Going where God Leads to Get to the Fruition of your Dreams!

Ever since I was a little girl, I was creative. I wanted to grow up and be an actress. I wanted to grow up and be an artist. I wanted to grow up and be an author.

I remember thinking how amazing it would be to travel the world AND be creative! The day had finally come when I turned 15, gave my life over to Christ, and began living a life for Him and the calling He had for me. Shortly after graduating high school, I went on my first missions trip abroad in the Philippines. What a wonderful, rich experience of meeting new friends, sharing the good news, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Fast forward to the years I grew as an art teacher for a local Boys and Girls Club. I was able to stretch my wings creatively and craft adventures with children on a daily basis. For nearly a decade, I worked with the kids on art projects, talent shows, dance programs, and fun skits! It was truly a blast, but I knew there was more to be done. So, having stretched my wings, I flew to new heights.

For the next few years, I continued working with children in the great outdoors as a camp counselor and outdoor educator. I directed the children to the world around us, it’s beautiful designs, and even more beautiful Designer. I was able to blend my love of working with children with my passion for ministering to and counseling others.

My life almost came to a standstill until God. Little did I know, these experiences were seeds being planted in my life for a greater blessing than I could ever dream or imagine. He directed me where to go so I can grow and have my dreams realized. Maybe one of these days I’ll share the amazing way in which God decided to direct my life to the south, where I currently reside with my husband Hunter, but for now, I’ll say that taking that leap of faith was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.

After that incredible missions trip to the Philippines, I had a life-changing conversation with my father. There were other places in the world I wanted to travel to and children waiting to hear the Gospel, but financial issues (read: lack thereof) and civil unrest in the area I wanted to go, had prevented a desired trip. My father very wisely, and most profoundly, stated:

Go where God leads to get to the fruition of your dreams.

Simple, right?

Wrong. He further explained that it might take years or it might never happen (I have yet to take that missions trip, but I’m patiently awaiting), but when we follow after God and his calling for our life, our dreams can bloom and blossom into fruit that we can enjoy for years to come.

I chose to self-publish my first title, “Sowing the Fruit of the Spirit: Life on the Farm with Victor and Hope Jones”, because of its message and overall theme. But more than that, it was a gift to myself from God. This has been a lifelong dream (being a published author), and what better way to kick things off than with a children’s book exploring the fruit that can be harvested in our life if only we take the time to sow the seeds planted by following God.

I pray you enjoy this book and are blessed and inspired by my journey as a newly published author (I still have to pinch myself!)

~ Tiffany G. Jackson

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