I get asked this question a lot.

After the completion of my first book, A Wild & Wonderful Life (released in 2017), I knew there would be a second book coming. However, the storyline never came. I was in a quandary because I knew the Lord was calling me to write.

So, seven years later, on a cold day in early January 2025, I packed up my computer and my dog Buddy, and drove to the beach for two weeks of solitude and (hopefully) discovery.

I brought with me three years of blogposts written for the purposes of keeping in touch with friends and to remind me that Jesus shows up in my life everyday often in the most ordinary ways.

These sweet blogposts—shared from me to readers like you—were the beginning of Immeasurably More, the devotional book I will be releasing on January 14, 2026.

I asked a couple of friends to join in the book writing and share their stories too. So you will read from seven friends who I believe model a life with Jesus—maybe not perfectly—but intentionally. They are role models to me mostly through their examples of ordinary, yet immeasurably more living.

So how long does it take to write a book? The long answer is a lifetime. But the short answer is from start to finish of the actual book Immeasurably More, it took one year. Today as I write, it’s a cold December day and Buddy is asleep at my side. Not much has changed since a year ago. Yet, in a way, everything has changed because this book changed me. I hope, in a small way it does the same for you.

Immeasurably More… sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? This is the kind of life Jesus desires for you. On January 14, 2026, I will be releasing Immeasurably More, a devotional book to encourage and remind you of this: Even if your life feels ordinary or wildly crazy, Jesus loves to use your hopes and dreams along with simple moments and mountaintop experiences to accomplish his extraordinary purposes in your life. Your job is to simply take notice and allow him to do more than you ever imagined.

This is a very special day. I could not be more excited to share with you a sneak peek of the cover of my book.

September 4^th will be our 44^th wedding anniversary. Both Gordon and I would say at least 35 of those years have been good, although we might disagree on which years.

In 1985, we bought our first home, and were DINKS (Double Income, No Kids), so extra money usually went toward furnishing our house or activities we enjoyed. In 1985 Gordon’s dad gave him the proceeds of a life insurance policy, bought at Gordon’s birth. It was a modest sum, but I had ideas on how best to use the money and couldn’t wait for us to discuss the possibilities.

Except Gordon wouldn’t talk about it.

Early in our marriage, we agreed to always pool our resources and never spend over X amount of money without discussion. We were always able to come to an agreement. But every time I broached the subject of this money, Gordon shut me down. Finally one day, Gordon emphatically said, “Becky, it’s my money and I’ll spend it any way I want to.”

I was hurt. I was angry. But mostly I was puzzled. Why would my loving husband take that attitude? He had always wanted what was best for us. We were usually able to talk things out, but now there was a painful silence between us.

Days went by and the hurt only grew. Until one day Gordon gave me an explanation. He wanted to use the money to buy me a diamond wedding band for our anniversary. Since we decided to get married when he was fresh out of the military, practically broke, and going to school on the GI Bill, there had been no engagement ring. So now he wanted to rectify the situation, and together we picked out a ring I’ve always loved.

This past year I’ve been in a wilderness of sorts. It was undeniably God’s plan that we move here, yet I felt He “benched” me the moment we arrived. Gordon has faced some serious health issues, I’ve struggled with mobility from this persistent ankle problem, and I’ve not been able to find “my people.”

I’ve been hurt. I’ve been angry. But mostly I’ve been puzzled. Why would my loving Heavenly Father do this? He has always known what is best for us. My Father has seemed silent, and it’s been painful to have no answers to “why.”

Last weekend I saw a glimpse of “why” that both humbled and strengthened me. Dr. David Jeremiah says, “God’s plan for us is like reading Hebrew–you have to read it backwards.” After tough times in your life, haven’t you usually been able to look back and say, “So that’s why God allowed that to happen”?

David modeled a right attitude when we don’t have answers in Psalm 63:1-3, written when he was in the desert of Judah:

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (NIV, emphasis mine).

How about you? Are you struggling to understand? Does it seem God’s plan for you is “lost in the mail?” If so, I encourage us all to “read Hebrew”—to look back on all the times His plan became clear in retrospect. And “when you cannot see His Hand, trust His Heart.”

Guest writer Becky Jones had a wild and wonderful career in the medical field, planning and implementing programs to help people all over the country learn how best to manage their chronic illnesses. However, her most important jobs are wife to Gordon, mother to Zac, and child of God. Her greatest desire is to share with others what she’s been privileged to learn—and continue to learn—about growing to be more like Jesus.”

Socks are a dirty reminder of why laundry is a chore. Exhibit A: my husband. Steve is kinda a clean foot freak. He doesn’t like dirty socks, which is a problem since every day he gets his socks pretty dirty. In an attempt to keep his feet fresh he uses baby powder to avert moisture.

At night, he removes his socks and leaves them in a wad. So when I go to launder the socks, I have to pull them apart so they will get clean in the washer. When I do this, often times there is a poof of smoke made by the baby powder.

I wish I could tell you I am a perfect wife who never thinks bad thoughts about her spouse but that would not be true because for a long time, this sock thing really bugged me.

Standing at the washer one day, I was in a foul state of mind and not happy with the whole sock situation. Out of the blue, the Holy Spirit got ahold of my heart and head. I am not always sure how God speaks: if it’s audible or if it is simply a voice in my head. But I am certain I heard from God while holding a dirty sock. The voice said, “Instead of thinking bad thoughts about Steve, why don’t you instead pray for him and think good thoughts about him?” Gulp.

I know it sounds silly but it took me a minute because I honestly wasn’t ready to give up being mad about the socks. Since I heard God speaking to me about this, you would think it would be pretty easy to obey. I love my husband and truly want what’s best for him, including clean socks. So with a shrug and a sigh, I surrendered. I started using the washing and folding time to pray for my husband. I prayed for wisdom, safety for him and all his employees, success, and good relationships to name a few things.

I cannot promise I never had ill feelings about his dirty socks again, but the sour thoughts did come in lesser degrees. Over time, my heart softened because I believed Jesus when he said persistent and consistent prayers matter.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

Years later, when Steve retired, he shared with me that the one success of which he was most proud. While he oversaw his business, not one employee was seriously injured and no fatalities happened on his watch. I had never realized the burden he carried each day for the safety of his employees. I wondered, had my laundry room prayers made a difference? I’d like to think so.

Each Tuesday I meet with a group of gals to study the Bible. We call ourselves Sisters of the Roundtable, but depending on where we meet the table may be any shape. There is something special about digging into God’s Word with a group. It helps me remember truths I have learned in the past and also helps me gain new wisdom from deep study or conversation with others. When this happens, I often experience a closeness with Jesus.

I suspect I feel this way because Jesus promises that if we gather, he is present.

He said, “For where two are three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 19: 20). 

Some Tuesday mornings, I feel like slipping off my shoes and imitate Moses who took off his sandals. He did this because he knew he was in the presence of God and thus standing on holy ground.

This happened once when our group was studying Esther 5:1-3. These verses offer a beautiful description of Queen Esther entering into the presence of King Xerxes. While studying these verses, the Holy Spirit encouraged me to replace King Xerxes name with God and Esther’s name with my name. Doing so helped me discover a way to describe the beautiful relationship between God and me.

I learned how God sees me as royalty and he graciously loves to give his good gifts to me.

You can discover this truth for yourself. Insert your name in the verses below and see how the King of Kings feels about you too!

“On the third day of the fast, (your name) put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. Sovereign God was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. When God saw (your name) standing there in the inner court, he welcomed you and held out the gold scepter to you. So (your name) approached and touched the end of the scepter. Then God asked you, “What do you want, (your name)? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”

Despite my many years of teaching, facilitating, and participating in Bible study, it is most likely I would have never thought of this activity had I not been part of this roundtable. As a result, I would have missed this wonderful truth.

Group study is one of many ways to experience the presence of Jesus. If you would like to explore becoming a part of a local group but do not know where to start, I would be happy to help you. And if time and location restraints make it difficult for you to join a group, why not find a trusted friend you can text about your discoveries?

The Bible says, “the word of God is alive and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). What an amazing resource for each of us in daily living.

Aunt Mary and her niece Julie were once traveling together on an airplane. The plane was small and the turbulence was significant making Mary, Julie and everyone else on board a bit anxious. Mary noticed many of the passengers grasping armrests with white-knuckle grips. As the turbulence increased, she realized she needed to do something to relieve the fears building up in six-year-old Julie.

When the next big dip occurred, Mary enthusiastically let out a single word, “Wheee!!!!!!” With fearful and bulging eyes, Julie snapped her head in the direction of Mary to discover her aunt smiling. Julie smiled too.

Another dip. Another “Wheee!!!”

Another dip. This time in unison of Mary and Julie, “Wheee!!!”

Another dip. This time in unison of nearby passengers, “Wheee!!!”

Mary had turned fear into fun.

Were the passengers ever in danger? According to askthepilot.com, turbulence “is ordinarily seen as a convenience issue, not a safety issue. Conditions might be annoying and uncomfortable, but the plane is not going to crash.”

A friend of mine is in the middle of a complex, yet worthwhile project. Two weeks before “launch” date, I promised to be her “Wheee!!!” person. As she navigates the ups and downs, my job is to remind her about the exciting upside of the adventure she faces.

Do you have a friend who is going through something BIG? Perhaps you could volunteer to be their “Wheee!!!” person. Can you pray them through the days, weeks or months? Can you provide tangible touch points so they know you are thinking about them? Will you earnestly pray for them — not only to make it through — but to find joy along the way?

We all face big things at some point in our lives. In the Bible, during the battle of the Amalekites, as long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning. Aaron and Hur became the “Wheee!!!” team for Moses. They held his hands up to support his tired arms.

As a “Wheee!” person the spotlight is off of you. But it is such an honor, whatever they are facing, to help someone see it through.

Who knows? The next time you are on an airplane, you just might experience a little bit of turbulence. You know what to do.

Somewhere along I-90 in South Dakota, we were bumping down the road in our motorhome. Mom was driving while my sister and I lounged in the back reading our “Archie” comic books. My brother was sleeping in a bunk above the driver’s seat and dad was reading at the table. Don’t judge us — these were the days when you could drive a motor home down the highway unrestrained by a seatbelt.

The camper made a slight jerk as mom decided to make an unplanned stop at the upcoming exit ramp.

“Why are you exiting the highway?” my dad asked.

My mom replied, “We are stopping at Wall Drug.” Within a few minutes the camper was parked in the middle of nowhere at a giant drugstore.

Why? Because for almost 300 miles, mom had passed over 200 billboards suggesting travelers stop at Wall Drug. The billboards promised all kinds of delights; the original billboard from 1931 simply promised “free ice water.” According to Wall Drug, they have 300 paid billboards, but there are many more unofficial billboards extending from Minnesota to Montana. There is actually a Wall Drug sign in London.

As the story goes, Ted and Dorothy purchased a drug store in 1931 in Wall, South Dakota, population 231 (today 688). Business was grim until Dorothy had the idea to post a billboard along the highway offering free ice water to travelers. An immediate response kept the drugstore in business as customers begin to buy ice cream and snacks in addition to receiving their free water. According to the Wall Drug website, in 1931 the city of Wall was somewhat affectionately known as “the geographical center of nowhere.” Yet today, the store attracts 2 million visitors each year.

Our family drank the free ice water and then purchased some taffy and potato chips. Soon after, refreshed from our stop, we loaded into the camper and resumed our travels on the desolate highway. We continued to Mount Rushmore and spent the night.

It is interesting that after all these years, I barely remember seeing Mount Rushmore, yet I can vividly remember our short stop at a drugstore in the middle of nowhere.

In a way, our lives are sort of like walking billboards, “advertising” what is important by how we live. Thinking about Wall Drug makes me wonder: what does my billboard-of-life say about Jesus?  Are my actions compelling enough to make someone stop and ask?

Fortunately, God has not given us the job to convince people about Jesus. We are simply called to be compelling — to live a life that models Jesus so others will want to experience him too. With Jesus, the Living Water is free.

Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!” (John 7:37-38a).