As a youngster, I was very involved in an AWANA youth club (AWANA stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed, based on 2 Timothy 2:15). Every Friday night my sisters and I would head off to AWANA for a night of games and fun with our friends. We wore uniforms a bit like the Scouts, and could earn awards and badges for various activities - from bringing along a friend, learning crafts, and in particular Scripture memorisation. AWANA used the King James version, and although I didn’t really understand a lot of what I was reading and learning, I was storing up treasure for the future. At one stage I could recite all of Isaiah 64, or Romans 6, from memory!

Fast forward 30 years and I am still able to remember many Scriptures word-for-word, although maybe not the “address” of where they live! It has been such a help to me over the years. The Holy Spirit has been able to remind me of relevant verses when needed, or has brought to mind exactly the right passage for articles that I may be writing or messages that I speak, or even in daily conversation or when encouraging friends.

Today I enjoy a regular “smorgasbord” of Bible versions! I “carry” portions of the King James around in my head, and over the past ten years or so have used the New International Version, the New Living Translation, and The Message for my daily Bible reading as well as deeper study. Lately I am intrigued by the extra depth and meaning to be found in the pages of the Amplified version!

So I really can’t say that I have a “favourite” version. But I’d love to know your thoughts … what is YOUR favourite Bible version, and WHY???!!! Send your answer before 31 August 2008 to editor@footprintsaustralia.com, and you could win a copy of the bestselling “Australian Stories for Women”! (You may recognise one of the contributors … a certain Janet Camilleri??!)

The comp will also be promoted in the August Footprints FOCUS ezine. Don’t get the monthly FOCUS ezine in your inbox? It’s FREE! To sign up, just send an email to editor@footprintsaustralia.com with “FOCUS” in the subject line and we’ll do the rest!

If you check out our “Events“ page, you will see that we have been double-booked on Saturday 30 August. Problem? Not when you have a great team! So I will be speaking at a ladies retreat for Rivers Baptist Church on the northside of Brisbane, while Nicola Saad will be one of the keynote speakers for the Wesleyan Methodist Convention being held at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

Just think, if I was the only one taking speaking engagements, then one of these wonderful events would have to miss out! But that is one of the benefits of having a TEAM.

Although I do a lot of the writing, editing, and layout of the Footprints magazine etc, it would be too much for me to manage if I didn’t have a group of willing helpers. The Footprints Team members assist with covering the ministry in prayer, as well as writing content, editing, proof-reading and the packaging up of each new issue for mailout!

The other thing I really love about the Footprints Team and other key helpers is that we are spread right across Brisbane (and beyond!) and come from a range of different churches - Christian Outreach Centre, Baptist, Assemblies of God, Uniting, Nazarene, and Catholic to name just a few. It’s true, team work makes teams work! And what a beautiful example of the body of Christ working together in harmony.

Thank you to each and every one of the Footprints Team members for all your dedication and support, and to all the others who contribute in whatever way to make this ministry possible!

For the past week or so Loz’s wedding ring had been missing. He has two rings, and often takes them off when he is working around home, not wanting them to get scratched or caught on something.

He found the other ring in the small basket where he usually puts them for safe keeping, along with our keys, mobile phones, work ID tags and other odds and ends. But of his wedding ring there was no sign.

We checked all the usual places, and then the not so usual ones. A week had gone by, and he was starting to get worried that it was gone for good, and being a sentimental little possum was quite upset. So we prayed together that the ring would be found.

Not thirty seconds later the kids walked into the room, wanting to know what we were looking for. Straight away Julia walked to the basket where it is normally found - and picked up the missing wedding ring!   Both Loz and I had checked that same basket several times over the past few days but hadn’t found it! Was it a coincidence that we only discovered after we had prayed? I don’t think so!I love stories of “God-incidences” like this. Our web editor Kathie even writes a blog of such happenings.

So why is “Nothing’s gonna stop us now” the tune in my head today? Maybe it’s because this week we have reached a couple of milestones in the world of Footprints!

First of all, we have SOLD OUT of the first print run of our 10th anniversary book “DECADENCE: treat yourself to 10 years of Footprints” after just 3 months! But don’t worry if you haven’t yet had a chance to order your copy - we are getting a reprint done as we speak …

Plus we have passed the magic 450 mark! We now have exactly 458 paid-up subscribers to the Footprints magazine, and I think that’s something to sing about!

It is amazing to see what God is doing with our humble magazine. I love hearing the stories of how it brings joy to others, but nothing beats the joy of serving God doing my favourite thing in the whole world … no wonder I love to speak on the topic of “Clues to your Calling” which is also the title of the other Footprints book!

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.

“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!

- 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.

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!

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? 

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!!! 

Despite giving the manuscript to the printing company TWO WHOLE MONTHS before our book launch date, I have yet to see a book proof … which I need to approve before the book can be printed. As we have already paid a substantial deposit, AND with less then two weeks to go, it is too late to go elsewhere.

PLEASE PRAY THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A BOOK TO LAUNCH ON 29 MARCH!!!!!