It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's a wonderful and busy time of the year! I love both...wonderful and busy!

But I thought I'd take a moment to share a link to an article I was asked to write for a wonderful blog.

It's How to Have a Joy-Filled Christmas ~

Check it out at: www.likeabubblingbrook.com

Also, if you're in or around the Rochester Hills area, I will be at Sherwood Forest tonight for a ladies night event from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. I'm looking forward to it! The discounted shopping, beautiful decorating ideas, facials, snacks...and I'll be signing books. Sherwood Forest has been carrying my two Christmas titles in their lovely shop and garden center, but I will  have additional materials on hand this evening only.

Twas the season...

FIRST OFF...My blogspot software was giving me fits today, so I apologize that the formatting isn't wonderful...but it is what it is!


As I begin to prepare for "the season to be jolly," I chuckled as the thought popped into my head (like a vision of sugarplums) that the holidays are coming right on the heels of "the season to be jogging." I wasn't literally doing marathons or anything--no turkey trot for me. I was, however, running all over the place the past couple of months. I'll keep it brief, but I wanted to update you on the goings on.

September began with a meeting in Brighton, Michigan, to hand off items from the previous National Day of Prayer State Coordinator, Sylvia, to the new one...me! Also a great time of fellowship with our Midwest National Area Leader, Sue Stoltz.  


Next it was off to South Dakota where I spoke four times. I so enjoyed my time there with all the ladies, and the lovely and sweet Doretha Fields took me to see Mount Rushmore. 



It was from the "Mitten" to the "Boot" as I traveled from Michigan to Louisiana for a sectional ladies meeting in Leesville, then a ladies conference in Jonesville, followed by two Sunday services at the awesome Wallace Ridge Church, also in Jonesville. It was a treat to be with Sis. Vesta Mangun, and while I was in the South, I enjoyed a ride on an alligator and some catfish and hushpuppies at Jim Bowies. Mmmm. A taste of home...
 

Which brings me to the next trip! Paducah! I always love an excuse to travel to my home town, and was happy to be with the Romains for a two-day ladies conference....and also to see my "hometown" kinfolk. Friday night we shared Quilting Patches of Life, and on Saturday we had fun with Purse-onality.  


In between all the conferences, I got a wild hair. I'm not sure if it was brown, grey or black--they are all co-habitating on my head in this season of life. But I listened to that wild hair (and got my husband's blessing) and decided to use my frequent flyer miles to dash in to St. Louis for one day. I had two print runs that came in right before General Conference, and I was excited to see them, get some inventory and get the pre-orders sent out.


Then it was off to General Conference in Louisville. There is nothing like thousands of people getting together to worship God....and I do love being in the displays and meeting people, as well. It's an honor to be the guest of PPH to meet and greet so many nice people who purchase my books through their distribution channels. Love all my PPH partners and friends!



Following General Conference was my first trip to Connecticut at the invitation of Ruth Harvey. What a wonderful weekend at the Polished Cornerstones conference. I love speaking to teens and twenties... encouraging them to to live this wonderful life unto the Lord with excellence and joy. And, as always, it was a pleasure to be with Debbie Velie of New Beginnings Adoption and Family Services. Sunday morning was great at Life Church! 

The following weekend I spoke at Indiana Ladies Retreat. Oh, I love those ladies in Indiana! I wished I could have stayed for the entire event, but after I shared a message, One Woman, on Friday, I had to fly off to Colorado Springs early the next morning.

In Colorado, I caught the last part of the annual National Day of Prayer Conference. (Don't tell anyone I wore the same jacket and scarf.) It was important that I get to the conference, because I was commissioned as the new State Coordinator for Michigan. I was very blessed to share a dinner table with Mrs. Dobson, who is a warm and wonderful person. The picture below is me signing the map for Michigan at the conference.

And then, bonus day! Since I couldn't get home on Sunday evening, I shot over to Landmark Tabernacle in Denver for Sunday evening service and a lovely visit with the Hales. It was a great ending to an extremely busy two months.

The beginning of November I volunteered at a huge prayer meeting in Ford Field--I read over 30,000 attended. I worked at the entrances checking people in and passing out programs, but also spent many hours in prayer at this phenomenal 24-hour prayer event.


Now I'm home. Honestly, it took some time to recover, because in between all that traveling I was preparing presentations, filling orders, taking care of my family, ministering at church, and all the stuff life entails. But it's a good life. I'll rest in heaven, I think.


Well, that's certainly enough for now. I have to get my Thanksgiving newsletter out today. Blessings to you and those you love as you begin a blessed holiday season!


Oh...and don't forget to check out the new books and resources at www.affirmingfaith.com.

Links are Up!

The website has been updated with the new items...so I took the links off the blog. Visit www.affirmingfaith.com.

Blessings!

TWICE the EXCITEMENT!

I am so excited to let you, my friends, know in advance about the release of two new books. They will be in-house in a couple of weeks, but if you'd like to put your order in now, you will be the first to receive these great new resources. They will be added to the website soon, but you can order now using the buttons in the right-hand column!

Covered by Love

Book 2 of the "Pure Path Series" 

Have you ever wondered why some girls choose to let their hair grow to it's natural length? Covered by Love uses clear, easy-to-understand language in a fun and informative graphic presentation to help people, young and old, male and female, understand this very positive teaching. Timeless truths of Scripture interweave with humor, story telling, historical perspective, hair-care tips and input from two special contributors: Dear Abby and Dear Gabby.

$10.00 + $3.50 shipping and handling

Insight on Ministry

from a Christmas Tree Farm

This book is certain to bring ministers, their spouses, lay leaders and teachers fresh perspective on spiritual planting, birth, growth and harvesting. Insight on Ministry from a A Christmas Tree Farm will encourage your heart as you work in the fields of the Lord. 

“I love this book—and see it as an insightful parable of help for leaders young, older and in-between. It includes many powerful analogies and admonitions that deal with very real and recurring scenarios ministers face. I particularly enjoyed many of the quotes. Very encouraging. Great job.”

– Rev. Marvin G. Walker

$9.95 + $3.50 shipping and handling

EXCLUSIVE

Hello, my friends! For those of you who asked about the PowerPoint presentation for "The Girl in the Dress," it is now available...exclusively here for now.

Click on the link at right to order.

This is a two-session presentation that includes:
81-slide graphic PowerPoint presentation
Presentation notes (in Word format)
Introductory story (1st session starter)
2-minute video clip (2nd session starter)

Price is $10 plus $3.50 shipping and handling!

The J-J Months

June and July...they are different sorts of months...right in the middle of sometimes crazy and sometimes lazy summer days. I was blessed to go to Mackinac Island with my daughter's class the first few days of June. It was a lovely trip that included a ferry ride to the island, tour of a deer park, two fort tours, a buggy tour of the island, shopping and a trip through the Soo Locks.

After a family reunion in Kentucky, my family (minus the two that don't live at home) took a detour and visited the Creation Museum. The Planetarium show was everyone's favorite, except for me. I get motion sickness, so I just relaxed in the chairs and listened. But the displays were great, including the gardens and petting zoo.

Also in June, I rented a cabin on the campground where my daughter was attending church camp. It was a great opportunity to be near her and watch her from afar at times. She sang in a group and with the choir in evening service, and I popped in each night to listen. I also had a lot of free time that I put to good use in prayer, reading and giving a new book a final edit.

I'm really excited about "Insight on Ministry from a Christmas Tree Farm," and was so thankful for this alone time to finish the  manuscript. Before I left home for the campground I had set up an appointment at Gusty Farms, a Christmas Tree farm nearby. I toured the grounds and asked the Lord to speak to me from what I saw, and He did! I received the end of the book, and I can't wait to share it with you...hopefully in October.

Mid July I had a fantasticalistic time with the girls at First Apostolic Church in Toledo. We did two teaching sessions on "The Girl in the Dress" with a lunch break in between. I love the looks on their faces when I present this very practical teaching on modesty. Hey...we've got to be real and we've got to be relevant. If not, I might as well stay home and scrapbook.

The last weekend of the month, I was happy to attend the Michigan District Ladies Retreat. So nice to just marinate in the presence of the Lord and hear the good Word of the Lord from the speakers. Of course hanging with all my girlfriends was a big bonus, and I did have Affirming Faith resources available in a display area.

There's much more, but those are the highlights of the J-J Months. One day left and we're in to August and the beginning of a new school year and a relatively calm travel month to prepare for a heavy Fall conference schedule. I hope I will connect with some of you at the events listed in the column at right.

Blessings to you, and thank you for taking time to stop by the blog.

Also in July, I was asked to fill the position of the Michigan State Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer. After prayer and consulting with my husband and pastor, I agreed to accept the position. The transition has been made, but there's a lot still to put into motion. I look forward to being at the annual Leadership Summit in Colorado Springs in October for an official commissioning service with Mrs. Shirley Dobson.

Spring...

Wow! Spring has come and is going soon. My husband always says, "Where did the time go?" Well, Spring has been a whirlwind of activities. Here are some highlights:

March 26 I was blessed to speak at a ladies sectional meeting at the Solid Rock church in Ann Arbor on "Quilting Patches of Life." The response was wonderful...as well as the luncheon and fellowship following!

In April I spoke at Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and a ladies event in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on "Building a City of Refuge." The serious Friday session (served up with a smile) was balanced by the fun "Walking in L.O.V.E." presentation at a lovely brunch banquet on Saturday.

Sunday morning, after speaking in the youth class, I enjoyed morning worship with the congregation and gave a brief testimony in service. The southern hospitality was wonderful and much appreciated, along with a great reception by the church members and their guests.

Saturday, April 23, Pat and Rick David, proprietors of the Murphy House Bed & Breakfast, hosted the official book release party for The Rose of Sharon, my first full-length historical fiction. Many ladies previewed their Easter bonnets at the fine china reception and enjoyed readings from the book.

The response has been very positive to the book, which is also my first venture into the e-book market: available for ibook, nook, and kindle readers. For more information on the print or electronic editions, [click here].

The last weekend in April was spent in North Dakota with a lovely group of ladies for their annual state-wide retreat. I shared four messages, including a new one: "Remember Ruth," and a special presentation on perspective for the young ladies. It was my first time in North Dakota, but I hope not my last, and I'm looking forward to being in South Dakota in the fall. I didn't get any pictures from the services there, but here's a lovely picture of a full-scale replica I toured in Fargo of Norway's Hopperstad Stave Church.

The first weekend in May I had the pleasure of being in Maine with Brenda Bowley and the wonderful ladies in her district. It was a great time of ministry, and I left refreshed myself, encouraged in my spirit by the words shared by others as well as the thick presence of God. Skits, banquets, worship, and Word...this conference had it all! We had deep moves during altar services and the Lord touched many lives. There's nothing like the presence of the Lord!

Also in May, yet...another banquet...this one in Merrillville, Indiana, where I spoke on "Pursology." It was a lot of fun, with some spiritual application, as well. Saturday I did two sessions with the young ladies on "The Girl in the Dress." The girls and lady teachers were very attentive and I hope encouraged by the presentation that included much-o slides, music and even a clip from "The Beverly Hillbillies." You never know what to expect when you hand me the microphone...although, I hope to always leave people encouraged and excited about serving God. It is the best life ever!

On a personal note, I had a blast with my daughter's 6th grade class on a three-day trip to Mackinac Island. And, of course, the end of the school year brought awards presentations, piano recitals, and more. Life is busy, but life is good. Not every day is easy. We each face our own unique challenges, but remember this...

When life doesn't turn out how you expected...
Definitely not what you thought you were signing up for...
It can still be good...
Because God is good...
And He has good plans for those who love Him!

And what does the future hold? No one knows for sure, but I do try to keep the Affirming Faith schedule up-to-date here on the blog, as well as on the "Notes" section of my facebook page. For more timely updates, "friend request" me on facebook or "follow me" on twitter.

God bless you, and thank you for your time!

It's Here!

I am so excited to share The Rose of Sharon with you. As an Affirming Faith blog follower or Facebook friend, you have the opportunity to be in on the first shipment, before the book is even made available through the website.

Click on the button in the column at right to order...or on the pictures for more information...

This is for the print version only. E-book information to follow as soon as it becomes available.

The Rose of Sharon

Book 1 of "The Briar Hollow Series"
$14.99
Historical Christian Fiction

Perfect Bound

348 pages

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well...it's here. Hello, 2011!

With a new year comes a bunch of busy-work. I spent the first week doing end-of-the-year paperwork, inventory, etc., and clearing off my desk, pondering and praying over what to focus my energies on this year.

I made a short list, just 37 items (lol), of topics I wanted to investigate and write on. I guess I have to narrow that down, huh? I'm glad to say that I have. I believe I have some clear direction where to go first, and I'm glad about that. More to follow on that subject in the coming weeks.

Also glad to report that More to Life now has the first draft of "Covered by Love" in their hands. It is Book 2 of the Pure Path series. The first was the wonderfully received "The Girl in the Dress." I'm excited to see this project complete.

Just to whet your appetite, I also have in the works the publication of an inspirational historical fiction romance that I am just crazy about. It's called "The Rose of Sharon," and takes place in Kentucky in 1859. I'll have more information on that soon.

As always, I try to keep the schedule up-to-date in the right-hand column. I'm also on facebook and on twitter under the name "affirmingfaith." I would love to connect with you.

I pray your new year is blessed, not stressed....
And one of your best....

Have a great day!