Do We All Have a Little Imagineer in Us?

I recently attended the International Public Relations Society Conference and heard Joe Rohde, Sr. VP and Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering speak about how Imagineers create interactive experiences for Disney World guests.  He is currently responsible for the creative design and content of Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii.  His job was to make it a "unique" destination, more than just another hotel on the beach.  In the same way, I have tried to make "Room 939:  15 Minutes of Horror, 20 Years of Healing" a unique experience -- not simply a book, but a multi-dimensional product that can make you "feel and heal" through QR codes.  Just like Disney's Imagineers crafted a thematic message of what Hawaii truly is, I chose the theme of "Triumph of the Human Spirt" to guide the creation of my QR codes.  Artists, singers, actors, composers and film producers bring magic to the world of Disney every day.  It is my hope the QR codes in "939" bring my book to life as well.

Staying In Focus

Dear 939 Friends,

Many of you have already heard the news, but I wanted to share it with the whole 939 group.  Dr. Weber called from Emory this week to tell me my growths on the thyroid are benign.  God is good!

This whole week has been SO GOOD…

·       My scar on my neck continues to heal at a miraculous pace.

·       Associate Editor Pat Murphey put his masterful touch on Chapters 20-25.

·       The totally killer QR Code content for the book is complete! Some teasers:

1.    Award Winning music composer Jud Crane  has finished the instrumental track for the theme music of  Room 939

2.    Award Winning film producer James Kicklighter and Artist Greg Carter have completed the charcoal drawing video for QR code. 

·       Ric and I met with Philip Myhand, store manager of Statesboro Wal-Mart  and Tina Alexander of Anderson Distribution Merchandisers  and it looks promising to get books into our Walmart store(s). A major shout out to Philip and Tina for believing in this book!

·       Photographer Frank Fortune, whose creativity goes beyond anyone’s imagination, completed our photo shoot for the http://twitpic.com/6w92icStatesboro Magazine feature on local authors. Thanks to Jone Bremer for finding the dress and Lynda Williamson for the vintage jewelry. See me in all my fabulosity below!

·       On behalf of The Day for Southern, I spoke to the Kiwanis Group on Thursday…lots of laughter and good feedback on the message 

·       Web Creator Rebecca Williams finished the www.jennylynnanderson.com design and placed it into the capable hands of Lewis Color Owner Tommy Lewis and his team to make it function.

·       Mehmet Samiratedu, http://www.gsu.edu/auxiliary/bookstore.htmlGSU University Store Manager and Holly Berry, GSU Senior Store Buyer  , met with us and graciously agreed to do a book signing in early February and allow my book to be in the http://www.gsu.edu/auxiliary/bookstore.htmlUniversity Bookstore.

·      Esther Shaver of http://www.savannahoffthebeatenpath.com/Shops/shaver's.htmE. Shaver Bookstore   in Savannah agreed to host a book signing.

·       Atlanta Attorney Beth Brannen Chandler has offered to host a lunch in Atlanta and several pastors to her home to introduce my book.

In all this excitement and frantic pace though, I sort of lost my focus on God during the last few days.   Many of you know I love my “Jesus Calling” devotional book.  I typically read it every morning for a few minutes and really enjoy reflecting on the message.  However, this week I couldn’t find my “Jesus Calling” book.  The little book was somewhere buried under the clutter that had accumulated in my office.  I hate to admit I had allowed Jesus to be buried again.  I would look for it to no avail and then get so busy I wouldn’t look for it again until the next morning.  Jesus kept calling, but the line was busy…….”Jenny Lynn…..I’m over here in the den…..if you’ll just stop long enough to listen to me……Jenny Lynn, slow your pace.  Be still……..and you’ll find Me.”

When I finally found the “Jesus Calling” book, and read the message God had for me on Sept. 3 it was perfect. See an excerpt below:

Let the dew of My presence refresh your mind and heart. So many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first gave the command to be still and know that I am God.

Blessings to you all being on this journey with me.  Continue to pray for me that I don’t lose Jesus in the journey.

Jenny Lynn

In the Beginning...

Dear 939 Club:

As I sit here, we are just a few weeks away from the book launch on November 17.

WOW!

This journey has been profound.  In only 9 months, I realize the manuscript is almost finished, the book jacket designed, the website www.jennylynnanderson.com has launched, and most importantly, I am closer to God because of writing the book.  I began 939 last November with nothing but a man named Ric Mandes by my side encouraging me day by day to continue writing and a story about to explode from my heart.  Now, I have all of you as my cheerleaders…people who believe in me and the purpose of this book.  I am humbled beyond words to have such special friends/colleagues in my life…

Many of you know I traveled to Atlanta this week to meet my medical team at Emory Hospital who will perform my thyroid surgery on Tuesday. Editor Ric made the trek with me so he could introduce me to some of his favorite people on Earth.  Through those meetings with them, I picked up a few more best friends in life…Joe and Cynthia McDaniel in Macon, Durwood Fincher and Margot Morris Dawkins in Atlanta.  Likewise, Ric became famous friends with two of my beloved childhood girlfriends Beth Brannen Chandler and Sandra Thackston Paris.

As I approached the next week with the knowledge the nodule on my thyroid and half of my thyroid would be removed, what I needed more than anything else was prayer.  Seriously, many of you have already been my prayer warriors during the last months and I have felt your prayers.  Time and again you have stopped the business of this crazy world in which we live and go to our Creator and ask Him to watch over me.  I must get well so I can go tell this story to people and help them heal as well.  There is so much hurt out there and I only want them to know you can find triumph through all the tears. 

I certainly have!

Love and blessings to you all,

Jenny Lynn

Helping Hands

Dear 939 Club:

God is Good and I am feeling much better because my hands are resting where they are most naturally comfortable….on the keyboard.

First, I thank each and every one of you for all of your prayers.  I felt them…I really did. 

God sent some really cool people into my path in the past few months to minister to me.  First, there was this chaplain.  At pre-op the week before, they asked if I would like one.  I said yes and was expecting a white man in black cloth with perhaps an Episcopal or Catholic look about him.  What came was a black woman named Gail.  She was so sweet and she was wearing a pants suit.  She held my left hand real tight, Mark’s right hand and we prayed a good prayer that sounded sort of Baptist…that made me feel real good. 

Next up was a man named Vincent.  I had met Vincent traveling with Ric to Atlanta the week before when we met with Pastor Joe McDaniel, wife Cynthia, Durwood Doubletalk Fincher and Margot Extraordinaire Dawkins.  Vincent is the doorman at the Intercontinenal Hotel in Buckhead.  Because Ric is overly friendly and conversationally interviews every person he meets, Vincent became our friend and was very interested in the book.  When Mark pulled up to the Intercontinental on Wednesday after being discharged from Emory after surgery, Vincent took one look and exclaimed, “Oh Lord, Mrs. Anderson, I didn’t recognize you!”

No doubt I looked bad to the bone. Death warmed over so to speak.  No makeup, hair sticking up hither and thither…it wasn’t pretty.  And then I tried to step out the car and couldn’t quite find the ground. 

He and Mark helped me inside the hotel and then Vincent brought me a Coca Cola.  He was so caring.  He sent me a text yesterday with his photo with the simple words, “God Bless You Mrs. Anderson.” See the photo below. Doesn’t he look like a disciple sent from God?

Cannot type much more, but wanted all to know I appreciate your love and support.  I love you all.

Jenny Lynn