Just kidding. I feel slightly sheepish actually hawking a product so blatantly.

But keep in mind, I spent about two years of my life on this project and it destroyed my marriage. (Another woman was also involved.) That was a long time ago. I’ve since forgiven them both.

Southern Cross, by Tess Gadwa:  True stories of miracles, visions, voodoo, snake handling, civil disobedience, and my search for existential answers along the back roads of the Bible Belt.

I’m going to add the links here for the free PDF download of Southern Cross, the book I researched and wrote while a bored housewife seeking truth and meaning in the Bible Belt. You can also buy a copy on Amazon (Kindle or print). The free online version of the book is older and less edited — I’m sure it has a lot of typos. It also has some of the original line drawings that accompanied the project. I need to emphasize that this book was written for Christians seeking to find common ground with other Christians. If you are not Christian and are seeking the right spiritual home, please know that finding “a good church” can be difficult. Lots of politics, lots of ego, and money plays a bigger role in decisions by clergy and lay leadership than many of us would like to believe. Read Circle of Hope if you are looking for a balanced account of a relatively successful recent attempt, outside the well-known denominations. I left organized religion about 13 years ago. I sort of know what the right faith community would look like for me and it would be a place without walls, paid staff, or dogma. Built on friendship, good intention, and mutual support.

HAPPY EASTER 2026