Monday, August 3, 2015

Life Isn't Always How We Planned It - Teera: A Life of Hope and Fulfillment - Book Excerpt



About Teera: A Life of Hope and Fulfillment

Teera’s life was beautiful. Having grown up in the splendor of a beachside paradise, Teera settled down in a good home with the love of her life and their two gorgeous children. Filled with love, joy, and a promising future, Teera’s world was nearly perfect, until the night her husband was violently murdered while the two of them lay in bed sleeping. The assailant intended to kill her too, but Teera survived. Devastated by loss and disfigured from a gruesome facial wound, her infants still to care for, Teera learned to endure and to carry on. Yet the murder was only the beginning. It would be years before Teera escaped the turmoil she faced in Sri Lanka, finding refuge for her family in a far away land. This is Teera’s life of hope and fulfillment, a declaration of faith and of love. Honest, inspiring and heart-rending, Teera’s is an incredible saga set against an enchanting tropical landscape tainted by bloodshed and betrayal.


Book Information

Paperback: 234 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 22, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1502309599
ISBN-13: 978-1502309594
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

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About Teera de Fonseka
Teera de Fonseka is a mother, a grandmother, and a writer living in Los Angeles, California. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing and walking her dog, Tigger. Writing especially has become a hobby for Teera in recent years, as she has worked to publish her memoirs. She loves to spend her days, as she puts it, “writing her heart out.”

Writing has brought Teera a great deal of peace and she wants to encourage others to write their hearts out too. She hopes that her story can touch and inspire others. After having had a chance to tell her tale, Teera wants to keep helping people. She finds inspiration in the talent that she sees in the people around her. She wants to encourage these people to do everything that they can with these talents, and to live up to their potential; to trust in God’s plan for them.



Book Excerpt
Sri Lanka was not always a place to escape from. In many ways, I wish I never had to leave. But I did, and that’s another story that I’m only beginning to address. When I was growing up, Sri Lanka was paradise. It was home, and I didn’t know anything outside of the little teardrop shaped island off the coast of India that we called Ceylon. 

It is customary where I come from to name the home that your family resides in. A lot of families would proudly display the name of their first-born son somewhere near the door. Others would display religious tributes or anything else that might be relevant to their household. My family’s home has a wooden sign with the name “Sea Breeze” carved into it, a tribute to both the ocean we lived on, and the safe serenity that home granted our family.


  

See What Reviewers Have to Say
  
The story was amazing and the writer did an excellent job by practically painting pictures with words. The book was interesting to read, there was not a dull moment. Even though many of the events in the book were horrific, the writer kept the tone hopeful.I love that the end of the book speaks of forgiving people who cause you pain but, also not giving up on life and trusting that God is able to restore whatever you lose. I gave you a 5 star rating because it was truly well deserved. --Aisha

Scriptures make it clear that life is a journey but for us it isn’t a journey in the secular sense. Our journey is not competitive – on this journey we endeavour to trace the footsteps of Jesus, who is the WAY  “I am the way, the truth & the life” John 14:6; The goal is what Jesus promised us – “I go to prepare a place for you...” John 14:3;  The journey is one of love, it is a supportive journey. We encourage each other on the way, we help those who have fallen, we enrich them spiritually through God’s Word and uphold them physically as Jesus taught through the parable of “The Good Samaritan” who at great risk for himself, came to the aid of the man who was attacked by robbers... Luke 10:25-37
The greatest assurance we all have is the promise of Jesus...“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 ..Unlike the ways of the world where revenge is the answer to wrongdoing, our loving God forgives & does not wait for us to come to Him when we realize our wrongs, repent & turn to Him. Jesus taught us that God will come with open arms to meet us on our way back.. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” Luke 15:11-32.  (As Jesus clarified in the parable of the “Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
God has a plan for our journey & when we are in tune with Him, we will stay on track, fulfil our calling & reach the goal he has set for us...“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
Arthur Jayasundera


Sadly, the thinking in the world today is based mostly on selfishness & self-gain. The motivation of many appears to be - “What’s in it for me?” or “How can I push forward to the top?” if we are always self-focused wondering how we can benefit & grab the best of everything, our thoughts will be shallow & indifferent to the needs & sufferings of others. The Bible teaches us the opposite, God’s Word makes it abundantly clear that instead of looking out only for our good, we should be looking out for ways to be a blessing to others. It’s amazing how a word of encouragement or a thoughtful deed can change the direction in people’s lives & lift their spirits. When we reach out in faith to share someone’s burden, we not only give them hope but we witness to the love of God and it brings a special joy to our loves as well... “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

 God has blessed each of us with gifts, these gifts are not to be used selfishly neither are they given to remain wrapped up for later. God has called us to live in a way which will bring glory to His name... “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-16

 Wouldn’t it be great if we all started the day with the thought.. “What can I do to make a difference for good in the life of someone today”... “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10
“Put a little love in your heart....And the world will be a better place”
Love & Blessings
A J


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