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"!