Book Signing!

You're invited to my first book signing for my new book, "Changing Lives One Note at a Time."

The Mustard Seed in the Westminster Mall is hosting the signing on Saturday, February 4th, between 1:30 and 3:30. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi.

I was there yesterday to deliver some fliers and coupons to put in customer's bags. I have to build up my courage between now and then! They have me right out in front at the door!

Let me take this opportunity to say a huge "Thank You!" to my friend, Diana. She works at The Mustard Seed and the first time I told her about my book she said, "You're doing a book signing!" She has made this first event easy and fun.

Other opportunities include . . . Little Bit Country in Littlestown, PA. Michele, the owner, has graciously put my book and note cards in her shop. And my friend, Jim, from church, made contact with a former co-worker at WTHU out of Thurmont, for a radio interview. The convention where I worked for 15 years (Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware) will have an interview in their February issue of BaptistLife. Thank you Shannon for a well written article!

My friends have been most generous in encouraging and inspiring me as I walk down this new road. I'm very thankful for the support I've been given and the opportunity to tell others about the incredible ministry of note writing.


Hope to see you at the book signing!

How big is your House?

I recently read a devotion that brought back a memory from many years ago. We were members at a small country church and each month a Bible study was held in a members home. Usually the members who had big homes hosted the studies.

Jerry and I volunteered to have the study in our home one month. Compared to the homes normally volunteered, our is a very small home. In order to accommodate the number of people that would be attending, we had to move our dining room table into the bedroom and put up folding chairs, two rows, to have enough room for people to sit down. Our little living/dining room was definitely packed!

Before the date of the study, a woman said to me: "My husband won't let us have a study at our home because he thinks it is too small." I told her to come to the one at our home. They did.

The next month the study was held at this woman's home. The house her husband thought was too small to host the study turned out to be three to four times bigger than our home.

Even though our small home is small we've never let it inhibit us in inviting folks over. I like what Luci Swindoll said: "The size of one's home should never dictate the outreach of one's heart."

The other Friday I hosted my friend's Diana and Holly for our January breakfast date. The warmth God has allowed Jerry and me to provide in our cozy little home was a noticable factor on that Friday morning. That's the three of us above after a wonderful breakfast and fellowship!

How big is your home? Do you invite people over for fellowship, or do you think it is too small. It doesn't matter how small your home is, only how big your heart is.

Amazing Growth

Recently I penned a note to my pastor about how we continue to grow and understand more about God. This is what I said:

"It's amazing to me how we continue to grow, gaining wisdom and understanding as we walk with and serve God. Of course, our sinful nature continues too, but hopefully that continues to diminish as we mature; although never ending, we should have wiser control over its forces.

"Reading books, listening to CDs and watching DVDs from reliable Christians God has gifted to express His Word always appeals to my unquenchable desire to learn more and be closer to my Heavenly Father. The journey has been an amazing one through my eyes, for who am I that God chose me. Through my eyes, nothing; through God's eyes, everything."

Is your unquenchable desire being filled by Godly design? There's no shortage of reliable avenues to choose. You'll find them amazing!

The adorable picture of a dove and her baby was snapped by my sister-in-law, Bobbie.

A New Year's Song

Frances Ridley Havergal, well know for such hymns as "I Gave My Life For Thee," "Like a River Glorious" and "Golden Harps Are Sounding" also wrote a poem titled "A Happy New Year! Ever Such May it Be!" in 1874.

That poem's name was later changed to "Another Year is Dawning" and put to music my Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876. It is considered one of the finest New Year's prayers of consecration ever written.

As we begin this New Year, may its words cause you to offer thanksgiving to our great God.

"Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting another year with Thee; another year of progress, another year of praise, another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

"Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast; another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

"Another year of service, of witness for Thy love; another year of training for holier work above. Another year of dawning, Dear Father, let it be, on earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee."

Let's anticipate the great things God will do this year!

Crossroads

One of my Facebook friends posted the following quote on her page this morning:

"Not often, but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point--a great crossroads in our life. From that point on we either go toward a more slow, lazy, and useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest--our best for His glory!" Oswald Chambers

2011 was a crossroads year in my life. A major turning point. When 2011 began I had no idea I would be retired by the end of the year, or my book would be published. The first crossroad was to happen in 2014, and the second crossroad had been a forgotten dream that wouldn't take place.

I know these two crossroads came from God because my heart was calm and at rest as they unfolded. Astonishing, but believable.

Now, where will these two crossroads take me. It's kind of scary. Will I have to take a part-time job to make ends meet? Will our plans for an enjoyable retirement be changed? Do I have the courage to self promote my book? Will I survive book signings and events?

Will I become slow, lazy and useless for Christ? Or will I burn brightly for His glory? The passion God gave me for note writing is still strong. Just this morning I penned a note, and after writing it I asked God: "Where did those words come from?" "How do you do that God?"

I believe so strongly in this gift God has given me. How I long to awaken other's to this incredible ministry of encouraging through note writing . . . or encouraging through any avenue God gives you.

Yes, along the path there are crossroads. You've probably had a few already. Let it light your fire to whatever God has given you to do. Do it with all your might. Do it with a humble heart. Do it because you love Christ.

Crossroads. The dictionary put it this way: "a crucial point." Dare to take the high road. The only road. Christ's road.

Another Anniversary

Jerry and I were in the Christmas spirit as we celebrated our 26th anniversary at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, PA on the 14th. Good food, good shopping and good scenery! Good marriage too!

NOTEworthy Card Creations

Snaps from the notewriter are now for sale! As I continue to enhance my blog to coincide with the publishing of my book, I have created a new page for note cards. You won't find it professional in design, but you will find sincere effort to create something of value.

As I make my way through the ocean of "blogging," I know it will take awhile for me to learn all there is to know. My first steps are baby sets. As time passes I hope to improve the pages.

Creating note cards is just as important to me as writing encouraging notes. I get to share God's creation from my serendipity moments of picture taking for others to enjoy.

Take a moment to click on "NOTEworthy Card Creations" and enjoy your visit!