Karen Geisler had concerns about the Old Testament and today's generations. Her concern was so great she wrote a book. Karen says the Old Testament is a "hard read" and so most people do not bother reading it - and some think it does not apply to today's world.

She felt it was a story that people were forgetting. Her goal was to tell the ancient account in storybook form. To prepare herself for her passion, Karen enrolled in a Bible study program that allowed her to complete lessons while continuing her telecommunications career, which involved extensive travel. She laughed when she said she actually earned her degree in airports, on airplanes and at hotels.
While on a cross-country flight, she was seated between two gentlemen who observed her doing her studies.

"After two hours into the flight, they were curious as to what I was doing," she said. "I told them I had this passion of wanting to write a user-friendly story of the Old Testament. They were from Spain and had been attending a psychology convention." Both were extremely interested in learning more of what she was doing. It was not uncommon during her many business trips for complete strangers to provide affirmation for her endeavor.

Shortly after obtaining her degree through the International College of Bible Theology, Karen and her husband, Fred, retired to Minnesota, where she has family. They purchased a log home in the country. It had a secluded loft that proved to be an ideal place for her to work and finish the book.

The couple then moved to Duluth, where she met Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr and asked him to critique her writing. He had been the secretary of the council of bishops in Washington, D.C., and the budding writer considered his positive comments and input as an honorary "nod" for the book.

When it was time to put the manuscripts in book form, Karen went to the Internet and found a site dedicated to publishers. She posted several excerpts from her work to be reviewed. After obtaining several "hits," she chose Pleasant Word Publishers, which does publishing on demand. They can print and ship one or 1,000 books as requested.

Today, Karen gives presentations about the passion to which she has dedicated the past 15 or so years of her life. She loves to tell of the concentration given by some of the eighth-graders that were in attendance at a recent introduction to the book. Adults have come up to her after a presentation and told her how they could visualize the sequential account given by her "storybook" style. Those who have read the book have mentioned how at times they felt as if they were actually part of the journey the writer created.

"A Story Forgotten" can be purchased from many Web sources, such as Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. It also may be ordered from any bookstore. Should you have an interest in learning more about the author, e-mail Karen at AStoryForgotten@yahoo.com.

E-mail Bob Turner at summerfieldpress@earthlink.net.