A BEGGARS PURSE

AUTHOR INTRODUCTION:    My name is Toni Nelson.  I've been called Miss Personality, the life of the party, and social butterfly.  When I gaze into a mirror, I see Miss Reserved, Deep Thinker, and the Loner.  God has a custom design for every individual, equipping each for a specific achievement and purpose.


The inspiration for writing this book came to me while I was lying in bed under a down comforter in the chill of winter ailing from the flu.  My mind was wandering aimlessly, as one's mind normally chooses to do so when sick with the flu.

From my bedroom window, I have a gorgeous view of Mount Charleston.  The mountain is a cool haven in the Spring Mountains near Las Vegas, Nevada.  As I gazed out over the mountain, completely enveloped in snow, an idea welled up inside of me that made me feel as giddy as Scrooge on Christmas morning.  Here I was lying in bed, sick with the flu and actually laughing out loud.  I felt like a mad person, a raging lunatic, and the best part was that I didn't even care.  This is a story inspired by my own childhood memories in rural Carpinteria, California.  God then relocated me to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he engaged me with a population I had long forgotten:  The homeless.
BACKMATTER:  How do you react when approached by a homeless person?
Do you stop and listen or simply walk away as if the person doesn't exist?

Toni Nelson grew up in a beautiful home, set in an idyllic beach community, making friends with the hobos passing through town on the freight trains.  Her grandparents' home was a "safe house" for the roaming drifters, and Toni learned at an early age the joy that could come from showing compassion to those less fortunate.
Later in life, Toni moved to nevada and was struck by the amount of homeless and penniless peopling the city of Las Vegas.  With a heart opened and sustained by God, Toni embarked on a journey to help the people who have nothing, and now shares her experiences in this touching and beautiful memoir.
Join Toni in her journey to share God's love with the people around her, and discover the treasures that can be found in A Beggar's Purse.
"A wonderful portrayal of how with time, heartfelt examinations, and a touch from the Lord, a person can journey from a child-like perspective to one which is able to identify the redeeming qualities found in all of mankind." ~Laura Broadwater, 
                            contributing author in A Cup of Comfort series
"Toni is one of the most compassionate and nurturing people I've ever known.  Through her experiences I have learned the value of love that ignores class, and extends to people of all backgrounds." ~Chad Garrison,
                        Sr. Pastor Faith Fellowship, 
                        Foursquare Church, Pahrump, NV