June 2010 Newsletter

Lamentations 3:22-23: It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Translation: God's giving us new chances in 2010, and His blessings are ready and waiting.


Many of you have followed my newsletters since its beginning in 2007. You've laughed with me at some of the craziness in my life, cried with me when my grandmother passed away and rejoiced with me when God spared my son. For those of you who never saw the pictures of Jared and the wrecked vehicle, visit photos.patsimmons.net, and search for Jared (2008).

BUT have I ever told you how God set up my husband and me? No? Well, I thought it would be fitting since we will be celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary on Friday, and we're in Los Angeles in the middle of book signings. To see pictures throughout our 25 years of marriage, go to photos.patsimmons.net.
Anyway, back to my story. My grandmother (Jessie Atkins) worked for the Pacific Railroad in St. Louis before I was born and before my parents married. Also, during that time, my husband's grandfather (J.T. Downer) worked for the same rail line. They interacted and as a matter of fact, my grandmother would do some of JT's son's work. She was a hard worker! My in-laws were probably married, but Kerry definitely had not been born. Ever heard of arranged marriages? Well, that's when God arranged my marriage with Kerry, and I'm sure neither Jessie or J.T. would have ever thought their paths would cross besides on the railroad.
Okay, follow me.
My mother-in-law led many of her family members to Christ, including J.T. Downer, who later became a deacon at my present church. It wasn't long until most of my husband's family were members of Bethesda.
My grandmother never joined Bethesda. After I answered God's call for salvation in 1979, I got baptized in Jesus' name at Lively Stone Church and considered joining there because I felt Bethesda was too big (about 1,000 members). That's small, considering the mega churches today. The Lord led me to Bethesda where I would meet Kerry. Fast forward to him proposing. The next day, I asked him to ask me again to make sure I heard right. A sister's got to know she ain't dreaming. Twenty-seven years later, two children, one dog (temporary), and we are celebrating that arranged marriage.
So now you know.

**If you're on Facebook, make sure you join my Guilty series Fan Club Page where I run contests, ask questions about your favorite characters, and talk about the latest in the series. Plus, you can share your thoughts about the Jamiesons, Grandma BB, Kami, and others.

**If you've enjoyed any book in the series, please post your review on amazon and Happy Father's Day.
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Still Guilty May Tour:

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It's not too late to come out and meet me during my first book tour on the West Coast. If you live in Carson, Riverside, or have friends stationed at LA AFB, this is your personal invitation.
Thank you Phoenix for 80 books sold!
Visit my www.patsimmons.net for details.

Book I: Guilty of Love--Parke and Cheney's story.
Book II: Not Guilty of Love--Malcolm and Hallison's story.
Book III: Still Guilty--Parke & Cheney, introducing Cheney's twin Rainey.
Book IV: The Guilty Parties--Cheney's siblings: Rainey and Janae.
Book V: Guilty by Association--the bad boys from Boston.
Book VI: The Guilt Trip--Aaron "Ace" and Cameron Jamieson's stories.
Book VII: Free from Guilt--Grandma BB gets her act together--well, maybe.
Then it's time for Guilty: The Next Generation: Kami Jamieson and cohorts.