I'm Sgt. Griffin (Griff) McKay. I'm a retired Army guy. I worked as a Military Dog Handler/Trainer of other MWD handlers. When it came time to reenlist, I had a struggle over the decision for the first time in my career. You see, I saw men come home wounded while I was stationed in Texas, and the dogs they'd been trained with were turned over to another soldier. Broke my heart when I saw how callous the Army was at severing ties, the bonds, that were stronger due to the life or death situations over there in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I became an angry soldier. I could sense the damage I might do in working with the men and dogs who were being prepared to go serve in ways that could mean crippling or death to one or both of the team. It became clear to me I'd have to resign my position. Since working with those dogs and the men who were to handle them was all I was really trained for, I chose to retire and go home. To what? I could not imagine myself in a regular day-job.
I'd become less than pleased with God during the building up of my anger. I contacted a realtor in the area of Michigan where my sister, JJ Russell, lived, and I asked him to find me a property. A secluded, out of the way place. I planned to move there and pretty much crawl away and live as private a life as I could.
Funny, isn't it, how God moves us, sometimes without us realizing He's putting things in place for His glory and our good? Even when we are displeased with Him or disappointed in what He's allowed in our lives and those we care about.
Months later...
I came to Three Rivers and to the property I'd purchased without having stepped foot on the land. I was absolutely thrilled by the amount of privacy it granted me... seclusion at its best, yet easily within five miles of Three Rivers
THEN
One afternoon, I was outside, ready to walk down to the very large pond across the driveway and away from the roomy cabin. As I stepped onto the gravel, something drew my attention. A young golden retriever was slowly moving my direction, working its way up the long, curving drive, dragging a large-linked chain hooked to its collar. Matted and dirty, the poor thing appeared to have been abused. As I approached the dog, it cowered and lay down, covering its muzzle with both front paws. My heart broke for the animal.
Now, you've got to realize I was all done with dogs. Too many memories had plagued me, since I'd worked with multiple breeds as an Army Military Dog Handler. Here I was, faced with a dog in need of care... urgent care... and I had no idea who to call. So, I phoned my sister, who worked in town and had for some time. As soon as I told her about this shaggy, miserable dog, she laughed. That's right! Laughed at the irony of it all.
I want you to read SOWN IN PEACE to find out what I decided to do with that poor canine and how God used it to bring me into Joy's novel. I'm so glad she was led to include me.. let's just say, I benefitted in many ways for her having done so.
Oh, and by the way, Joy is gifting a signed copy to someone who leaves a comment below - don't miss this opportunity to find out what she did with me in Sown In Peace!
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My Story Title: Sown In Peace
My Story Genre: Christian Contemporary
Women's Fiction
My Story Released: August 27, 2020
My Story Released: August 27, 2020
Happy Birthday
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The Author of My Story: Joy Avery Melville
Award winning author, Joy Avery Melville’s heart’s
desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers
in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship
with Jesus Christ as Lord.
Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.
Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.
The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 48 years and their almost 3-year-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.
Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!
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Get Connected:
- Email: joyjournaling@protonmail.com
- Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joy-avery-melville
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/joyjournalinggmailcom
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/joyaverymelville
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/joy.averymelville
- MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/joyaverymelville
- Blog: https://www.journeystojoy.net
- Website: https://www.joyaverymelville.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Journeystojoy
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4 comments:
One of the best books I’ve ever read!
Thank you, Edwina! I so appreciate that encouraging word.
The next one is in progress - slooooowwww progress, but it is COMING!
JJ comes up against some challenges in the next one.
STAY TUNED!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Such a wonderful story <3
Thank you, Natalya!
Pray Book 2 into draft, pretty please!
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