Pictures from Zion's Encouragement Evening

Well, better late than never. Here are the photos from Zion's Encouragement Evening last October. You can tell there was a lot of excitement in the air.

There was a very enthusiastic dance troup, a drama team, a sign language group (New Revelation from my church), music, skits and yours truly. Thank you, lovely Lydia and Pastor Connie for extending the invitation and warm welcome. The folks at Zion are top notch.

So Much

What a joy to be with the kids from the Manoogian School. We had so much fun together sharing Bachik, the Birthday Kiss. After the book reading, I attended a tea at St. John's Armenian Church for Baroness Caroline Cox. It was wonderful to learn of the humanitarian work she is doing with the Armenian people, and of course, you know the food was awesome.

I left straight from there for Kentucky to participate in the annual Paducah Quilt Show. A guest of Rob & Betty's Quilt Books Unlimited exhibit, I met hundreds of people and shared Quilting Patches of Life over a three-day period. You know, quilters are just nice people. Have you ever met a mean-tempered quilter? I haven't. I was privileged to speak at the Wedneday evening service at Northside Church of God on the subject, "You Have a Field to Defend" and was so thankful many of my family were there. It was an honor to speak at my deceased father's home church.

From Paducah, I spun out to Indiana Ladies Retreat to enjoy the conference and sign more books. Always nice to be with the ladies in Indiana, especially my hostess with the mostest, Beverly. Thanks for everything. You were a doll!

I've been having technical problems will post some pictures soon.

A Patchwork of Freedom

Yeah! I am finally finished! Are wondering what I'm so excited about as you watch the little smiley face guy do his happy dance????

I just sent a proposal to my agent, Les Stobbe, for the sequel to Quilting Patches of Life. The name of the book is A Patchwork of Freedom, and here's a bit from the proposal:

THE HOOK
A mysterious quilt code, runaway slaves and the Underground Railroad unite this inspiring collection of contemporary true stories, each with a message of freedom and hope.

SYNOPSIS
Delightful to read, A Patchwork of Freedom pieces together scraps of history, yarns of old, and contemporary tales of liberty and hope in a unique inspirational work. Bringing rich texture and hue to the project, author Lori Wagner intertwines modern-day life lessons experienced by Christian men and women from around the world with an “Underground Railroad Quilt Code” and antebellum America.

Each story, titled with the name of a quilt pattern relating to the “Code” or the Underground Railroad, imparts useful wisdom and insight gained by its contributing author. Some of the topics included are overcoming depression, triumphing over physical challenges, trusting God for miraculous provision on the mission field, coping with a child’s suicide attempt, receiving and extending true forgiveness and coming to terms with infertility struggles. Wagner adds a vignette after each story reflecting on its message and spiritual application and connecting it to its quilt pattern name. A Patchwork of Freedom offers warm, colorful doses of encouragement sure to inspire readers working through their own patches of life.

And now I sleep for a few hours and begin a new project in the morning!

As the button to the left says (translated from Latin), "Seize the Day for God!"

Awesome Iowa!

What a pleasure to be in Iowa this past week. Sis. George was a wonderful hostess, and all the ladies on the committee did a fantastic job with the 2009 Iowa Ladies Retreat.


Everything was lovely...the accommodations, the meals, the worship...

Thank you, Iowans, for putting up with my "corny" jokes! It was an honor to speak at the Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa Sunday morning and celebrate three baptisms! The evening Mexican Fiesta youth event was a blast, and I hope all the young people will remember that God really, really loves them...closer-than-your-closest-friend kind of love!

Thank you for the lovely parting gifts. I had a time getting all my stuff loaded on the plane.

Ha! Just another corny joke. But do check back for pictures. Have a great day!

What happened to the last month?

The last few weeks have been incredibly busy! Just to hit the highlights...

I represented my precinct as a delegate to the Michigan Republican party's state convention in Lansing and served as a teller in the 9th District Caucus.

The beautiul color proof for Bachik, the Birthday Kiss came in. The project was wrapped up and is now at the printer.

A Patchwork of Freedom (sequel to Quilting Patches of Life) has been edited and the proposal is almost ready to forward to my agent.

My taxes are done...yeah! Two corporations (me and my hubby) and one personal return. Scads of paperwork!

My husband and I celebrated my birthday at the Royal Park Hotel where we enjoyed a fabulous meal and heard incredible Nick Vujicic (of Life Without Limbs) speak at a fundraiser for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

I've been busily preparing to speak in Iowa this weekend. I look forward to being with the ladies Friday and Saturday at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. Sunday morning, the Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa has invited me to speak in the morning service, and they are hosting a youth event in the evening that I'm very excited about. The title for the youth presentation is, "Pickled in His Presence" and please pray with me for open hearts and God to move at all of these events.

Thanks for the wonderful feedback

I have been so blessed by the comments that have come in this week, and thought I'd post some here.

I am reading your book Quilting Patches of Life, and it has been such a joy. I always look forward to the next story. What an awesome idea! We are traveling...and it is fun to have such great reading material along. - D.S.

Your book is wonderful and our librarian has added it to our reading program. - D.C.

I did so enjoy your program. One of the best. Thanks. - J.A.

Liked the way she worked music and singing into the program.

Your stories were so touching and I enjoyed them. - L.F.

I copied your article about chocolates and mailed a copy to my friend, along with a bag of chocolate truffles and a little note...Anyway she took the article to work with her at the hospital...and the chocolates to share them with her friends there. She loved the article. I also let the lady that I take care of read it and she wanted a copy too. She said she was going to mail it to her friend in Spain! I loved it! - B.C.

I was just blown away to get so much positive feedback in one week. Thank you. Thank you, and may God richly bless each one who took the time to write, and those who have taken the time to read.

"Bachik the Birthday Kiss" is ready for printing!

Much of yesterday was spent in Grand Rapids with the very hospitable and efficient folks at Heule Gordon. It was quite an experience watching Tiffany bring Andrea's warm and wonderful artwork together with the story of Bachik the Birthdya Kiss into a beautiful book. And Carl Heule has been so helpful in lining everything up, making the decisions necessary to see this project through to completion.

It looks like it will be about three months before I receive the first shipment, but it will be worth the wait. This company puts out a quality product that I can't wait to share with everyone, especially my Armenian friends and family...and the new people I will meet at the Armenian ladies retreat I was just booked to speak at on June 6.