Hand Delivered

The mailman brought the mail to the door today, so I was spared the dreaded trip to the mailbox.  Instead he hand delivered the dreaded letter.  Moody Publishers said, "Thank you, but....this material does not fit in with our current publishing plans."  I took it really well.  Glad to finally have an answer, any answer.

I know what several of you are thinking.   You would be right.   You'd  think that I'd have learned by now to listen when different people keep coming to me with the same "thought" or "vision", that God might be using them to try to get through to me.   But, no!  I'm as hard headed as ever.

Anyway, as of today I will begin researching the ins and outs of self-publishing the book.   Thank all of you who have been so faithful in your support, prayers and GUIDANCE.  Especially, those who have sent me links and suggestions.  I will pursue every one of them.   Don't give up on me just yet!  Old dogs are slow learners.

The Morning After

Ed and Thresa Hull are amazingly gifted artisans.  Both hold down full time jobs, but their hobbies are where their hearts are.  Ed spends most of his spare time in this woodworking shop patiently shaping exotic wood into incredible multi-hued, multi-textured bird "mansions" and other pieces of wood art.  Thresa and Ed work together painstakingly piecing together brilliantly colored shards of stained glass on phenomenal projects that take up another entire workshop.  It is hard to accept that their extraordinary talents are just a "hobby".  

A little over a year ago Thresa Hull attended a retreat here at Cross Roads.    At the end of the weekend, Thresa told me that the Holy Spirit had touched her deeply during her stay here and she wanted to give something back. I told her that wasn't necessary, but she asked if we had ever considered putting stained glass windows in the Chapel. "Of course!", I said, "It's on the list, but, not very high, 'cuz it's so expensive."    

Ed and Thresa went to work applying their incredible talent to designing, making and then donating exquisite stained glass windows for the Cross Roads Chapel. It took them an entire year.  Each window is half of a sunrise behind a cross.  When you look at the front of the Chapel you see three crosses - the two stained glass windows on either side with a sun rising behind them and the cross on top of the Chapel.   The windows are titled, "The Morning After".   This photo doesn't do them justice.  On your next visit to the Cross Roads you'll see what I mean!

"The Morning After"

Created and Donated by Ed and Thresa Hull 

Thank you, Ed and Thresa, your gift will bless everyone who comes to Cross Roads! 

The Dreaded Mailbox

On September 13th I mailed the book proposal for Stand at the Cross Roads to Moody Publishers.  The submission guidelines required a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope be included in the package.  The guidelines further informed me that if they were interested in the book they would contact me by phone, if declining, I would receive notification by mail.  Hence the requested SASE.

The last 29 days have been the longest days of my life! Every morning around 10AM I climb in our Kawasaki mule and slowly drive the 1/2 mile to the dreaded mailbox - praying, praying, praying along the way that the equally dreaded letter is not inside.

Everyday has been increasingly difficult.  I drive slower, open the box slower,  hold my breath a little longer as I sift through the contents, then WHOOSH! I exhale!  So far, so good, no SASE addressed to me in my own handwriting has been lurking inside!  

The instructions also stated that I should receive a response to the proposal within one month of their receiving it.  Well, friends, tomorrow is 30 calendars days and I am conflicted beyond belief.  Part of me just KNOWS that God is going to make this happen through Moody Publishers, because it would truly be the perfect ending to the story and I can't imagine them not recognizing this opportunity and being excited about the connection.  The other part of me tells me not to get my hopes up, that we can't know what God's will is and if this doesn't work out He has something even better in mind for getting His story out.   Then I feel guilty for doubting.   


Anyway, please continue to pray for His will - and my strength to keep opening that dreaded mailbox!