About Me
Growing up in a family of four boys and four girls, I wasn’t quite sure where I fit in. Being born next to the last, I was neither the baby, nor the middle child. Though surrounded by many siblings, I often felt alone. My two older sisters were two and five years older, and they sometimes didn’t want me hanging around, so I became best friends with my little brother Denzil, which became one of my life’s greatest treasures. I especially remember the rainy days when he and I spread old quilts on the concrete front porch, covering with another, and watching it rain while I ate lemons with salt, (how he hated that)! We talked about our day, about school and about life.
My parents, Cecil and Opal Smith were ‘home missions’ pastors. Their ministry was to establish new churches throughout Missouri, resulting in re-locating the family three times while I was in the fifth grade. Moving from school to school greatly affected my confidence, and I struggled until we moved to Fredericktown where we settled for eight years. They established churches in Charleston, Fredericktown, and Marshall, Missouri. Before Fredericktown, they pastored an already established church in Bell City for a short period of time.
After graduation I knew my parents were getting ready to relocate and build another new church, so I left home. I went back to Charleston, got a job in a doctor’s office and began to establish my new life. I later met and married my future children’s father, and after our first daughter was born, we moved to the St. Louis area.
In 1969, I rededicated my life to Jesus, and started going to the same church my sisters attended. We once again began our trio, and in 1973 we recorded a gospel album, My Tribute: To God Be The Glory at the Goodman Sound Studio in Madisonville, KY. While attending that church, I also wrote several articles and devotions for a Christian publishing company in St. Louis.
Later, I composed a song, “Remembering Calvary” and was honored to sing it on a worship project for a world-wide ministry.
In 1980, I joined Romance Writer’s of Missouri, serving as liaison for local authors. While there I received the Crystal Rose Award for my services. It was to be many years later before I wrote my first book in 2005, Till Morning Comes. My pastor secured an author’s signing booth for me at general conference that year.
One of my favorite hobbies is watching YouTube videos to find my favorite preachers, worship music or low carb recipes. Although I sometimes enjoy cooking those recipes, I’d rather be reading a good book or cuddling with my grandson’s dog while watching a movie.
I love traveling and while still single, I visited England in 1991 where my youngest daughter and her husband lived in a 16th century mansion made into apartments. Stunning! I also traveled to Germany with one of the sales ladies where we worked. We started in Paris, taking the train to Germany where we picked up a new Mercedes for the dealership, then drove for seven days, visiting King Ludwig’s castle in Bavaria, Germany and Mozart’s apartment in Salzburg, Austria. We also visited the location from which the Von Trapp Family fled. It was a trip of a lifetime and one I shall never forget.
I met my current husband, Jim in 1992. We both love to travel and we have been to Hawaii, Florida, California, South Carolina, Georgia and several other states. We also travel to Colorado where Jim and his brother own the family ranch. Our most cherished trip was to Israel in 2017. We were both baptized in the Jordan River, and the entire experience has greatly impacted our lives.
I have three daughters, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all of which Jim has accepted as his own. What a rare husband!
In 2018 I began to write my life’s story. It was something I always knew I would do someday, and the time was right. Although I felt I had received a great healing in my emotions over the years, writing the book brought up feelings that caused me to pause, pray and heal before proceeding.
I could go on and on about my life, but you can find the whole story in my new book, Taking Back My Voice and Heading Home. The book covers my life from the time I was a small child until now, and I know you’ll be blessed when you read it. It can be purchased at Amazon or ordered from any bookstore. It has gotten some great reviews. I can relate to the pain of divorce, betrayal, guilt and shame, since it took many years for me to find my way back and re-establish a strong relationship with my Heavenly Father.
I currently attend church with my husband, Jim who is my greatest fan. I am now experiencing the peace and fulfillment that I have so longed for.
To God Be The Glory!
Annette Smith Bisbee