Greetings from Sarah Sundin in rainy California! Today I have the joy of interviewing one of our newest CAN members, Cheryl Schuermann, who’s written memoir, children’s books, and her latest release, a parenting book.

Welcome, Cheryl! Please tell us about your book Raising Kids for Tomorrow’s World: 12 Keys to Preserving the Faith.

Inspired by I Thessalonians 2:1-14, Raising Kids for Tomorrow’s World explores the essentials for building a culture of biblical faith in the home. Parents, grandparents, and mentors will be encouraged to embrace their parenting role with confidence, wisdom, and courage as they raise their children to follow Christ.

Sounds fantastic! What inspired you to write this book?

Since 1999, my husband Stan and I have taught and led a remarkable group of parents at our local church. The parents are always eager to learn more about God’s plan for their families and how they can prepare their children to walk with Christ. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians gave us the inspiration and biblical truth we needed to write Raising Kids for Tomorrow’s World. And the months at home during the recent pandemic gave us the time!

Sounds like the material has been well tested! What is the primary focus of your book?

Within his tender words in I Thessalonians 2:1-14, Paul answers the question we might be tempted to ask: “Paul, what did you do so your efforts in parenting this church would not be in vain?” From the beginning to the end of this section, Paul lays out exactly what he did to pastor and parent his flock. He ends with the glorious result in verses 13 and 14, declaring his thankfulness for his children’s acceptance of the Gospel and the work of God in their lives. 

Speaking of God working in lives, when did you first recognize the Lord’s call to write for Him?

From the time I was a young teen, I wanted to be a writer and hoped my first book would be about my mother’s childhood in northern Alaska. A work of creative nonfiction, When the Water Runs: Growing Up with Alaska was first published in 2008. It tells the story of her remarkable missionary family as well as preserves family history for my children and grandchildren. Since then, God has put so many writing projects on my heart, I will have to live to be 140 years old to get them all written.  

Why do you write Christian Living books?

Though I love to write fiction for children and have several books in progress, most of my time is spent working on nonfiction projects. The need for daily spiritual encouragement is great, so devotionals and Christian Living genres energize me to continue developing as a writer.

What is one thing about writing that you wish non-writers knew?

Everyone has a story they would like to tell. But they may not know writing is hard and requires dedication to studying the craft. Even though we have all seen the movies where someone sits at a typewriter with loud clickety-clacks, and they have a novel at the end of the day, the real world of writing is labor and learning.

No kidding! Do you have a “day job” or a previous career? Does it influence what or how you write?

My career as a Reading Specialist and Literacy Consultant influences how I approach the printed word, both reading and writing. Good writing should inspire, encourage, and produce change in us as we read.

What are your hobbies or activities or passions outside of writing?

My passions involve anything with our family, including our thirteen grandchildren! In 2016, we built a large farmhouse retreat on family land, and it quickly became our favorite place to be together. Fishing, hiking, sitting by the campfire—we love everything about The Farm. It is also my favorite place to write!

Sounds idyllic! So what are you working on now? Tell us about your next project.

My work in progress, Farmhouse Devotions: Enjoying God’s Truth in Ordinary Things, invites readers on a journey from picture rails and antique church doors to prairie flowers and sticktights. Combining sound biblical truth with the timeless appeal of anything farmhouse, this devotionalwill encourage and inspire those seeking a satisfying dose of both. Additional sweet treats include family-friendly recipes and original pen and ink artwork.

Your readers are going to love that! Thank you for sharing with us today, Cheryl!

To learn more about Cheryl and her books, please visit Cheryl’s website at https://cherylschuermann.com/ and Cheryl’s blog at https://preservingthefamily.com/ ,

Writing for Him,

Sarah Sundin Sarah’s website: http://www.sarahsundin.com/