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!