Fruitfully Planted: December 2025

Hello All,

I thought I would give an update because it's been pretty quiet around here.

At the end of 2023 I found out a loved one had stage four cancer. In the beginning of 2024 there was a broken femur, and three surgeries, after which we weren't sure how much longer we would have with this person. However, God stepped in sending a few doctors to have conversations which resulted in pain management and cancer treatments. These things have kept my loved one here. We are now at the point where having changed between several different chemotherapy courses, treatments are no longer working. Yet, this person is feeling the best they have felt in a long time. So while no more treatments will be happening, and hospice is now in view, I am amazed at the way God has worked. He has kept their pain minimal and their nausea non existent through all treatments. He has sent people to have conversations when needed and continues to show Himself throughout this entire process. At the beginning of 2024 He gave me a tremendous amount of peace, and that peace has not left me for even a second. I am so grateful I don't have to go through any part of life without Him. That was the biggest news making everything else seem minor in comparison, but I am going to share other changes because God doesn't just dwell in the big things, He is in every area of my life.

Onward we go, the next area of growth deals with relationships. God has really been showing me what Biblical friendship looks like and unfortunately what it doesn't. Over the past few years friendships have come and gone. The going is the hardest part for me, but I know some people are only in my life for a season. I think my struggle has been it seems as though almost everyone has only been there for a season and I long for fruitful, close-knit Biblical friendships. In the past few years I have lost several friendships and within the past few months a group I had been a part of for a few years is no longer in my life. While it was time for many reasons for me to leave, I still feel a bit sad about the loss. God has shown me there is a difference with coming to someone in love because we want what is best for them, and coming to someone with condemnation. He has shown me I was depending on others first instead of Him first, which never results in joy and fruitfulness. I still have quite a few selfish habits to surrender to Him so I can truly have a servant's heart, and love others the way He wants us to love. I have learned a lot through the hurt, and God knows what is best for me way more than I do. The work He is doing is challenging but always worth it because it glorifies Him and draws me into deeper relationship with Him. I am trusting that when it is time He will bring me the community He wants me to have.

As I have been thinking about community He has helped me realize that it begins with my husband and children. If I can't love them well, then I definitely can't love those outside my family well. I am learning how to love them better and He is stretching me in regards to homeschooling. This past year my second child came up to me and asked to graduated early with his brother next year. I agreed that we could try to make that happen, and while it will be a rigorous year full of growth for all of us, I do anticipate graduating both my oldest two children in November of 2026. Just saying those words brings a touch of sadness, because it reminds me I have only a year left teaching my boys and it is throwing me for a loop emotionally. Yet, God is good and I know He will guide me through. He has them in His hands, even when my role changes after they graduate.

I will be sharing more of our journey throughout the year, because as I follow His lead, He has asked me to be more consistent in sharing here. It's terrifying which is probably why I haven't been obedient as I should, but it's time. He is showing me how to realign my priorities, and to be disciplined in my obedience, so that is what I am going to do. I am going to trust and follow even though I feel ill equipped for all the things He is calling me to do. I know He has my back and there is fruit to be had when I obey, so the emotions don't get to drive the bus, instead they get surrendered at the Lord's feet.

The most wonderful thing is the knowledge that there is so much freedom in my obedience. Even when people I considered friends keep falling away, even when there is pain or heartache, even when the enemy tries to keep me focused on my past or my feelings, God never leaves my side. Not only is He always with me, His ways are far superior to mine. This past year has taught me I have no desire to be a lukewarm Christian, I am seeking the same fire I had when He first found me, and I know it will look different because I have already grown and changed so much since first being saved, but I also know having Him in my life is worth so much more than this world could ever offer me.

Welcome to this new chapter and let's see what the Lord has in store because I'm just following the path He wants me to. I may stumble and trip along the way, but when I repent I am always forgiven. Here's to trust, faith and love.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this update. I hope you are having a blessed day.

With Love,

Melanie

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction Release Date: November 2025

This is one of the books in The Heart of the Amish series which is a multi authored series. This book is the only one in the series that I have read.

I was drawn to this book because it does center on the Amish and I always have found it interesting to learn about a different way of living. I find a lot of their ways so peaceful and fruitful. I think we can learn a lot from Amish ways. This story pulled me in and I did enjoy getting to know the characters.

Henrietta absolutely loves everything outdoors and animal related, the last place she wants to be is indoors cooking or cleaning. This of course does not necessarily sit well with her father who happens to be the bishop. When she is not able to to get the vet assistant job she wanted, she is not happy nor is she necessarily kind to Nicholas who does get the position. Nicholas took the job for his own reasons, and is not too fond of Henrietta at first either.

I enjoyed watching their friendship grow as a result of them growing and maturing. They are both struggling with different areas of their faith and contentment. I think as they come to realize that God has a plan for their lives, and it may not be how they imagined it, they are able to really see that God's path is always the better one. I do appreciate the amount of wrestling we get to see, and that the characters learn and grow from their mistakes. They also garner wisdom from those who are older. Overall it was written well and a good story.

One of the quotes which really stood out to me is the following:

"Start thinking about it from the perspective of what you can do, what is allowed, the blessing you can be to the people you love and who love you. Contentment is learned. It's not always easy, but it's always possible. Believe me. I know."

I think so many times we strive for things we think we want or even things of this world thinking they will bring us happiness. Yet often they just keep us in bondage. When we lean into God's path for us and realize how much freedom we have in Christ we can truly find joy. The boundaries He puts in place are meant to protect us, that change of mindset is truly the way God wants us to see things and to live.

I enjoy when books are deep enough that I get nuggets of wisdom which allow me to grow as well.

If you are interesting in learning morning about the book you can head here: A Daughter's Choice

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Here is some information about the author and all the places you can find her:

Kelly Irvin is an award winning author who has published more than 30 novels and a dozen novellas. She worked as a newspaper reporter before spending 22 years in public relations. She now writes fiction full time. She and her husband live in Texas. They are parents of two kids, four grandkids and an ornery senior cat.

You can find more information about her and her books in the following places:

Author's Website | Instagram | Facebook

One of the fun things Celebrate Lit Blog tours includes is some extra information from the author about the story. So here is what Kelly shared with us about A Daughter's Choice:

Each time I come up with a new story concept, I'm super excited about it. When a publisher lets me know the "pub" committee has approved a contract for the story, I get even more excited. Then I sit down at my computer, open a document, and zoom, my fingers take off on the keyboard . . . . nope. . . not exactly.
   What really happens is that I suddenly realize this fabulous story idea will require a ton of research. In the case of A Daughter's Choice, featuring goat lover Henrietta "Hen" Miller, I needed to be an "expert" on raising goats and tending to a horse with colic and making candy from goat's milk, and delivering a foal that isn't positioned correctly (and treating a crochety cat!). The story also required a deep dive into several other kinds of livestock, veterinarians' clinics and vet assistants, and facets of the Amish faith that I wanted to make sure I addressed properly.
   Much of this information is easily available on the Internet and in the many reference books about the Amish I've acquired over the years. But on-line research doesn't allow me to get up close and personal with key characters in my story - the animals. I especially wanted to hang out with some goats. To my surprise, I had trouble finding a place int he San Antonio area where I could interact with these frolicking creatures.
   Then my daughter-in-law came to the rescue. She found Cavalry Farm, a nonprofit organization that takes in and cares for all sort of livestock animals in little Adkins, Texas, just south of San Antonio. They have frequent open houses where - for a nominal fee - the public can visit, pet, feed, and yes, cuddle some of the animals. My response? ROAD TRIP!
   The farm is home to a small herd of pygmy goats as well as larger dairy goats. I have never been close to a goat, so I didn't know what to expect. They were as curious about me as I was about them. They crowded around me, climbed up my rollator, chewed on my purse strap, nibbled at the zipper on my shorts' pocket, and prodded my hands with their noses. I had a fabulous time!
   The volunteer who stayed with us in the goat pen shared all sorts of tidbits about the care of goats. My grandson, who's two and a half, chatted with them. I took lots of photos for marketing purposes. Most importantly, I gained an understanding of why Hen is so enamored of goats. They're lively, friendly, and determined to learn all about their visitors.
   Of course, Hen isn't simply a "goat whisperer." She also loves horses, which leads to her first encounter with vet assistant Nicholas Byler, a newcomer to Smicksburg, PA, and many other animals, including cats and dogs. At Cavalry Farm, I was also able to visit with horses, pigs, donkeys, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, and cows. I'm from Kansas so I've had my share of livestock sightings. However, I've never been offered an opportunity to snuggle a cow. Who knew that is a thing? My farmer family members will find it humorous, I'm sure.
   The cows lounge on the grass just waiting for a visitor to come along, sit beside them, and snuggle up. It's so stinking cute!
   No cow snuggling occurs in A Daughter's Choice. However, I can assure readers there is plenty of fun with a runaway puppy up for adoption, goats on the loose tearing through a wedding prep tent, and more. The story also moves beyond the humorous as Hen overcomes past losses and grief, allowing her to make important choices about her future. Nicholas too has to make hard choices about his occupation and his life as a faithful Amish believer. What they decide will determine if they find their happily-ever-after!

I loved getting that behind the scenes look at the book. It's so interesting to get a glimpse behind the curtain so to speak.

Two last things I want to share. First there is a giveaway for the book. In honor of the tour Kelly is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card as well as a print copy of the book!

Enter Giveaway Here You can earn extra entries by commenting on the blog stops.

Second I wanted to share the other blogs which are participating in this tour:

Texas Book-a-holic

Life on Chickadee Lane

Simple Harvest Reads

She Lives to Read

lakesidelivingsite

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy

Happily Managing a Household of Boys

Stories by Gina (Author Interview)

Nighttime Reading Center

For Him and My Family

Mary Hake

I hope you enjoyed blog hopping and seeing what other people thought of the book!

I want to thank the publishers for a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not required to provide a positive review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts, I hope you have a blessed day.

Melanie