The fact that I haven't posted anything in the last month is not a reflection of inactivity. It is rather the simple reality of having had much too much on my plate. Having too many things on your plate doesn't mean that they are all unsavory or bad, but that they can collectively become somewhat overwhelming
Since the end of February we have traveled to Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Roanoke, Columbus, Pigeon Forge, Forest City and back to Raleigh. We have had the pleasure of meeting with hundreds of people concerning our books and have seen some incredible things happen.
Here is a list of just a few of our most exciting developments. Our Christmas book has been accepted and will be available for purchase at that big children's attraction near Orlando, that is led by a mouse. Our books are now available in such locations as Sauder Village in Northern Ohio, Christmas shops in Pigeon Forge, TN and historic sites in Plymouth Mass., We have been approved for distribution by the world's largest distributor of Christian books and literature. We have secured permanent showroom representation in the America's Mart Atlanta, and at the Minnetonka, Minn. gift show. We have attended the regional gift show in Columbus, OH and Boston, Mass.
I have been invited to do events at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the annual Virginia State Readers Association convention, services at several local churches including 1st Baptist Houston, 1st Methodist Pensacola, Woodland Hills Baptist Asheville as well as others. I have been invited to do events at The Miracle Theatre and the Apple Farm in Pigeon Forge. We have scheduled book signings as close as here in Asheville and as far away as Texas. We have invitations to come to Illinois, Wisconsin, Mass., Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia, Florida, Missouri, Ohio and several other states.
What a whirlwind of developments. There remains the struggle to not overreach our resources, and yet follow God's leading through new and exciting, opening doors. Books continue to be ordered from stores, churches, and individuals throughout the nation and literally around the world. God has been faithful and has given us great individuals to help us see this emerging dream become a reality.
What continues to be amazing is that God has chosen us to help reach children, and their families with the Good News of God's Love, Redemption, and Care. He deserves all of the honor and praise for what He is accomplishing.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Miles,miles, and more miles
Three trips to the Dallas, Texas area, a trip to the panhandle of Florida, quick visits to Georgia and Alabama, and too many conference calls and meetings to recount. Things continue to move forward as we see our books reaching homes through an ever increasing network of stores, catalogs, churches, schools, and individuals. We don't even want to look at the odometer on the car anymore.
We have just returned from our most recent trip to Dallas. We were honored to be invited to participate at an annual Conference for Children's Pastors. The conference brings together the leaders of church ministries to children from most of the 50 largest Southern Baptist churches in America. It was great to meet these dedicated leaders and see their commitment to reaching children all across the world with the message of Christ's love for every child.
We were able to begin developing relationships which will allow us to see our books find their way into many of these church ministries. What an incredible opportunity the Lord has opened for us! I just keep coming back to the fact that it is God's grace that has allowed us (myself, others working with me at Cane Creek Publishers, and our business and ministry partners) to experience all of this. It has not all been easy. There have been disappointments, setbacks, struggles, and closed doors, along with all of the new and exciting opportunities. In it all, we have seen God's hand at work.
What is most rewarding is to hear about children who are loving the books and whose lives are being changed. Earlier this week, I had two really neat experiences with parents of children who have copies of our books. The first happened when I was visiting at a public school. A parent that I know, but had not seen in a couple of years, came up and greeted me. He went on to share how much his children had enjoyed "The True Night Before Christmas". It seems it is one of their favorite books. He had received one of our original books back in 2008. The book is now an important part of their family's Christmas tradition. A few days later, I was at a meeting discussing how our new "Dorothy and the Good Shepherd" book will soon be used in Day Camps for children in Kenya. One of the pastors in the meeting shared how his little girl "loves" the book about "the loaves and fish" ("The Night Before Jesus fed 5000 Men). He told us how she comes in carrying the book, almost every night and wants it read to her again, and again, and again. His comment was, "if you want a testimony about your books just let me know, I'll be happy to share - anytime".
I cannot explain how exciting, and at the same time humbling, it is to hear these kind of stories. Praise God for what he is accomplishing through His grace in our lives. I pray that I never fail to appreciate the "wonder" of how God ever chose to use me to share His story with others.
I have one final story to share. Earlier this week we were returning from Texas. We had driven over 17 hours "none stop", except for gas and food we ate in the car. I had a meeting to attend, here in Western North Carolina, the very next day. We had started just after noon in Dallas and now it was almost 6:00 the following morning. As you can imagine we were "bone tired". It had started to rain and we were about 10 miles from home. All of the sudden, as I pulled out from a stop sign, I felt a strange sensation and heard an unusual sound. Almost instantly, I realized we had a flat tire. The trunk was full of luggage and books. We stood in the rain, moving boxes and suitcases so we could get to the jack and spare tire. As you can imagine, I was thinking - Why? Why here, why now, why us?
I took out the jack, got down on all fours (in the mud) and slid the jack under the car. Joyce was standing behind me holding an umbrella that was not big enough to keep either of us dry, much less both of us. About that time a car pulled up behind us in the dark. I didn't know whether to be happy or afraid. I had no way of knowing who was in the car or whether their intentions were good or bad. A tall, rather slim, bearded man walked toward us. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. He only wanted to help. It turns out that his aunt was one of Joyce's closest friends from her years of teaching school. He had not recognized us. He just thought we might need some help. He got down in the mud with me and worked with us until the tire was changed, and everything was back in the car. Then he followed us, until we made the turn onto the road where we live. Matthew was his name. He was on his way home after having worked all night at a local manufacturing plant. He even invited us to come to his church this Sunday. Once again - God's grace!
We have just returned from our most recent trip to Dallas. We were honored to be invited to participate at an annual Conference for Children's Pastors. The conference brings together the leaders of church ministries to children from most of the 50 largest Southern Baptist churches in America. It was great to meet these dedicated leaders and see their commitment to reaching children all across the world with the message of Christ's love for every child.
We were able to begin developing relationships which will allow us to see our books find their way into many of these church ministries. What an incredible opportunity the Lord has opened for us! I just keep coming back to the fact that it is God's grace that has allowed us (myself, others working with me at Cane Creek Publishers, and our business and ministry partners) to experience all of this. It has not all been easy. There have been disappointments, setbacks, struggles, and closed doors, along with all of the new and exciting opportunities. In it all, we have seen God's hand at work.
What is most rewarding is to hear about children who are loving the books and whose lives are being changed. Earlier this week, I had two really neat experiences with parents of children who have copies of our books. The first happened when I was visiting at a public school. A parent that I know, but had not seen in a couple of years, came up and greeted me. He went on to share how much his children had enjoyed "The True Night Before Christmas". It seems it is one of their favorite books. He had received one of our original books back in 2008. The book is now an important part of their family's Christmas tradition. A few days later, I was at a meeting discussing how our new "Dorothy and the Good Shepherd" book will soon be used in Day Camps for children in Kenya. One of the pastors in the meeting shared how his little girl "loves" the book about "the loaves and fish" ("The Night Before Jesus fed 5000 Men). He told us how she comes in carrying the book, almost every night and wants it read to her again, and again, and again. His comment was, "if you want a testimony about your books just let me know, I'll be happy to share - anytime".
I cannot explain how exciting, and at the same time humbling, it is to hear these kind of stories. Praise God for what he is accomplishing through His grace in our lives. I pray that I never fail to appreciate the "wonder" of how God ever chose to use me to share His story with others.
I have one final story to share. Earlier this week we were returning from Texas. We had driven over 17 hours "none stop", except for gas and food we ate in the car. I had a meeting to attend, here in Western North Carolina, the very next day. We had started just after noon in Dallas and now it was almost 6:00 the following morning. As you can imagine we were "bone tired". It had started to rain and we were about 10 miles from home. All of the sudden, as I pulled out from a stop sign, I felt a strange sensation and heard an unusual sound. Almost instantly, I realized we had a flat tire. The trunk was full of luggage and books. We stood in the rain, moving boxes and suitcases so we could get to the jack and spare tire. As you can imagine, I was thinking - Why? Why here, why now, why us?
I took out the jack, got down on all fours (in the mud) and slid the jack under the car. Joyce was standing behind me holding an umbrella that was not big enough to keep either of us dry, much less both of us. About that time a car pulled up behind us in the dark. I didn't know whether to be happy or afraid. I had no way of knowing who was in the car or whether their intentions were good or bad. A tall, rather slim, bearded man walked toward us. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. He only wanted to help. It turns out that his aunt was one of Joyce's closest friends from her years of teaching school. He had not recognized us. He just thought we might need some help. He got down in the mud with me and worked with us until the tire was changed, and everything was back in the car. Then he followed us, until we made the turn onto the road where we live. Matthew was his name. He was on his way home after having worked all night at a local manufacturing plant. He even invited us to come to his church this Sunday. Once again - God's grace!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
In His Hands
Its been a while since I posted, so let's jump right in.
We hit the ground running in January after an incredibly busy and encouraging December. January saw us presenting our books at the AmericasMart Atlanta Gift Show. From there Ben and I traveled to Dallas to participate in the Dallas World Trade Center Gift Show where we are now a part of the Keith Smith, Ltd. Showroom. At the same time, Brett and Angie were representing us at the Chicago area Gift Show. The response to our books was incredible. Our list of shops and stores, carrying our books, across the country continues to grow! Opportunities for new outlets keep multiplying as well.
We also finalized all of the files for Dorothy and the Good Shepherd and released those files so that production has already begun on our newest release. With the help of our printing partner, JS Printing Company, we were able to produce a "ministry" paper back version of this book. Over 100 copies were sent to Kenya and distributed by Project 82 (a wonderful ministry serving orphans in Kenya) to orphans in the village of Molo. What an amazing thing to realize that children in Kenya are reading and listening to our books.
Within the last few weeks we have begun to talk to others involved in ministry to children, and especially orphans, about partnerships which will result in children in other places being able to receive our books. These opportunities are a wonderful example of God's grace.
There is so much for which to be thankful. Life is not without its challenges. I continue to watch close friends and family struggle with sickness, loss of loved ones, and a myriad of other incredible challenges. Yet in the midst of all of this they are not "overcome".
While so much is happening in our small, but expanding world, there are amazing developments of the international stage. What a time to be a student of history. I am amazed to realize that the whole world has its collective eyes glued to the Middle East. Is it just me or is anyone else in awe of the fact that Biblical writers thousands of years ago, predicted that all of our eyes would be focused on the Middle East at this point in human history? So much of our development as modern society seemed to leave that geographic region in the dust as we scrambled to obtain one advancement after another. Yet, somehow the world has once again been brought to a place where we all realize that what is happening and will happen in those "third world" countries will have a direct and dramatic impact on our lives, no matter where we live. I guess those ancient writers had some kind of "supernatural" insight.
Whether I am looking at the events of the last few weeks as it relates to our books and business, or the struggles and triumphs of friends and family, or the epic events of the world stage, it brings comfort, encouragement, and confidence to remember that "He's got the whole world in His hands"!
We hit the ground running in January after an incredibly busy and encouraging December. January saw us presenting our books at the AmericasMart Atlanta Gift Show. From there Ben and I traveled to Dallas to participate in the Dallas World Trade Center Gift Show where we are now a part of the Keith Smith, Ltd. Showroom. At the same time, Brett and Angie were representing us at the Chicago area Gift Show. The response to our books was incredible. Our list of shops and stores, carrying our books, across the country continues to grow! Opportunities for new outlets keep multiplying as well.
We also finalized all of the files for Dorothy and the Good Shepherd and released those files so that production has already begun on our newest release. With the help of our printing partner, JS Printing Company, we were able to produce a "ministry" paper back version of this book. Over 100 copies were sent to Kenya and distributed by Project 82 (a wonderful ministry serving orphans in Kenya) to orphans in the village of Molo. What an amazing thing to realize that children in Kenya are reading and listening to our books.
Within the last few weeks we have begun to talk to others involved in ministry to children, and especially orphans, about partnerships which will result in children in other places being able to receive our books. These opportunities are a wonderful example of God's grace.
There is so much for which to be thankful. Life is not without its challenges. I continue to watch close friends and family struggle with sickness, loss of loved ones, and a myriad of other incredible challenges. Yet in the midst of all of this they are not "overcome".
While so much is happening in our small, but expanding world, there are amazing developments of the international stage. What a time to be a student of history. I am amazed to realize that the whole world has its collective eyes glued to the Middle East. Is it just me or is anyone else in awe of the fact that Biblical writers thousands of years ago, predicted that all of our eyes would be focused on the Middle East at this point in human history? So much of our development as modern society seemed to leave that geographic region in the dust as we scrambled to obtain one advancement after another. Yet, somehow the world has once again been brought to a place where we all realize that what is happening and will happen in those "third world" countries will have a direct and dramatic impact on our lives, no matter where we live. I guess those ancient writers had some kind of "supernatural" insight.
Whether I am looking at the events of the last few weeks as it relates to our books and business, or the struggles and triumphs of friends and family, or the epic events of the world stage, it brings comfort, encouragement, and confidence to remember that "He's got the whole world in His hands"!
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