“There’s no way to sugarcoat this, becoming a missionary involves great sacrifice.”

Nicholas A Higgins

WHO IS NICHOLAS A HIGGINS?

Nicholas A. Higgins is a musician, writer, and Catholic missionary. He is originally from Florida and currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he works as a Spanish & Theology teacher at an all-boys Catholic high school. Nicholas frequently visits Honduras to serve with his mission community, the Missioners of Christ. He has also produced several creative projects based on his time on mission in Honduras including his children’s book, “The Campesino’s Dream”, which is about a young man who grew up in a village in Honduras. He is also releasing his debut album “Fireheart” this March and will be going on tour this June, sharing his original Christian songs inspired by his time in Honduras. Contact Nicholas at nahiggins@gmail.com to have him share his original music at your church or lead a worship service in English or Spanish. His books or music can be purchased at www.nicholashiggins.com. If you are interested in a mission trip to Honduras, apply at www.missionersofchrist.org

Becoming a Missionary

In this episode, Pamela talks to Nicholas A. Higgins about Becoming a missionary. He explains:
-What does missionary work involve?
-How did you decide to do missionary work and how do people find a group that they can volunteer with?
-How can it enrich you spiritually?
-What are the challenges of being a missionary?
-What about financial provisions during the time you’re volunteering?

Do You Want to Become a missionary?

I reached out to Nicholas during December and he was kind enough to respond and record on the 1st of January. Surprisingly, I happened to stumble on his website while I was looking for someone else. It’s so amazing how God leads us.

I have been looking to talk about missionary work last year. Nicholas who has been doing this for 15 years breaks down the process, the financials and the way God has turned his life around. I like how in retrospect you can see how God has steered him down a path after he answered God’s call. Is God calling you to missionary work? Do you feel a tug on your heart to go to the poorest people to evangelize. Nicholas is quick to point out that it’s not easy and becoming a missionary is a lot of sacrifice. He lays out the challenges and the spiritual benefits.

Even if you are unable to go physcially, can you pray for the missionaries everywhere who are brave and open to God’s call. Can you support them financially? Think about it as you plan the new year and think about your own ministry.

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“We think hope is some nebulous feeling but it is a person. We are supposed to be people of hope.”

Amy Smith

WHO IS AMY SMITH?

Amy Smith is senior editor for features at the National Catholic Register. As a wordsmith, she enjoys helping writers craft compelling stories for online and print that will edify readers, while writing on topics ranging from Jane Austen and Mother Mary to saints. Her book, The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women (Emmaus Road Publishing), is based on her favorite Scripture, Jeremiah 29:11.

113 The Plans God has for your Life

In this episode, Pamela talks to Amy Smith about Jeremiah 29:11 and the plans God has for our life. She explains:
i.What are the plans God has for us?
ii. How do we know what these plans are?
iii. How do we get over the old and start anew trusting God despite the past failures?

What are God’s plan for my life?

I came across the book Amy wrote, THE PLANS GOD HAS FOR YOU. It’s based on the verse Jeremiah 29:11, “For surely 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.” With the new year looming, I wanted to focus on relying on God for the decisions we make. The big ones, the small ones.

The big areas that Amy talks about are

-Gratitude for what’s already happening in our life

-Journaling since we forget in the midst of our circumstances the good things

-Finding peace in the decisions we make

-Fully Trusting God when we make the decisions after discernment

I love how she breaks down with examples how she made her own decision and how God guided her to make hers. She says we need to be hopeful and trusting God with that hope. She also echoed what some other guests have talked about during the process of discernment and having peace while making decisions. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit inspires us with the similar message.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2025

It’s our last episode for the year. 113 episodes so far. I’m so happy. We have come for far. Our guests have been so kind and full of wisdom. I thank all of our listeners, subscribers and readers. It’s been so wonderful to hear from you. I hope you have a blessed Christmas season and a fabulous 2025! May God bless your decisions as you rely on Him for direction.

Feliz Natal!

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

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The Journey of Henderson County: From One Stormy Night to a Series Finale

After more than three years, the final installment of my novella-length series is finally out! This moment feels surreal, and I’m reminded of how it all began. Let me share the story one more time, for those who might not have heard it before.

The journey started with the first book, Starting Over, which I wrote for a fall romance competition. The competition had two key requirements:

1. The story had to be a fall romance under 20,000 words.
2. It had to feature one stormy night.

At the time, I was riding a wave of acceptance for several short stories, so my confidence was high. Everything was falling into place: editing was completed, and the launch date was set. But just weeks before release, the publisher announced they were closing their doors.

To their credit, they were incredibly gracious, returning our fully edited stories and wishing us well. While it was disappointing, I wasn’t ready to give up on Starting Over. I reached out to my cover designer and published the novella independently under the J&M umbrella.

The response was incredible, but there was one consistent piece of feedback: readers wanted more. The story had been tied up neatly for the main couple, but the short length left them eager to learn more about the world and its characters.

That feedback planted the seed for what eventually became the Henderson County series. Over the next few years, I expanded the story into four additional novellas. Together, they created a rich, interconnected world that centered on the charming Henderson County and its unforgettable characters.

With those prompts in mind, the story came to me effortlessly. I wrote the first draft in a week, fueled by inspiration and excitement. The cover was designed, and my manuscript was accepted alongside many other talented entries.

Questions and Feedback

One of the questions I’ve been asked repeatedly is: “Why are your characters white?” It’s a fair question. The honest answer is that when I started writing, I created characters I thought would be accepted more easily by publishers. It wasn’t a decision I put much thought into at the time—it felt like a pragmatic choice.

As the series progressed, however, I consciously introduced more diverse characters. Representation matters, and I wanted the evolving world of Henderson County to reflect that.

Would I change anything if I could go back? Honestly, no. These characters and their stories have resonated with readers in ways I could never have imagined, and I’m proud of what the series has become.

Looking back, the journey from Starting Over to the final book has been a labor of love—marked by unexpected twists, a lot of learning, and a community of readers who made it all worthwhile.

To everyone who has followed this journey, thank you. I hope you enjoy the final chapter as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing this world to life.

Get Your Copy of the Final Book in the Henderson County Series!

The journey through Henderson County comes to a heartfelt conclusion with the final installment of the series. Don’t miss this chance to revisit the charming town, reunite with beloved characters, and experience the satisfying end to a story that began on one stormy fall night. Whether you’ve been with the series from the start or are just discovering it now, this book is a perfect blend of romance, community, and second chances. Grab your copy today and immerse yourself in the world that readers have fallen in love with!

Celebrate the Series with a Special Giveaway!

As a thank-you to all my amazing readers, I’m hosting a special giveaway to celebrate the release of the final book in the Henderson County series. The giveaway includes a signed copy of the first book of my other series In Other Words, a paperback romance by another famous romance author, exclusive swag, and a Christmas chocolate. Don’t miss your chance to win and celebrate the series that started it all!

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“We all have imperfect families and to see the imperfect family of God and to realize this is my home, imperfections and all, these are my people is a great source of consolation for me.”

Scott G. Hefelfinger

Who is Scott G. Hefelfinger?

Dr. Scott Hefelfinger is a professor at the Augustine Institute and the Director of Content Development. He teaches in the areas of moral theology, marriage and family, and prayer. Based on his teaching and research, he helps to guide the development of the Institute’s multimedia content across various platforms, including Formed, the Amen app, podcasts, and more.

112 The Jesse Tree Tradition

In this episode, Pamela talks to Scott G. Hefelfinger about the Jesse Tree tradition. He explains:
i. What is the Jesse tree tradition involve?
ii. What does Jesus’s family teach us?
iii. How do we get over the differences in our own families at Christmas?
iv. What can we do at Christmas time to bridge and heal broken relationships?

The Jesse Tree Tradition

I came across the book Rooted talking about the Jesse Tree Tradition. It also came with a video series. I was curious because I’ve been looking at what I need to do for Advent. He explains what the Jesse tree tradition involves. I think it is a refreshing way of looking at the family of Jesus.

Scott shared something very profound. The genealogy of Jesus is essentially our genealogy since we are sons and daughters of God, we share the same ancestors. His family is our family. It struck me so deeply. I have never thought of it before. It made me see the family of Jesus through new eyes.

Scott also talks about gratitude and forgiveness and families. He points out that no family is perfect and so was the family of Jesus. Let’s make Advent a time to be grateful for our families even the ones that get on our last nerve and bring about patience in us.

This Advent how about you try doing the Jesse tree tradition.

Also check out this wonderful series on The Chosen!

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on Advent Preparation and Christmas. If you liked this podcast, like us, and leave a comment. Share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com. We’d love to hear from you. If you hear us on Itunes, please rate and review us.

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Starting Afresh

Yay! The last book in the Starting in Henderson County is here! Starting Afresh is the final book in the series. A series that I started in October 2020. Four years!

Blurb: After emerging from rehab, Sage is desperate to rebuild her life, but her past haunts her in unexpected ways. A chance encounter with Kenneth, a cafe owner and ex-military man, brings her a glimpse of hope. She lands a job assisting Kenneth’s ailing mother, but the shadow of her history complicates her new life in the tight-knit Henderson County.

As Sage navigates her role in Kenneth’s family, she must confront her own pain and doubts while balancing newfound relationships with both children and adults alike. Unbeknownst to Kenneth, Sage’s quiet resilience begins to pierce his walls, drawing them closer even as external forces and old secrets threaten her second chance. Can she truly escape her past, or will it ultimately define her future?

Book Series

The books that have come before have been published in audio and eformat! When I first released Starting Over, there were so many people who said the book was too short and they would like to read more about Henderson County. It took a lot of planning and thinking but I wrote a series of novellas focusing on the seasons of Henderson County. And it has worked. The entire series would be a long saga if read together.

Release Date

My release date is December 16th, 2024. I’m a little sad that this series has come to a close. I’m listening to Vaseegara as I format and finish the edits on this book which is also making me sad. The concept and the rain encapsulates the book but I have loved writing about this place and its people. I enjoyed writing about their joys and sorrows and their ups and downs. I’m choosing the song for the book trailer and I’ve been out of sorts that this is the end here! I’m planning to do a book bundle next year but Starting In Henderson County is done. It’s time to close the series and work on other projects that I put aside.

What’s Next?

Lots! Touchpoint Press is closing and so I’m going to get all my previous books back. There’s plenty to do. However, it’s a matter of choosing what can be done first and which book I’m most interested in doing. It also depends on my mood. What I’m feeling like influences what I write.

If you want to know what I’m writing and where I’m going next with my books then sign up to my newsletter! I share more pictures, news and giveaways there.

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