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AHW MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER
About His Work with Janet April 2016
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They Say It's Your Birthday!
Do you still get excited about your birthday? As we get older, we often have a tendency to dread another birthday or minimize the day. Some people don't want to draw attention to themselves or feel it's being prideful to let others know it's your birthday. I know people who treat their birthday as if it's just another day.
But I can tell you that after having breast cancer three times, I cherish each new day and year of life, and celebrate my birthday to the max! Birthdays were always a big deal as I was growing up, and I made them a big deal for my daughter, Kim, too. In fact, when she was younger, she didn't think that anyone else should have the same birthday; it was her day.
In my new book Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I have a section on "Celebrating God." I suggest that one of the ways we remember how good God has been to us, is by remembering the day He gifted us with life. Yes, God created us and He breathed life into us, and then He went to the cross so that we could be reborn again as Christians with a purpose. Now that's something to celebrate and to get excited about!
Birthdays are a time of celebration-God gave us life that day and our family gave us a name. As children, we had birthday parties honoring us. Our guests sang happy birthday to "______" inserting our name. We beamed while our parents clicked pictures to go into albums-maybe digital albums today-so we could remember each major milestone of our life. As we grow older, we tend to give less significance to our birthday-often working or doing mundane adult tasks-we don't always take time to celebrate the miracle of our birth.
I had a birthday this month, and with all the wonderful Facebook greetings and time with family and hubby, I truly felt blessed and loved; but more importantly, I realized the urgency of using the years wisely that the Lord has bestowed on me, now and in the future. Both my parents were gone by the age I am right now. I don't know any other reason the Lord would continue to give me life than to serve Him with every breath I take.
I hope that you too will celebrate milestones in life and encourage others to use birthdays as a great testimony and witness to God as our Creator and Sustainer.
Did you miss any of these Monday Morning Blogs? You can sign up on my website to have them come into your email on Monday mornings. Here are the latest ones:
PSS: I'm writing a new book Mentoring for All Seasons: Women Sharing Life's Experiences and God's Faithfulness. Do you have a mentoring story to share? Contact me ASAP.
PSSS: We are the only source for all your Woman to Woman Mentoring Resources available on our website. Every book signed by Janet.
PSSSS: Read the Author Interview with Mary Kaarto about her new book, HOPE for the LAID OFF-Devotionals, and a chance to win a free copy.
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FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH
Dear God, Why Can't I Have a Baby?
A Companion Guide for Couples on the Infertility Journey
$14.00
Mother's Day is next month and many mommies-in-waiting will struggle through this dreaded day. While mommies are getting cards, flowers, and gifts, these special women are heartbroken. I wrote Dear God, Why Can't I Have a Baby? just for them. It's a book of comfort from God and other mommies who understand what they're going through. It's full of hope and peace. It truly would be a special gift for one of these women in your life.
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I Would Love to Speak at Your Event!
To contact Janet
about your event
call or email to discuss availability.
July 13
Comm. Church Idyllwild, CA
Women's Luncheon
Janet will be speaking on
"Praying For Your Prodigal"
Hillside Community Church
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Our testimony this month is from North Bend, Oregon.
Hello Janet, We are set for our first Orientation Coffee that takes place tomorrow at 2 p.m. We must be "right on" because there has been one spiritual battle after another the past two weeks...but we are not daunted! We are anticipating the Lord to do astounding things in and through the ladies. We covet your prayers. And, again, thank you for the incredible Woman To Woman Mentoring materials that have helped us on our way. God Bless, Royce
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Mentoring Tip
Remember: Mentoring is a blessing,
not a burden!
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"GRAMMIE'S CORNER"
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Meet An Author
Tell us who Mary Kaarto is.
I have been an active follower of Jesus Christ since 2002, and after being a contented Christian divorcee for almost 20 years, God brought me the right husband and we'll be celebrating our eighth honeymoon in April. A mere youngster at 57 years old, I am the proud mom of a 34-year old daughter, mother-in-law to a hard-working son-in-law serving our military, and "Nammy" to two of the world's most precious grandchildren. Honest!
Judging from the books you've written, I think it's safe to assume you've been laid off before. Tell us your story.
Yes, I've been through two separate, two-year layoffs (all while as a single mother), and my third layoff occurred in July 2008, within months of remarrying.
God used my first layoff to get my attention. I quickly accepted His free gift of salvation and my life has never been more interesting and enjoyable, since. God revealed Himself to my daughter and me in so many miraculous ways during those two years. He blessed me at the end of the first layoff with not just 'a job', but the career change of my dreams. Without a college degree. Without a mentor. Without formal or informal training of any kind. Without a 'foot in the door'. ONLY GOD can do this!
Eight years passed before my second layoff, and three weeks later I had an accident that left me asking Him through my tears, "Are You KIDDING ME? WHY did You allow me to lose another job? And WHY did You allow me to have this accident, leaving me barely able to walk?"
"I want you to write a book about trusting me as your Divine Employer." HELP for the LAID OFF was written during my second layoff but miraculously published in March 2009 by Bridge-Logos Foundation. It was really funny - I hadn't told my husband I'd even written a book, and that I hoped I could find the manuscript after all those years!
What led you to write your new book, so many years later?
HOPE for the LAID OFF - Devotionals was written to give the unemployed a daily devotional primarily focused on their needs and struggles. The economy is worse than when my second layoff ended in 2004, and it seems like every month there's another company announcing major layoffs. It was very hard for me to go through back then, and all the more discouraging it must be for people today.
I've had such a privilege of meeting and building relationships with unemployed people all across our nation since my first book was published.
People of all ages, occupations, ethnicities, religious affiliations (or lack thereof). Janet, there are families losing their homes, marriages, filing bankruptcies, and suicides. College graduates are forced to move home and hope to get a part-time at a local retail store to pay off their high debts. Their competition? People my age and older who have been 'put out to pasture' but are in no way, financially prepared to retire at such a young age. Young adults moving home with mom and dad; mom and dad moving in with young adults.
God's Word has so much to say to hurting people, and I know my God is BIGGER than all of the world's hurts, combined. There is nothing too hard for Him, and His provisions will never run out.
What can people expect to learn and gain from reading either or both of your books?
HELP for the LAID OFF provides solid, practical advice on how to look for work, save money, spend your time, the importance of seeking counseling and medical attention if daily depression becomes an issue.
HOPE for the LAID OFF - Devotionals is meant to be a life-preserver, something to hold onto each morning as people begin their days with God.
How can interested individuals purchase your books?
While both are available in Kindle and paperback version through Amazon, I am offering a special for people buying the paperbacks directly through my website. When purchasing HOPE for the LAID OFF - Devotionals, I include a free copy of my first book, HELP for the LAID OFF.
If you would like to enter a drawing to win a copy of Mary's book, please contact me.
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