The past few days have been busy ones for me. On Saturday, April 28, the alumni board at Hope College, my Alma Mater, presented me with the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award at their annual banquet. What a huge honor!
Years ago, I chose to attend Hope, a Christian college, because I wanted to build my life and my education on a spiritual foundation. I found what I was looking for there. (And also met my husband—an added bonus!) The education I received at Hope has formed the basis of my writing, and it was thrilling when they chose to honor me this way.
The following Monday I had a great time with the 150 people who joined me for the Dutch Heritage Bus Tour, visiting some of the sites they read about in my novel, “Waves of Mercy.” The novel is based on the true story of the Dutch immigrants who founded the city of Holland, Michigan in 1846. They came to America seeking religious freedom after being persecuted for their faith in their homeland. They tamed the wilderness, endured a malaria plague, and dealt with numerous other hardships including a fire that destroyed ¾ of the city in 1871. The community they built is thriving today and is rated second in the nation for charitable giving. The tour was a testimony to the founders’ faith, courage and perseverance.
I wore my period Dutch costume to serve as tour guide
On Thursday, May 3, I was invited to speak at a fund-raising luncheon for The Bible League, an amazing international organization that provides Bibles and study materials to people around the world. I had a great time meeting new friends and eating delicious food. My speaking topic was “Living Fearlessly”—daring to step out and do the “impossible” with the Holy Spirit’s help.
It’s interesting that the Bible League’s founder, William Chapman, did just that. In 1936, he became seriously ill and ended up in a Chicago hospital. An elder from his church visited him and prayed that God would spare his life and lead him to serve Christ. When he recovered, Chapman vowed to give all of his strength to God. He and his wife Betty purchased 1,000 Bibles and went door-to-door, offering to give one to any home that needed it if the recipients promised to read it. Today, The Bible League distributes millions of Bibles and study materials all around the world.
I have one more fun event coming up this week. On May 10, 11 and 12 I’ll be joining a wonderful group of authors and readers for the first-ever “Fiction Readers Summit” in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This event is sponsored by Baker Book House and registration is open to anyone who loves to read and wants to connect with authors. If you live in the area, I would love to see you there! Go to https://fictionreaderssummit.com/ for more information.
2 comments
Hi there, I’ve just read, for the second time, Eve’s daughters and I will be passing it on to my own daughter for her to read. I have to say that when I arrived at the part where Father Duggan is coming to the end of his life and Emma visits him in the hospital, and they hug each other, I wanted to write in the book margin “If you’re not crying now, there is something wrong with you” . A glorious book about Grace and Forgivness.
p.s. I never write in books – only my Bible.
Blessings to you.
Lynn, I am almost finished reading your book Pilgrimage about your journey in The Holy Land. My husband I just returned last night from that very place. I began reading the book before we left and took it with me and am this morning in the final chapter. I know now I will have to re-read it as I’ve found the places in each chapter have a different personality and color than before our trip.
I feel such a connection to the book for another reason as well. Even though you don’t say what the “change” your life has taken is exactly, I relate. We had a family “bomb” go off a couple of years ago and I’ve yet to find my footing. My “hearing” has been severely impaired by the explosion. This morning I literally, for a fleeting moment thought “I’ve got to call Lynn”. In the same instant I realized I don’t know you and you certainly don’t know me and there’s no way I could have your phone number. Bummer. But, thanks to the Internet, we at least have the ability to connect. Just wanted you to know there’s a writer wife/mom of adult children in Texas,who loves Jesus but still struggles not to step out of the boat but to even find the boat.
Lisa
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