Saturday dawned bright and beautiful after many days of misty rain here in Pennsylvania.
My first surprise involved my family. Jim and the boys decided at the last minute to travel with me to Lancaster for the Barnes & Noble book event. How nice to have my hubby and sons sharing in the day! Joel enjoyed a big chocolate chip cookie from the cafe while Jared browsed the Sci-Fi section of the store. I originally encouraged them to stay home after attending numerous book events over the last few years, but they came along to support me once again. I love you guys!
Surprise number two involved the bookstore manager. Connie and I worked with Ken last Spring for A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Ken out did himself again. A long book table covered by a bright blue cloth, colorful fresh cut flowers in a vase, and a big store poster complete with our names and pictures as contributing authors to The One Year Life Verse Devotional. It was our author friend Michele's first book event and we promptly informed her, "Don't expect this kind of of treatment at every bookstore! Ken's one of a kind!"
Then there were the "God appointments".
Each of us as contributing authors encountered them that day. Mine just happened to include a woman named Ann Marie. Ann was a young mother too when her husband died. As we talked I discovered we both were widowed at the same age. My first husband died when I was twenty-five too. God allowed that moment for us to encourage each other in the Lord. Ann said to me after reading my story, A Family Verse, "How wonderful it must have been growing up in a family who taught you God's Word. I was raised Catholic and didn't come to know Jesus as my Savior until later in life. But God was watching over me even if I didn't know it."
Surprises - they come in all shapes and sizes when we open our hearts and minds to God's plans.
Thank you to all my blogging friends for all your thoughts and prayers for that day. Only eternity will tell the final chapter to the story... May God's Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Live the adventure,
Susan
16 comments:
How exciting and how inspiring...what a great day you had...so glad to know the results this side of heaven.
Blessings to you,
Helen
P.S. You look adorable in the picture.
Sounds like a wonderful afternoon. So glad you were near starbucks so you could get refreshment too!
So glad to hear a good report! Praise God! Joining the adventure with you. I've stepped out from the bank and am going deep into the river...
Sounds delightful, Susan. I am so glad you had that wonderful day and the precious fellowship with Ann Marie. Thank the Lord for people like Ken and also, thank the Lord that you could share it all with your husband and sons. It's always nicer when we share these things together as a family. I have been remiss. I still want to get that book and am writing myself a reminder to do so.
What a divine appointment! I love when God shows us stuff like that in our obedience to Him.
You are a blessing!
Much love,
Angela
God's appointments are all around us if we open our eyes and hearts!!!
Susan
Susan-what an exciting day! How fun and great that the family came to support you in it=) Love it!
Oh how I wish I could have come see you!
I'm so glad you had a great day!
Blessings,
Sue
How wonderful Susan!
Lancaster? That's only an hour and a half from me! If I had been caught up on my reading (and knew you were going to be there)maybe I could have come to see you! :-)
What a great picture. I spent the day working on costumes for the high school musical. :)
Helen, it was a good day, a long day, but good. We wound up being invited to stay later :)
Jan, interestingly, I didn't indulge in Starbucks until later than night on the way home.
Angie, yes, life is a great adventure. Going deeper with Jesus is the way to go!
Maxine, yes it was a special time with that dear sister in the Lord and my family and fellow author friends.
Angela, yes, it is very cool. Thanks my friend :) I can't wait to hear all about your adventures with your new devotional book. How exciting! 5 in one book, that's awesome!
Susan, yes, so true my friend. You are right!
Colleen, yes, a good day for sure. The boys took off a little later and watched the new VeggieTale movie while the girls went to dinner. They were very accomodating to me that day.
Sue, you're a sweetheart. I'm looking forward to that book of yours someday. It's so needed!
Thanks Sharon. Maybe next time my friend. If I'm ever in that area again, I'll drop you a line on your blog, okay?
Hi ya Pam. Thanks my friend. BTW - you'll have to tell me at writers group how your Dec. book event went in NJ, okay?
Praise Him! Lord use these encounters and all that are to come to draw others to You! Thank you Susan for being obedient to His call!
What a wonderful day you had. I am so glad your family went along. I love it when my family wants to spend the day with me doing the things I love. You are truly inspiring. And did you know that you have an infectious smile? It radiates from within.
Greg
Kim, praise the Lord!
Greg, yes, I just love my family so much. They are second to only Jesus, my Savior and God. And thank you for your kind comment about my smile. It's the joy of the Lord for sure :)
I like those God appointments ... wonder how many we experience that we don't give Him credit for.
Hi Shari, thanks for stopping. So true, God is in it all, isn't He? I look forward to stopping by your site :) Have a great day!
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