Ocieanna’s Story

I was a busy woman! From morning till night, I rushed through life trying to be the best wife, homeschool mom, friend, and home business woman I could be. Go! Go! Go! Yet, despite how much I loved my husband, kids, church, business, happiness seemed beyond my grasp. I was too busy to be happy, too stressed to enjoy the many blessings the Lord gave me.

Then, a few months ago, everything changed …

On a quiet Saturday night while I watched television with my husband, my heart stopped beating. It took my husband’s CPR as well as a roomful of paramedics to bring me back.

What a journey! Talk about having to slow down. Once home, I napped four and five hours during the day, as well as getting a full night’s sleep. I could only be up for short periods at a time, and soon had to rest. No driving kids around. No homeschool. No chores. No work. Just quiet. Stillness. Peace.

And you’ll never believe what happened…I liked my life that way! I really got into the peace, quiet, and slower pace. I think I’ll always remember that period as one of the happiest in my life. Why? Because the rushing was gone. The stress disappeared. And the only thing left were those blessings I didn’t have time to enjoy before. How I reveled in my family during those days.

And I also clung to the love of my heavenly Father. It seemed each day I’d learn a new way that He loved me. A fresh insight would hit me and I’d almost laugh, giddy over the Lord’s kindness to teach me.

Since most of my strength is restored—and life’s gotten busy again—I still retain a deep desire to hold onto those lessons I learned. I cling with all my heart to that peace … and I long to share the love of Christ. How can I not, when He’s given me so much?

As we get to know each other, perhaps we can join together on this journey. It’s never easy, but when we belong to Christ, it’s always good.

“That you may know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 ESV

So, I’m glad you’re here—actually, I’m glad we’re both here.

Bio

I’m a wife and mom of four. Discover ongoing insights from my mom adventure on my Mommy-O blog as well as at MOPS.org. As for writing, fiction is my first love. I’m blessed to express this passion in two novels I co-authored with Tricia Goyer, Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington. I enjoy nonfiction as well. My work in progress at the moment is a book about my cardiac arrest called, Loving Your Kids Like There’s No Tomorrow.  I also edited both fiction and nonfiction for WinePress Publishers for over eight years. My passion for fiction is rivaled by my love of speaking. I enjoy sharing my recent tale, sparked from the cardiac arrest, also called “Loving Your Kids Like There’s No Tomorrow” with MOPS or any parenting groups. I also offer women’s retreat talks. I studied the Bible for over twenty years by attending seminary classes, listening to lectures, and sitting under strong teaching at a Bible-believing church. I also taught the Old Testament for two years. To see detailed descriptions of my talks or for more information about having me speak at your event, check out the Speaking page.