Lost and Found
Authors: Ginny L. Yttrup
A fascinating and helpful read about a woman caught in the web of another person's deceit, manipulation, crazy making, and abuse and how God gently opens her eyes and leads her step by step out of bondage and into freedom.
âLeslie Vernick, counselor, speaker, coach, and author of
The Emotionally Destructive Relationship
Like an executive chef in a five-star restaurant, Ginny Yttrup serves up an exquisite story, breathtakingly rich, with layers of flavor and the choicest of ingredients. Her characters are precisely and artistically carved and set atop a decadent bed of circumstances that tug at both heart and soul, with a grace to match each flaw. A story simultaneously rare and well done!
âCynthia Ruchti, author of the Carol nominated novel
They Almost Always Come Home
, and one of the authors of the devotional collection
His Grace is Sufficient . . . Decaf is Not
From Ginny's understanding about life's challenges but also an abiding life with God, she offers us the sort of heroine I love: a drifting woman whose growing trust in God gives her courage to reexamine her approach to life and make gutsy decisions.
âJan Johnson, author of
Enjoying the Presence of God
and editor of
Madame Guyon: An Autobiography
Ginny Yttrup writes with fire as she probes the depths of passionate faith and healing friendship. Like the vines in the Bouvier vineyards, this plot twists and turns and always surprises.
âPamela Binning Lott, author of
Dancing on Glass
Lost and Found
by Ginny Yttrup is an exquisitely written book, lyrical and poetic, charming in its presentation. More important, the message goes deep and takes the reader along on a pilgrimage toward the Father's heart, which is ultimately the purpose of every human being on the face of the earth. Thank you, Ginny, for reminding us of that simple fact in such a lovely and refreshing way.
âKathi Macias, speaker and author of more than thirty books, Golden Scrolls Novel of the Year Award, and Carol Award finalist
Copyright © 2012 by Ginny L. Yttrup
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
978-1-4336-7171-5
Published by B&H Publishing Group
Nashville, Tennessee
Dewey Decimal Classification: F
Subject Heading: FRIENDSHIPâFICTION \ FAITHâFICTION \ PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSEâFICTION
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
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To my soul friends . . .
Laurie BreiningâGod drew us together for His purpose. Daily, you reflect Him to meâHis mercy, His grace, and His unconditional love. I look forward to journeying together as He continues to reveal Himself and His purpose to each of us. You are a treasured gift.
James WarrickâLife Coach and Spiritual Director. You walked alongside me as I learned what it meant to lose my life for Christ's sake. You showed me Christlike love and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You live your life for Him and I'm honored to call you friend.
A NOVEL IS NEITHER
written nor published alone; instead, it takes a community of unselfish souls sharing their knowledge and gifts. During the writing of
Lost and Found
I was blessed with such a community.
Thank you to James Warrick, who quoted Madame Jean Guyon during one of our coaching conversations and set me on a road of discovery. Thank you, too, for your support as I learned what it meant to pick up my cross and follow Christ.
Leslie Vernick, your book,
The Emotionally Destructive Relationship,
offers hope and healing to many. It changed my life. Thank you for the many hours you graciously spent reading this manuscript and advising me on characters and plot. May those who recognize themselves in the pages of our books turn to God for healing and freedom.
Cretia Martinson, your training with the Meyers and Briggs' personality types and your willingness to share your knowledge with me as I created characters was both great fun and so helpful. Thank you.
Dr. Orville Easterly taught me the important principle that when we live to please others we will always fail and we will always lose ourselves. I used that principle to inform this story and also as a direct quote from one of the characters. Thank you, Dr. Easterly.
Thank you to Steve Burlingham, family law attorney, for your interest in my writing and your willingness to share your knowledge with me regarding family trusts. Your phone call with the exact answers I needed was invaluable. Your love for God is so evident and a gift to your clients.
Thank you to Dee Bright, Neil and Sharol Josephson, and Laurie Breining. You each provided a refuge and a home for me as I wrote. As I pressed toward the deadline, Laurie cooked, cleaned, and kept the dogs quiet (a major feat) so I could write.
Jan Johnson and Tricia Rhodes both shared their knowledge of Madame Guyon's life through their books and e-mails, answering my many questions and encouraging me. I am so grateful to both of you.
Glenna Salsbury, your teaching on Matthew 10:39 was invaluable, and your friendship is a blessing.
Thank you to Linda Sommerville for advising me on the scenes involving spiritual direction and for answering my many questions. I love calling you "friend."
I owe a debt of gratitude to Rick Acker, who helped me move forward with the story by brainstorming the business and financial fraud plot with me. I couldn't have done it without your expertise.
To my writers group and incredible friends who read early drafts of
Lost and Found
âyou advised me (over and over), prayed for me, and cheered me on. I love you all!
Karen Ball, editor and friendâI love working with you! Thank you for your wise insights and your willingness to let the story go where I wanted it to go. And thank you for talking me off the ledge a time or two when I was sure I wouldn't make my deadline.
Steve Laube, as always, I value your expertise and advice as my agent. I also highly value your patience with my unending stream of questions.
To my B&H Publishing familyâyou are a group of gifted souls who works hard each day for the glory of God. I am blessed by each of you.
And finally, to my sons, Justin and JaredâJustin, you advised me on cars and always willingly answered my e-mails or texts about what cars are cool. Thank you. Jared, thank you for listening to me over lunch one day and offering insight into the business plot I was struggling with. Thank you both for your interest and enthusiasm in what God is doing through my books. Thank you, too, for your understanding when I had to say no to lunch or dinner dates because I was working. More than anything in the world, I LOVE being your mom!
What's lost is nothing to what's found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup.
FREDERICK BUECHNER FROM
GODRIC
I am lost and hope never to find myself. God is.
JEANNE GUYON
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
MATTHEW 10:39
Lose yourself and you will find yourself again. In doing this you will begin to experience the new life.
JEANNE GUYON
Jenna
I LOSE THINGS.
Oh, I don't mean to, despite Brigitte's accusations.
The latest items I've lost include a watch. Platinum. Diamond bezel. The one Brigitte loaned me until my own watch was repaired. I told her I'd keep it in the safe in our cedar-lined master closet. But . . .
I noticed the watch missing the same evening I went to the safe to remove my wedding ring to wear to dinner. The ring was a family heirloom passed from Brigitte to the only Bouvier heir, Brigitte's son, Gerard. I pulled the ring from its black velvet box and slipped it onto my finger over the platinum band I wear every day. I looked down at it, and tiny, empty prongs mocked me.
The four-karat, marquise-cut diamond was missing.
I open the safe for what must be the hundredth time since last week and look again for the watch. I run my fingers over the shelves feeling for the loose diamond. But neither is there. I close the safe and sigh. The missing jewelry, I sense, is an outward manifestation of something inward.