Yamasaki, April: - April Yamasaki is an ordained minister with over 25 years of experience in congregational ministry, an editor, and the author of Sacred Pauses, Four Gifts, On the Way with Jesus, This Ordinary, Extraordinary Life, and other books on living with faith and hope. She currently serves as resident author with Valley CrossWay Church, which is a liturgical worship community; edits the daily devotional magazine Rejoice!; has a new role as a spiritual formation mentor; continues to write both online and in print publications; and often speaks in other churches and settings. She blogs on faith, life, and ministry at AprilYamasaki.com and WhenYouWorkForTheChurch.com. April holds a master of Christian studies from Regent College. She was happily married to her high school sweetheart until his death two years ago from cancer-related complications. Though grieving, she is grateful for a wonderfully supportive family and church community, good work, good friends, and God's mercies new every morning