Somewhere out in the world, there are people living very different experiences from our own which could one day, years later, prove instrumental in changing the course of our destiny. This was true for two local women. While one of them was learning that a woman’s place was in the home, education meant little, and church came without doubts, the other was in another town being taught to reach for the stars, learn as much as possible, and to question everything. They would grow up to become fast friends.

Kimberly Lisowski and Andrea Pouliot, both from Canfield, Ohio have just released a new Christian, non-fiction book entitled, The Apple You Were Fed. Kimberly Lisowski (Semple) is a Niles, Ohio native and a 1987 graduate of Niles High School. She now resides in Canfield, Oh with her husband Ed and four children. Andrea Pouliot (Heddleston) is an East Liverpool native and 1990 graduate of East Liverpool High School. Andrea resides in Canfield, Oh with her husband Tony and three children.

Their worlds rotated slowly until they were two strangers moving in across the street from one another: A spiritual-doubter with a psychology degree and a full-time sales position with a pharmaceutical company and a conservative, stay-at-home, Christian house wife. Their life choices seemed to indicate that they would not be spending very much time together, but something unexpected happened; a flash of peculiar coincidence illuminated their commonalities and propelled them into the depths of a soul-searching friendship. They decided to forge into their friendship with the understanding of full authenticity: no pretense, no judgment, and no games. They went looking for a fresh approach to their everyday situations and seeking after deeper, more fulfilling lives. In learning from the other, Kimberly and Andrea began to ask themselves what lessons they must have missed from the professors and from the pulpit.

The Apple You Were Fed is uniquely told through both perspectives giving readers a chance to connect with either background as they are invited along on a verbal journey to spiritual discovery. Hours of study, discussion, and lively debate, over coffee and pre-packaged biscuits, led Kimberly and Andrea to a life-changing spiritual treasure trove. Through honestly peeling back layers of past experiences and stagnant thought patterns, they talk openly about their broken viewpoints and unfulfilling moments asking and answering challenging questions from each other: Why can’t I stop repeating patterns that I know aren’t good for me? Why do I seem to try so hard, but can’t get what I want? Why do I struggle at times with having everything, but feeling no meaning or worth to any of it...or within myself?

Kimberly states, “The conversations and questions were not always comfortable to address, but silence breeds shame, and shame is at odds with a person who wants more. So in the comfort of real friendship, we pushed past the awkwardness at every turn. We were not afraid to admit our shortcomings, or to be honest when we were wrong. Both of us were determined to find our best lives and our authentic selves.”

The story offers an opportunity to eavesdrop on the private and sometimes controversial conversations between two women, who on the surface should have never been friends. It ends by defining how each of us can have what we all desire in life: joy, acceptance, love, and fulfillment. “We call it living with soul-value,” Andrea reports.

The women will admit it is tempting to paint the journey from empty routines to living with soul-value as a studious and philosophical pursuit, but they are real about it, Andrea adds, “It was more like the job of cleaning up after a frat party. There were bags of embarrassing trash, lots of headaches, and moments of regret, but the journey is one worth taking.”

Kimberly is energized by the support they have received thus far, “We have met and corresponded with people from California to Maine and from England, Australia, and the Philippines as well as people right here at home who have connected with our story. It’s incredible and humbling at the same time.” Andrea agrees, “We have been receiving daily phone calls and emails from people who have been touched by the personal nature of the book. They can relate to what we’ve experienced.” The authors say their hope is to share their journey and invite others to uncover the apple they were fed.

The Apple You Were Fed is available online at Amazon.com and in all major retailers by request. Kimberly and Andrea invite people to visit their website at www.theappleyouwerefed.com to read more, to order the book directly from their site, and to leave a message or comment. “We love the emails; people have something to say and we want to hear from them,” says Andrea.