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!

Awesome October!

Just thought I'd post a few pictures from events this month. First, General Conference in Houston, Texas, was fabulous!
  

With Bro. & Sis. David K. Bernard,

General Superintendent and 1st Lady



With beautiful Sis. Connie Bernard

Participating in a UGST panel discussion moderated
by Gwyn Oakes, Ladies Ministries President

With the lovely young ladies on the panel, the
topic was women mentoring women

I was blessed to share breakfast

with Sis. Vest Mangun

With Sis. Oakes at the PPH bookstore display
signing copies of "The Girl in the Dress"

With my conference buddy, Beverly, and our
new friend, Buddy Bee

Getting silly with Buddy Bee

Furiously taking notes at Jennifer Cobb's
excellent teaching session for Ladies Day

Well, those are some conference highlights. Here's a picture from a presentation in at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Michigan. I spoke on "Quilting Patches of Life" as part of a holiday dessert buffet gathering.

An incredible quilt...and an incredible friend!

This is with Donna Linville and Debbie Velie
at the Vessels of Honor Conference in Bridgeport, Michigan

This is also from the Vessels of Honor conference...
As you can see, I have a thing for bees lately...
Just one more picture and see if you can guess why.
It's not of the one who inspired the message, Romper Room's famous Mr. Do-Bee,
but here's the graphic...I hope you get it's message...keeping a balance between doing and being.


Remember, Jesus made you for relationship...
A human being, not a human doing...
It's a balanced walk I call the "Do-Be Dance"
Buzzzzzzz!!!! 

My Old Kentucky Home...and then some...

The past month has been an exciting and busy one that included two trips to Kentucky and one to Tennessee. I'll start off with my home, sweet home. It was great to speak at Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle in Paducah at the invitation of Pastor Rick and Patty Romain. What was going to be a youth presentation blossomed into the Sunday morning message for all, "Walking in Agreement with God's Calling and Purpose for Your Life." There were folks from several area churches who joined us in the evening for "You Have a Field to Defend."

Karen Davis from Life Tabernacle in Selmer, Tennessee, invited me to speak at their annual ladies conference. We had a great time and Sis. Davis posted these comments on facebook afterwards: "Ladies Conference 2010. WOW WOW WOW Anyone who knows me, knows that I am seldom speechless; but, this is one of those times. Last night was great; but, today exceeding ANYTHING that I ever imagined. Truly, TRULY, fantastic." When God shows up among the people of God, it's just one dynamic happening, and I was thrilled to be there with my sister, Sandy, too.

On the way home, I just about killed myself taking two of my kids to Kings Island for a last summer's hoorah. Yes...I rode this roller coaster and lots more before finishing the ride home to Michigan. I know it's crazy, but I do have my limits. I refuse to ride those old wooden ones that beat you up and make you feel like you need to go to the chiropractor...

The following Saturday I spoke at a "Growing in Intimacy" Prayer Conference in Troy, Michigan, sponsored by Front Line Ministries For Christ, and then, can you believe it...ran away with the girls for a quick trip to Kentucky once again to visit the Creation Museum. It was a wonderful trip all around and a rare opportunity to connect with a friend, Debbie Summers, who had been on the mission field for two years in Cyprus. However, I did, as you can see in the picture here, almost get eaten by a dinosaur. =D

Among the adventures, we were told a slave house was somewhere on the back of the old Victorian home we stayed in; however, the grounds were completely overgrown with brambles, brush and such. I was very interested in seeing it because I have studied a lot on slavery and the Underground Railroad: 1) for the published book, A Patchwork of Freedom, and 2) for the not-yet-published book, a historical Christian romance called The Rose of Sharon. I assure you, I am not Miss Woodlady of the World, but I really wanted to see it, so we tried twice--getting pricked with prickers, limbs caught in our hair, burrs buried in all our clothes...and the second day we found it. 

Because of the date the main house appeared to be built, and the structure of the delapidated building we found out past the swamp, I'm not sure what we saw was a slave house, although it could have been. Some of the structure was definitely older than a back portion that appeared to be an addition. But it was an adventure I won't forget...especially since my cohorts shared one pair of boots so they could each have a "lead foot" as they walked through the dense growth.

To top the whole thing off with something better than a cherry...we met up with some more old friends, Diana and Janice Reed, at the Grand Finale for a phenomenol dinner. It was delicious and so great to see these wonderful people again who have meant so much to me as my previous pastor's wife and mother.

This last picture was taken as we prepared to part ways. We laughed. We cried. We talked. We prayed. We ate. We explored...every moment, word and experience lived in the presence of our wonderful God...the One Who brought us all together and made us part of His precious family. I just love my Jesus! Yes, I do!

And now, I prepare to leave next week for Jefferson City, Tennesse, and the Tri-Cities ladies conference...followed by General Conference in Houston...then ladies events in Hastings, Michigan; Bridgeport, Michigan; and Newport News, Virginia. I hope to see some of you in my travels...and I truly appreciate your prayers and support. 

We had a time...

And that was the theme for the Arizona Ladies Conference...based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8..."It's Time...to Sing, Dance, Laugh, Heal, Give."

It was such a blessing to be a part of this anointed conference, speak alongside Nancy Grandquist, and meet sweet Debbie Akers.

And only a few short days later, I packed up again...this time with my son and daughter, and headed South. It was a wonderful conference in Selmer, Tennessee, followed by a special happening for me...speaking in my hometown of Paducah, Kentucky. Thank you, Karen Davis, in Tennessee, and the Romains in Paducah, for having me.

Goodbye, St. Louis & Denver...Hello, Mesa, Arizona!

This is me and my sonny boy, Charles, in St. Louis this month for the North American Bible Quiz Tournament--the final competition of the 2010 season, or what we fondly call "nationals.' I was so glad I got to be with him and the team...and perhaps if I keep my van I'll be asked to drive again next year. It was a blast!

I was blessed to be at Landmark Tabernacle in Denver with Rev. and Mrs. Billy Hale for their second annual "Family First" weekend. It was great! I got to do all the things I love...At the top of the list was participate in fantastic worship and hear awesome messages from Pastor Hale and others. Saturday I spoke to the youth and the ladies in separate sessions and then the wonderful church family Sunday evening. This picture is a little after-service pizza party with the Hales, Hoods, Elmses and company.

And just for fun, I've included one of my favorite pictures. This is me peddling my little sister Cheryl around in our hometown, Paducah, Kentucky. I'm headed there soon, after Arizona, and also to Selmer, Tennessee. So check the schedule to the right if you're in any of these areas. It would be so great to see you at any of the events. For more info, send me an email at loriwagner@affirmingfaith.com. 

And thanks for your prayers and support! They are so appreciated...for  safe travel, for the messages shared, for the people who come for encouragement and some nuggets to take home to their realities, and for my family when I am away. God bless you!

Oh...can't forget something special for my local friends...

You're Invited...

I'm one of the speakers at an August 28 meeting in Troy called, "Growing in Intimacy." Here's the link for more information and to register.

http://www.growinginintimacyprayerconference.blogspot.com