Branson Trip

On Nov. 7th, I attended the Military Writers Society of Ameria's awards banquet in Branson, Missouri. I cannot express how humbling it was to receive the 2007 Gold Medal for Best Anthology! Attending the banquet with my parents, husband, and his parents was a very special time to be remembered for a long time to come.
As exciting as it was to be presented the award, and to have a moment to read from my book, I must admit that paled in comparison to meeting some of my "heroes." WWII veterans, Vietnam Veterans, Korea POW's, Tuskegee Airmen, our wounded, the list goes on. This is what meant the most and what I will remember first and foremost about the trip. I value the sacrifices these men and women made on my behalf...as I value the sacrifices made each and every day on my behalf to ensure continued freedoms we enjoy today.
When I can, I will post a photo or two from the banquet. Remember to keep our men and women in uniform in your daily prayers. That is the best thing we can do for them.
Lucy

The Traveling Wall...

Ann FitzHenry wrote a story for Secure the Fort about her husband's second cousin, Tom Piper, who died in Vietnam. The story spoke about her emotional discovery of his name on the Memorial Wall in D.C. (Read the following article: http://www.vietnow.com/pagesmagazine/powerofaname.htm)

Recently, Ann visited the traveling wall in MN where she took the above photo. I was totally unaware of what the photo entailed when I clicked the link! Imagine my surprise and honor when I did....Ann, I cannot express my thoughts in words for what you did here. It humbled me greatly, and made me weep. What an honor...thank you.

Of note: a soldier that served with Tom contacted Ann through http://www.thewall-usa.com/. He told her about the coin toss that led Tom out on patrol on that fateful day. This man and his wife are planning a trip to Minnesota to "visit" Tom some time next year. He's never forgotten him after all these years, even though they only knew each other seven days.

Lucy

Praises!

Some praises to share today!
1. Interior galleys are done for the first volume of Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God). All I need to do is read through for any corrections that need making, and then approve them. We're one step closer to printing! Do pray for this series of books and the ministry they will have to our military families and everyone else who reads them.
2. I just spoke to another military mom this week who heads up www.momsofmilitary.com, a prayer circle of military mothers. The group is based out of Yorba Linda, California. I encourage other military moms to contact them to join this prayer circle. Our military "children" need all the prayers they can get. I am anxious to talk to other moms in this circle and hear their testimonies of answered prayers! I'm hoping to get some of these moms to submit their testimonies for the volume of Secure the Fort that will focus on our Christian military moms in action!
Lucy

Praise!

I have several praises to report re: Secure the Fort's progression!

1. I now have my Coast Guard contact, a chaplain in the Great Lakes Region.

2. I have emailed Blue Star Moms military support groups nation wide about the possibility of reading devotions out of the book in their meetings. I am already receiving very positive feedback on this, and now have groups in Texas and California desiring to use them.

3. I have a Gideon contact looking up military testimonies regarding the New Testaments the Gideons provide to new recruits.

4. I have someone voluntarily proofreading/checking for grammar.

5. I have two authors writing endorsements.

Wow, God has blessed me greatly in all this! I'll keep you up to date on what happens next.
Keep watching...all glory is HIS!
Lucy