Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Last Days in Snyder

Our trip to Snyder, Texas was wonderful.  We were welcomed with open arms and certainly experienced good ole Southern hospitality!  One thing that happened that we didn’t expect was having John, my sweet husband of 8 ½ years, talk to “Fellowship Christian Athletes” at Snyder High and briefly at a crisis center for abused women. The principal has already asked if we would come back when school starts next year and have us speak to girls and boys as high school and middle school!

John was married and divorced for 33 years before we married.  He had a Damascus Road experience when he was saved and spent those years as a bachelor studying God’s Word about a man’s relationship in dating and marriage. 

I had never heard him speak and now see that God has a ministry for both of us!  To be referred to as his “Princess” and “Beloved” is something I never expected to hear from a husband.  We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us.

The last day we were in Snyder we had a book signing and reception at an adorable shop call Manhattan Coffee House on the Square.  What a glorious week!!!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Thursday in Snyder

I had another exciting day in Snyder Thursday. My husband, John, had the privilege of speaking to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Snyder High School.

And look at this cute display The Mason Jar in Snyder has set up to sell the book!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Blessed and Busy!

Wednesday was such a fun (and busy!) day in Snyder. I got to speak at Snyder High School for a Christian group called, "I Am Second."

I also got to speak at Snyder United Methodist Church.
More to follow later!



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Sweet Snyder

I'm having such a wonderful time in Snyder. Everyone has been so welcoming.
I even got to meet the mayor!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Our first official REVIEW!


Out of the Dark Woods
A Review of Our Southern Breeze by Daphene Jones
I finished the last page of Our Southern Breeze by Daphene Jones. I sat the book on my lap and let myself feel the gamut of emotions laid like paint on the pages. I let my mind trace the shape of her story, the curves and lines of childhood abuse, family dysfunction, bouts of depression, the repeating circles of lies, the zigzagging lines of one temporary prop after another to compensate for ingrained feelings of insecurity; or not fitting in; or not being smart enough or “good” enough. Her self-comparison to others played messages in her mind with a repeated theme: she never measured up. Her thinking too often bumped up against her past, her failures and inner turmoil. “I was frozen in my tracts—unable to think at all,” she said. “It took me days to grasp the fact that I had lost everything . . . again. Everything.”  There were moments of painful reflection and promises to do better but there was no change. Daphene’s destructive habits and mindless choices of habit led her to despair and the suffocating feeling of being lost, without hope, in a dark forest. Dante expressed it best when he said, “In the middle of my road of life, I awoke in a dark wood, where the true way was wholly lost.”

Daphene was traveling on a painful, inevitable road to rock bottom. That was until she was asked by her estranged twin sister, Deborah Hall, to attend a Christian Conference in Anaheim, California. Deborah Hall was the subject of the New York Times bestseller, Same Kind of Different as Me. Unlike Daphene, Deborah led a stable, ordered, faith centered life with an outreach to the homeless and dispossessed in Fort Worth, Texas. The Anaheim meeting was a turning point for Daphene Jones. She experienced the power and presence of a personal God in ways that were specific and overwhelming. She was carried to a place of great relief and release. A weight of, what seemed like, ancient heaviness lifted as she opened her heart to the love and forgiveness of God. She writes, “It was as if a hundred keys were fitting into a hundred locks deep inside of me.” Daphene was filled with what Dante calls, “a love that moves the sun and other stars.” At Anaheim, Love began drawing a new shape that would define Daphene’s life.
The rest of the book, the heart of the book is the story of redemption; the story of a life changed by the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God. It is the story of a life reshaped by God’s Word. It is the story of a woman who became a successful businesswoman. It is a book full of hope and encouragement and the promise of light for those who have experienced the dark woods or know someone who has. It is the story of second chances. I was blessed and my faith was affirmed as I read Our Southern Breeze. I highly recommend it.

Margaret Harrell Wills, EdD
Poet, Speaker, and Author of Pressing Into Thin Places (2011)

Friday, May 11, 2012

Exciting Times!

Plans are underway for us to be available in Christian and secular books stores across the United States! We will let you know when the date is official.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dottie Coffman Radio Interview

Click this link to hear my radio interview on the Dottie Cofman Show on April 27th.

Dottie Cofman Radio Show         

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Upcoming Snyder Trip

I will be in Snyder, TX where I grew up from May 14th to May 20th speaking at various venues. The schedule is available on oursouthernbreeze.com in the calendar section. If any of my Snyder friends are in the area, I hope to see you!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Christian Communicators

Last night I attended my first meeting of Christian Communicators and met some amazing women. These Godly women in Atlanta are sharing their love for Christ in the business community. The guest speaker was Francine Locke who shared her about her life before and after being an actress. She also spoke about her soon to be released movie, Georgia Justice

Peachtree Road UMC

I spoke at the New Beginnings class on Sunday, April 29th at Peachtree Road UMC. John and I were well received and the feedback was wonderful.

Northside United Methodist Church- April 17th

I wanted to share some of the amazing comments I received after speaking at Northside United Methodist Church for Trinity Community Minstries. I am so thankful that God was able to use me to touch some hearts.

"Hello...Well. We did it. Our Southern Breeze was well-attended, Spirit-led, and meaningful. Thank you for every ounce of everything you did to make this special morning a reality. How wonderful it feels to be used by the LORD."

"DJ, you rocked! You changed lives! Your story resonated with everyone. You are on your way!"

"Wow!! Thanks to everyone who assisted in the success of the morning. It was truly spirit-filled and moving."

"Daphene, your message, so powerfully, genuinely and humorously told, so shows what we all are hungry to hear. God is real and powerful and capable to turn the darkness on its ear. And, that He really does mingle with us to accomplish His love, plan and glory. We still get the chance to say "yes" or "no" to God. I am so thankful that you said YES! and that you persevered to put your story into the words of your book and your talk.  Who in the world would have known this was your first big talk??!!! You have inspired and touched me and I am thankful."

"BEAUTIFUL JOB TODAY....  His breeze was blowing through you.  Thank you for blessing me with your story."