I immediately called her to get the details–it’s the hardcover nonfiction list (which is the big one!) and it’s for the week ending July 11 which means it will be printed in the Times on the 26th (they print them two weeks behind).

I felt like a school girl. I was all smiley and giggly. But I don’t think the person sitting next to me was all that happy about my news. I called my husband, I tweeted the news, I Facebooked the news, I called a friend or two and somewhere in there I apparently knocked my water over and didn’t notice.

So if you were the young woman in seat 2A on flight 864 – uhm, I so sorry and I’ll try not to talk with my hands in the future, but this was really big news for me and I had to share it.

~Jennifer

This week, a new book was released called “First Things First” by Kurt and Brenda Warner. I was fortunate enough to collaborate with them on the book.

It all happened very quickly. On a Thursday night in February, I got a call from my publisher asking if I thought I could write a book in a month. I told her it depended on the topic but I had previously done one in six weeks or so a few years back. Then she told me it would be with Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda. After five or seven more phone calls that night, including one with the Warners, I found out the next day that I was chosen to work with them on the book. Four days later I left for a week in Phoenix and spent six days interviewing the Warners and their kids. I returned to Atlanta and took the 569 pages of transcripts and in nineteen days helped them turn their words into a book.

We all know that what you hear in the media isn’t always the truth–especially when it comes to celebrities. This was also true in the case of the Warners–they’re even better in person than the media makes them out to be.

Here’s a video from Greta’s show that gives you a good feel for the book and for the couple.

Chances are you may think you know Kurt’s story, but you probably don’t know the true story. And most people have no idea of Brenda’s story which in many ways is more inspiring than Kurt’s. The Warners are really terrific parents and very intentional about the way they parent. And their kids? They’re pretty exceptional too.

So that’s my secret. When I disappeared earlier this spring, I was working on this book.

~Jennifer

For the next two weeks I will be traveling. The best way to keep up with me is to follow me.

Join me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter . I’ll be uploading commentary and pictures.

Not sure it will be all that interesting, but then how will you know unless you follow me?

Until later,

~Jennifer

This is the twin of the nephew from post. I feel sorry for him. He tries everything, changing the subject, asking the interviewer to read it for himself, and then finally admitting the problem.

I’ve so been there buddy.

~Jennifer

I didn’t get to spend as much time with him and his twin brother as I would have liked to have because there were a lot of people at the signing, but I did spend get to read the books they gave me on the flight home.

One of the books was called “All About Money.”

My favorite line from the book, comes from the page above. You’ll notice on the left is a picture of a money factory and mints. The text on the page says,  “Money is made in a mint, not the mint that makes your breath smell better.”

In case you’re interested, the book also has a notes page in the back so you can write down the important facts you find as you read. There is also a reading level assigned to the book so you know whether it is a book you can read by yourself, read with a parent, or is a chapter book.

The answer to the question you’re thinking is 5.

Yes, he’s only five years old.

~Jennifer

B&N had a nice display of books, great signage, and did a fabulous job of making announcements through the store while I was there. Each of those things helped bring in customers. As a result, I sold more books here than my previous signings combined!

I had a great turn-out with lots of family members, Bob Geuder (and his wife Alo) my drama director from high school, friends from high school, and a couple of people who knew me through the Quad-Cities Christian Writer’s Conference that I taught at earlier this year.

Even the paparazzi came. (Okay, it was David, my husband.) This picture explains why the video he took was so nauseating to watch. I think he’s checking out the sports books next to him.

I think this is my favorite picture. My fourteen-year-old son took it. It was also a very special day for him. I don’t want to write about it now because it’s his story to tell, but perhaps someday if all the parties agree, I can tell you more.

Overall, I met a lot of really interesting people and got to see a few friends and some family. Though we were only in town less than 48 hours due to Air Tran canceling our flight,  it was well worth the trip!

~Jennifer

It was great to catch up with each of these women. All leading very different lives but each was inspiring in her own way.

But I also got to meet some new friends. On Saturday, John Young whom I’ve never met in person but have talked on the phone with quite a bit (he’s interviewed me a number of times for his radio show) stopped by and I got to hear him speak person. What a treat! He has the most wonderful voice to listen to. If only I could figure out how to have him do the voice overs to the thoughts in my head, everything would sound profound.

When John walked in I was talking to another man who was waiting for his gift to be wrapped. Turns out the man I was talking to was also a well known Atlanta voice talent and the two of them spent some time reminiscing.

Last year at Sweet Spirit, I met a remarkable young woman named Jenna that I eventually interviewed for a new book that I contributed to called Loved. It’s edited by Rebecca St. James and tells the stories of prodigal daughters who returned home.

This year I was talking to a man who was telling me about his daughter’s interest in writing. Turns out it was Jenna’s dad! Jenna is now in college and studying writing. How cool is that?

I have a book signing coming up at the Barnes and Noble in Cedar Rapids on May 23 .  I can’t wait. Last year my junior high music teacher, my high school drama director, old friends from junior high through high school, and family I haven’t seen in years were all there. It was great to see each of them and catch up on what they were doing. This year, through the magic of FaceBook events, I am excited to learn that even more friends I haven’t seen in almost twenty years will be there.

I know my job at these events is to sell books, and while I like hearing the ka-ching of the cash register as much as any author, I have to say the best part of these events for me is talking to friends–old or new.

If you’re in the East Cobb area tonight, I’ll be signing books at The Bookmark in Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

Stop by, I’d love to see you!

~ Jennifer

The form of Mary in a block of ice.

And seeing Mary in the mother of all stains.

So what does all this mean? Is God trying to tell us something? My thoughts later in the week.  If you just can’t wait, read chapter two of “Nine Ways God Always Speaks* ”

~Jennifer