AprilWord – Jan Sullivan

So my parent’s bought another house that I get to move into.  But before I can move into it, there is a lot, I mean a lot of work to be done.

See, somewhere down the line, someone painted over oil based paint with latex.  You just can’t do that.  Eventually the latex will chip and peel off.  So, there are two options, either remove the paint, by stripping or scraping, or replace the woodwork completely.  Being that this is an older home and the woodwork is very pretty, and being that replacing all the woodwork would be very costly, we have decided to scrape and strip the paint off.  (I hurt!)

It would be costlier in the long run to strip and scrape if you have to pay someone, but since I’m free labor – yep, I get to do most of it.

Anyway, we were having a conversation because my brother-in-law is a general contractor about restoration or renovation.  Renovation would be taking the old, throwing it out and replacing it with new.  Restoration  is taking the old, stripping it down and then making it new. 

As I think about these two ideas, and my relationship with God, I am glad that He chooses to restore us instead of renovate us.  I like that He strips us back to the basic and then makes us new again.  If He were to throw out all that we had done before, how would we ever learn from our mistakes and use our past for His glory? 

I’m not saying the restoration process is easy.  In fact, it is very painful and tiring for the one doing the work.  And I am sure the wood is not liking this too much either.  But I know, as God knows, the finished project will be glorious!

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I hope you all remember the sacrifices that were made so that you may have the freedoms you have today.  But most of all, I hope you remember the one sacrfice that was made so that you would have freedom from your sin.  God sent His only Son that you might have life and have it eternally.  Yes, we will all have eternal life, but where will you spend it?  In eternal damnation?  Or in heaven with God.  We will all face judgement.  But when you know Christ and accept His sacrifice made for you for the forgiveness of sin, you will stand before God and will be found innocent.  Freedom!  If not, you will have to pay for the sins against God that you have committed on this earth.  I accept the freedom that I have found in Christ.  What will you do?

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http://www.harrodsburgfirst.com/festival_of_books_and_arts.htm

Join me Saturday in Harrodsburg at the Festival of Books and Art on Main Street from 10 a.m. ’til 7 p.m.  It’s going to be a beautiful day and a great chance to get out and discover some new local authors and their books.  Carrie and Chris will be there as well as me!  Hope to see you there!

Jan

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First of all, let me just say thank you to all of the people I spoke with this weekend.  Youth workers are absolutely amazing.  If only your students could know just exactly how much you love them!  And for those who have answered the call full time to youth ministry, God bless you.  Volunteers, I hope you realize just how much you are appreciated!

Man was it HOT this year!  I’ve never sweat so much sitting still in my life!  But it was definately worth it!  I feel cleansed from the inside out.  Totally get the whole life giving water example with a newfound respect!  Thank you Asbury Bookstore for letting me have a reason to stay in the shade Friday and Saturday! 

Oh yeah, and who said “At least it’s not raining.”  I guess by now you have come to an agreement with the rest of us that it always rains at ICHTHUS.  How else would the FISH survive?  Thank goodness everyone was kept safe.  I got to take a nice little nap in my car. 

Back to the books: (Forever Family and Never Alone) I hope that those of you who purchased the books would consider doing a book study with your small groups on these topics.  And if you are close enough, I would like to come meet with you.  I have questions available that I can send by email.  My email is on the contact page.  More than anything, I would love to have your comments and know how God spoke to your heart through these stories.

God bless you and I will let you know when the third book is coming!

Jan

Tags: Forever Family, Never Alone
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Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I will be signing “Never Alone” at ICHTHUS this year in the youth leader tent.  Cokesbury is hosting me again and for that I am very excited and very grateful.  Many of you bought “Forever Family” there last year.  Come by and see me again.  I have some exciting news to share with you about Carrie.  Also, I do have study questions available for both books if you are interested in doing a book study this summer with your small group.  Can’t wait to see you at ICHTHUS!  Students, I think I can see you if you come around to the stage side of the youth leaders’ tent, but it depends on how we set up this year.  If not, I’ll be free after five (I think.)

Jan

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It was  a long weekend, but I really enjoyed meeting so many wonderful loving people.  I really hope that those of you who took home a copy of one, or both of my books, will find Christ in the pages and that He would inspire you to love on teens around you.  To those of you who came and took time to listen to me speak, I hope that you were not only entertained, but were challenged and inspired as well.  Remember, as the parent, it’s okay to say “no.”  You don’t have to be their friends.  There are people out there like me that have your back. 

My next event is in Morehead at the Clack Mountain Festival.  This will be my second time there, but my first time with “Never Alone.”  So if I met you there last year, come see me again! 

Keep reading!

Jan

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I am headed to Columbus this weekend for the Columbus Women’s Living Expo.  I look forward to meeting all of you in the Columbus, OH area.  I will be speaking on stage at various times during the weekend.  You can go to their web page to find my speaking times, or just find my booth.  I’ll be in the middle of the X layout.  I think that’s pretty exciting!  Here is the Link to their website:  http://www.womenslivingexpo.com/Columbus2010/ 

Let me also take this opportunity to say “thank you” to my financial supporters in all of this.  Your belief in me and encouragement is what keeps me going.  I hope you get to stop by one of these events as well. 

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Jan

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Ok, so today I finished the third book.  My sister will be the first reader.  She is really looking forward to this and I hope she is honest with me.  I know she can add a lot about the cheerleading aspect.  She is the mother of one! 

I don’t know quite what to do about publishing this one yet.  I don’t quite yet have enough money to get it done.  I am praying for a huge weekend next week in Columbus.  I was featured on their web page!  But – if you would like to contribute to my cause of providing good Christian Fiction for teens, I would gladly accept any donations that may come my way.  There is a paypal donate button on the purchase page. 

The well wishes are great when people come and see me, and so are the words of encouragement.  However, like everything else, they don’t provide funding to continue.  So I guess what I am saying is, if perchance you would like to see me continue doing this, please make a donation.  I have sooooo many stories and so little resources.  I think you can do it annonymously as well.

Well, pray that somehow she is able to read quickly – so I can get closer to publication….

Jan

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Talk about last minute! 

I got rained out at the Berea International Festival.  I was looking forward to that one too, because it was my first second time at a fair with my second book.  I wanted to meet people that had read my first one.  And I was looking forward to enjoying the festivities.  I had a great location.

But alas!  The rain just never stopped coming.

Thank goodness I saw an ad for Mayfest, mentioning a KY Author signing table.  I called and they said the Carnegie Center was sponsoring that.  So I called the Carnegie Center.  Yay!  They said I could participate!  So, on Saturday May 8th, I will be behind the Carnegie Center at the Author’s table selling and signing my books – except between the hours of 1 and 2:30.  I will be on the Carnegie Center front steps playing my flute with the Flute Symphony of Lexington. 

I look forward to a Sunshiny Day and the opportunity to meet you all!  See you at Mayfest if you are in Lexington Saturday! 

http://www.downtownlex.com/mayfest-arts-fair

Jan

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That just sounded cool.  I know, it seems as though I was stuck in Great Britain with the volcanic ash and all, but I was really just in London, KY.  I really enjoyed the Family Fun Day at South Laurel High School and really hope that everyone had a great time. 

I was blessed to have been able to be in the gymnasium where there was live entertainment most of the day.  Let me tell you, American Idol, watch out!  The soloist that began the day were fabulous.  Normally there are a few students who get up on stage and you ask, “who told them they could sing?”  But not this group!  Every single one of them were great!   I was pleasantly surprised! 

The band that closed the show was pretty great too.  However, I wished they would have sung their praise music pieces with the same excitement as their rock and country.  In fact, I wish they could have given Jesus more!  But, I know they were nervous.  It is hard being that young and vulnerable in front of strangers.  They did a great job.  Keep it up!

Overall it was a good day.  I look forward now to Lebanon, Gravel Switch, KY where I will be participated in the Kentucky Writer’s Celebration at Penns Store.  I will be reading on Saturday at 2:45 p.m.  and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.  Come and visit with me.  I will be there both days, all day!

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