Beverly Lipford Carroll

I am not who I planned to be. I wanted to go to college in Virginia – I went to Baylor University in Texas…twice. I wanted to be tall and thin – missed that one on both counts.

I wanted to marry a preacher – I have been married to a Real Estate Appraiser for 32 years. I wanted at least six kids, most of whom would be girls who would let me dress them cute and play with their hair – I have two boys who do not share my sense of style. I wanted an English sheep dog – I have the cutest, smartest Bichon in the world.

I wanted to teach high school English in the same school for 40 years before I retired – I left high school after 8 years and taught writing in a women’s prison and Humanities in a business college…in addition to a host of other odd jobs that needed doing at the time!

I NEVER wanted to write a book – In 2004 my pastor asked me to teach a Sunday School class for people on our church roll that were not attached to any Bible study group. I began writing curriculum for them…that eventually became a book…and then another book, and now a third. I began that class believing that my service to that class would be my gift to God; I have come to see that it has been one of His great gifts to me.

How very grateful I am that God did not let me settle for the little dreams I dreamed. I fell in love with Texas and still have precious friends there. My appraiser and I have built a history and a home that is full and comfortable and happy. I adore my sons who have brought me great joy and laughter, even though their teenage years significantly improved my prayer life. My education taught me to love learning, and my experience teaching literature and writing and history taught me how to research and write and teach. Those books I never intended to write brought me into the presence of God where I learned from the Master Teacher…and He trusted me to share what I learned with you.

I am an ordinary woman with deep flaws and assorted weaknesses who worships an extraordinary God who has all power and has promised to redeem me. I am a work in progress, even when that progress is slow. I want my life to reflect his love and share his truth with those he places on my path. I want the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to bring God joy.

Things that bring me joy: music, sunsets, the laughter of a child, giggling with friends, moments when God lifts his word off the pages of my Bible and etches it onto my heart, going places I’ve never been, watching someone learn something new, good food (this one should probably have been listed first!!), the sound of crickets and frogs on a summer night, a sky full of stars, the silence of falling snow, morning coffee, nearly anything chocolate. Beets, humidity, unnecessary red tape, stupid rules, mosquitos, snakes, spiders, and rude drivers – not so much.