COAST
COURIER
A
quarterly newsletter from
Karen O'Connor Communications
July
2007
Dear
friends, family, and colleagues:
Greetings from Watsonville, California.
News from the Central Coast:
Charles
and I have had a wonderful summer and I hope you've enjoyed yours,
too. We started early—with a trip to Italy to visit
my sister Shevawn and her family.
| Shevawn
was a great tour guide. |
Shevawn, Anchise, Lara, and Stefano.
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On our way to the beautiful
Cinque Terra
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Cinque
Terra—five cities on hill.
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| From
there we went to Switzerland, located Charles' ancestors'
home in East Switzerland and then spent a day with our Swiss
friends, Christian, Bea, and Pascal Haas. Christian lived
with us as a student in the early 90s. |
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After a lovely visit with
them we boarded the Viking Sun for a 12-day cruise up the
Rhine. |
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| We returned home for a short
rest. And then I was off to Chicago to record two of my books
for Oasis Audio: Getting' Old Ain't For Wimps and
my new book to be published in August, Walkin' With God
Ain't For Wimps, both from Harvest House.The CD books
will be released in August, as well. |
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On the work front:
Early this month we attended the Advanced Writers and Speakers
Association's (AWSA) annual weekend get-together in Atlanta, Georgia,
followed by a week at ICRS (International Christian Retail Show/formerly
Christian Booksellers Association).
AWSA
founder, Linda Evans Shepherd and Karen.
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I met with the folks from Harvest House, Regal Books, and Guideposts to
discuss current projects and new ones. I was also on a local
television program to discuss The Beauty of Aging, (Regal,
2006), which will be published in Spanish next year.
Guideposts published Getting' Old Ain't For Wimps and Help,
Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment last year and had very successful
sales so the company will publish the sequels next March--Getting'
Old STILL Ain't For Wimps and Help, Lord! I'm Having a
Senior Moment AGAIN. We are all thrilled with this news. Readers
have embraced my humor for seniors—and I'm sure happy about
that. I need other people to laugh with me at all the silly and
embarrassing things that happen to all of us as we topple over
the 50 and 60-year mark!
| We enjoyed a spectacular brunch hosted by my literary agent
Janet Grant for her clients and spouses. |
Janet
and Karen
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Karen
on front porch of Margaret Mitchell's home in
Atlanta, Georgia
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While in Atlanta we took a bus tour of the city and visited
the home and museum honoring Gone With the Wind author,
Margaret Mitchell. Very inspiring to this writer!
Also spent some time at the Martin Luther King Memorial and
Museum. Very sobering. I have a new appreciation for this
man and his work and devotion. |
On the home front:
| After
our week in Atlanta we flew to Cincinnati, Ohio for
our granddaughter Johannah's 'send-off-to-college'
party. It was a wonderful few days with our oldest
daughter Julie and her family, Charles' brother and
his wife, and friends. |
Johannah
and 'Magah' – the family's pet name
for Grandma Karen.
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Sarah
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Now
we're home for a while, enjoying our days with our
daughter Erin and her family and visits from loved
ones—our daughter Cathleen, Charles' cousin,
Nancy, and our granddaughter Sarah from San Diego. We'll
wind up the summer in Lake Tahoe for a week of camping
with our hiking friends. |
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May you be blessed to overflowing in the months ahead.
Some things to consider. . .
Reflection:
"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my
God." (Isaiah 61:10 NIV).
Inspiration:
May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every
window open to great possibility.
(Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey)
Action:
I
hope the following will encourage you to encourage someone
else with the gift of:
• YOUR
UNIQUE PERSONALITY
"Each man should
give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7 NIV).
Are you the life of
the party? The leader? The orderly one? Or the peaceful individual
who brings a balanced outlook to every situation? Whatever your unique personality
style, God can use you to encourage others and be blessed yourself while doing
so. Consider the gifts God has endowed you with. Then decide what you
can best give in a cheerful way, neither forcing yourself to do what feels
awkward nor measuring yourself against someone else.
• YOUR
CARING WORDS
"The good man
brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart...For out of the
overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45 NIV).
"I miss you." "Let’s
talk. " "God loves you and I do too." "Let’s pray
together." "Can I help?" Such words of kindness
and encouragement are important to all of us. Look at what you need. Then
you’ll know there are others with the same needs and wants. Get
together with those God leads you to and share the caring words you both long
to hear. The Holy Spirit will guide, and each of you will walk away uplifted
and encouraged.
• YOUR
THOUGHTFUL GESTURES/ACTIONS
"Give, and
it will be given to you....for with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you" (Luke 6:38).
A small gift, a loving
touch, a drop-in visit. It is amazing how what we give--whether small
or great--can bless others with encouragement and hope. And as God promises,
as we give, so He will give back to us. What a beautiful remedy for our
own needy hearts!
• YOUR
REGULAR PRAYERS
"The effective,
fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (Jas 5:16 NIV).
My friend and prayer
partner Mona prays for my needs and me each week. She has prayed for my children,
for the sale of our former home, for my writing and speaking goals, for health
and strength. And I have done the same for her over the pressing needs and
desires in her life. We have upheld and encouraged one another for many years.
The prayers of a righteous friend truly avail much more than we can imagine
or hope for.
• YOUR
COMMITMENT
"Let us not
become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if
we do not give up" (Gal. 5:9 NIV).
Be there when someone
needs a friend to lean on, a regret to cry over, a sister or brother in Christ
to share with. And when you're in need the Lord will bring such a person
to you. As we commit to encouraging others, God is committed to encouraging
us by yielding a harvest of friendship, love, support, and prayer at just the
right time!
Let's stay in touch. I'd love to hear from you. . .
karen@karenoconnor.com
If you're interested in reading my blog, please check it out:
www.WordyKaren.blogspot.com
And stop by my website. www.karenoconnor.com.
I'll be updating it by the end of the year.
Till next time, be well, and may you be blessed.
Karen O'Connor
Karen
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