Generous January

Yep, that's what I said..."generous January." The Lord has blessed the beginning of the new year in so many ways.

First, the holidays were just awesome and my sweet husband gave me the most wonderful Christmas gift: a ticket to Because of the Times (BOTT), a tremendous conference where I marinated in the rich presence and Word of the Lord for three days. It was great and I'll be feasting on what I took from there for a long time...no kidding...I took over 40 pages of hand-written notes.

I've been amazed at all the requests coming in from all over the country for speaking engagements in 2010. Still finalizing many of the details, so check back for updates, or better yet, drop me an email at loriwagner@affirmingfaith.com and sign up to be on the Affirming Faith mailing list.

One special lady really blessed my slippers off when she placed an order for 100 copies of Gates & Fences for an upcoming mother-daughter conference. I was so happy to sign and pray over each book and hope the young ladies are encouraged by this thoughtful gift.

I am so happy I have all my ducks in a row for tax season (I hope and will find out tomorrow). What a huge undertaking. I have a confession. I use the shoebox method for receipts. It's very convenient throughout the year, but quite a mountain of work to prepare Affirming Faith, my husband's drywall and plastering business and our personal things for the accountant. But I know myself, and I will trade the 361 days of non-filing and non-spreadsheeting for the 4 days of sweating it out during tax season.

One very nice thing I ran across this month was a file of devotional thoughts I wrote probably 15 years ago. They were written before my first husband passed and I could see the Lord's hand preparing me for the road ahead in the things he showed me. Here's a sample, and I'll be adding some to the Message in a Bottle blog (see link in column at right).

Worry or faith?
Anxiety or hope?
Apprehension or trust?
The answers are etched on our faces by time.
Are we creating a sculpture of a frowning person
...or one full of hope and joy?
Say what we will, time will tell.

Jesus, let the lines on my face turn upwards
in praise to You
...to Your faithfulness.
Thank You for the hope and peace I have in You.

And then to top it all off, The Girl in the Dress was released this month, as well. Have you ever wondered why some girls choose to wear only skirts and dresses? This book answers some of those wonderings, in a fun, informative, graphic presentation exploring what the Bible, history, fashion designers, psychiatrists, teenage boys and others have to say about modesty and clothing. Ordering information available at www.affirmingfaith.com.

Well, I can't wait for Fabulous February! Blessings to you today...

December Days

December has been such a rich and rewarding month. I was so privileged to assist the Troy Police and VFW Post distributing baskets to families struggling to make ends meet in our Michigan economy. The bulk of the work was done by the Police and VFW, but the Pastors & Intercessors Network Ministry (www.pinmtroy.blogspot.com) raised money to assist in the purchases during our October prayer walk, and it was a blessing to be a small part of seeing their mission accomplished.

I had the cutest little assistant at the Cultural Christmas Extravaganza hosted by People of the Book Lutheran Outreach Ministries. I researched traditional Armenian Christmas traditions and shared some of them along with my book, Bachik, the Birthday Kiss, and other Affirming Faith resources. It was a fun evening and I was glad to have my daughter Hope with me in coordinating holiday fashions.

On a personal note, my husband delighted me with fresh roping this year, something I've always admired and wanted to do at my own home. Bill works on stilts in his drywall business, and that really came in handy when he and Charles were putting up the outside decorations.

Of course, there were Christmas concerts, a school play, a church children's musical, family get-togethers, and my first-born daughter Noelle turned 18 this month. Along with all the activities, I have found some time to write, because there was much on my heart to write about. I invite you to check out some that is posted on the "Message in a Bottle" blog at www.affirmingfaithmiab.blogspot.com. And as always, if the Lord gives me the opportunity, there will be more forthcoming on the blog and in some magazines I have been asked to write for.

I forgot to mention the Michigan National Day of Prayer Coordinator, Sylvia Turbergen, asked me to speak in a Lansing area church to some of the Michigan folks who couldn't make it out to the annual NDP conference. She wanted me to share the message I gave in Colorado Springs this past October called "You Have a Field to Defend." I forgot to take my camera, but here's a picture of Sylvia and me at a training we hosted in my neck of the woods previously.

So that's the synopsis of December although there is one day yet to finish out the year. May God richly bless you in 2010.

Procastination doesn't pay

I spent quite a bit of time developing this post card mailer and then realized by the time I printed and mailed it, you wouldn't have much time to get your orders submitted in time for the holidays. (It's all about time, you see.) So, I am posting it here. Hope you like it! [Click on the images to enlarge.]

SAVE UP TO 25% AND MORE

...when you take advantage of the BUY THREE GET ONE FREE offer.

Visit the Affirming Faith website at www.affirmingfaith.com, select three items and begin the checkout process. When you reach "Review Payment" you will see an option to "Add special instructions to the seller." This is where you indicate your free slection and also any personalized autographs you would like.

* Free item must be the lowest priced item.
* Free shipping on free item.
* No sales tax on free item.
* Publisher discounts apply in addition to this promotion for extra savings.
* While supplies last.
* Limited quantities on some items.
* Order early for Christmas delivery.
* Drop shipping available upon request (additional shipping charges may apply)

Christmas Cultural Extravaganza - 12/18 in Rochester Hills

This is going to be a fun event. My friend, Cynthia Khan asked me to be involved, and I'm looking forward to exhibiting and participating. I'll have some Armenian things and along with that my Armenian/English book, Bachik, the Birthday Kiss.

This event is open to the public. My church will be represented with a dramatic sign presentation and I hear there will be folk dancers from different ethnic backgorunds. Food, fun, entertainment...multicultural style.

Here's the info on the Lansing Area 12/5 Morning Prayer/Training Event

THE PRAYER VOICE OF MICHIGAN
invites you to a
Prayer Retreat and Training
Saturday, December 5, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Hosted by
Sanctuary Gate Church
1120 Commerce Park Drive
DeWitt, MI 48820

I will be presenting "You Have a Field to Defend"
The message I shared at the Annual National Day of Prayer Summit this year.

Sylvia Tubergen will facilitate the meeting which includes, praise, prayer and communion. She is the Prayer Voice of Michigan Director and National Day of Prayer State Coordinator

The National Day of Prayer theme for this year is
“Prayer – For Such a Time as This”


And the companion verse:
Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in Him.”

Light refreshments will be served.

This event is open to the public, with a special invitation extended to National Day of Prayer Event Coordinators, their friends and Intercessors.
There is no specified registration fee, but a free-will offering will be taken with a suggested donation of $15.

Please email your attendance to smtubergen@charter.net

Blessings to you from Prayer Voice of Michigan Task Force.

Widgets and Whatnot

I've been inundated with prayer requests and communications-related stuff lately, so I've worked hard to get everything connected. You can see on the right both twitter and facebook widgets, and I think I have everything working now.

I've also added a prayer page on my website www.affirmingfaith.com/prayer.html where prayer requests can be submitted for immediate coverage.