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.

A Hot Time in Tampa!

I had a rough time getting there (reduced to tears at one point), but . . . wow! What a fabulous time at General Conference in Tampa. It was wonderful to work with the staff and authors at the PPH booth . . . and did they ever take good care of me! I appreciated all the snacks and drinks, but even more, the high-quality printing job and promotion work they did for me. I highly recommend them as contract printers with a standard of excellence. The McNalls were great to work with.

The staff prepared eye-catching displays and promoted the release of the third printing of Gates & Fences: Straight Talk in a Crooked World with its beautiful new cover. I enjoyed sharing with so many people the concept that biblical boundaries were established by a loving Father for the blessing and protection of His children.

Many conference attendees expressed an interest in having me speak to their youth, singles or ladies -- and I look forward to "Affirming Faith" with others whereever the Lord opens the door.

The day before I left Michigan, I received the first shipment of Quilting Patches of Life, which I promptly made room for in three different pieces of luggage. The book was very well received and I quickly sold out of the quantity I was able to bring.

Hey -- Bev, Robin and Faith -- you were great roomies! Thanks for making the travel arrangements.

Ascend 2007

Here's a photo from the Ascend 2007 Worship Arts conference at Zion Christian church in Troy. The conference was awesome, and I was delighted to be a part of it along with Martha Munizzi, Donnie McClurkin and the Michael Gungor band. The theme for the conference was "The Power of Purity" which amazingly, is also the theme for the upcoming National Day of Prayer coordinators retreat I will be attending next month in Colorado Springs.

I was so pleased to be asked to speak at the conference. The Lord directed me to the topic "Surrendering to the Fire" -- an eye-opening look at the purpose and process of spiritual purification. Examining the holy calling of people involved in worship ministry, the workshop explored the Biblical concepts of altar fire, God’s burning passion for unadulterated intimacy, and the practical application of surrendering to the leading of the Lord as we minister before His presence and His people.

You're invited to the premier . . .

It's a party celebrating the release of Quilting Patches of Life.

Thursday, October 11, 2007
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Faith Apostolic Church of Troy
6710 Crooks Road
Light Refreshments will be served.

Contributing authors will be joining us with pens in hand to sign copies of this encouraging book that will be available to the public at the event. It will be a great time -- a meet and greet and eat! I hope to see you there!

ORDERING INFO NOW AVAILABLE
Visit www.affirmingfaith.com/quiltingpatchesoflife.html to place an advance order.

Quilting Patches of Life - The Poem

I just created a downloadable pdf file of the theme poem for Quilting Patches of Life.

I hope you enjoy it! [click here]

I am soooooo excited!

Yes! You better believe I'm excited about the beautiful cover for Quilting Patches of Life. Again, thanks and kudos go to Tina Harper of cmhphotography for the lovely design, and a special thanks to Glenn Hall glennhallphotography for the gorgeous cover photo.

Ordering information will be posted on the website soon.

Angelic Visitation

Just a few minutes ago, seated at my desk working away on “Quilting Patches of Life,” I felt a presence come in the room that brought me to tears. As I worked at my computer I felt an angelic presence hovering over me in the right-hand corner of the office above my desk. I lowered my head in awe. “God … thank you. I’m not worthy. I love you, Jesus.” I looked up half expecting to see the form of my visitor, but there was no shape before me to confirm what I felt.

My husband came down the steps, and I told him, “You know, we have angels all around us.” He smiled and agreed.

“I know we do.” He walked into the kitchen to get the kids a cup of water, then returned upstairs.

Only a minute or two passed before my eleven-year-old son Charles came down the steps, tears in his eyes, and said, “Mom, the Lord told me to come and apologize to you for accusing you about working on your computer – that you are doing it for Him. I have been accusing you, and I’m sorry.”

I started crying myself, and I told my son, “Charles, I believe you. Just before you came down, I felt an angel in the house, and I believe the Lord did give you a message. Thank you for obeying. I forgive you.”

We hugged and kissed, and I sent him up to bed after we shared a laugh of joy over how good God is, the great God of the universe, to visit lowly people like us in our homes … even my cluttered office.

I went upstairs and shared this with my husband. “It all works together,” he said. ‘When you were downstairs, I was praying for the kids. I prayed that God would dispatch angels to watch over them and our house. And He did.”

Thank you, Jesus, for sending a message to my son ... for answering my husband's prayer ... for the gift of holy visitations in my home ...