Just Enough Light to Follow

By Laurie Johnson-Krueger

God wants us to hold His hand and stay on His path; the path that leads us to our destiny. God will reveal Himself and His directions to His children, but we must quiet our minds. He may use scriptures, books, things of nature, insight from friends, etc. He will reveal Himself in a very personal way with each of us. We need to pay attention and trust in Him above all things.

He truly loves each one of us and wants us to live a blessed life. He wants us also to bless others with our lives. That is why I am sharing these poems and messages with you. I am an ordinary person with faults and challenges in my life. However, I have always desired to feel Gods presence and live my life according to His will. He reveals Himself to me often, not because Im special, but because I value the relationship with Him more than anything or anyone.

Please open your heart to God also, live your life to its fullest with Him as your Father and guide. He will provide, Just Enough Light to Follow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512791419

Laurie Johnson-Krueger

Laurie Johnson-Krueger is a professional figure skater and figure skating coach. Some of her accomplishments are: 1983 U.S. Open Professional National Pairs Champion, and three-time U.S. Adult National Masters Pairs Champion, 2000-2002. She and her husband now live in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Lewis C. Johnson, the author’s dad, did the portrait of Laurie Johnson-Krueger for the front cover of this book. He and her mom, Lois, live in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Johnson-Krueger’s dad’s unwavering devotion to their family and his art career are truly inspiring!

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Copyright © 2017 Laurie Johnson-Krueger.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9142-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9143-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9141-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017909033

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/20/2017

I would like to dedicate this book to my many students and friends who have inspired me, prayed for me, and encouraged me along the way; to my loving husband, Dan, and my wonderful family; and to God, who daily guides my life and has spoken to my heart to give me the words for the poems and messages in this book.

I’ve learned so much from all of you about life, love, and what matters most. Thank you for all your love and support on my life’s journey so far. I love you all dearly!

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER 1     My Early Skating Years

CHAPTER 2     Marriage and Adult Nationals

CHAPTER 3     Relocating (Following God’s Plan)

CHAPTER 4     My 2013 Cities Trips

CHAPTER 5     Blessed with the Gift of Poems

CHAPTER 6     God’s New Level

CHAPTER 7     God Shines on North Dakota

CHAPTER 8     The Great Adventure

CHAPTER 9     Maturing in Christ

CHAPTER 10   God’s Answered Promise

God’s Little Nuggets

Conclusion

Your Thoughts

FOREWORD

I have known Laurie since I was fifteen years old, when she came to coach at our two-week summer camp. I still remember my first impression of her when I met her: energetic and enthusiastic, a hard worker, and an amazing skater and coach. She would get up every morning at 4:00 a.m., exercise for a few hours, and then get to the rink bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to give her all to the skaters she coached.

I was immediately impressed with Laurie’s coaching style. Though never having taken a physics class, she had an innate understanding of the way physics works hand in hand with figure skating, and she was able to get results quickly from her skaters. It was amazing to see how simple techniques she taught me not only made my own skating better but also allowed me to help the younger kids I later coached. In my opinion, though, it is not technique that most separates Laurie from other coaches I’ve known; it is her attitude.

Laurie is one of the most optimistic people I have ever known. She has been through many difficult situations in her life, but never once has she lost her faith. One day when I was younger, I asked her, How is it that each and every day, you can show up and be cheerful and give 100 percent, even at 5:00 a.m. after a long week? She responded, I make a choice. It’s not that I don’t have difficult times; I have those just like anyone. But I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a ‘bad day.’ When something goes wrong, you have a choice. You can give in and let it wreck everything else, or you can make a decision that ‘I’m going to have a good attitude’ and give 100 percent. I have always remembered that conversation. Knowing her even better now than I did then, and knowing all the challenges she’s overcome in life, I find her attitude just that much more remarkable. But you know what? She’s right. Attitude is a choice, and it really makes all the difference in the world. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model.

Laurie has a way of drawing people to her. Perhaps it is her enthusiasm, perhaps it is her optimism, perhaps it is her faith in life, God, and the world around her; perhaps it is some combination of all these things. These things are contagious. She inspires others. It is my hope that her story will inspire you as well. It will mean something different to each of you, depending on where you are in your life and what you are looking for, but for all of you, the underlying message is the same: Do not give up; do not lose faith. God will always be there for us, but it is our job to make the most of what he has given us. Always try your hardest, live your life to the fullest, and share your talents with the world around you. Inspire. If you have a dream, go for it! Your ending point may not be what you expected when you started out on the journey, but often it is so much more. Our lives are not judged simply by what we accomplish; our lives are judged by the way we touch others. Find your own light, and become a beacon. Help others find the best within themselves. Go forth and shine for all the world to see. Inspire.

Jennifer Harms

February 24, 2012

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With special thanks to:

My friend Susan Estenson, for typing my whole manuscript and submitting it for me. You are such a blessing to me.

My dad, Lewis C. Johnson, for painting my portrait for the front cover of my book. Sharing this with you is so special to me.

My friend Donna Vorpagel-Gunther, for your constant love and prayers. Also, thank you for sharing your Great Adventure story with us.

My friend Jennifer Harms, for writing the foreword to my book. You are a beautiful writer and person.

My friend Carly Jean Boe, for putting my draft and final draft manuscript copies through. So blessed by you.

My husband, Dan Krueger, for always believing in me and what God is doing in my life. Your love and support are priceless.

INTRODUCTION

We all have a story to tell through our life, one that will help bless others. My story is about how God used the sport of figure skating to place, and keep, me on His glorious path.

He has guided my life with what at times may have seemed like a dim light, while other times, His light shined so brightly the path was exceptionally clear. God loves each one of us and wants to guide us along our way to fulfill His dreams and goals for our lives. He has designed each one of us for a special purpose that only we can accomplish with His help.

This book recounts my personal life experience of God giving me Just Enough Light to Follow.

CHAPTER 1

My Early Skating Years

The Lord spoke to my heart as a little girl when I was sitting in my second-grade classroom, in 1966. He shared with me that He wanted to use me later in life in a sport. Thus began my life’s journey following