Give-aways and Contests, Reviews »

By: Carlie Kercheval

Because He Loved: A Story of Hope is the sad but beautiful real life story of God giving beauty for ashes in the life of Lacey Vasquez. Lacey, a native Hawaiian, had seen her fair share of soldiers coming and going from her island. Many of her friends had dated and married soldiers; and Lacey, who at the time was studying at Hawaii Pacific University, had decided that marrying a military man was not for her. She saw the heart ache her friend went through having a long distance relationship, and she wanted no part of it.

Then entered Stephen Morris, a Texan with a smile like the sun and a heart after Jesus. Lacey knew right away there was something different with this man, who was a United States Marine. Lacey decided to go where her heart was leading her, and it was with Stephen. After a beautiful courtship, the two of them knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

On September 11, 2006, Lacey and Stephen said good-bye as he left on his second deployment to Iraq; not knowing this good-bye was forever. Throughout the next 3 months there were letters, phone calls, and emails exchanged, letting one another know of the love they had for each other and for God. Then on December 24, 2006, Stephen was killed by an IED. This took Lacey on an unexpected journey to Texas to meet, for the first time, Stephen’s parents and family, taking her on a course of pain and healing that would be some of the most challenging days of her life.

The rest of Lacey’s story is one of healing, hope, and restoration. A story that I know you will love to read as it will give you a greater perspective to appreciate the life you have in the here and now. Lacey’s story is one that depicts the true meaning of allowing Jesus to be the Lord of your life and giving all things to Him. Lacey has a gift for weaving words together to tell an already beautiful story – that much more beautifully.

You can win a copy of Because He Loved: A Story of Hope simply by leaving a comment below telling me why you would like to win. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email (please be sure to provide your email when prompted). Winner will be announced (right here below the contest rules) and contacted on Friday, February 3, 2012.

You can visit Lacey and learn more about her story on Facebook.

Carlie is a blessed, stay-at-home, homeschoolin’ mama to her 3 precious gifts she calls “children”. She is a proud Army wife married to the love of her life, Michael, for over 11 years. In her free time she enjoys anything to do with Jesus, family, reading, writing, singing, teaching, and being outdoors.

You can find out more about her faith and family at her blog:
So You Call Yourself A Homeschooler?