On the Road Again!We may have over extended ourselves in March! We surpassed our goal of one event each month hosting 3 instead — in 3 different states. We know that we won’t get to host events in May and June so wanted to make as many connections earlier in the year than usual. March 7! The Spring Festival at Subiaco Academy. Olivia and Steve (aka our chief roadie) climbed the rock wall, ate cupcakes, played ring toss, ate cookies, danced, ate funnel cakes. Well, you get the picture. And Olivia said “there sure are a lot of boys here.” In case you didn’t know, Subiaco Academy is a residential high school for boys and is run by the Benedictine monastery. Locals from around the Abbey also attended. We had a splendid time sharing our books and the mission behind them. As a result, the Coury House Retreat Center at the Abbey will soon be adding our books to their shelves! Watch for the official announcement next month in our Bricks-and-Mortars update. Click for a peek at the Subi event! March 16 and 17 was in Texas! Our first TLJC show in Texas was with Austin’s Diocesan Council of Catholic Women as they hosted their annual convention in Round Rock. To our surprise, two exhibitors were friends we’d met at events in OKC. We also made many new friends including one from Bethlehem whose family hosts tourists to the Holy Land, a Messianic Jew scholar from Nigeria, and a husband-wife duo with Sicilian roots who boast family members working at the Vatican. Fascinating people! Olivia’s favorite, hands down, were Sister Mary and Sister Miriam. Olivia shared with them her “author story” and was invited by Sister Mary to hang out at their booth. She even helped them box up their handmade soaps when the show ended. In one of our hushed conversations, Jill spoke of her belief that our mission is as important for adults as it is for children. There were two women who cried when talking with us. One was moved to tears because we were sure to include skin tones that were more reflective of the peoples of Nazareth. Another couldn’t catch her breath — she was so excited to share the books with her grandchildren who are currently being nurtured in a faith-forward home. Can you imagine feeling so connected to an element of a story that you are moved to tears and struggle to find words to explain why? Touching souls. One at a time. Check out this fun clip from Texas! One other thing about this group at Round Rock. Each year the women hold a memorial ceremony during the final Mass. The president calls out the name of members who have passed-on since the last convention. The women from that particular deanery stand for the acknowledgement while a representative lights a memorial candle and moves a single rose into a large vase with the others. It’s an absolutely beautiful shared experience. March 21! The United Methodist Church Women’s Spring Marketplace in Lawton included us in their show. It was our first faith-based event for a denomination other than Catholic. Again, we met delightful humans with stories to share with us. Miss Agnes, a spry 81, has thrived these last 19 years after receiving a new liver. She triumphed over brain cancer during the pandemic. Miss Agnes loves children and beamed with pride over the handiwork of our Olivia and Viviana. And this is the last video link this month. It’s a quick peak at the Lawton event.
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