During that season of my life, every two or three years, I would yearn to be "artsy" and I'd get out paper and pen and begin drawing. Each time I would do this, my husband and I would look at these latest artistic attempts with wonder, because surprisingly, my drawing skills always improved despite not using them. Remember the old saying, "if you don't use it, you lose it?" Well, it just wasn't holding true in this case. But the truth was, nothing really kept my interest and so I would put it all away until the next time.

I painted my very first watercolor as a gift for my daughter for her wedding in 1993... seriously, every time I had attempted to paint prior to that, it would all turn to mud! I knew this was the Lord and I was so excited! After much prayer, I decided to create a series of paintings based on and including scripture text. Because God's Word is so visual and the truth of it had truly changed my life, I was both humbled and in awe of what God was doing. Within six months I had six paintings and decided, with much fear and trembling, to attempt to sell my artwork as framed prints through a home party format. I had such a good time just sitting with the women, showing them my art and talking about God's Word because woven within each painting were a number of common, everyday items that represented scriptural truths such as a teacup to remind us of the rest and refreshing that comes with spending time with the Lord or an apple to depict the fruit of the Spirit. As the women came together, I was able to use this symbolism to share God's love and encouragement in a very unique and meaningful way. After the second party a couple of the women asked if I would write down what I had shared so they could remember it. I did and began to tape these pages or stories as I called them, to the backs of the pictures. That was the beginning of my writing career, so you can see it was quite unintentional.

About a year later, God planted a seed in my heart about having a book - a collection of my paintings and their respective stories. But after laying out only four sample pages, I decided it was way over my head and so I placed those pages in a file folder, closed the drawer and said "Lord, if this really is You, You're are going to have to make it happen!" I continued to do what was at hand and my business continued to grow. Over time we began selling wholesale on a small scale and attending a few retail gift shows.

It was at one of these shows, the NW Christian Expo in Portland, OR that a woman came to our booth. She told me it was as if she had known me before we even met - she had purchased some of my magnets from a bookstore in Flower Mound, TX. (I just love the name of that town, don't you?) As we visited, I showed her my artwork and their respective stories attached to the backs and after a bit, she asked me if I thought I was supposed to "do" a book. I thought this was a very odd question for a total stranger to ask and even though I had only told a few other people, I felt led to tell her about the sample pages and my confidence in God's timing if it truly was the Lord.) She then introduced herself as Marsha, the wife of Jack Countryman, who is the "J" of J.Countryman Publishing, the largest Christian gift book publisher in America and a division of Thomas Nelson. Later that day she enthusiastically returned to our booth with Jack and introduced him to Michael and I. Three weeks later, after one brief phone conversation, they flew me to Nashville, TN where we worked out our very first contract. Today I continue to enjoy both a business and friendship relationship with Marsha and Jack - a unique relationship by God's design.

But the greatest relationship of all, the one which makes all these things possible, is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And to Him I am eternally grateful to be able to do what I love and have the opportunities I have to share it with you!