Hands Pointed UP

About the Book

Hands Pointed UP is a quick read you won't be able to put down. If you're down in the dumps, this is the book to lift you UP! It includes 60 inspirational sayings, one for each minute in the hour, that include the word "up." This great gift book includes biblical references and other observations that will help you keep a positive attitude--quotes and cartoons collected over the author's lifetime.

The thought for the book originated when the author's mother said she got married at 1 o'clock because "the hands (on the clock) are pointed up." The book gets you thinking about life and its UPS and downs-we're either UP in the air or down for the count; UP to something or down on somebody, UP a creek without a paddle or down in the dumps.

When the clock strikes 12, the new day is clean and perfect and it puts itself in our hands with hopes of learning from yesterday and approaching tomorrow. Your most prized possession is the next 24 hours. If you practice the Ups suggested, maybe your timing won't be off for God. You'll measure UP and always be straight UP for Him no matter what it says on the clock, which passes time by keeping its hands busy. You should do the same, pointing yours toward heaven.

About the Author

After 14 years of reporting and editing at The Times in Shreveport, Louisiana, Mary Ann Van Osdell became director of communications for Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries in March 2003.

Van Osdell, 47, has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from LSU in Baton Rouge and is a graduate of Captain Shreve High School.

Of her seven national Federation of Press Women awards, she is most proud of third place in headline writing in 2000. Her other favorite accomplishments are serving as queen of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Aesclepius in 1994 and being voted a local Rising Young Community Leader by the Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

She has been very active in the community in various public relations volunteer positions, having recently served on the Media Committee of the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention and in the Press Room for Miss USA (both held in Shreveport) and the 1988 Republican National Convention in New Orleans, her birthplace. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank, Reach Out and Read, Young Journalists Mentoring Program and Friends of the Municipal Auditorium. She has served as president of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary and the local chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority Alumnae. She attends St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

Van Osdell has held public relations/marketing positions at local hospitals where one of her favorite projects was being "Mayor of Safety Town." She has freelanced for the Associated Press, KWKH, M.D. News Magazine and Louisiana Life and continues to write an automotive review column for The Forum.

She and her husband, David Thomas, enjoy golf and eBay. She hopes to start a memoir writing business one day.