It seems that Footprints now has a mascot – introducing Sophie de la Snuggles (pronounced Snoo- gals). She’s one snuggly puppy!

There is a bit of a story behind how Sophie joined my family. My husband was studying part-time a few years ago in addition to working fulltime, so I often went to bed while he hit the books. It was a trying time – both of us resented being separated by his studies. So he bought me this beautiful toy puppy for me to cuddle in bed when I was missing him … and somehow she has become a part of the family, with a real personality and her own trademark sayings.

Sophie loves sitting on people’s heads and pretending that she is a hat (as you can see in the photo). I can often be found at the computer with her peering at the screen from her favourite perch, or else she sits on the desk to keep me company while I type.

I’ve brought Sophie with me to Footprints Team retreats so that I don’t miss out on cuddles in bed (no boys allowed!), so most of the Team have met her and are very familiar with Sophie-isms. Somehow Sophie has won all their hearts, and now it seems her charm is extending to our readers -  so it seems only natural to make her our mascot! 

Sometimes I think I’ve missed my calling, I’m so good at doing voices and creating characters for the kids’ stuffed toys (when they were younger) and now Sophie – maybe I should have become a puppeteer! Nah, I think I’ll stick with Footprints …

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. That my darling husband and I had the day off together. It was like our second honeymoon back in May (for our 20th wedding annivesary) – we just enjoyed each other’s company all day and ignored the washing, the cleaning, the hundreds of other little things that demand our time and energy. We watched a good DVD together and went to Sizzler for lunch – the day just flew by. Our love tanks are full now!

2. Went shopping with Miss 13 last Saturday, as she desperately needed new jeans. We had a credit note for $30 (after returning THAT dress) – the exact price of the jeans we picked. We also found 4 tops from the “2 for $20″ rack. By anyone’s calculations, that means after handing over the credit note, I needed to pay $40. NOPE! The assistant must have done something wrong when she keyed it into the register, because “the computer” said I only had to pay $8! Even though I spoke up and tried to do the right thing, handing over a $50 note, the two girls behind the counter insisted on giving me $42 change. I left my phone number in case they got in trouble or they couldn’t balance at the end of the day – but never heard anything further. Thank you God for bargains! (Jesus saves!!! The story of a divine discount!!!)

3. Footprints was the subject of a feature interview on Girl with a Satchel’s blog. Yeah!

4. Noticing that Mr 16 needs to shave. He is growing up so fast but still loves to give him mum cuddles (especially if nobody else is around LOL).

5. Fun times at work hanging out with my friend Mel. Sadly she finishes up next week but I thank God for the good times we have had together over the past twelve months, and how she has rediscovered the Lord!

How about you? Care to share your “5 for Friday” – things that made you smile?

What do you get when you put together:

• Half a dozen members of the Footprints Team;
• At least half a dozen Footprints readers & supporters;
• The odd husband, assorted teenagers, and tiny tots;
• A beautiful park;
• Festive balloons to mark our location;
• Weather that may have looked like it was threatening rain, but didn’t (thank you God!);
• Yummy food, because everybody brought something to share;
• A seemingly endless supply of cups of tea / coffee (thanks to Janet panicking that we wouldn’t have enough thermoses – we ended up with about twenty! LOL);
• A shared passion for Jesus AND Footprints magazine …

… Well put it this way. It’s the perfect recipe for plenty of chatter, hugs and laughs!

 We may have been only a small group, but it allowed everybody to mix and mingle. Even though some were strangers at the start of the event, nobody was by the end!

Conversation topics ranged from choosing churches, to parenting tips, fashion, blogs, memorable holidays, work, studies, family, great books & movies … not unlike what you’d find in an issue of Footprints magazine really!

It only served to confirm my firm belief that Footprints readers are a GREAT BUNCH!

To see all the photos, here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=190345&id=105081061840.

It’s all part of our 50th issue celebrations - if you’re a subscriber, you should have received an invitation tucked inside Issue 50, with all the details. 

For those who may not subscribe (shock, horror!), or who have lost their invite, we’re having an informal picnic afternoon tea at a popular park, meeting at 2pm on Saturday 24 July. If you are interested in finding out more, or want to RSVP, email editor@footprintsaustralia.com or text 0421 482 642. Please bring along a plate of something yummy to share, a folding chair or picnic blanket, and if you can manage to bring along a thermos of boiling water as well (for cuppas – we’ll provide the tea, coffee, sugar, spoons, cups etc) that would be great!

Come along and meet the Team behind your favourite magazine … we’d LOVE to meet you!

Photo below: our last Footprints get-together with readers was our 10th birthday bash at Rivers Cafe, Mansfield.

The celebrations for our 50th issue continue – this time, with a blog tour!

So what is a blog tour? I hear you ask! Well, it’s a bit like when an author goes on a book tour to promote their book – stopping at different towns to participate in interviews. A blog tour is the online version – where the featured book/author (or in this case magazine & editor) make guest appearances on different blogs.

So here’s your complete blog itinerary – a complete list of what’s happening, and when!

• Thursday 24/6 - thanks to Wendy from On the Edge of Ordinary  (http://mmuser.blogspot.com/)  for kicking things off. Although currently in Brisbane, Wendy will be moving back to Japan within the next few weeks!
• Friday 25/6 – we jump over the border for an interview with Julie south of Sydney at  http://worksformehomemaking.wordpress.com/.
• Saturday 26/6 – Back up to sunny Queensland, where our host today is Kay from the Gold Coast, at  http://heartsoulexchange.blogspot.com/.
• Sunday 27/6 – Catch our latest interview with Michelle, also from the Gold Coast http://michelledevans.blogspot.com/.
• Monday 28/6 – Moving on almost to Melbourne, with Kathie from Victoria at http://proverbs31-woman.com/.
• Tuesday 29/6 – Back up to the southside of Brisbane for a chat with Lil from  http://motheringmisadventures.blogspot.com/.
• Wednesday 30/6 – Head on over to Brisbane’s northern outskirts for Corallie’s feature on Footprints at  http://buchanan-beeline.blogspot.com/.
• Thursday 1/7 – Joni from the Blue Mountains in NSW plays host to the Footprints blog tour today at http://every1matters.wordpress.com/.
• Friday 2/7 – Go west dear reader, as we chat with Narelle from Perth at www.momentsformum.com. (Narelle is also our WA state rep).
• Saturday 3/7 - Back to the Brissie girls, with the popular www.squigglemum.com for an interview with Catherine.
• Sunday 4/7 – Still in Brisbane, with Paula at http://paulassharingspot.blogspot.com/.
• Monday 5/7 – Heading west – but not quite so far this time! Stopping in with the bubbly Kelly in Toowoomba at http://beafunmum.com/.
• Tuesday 6/7 – And finally, an interview practically in our own backyard with Tabitha in the Redlands at http://tabithabird.blogspot.com/.

Footprints would like to thank each and every one of our hosts on our 50th issue celebration blog tour … please encourage them with your comments to let them know you’ve visited!

Hope you enjoy – and tell your friends – all about our blog tour!

So here it is … our fabulous 50th issue!

It occurred to me on Saturday that not only was this our 50th issue, it was also the 50th Footprints meeting. That’s a lot of meetings!

Right from the beginning, Footprints meetings have been a lot of fun. What else can you expect when you get a bunch of gals together!

When we met at my home to launch the very first issue of Footprints, it was the first time that some of the girls had ever met. Although they all had the (dubious!) distinction of being friends of mine, this was their first opportunity to get to know each other. Melanie, Nicola, Vivian and I are the “original” team members, thankfully God has brought new members onto the team over the years because there is no way we could do it all on our own!  

So what happens at our quarterly Footprints meetings? We usually kick off with a cuppa and a chat – as we come from all over Brisbane, we often don’t get to see each other between meetings (thank heavens for email!), so there is a lot of catching up to do!

As the editor, I then crack the whip and start unpacking the boxes of magazines. Each girl grabs one, and I spend the next half an hour being very bored as they are all busy reading their new Footprints!!!

We package up the magazines for mail out, and then comes the “formalities” as we tackle the meeting agenda. There is a financial report, and usually some great testimonies or letters to share that readers have sent in; then it’s time to plan upcoming issues.  Last but definitely not least is our prayer time, then it’s potluck for dinner. Jenny spoilt us with homemade soup and Pauline made bacon and zucchini slice on Saturday … mmmm … in the early days we all used to pitch in a couple of dollars for pizza but I think we all prefer potluck these days. Thankfully, I am excused from bringing a plate to share as my contribution is to bring the magazines!

Our meetings usually start at 2pm and it can be well and truly dark by the time we finish … perhaps it’s just as well they only happen every three months! With everybody leading such busy lives, we are grateful for every pair of hands, even if it’s just for an hour or two. So there is a constant stream of people coming and going! Part of the fun is inviting others to join us.  This time it was our very great pleasure to have Cate join us. Cate was very enthusiastic and may just live to regret it … she went home having volunteered to do a truckload of work. Yep, that’s us Footprints gals, be careful what you let yourself in for! Cate has kindly offered to take on the job of completing our new brochure/subscription form, and designing letterhead, business cards, yada yada yada, as soon as the graphic designer has completed our new logo. 

Thankfully Cate has experience in running not-for-profits (as does Vivian), while Jenny is an accountant, so they helped us to get our heads around all the requirements (particularly financial) now we are incorporated. We will get there … eventually!

Nicola and Mel caught us up on their recent speaking gigs – Mel has done two ladies breakfasts recently, and Nicola arrived late to the meeting after spending the day with the ladies at the Inspire Conference in Caloundra, where she led two workshops. We have had quite a boost to our subscriptions lately thanks to their efforts! It was a very big day for Nicola in particular (I’m a poet and didn’t know it!) – while I think of it, please pray for her health, she has had quite a battle against chest infections over the past few weeks.

As we looked through the stash of articles ready for the next couple of issues, we noticed that the hardest column to fill of late is “God Answered My Prayer” so if you, or someone you know, has a great story, don’t be shy, send it in! It doesn’t matter if you’re not a confident or expert writer, we are only too happy to help you polish it up ready for publication. If it’s something a little bit different, so much the better … we have printed a lot of healing testimonies, and stories of God’s provision (houses, cars, food) over the years … why not surprise us with something a bit out of  the ordinary!

Kylie was kept busy as our scribe, taking the minutes – thanks Kylie, what would we do without you. I always look forward to reading the minutes in due course, although somehow I feel that I will have quite a few “actions” to do as a result! (More work!!!)

Now for the lull after the storm. The flurry of deadlines is past, and the  magazines have all been posted … until next time, that is.  Issue 51, here we come!

Well better late than never … here’s a pic of yours truly, au naturel. First thing in the morning, wearing my nightie LOL.

I’m not a huge one for makeup generally. I wear a bit of “Natural Glow” powder dusted over my face, some blush and lipstick for work and even mascara if you’re lucky. That’s about it. On weekends maybe just the “Natural Glow” and some lippy or gloss. Thankfully my hubby prefers the natural look!

One of the benefits of growing older is that I’m not as pre-occupied with my looks and having my hair “perfect” and my makeup and clothes “just so”. Yes, I like to look nice, but no longer feel I have to be a slave to all that. It’s very liberating!!! (And even if I did follow fashion religiously, let’s face it, I would never look as good in it as my gorgeous slender 13 year old daughter does – because that’s who fashion is made for, not for middle aged mamas like me!).

I love this idea of “bloggers without makeup” – it’s so “Footprints” really, where we feature real women on the cover of our magazines! Which reminds me, our new cover – issue number 50!!!! (can I have a drumroll please?!) – stars the winning entry from our recent cover comp.

Want to know more? Well, you’ll just have to sign up as a subscriber to the “Footprints” magazine! It’s only $12 per year so won’t break the bank AND I can guarantee you’ll be hugely blessed by each issue! Email me at editor@footprintsaustralia.com, or check out the “Subscribe” page on our website to find out more!

Issue 50 has some great articles, including stories from readers on why “life begins at 50″; how to win against worry; and the secret life of PKs (pastor’s kids). You’ll also find a story out about “Girls 4 God“, a Christian magazine for pre-teens; and a look behind the story of smash hit movie, ”Avatar”. You won’t want to miss this one – it could even be a collector’s item in years to come!

I know I blogged about ”Woman’s Day” and it’s “fabulous at 50″ theme a couple of weeks ago … but it really got me thinking. Apart from raising the concern of “stealing ideas” (no, they hadn’t), I couldn’t help contrasting their take on this topic to ours in ”Footprints”! 

In our 50th issue (due out end of May), we will have several features relating to the big 5-oh – including “Life Begins at 50” with real-life stories from Footprints readers; the Year of Jubilee; and an interview with Wendy Francis, a very glamourous grandma who also happens to be the lead senate candidate for Family First in Queensland. Wendy is living proof that fifty plus is a whole new horizon! (Just check out the photo above, where she is MCing at the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols in Brisbane).

The “Woman’s Day” version of “Fab at 50” was mostly about looking good, and how women of today can (and do!) look stunning well into middle age and beyond. There were pages of fashion, anti-ageing beauty tips, and thoughts on life and love from famous over-50s including Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Fran Drescher, Sarah Ferguson, Sigrid Thornton and others.

Sadly, I didn’t see any stories about women who were Fabulous at 50 because of the contribution they’d made in the fields of politics, sports, career, education, community, family, or business … it seemed their definition of Fab at 50 was limited to face, figure and fame!

We hope that you will be inspired by the real-life women in the 50th issue of Footprints who we think are Fab at 50 … living proof that when you are a Christian, you may grow older but you don’t have to grow colder!

And that’s our prayer for “Footprints” – that we only grow better as the years (and issues) go by!

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!