Sunrise to Sunset...Blessed When I Speak

Sunrise to Sunset...As Far as the East is from the West...

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where
evening fades, you call forth songs of joy."
Psalm 65:8

A favorite aspect of being an author, speaker, and educator are the people I encounter. My sweet friend, Karen, used to call me a "friend collector" and my family tease often for striking up a conversation with those waiting in line, the elevator, or walking through the grocery store.

Who knows why I'm like this, maybe it is from watching my Gram "people watch" or coming from a family thriving on human interaction. Whatever the cause, I'm glad.

We never know when a simple "hello" or "how are you" followed by an attentive ear might make a positive difference in someone's life. Isn't that worth a few seconds or minutes of your time. I know it is of mine. Only God knows who we'll meet and when our "hello" leads to a conversation that inspires us unexpectedly.

This month I had the privilege to spend an evening with a women's church group for their monthly meeting. Each month they gather at a different woman's home. The hostess organizes and plans the evening's theme, activity, or speaker. For July, they had a picnic by the lake with a local author as their guest. Yes, this was me. I am still humbled and honored for the invitation and even more so since our time together.

The invitation came weeks prior via a Facebook message from one of the organizers. Come to find out, these sweet women read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, while using the discussion questions in the back of the book to facilitate a book club and Bible study to enhance their read. I was thankful for the Facebook invite because I cried when I first read the invitation, something easy to hide behind the keyboard but over a phone call or tea. Why the tears you ask? Simple, I added the discussion or self-directed questions only months before the release.

To add the questions was a challenge because it required me to read each chapter as an individual entity, reflect again on the past, and then develop thought provoking questions to challenge and encourage readers. Once I learned a group utilized this tool in the back of the book, I was so thankful. Thankful for being obedient to write this portion of the book (because I prayed about it often and wasn't going to do it) and thankful it made a difference in someone's life.

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"...as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us..."
Psalm 103:12

This summer a women's group invited me to join them for their July meeting, as the guest author and speaker. As we chatted back and forth via a private Facebook message I was overwhelmed with their choosing me. I was honored to be asked yet when Marla explained the entire group had read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey and used the questions in the back for a book/Bible study, I was humbled.

The evening of the picnic I enjoyed wonderful food, fellowship, and conversations. After we ate I shared the message God placed on my heart, along with some tidbits you only learn when I speak. The true blessings and encouragement followed my message when I asked if there were any questions. I was humbled by the insightful observations, questions, and thoughts shared with me by those in attendance. I was in awe of how God worked through my words to touch hearts and the underlying messages woven throughout Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey I hadn't realized until listening to this wonderful group of women.

As if the evening couldn't get much better, it did. The sun started to set and we were all invited to move from under the grand oak to the hill over looking the lake at the back of the property to view God's majesty at work. A few of us walked up. I met an amazing young woman too. We enjoyed the sunset with a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Miss D blessed me through her words and openness. I pray she was as blessed by the conversation as I. This time was the highlight to a fabulous evening. The sunset is like the Evening Torch ~ an array of color, hope, and God inspired creation. Thanks for having me.

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"From the rising of the sun
to the place where it sets,
    the name of the Lord
is to be praised."
Psalm 113:3

If you are looking for a speaker for your church,
women's group, organization, or event ~
check out my "Contact Me" and "Testimony"
pages for more information.
After reading Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey -
How did your outlook change?