Woman explores salvation, 'gates' to Heaven in book
By Reagan Scott
NORTH PLATTE (SNR) – Monica Kramer, a native of the Sandhills and member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in North Platte hopes the book she’s written about salvation, “Not All Who Wander Are Lost - A Book About Salvation and the Gates to Heaven,” will inspire readers to think about their own journey to heaven.
When Kramer’s husband Randy died six years ago, she found solace in the words of John 10:9, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.”
This imagery evoked memories of her childhood in the Sandhills, where her job was to go out to the pasture and bring the cows in for milking at night.
With a desire to be reunited in heaven one day with her husband, her mother, and her sister who have all passed away, Kramer began a study of salvation that would lead her back to the Sandhills where she took pictures of 12 gates.
Her book, which contains 12 chapters, delves into the facets of her journey to salvation including her Catholic faith, the saints and lessons learned from children, inspired by her 47 years of teaching, to name just a few.
Each of the 12 chapters in her book includes a picture of one of the gates in the Sandhills, a reflection on the aspect of her salvation that gate represents, a related Scripture passage, prayers and titles of songs that readers can listen to as they reflect on the chapter.
The prayers in the book include both known prayers and those written by members of her family, including children, grandchildren, in-laws and friends, such as Bishop James Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
Father Mark Seiker, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Aurora and St. Joseph Parish in Giltner was one of the editors for the book, and said there are many times in life and Scripture that we think about gates, and that the book offers opportunities for readers to reflect on metaphorical gateways in their own lives.
He said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for a person to ponder scripture, music and prayer, and let the Lord help them to think, ‘How’s He inviting me? And what’s my response to Him?’ The more we do that the better.”
It is Kramer’s hope that between starting the book and finishing it, readers will have begun to consider what gates may exist in their own lives.
“I hope that my story can be a springboard for them to see how God has worked in their own life. At the end, I put space for readers to put their own personal salvation story because I know that their 12 gates will be different from mine,” Kramer said.
While some of the topics in her book came to Kramer easily, the process of writing was not without its challenges. When Kramer found herself stuck in the writing process, she gave it to God.
“I told Him, if You want the book written, I’ll write it,” Kramer said. Sitting down that night at 10 p.m. to write, she found herself later looking at the clock to see that it was 5 a.m.
“God indeed was giving me the words,” she said. “The Holy Spirit was active all night long.”
It is because of this spiritual help that Kramer feels inspired to give back with the money she makes from the sale of her book.
“I’ll be giving all the proceeds to the Church because I feel like it’s God’s book, not my book,” Kramer said. She’ll choose as recipients causes that are close to her heart, like the Cursillo movement and children’s catechesis.
While her book is currently self-published, Kramer’s next goal is to reach out to a national publishing company, so she can get her book in the hands of people across the country.
“I’m on fire about evangelizing,” Kramer said. She wants anyone who desires a copy of the book to be able to get one.
Paperback copies of the book, which include all content and pictures of the 12 gates are available for $55, and hardcover copies, which contain additional pictures, are available for $89.
Interested individuals should send their orders and payment to: Monica Kramer, 121 N. Willow St., North Platte, NE 69101.
