A Friday Story

Over the next several weeks, I will be offering you a look behind the curtains into a fascinating project. I wrote a book!

I want to thank Leigh Michaels and Jacki Haley for the support and help they gave me in getting my first book, "Climbing Mountains with God," into print and on the market. This was an entirely new adventure for me, and boy, did I need some serious help.

The motivating factor to write the book was something that had bothered me for years. My dad had all these wonderful stories about riding his pony to school, the Great Depression, getting married in the middle of it, and many, many more.

I spent almost 19 years in the Radio business. About 95% of those years were at KMA Radio in Shenandoah, Iowa. KMA is an old-line station that went on the air in 1925. Many artists have performed on their stage. I grew up with the Everly Brothers. Their dad, Ike, played guitar on the morning farm show when I was growing up.

KMA's Farm Department was one of the best. It was a pleasure and an honor to serve as the Associate Farm Director under two great men. Jack Gowing was the farm Director when I first moved into the Farm Department in. 1965. I later worked for nearly 10 years with Creighton Knau. These two men were the cream of the crop.

And all those years, I had a tape recorder sitting by my side. Sadly, not once did I turn it on and record any of dad stories. Now, he has gone to Heaven and taken those wonderful stories with him.

My first motivation was to write a journal of my ears, growing up, thinking my children and grandchildren might like to know what it was like growing up without electricity, running water, and the “necessary house,” being a small building, at the end of a board sidewalk. One thing you learned quickly in a state like Iowa, where it can get down to zero or below in the wintertime, is always to be second to use the facility. Let someone else get the frost off the seat!

That journal turned into over 300,000 words when my wife Nancy suggested maybe I should write a book. So, I took a stab at it and didn’t like the results.

Edition number one: Hit the delete button.

Edition number two: Hit the delete button.

Then, one day, in a conversation with my former Legislative Director, Christie Smith, she also urged me to write a book.

Now, I had two strong women pushing me to take on the project.

About seven chapters into version one, I gave up. Who cared about my life beyond those in the family? Quite frankly, I even had questions about any family interest. These two strong women would not give up, and the pressure continued to write a book about the Congressional years.

Writing attempt number three was going better than any of the others; however, I was struggling at times. Then, one day, I happened to see an online ad to sign up for a free series of lessons from a professional author. Being a bit of a tightwad and on a limited income, the word “free” caught my attention.

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I find it very interesting how God leads us on this adventure we call life. Some people say it’s luck. That is not something I believe. Instead, we are blessed and led by God where He wants us to go. My belief has become much stronger as the pages have been ripped off the calendar, and there is time to think about and analyze the past.

Jackie Haley, owner of Dream to Author and Hovey & Associates Publishing, helped light a fire under me to take on this tremendous project. We met when I first answered her ad. Today, we are good friends, and Hovey & Associates Publishing is my publisher. Interestingly, in our conversations, I learned that her parents had been great supporters of mine when I was in Congress. That, my friends, is not luck. It is God leading us where he wants us to go.

Jackie offered me much support and encouragement. She helped me get through some very difficult spots during the writing process. She is now my publisher and helping to get good distribution for the book.

Those of you who know me know I am never at a loss for words. In fact, I might even be labeled as “windy.” KMA radio station manager Andy Anderson once said I could talk about a pencil for 10 minutes and keep it interesting.

It seems I tend to write much like I talk; a bit windy at times. Ask me the time of day, and I will tell you how to build a clock. Leigh Michael took care of that issue with her “delete” button during the editing phase. She has written more than 100 books that have been published and read in over 22 countries around the World. You will enjoy her website at: LeighMichaels.com

Leigh trimmed down the book size by eliminating some of my “how to build a clock” comments and made it much easier to read. Leigh’s expertise does not end with the editing. She also designed the cover and registered the book with the Library of Congress.

Without the help of these two wonderful ladies, my book would never have been written, printed, and made available for purchase. Thank you, Jackie and Leigh, from the bottom of my heart.

I will close this short story with a little something for your brain to chew on.

My first contact with these two wonderful ladies was by happenstance on the Internet. Guess what? Both of these talented women are from Iowa. Perhaps you might call that luck. However, I do not think so. It is the essence of the book. It is God reaching down and taking me by the hand to climb the mountain ahead. That is what life is all about: "Climbing Mountains with God."

This is just one of the many personal stories in my book "Climbing Mountains with God." You can purchase "Climbing Mountains With God" on Amazon and get it shipped directly to you.

OR

You can Venmo Me for an Autographed Copy for $15.00 + $3.00 (S&H) = Total $18.00 www.jimrosslightfoot.com

There is another short story about writing my book coming next week.

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