Finding the Faith to Move Forward
In 2022, after ten years on the mission field, Veronica found herself in a difficult situation. How was she supposed to trust God through a trial this big? She felt uncertain and frankly, afraid. A wise friend advised her to reflect on what God had brought her through so far. So, Veronica began to look back and write—not only to find the faith she needed to move forward, but also to preserve stories from life overseas for her children.
A theme emerged: how to stay and not flee. As Veronica recalled memories, Jesus took her hand and walked her through times when she’d failed to trust him fully.
“He reminded me of His faithfulness again and again as I typed each story, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying—reminding me of the joy found in Him when we hold fast.”
A book was born. Veronica decided to compile her stories, contract an editor, and publish her book before their next furlough. Working on the project gave her the faith to move forward.
Editing
That year, a mutual friend referred Veronica to me for editing. Veronica had recently been hospitalized for an allergic reaction while her husband simultaneously dealt with a cobra snake situation at their house. Veronica shared about the experience on Facebook, teasing that she could write a book. The response she received was overwhelming. Her friends agreed that she should definitely write a book! So she decided it was time.
Veronica sent me an outline for her book and a writing sample—the hospital/snake story. It was funny and wild. The chapter titles on the outline were interesting, too. For example, “Hard Goodbyes” and “Stolen Beef Jerky.” I wondered if those stories were equally interesting. (They were!) I encouraged her to write the book she had outlined. We began to collaborate over email, text, and Zoom, using ClickUp for project management and Microsoft Word for editing and tracking changes.
Over the course of the next eight months, Veronica wrote the book and I provided feedback in the form of developental editing, copyediting, and line editing. Veronica wrote over 43,000 words. After editing, the final word count was a little over 41,000, including the copyright page, dedication, forward, table of contents, eleven chapters, and a paragraph about the author.
Veronica found a template to use for formatting, and once that was complete, we worked with a proofreader to ensure the PDF was ready for print. She designed a cover and I wrote the blurb.
Publishing
Veronica briefly self-published her book through KDP/Amazon in 2023 before Woman’s Missionary Union picked it up and republished the book in 2024. She had been communicating with a company connection about potentially publishing through one of their imprints because she wouldn’t have time to market the book herself. It took some time, but God provided!
For over 136 years, Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) has helped Southern Baptists fulfill the Great Commission. Veronica’s book was selected to be part of their 2024-26 What Joy! emphasis. Her funny stories about living abroad are a great fit. WMU’s aim right now is to “focus on the assurance of our God-given joy in Christ and how we can share our joy with others by serving them in His name.”
WMU redesigned the cover and inside to correlate with their joy emphasis but made minimal changes to the original text and blurb. That made me feel good as an editor and blurb writer. The new cover is very pretty. I love the yellow and blue colors. It looks great on my bookshelf!
Blurb
How do missionaries and believers resolve to stay where the Lord has led them? How does one remain steadfast in the face of a language barrier, cultural differences, medical emergencies, a global pandemic, and spiritual warfare? What are practical ways to stay in God’s will and not flee?
Finding joy in the Lord is something Veronica Stone and her husband have learned over time and through fire. In What Joy! How to Stay and Not Flee, Veronica shares fascinating stories and lessons learned from their first ten years on the international missions field.
Step into a missionary’s shoes as she goes abroad for the first time, is called to ministry overseas, and clumsily adapts to a different culture. You’ll laugh out loud at her most embarrassing moments, learn how she’s weathered storms, and walk with her into new seasons of life. After reading What Joy!, you’ll know how to encourage missionaries, gain a battle plan for joyful living, and maybe even receive a calling of your own.
About the Author
Missionary Veronica Stone has served in three countries over the last ten years. During her time overseas, she has led volunteer groups from the United States, mentored new missionaries, and started a successful platform business that allowed local missionaries to be sent out. Formally educated as a teacher, she passionately invests in those around her. To the staff at her platform business, she was the relentless trailblazer who insisted there was always a way! To her children, she’s a quirky homeschool mom who mixes movement into learning time. And to the local partners she mentors, she is a listening ear ready to encourage.
I caught up with Veronica recently. She gave me some good tips about traveling with kids (comment below if you’re interested). She’s presently on the field and still navigating change, but trusting God through it.
I was curious about her traditional publishing experience.
“Because I worked with you, there wasn’t a lot to do—just a few sensitivity edits. It was a smooth process. I felt like you understood my voice, my perspective, and who I am as a person. I was very thankful I went through the editing process with you before working with the publisher.”
Thank you, Veronica. And congratulations on your book deal!
“What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good. I can find joy in this truth.”
Retail
What Joy! How to Stay and Not Flee can be purchased on wmu.com. Please pray for Veronica and her family as they continue to minister on the missions field.
