HOLIDAY BLESSINGS
HOLIDAY BLESSINGS . . . 2008
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.”
Psalm 103:1-2
The celebration of our Savior’s birth provides an opportunity for me to share with you the
numerous benefits that I received as God’s child in 2008 . . .
♥ I was blessed to participate in a wide range of ministry opportunities including speaking at women’s meetings and retreats. I even traveled to Forest, Mississippi in June to conduct a mini-conference. However, the highlight of the invitations was the radio interviews I participated in to discuss the contents of Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others. Co-authored with Lisa Tatlock the book was released in January 2008. I was also blessed to function as a member the Women’s Ministry Advisory Council at my church until the fall. I greatly enjoy the intergenerational composition of this special group of ladies but resigned because of the increased demands of my ministry at The Master’s College.
♥ I completed my 21th year of teaching at The Master's College in May—it does not seem possible that I have been there that long. This academic year began with a great new group of students to replace those that graduated in May 2008. You can find out what is happening in Home Economics-Family and Consumer Sciences at The Master's College by visiting the Home Economics web page at http://www.masters.edu/hefcs.
♥ Lest you think that our lives are all work and no play, our summer activities included a trip to San Diego to visit with our special friend Melinda Miller. As always we had a wonderful time. A conference for Carella in Ventura, and a trip to Florida to attend the International Christian Road Show (ICRS) were also a part of our summer travels. ICRS is the annual Christian Bookseller’s Convention.
♥ Our time in Florida was such a blessing. Since I now am affiliated with three publishing houses, I was
invited to all of their festivities. We invited Carella’s Mom to join us and enjoyed visiting Epcot Center together
before the Convention began.
♥ The ICRS experience was incredible. Our gracious heavenly Father provided exceedingly, abundantly
above all that we asked for. A shuttle picked us up almost in front of our hotel to transport us to the Convention
Center. I began the event with a banquet for my writer’s organization, Advanced Writers and Speakers’
Association (AWSA) on Sunday Afternoon. It was my privilege to nominate Crossway, the publisher of
Practicing Hospitality for the publisher of the year award. Our liaison with Crossway, Jill Carter, attended
with me, along with the Editorial Vice President, Al Fisher, and our editor, Lydia Brownback. It was a special
time together that concluded with Crossway receiving the award! Monday evening I was a part of the celebrity
author signing. This event allowed authors to interface with bookstore owners from around the world. I was
humbled to know that Practicing Hospitality was being taken to foreign shores where my feet will never touch.
I enjoyed seeing many of my Moody Publisher friends at their author breakfast, did several interviews, and
concluded my days there with the worshipful Crossway Publisher’s dinner. This year’s banquet focused on the
fall release of the English Standard Study Bible and included key writers for it including J. I. Packer, Mark
Driscoll, Jerry Bridges, and Wayne Grudem. If you have not seen a copy be sure to check it out. It is an
incredible volume.
♥ I signed a contract with New Hope Publishers for a teen version that combines content from Becoming
a Woman Who Pleases God and Designing a Lifestyle that Pleases God in January. Entitled Becoming a
Young Woman Who Pleases God, A Teen’s Guide to Discovering Her Biblical Potential, it is due for an
August, 2009 release. Visiting Amazon.com or CBD.com and typing in the title will give you a sneak preview
of it.
♥ The remainder of our summer was spent at home preparing for our return to our campuses. This fall was, without exception, the busiest I have ever experienced. A highlight was my trip to Chicago to attend the True Woman Conference. Sponsored by Revive Our Hearts ministry, along with Moody Publishers and Moms in Touch it was an amazing experience! Six ladies from my church and 3 from the college attended. Visit the www.reviveourhearts.com to find out more about the conference by clicking on “Join the True Woman Movement.”
♥ Carella continues to teach fourth grade at Santa Clarita Christian School. She has a great class this year. Her love for our Lord is manifested daily as she disciples her students; their response to her careful mentoring is evident as they mature spiritually and academically. Our Lord graciously rewarded her efforts at the conclusion of the 2007-08 academic year by allowing a number of the elementary and secondary students to affirm her character at the graduation ceremonies!
♥ As time permitted I enjoyed writing. I crafted several articles for the Proverbs 31 Woman magazine that were published in February and May. Several of my “stories” were aired on Vonette Bright’s “Women Today” radio program (www.womentoday.org), and I wrote a column for A Woman of Worth journal. It is a publication of “A Virtuous Woman” ministry (www.avirtuouswoman.org).
♥ Spiritually I acquired wisdom by the faithful teaching of my pastor, Scott Ardavanis. I was strengthened by reading Christian books, devotional journaling that helped me focus on my heavenly Father’s blessings to me, and listening to THE BIBLE on tape. Carella and I attended our church’s Ladies’ Summer Bible study and participated in a 12-week study entitled, Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It was truly the most impactful study I have ever undertaken!
♥ It is my prayer that you too had many opportunities to bless our Lord and recall His benefits this year; I will anticipate, with joy, hearing of how that occurred. May you enjoy a blessed holiday celebration and a productive 2009!
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”
2 Corinthians 9:15
