Audra Krell

Interview with Kat Crawford/Audrey Hebbert

A Cup of Comfort Women of the Bible Devotional

 

 

For Christian woman in need of a daily dose of comfort and inspiration during these tough times comes A Cup of Comfort^® for Women of the Bible Devotional: Daily Reflections Inspired by Scripture’s Most Beloved Heroines.  The book is filled with stories of motherhood, sadness, joy, grief—everything is explored in this book. Readers will gain strength and courage to face life’s obstacles when they read daily reflections through highlighted biblical heroines.

 

Enjoy an interview with two of the contributing authors, Kat Crawford and Audrey Hebbert of Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Question: You have interesting, well-done pieces in 12 anthologies. How many and what were your writing goals for these pieces? Were your goals met?

 

Kat Crawford: I’m a story teller. Anthologies were a natural fit for sharing my life experiences. Honestly, my main goal—get published. I didn’t care about the money, I desired to see my name in print. That goal changed when a reader sent me an email. “Your story helped me…” Today’s goal, share how God helped me in a way that gives Him the glory and helps the reader find hope in their journey.

 

Audrey Hebbert:  I have devotionals in only three COC anthologies, but I hope to have more very soon. Normally, I write mostly books, which means that I don't always get a shorter message out timely. These little devotional nuggets pack a powerful punch–otherwise they are not chosen for the anthology, and I'm convinced that they're helpful for most people. I wrote about adopting our daughter in the COC Devotional for Mothers. My words encouraged her, especially, and added a dimension to the anthology that had not been covered yet–adoption.

 

Question: In COC Women of the Bible Devotionals, we were to select a woman of the Bible for each piece we submitted, and write a short devotional for each selection, along with appropriate scripture and a prayer. Whom did you choose, and why?

 

Kat Crawford: Five of my devotionals were chosen. I searched for woman we don’t normally hear about. Even after all my studies I still wrote about Anna in the temple, “The Notebook of Joy”; and Mary, the mother of Jesus, “Let Go and Let God”. The less known women chosen were Nympha, “My Home, His Church”; Tryphena and Tryphosa, “His Faithful Workers”; and Euodia and Syntche, “Choose to Get Along.”

 

Audrey Hebbert:  I wrote about Gomer and Hezekiah's mother. Gomer's story is  poignant, without a happy ending. And yet God still uses the story to convey His everlasting, neverending love. Hezekiah was named the most God-fearing king in Israel! And yet his father was the worst idol worshipping, child-sacrificing king. As I researched, I realized how much Hezekiah's mother swayed him to worship the God of Israel, rather than worshipping the Canaanite gods. Without her influence, he would have followed in his father's footsteps.

 

Question: Writers often learn something significant when they write. What did you learn when writing about these women?

 

Kat Crawford: When writing about Tryphena and Tryphosa, I reflected on the older women I’d met while holding Cup of Comfort book events last year. The women serve with such joy. When I read how Paul instructed Euodia and Syn
tche to get along, I realized how fortunate I am to have strong friendships that have stood the test of disagreements.

 

Audrey Hebbert:  I have "always" known about godly Hezekiah, but I never knew his background. He also had a godly grandfather influencer. I was encouraged to keep praying/influencing my family when I learned of his godly forbears' examples.

 

Question: Do you have selections in as yet unpublished COC books? Which ones and the subject?

 

Kat Crawford: Yes. My article “Vision in a Verse” will be released in A Cup of Comfort Bible Promises in March 2010. In 1976 a friend encouraged me to choose a Bible verse for each year. I prayed, studied and read, nothing jumped off the page for a yearly verse. So I visited the local bookstore. What happened turned into a humorous and life changing event, one worth writing about.

 

Audrey Hebbert: Recently I submitted one article to the editors of COC devotional for people going through hard times. I do not yet know if it will be accepted, or not. 

 

Question: Do you have anything else in the works at this time?  

 

Kat Crawford: I have several articles scheduled to print in different magazines. In April Love is a Verb with Gary Chapman (Five Love Languages) and my own book, Capsules of Hope Survival Guide for Caregivers is now available, too. It is more than a memoir. It is a resource guide of help and hope.

 

Audrey Hebbert: My book, Green Light Red Light, hit store shelves in November 2007, and I'm working on a second edition, especially for ebooks. It's a funny, fascinating story of Monica Moore's 17 years as a short-term missionary in China. I'm researching for the second book in the Monica Moore series  about Pakistan, India and Iraq. My Motocross Mania should be ready to present to editors at a writers conference at the end of March. I write blogs,  one connected to my website, and guest blog for other people. My book reviews appear on several websites, including Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, and wherever the author requests.

 

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Known as the Lionhearted Kat, Katherine J. Crawford resides in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband of fifty years. Visit: www.capsulesofhope.com orwww.lionheartedkat.com

 

Audrey Hebbert, M.A., Omaha, Nebraska, is a retired teacher/business owner with many published magazines articles, devotionals and one book. Learn more atwww.audreyhebbert.com