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Acknowledgments
Photographers Jamie Hudson, Annie Mintz, and Jessica Owinyo: This book could not exist
without these young women. All this incredible photography astounded me. They are so
talented and willing to work hard to make this book happen. I am forever grateful to them.
Jessica Everett: This oldest daughter of mine put days, weeks, and months into this
book. At least a couple times a week, we would meet to sort through emails, deadlines,
edits. So very thankful for her. She is indispensable.
Nathan White: Wow. We would not have either of our websites without Nathan. And
then update after update. I am thankful he is so patient with this process. Thank you,
son of mine, for being so willing to work on this!
3:12 Team: Ruthanne Beddoe, Courtney Jordan, Amy Crist, Susan Greene, Re Loeffler,
Tori Loeffler, Julie Taddicken, Ashley Taylor, Craig White, and the above people, too!
Thank you for coming to all the random meetings, working on crazy projects, and
basically being helpful and supportive in this project.
Contributors Dick Barrett, Ruthanne Beddoe, Dan and Lyn Beighley, Patti Boliou, Cathy
Chan, Jennifer Frendt, John Gibson, Mardell Gill, Mallory Graftius, Susan Greene, Coral
Kenegy, Re Loeffler, Betty Lombardi, Diana Malcolm, Laura Malcolm, Moe Malcolm,
Julie Neuneker, Juanita Penn, Paul and Marsha Philbrook, Virginia Schumacher, Lisa
Shumaker, Sue Shumaker, and Lisa Wood: These people shared their hearts, lives, décor
ideas, and recipes. They are valued beyond measure.
“Nicki’s book is a joy to read; it is warm and inviting, just like her home. She reminds us of the importance of ministry, of using all
that God has given us to minister His love to others. You will receive a gentle nudge to do what God’s word commands us in Romans
12:13, ‘practice hospitality.’ You will come away ready to
host your next, or first, guests. For some of us, it isn’t as easy as she makes it
seem, but she reminds us
It’s Not about the Pie
. It’s about the heart.”
Patrick and Tonya Ireland, Military Chaplain, US Army; former missionary and military wife
“Nicki has a track record of demonstrating hospitality. Her words are valuable to us, not only because they are needed but because she
has put them into practice. Our own personal memories of enjoying her hospitality are precious and I know these wonderful words will
inspire others to practice hospitality in new and efective ways. Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences with us all, Nicki.”
Pastor Geof Williams
“Nicki skillfully and creatively encourages each one of us to joyfully embrace the unique space that God has given us
and to never
underestimate the power of His love shown through the way we share our homes and our lives with others.”
Marissa Dickey, Missionary to Colombia, South America
“In this day and age when, with the flick of a finger, Pinterest provides thousands upon thousands of ideas and images, it is easy
to become overwhelmed when gathering inspiration to decorate, put on parties or pull together diferent ways to help others.
The desire to be perfect causes me to sometimes freeze and not do anything at all in helping people to feel warm and welcomed
because I am measuring myself against what I deem perfection. Nicki’s book, It’s Not About the Pie, provides warm, sound guidance
that hospitality is a mindset and ‘that God can use imperfect people to perfectly bless other imperfect people with everyone having
a good time in the process.’ I relish reading those words as they remind me to relax, be my imperfect self. and show warmth and
compassion to everyone God puts in my path.”
Sarah Zimik, Chief Development Officer at Boise Rescue Mission Ministries; Co-Owner of Empty Hand Combat;
and Co-Founder of International Missionary Network
“Too many of us have grown up thinking that only some people have the gift of hospitality. Nicki is giving that gift to all of us who
long to create a home where people feel welcome, loved and valued. She makes is easy to see the heart of hospitality is within reach.
Her book is a joyful discovery of how-to’s and heart.”
Dee Sarton, News Anchor for KTVB News Channel 7
Introduction
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry,
naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted,
unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.
We must start in our own homes to
remedy this kind of poverty.”
—Mother Teresa
2
We’ve all been there: you walk into her home and are instantly amazed by its
refreshing scent. It appears to be without fault in every way. The colors in her interior
decorating palette flow beautifully. If you are a creative sort who has been fascinated
with decorating, entertaining, and interior decorating from childhood like me, a
hundred
