New Releases by Lorilee Craker

¿Three times in my life, I lost everything.Well, really four times if you count the worst loss of all¿the loss of my family.¿ It was 1942, and Theodora, a charming Dutch/Indonesian teenager, was uprooted from her pampered East Indies upbringing and forced to live in one of many desperate, disease-infested concentration camps set up by the occupying Japanese army. A few years later, her life was plunged into danger again from the angry Indonesian nationalists on the hunt for anyone with Dutch blood. Arriving in The Netherlands, her ¿mother country,¿ Theodora thought she had found safe haven, but was to face an epic deluge when the North Sea burst through the existing dams and flooded her quaint Dutch village. A prisoner, refugee, immigrant, and survivor, Theodora¿s story is one of faith, forgiveness and reconciliation. You will witness an untold chapter in history as you are inspired by one amazing woman¿s testimony of grit and grace.

A charming and heartwarming true story for anyone who has ever longed for a place to belong. “Anne of Green Gables,” My Daughter, and Me is a witty romp through the classic novel; a visit to the magical shores of Prince Edward Island; and a poignant personal tale of love, faith, and loss. And it all started with a simple question: “What’s an orphan?” The words from her adopted daughter, Phoebe, during a bedtime reading of Anne of Green Gables stopped Lorilee Craker in her tracks. How could Lorilee, who grew up not knowing her own birth parents, answer Phoebe’s question when she had wrestled all her life with feeling orphaned—and learned too well that not every story has a happy ending? So Lorilee set off on a quest to find answers in the pages of the very book that started it all, determined to discover—and teach her daughter—what home, family, and belonging really mean. If you loved the poignancy of Orphan Train and the humor of Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, you will be captivated by “Anne of Green Gables,” My Daughter, and Me. It’s a beautiful memoir that deftly braids three lost girls’ stories together, speaks straight to the heart of the orphan in us all, and shows us the way home at last.

After a semitruck collided with Don Piper''s car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next ninety minutes, he experienced the glories of heaven. The only survivor of a horrific plane crash, Capt. Dale Black was hovering between life and death when he had a wondrous experience of heaven. In "My Journey to Heaven," Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven in astounding detail. [Taken from back cover.]

On April 28, 2006, as he lay in his hospital bed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, visions of celestial beauty were the last thing on Marv Besteman''s mind. He had just had surgery to remove a rare pancreatic tumor. It was after visiting hours and his family had left for the day. Alone and racked with pain, Marv tossed and turned, wanting more than anything else to simply sleep and escape the misery and discomfort for a while. The retired banker, father, and grandfather had no idea he was about to get a short reprieve in the form of an experience he never could have imagined. In My Journey to Heaven, Marv Bestman shares the story of his experience of heaven with astounding detail. Readers will hear of his encounters with angels who accompanied him to the gate, his conversation (argument, really) with St. Peter, and his recognition of friends and family members who touched his life. His story offers peace, comfort, and encouragement to those who have lost loved ones and gives security and solace to those who are grieving, dying, or wonder about the afterlife. Marv believed God sent him back to earth to fulfill this mission of comfort and reminds readers that God has work for each of us to do before he calls us to be with him in heaven. Secure in his belief that his book was the fulfillment of his own mission, Marv returned to heaven in January 2012.

There''s no question that having children changes a marriage. Keeping the home fires burning while constantly putting out fires is no easy task. With this witty and wisdom-filled book, moms will find new confidence and real-world traction for those days when marriage seems to be overtaken by parenthood.

Most moms with young children struggle to find a little peace and quiet for themselves in the midst of their hectic days, and setting aside time to spend with God can be even harder. They need devotions that fit their busy schedules and meet them where they are. Lorilee Craker''s short readings are just right for these moms. She lends her engaging writing style to personal stories that moms will find encouraging, often funny, and oh-so-familiar. Each reflection is related to a biblical truth and bookended by a verse at the beginning and at the end. Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet invites moms to retreat from the day''s pressures and be refreshed for tomorrow''s possibilities.

Are you ready to take control of your finances, no matter where the market goes? Join Lorilee Craker as she shares the time-tested Amish secrets to enjoying true abundance on a practical budget. When writer Lorilee Craker learned that Amish communities are thriving (not just surviving) during periods of economic downturn, she decided she had to find out why. Along the way, she found a treasure trove of tried-and-true financial habits the Amish have employed for generations that will forever change how you think about money. In Money Secrets of the Amish, Craker gives you the tools you need to: Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without Repurpose, recycle, and reuse what you already have Find the value in delayed gratification and self-control Praise for Money Secrets of the Amish: "Money Secrets of the Amish is a practical, doable guide, and it''s such fun to read. Lorilee''s voice is as engaging and lively as ever, and the wisdom she shares from the Amish community is both inspiring and instructive. I just finished the last page, and my mind is buzzing with all sorts of ways to waste less, want less, and spend less." --Shauna Niequist, bestselling author of I Guess I Haven''t Learned that Yet and Present Over Perfect

“This is your brain…This is your brain on progesterone!” Have the hormones of pregnancy pushed you slightly over the edge? Here’s permission to give in and have a few belly laughs as a mother of two and a panel of experienced moms revel in the humorous side of pregnancy. This warm and funny month-by-month guide contains serious wisdom for pregnant moms looking to have a joyful pregnancy. Reassuring and helpful for both body and soul, Lorilee and her Pregnant Pals address the whole mother–as only good friends can–with sidebars, checklists, quotables, and down-to-earth help such as: ·Tips on conquering nausea, narcolepsy, and general nuttiness ·How to panic-proof your pregnancy ·Good food and good exercise for great pregnant bods ·Chic, no-tents-allowed fashion tips ·Survival strategies for labor day Serving up spiritual encouragement for the whole nine months, this is the essential pregnancy book for Christian moms!

How to Change the World (or at Least a Diaper) On Two Hours of Sleep. As the mom of a newborn, you’ll probably spend many wakeful moments wondering how your bundle of joy managed to set you onto the steepest learning curve of your life. Just like other really steep curves (think roller coasters), mommyhood can throw you for a big loop. But if you can keep your perspective–and your sense of humor–neither post-baby flab, nor interfering advisors, nor neon orange sweet-potato stains will be able to dash your gauzy visions of Baby’s first year. Designed to fuel the new mommy’s body, mind, and spirit, this indispensable month-by-month guidebook provides can’t-miss help from veteran moms. In the occasional lucid moments your sleep-starved brain allows, you’ll have a few good laughs and get the eye-opening scoop on: • Your life as a walking zombie • How to get more sleep (it can be done!) • Breast-feeding 101 (and no-guilt bottle-feeding) • Revving up your stalled love life • Battling your post-partum bulge • and much more! Whether you are a first-time mom or a “mom again,” O For a Thousand Nights to Sleep will cheer you on and help you enjoy this wondrous, wacky year of your life: Baby’s first!

Because 18 Years Is a Long Time to Wait In a recent poll taken by Parents magazine, 87 percent of moms admitted they don’t make love as often as they did before having kids, while one-third confessed their love life has taken a “major nosedive.” Experts say a whopping majority of moms suffer from low libido, and many of the reasons aren’t biological. So how can you get your mojo back and start to love making love again? Get the scoop on these and other extremely hot–and often hilarious–topics, including: • Timing that works for everyone (we’re not talking the next decade) • Keeping the ankle biters in their beds when you desperately need them out of yours • Why you need to make the effort (if not for your marriage, at least for your sanity) • Reclaiming your sexual self (she’s not gone forever, but is probably sleeping every chance she gets) Lorilee Craker explores the factors that put a dent in your “lust life” and offers plenty of fun ideas for stoking the home fires again. Don’t miss Lorilee’s own “Tales from the Love Shack,” dish from other real-life moms, and insights from professionals to help you get in touch with your inner “Red Hot Mama.” Who knew that rediscovering romance, passion, and closeness with your husband was possible–or could be so much fun?

Equal Parts Saintly Cherub and Demanding Emperor– Who Is This Child Formerly Known As Your Baby? Faster than a speeding bullet…Is it Superman? Nope, just your high-energy toddler, keeping life interesting–and mom on the run! Once, you dreamed of the day your precious baby would walk and talk. Now, you are constantly dragging your child out of the dog’s dish, making up answers to unanswerable questions (“Why, Mom, why?”), and engaging in power struggles with the world’s most adorable 25-pound dictator. Do other mothers of toddlers have days like this? You bet your sweet potty chair they do! Here are veteran moms’ stories and from-the-trenches advice on what works when dealing with the often challenging, always entertaining one- and two-year-old crowd, including: • What to do when your tot glues himself to your leg for no apparent reason (other than to yell) • Toys to boost your toddler’s brilliance–including freebies she’ll love most of all • Taking the “toil” out of toilet training (it is rocket science, no matter what your mother-in-law says) • Tantrum-tamers you can use from the mall to your mother’s house • Getting your toddler to eat more orange and green (gummy worms don’t count) • Ping pong prayers and other ways to connect Junior to God Here at last is the help you’ve been longing for: a hilarious but practical bimonthly guide to surviving, enjoying–and laughing your way through–the exhausting, crazy-busy, glorious toddler years.

Creative tips, problem solving solutions and hilarious stories provide insight into how to nurture and enjoy preschool age children.

Pick up a celebrity magazine and you''ll see that the art of naming babies has reached new heights of self-expression, with recent choices like Shiloh, Sailor, Apple, and notably, Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q. Hewson. Baby namers today want monikers that reflect something personal. Where better to draw inspiration than the books you cherish and the characters you love? A Is for Atticus mines the classics for the best names and brings them all into one volume. Unlike massive baby name books, which offer endless, dry lists with cursory dictionary definitions, each of the carefully selected names (including Beckett after the Irish playwright Samuel Beckett and Esme from J.D. Salinger''s For Esme with Love and Squalor) is fully profiled in a fun, savvy, info-packed listing that includes a name''s meaning, uniqueness, modern appeal, and cultural significance. Helpful sidebars guide you to the perfect name for your perfect baby.

Speaking out for the first time, Spears offers a rarely glimpsed view of herself and her family--including celebrity daughters Britney and Jamie Lynn, son Bryan, and ex-husband Jamie. Candid and touching, the stories show the heart of a mother who struggles to keep faith through life''s twists and turns.

Crammed with humor, stories, and road-tested tips, Date Night in a Minivan zeroes in on the hot-button issues that crop up in a marriage when kids enter the picture.

A great mixture of humor, encouragement, and practical advice to show parents the incredible opportunities they have to teach, enjoy, and grow closer to their preschoolers. A MOPS book.

Your Earthly Guide to Heavenly Names There is no question about it: Bible names are hot! Parents with classic tastes and those who desire to reflect their faith are turning to Scripture for inspiration in choosing a truly meaningful name. Here is a comprehensive collection of the most beautiful, interesting, and viable biblical baby names, each one imbued with the spiritual significance modern parents are seeking. A Is for Adam goes far beyond the traditional listings of names and their meanings to provide the kind of fun and savvy information you really want to know, such as a name''s popularity and image, and to answer the sorts of questions that plague pregnant women and expectant dads. Each name listed in A Is for Adam has been profiled for its uniqueness, image, and whether it is up-and-coming or more stale than last week''s donuts. This one-of-a-kind book features summaries of each Bible person''s story, ambigender options, fresh nickname ideas, cultural considerations and variations, pop culture references, and much more!