What People Are Saying
Below are just a few of the incredible reviews and feedback we've received over the years. Our team loves to hear your stories about how Andy has impacted your life. If you have one you wish to share, please post it below! And be sure to check out the amazing stories others have already left.
I could write a book about giving your books away.
I have given well over 150 of The Travelers Gifts away to family, friends, co-workers and to every high school and college graduate from whom I receive an invitation. For each graduate, the following is inscribed in a card and in the front of the book:
Congratulations on your graduation!
The book included, The Traveler’s Gift is a fictional story with teachable life applications. Each of us has had to make many decisions thus far in our life’s journey. You will have many more decisions in your life and each will play a part of who you will become. There are seven life applications found in The Traveler’s Gift that will help you in your journey to success, if you will apply them. Above all, look to God’s Word for instruction and then apply these seven decisions to your life and you will be a success in God’s eyes and in life.
The response is almost without exception positive. I gave one to a Colonel in the Air Force who then gave copies to his family and all of his staff. I gave a copy to a CEO (whom I did not know) on a plane and had him write me later to tell me that he had obtained copies for his executive staff, board of directors and his family. I gave a copy to a doctor who had his entire office read the book, nurses, assistants and secretaries. One of my favorites is when I gave one to a high school senior at graduation, who did not read it for three years and even said he had considered it “not much of a gift”. He was bored and read it while home for Christmas break his junior year in college. The young man called me in tears thanking me for the gift and saying how much it meant now that he had read it. The list goes on and on. I always feel like I am giving a gift that, if followed, is life changing!
I have followed up with The Lost Choice and Island of Saints (now Heart Mender) to many people who may need more encouragement or just want “more of Andy” and have had many of the same results. I have started giving The Noticer and the results are amazing. I tell people that the books are a gift and to read them and to either keep and re-read or pass them on. Most do not want to part with them and will obtain others to give away. As you can see it the attached photo, I keep a supply on hand to have available when needed and always have a Travelers Gift when I travel which is too frequently.
The story on how I found Andy and The Travelers Gift is unique. I was in Daytona, Florida on business and was invited at the last minute to a friend’s surprise birthday party. I knew he loved to read and so I went book shopping as I love to read as well. I happened upon a bookstore (I do not remember where or which) and there was an end cap of The Travelers Gift. I read the flyleaf and purchased it along with another book. My friend thanked me for the books and said he would read them soon. About three or four days later, he called and was RAVING about The Travelers Gift. He said, Joe you HAVE to get it, you will love this… It took me about 3 months to find it and once I did…
I read TG and started giving them away. About 6 months later I lost my career and went through a little over 18 months of unemployment but, with the messages already engrained in my mind and heart, we made it through with a good spirit. It was during this time that I started giving them away as I thought that “if it can do this for me, what can it do for others”. I was working four part time jobs but was able to find them on eBay and other locations at reduced prices and build a “stash” to have ready.
I was hoping to see Andy in Montgomery this week at the AUM Business Breakfast, and in fact have a ticket, but have been called away on business and will be in Washington State and unable to attend. I have given my ticket to another friend and he will attend in my place.
Andy’s books and attitude have truly changed and blessed my life. Short of my Salvation and my family, I can truly say that nothing has changed me more and my family will say that Andy’s messages have been a GOOD change in me.
Thanks for allowing me the forum to express my thanks for what Andy has done through his writings, messages and attitude for me and for so many others.
Best regards,
- Joe
Andy, I have given countless of your books to friends, coworkers and family! There is no way I could possibly tell you the effects your books have had on me personally and on those who have been touched through the butterfly effect of your books.
My sister loaned my mother (88 years young) THE TRAVELER'S GIFT. She shared it with me. I then ordered every book you had written at the time and received one of the first copies of THE ISLAND OF SAINTS when it finally came off of the press.
I gave the Noticer to every family member, every coworker and every friend for Christmas that year...easy shopping list. I ordered the Young People's Traveler's Gift for each of the 5th & 6th graders in our gifted and talented program for the school district (300+/-). The children then found projects they could do as a family to change the lives of others in their neighborhoods. Parents called wanting the books for themselves.
One of the teachers took the Noticer to her church--bought ten copies that they passed around the congregation until all had read it. I was stopped on the street and in workouts to hear about the changes it was making in their church and in their individual lives. They then had a ten week study on Thursday nights doing a parallel study of the Noticer with The Shack.
I then purchased the Boy Who Changed the World for each of our 1st & 2nd grade classes. These children then found class projects they could do to change their schools...25 elementary schools were touched by these six and seven year olds.
I was so blessed to be able to hear you in person in Odessa, Texas, recently. I drove from Dallas to be home in time to hear you.
I gave The Butterfly Effect to friends who helped me create gifts for my mission trips to Kenya and to India. We adopted the Butterfly as our symbol and took books and butterflies to give to children, widows and workers all over India during our three-week stay there in February of 2012. I could give you long detailed stories of any of these give away stories. I am your BIGGEST fan!!!
God bless you as you continue to change the world.
- Pam
