BOOK REVIEW: Dear Dana
When Executive Editor Jeff Herring asked if I’d be interested in doing a book review and gave me a list of the books that had been sent to him by a Christian publisher, I immediately knew which one I wanted to review — Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote all 580 of my Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter. Of course, the title was what caught my attention first, but there were many other reasons for my choice, including the fact that it was available on Audible (which is how I love to “read” these days) and because it was about relationships (I just love people and getting to know them better!) As I listened to the book, written by Amy Weinland Daughters, I found many more reasons to love it.
The story is about a woman, an old friend and their reconnection on Facebook 30 years after meeting each other at church camp. Amy had no way of knowing that when she contacted her long lost friend, Dana was facing the biggest challenge and heartbreak of her life. Her only son, a teenager, was at St. Jude’s Hospital, fighting for his life… a battle he eventually lost.
When Parker died, Amy, not knowing what else to do, continued to write Dana. Eventually, Dana wrote back, and the two became pen pals, sharing things through the mail that they had never shared before. They also reconnected “in person” and became even better friends.
The richness of the experience left Amy wondering something — if my life could be so changed by someone I considered “just a Facebook friend,” what would happen if I wrote all my Facebook friends a letter?
Over the following 20 months, Amy did just that — she sent out 580 handwritten personalized letters, an average of one per day! The book is about how those letters touched the hearts of various recipients and changed Amy’s heart forever.
When I finished the book, I was convicted — not to write all my Facebook friends (mostly because I have 1,503 of them!), but to be more intentional about reaching out to those friends as the need arises and truly praying for them. God puts each person into our lives for a purpose, and each purpose is different. I’ve been convicted, through Amy’s book, to be a better friend — on and off Facebook.
One word of caution, I heard about five “ugly words,” and Amy and I are different in that her background is in “adult beverages,” which she enjoys (and I don’t). But we have one big thing in common — we love the Lord, and we love people!
The bottom line is that I really enjoyed the book, and I think you will, too!
In addition to being available on Audible, you can also get the 304-page book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target and other locations.
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Diane Spriggs
Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff on Jan. 2, 1980, as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
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Diane Spriggs
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Full biography
Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff Jan. 2, 1980 as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
She was saved in October 1959 at Park Place Baptist Church, and is now a member of Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock, where she is part of the sanctuary choir and the Pairs & Spares Sunday School class.
On April 14, 1967, Diane married “the love of her life,” Pat, and they have two children and two children-in-love: Robert Patrick “Bobby” & Jennifer (Mollette) Spriggs of Sherwood, and Trina Michelle & Keith Medlock of Cabot. The “lights of her life” are her grandchildren: Baleigh Ann (Garrett) Spriggs, Hunter Wayne Medlock and Savana Michelle Medlock; and her great-grandson, Lincoln David Barham.
Diane retired on Nov. 5, 2020 after serving almost 41 years on the Trumpet staff, the last 15 as editor. As the first official action of Executive Editor Jeff Herring, she was named Editor Emeritus to honor her time with the ministry she truly loves and will continue to serve and help in any way she can. She is available to speak at women’s conferences, district meetings, churches, etc.
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