by Joyce Heiser"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…" Psalms 37:23 (KJV)
As a kindergarten and first grade teacher, my mother knew the importance of reading. Since she and my dad were both avid readers, she wanted to start my brother and me on the same path early in life. She read to us each evening and frequently took us to the library. I followed in my parent's footsteps; my brother did not.
Several years ago I started to write. Thinking it would nice to have a local writing friend, I started to pray for one.
One afternoon as I scanned the movie shelves at the library, I tuned in to a conversation at the circulation desk when I heard the words, "I like to read missionary biographies."
I called over, "I do, too, but they're not as available as they once were."
The lady called back, "You're right. They're not."
She chatted with the librarian for several more minutes and then left.
A few weeks later I saw a flier at the library circulation desk announcing a writing club meeting. Although I'd heard of the town, I didn't know how far it was. I asked the librarian where it was, and how long it would take to get there. When she responded an hour and a half, I was surprised.
"How did the fliers get here?" I asked.
"Do you remember the lady with whom you briefly exchanged comments about missionary biographies a few weeks ago?" she asked. I nodded. "She's a member of this club, and she asked if she could leave them for distribution."
"Ah, a local writer," I thought. I was certain she was a Christian. Who else would be interested in missionary stories? .
One rainy day about a month later, I was at the library making copies, when this lady walked in. We introduced ourselves, and I learned her name was Lois. She and her husband had moved back to the area, because her husband wanted to fish during his retirement years. We continued to chat and found we had many common interests including our writing. Soon she had to leave, so we exchanged phone numbers.
We've been friends now for three years, and we laugh about our meeting at the library. What better place to meet a writing friend?
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for divinely appointed friendships.
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS FIRST MEETING
These two friends, Joyce Heiser and Lois Wiederhoeft, felt the Lord's leading to start a local Christian writers group. After talking about it for almost a year, Joyce said, "Let's do it."
Within five weeks, the first meeting of Lighthouse Christian Writers was held at Drees Community Center in Peshtigo. The date - May 21, 2004.
The speaker was award "winning author" Beth Ziarnik from Oshkosh, one of the founders of the Word and Pen Writers group in Oshkosh. She spoke on 'GROWING A HEALTHY WRITERS GROUP'.
Although the formation meeting was small in number, there was enthusiasm to start and grow a group.
Because Lighthouse Christian Writers draws from many towns in northeast Wisconsin and the lower Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a more centrally located meeting place became necessary. Between June, 2004 and October, 2006, the group met at Oconto Gospel Chapel in Oconto. Beginning January 2007 till the present time, we are meeting at Linda's home in Klondike, WI.
Lighthouse Christian Writers continues to grow. There are a number of genres represented: inspirational romance; poetry; devotional writers; and inspirational writers.
P.S. Joyce moved to South Dakota in August, 2005 and left Lois to facilitate this group. But we do have God's help, working together, with, as of November 12,2009, having 13 members. submitted by Lois, present facilitator
