The last
few months have included trips to some fascinating places.In September, Jim and I traveled to Asia, representing Tyndale
House Publishers.You’ve heard the song Around the World in 80 days?Well, we did it in three weeks.Our hearts were warmed as we heard stories of
Tyndale’s generosity over the years – giving seed
money to start various Christian book stores, as well as contributions to
schools in India
for children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend.We visited with publishers and printers in Korea, Hong Kong, and India,
worked at Book Fairs in Korea
and Hong Kong, and made presentations at a publishing conference in Hyderabad, India.My presentation was on the One-Year Bible,
something I am especially passionate about.After the conference in Hyderabad, we
visited Indian publishers and printers in Bangalore
and Mumbai.
In
October, we presented Tyndale products at the
Frankfurt Book Fair and visited three German publishers in their offices.One of those publishers recently released the
New Living Translation of the Bible in German.I am grateful that wherever God’s Word goes, it always produces fruit
and prospers (Isaiah 55:10-11).It’s an
incredible privilege for me to see that happening in various places around the
world.
While
visiting one bookstore in Holzgerlingen, Germany,
it was fun to discover a copy of my One
Year Devotions for Moms – in German!
In between
the Frankfurt Book Fair and visits to German publishers, Jim and I were grateful
to spend two days in Germany/Austria with Chad
(who flew over from Vienna) and Jordan (who flew
from TaylorUniversity on a frequent flyer
ticket.)One of the places we visited
was SchlossAmbruss in Innsbruck, Austria,
where we enjoyed having coffee together in an outside garden.
Over
Thanksgiving, Jim, Jordan
and I visited Nate & Brit and their doggies, Lily
and Lola, in Atlanta.We enjoyed taking walks in their
neighborhood, cooking, and visiting.Our
last evening there, we shared a meal at one of the best buffets in the South – The Blue Willow Inn – YUM!
One of my
recent books published by Crossway – The
Christian Grandma’s Idea Book – has been included in Focus on the Family’s
Christmas catalog - both hard copy and online.You can check it out here.
Simply Refreshing, a new devotional book I wrote, is
now being sold on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com.In the US,
it’s been printed in English – obviously – and in South Africa, in Afrikaans.Christian Art Gifts sure did a great job of
packaging and publishing the book . . .
One more
project that kept me busy last year was a book of piano settings for Hope
Publishing.Simply Praise (Elementary level) - a collection of contemporary
praise songs for beginning piano students – was recently released.
We’re glad
to be in Wheaton for awhile, and are looking
forward to having Chad and Jordan
home over Christmas.Throughout
December, we’re anticipating many opportunities to visit with extended family,
some who will be coming in from out of town.
I wish a
blessed and reflective Christmas to you and yours!“God
showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so
that we might have eternal life through him.This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent
his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”I John 4:9-10 NLT
