MSI Press Blog

  Marti Wells-Smith is a Christian, wife, friend, and grieving mother, who finds great hope in continuing her life journey amid unexpected joy and sadness. She shares her deepest thoughts and experiences through free verse poetry and non-fictional prose to comfort others who struggle with the loss of a child or loved one, or with life itself. She’s a native Kansan who advocates for people in need as well as animals, large and small. Her background includes being a past board member for a local mother to mother ministry, safehouse and no kill animal shelter, as she continues to raise funds for the shelter at a local antique/thrift store. Her daily routine includes caring for her adopted lab mix and three devoted cats. Marti was involved in all fine arts that were offered during her school years and participated in local and regional theater productions well into her adulthood. She received a BA in English and Sociology from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and began her ca

  Excerpt from Lamentations of the Heart (Marti Wells-Smith) -  SPARROWS   House sparrows swoop and hide in the old holly bush to the side of my porch; clustered with berries and sharp-edged leaves that never turn dull or lifelessly fall.                                                               A place for small flocks to tuck in their wings when rain pours upon them or snow settles in. These sparrows that scatter and fearfully fly from the young, rumpled boys who often pass by and the chattering girls who follow behind, never, not once, see the woman inside. I perch in the background, hidden away with a lap of white paper and rambling thoughts— of what is, and could be but simply is not… And the sparrows, they console me, as I sit, watching God move upon their lives— providing every need.   Matthew 10:31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.   For more posts about Marti and her book, including more exce

From the blog of Marti Wells-Smithm author of Lamentations of the Heart : As I believe it is for most of us, I have moments where I question myself - what I've managed to accomplish in life, and where it all stands in this particular time and place. Do I do enough for God's Kingdom? Do I have a positive impact on those who move within my circle, or at least within my reach? Sometimes I think so. But not always. It is written in John 4:44 that not even Jesus Christ Himself had honor in His own country. One explanation offered is the factor of familiarity. Read the rest of the post on Marti's blog HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, click HERE Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthco

  Just released: Hard cover edition of Lamentations of the Heart (Wells-Smith) Great book - all reviews have been 5 stars! For more posts on this book and its author, click HERE .                                  Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  In honor of International Women's Day, let us introduce you to some of MSI Press authors who are women bloggers. Take a look at their blogs; you may find some inspiring, information, or just plain fun. Julia Aziz, a counselor, writes a women's empowerment blog . Franki Bagdade , a teacher, writes a blog on parenting. Julie Gentile , a yoga instructor, writes a blog on mindfulness and self-care. Nanette Hucknall , a psychologist, writes a blog about relationships, higher order spirituality, and more. Dr. Susan Lewis , a lawyer and psychiatrist, writes a column for Psychology Today , "Law and Disorder." Marti Wells-Smith , a bereaved mother, writes a blog about matters of the heart and Christianity. Dr. Kristin Wilcox , a pharmacologist and psychologist, writes a column for Medium . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter  here  or on our  home page . Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check ou

  Angels All Around Us Dear Kindred Spirits in Christ, I've been thinking about the unseen heavenly realm this holiday season, and how real it is. Twice in my life, I've felt the presence of angels - and they were profound, supernatural experiences that I'll never forget. My first encounter was when I was traveling on a four lane highway at dusk. I saw a car cross the median and come barreling toward me, and only had seconds to respond. I felt invisible hands touch mine and guide me safely to the side of the road. I pondered the event heavily, and could only surmise that it wasn't my time yet. The second event was when I was with my extended family at a regional hospital. We had gathered to be with my mother, who was not going to survive emergency surgery. In the wee hours, right before her passing, I was resting, half asleep, when I felt an invisible presence swoosh over me, moving toward her direction. It was a peaceful encounter, and I knew without doubt th

image from DML Editing & Writing check out their latest post on " How to Write Good Poetry " In observance of poetry month, MSI Press would like to share with its readers and fans two books worth reading: One will bring a comforting smile to an unbidden tear. The other will bring an outright laugh page after page. Time spent with comforting and/or happy thoughts is time well spent indeed. Marti Wells-Smith's Lamentations of the Heart Mingled with Peace and Joy combines prose and poetry in a comforting missive for bereaved parents. Through its pages, one finds not only the resilience of the author but sources for anyone to develop needed resilience in the face of devastating life circumstances. When it came out, it quickly became one of Amazon's "hot, new releases." Lamentations of the Heart soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother's grief following the death of her only child. The autho

(graphic from posts of Julia Aziz )   Today, as I watch the remaining leaves swirl down from our maple trees and scatter at the slightest touch of wind, I feel a sense of letting go within myself. It speaks to my heart of change and movement, in each of our lives, at the appointed times of God. I know that change is inevitable, yet it stirs something wistful within me, something that makes me yearn to hold on. But I can't. Read the rest of the post HERE . Read posts about Marti and her book HERE . Read more posts about letting go HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount

  Lamentations of the Heart is a memoir about the death of the author's son. THE LOVELY THINGS          Today, I look fondly upon this place, this life of mine, in a softer way, from a different view. Choosing to see something new, even in its long-lived state. To peer upon my world and see the faintest lovely things grow large, as the smallest acts of kindness show their power.       Weary of grief, this choice was made. A call for beauty among ashes, overlooked before, pulled from a time that cannot return, from thoughts that churned in an aching stream. Those were the days when I dwelled on my loss—when it seemed there was nothing more.          But there is always more. “God, help me,” I said, “to seek them out, the parts that will cover the rest of my life.” Shaping the corners where you once stood, connecting the spaces that you once filled, I asked for something to move me when I stand too still. And faith came upon me. It carried me along, and I went with it, willingl

  In her blog post this week, Marti writes: I know that some are afraid to die while others are excited at the very thought of leaving this troubled flesh life and arriving in Paradise. Personally, I want to know that I've completed my mission in this life first, and then I can return to my heavenly home with open arms. Read the rest of the post HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, Lamentations of the Heart , click HERE . For posts about death and dying, click HERE .

  As I believe it is for most of us, I have moments where I question myself - what I've managed to accomplish in life, and where it all stands in this particular time and place. Do I do enough for God's Kingdom? Do I have a positive impact on those who move within my circle, or at least within my reach? Sometimes I think so. But not always. It is written in John 4:44 that not even Jesus Christ Himself had honor in His own country. One explanation offered is the factor of familiarity. Those who watched me grow up, with all the pitfalls and mistakes of youth, already have a preconceived notion of who I am. Those who are aware of my adult downfalls probably view me from a tarnished perspective. Do you feel this way, at least sometimes? Read the rest of the post HERE . Read posts about Marti and her book HERE . Read more posts about letting go HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publi