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May 9
Author's Poetic Passion Unlocks Trove of Life's True Treasures
Verses decipher "meaning of life" through years of introspection

LONGWOOD, FL-Over a span of 25 years, Lee Ann Mardel had her share of blessings and hardships. Marriage, motherhood, divorce, the deaths of loved ones, and the ultimate search for fulfillment are just some of the things that consumed her life. Now, in her poetic compilation Songs of the Spirit (paperback, 978-1-60266-047-2), Mardel shares her reflections on GodŐs love, beauty, strength, and faithfulness, which she says can be found in life's everyday moments and in monumental events-if you seek Him. Originally intended as a private journal, her writings have evolved into a book that encompasses thoughts on family to musings about her relationship with God. The reader will find each piece steeped in passion and meaning.

"I offer my book as an example of what God will do in an ordinary life when you yearn to see His face in the world around you," says Mardel, who uses a straightforward writing approach to tell her journey of spiritual introspection. In the end, the poems remind us that good can be found even in the worst situations if you look for it. Mardel believes God is working to have a personal relationship with each of us, even when we aren't.

The author spent countless hours seeking to fill the void in her life and struggling to find greater meaning and purpose. Without realizing the direction God was moving her, she discovered that the sum total of her life provided insight into what she calls her "missing piece"-an understanding of the meaning of life. She found it through the development of her personal relationship with God, and she hopes readers will take a page from her book on how to cultivate just such a relationship.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,900 titles published to date. Retailers may order Songs of the Spirit through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.