If you’re a subscriber, you should find yours in the mailbox within the next week (a little bit longer if you live overseas). Inside it you’ll find all the heart-warming, real-life, God-glorifying stories that you know and love. So which one are you looking forward to reading the most?!

• Climate Change: what’s a Christian to do?!
• A week in the life of a School Chaplain
• Jewels for Jesus: the story behind Faith Insignias
• Quiz time – do you have a ME addiction?!
• God’s hand on my life … real life testimonies from our readers
• 10 ways to lose a baby Christian (oops I think we have all done some of these …)
• A walk for a cause in Walk the Line

Plus all our regular columns – My Favourite Scripture, which looks at a verse about depression; a review of a new Aussie book; and God Answered My Prayer, from somebody who just couldn’t pray (I think we’ve all been there at one time or another!).

Being the editor I guess I have the advantage because I know exactly what each story is all about … but there are several things I’m loving in this new issue.

First of all, I’m always a sucker for anything fun – so I love quizzes, and think it would be a good idea to find out how NOT to lose a baby Christian! And as for climate change … all I can say is, I couldn’t agree more with the thoughts in this article!

I’m always inspired to learn of Christians who are doing business God’s way, so I loved the story of Faith Insignias; not to mention hearing about Christians who are putting feet to their faith, and doing something to raise awareness and funds for a good cause in “Walk the Line”.  Then I read the article from a school chaplain and couldn’t help thinking – they get PAID to do this stuff?! Seriously though, it’s not all fun and games, as you will find in this behind the scenes diary.

Maybe I’m biased, but I think this new issue is packed with a variety of great stories … hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Love Janet.

1. An appointment with the school guidance counsellor, where we were reassured that our 16 year old son is on track for his dream of going to Uni to do IT studies in 18 months time. My baby is going to Uni!

2. Read a really great book ”Australian Women of Grace” by Robyn Hipkiss, and got a lovely message back after I contacted the author to tell her how much her book inspired me … feel like I’ve made a new friend!

3. Collecting the Footprints mail this morning (had to squeeze Footprints in here somewhere LOL … see previous post!) and received  a cheque from a new reader who not only wants to subscribe for three years, but  has also ordered a copy of both of our books, “Clues to your Calling” and “Decadence”!

4. My 13 year old daughter cooked dinner last night, and had her Dad as the “kitchen helper” (check out the original kitchen helper post here). She made something which was new to our family – butter chicken – which she served with rice and frozen vegetables. Apparently she had it at my sister’s house and thought it was so good, she wanted to introduce us to her new favourite dish. It was a bit spicier than what I normally like but it was still yummy, and I was just so proud!

5. The fact that we have a long weekend – here in Redlands Monday is a public holiday for the Ekka (Brisbane Exhibition) Show Day!

Now, I’m going to follow in Deb at Aspiring Mum’s footsteps oops footprints of course!  If you would like to join in Five For Friday – simply leave a comment with a link to your blog post, letting us know all about your Five For Friday. Have fun! 

I’m sure this comes as no surprise, but I believe passionately in the ministry of the written word, and what God can do with it …  But don’t take my word for it! I’ve compiled just some of my favourite letters, testimonies and readers’ comments received over the past twelve and a half years.

An outreach tool … 

“Even though I am not remotely religious, I enjoyed reading it very much.”

“I am not a religious person but if I keep reading Footprints, you might convert me!”

The unsaved workmate of a Footprints reader was so moved by an article she burst into tears as she read … (not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing! But I think it shows that God was touching her in a very real way.)

“Your magazine is a wonderful outreach tool, spreading God’s word in a special way to Australian women.”

“I take my copies to playgroup and they get devoured!”

Help for the Christian journey  …

“As a new Christian, I get very inspired by older Christans.”

“Your encouragement really helps me in my Christian walk.”

“It really fills my heart with praise when I read Footprints.”

“Footprints is a great REAL ‘let’s look at how we do the Christian life’, and women having a ‘heart to heart’ sharing magazine.”

Timely …

“There are always articles that touch me and meet me where I am, at that time.”

A reader told me about how she was speaking to another family whose teenage daughter suffers from depression. Apparently the only thing that stopped this girl from committing suicide a couple of weeks beforehand, was an article on Christians and depression in Footprints!

“Often when I’ve been going through a difficult period in my life, I have prayed for an answer and found one (or at least a guideline) in Footprints.”

Tackling real issues …

Footprints is able to cover topics that you may never hear about in a sermon at church. For example: honouring the pastor; how to know when it’s time to leave your church; even godly fashion tips!

“Each issue there is diversity and some very relevant articles that are not afraid to address certain issues.”

“The article on bipolar disorder was spot on timing.”

“Thank you for covering mental health issues like this one.”

“Thank you for raising awareness of disabilities.”

Putting it into Practise …

“My dear friend gave me a special gift, a subscription to Footprints. I did not realise just how precious her gift was until I read the article on forgiveness … a turning point … it is such a blessing to have this weight lifted … now I have peace.”

A youth home group leader told me her group was so inspired by an article on purity rings, that they held their own purity study and ceremony. They made their own rings, and took photos, made certificates, etc. The other youth home group leaders thought it was such a great idea they followed suit!

“After reading a review in Footprints, I bought the book – loved it and couldn’t put it down!”

Touching lives …

“So many articles struck a chord with me.”

“I found your website by accident – one of those God-incidences. It was such a blessing I’ve told others!”

A reader said that we really need to include tissues with each copy for “us weepy sensitive types”!

“Every time I read one of your magazines I feel peaceful.”

“My hubby reads them too!”

Helping the lonely …

Footprints has become a dear friend to many. We have had letters from readers who were lonely after moving; living in the outback; and missionaries overseas, who have all been comforted by Footprints.

“Footprints is a life raft for me,” wrote one young mum.

“Reading the magazines gives me the feeling that I am not alone in this world.”

“It’s nice to know that we can be connected with other Christian women in spirit.”

“I can see that there is a community of Christian women involved with your magazine who care.”

Reconnecting friends …

“I had an email from a lady I knew from a bible study group years ago. She saw the ad for my book in Footprints and emailed to congratulate me and catch up. It was lovely to reconnect and catch up on what God is doing in our lives.”

“Last issue I read an article by a lady whose name I recognised from almost 40 years ago (nursing training in the 60’s in Brisbane) … we have been able to renew our friendship by email!”

Keeping on keeping on!

A reader went to a session at the Brisbane Writers Festival on “small magazines” (as opposed to those backed by multi million dollar corporations) and learnt that sustainability was a definite challenge, regardless of readership target. “You and your team have just cause to celebrate 50 issues!” she wrote.

Just this week I got an email to say that Christian Woman magazine is no longer going to produce a print version, but only online, due to cost factors. Yet somehow Footprints continues …

“I see this magazine becoming huge.”

“I see your magazine as warm oil blessing everyone it touches.”

Seeing Answers to Prayer …

We have been invited to pray for various readers over the years – for family or relationship issues, depression, and infertility. Only God knows who has been touched as we pray, but I *do* know that there are even a couple of “Footprints babies” out there!

Training up new writers …

“I appreciate having a place for my writing …”

“It was such a thrill to see my work in print!”

“I love how you laid out my article.”

One of our writers even went on to win the Australian Young Christian Writer of the Year award!

So there you have it.  The readers have spoken – they love Footprints magazine! I just want to give God all the glory, and hope that you are as encouraged to read these testimonies, as I was as I put them together!

Because the next issue of Footprints (due out in May) is our 50^th, it will feature quite a few articles relating to the big 5-oh – including Life Begins at 50, and the Year of Jubilee.

So did Woman’s Day really steal my idea? I doubt it!  But even if they did, the truth is that’s where a lot of editors (including me) get their inspiration from – other magazines!

As Mia Freedman, former editor of a number of Aussie glossies including Girlfriend and Cosmo, says … “An editor once told me ‘there’s no copyright on ideas’ and I’ve never forgotten that. Provided you did your own version, I saw nothing wrong with being ‘inspired’ by other sources … Editors get many of their best ideas from other magazines.”

I know that as I browse through other magazines, I am constantly mulling over page layouts, article ideas, headlines, and graphics that would work well in Footprints. Some magazines are more helpful for this purpose than others. I love “Psychology Today” for layout ideas, and “Notebook”, ”Marie Clare” and “Reader’s Digest” when I’m brainstorming topics and titles.

But other magazines are not the only places which provide me with inspiration. I also find ideas for articles in Scripture and from sermons, on TV shows and at conferences, as well as whatever is happening in my own life or the lives of family and friends. Many a chat with friends or at our small group has become fodder for my writing!

As the Good Book tells us, I guess there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9)!

PS a note of thanks to Footprints supporter and frequent blogger Michelle, who has favoured us with this “sweet award”!

This award goes to a blog that you always visit and hate missing anything that they’ve posted. So here are some of my personal favourites …

On the Edge of Ordinary

Squigglemum

Oh Happy Day!

Moments for Mum

 Accept the award if you wish – copy and post it, share the love!

I’ve just finished reading Mama Mia: a memoir of mistakes, magazines and motherhood by Aussie writer, blogger and former Cosmopolitan  editor Mia Freedman. 

Obviously, as a magazine junkie, editor, and mother myself, there was much I could relate to in its pages! I enjoyed the behind-the -scenes stories of Mia’s magazine career, from her days as lowly work experience girl at Cleo to Editor-in-Chief of Cosmo, Girlfriend and a couple of other titles. Nowadays, she has converted to the medium of the internet, with a blog which she says is ”exactly like producing my own magazine every single day, with no barrier between me and my audience”.

Her observations and experiences of the magazine industry not only inspired me, but I also learnt much. Here are just some quotes that particularly resonated with me:

“Edit for your readers, not for yourself.” (This was also a message that came through loud and clear at the editor’s conference I recently attended in Manila).

“My biggest challenge was finding a new way to tell old stories.” Seems I’m not alone when it comes to that … every year we need Christmas themed articles in Footprints and it is so hard to find something that has not been done to death!

“When there are too many drivers at the top, magazines quickly go off the rails and lose their voice. You can only have one vision if you want the magazine to be authentic. Editing by committee is a disaster.” Although we have a Team at Footprints that help with editorial, packaging and mailout, promotion, prayer etc, at the end of the day … there can be only one! (Now I sound like the Highlander!)

“An editor once told me ‘there’s no copyright on ideas’ and I’ve never forgotten that. Provided you did your own version, I saw nothing wrong with being ‘inspired’ by other sources …Editors get many of their best ideas from other magazines.” Too true!

But this book is so much more than just one woman’s climb up the career ladder. Mia shares from her heart, in particular her struggle to find that delicate balance between being a wife, mother, woman and worker.

Mia often talks on her blog about her “Smug” and “Crap” lists. Smug = the things you feel you have done well as a mother such as breastfeeding for twelve months or whatever; and Crap = the things you feel guilty for. In a perfect world, these two lists would balance each other out but the reality is that the crap usually far outweighs the smug!

In fact this week she asked what her readers are feeling smug and crap about right now – straight away I thought of how I roared at my kids a couple of nights ago. They came into my room and sat quietly beside me while I was trying to do some work on the computer, but before long they were arguing over the last chocolate chip cookie (I might add that they are 15 and 13 … do they ever grow out of this stage?!).  Although I asked them nicely to move on, it was only when I yelled and blew my top that they got the hint!

It was a lot harder to come up with something for the smug list … but I ended up realising that at least I ap0logised to them the next morning. As I lay in bed that night, I’d felt God convicting me that they had only wanted to be near me and have some of my attention (Footprints deadline? what deadline?!).

How about you? Care to share from your smug and crap list for this week?!

2. Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? As long as I own the book in question, I find it very helpful to underline passages and mark quotes that are important to me.

3. How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open? I confess I mostly dog-ear, but try to be good (especially with library or other people’s books) and have a number of bookmarks which I try to use, though at times I will use whatever is lying around – shopping list, receipts, business cards, whatever.

4. Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both though probably more fiction.

5. Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard copy.

6. Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? I can put it down at any point and pick it back up again.

7. If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Occasionally … depends how comfy I am at the time and whether I can be bothered getting up!

8. What are you currently reading? “Hens Dancing” by Raffaella Barker, an English novel about a recently divorced mum of four and her garden, hens (hence – ha ha! – the name), dog, cat … it’s not Christian but I’m enjoying it as a bit of escapism.

9. What is the last book you bought? “Moments for Mum” by Narelle Nettelbeck. I mostly use the library to support my reading habit, but like to support Aussie authors (and especially Christian writers!) by buying their books when I can.

10. Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? Just one at a time, if I start reading another one it’s usually because the first one is boring and I don’t end up finishing it!

11. Do you have a favourite time of day and/or place to read? Any time! Any where! I always keep a book in my handbag for those spare moments.

12. Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? Usually stand alone.

13. Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? Lately, I’ve been raving about “The Embarrassed Evangelist” by Glenda Rouxel (another Aussie author), and ”Honor’s Reward” by John Bevere (life changing).

For Christian fiction, you can’t go past Francine Rivers; Christian living, I am greatly blessed by Florence Littauer. My fave book of all time (apart from the Bible) would have to be “The Mouse that Glowed” by Wynelle Gardner. It was published in 1976 and my copy is falling apart after 25+ years, and sadly it’s out of print, otherwise I would recommend it and/or give a copy to everyone. It’s about a family of church mice that live in a church (surprise surprise!) and experience a powerful revival!

And of course, I highly recommend this wonderful women’s mag, “Footprints”, as well as “Clues to your Calling” by a certain Janet Camilleri, and “Decadence: treat yourself to 10 years of Footprints”!

14. How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) Writing books and reference books are on the shelves above my desk where I can grab them easily; books by friends in the lounge room, everything else randomly placed on shelves in the study.

Well that’s me … feel free to pinch the idea and tackle these questions on your blog too if you love reading!

The new Footprints has landed! Issue #47 is chock-full of great reading, including:

- Don’t fear DISABILITY
- JUST VISITING: what it’s like to be the new person at church
- YOUNG PEOPLE: often blamed for all of society’s ills, but are they really so bad?!
- Reaching out to those in financial crisis: CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
- Getting the most out of your next trip to the GP
- MARRIAGE MATTERS: a personal story, with helpful hints for those whose partner doesn’t believe
- Christ and CREATION featuring your chance to read and WIN!
- The HEADLESS HOME: powerful truth for single parents
- It’s quiz time: what sort of GEM are you?

And that’s just the start … guess you’ll have to order your copy today if you want to read more. Don’t forget it’s just $12 for a one year subscription (that’s 4 issues) delivered to your mailbox. Check out www.footprintsaustralia.com/Resources.html or email editor@footprintsaustralia.com to find out how easy it is to sign up!

Another reason why this issue is special: it’s our “transition issue”. Yes, Footprints is moving up another level thanks to God’s grace and goodness. This is our first ever fully professionally printed issue! We are looking more and more like a “real”, grown-up magazine! Next issue there will be even more improvements, as we transition into this new stage in the life of Footprints magazine …

This book by Australian author Glenda Rouxel is one of the best that I have read in a long time.

Humourous yet at the same time, truly inspirational, “The Embarrassed Evangelist” reminded me of the works of Adrian Plass in a lot of ways – with its down to earth, practical take on Christian living.

At the same time, the journalling style is similar to that which made “Bridget Jones’ Diary” a worldwide success – could this be the Christian Bridget Jones?!

I really related to the main character and her daily experiences of trying to “let her light shine”, but at the same time found myself chuckling on nearly every page.

According to the blurb: Meet Amber Glass, a sweet but slightly erratic Christian working mum, who decides to keep a diary to organise her thoughts and give her some semblance of sanity. One day God challenges her to step up and share the hope she has with her friends, and Amber has never been more embarrassed in her life. Amber’s feelings of inadequacy are overcome by her love for her Saviour, and she decides to give it her best shot … with one eye closed.

Do yourself a favour – read this book!