Hopeful Hearts Ministry

Failed.  I know. So much time has passed but I didn’t want to give up on offering a rundown of last week.  I had an AMAZING week at the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show and the very next day rushed off for a family weekend get away leaving behind the many ‘just show up’ moments that kept my toes from touching ground that entire week!  YET, what a GIFT to immerse myself in YOUR ‘just show up’ moments all weekend.  Be sure to check the blog post often as I keep getting messages on FB and texts from friends saying ‘they had a story but it never got to paper’.  WRITE IT DOWN and SHARE IT. 😉

For those of you who missed it, here it is Just Show Up:  “Challenge for You!”  sit down with a cup of coffee or tea over the weekend and read them all…they are a blessing.  🙂  I have chosen the one that I will feature but I am waiting on the author to send me a photo and she is adding a bit to what she would like featured. 

The main point of what took place last week is recognizing that God has HIS TIMING.  He reminds us of this fact all the time yet we still sit around and fret and worry, often trying to make things happen before we are ready OR giving up because we have become too accustomed to this world of instant gratification. 

Last week I had more opportunities and chance meetings in 48 hours than I could count on two hands.  One of the greatest ‘God’ moments was in the afternoon of the 2nd day I was gone.  We had been there all day, on our feet, talking and talking and talking some more…a few times I’d walked the floor and had seen EWTN’s BookMark was filming segments with authors.  I knew they have had my book for a few months but I hadn’t received any interest for an interview.  However all day bookstore owners, bloggers and the like were coming by our booth interested in our ministries, interested in the book and Hopeful Hearts and A.S.K.’S mission.  Fueled by their interest I had the sudden thought “What could it hurt?” I grabbed a book and a flyer about Hopeful Hearts and the Maria Goretti Network and walked over to where they were filming.

I walked up and stood next to another two ladies who just appeared to be standing there waiting. I figured they were waiting on an autograph by the host or something.  As God is my witness a woman walked out of the booth who happened to be the producer and came right up to me and said, “You look familiar? What is your name?” She then looked down at my book and said, “Oh, I recognize this book.  Now tell me again, what is it about?”  I obliged her the information and without a beat of hesitation she said, “Okay, we will film you first, since you already know what you are doing.”

At that moment I’m ushered into the booth, a microphone was strategically placed so that it couldn’t be seen and the host,   Doug Keck, began asking me questions about the book, Hopeful Hearts Ministry, the Maria Goretti Network, and A.S.K.  Even though I knew the cameras were there and they were putting a mic on me it didn’t truly sink in until that moment and I asked, “Um I don’t even know what I look like. Should I comb my hair?”  😉  They laughed and said I looked fine (ah!) and we proceeded to have what I considered was a pretty good interview.  When I got up the producer told me she would let me know when it would be aired.  I still have not heard back but I’ll be sure to let you know! 😉 

I saw the ladies standing there and realized they were waiting on a chance opportunity to be interviewed for their books as well.  I felt horrible for sauntering up and then going right on in!  I pray they forgive me.  It truly was a ‘God-incidence’ that I picked that very moment to walk up to the booth. 

The next day it happened again with CatholicTV!  And next week I am scheduled to tape an interview with Kresta in the Afternoon on EWTN radio.  Crazy. 😉

One final note about that week.  I met so many people in the ‘business’ that had hearts the size of TEXAS.  The greatest blessing was in coming together and it felt as if everyone was looking out for the other, making sure we each received the opportunities God has waiting.  One such woman/author was Lisa Hendey, the founder of Catholicmom.com and author of “The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body and Soul” and a new little prayer book (that could be used as a Christmas card!) called “O Radiant Dawn – 5 Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath.”  I met up with her on the very first day and she was a great resource for the entire week.