just a quick note to let you all know that it is official. I have published my first book. it is small and simple, yet the words are very close to my heart.

 

As much as i enjoy speaking and teaching, sitting and writing words for someone else to read is one of the most challenging tasks for me. I have however, been blessed by friends who are talented in the areas of my weakness. This entire project has been a reminder to me of how much the body of Christ needs each other.

 

Once it was all written (edited by my friend cheri hoffman, reviewed by a few others, the arms, miss phebe, joanna....) the Lord showed me again how much i need the body of Christ. For a book without a cover isn’t much of a book. I tried to design one on my own... (note: i just finished reading a book on walking in unity with the holy spirit and other christians. I have to admit i thought i did a great job at being interdependent. however after trying to design my own cover and not asking for help i was clearly shown that i often try to complete tasks in my own strength) it was well... cute. but not at all what i wanted. the problem was that i am not and artist and designing something that would compliment the words was not something i could accomplish on my own. God has however placed people in my life who are skilled in this area. (thanks to the arms for the cover!) Then there is the job of putting it all together. (a number of friends were needed to make this happen; amy and her team, joanna, michelle...) I have been blessed with a printer who demonstrated extreme patience and kindness to me through out this process. Ron went above and beyond to make sure all the details lined up, even developing a correct format and adding the right amount of spaces....all those little details that move something from good to great.

 

As with many experiences in my life the Lord has used this to teach me about myself, and the areas of my life that i need to grow in. While i would like to believe that I depend on the Lord for all things in my life, i don’t. I am trying to, and as Mother Teresa once said:

 

 

So i will continue to try, no matter what the task. Because it honors my God to try, and He will meet my weaknesses with His strength poured out through the people of His Church.

 

On to the book...

 

In the last years of my grandfather’s life he became increasingly weak and unable to farm.  Knowing that farming was his life, I choose to spend a summer with him.  I would be the “strength” on the farm, and he could be the wisdom and knowledge that comes from years of hard work.  We sat together and planned what seeds to buy and what seedlings to order.  He taught me how to plant them; which went in the ground and which grew out of mounds, which needed the dry soil and which needed extra moistness.  But most of all, my grandfather taught me how God cares for his children.  Over one season I learned of life’s storms, God’s grace, the need to be diligent, and the joy of working for the Creator.