Royal Invitation

By the time I post this, the royal wedding will have taken place. Prince William and Kate will be married in a lavish fairytales-come-true ceremony. The bridal gown will steer the fashion trends. Details like the music and flowers are bound to be studied by the News and copied by couples celebrating their nuptials in the future.

I write romance. I love happy endings.

Can you imagine receiving an invitation?

Almighty God the Father
Joyously requests your presence
At the marriage of His Son,
Prince Jesus Christ
to
His Beloved Bride,
The Church
On the First of Eternity
In the Alpha and Omega Throne Room
3 Mansions on High, Heaven
Wedding feast following immediately
In the Trinity Room

RSVP

Yes. We’ve been invited.

Celestial Harp and Chorus to provide the music.

Come as you are.

Crown jewels will be on display.
I’ll see you there!
Cathy

Guest Blogger - Angie Breidenbach

This week I'm happy to introduce a guest blogger. Angie and I met a while back and she has helped me with research on a book coming out in the fall. I hope you enjoy getting to know Angie Breidenbach and her new book Gems of Wisdom. Take it away, Angie!!








So How Do You Pray Anyway?


I used to think prayer had to be very formal. You know, the folded hands and bowed head. Could God hear me if I didn't follow all the rules? Why did He want to listen to me anyway?


Do you ever feel like that? Like God's just too big way up there in the sky to listen to little me?


Then He did something really spectacular. He answered a whisper. And He caught my attention.


I started trying different ways of praying. Sometimes they were a few words, a song, or even a laugh full of gusto. But the more I started to mentally direct my thoughts into a prayerful attitude, the more I began to see the answers.


The answers were not a surprise to God, but they sure were to me. I wanted to learn how to recognize when God was answering my prayers so I started to journal them on one side of a page and then when I knew I had an answer, I wrote it on the opposite side. I kept this notebook for several years. In fact, I found it under some other books recently and started looking through the unanswered prayers. Do you know what happened? I began filling in blank after blank after blank. God had been faithfully answering me. He surprised me again. I decided He's totally in the job of surprise.

Now I pray in any way that's appropriate for the moment. Sometimes that even includes getting down on the floor, allowing the tears to come, and letting the Holy Spirit take my silent prayers up to the ear of God. I felt like all the ashes in my heart were snuffing out my sense of purpose, people I needed to forgive, and the dreams I thought I should chase. When I let the Holy Spirit swirl through all those ashes, I saw Him pulling them all up into the throne room of God. I felt like He'd cleaned out all that old dead stuff and relit my flame of joy.
I wrote about allowing His Spirit to swirl through me in Chapter 6 instead of giving into the pirates of martyrdom, anger, and unforgiveness:


Are you willing to let go and let God take it from here?

Hold your hands up to Him. Open your palms and blow your worries, fears, and pain away. Toss God the blackened pieces of wooden unforgiveness.

Watch Him catch it all.

Watch a slow smile spread across His features.

Hear Him say, “I can take it from here. It is in my power. It is in my plan. I love you.”

Did you know?

God is smiling on you!


What are all the gems and what do they mean in the book?http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/jewelry/


Matching line of Gems of Wisdom jewelry that helps support the Sanctuary of Hope Orphan Homes.
http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/products-page/




Buy the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Gems-Wisdom-Treasure-Filled-Angela-Breidenbach/dp/1936438046/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3


You're invited to the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life official book launch party
May 7th 11am-2pm, Garden of Read'n, Missoula, MT.


About the book:
In Gems of Wisdom: For A Treasure-Filled Life you'll embark on a treasure hunt for God's unique gems of wisdom. Be empowered, learn to influence through your own life lessons, and preserve important relationships. Gems of Wisdom invites the reader on a treasure hunt to find important life concepts represented by the beautiful stones God created. Excellent for Bible study and book clubs as well as individual study.


About the author:
Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life from Journey Press, the Creative Cooking Series including the new release of Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance and the new Kindle release, Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and life coach. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. She volunteered as the American Christian Fiction Writer's publicity officer for two years. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain for the study of schizophrenia, but she’s also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. Angela is married with a combined family of six grown children and two grand children. Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life releases May 2011 from Journey Press, a Sheaf House imprint.


Appreciatively,

Angela Breidenbach, Speaker/Author
Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance
Gems of Wisdom: For A Treasure-filled Life, Journey Press

http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com website
http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com blog
http://www.christianspeakersservices.com/angela-breidenbach-christian-speaker-author.html

When all else fails, talk about your kids

Have you ever been empty? The past few weeks...woofta. One thing after another. It's all I can do to drag out enough oomph to complete a chapter a day. Yesterday it occurred to me I needed to do a blog post, and I literally groaned aloud, "What am I gonna sa-a-a-a-ay...?"

I'm a pretty bashful person. Starting conversations is excruciating. I never know what to say to someone I don't really know. So...when all else fails...I yap about my kids. So guess what? You're going to hear about my kids. Today: Oldest offspring, Kristian Marie.

Kristian was my "surprise" kid. Married only six weeks (and on birth control!) when I found out I was expecting. I was pretty stunned. And scared. I wasn't in the greatest of relationships, I'd never been around babies, and the whole concept of adding a wee person to the family who would be completely dependent on me was downright intimidating. But you know, she grew on me, and I've decided she was one of my best God-gifts. She gave me a reason to hold it together when my life was falling apart.

Kristian was the kid you should never have first because she spoiled you for all the others. Not that the others were bad, mind you, but Kristian was easy. Obedient, responsible, well-mannered, the kid teachers praised to the sky. Honestly, this one could have made me cocky as a parent because she was just an all-around good kid. Which, I know now, had a whole lot less to do with me than it did with the personality God gave her. Either way, I'm grateful.

Kristian has many gifts (including an amazing singing voice), but I think her best gifts are her ability to see the good in people and to forgive...and forget. She humbles me with her willingness to give second chances and love the way Jesus loves--unconditionally.

From the time she was little, Kristian wanted to grow up and be a mommy. When she was 19, we found out she had advanced endometriosis. Doctors said it was unlikely she would conceive, but we prayed. And prayed. And God answered. And answered. LOL

Kristian has seen her childhood dream blossom six times over! She's a wonderful mommy--attentive, patient, willing to do all the messy things I resisted when she was little. I watch her interact with her six-pack of wee people and pride almost chokes me sometimes. She's the kind of mommy every kid should have. Someday, when her kids are bigger and realize how fortunate they are, her children are going to do as it says in Proverbs 31--"arise and call her blessed."

She's also a loving wife, active in church, a full-time student (working toward a degree in addictions counseling), a part-time writer (striving for publication someday), and serves as my personal assistant (which is soooo helpful). When Kristian graduated from high school and went off to college, I literally cried so hard I threw up. I didn't want her to go. I knew I'd miss her horribly (and I did), but one of the nicest things about having your kids grow up is they move from just being your child to being your friend. Kristian really is one of my best friends. I admire her for the amazing Christian woman she's become, and I'm so proud to call her my daughter.

God gives great gifts. One of my best is named Kristian.

May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

History on the Prairie

While I was in Western Kansas a couple weeks ago, I had some free time between speaking engagements so I took the opportunity to visit the Prairie Museum of Art & History in Colby. While there are some interesting buildings on the museum grounds, such as the largest barn in Kansas, and a soddie and old schoolhouse, there are some fascinating items inside, as well. And the history behind many of the artifacts is just as interesting.

Joseph and Nellie Kuska spent their lives collecting. He was an agronomist and she was a school teacher who eventually had a radio program in Colby and would tell about different items in her variety of collections. In 1975 the Kuska Foundation donated their collection to the people of Thomas County—it took three moving vans to move the seventeen tons of artifacts!

I was captivated by the French Rocharde doll, one of only five in the world. Each bead around the doll’s neck features a famous painting, but you must look through a magnifying glass (provided by the museum) in order to see the paintings. Amazing! The German Meissen collection is one of the best in the United States. This is only one of those beautiful porcelain pieces.

But I must admit that I was particularly drawn to a new exhibit titled Something Borrowed Something Blue: Midwest Wedding Traditions. Since Tracie and I are co-authoring a series titled Bridal Veil where each book culminates in a wedding, I was excited to see the gowns and read some of the information the curators provided. And I learned a few things! If you find any new tidbits among the information, let me know. Maybe I’m the only one who hadn’t heard all of these interesting little facts.

It was the ancient Hebrews who first encouraged brides to wear blue ribbons on their wedding day. They considered the color blue to be symbolic of love, purity, and fidelity. Wearing something borrowed from a happily married woman was thought to transfer her wedded bliss to the new bride.

The term spooning comes from Wales where a man would often carve a spoon from wood and give it to his betrothed. She attached the spoon to a ribbon and wore it around her neck to signify their engagement. The expression “spooning” meaning to court or date originated from this tradition.

While I knew the derivation of spooning, I didn’t know that sometimes a man proposed by giving a girl a pair of gloves. If she wore them to church, that meant she accepted his proposal. I had heard of a girl “giving a fellow the mitten” which meant a girl was no longer interested in her current beau. Maybe these two are somehow connected, but I couldn’t find anything to prove or disprove that fact.

And Drop the Handkerchief was not originally a children’s game, but designed for a young man who wished to propose to a young lady by dropping a handkerchief behind her.

Reading some of the changes in courtship traditions was as much fun as seeing the changes in wedding attire. Wish you could have been with me to savor the moment!

P.S. Please excuse the flash in my pictures--one day I'll learn to get the right angle!
P.P.S.--IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE CLOSE BY, LORNA SEILSTAD AND I WILL BE SIGNING BOOKS AT THE GENERAL STORE IN THE AMANA COLONIES IN IOWA ON SATURDAY FROM 9:00 - 5:00 AND ON SUNDAY FROM 11:00 - 3:00. COME JOIN US AT THE MAIFEST CELEBRATION, IF YOU CAN!


May you find joy as you discover something new in God's magnificent creation. ~Judy

How Great Thou Art, indeed!

Carl Boberg, a 26-year-old Swedish minister, wrote a poem in 1885 which he called "O Store Gud"––"O Mighty God." The words of the poem, literally translated into English, said:

When I the world consider / Which Thou hast made by Thine almighty Word

And how the webb of life Thou wisdom guideth / And all creation feedeth at Thy board.

Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise / Oh, great God, Oh, great God!

Carol Boberg's poem was published and forgotten––or so he thought.

Several years later, he was surprised to hear it being sung to the tune of an old Swedish melody; but the poem and hymn did not achieve widespread fame.

Hearing this hymn in Russia, English missionary, Stuart Hine, was so moved he modified and expanded the words and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody. He later said his first three verses were inspired, line upon line, by Russia's rugged Carpathian Mountains. The first verse was composed when he was caught in a thunderstorm in a Carpathian village, the second as he heard the birds sing near the Romanian border, and the third as he witnessed many of the Carpathian mountain-dwellers coming to Christ. The final verse was written after Dr. Hine returned to Great Britain.

Some time later, Dr. J. Edwin Orr heard "How Great Thou Art" being sung by Naga Tribespeople in Assam, in India, and decided to bring it back to America for use in his own meetings. And I'm so glad he did!

My daughter sent me this link last night, and I was so excited because I missed this performance when it was on TV the other night. But my Dad saw it and raved about how fabulous it was! And oh…he wasn't kidding!

As Your Word says in Isaiah 45:18, "I am the Lord, and there is no other." Truly Lord, how great Thou art! And thank you, Father, for gifting musicians like Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood and others to praise You in song and for giving us a taste of heaven while here on earth.



One last note, I'm taking my dad to the neurologist this morning. He's been suffering from repeated migraines and we're praying the doctor can shed some light on the cause––and provide some relief. I'd appreciate your prayers for that too.

Tammy

Much of this information was gleaned from a wonderful book entitled Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan. It contains the stories of 150 of the world's greatest hymns. Highly recommended!

private lives, public blogs

I hope you all had a very blessed Easter! Mine was quiet but lovely. I went to my church's Saturday night service, which included the two man play, Fish Eyes. If you ever have a chance to see it, go! It is an often humorous –– but also profound –– look at the ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of brothers Peter and Andrew. I laughed and laughed, but I was also teary-eyed in places. Anyway, remember the name and see it if you have the chance.

---

Now on to today's post.

It's been my experience that readers often think novelists live exciting, extraordinary lives. The truth is, like most people, this novelist's life is quite ordinary. I work and I love and I hurt and I worry and I laugh and I cry.

Of course, a great deal of that never makes it into my public blogs — for the very reason that they are public. However, everything I experience does work its way into my novels, woven into the lives of my characters, a bit here, a bit there. What makes up me, makes up them.

God has a way of taking all of those things I experience and feel — the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the ordinary and the extraordinary — and using them to teach me, about Himself and about myself. Sometimes, I would wish for fewer lessons. Or maybe I just wish for a few easy ones.

The past ten months have been tough, as regular readers know: the shattered ankle and recovery, losing my dear mom, breast cancer and treatment, and in the month of April, I did something to my back (I have no clue what but I assume I wrenched it while rescuing the kitty from the doggy) and was in lots of pain for two weeks. I'm on the mend now, but this latest ailment played havoc once again with my writing. Thank God for understanding editors and for my good friend who assembled a portable computer desk that allows me to stand and work since sitting is the worst right now.

"Life is hard. God is good." That's a line from a favorite Pam Thum song. It's a truth I know deep down to my very core. Even when life is hard, God is always good.

~robin

The Lamb is My Shepherd

Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. -John 1:29b

Mercy...

Shakespeare was wrong. Mercy doesn't fall to earth like a gentle rain.

Mercy splattered across the world as Christ Jesus was flogged, it rang as nails pounded into His hands and feet. Mercy rasped with the forgiveness Jesus spoke from the cross, and it tore from heaven, through the veil to the temple's Holy of Holies.

By Christ's mercy, we are redeemed and God has gathered us back to His bosom.

Lamb of God by Twila Paris has been echoing in my heart this week, and it played on my car radio today. I found a presentation on YouTube I'd love to share with you.

I'm hoping this comes through. (You all know how I am Queen of Technopeasants.) but if there is a glitch, I promise this will touch you down to your soul... and, perhaps the very end is the most rewarding, because wearing the red robe and crown of thorns the soldiers used to mock Him, Jesus returns.. http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtDgb-6dl-g&feature=related

The Easter message is the Victory of Love and Mercy over sin and death.

The tomb is empty!

He is risen!

And now the Lamb of God is my Shepherd.

Allelujah!
Cathy

Good Friday

Good Friday (which some believe was originally called God Friday) is a day that we are given to reflect on Jesus and His death on the cross. Some folks think this is gruesome and depressing. After all, Jesus was hideously beaten and abused, betrayed and cruelly ridiculed, and put to an ugly death for sins He did not commit. It's not a pretty picture or a lovely thing to think on.

Unless of course, you look at it in a little different light. The light of Jesus. The heart of a Savior who loved us so much that giving His life to bring us into right accord with the Father was worth the pain - the lies told about Him - the ridicule and shame.

Today, you have an opportunity to spend a little time in relection on the love Jesus showed us on the cross. Some folks fast and pray, others meditate on the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) - in particular the seven last statements of Jesus on the cross.

The First Word Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.
The Second Word I assure you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
The Third Word Dear woman, here is your son.
The Fourth Word My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
The Fifth Word I am thirsty.
The Sixth Word It is finished.
The Seventh Word Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.





I hope you'll take the opportunity to get away to a quiet place and spend a little time with God. Remember what was done for you - years and years before you were ever born. Cherish what is yet to come - the empty tomb - the resurrected Lord - the end of suffereing and pain. Rest in the reconcilation that Jesus made possible.

God bless you on this Good Friday.
Tracie

Traditions...

The older I get, the more I appreciate little things. Like traditions. As a kid, I didn't think about the things we did year after year as a tradition--it was "just what we did." But now I recognize the security and sense of heritage that emerges from family traditions. One such tradition in our family is having an Easter egg hunt.

Okay, okay, I know that isn't the real meaning of Easter. And believe me, as a family we celebrate the fact that we serve a risen Savior!!! But we also enjoy sending the kids (from ages 0 to 90) on an egg hunt in the back yard. Here are a few shots of last year's hunt, featuring my grandkiddos and my parents--the youngest and eldest generations in our family.

What joy to bring everyone together. The young ones make the older ones smile; the older ones have such wisdom to share with the young ones. I giggled when my oldest daughter called and said, with a small hint of exasperation in her tone, "Mom, I just opened my mouth and you came out." Uh-huh. From generation to generation, the lessons are passed down...

The most important, most lasting lesson I learned from my parents was my need for a Savior. I've walked with the Lord for more than forty years, and I've experienced the joy of my children choosing to embrace Jesus as their Savior. I pray daily for each of my grandchildren to one day make that life-changing decision as well, because it is my heart's desire for our family to spend eternity together in Heaven.

As we gather this Easter, each of the grandkiddos will receive a basket from Gramma, and each basket will contain not only candy and goodies, but a story written at his or her level that tells about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and ends with the good news: He is risen! I love the words from Joshua 24:15--"...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." That's a tradition I pray continues through every generation of my family.

May you have a blessed Easter!

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

Hurrying Through Life

Sometimes I feel as though I’m hurrying through life—going from one deadline or event on my calendar to the next, without stopping to savor the pleasure of the big and the little things that occur. Instead of simply crossing things off my to-do list when they’ve been completed, I’ve decided to make a genuine effort to be more mindful of each encounter and happening as it occurs.

I had the opportunity to put my decision into practice while I was visiting libraries in Western Kansas last week. I made up my mind that I didn’t need to rush, that I had scheduled the events far enough apart that I could relax and enjoy. And I did!

My first stop was in Colby, Kansas, where the librarian and staff arrange daily luncheons and presentations for National Library Week. There was an excellent crowd for the potato bar and strawberry shortcake. And believe it or not, they even stayed to hear me talk!. In addition to the library staff, I had the pleasure of meeting two wonderful gals, Shelly and Melinda—that’s them at the left and that’s the librarian, Melany Wilks (honest, that’s her name, and I didn’t tease her and ask how Scarlett was doing). Shelly sent me this cute handmade card that I received yesterday. (Below left). I only wish my figure looked like that dress!

My second stop was in Goodland, Kansas, and although I didn’t have my trusty camera pulled out to snap any pictures, I received a wonderful welcome from librarian, Karen Gillihan and her staff, as well as a wonderful group of readers. One of the library book clubs had just finished reading First Dawn from the Freedom’s Path series and they’d had their book club discussion immediately preceding my talk. It was fun to discuss some of what they’d experienced while reading about Nicodemus, Kansas. The name of the book club is The Book Bags—they even have cloth bags with the name embroidered on them. Since I’m an old bag writing books, I was a perfect fit for The Book Bags!

My final stop was in Norton, Kansas, where I had the pleasure of speaking to another fine group of readers. I was greeted by librarian, Mary Luehrs who is the mother of Melinda—one of the sweet gals pictured above. All three of these groups asked lots of interesting questions. They wanted to know about everything from my faith journey into writing to how the writing process works. I'm so glad I visited all three of these libraries. Their excitement and friendliness were strong reminders of why I love the people of Kansas.

This part of the trip also provided me with the sweet opportunity to have dinner and spend the night at the home of my former pastor and wife, Darel and JoAnn Boston. They’ve retired and now live in Norton. Once again, I forgot to pull out my camera and get a picture, but what fun we had taking a walk down memory lane!

While I was in each of those small communities, I made a concentrated effort to listen and enjoy each person I met—to savor the experience. I’m trying to remember to do the same every day—whether I’m sitting at my computer or out and about, for who knows what little gifts God has waiting if I'll just stop for a minute and pay attention.

May you find joy as you savor each moment and celebrate a risen Savior. ~Judy

The power of words

How many words have you spoken so far today? Can you count them? 35? 100? 400? What about yesterday? And the day before? 

Words spoken, and those written, have such power to changes lives and to change our world.

What a big difference words make. Subtle changes here and there. Rephrasing something. 

Words are like water. We pour through them. Some people's words are kind, they heal and help (Proverbs 15:4). Some people's words are like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet. You can't turn them off, and you can't get away from them (Proverbs 27:15). Still others are like a leaky faucet, dripping nonsense (Proverbs 15:2). Our words can be harsh and make tempers flare, while they can also be gentle and deflect anger (Proverbs 15:1). And words can change the world (and have!), "Behold, He is Risen!" (Matthew 28:7).

So how do your words measure up so far today?


Blessings this Easter,

Tammy


P.S. Speaking of powerful words, check out the free Kindle version of THE MESSAGE NT with Psalms and Proverbs.

His glorious, unlimited resources

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:16:

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit."

That's my desire. To tap into His glorious, unlimited resources so I can accomplish what He has for me to do. I sure can't do it on my own. When I wrote books under my own power (during my pre-CBA career), I definitely used the talent God gave me, but I didn't write the books He wanted me to write. Now, if I hope to use the talent for God's purposes, I have to have His power to go with it or I am lost.

Florence Nightingale said:

"Life is a hard fight, a struggle, a wrestling with the principle of evil, hand to hand, foot to foot. Every inch of the way is disputed. The night is given us to take breath and to pray, to drink deep at the fountain of power. The day, to use the strength that has been given us, to go forth to work with it till the evening."

God doesn't ask us to walk in our own strength. If Jesus is our Lord, we can walk in *His* strength. That's a good reminder for this Easter week.

~robin

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Handful and Heart full

Pussy willows on Palm Sunday?

I did a double take when I read that.

Did you?

On the original Palm Sunday, people waved palm fronds. It wasn't a matter of them being handy. Jews had adopted the palm frond as their "flag"after the Macabees successfully fought off the enemy. But that victory didn't last. Tired of Rome's tyranny, the Jews wanted the Messiah to be a conqueror. They waved their "flag" and shouted, "Save us!" (Hosannah!) At a time when people owned one set of clothing for their entire lifetime, men took off their robes and threw them on the ground so Jesus would have a special path.

Jesus commanded such power that no one noticed He didn't ride on a horse--a conqueror's mount. Instead, He rode on a lowly donkey. (The donkey hadn't ever been broken/ridden. The act that he bore Jesus through all the commotion and followed the path is enough to awe me.)

The Early Church started using crosses made of palm to celebrate the beginning of Holy Week. But European countries didn't have palms. As a result, they substituted other plants. Poland, Lithuania, England, and Ireland often used pussy willows for Palm Sunday. In fact, they called them "Common palms" or used weeping willow--in which case they called it Willow Sunday. To maked the stalks or branches special, they would weave thread, ribbon, or dye them.

In love that Jesus knows what we have to give. Even the widow's lowly coin or a hand full of pussy willows, when laid before Him, count. It's a matter of Him concecrating what we offer. Our sinful hearts become pure when we give them to Him. So this Sunday, what are you carrying? A handful of nails, palm fronds, or a bunch of pussy willows?

Cathy

Incredible

Last week I was at the Women of Faith event in Billings, Montana. It was, as I expected, incredible!

Patsy Claremont was an absolute delight. She had us laughing so hard most of the time that we couldn't help but feel the joy of the Lord.

Andy Andrews also spoke and he was fantastic. He had so many tidbits of wisdom to share and one in particular really touched a nerve.

He said, "Our choices need to reflect what we say our priorities are."

I think a lot of time it's easy to say that God or family or health or "fill-in-the-blank" is our priority and yet our choices often show something else. I know I've been guilty of that and it really caused me to take a hard look at what I say are priorities in my life.

Mandissa's singing was sooooo encouraging and inspiring. She had everyone, even those over 70, on their feet rockin' to the beat. The worship team was fantastic and offered such a wonderful time of praise. Selah gave an exceptional performance and really blessed us offering a mix of the new and old.

Last but not least, Sandi Patty sang for us and encouraged us to sing with her, so now I can say that Sandi Patty and I sang together. When she sang WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I encourage you to take a listen.




To me, it's always amazing that you can find such intimacy with God in an arena of thousands, but that's exactly what we had in Billings last week. I hope you get a chance to attend a Women of Faith conference soon.

Tracie

Goodbye...and Hello

I'm in the midst of a hello and goodbye time. Both in my writing life and my personal life.

The past couple of weeks have involved bittersweet farewells to people I won't see again until I reach Glory; I've also gotten a glimpse (thanks to the marvels of technology) of my newest grandchild (who is due in August). Emotional highs and lows can be exhausting.

As for writing, a package plopped on the porch by a FedEx driver resulted in celebration--it contained the fourth book in the Katy Lambright Series, Katy's Decision (which my oldest daughter said should have been titled Katy's Nervous Breakdown with all the troubles Katy faces LOL). I confess I did quite a lot of jitterbugging when I held that book. My twentieth release since June of '06. Woofta. Sometimes I still pinch myself, amazed that WRITING is really truly my occupation. I also did a little sniffling, because Katy's Decision is the final book in the series, which means goodbye to Katy. I really enjoyed my time with her, and it's kind of hard to bring the series to a close.

While I'm saying goodbye to Katy and her friends, I'm saying hello to a brand new cast of characters. As you can see from the picture, my cat Clyde is intrigued by the new story, which is an historical that starts in New York but will end in northeast Kansas. There will be quite a few hellos and goodbyes in the story, too...because life (even for fictional characters) contains both beginnings and endings.

When the angel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her she would become the mother of God's Son, the angel gave this promise: "...of his kingdom there shall be no end." I find that so comforting. In this life, we'll face goodbyes--the end of books, the end of series, the final breath of people we hold dear...but HE is forever. And someday I'll be with Him. Forever. That will be an eternal hello.

May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

Time to Read!!!

In case you didn’t know, this is National Library Week. As a part of the yearly celebration, many authors are asked to speak at special programs during Library Week. This year I was asked to come to Western Kansas and speak to three of the libraries in small communities that dot the Kansas prairie.

I consider speaking at libraries a special speaking engagement because libraries played an integral part of my growing-up years, and I think National Library Week is a wonderful way to celebrate them.

Since I’m always wondering about the history of everything, I did some checking and discovered that in 1957 the National Book Committee and the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, formed a joint committee and recommended the establishment of a National Library Week. The first National Library Week was observed May 16-22, 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read". It has continued every year since 1958. In 1974, the American Library Association became the sole sponsor of the event.

But hold on—even though the current National Library week originated in 1958, the idea of a week to promote libraries was not new. The Publicity Committee of the American Library Association recommended such a week back in 1922 at the Detroit Conference of the American Library Association. The Publicity Committee suggested April, 1923 as a possible time to initiate a Library Week. The recommendation of the Publicity Committee was prompted by the success of Indiana Library Week which occurred the week of April 23-29, 1922. Missouri had also implemented a Book Week in February of that year. Children's Book Week had begun in 1919 based on a proposal as early as early as 1913. Toledo, Ohio promoted a Library Week in 1916. Hawaii promoted what it called National Library Week in in the early 1940s. Louisiana and California were other states that celebrated a Library Week prior to the current National Library Week.

I hope that each of you will check your local library and see what events have been planned to celebrate this special week. Try to attend one or two programs and show your librarians you appreciate all their hard and the impact they have on the community where you live.

I’m writing my blog ahead of time because I’m never sure how much time I’ll have when on the road, or if my computer will behave while away from home. However, on Tuesday I spoke at the Colby, Kansas Public Library, and the Goodland, Kansas Public Library. Today I’ll be speaking at the Norton, Kansas Public Library before heading back home. I’ll have the added pleasure of staying with one of our former pastor’s and his wife while I’m in Norton, so this is a time of meeting new friends and reacquainting with old ones—a double blessing.

When I’ve been on book tour with Tracie, Kim, and Cathy, we’ve all spoken about the impact libraries have had on our lives. So, do tell me how libraries have enriched your life.

May you find joy as you enrich your life with books—especially the Good Book. ~Judy