Two Radio Interviews

Ann and I were invited to speak on the topic dealt with in our book, Empty Arms... healing after an abortion.
We are thankful to the Christian Medical and Dental Association for choosing our book as a recommended resource both February and December of 2011. This gave our book fresh wind in our sails, so that there was renewed interest from others.
We were on Chris Fabry Live on Jan.20, 2012 for the 1st hour of his call-in show.
Then on Jan.30, 2012 at the radio station of WMBW, we were the guests of Janet Parshall on her show, In the Market in the 2nd hour. We were humbled to talk with callers who are still struggling with their decisions to terminate the lives of their unborn babies. We could offer forgiveness through Jesus and encourage them to name their baby and remember the hope of heaven.

Celebrating Ivey Hope's Baptism

"I think when I read that sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men,
How He called little children as lambs to His fold,
I should like to have been with them then." by Jemima Luke

Jan.22, 2012
Our little granddaughter, Ivey Hope became a child of the covenant of baptism.
Her uncle, her grandfather and grandmother made the journey from Tennessee, through a snowstorm to be witnesses and sponsors as the newest member of our family was brought to the church for this special occasion.
How thankful we are for this sweet gift from heaven and also for these words,
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd:he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young."Isaiah 40:11

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!