Michelle "Missy" Medlock Adams knew she had a good idea.

She just didn't know tens of thousands of people would agree with her so quickly.

Adams, a Christian and children's author with 26 titles to her credit, sold more than 20,000 copies of her newest book, Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood, within one week of its release last month.

Now, the collection of anecdotes about women and their friendships is being considered as a candidate for Oprah's book list.

But Adams isn't taking all the credit for the sudden success.

"I know it's not us," she said of herself and co-author Gena Maselli. "God has definitely blessed us and blessed this project."

Adams is a former Times-Mail Staff Writer and a graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School and Indiana University. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband, Bedford native Jeff Adams, and their two daughters.

She and Maselli, whom Adams met doing ministry together in Texas, had kicked around ideas for a book to celebrate friendship. But it wasn't until Adams went to see the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood that a framework for the book revealed itself.

"I went to see (the movie) with my husband, and he just didn't get it," Adams said. "I was so moved.... I started thinking about the women God puts there in our lives—our mothers, sisters, Bible study partners or other women, sisters in Christ, who aren't blood relatives at all—who help us get through all the stuff in life... some things men just don't get."

But the book isn't just about the authors' personal relationships. Women from across the country contributed, including Times-Mail Staff Writer Barbie Jenkins and former Times-Mail Staff Writer Mary Johnson.

Each story is followed by a workbook exercise, Bible verse, and a prayer or meditation intended to help readers maintain the kind of friendships the book celebrates.

"It causes you to think about the friends God gives you... and challenges you to continue to nurture those relationships," Adams said.

The book is being sold through Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com and at Family Christian bookstores, and will be available at both local Christian bookstores next month.

A friend of Adams, whose daughter writes for Oprah's Web site, planned to submit a proposal for the book to be included on the popular talk show host's book club list.

Today, Adams was to appear on live television from Greenwood's TBN affiliate to discuss the importance of women maintaining strong Christian friendships.

"You have to make that time a priority," Adams said. "Those are really relationships to celebrate."


Adams will appear live on TBN from Greenwood today from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. on local channel 42.