CQ trip report

• June
• 3

Well I’m back home safe and sound, after a very full-on four days in central Queensland, including some wild weather in Yeppoon and Rockhampton!

The trip was all thanks to Footprints reader Ann from Yeppoon (see photo: Ann is on the left, me on the right), who made all the arrangements and was my unofficial tour manager and agent! Although we had chatted often on email, this was the first time we had actually met. Fortunately we hit it off straight away!

After meeting at the airport in Rocky, we drove 3 ½ hours to Emerald, where we were billeted with Lorna from the Uniting Church. Lorna was a real inspiration to me – a widow of nearly 80,  she is a beautiful example of being “older but not colder”. She spoilt us rotten with lots of lovely home-made food!

On Wednesday night I did my talk on depression at the Uniting Church and had about 25 there (from all denominations), which the minister said was an excellent turnout for Emerald. They really appreciated the talk and as a result Ann and I spent most of Thursday meeting various people for coffee (or tea in my case!) to chat and just encourage. So much for sightseeing!!!! Although I did manage to buy a few tacky souvenirs to take home for my kids!

On Friday we headed off and said goodbye to the fine weather, it got progressively worse as we headed towards the coast. However God protected us and we arrived at Ann’s unit in Yeppoon about 2pm. Even though it was drizzling and blowy we still went for a (quick!) walk on the beach, and I met her gorgeous cat Videl.

We had to be in Rocky for 7pm, where I spoke on finding the “Clues to your Calling” for the ladies at the Christian Outreach Centre. However chatting afterwards I discovered that there were women/groups from several churches there.

The next morning we got to do it all again for a ladies morning tea at the Bayview Tower Hotel in Yeppoon, for about 40 women. It was a wonderful morning and feedback was very positive. Before we knew it, it was time to drive to the airport in Rocky for my flight and now I’m back home again!

God was so good and blessed the trip in so many ways. I love doing the “speaking” thing but get nervous about chatting to people individually before/afterwards. However God really blessed that one-on-one time and I met so many wonderful people. He showed me that this is just as valuable as the public “talk”, if not more so.

Celebrate the gift of life

• May
• 22

Do you live in the Brisbane area? Then here’s your personal invitation to come along to the Priceless Life Centre Open Day, this Saturday 24 May from 1-5pm and meet some of the crew from Footprints! We will be having a display, but there will be heaps going on - from face painting for the littlies, to entertainment for all ages, plus the launch of a new book by a Footprints reader, “Unborn Beauty” by Rochelle Manners.

“Unborn Beauty” is an encouraging and inspiring book about pregnancy and early parenthood. It includes numerous stories and poems about preparing for birth and motherhood and would make a fantastic gift for the expectant or new mum in your life. See http://www.wombatbooks.com.au/unbornbeauty.html for more.

Don’t miss it … see you at the the Priceless Life Centre, 81 Mina Parade, Alderley (in the same building as the 96.5FM studios), this weekend!

Hot off the press!

• May
• 5

Issue 42 has now been “put to bed” - printed and packaged up for mailout. It features the beautiful Aliki on the cover, with a piccie taken at our 10th birthday celebrations! As always, the new edition is packed with great stories, including:

- Confessions of a Bipolar Bear!
- God answers Children’s Prayers
- Dare to Dream
- Taking on the Tall Poppy Syndrome
- Know Your Enemy
- Gathering for Growth

Hope you enjoy reading it, as much as we love putting it all together! And special thanks goes to Melanie Page, Nicola Saad, Pauline Brown-Rothwell, Annie Barnes and Tassia Saad for giving up their precious Saturday to come and pack magazines! May the Lord bless you all RICHLY for your dedication and devotion.

Speak Up!

• April
• 18

What? No opportunities to speak for a whole month?!

I thought I’d be ready for a break after quite a busy start to the year, speaking at various church, ladies and other events. But I’d forgotten just how much joy it brings me to share inspirational stories and practical encouragement with others! 

I am often asked what are MY favourite topics to speak on. I’d have to say all of them, or I wouldn’t be bothered to speak on them! However “Clues to your Calling” and “The Footprints Story” are probably two of my favourites; and it is also a passion of mine to share my experiences with depression so that others may be enlightened and encouraged.

I’m looking forward to the end of May when I will be flying up to Rockhampton, and have bookings to speak there and in Yeppoon and Emerald as well. Special thanks to devoted Footprints supporter Ann, who has organised the trip for me. It will be wonderful to meet another keen Footprints reader and share fellowship - plus I’ve never been to Yeppoon or Emerald before! If you live in this region in central Queensland, why not drop me a line at editor@footprintsaustralia.com and perhaps we can meet up!

Footprints magazine’s 10th birthday bash!

• March
• 30

YES, the books arrived the day before our party - so thank you for your prayers!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so for the full story on our 10th birthday party celebrations, why not check out some of the pix from the event at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/24360635@N02/sets/? 

We had about 70 people there all up … one of the things I loved most was looking around and there were ladies from every possible denomination sitting in the room – we had AOG, Baptists, Catholic, Christian Outreach Centre, Christian City Church, Church of Christ, Full Gospel, Uniting, Salvation Army and Anglican that I know for sure, plus quite a few non-church people!  It was particularly wonderful to meet so many of our faithful supporters for the first time. As one lady emailed me this morning:

Congratulations to you all for such a lovely afternoon gathering yesterday. To be part of a roomful of likeminded women was wonderful. I was a little anxious turning up as I knew nobody. I asked to join a table of ladies and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon. We found it easy to talk with each other … The efforts you put into everything, be it Footprints, our Christmas surprises (gifts), or your CD, are much appreciated.

Another lady told me that she went away feeling very recharged and refreshed and thoroughly uplifted, which is just what we wanted.

Melanie was our MC, and kicked off the proceedings with an icebreaker game before the very bubbly and enthusiastic Katie Clift from 96.5 FM gave a lovely speech. Nicola shared a little about what Footprints means to not only the readers, but also the Team Members responsible for creating each magazine. We honoured half a dozen long-term Footprints supporters with special awards, before Aliki shared two songs and a message based on …. ummmm… toilets! But don’t worry, there was a message tucked into it once we all settled down from our embarrassment and laughter. The second song she sang was very powerful and I noticed a few teary eyes around the room.

Finally, I got to say a few words about the making of “Decadence” and then we cut the official birthday cake. We shared a truly decadent afternoon tea with some lovely people, and sold quite a few books too.  

Of course it all seems like a bit of a blur now!

In hindsight a second game would have worked well, and as per usual we over-catered hugely, but it’s all good!!!