I have loved Ann's writing ever since we used her geography curriculum way back in 2008. In fact, because I so enjoyed that curriculum, I followed her blog (much smaller back then) which is how I first learned about her book One Thousand Gifts. That book was a life changer for not only me, but many of my friends and family. So I was truly excited to learn that she had written this new book and that I could have the opportunity to see her in person, again. (I was blessed to hear her speak and briefly meet her last November in Indiana.)
Marvin and I traveled down to Norman to stay with Candace (unfortunately, my dear brother was gone at a conference during our visit so we didn't get to see him). On the appointed day Candace, Rachel, Hannah (and her friend Rebekah), and I drove up to Edmond to the Mardel store to attend the event for Ann Voskamp.
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| standing in the parking lot of Mardels with this beautiful sunset behind us. |
Honestly, I had no idea what to expect and was preparing myself for it to be simply a line of women walking up to have Ann autograph our books. That was going to be 'enough'. However, you can imagine my elation when Ann came out and spoke to all assembled for close to 30 minutes! We ladies were wound through the aisles of the store, lined up to meet Ann at the podium set up for her book signings. But Ann stood in the center of the room and spoke her heart to each of us. As often happens in the presence of Ann, there were many tears shed and I know that my heart was, again, touched by her ministering words.
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| Ann being introduced by Meredith, who helped Ann adopt her beautiful little girl |
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| Ann speaking to a lot of women snaked through the aisles of the Edmond Mardel store. :) |
Then the actual book signing began. Again, I thought it would be a quick run-through of the women in line. That would have been completely understandable given the time constraints and the fact that Ann had already spoken to us for quite awhile as a group. But no. Ann, ever exuding grace and caring, greeted each woman in line individually with a huge hug and words of encouragement & thanksgiving for our mere presence. It was like reuniting with an old, dear friend. What an incredible experience.
I had not planned to tell her about my meeting her last year in Indiana... partly because I figured she would be short on time and partly because it could appear, uh, stalkerish?? :D But, in the wake of her complete openness and grace, I started spilling out to her that I had traveled with my 'sisters' from my ladies Bible study to see her in Indiana. "With Jennifer Rothschild?", she asked me. "Yes! That was the conference," I told her. She actually seemed so happy to know that. I then turned to the rest of our group and told her that I was now attending with my beloved family. She looked over at them and beamed. Truly happy to know this information.
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| Rachel, Candace, Anna, Laura, Hannah, and Rebekah |
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| Ann with Laura |
As she greeted each one of them individually (again with the big bear hug, direct look in the eyes, and a remarkable sense of connectedness) she heard each brief 'story'. She truly heard them. It was especially poignant to watch her interact with dear Hannah. Hannah explained to Ann that she had read One Thousand Gifts at a difficult time in her life and that Ann's words had allowed Hannah to once again see God's infinite grace. She then went on to share that her name, Hannah, means 'grace' to which Ann exclaimed with joy, "The same as my name! Ann!" Hannah also shared that her middle name, Noelle, is all about 'Immanuel, God With Us' and how meaningful that has always been to her - how God has used her name throughout her life. Ann and Hannah embraced and enjoyed that special connection they shared. Ann then told Hannah that she had ministered to her - that Hannah had been a blessing to her that evening. I love the photos that we have of all of this happening.
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| "the same as my name, Ann!" :) |
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| Ann with Hannah |
Rachel was able to share some of her story with Ann, too. Again, Ann was so gracious and kind and appreciative of what each person had to say.
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| Ann with Rachel |
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| Ann sharing how she draws the cross on her wrist daily. |
Candace asked her about the small cross on her wrist. Ann explained that she draws that cross over the scars on her wrist as an intentional act of remembrance to fully 'live cruciform' each and every day. (go read that link I just linked... so powerful)
"Break into a shape of a cross, arms out-stretched and surrendered,
and break deep into the breaking waves —
and you break into the deep, deep peace of God.
In the midst of the storms —
live shaped like a cross, arms broken wide open,
and you can break into the the still cushion of the sea."
Copied from another Ann Voskamp blog post located here...
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| Ann with Candace |
Rebekah was able to talk with Ann about her own experiences as a writer. Ann offered wonderful encouragement to her in that regard, as well.
You know, it is funny how God works sometimes... I was so engrossed in what Ann was saying to everyone but also wanted to capture some of it on video for friends who weren't there with us. I only caught a couple of snippets and honestly couldn't remember what I had recorded. However, I just went through the photos from that evening and discovered that one of the snippets I caught on video is her description of 'living cruciform'. This is big stuff, folks. And is at the heart of what is working in me right now...
I am thankful for Ann's willingness to travel, away from her family, to minister to so many of us. I know that is not an easy task for her, and if you know her history, you understand some of the reasons why it is especially difficult. But, she is a good example of 'practicing what she preaches'... namely, do whatever God tells you to do. Our lives are richer because of her willingness to serve. And she is definitely stirring in me a new motivation to step out in ways that I have, as yet, not done. I am working my way prayerfully through her book The Broken Way and God is working in me. So thankful.
You can see all the photos from the evening at this link...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157676392993505
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| article about Ann in Christianity Today |
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