Marette Jorgenson has just released a 366 day devotional book in time for the coming year. Marette has been performing musically since she can remember. She has an undergrad in performing and composing. She started teaching music at Zwemke’s Music in Kasson and later at Schaeffer Academy in Rochester. A dozen years ago she helped to start the Dodge County Cowboy Church. It began with the efforts of Pastor Charles Schaal in the Congregational Church in Dodge Center, later moving to the old Dodge Center Elementary Building and then to the larger current location in Kasson. The Cowboy Church takes place the second Sunday evening each month and is mostly music performed by musicians and singers from the local area.
Marette has been writing stories and sharing devotional thoughts for many years. It began when the internet became a way of communicating, and she sent out emails with the stories. A friend of hers told her he copied them and put them in a binder, his own book of her stories. That gave her an idea. The first book was printed in 2000. Its title, and all the titles of Marette’s books, catch one’s attention. A friend, when told what she was going to title her first book, told her, “I love you, and I wouldn’t pick up the book. Find the craziest story in the book to be your title.” Thus, Cold Pop, Frozen Rolls and Honey, was the title. 13 books later, Marette has followed suit with titles such as There’s a grasshopper in my shoe, Dancing with the Washing Machine, How could I say no to a duck, Bumps on a pickle, and Pry my hands off the Chocolate Lord, to name a few.
This yearly devotion book came about after a friend challenged Marette to write a devotion for each day of the year. Anticipating surgery in the latter part of the year, Marette spent the first six months writing the devotions. In July, she then sent off a month to 12 friends, to read through and give her feedback. By September, the months’ devotions came trickling back. After shoulder replacement surgery, with lots of time on her hands to sit and recover, Marette went through each month, giving heed to the friend’s suggestions and putting the book together as a whole. A bit puzzled over what to name the book, her daughter-in-law, Bri, a graphic designer who would create the cover design, suggested “Every Day is a Story.”
Every day has stories in our lives if we slow down enough to let them settle in our hearts. This yearly devotion walks through life, exploring the fun, friends, fears, and faith we experience. There is Scripture on some of the days, other days are humorous stories, but all are observations that are often passed by. Everything that happens has a story waiting to be told. You will find yourself in the moments captured on 365 days, 366, including February 29 for leap years.
Is it her best book, one might ask Marette? It has been the book that has taken the longest and had the most challenges. This book is larger than anything she has attempted, and she will be the first to tell you she didn’t realize how long a year was until she began writing something for each day. There is a challenge in keeping the writing concise, minimizing rambling, and getting to the point quickly, yet maintaining the reader’s attention.
Marette has always used independent publishers, and with Kindle Print on Demand, being an author has never been easier. She also uses Ingram Sparks as a publishing company, but the convenience of having the books on Amazon eliminates the middleman and the shipping costs. Yearly devotions are great ways to start the day with a focused thought. Marette has also written books for others. Her first book was about a friend’s life struggle with a stroke when he was 24. Lately, she has done many books for others, helping them tell their stories and share them with others. “When one understands how to format and get a book published, why not help others find the joy in telling their stories?” Jorgenson said. “It’s really a great feeling when they hold their book in their hand.”
Search for the book on Amazon by title and author, or click on the link below.
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Jorgenson-Marette/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJorgenson%2BMarette
www.specialtouchministry.blog
Special Touch Ministry 
Looking forward to starting it
LikeLike