Scott, bestselling author of the Operation Firebrand series on Ekaterina
King David is one of my favorite biblical heroes. Throughout the Psalms and through his mistakes and victories, he displays emotions I can embrace. And, whether he is dancing (half-naked!) or moaning that his heart has turned to wax, he displays a faith in God that surprises me. David made no bones about itâhe needed God. God was his entire life, and he had no problem saying, âGod, Iâm your guyâ¦so please come and help me!â
I have to admit, Davidâs brazen faith astounds me. It wasnât that he was without sin (murder and adultery come immediately to mind). So where did this confidence come from?
His confidence comes from Godâs unfailing loveâwhich He proves to David, and to His chosen people. Psalm 22, verse 24, gives me hope that this confidence can be mine, also. âFor He has not despised or disdained His afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.â
David didnât deserve Godâs love. He didnât earn it. He simply needed itâ¦and received it.
I wrote In Sheepâs Clothing in Russia, back in 1998 when we were missionaries there. At the time, I had four children under the age of seven, was homeschooling and lived on the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment that had water pressure only from midnight to 4:00 a.m. (Which meant I did my laundry and dishes in the middle of the night.) I had no telephone (no e-mail!), no car, and my husband worked over an hour away in a tiny village. I felt a littleâ¦umâ¦overwhelmed.
Iâll never forget the day my husband came home, weariness and distress in his eyes. He told me a horrific tale of espionage and a KGB plant in the church where heâd been working. Right then, the seeds for In Sheepâs Clothing were sown, along with a deep grief over what the members of that church had suffered at the hands of their so-called pastor.
Also living in Russia at the time were two other missionaries. Not long after we moved there, they were murdered. This rocked my world. Here I was, âsufferingâ for the Gospel, and everything Iâd counted on (namely, the safety of my family in this foreign land) seemed to crumble.
I was tired and afraid. And, like Gracie, or Vicktor, I had my own gaggle of âdemonsâ whispering lies into my ears. Like âYou were foolish to bring your children so far overseas.â Or âWhat do you hope to accomplish?â
Truly, I was in a place of need. What could I do to make my family safe and leave a lasting impression on my world, when it seemed that darkness stalked me on all sides?
Nothingâexcept trust the Lord. Writing this book became a catharsis for me. I learned, as Gracie and Vicktor do, that Godâs favor (or His forgiveness) canât be earned. Itâs a gift. And in order to receive it, all I have to do is need Him. I learned that God was my strength when life felt too big, or too dark. And I learned that with God there is always hope.
Thatâs the secret David had. The belief that when he got on his knees and asked, God would provide.
God provided in so many ways as I wrote. I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement of the following people:
Karen Solemâfor finding a home for In Sheepâs Clothing! Thank you for your part in making this dream possible.
Krista Stroever and Joan Marlow Golanâfor your enthusiasm and for believing in me. Krista, your letter (even without the stickers!) is one of my all-time favorites!
Constantine UtuzhâNow in Heaven. A man of conviction and passion, he made me realize how important small acts of kindness can be.
The Far East Russia CoMission teams from 1994-1998. (Especially the ladies!)âThe friendships forged during these times made living in Russia a billion times easier.
Alexi and Cindy KalininâI canât help but think of you when I read Gracie and Vicktorâs story. Your friendship is among my most cherished.
Ellen Tarver (and Daniel and Tom!)âThank you for reading In Sheepâs Clothing, and later for saving me from being locked in my room all day. Your friendship is such a blessing.