New Opportunities

Ann Caldwell and I are thankful for the fresh wind in the sails of our book, Empty Arms. In 2011 our book was picked two different months as a book on the recommended resources of the Christian Medical and Dental Association. This has been very encouraging as it continues to touch lives all over the world.
We have been invited to have a radio interview with Chris Fabry next Friday, Jan.20, 2012 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Remembering Patsy (Jane Scott)

My husband, Henry and I were going through some old papers and this poem written in 1986 by a friend of Patsy's surfaced. She had found out that Patsy's breast cancer had returned and had spread.

To My Friend who has always been afraid of Flying

It frightens me to feel you slipping away, I'd like to hold on so tight.
A magnet stronger than all of our love seems to be drawing you close.
The pain of our possible parting sears with a white hot light.
Yet the beauty of all that you are and have been is a treasure beyond all loss.
This flight that you have just begun, the most terrifying of all to me,
Is one that you face with courage and grace
so that I who laughed at your fear of flying
stand in awe at your strength in the face of dying.

by Ann Topple

Celebrating Family

Our family was together for the first time in two years at our niece's wedding in a quarry in North Carolina last month. Our children traveled from Annapolis, Seattle, Chattanooga and Birmingham to gather for this festive event.

We were excited to be a part of the celebration of the joining in marriage Nate Willis to Kate Stewart in holy matrimony. As Christians, we rejoice that God in His sovereignty, brought these two lives together to become one flesh in Him.

It also means he is now an honorary member of the Bowillie clan and can now attend Thanksgiving at Camp Maranook!

Welcome to the family, Nate!

Scripture Pictures

Last November, my husband and I decided to pay for a private printing of my book, "My Jesus Pocketbook of Scripture Pictures".
The book was originally published in 1982 by a small company but then was sold to an international publishing company, David C. Cook, which resulted in boosting the sales quite a bit. It was a blessing that lasted 18 years, then the little book was dropped from the catalog. The publishing rights were returned to me.
Now, there are many new little ones born in our extended family and we realized it was time to reprint this sweet, tiny picture book that encourages toddlers to not be afraid of storms, dogs and the dark, but trust in the Lord Jesus, the King of Glory.
What a blessing to see my granddaughter study the winsome, watercolor scenes of children, ask questions and then hear the Bible verse (under the picture) read to her by her Grandpa and have him explain to her the truth in the Bible that even applies to her young life as well as his.

Sharing Sorrows and Joys

Last weekend my husband, Henry and I had the privilege of attending our brother-in-law, Tom's birthday party with a family gathering at the beach.

We had much to celebrate...God's gift of life to him and the beauty of the ocean!
But what shines out even more than the glorious scenery was the joy of the arrival of the soon to be bride and groom! Kate and her fiance, Nathan delighted the rest of the family as they shared their preparations for the wedding next month!

As we became aquainted, we heard the difficult story of the death of Nathan's sister-in-law of breast cancer in April leaving her husband and two children behind. It brought back memories and a few tears as we recalled when Henry's sister died of breast cancer at a young age also. We shared the sorrow of family members that we felt should be there to join the celebrations but were no longer with us.

But as we parted with the anticipation of seeing each other again next month at the wedding, it reminded me of another hope we have to come. There is the future joy of knowing we will see our departed love ones again at the marriage feast of the Lamb in heaven!

A Dream Come True

Sitting in the front row of a concert, holding hands with my best friend and lover, Henry while Fernando Ortega is singing and playing the piano was marvelous!
Hearing him sing "Blessed is the Man that Walks in Your Favor" and "This Great Day", "Jesus,King of Angels"with the cello harmonizing in the background was amazing! We smiled and smiled.

I was able to go up to the stage and hand Fernando one of my Scripture Picture books and tell him this was for his 3 year old daughter, Ruby.

I'm thankful that maybe a little of my creation will bless his family in just a small way since his songs have blessed our family for more than a decade!

Update for September

The end of April saw our area hit with 30 tornadoes! We had a huge tree down and no power for a week, but no significant damage other than losing the food in our refrig. and freezer. Many lost loved ones, homes and property...our hearts go out to each one.

Just when I thought I would catch up at home, our daughter had an emergency C section in Seattle. So I spent two glorious weeks in Seattle helping my daughter recover and getting to know my darling, tiny granddaughter, Ivey Hope and also my son-in-law better.

I returned just in time to be a Hebrew mother in our church sponsored Bible school called Marketplace, 29 A.D.

Then there was a constant stream of summer visitors! Which is great fun for my husband and I to host members of our two large families! We are thankful for everyone that stopped by to see us down by the river!

Then the new director of the ministry that is dear to my heart asked me to take over the facebook page of The Memorial for the Unborn. We are very thankful for the large number of friends that follow us at that site!

So I have been writing updates and answering questions to keep our supporters in the loop as to the various activities happening at The Wall.

I will try to make occasional posts here but at least you now know what's been going on!

I'll end by posting photos of our three little granddaughters. They are the joy of our hearts and definitely do make our lives GRAND!!!