National Day of Prayer Coordinator's Conference

October 19-21, I was thrilled to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer Coordinator's Conference. Friday morning, Mrs. Shirley Dobson addressed the Focus on the Family chapel where hundreds of NDP coordinators from all over the nation gathered. After some great music from Desperation, Chip Ingram delivered an awesome message on integrity. Are "what you say you believe" and "how you live your life" telling the same story? [Proverbs 10:9] Without integrity, relationships are impossible, peace is unattainable, and our impact minimal.

I just love Midwest Regional Coordinator Sue Stoltz. Thanks for praying for me, Sue! (By the way, Sue contributed "East to Eden" Chapter 15 of Quilting Patches of Life.)

Other conference speakers included Dutch Sheets who spoke on "Where are we in America?" He believes we are in a window of opportunity to turn our nation back to God and we must not faint in this season, but finish what we have started. Matthew Stark of Pure-Life Revolution had me laughing out loud as he spoke and covered so many of the same points I have written and spoken about in Gates & Fences and in recent conferences. I enjoyed my friend Bernie Lutchman's presentation on "Living with Power" and picked up my autographed copy of 2-Minute Warning.

Friday evening we had a dynamic concert of prayer at the World Prayer Center.

I got a big hug from Jean Truty after receiving my five-year award pin. She and National Coordinator Manager Lisa Crump did a phenomenal job putting the conference together. Thanks for all your hard work!

Not only were the instructional sessions and prayer meetings exceptional, but I was blessed with the opportunity to close out Saturday evening's events after Jennifer Kennedy Dean delivered the keynote address: "He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness."
I was awed and honored to be asked, and Jennifer's big, affirming hug settled my shaking knees as I dismounted from the platform. Thanks for the photo, Bernie!

Sunday morning, as snow fell upon the beautiful Rocky Mountains, we celebrated communion and received a commissioning message and prayer from Mrs. Dobson. My roomies, Carolyn Boeve and Sylvia Tubergen, the Michigan State NDP Coordinator, bundled up for a precarious drive from the Focus Headquarters to the Denver airport. I arrived home with a full heart and a renewed spirit.










If you would like more information on the National Day of Prayer (events or becoming involved as a coordinator or support member of an existing team), please contact me for local issues or visit the NDP website.

Christian Education Conference in Northville, Michigan

This was my first year to participate in the International Christian Education Association's Sunday School and Church Ministries Conference. I was blessed with a full auditorium for my Gates & Fences: Straight Talk in a Crooked World presentation. The format was somewhat different than a usual G&F presentation. I was not addressing youths and singles, but rather the people that work with them. But we old folks still had a good time. If I'm on the mic, you know there's going to be some laughter in the room. It's usually me laughing at myself, but hey, that's ok. God is good.

I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in years. "Hi, Jan!" I told her I'd put her photo on the blog -- my web diary of Affirming Faith activities.

I am impassioned about transmitting the blessings of Biblical boundaries, so it was a great day for me at the ICEA conference. I appreciate the opportunities the Lord provides for me to speak, exhibit Affirming Faith resources and meet fine people. Many expressed an interest in having me come out and speak to their youth, singles, and even ladies groups. Quilting Patches of Life has wonderful material for ladies gatherings -- from holiday teas to full blown conferences.

An Evening To Celebrate

What a great night . . . and a wonderful turnout at the book release party for Quilting Patches of Life. Many of the contributing authors were able to attend (pictured above).

A big THANKS goes out to the authors, our guests and visitors, and my dear friends who helped make the evening possible. I have the best church family in the world.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement. Throughout the evening, cases of books were shuttled -- one-by-one or by the armload -- from author to author to be autographed by their stories. Handmade quilts decorated the room, and the homemade brownies and other treats were delicious. Even the kids had a blast with the wooden trains and toys provided in the play area.

Each book I was privileged to sign received a quick prayer that it would encourage its reader wherever it went. It's a blessing and honor to be allowed to speak into people's lives.

And now on to the next event. I'm exhibiting and teaching a workshop in Northville at the ICEA conference tomorrow and Saturday. I look forward to speaking on the subject of my first book, Gates & Fences: Straight Talk in a Crooked World -- transmitting the blessings of biblical boundaries to youth and singles. Of course, I'll have some Quilting Patches of Life on-hand as well.