Mrs. Oswald Chambers Biography–5 Years Later

The Mrs. Oswald Chambers biography launched into the world five years ago this month.

If you read my blog, you know I’ve already written a lot about this Chambers biography.

Today, I’d like to recap how writing and publishing that book continues to change my life in wonderful ways.

And thanks to all who wrote about it, spoke about it, or wrote to me in thanks.

Why I wrote a Chambers biography

I just went to work one day in January 2013 and my entire life changed.

I’ve written in full about the experience here.

But, what I’m always struck by in remembering that day is I was just going about my regular business.

Beyond reading that days’ My Utmost for His Highest, I wasn’t thinking about Oswald Chambers.

I knew next to nothing about Biddy Chambers. All I knew about her came from David McCasland’s excellent Chambers biography, Oswald Chambers Abandoned to God.

But then an opportunity arose to write a WWI novel based on spiritual ideas in My Utmost for His Highest.

I figured, “what better way to spend a year of my writing life?”

It took more than a year.

How did I spend my writing time between 2013 and 2017?

Researching, of course.

I began working on my WWI novel, A Poppy in Remembrance, which featured Oswald and Biddy Chambers as marquee characters–real people in a novel.

That meant I had to become an expert on WWI, the Chambers family, journalism in the early 20th century, women journalists during WWI (few), and while I was at it, Clapham Common, OC’s Bible Training College, and even the Somme battlefield.

I’ve written lots of posts about that research (50 on WWI alone), and done some traveling. (London, Scotland, the Somme battlefields, and even an Egyptian restaurant to sample Middle Eastern cuisine).

I also took two research trips to Wheaton College’s Special Collections Library where I befriended the archivist, Keith Call.

Between the two trips, I spent seven full days scanning documents (and even bought a new scanner one trip), examining photos, and even holding Chambers biography memorabilia.

My husband and I had innumerable conversations about the books. Biddy and OC are so frequently referenced at the dinner table, they feel like family!

What happened during the launch?

A week before the launch of the Mrs. Oswald Chambers biography in October 2017, massive wildfires poured down the hillsides in my town. We fled in the middle of the night.

I picked up one copy of the actual book, grabbed my speaking suit “just in case,” and stuffed a backpack with clothing.

I had a Zoom interview the next day–from our evacuation lodgings–wearing my Zumba clothes (all I packed in the dark) and that handy suit jacket.

For the next two weeks, I “reported” on Facebook about the devastating fire, did phone and Zoom interviews about the book, and wondered what the future held in regards to our home.

In the middle of that uncertainty, my husband and I flew to Chicago where I took place at an event honoring the 100th anniversary of Oswald Chambers’ 2017 death.

We got news we could return home when we landed in Chicago.

(Who knows what I said? I was emotionally, mentally, and physically fried.)

Five days later, I held the official book launch at our church. Only a handful of beleaguered church members could attend. Most of our friends and church members were still evacuated. (A significant number of church families lost their homes.)

I spoke that day on “Biddy Chambers and Resilience.”

Biddy’s example has been an important theme for me and a speaking topic ever since.

(We evacuated again in 2020 when fires got within a block of our home. No book launch that time.).

Chambers biography inspirations and offshoots

When you write a book, you send it out into the world–much like launching a child.

You don’t know where it will go, who will read it, how it will affect them, and how your life might change.

Dr. Eric Frugé wrote a Bible study series on My Utmost for His Highest using Mrs. Oswald Chambers as a textbook.

I’ve spoken on Biddy, Oswald, and My Utmost for His Highest a number of times.

I also joined with a number of writers for Utmost Ongoing: Reflections on the Legacy of Oswald Chambers.

The biography is now available in German.

Last year, I narrated the Biddy Chambers biography. While I’ve read to children seemingly my whole life, reading a book you wrote is a different experience! (Now my American voice is out in the world, too!)

Who has written to me and why?

Several men wrote dissertations and interviewed me (as well as read the book) for further information.

In addition, I’ve spent the last five years discussing and sharing email with people looking for someone to explain what the My Utmost for His Highest daily reading meant.

People sent me photos they’ve found in their relatives’ possessions.

I’ve received a story about finding Oswald Chambers’ birthplace.

Someone suggested OC’s ANZAC revival in Egypt may have been responsible for the end of WWI in the Middle East. (That was a fascinating rabbit trail. Write if you want to know more).

One woman sent me photos of two paintings done by Oswald Chambers and given to her family nearly 100 years ago.

At someone’s suggestion, I downloaded a brochure when the former Bible Training College went up for sale. I could compare the old photos I have from 1912 to ones taken in 1968 and then today.

One lovely woman in Tasmania gifted me a copy of a book signed by Biddy.

A man from North Carolina passed along what probably was the final interview and photos of Kathleen Chambers.

Over and over again, people wrote to thank me for the book–and described what they learned from it.

I’ve been touched and honored every time.

I’ve shared all this information in my newsletters over the years.

In the October 15, 2022 newsletter, I’ll share links to the stories once more.

BTW, if you sign up for my newsletter, you receive a free copy of Writing About Oswald and Biddy Chambers–which tells the stories of all the wild things that happened to me while writing the books.

You can sign up here.

Personal thanksgiving for the Chambers Biography

Every time some new story, photo, or insight shows up, my husband reminds me of the many blessings writing the Mrs. Oswald Chambers biography brought us.

He’s right.

I’ve met so many splendid people in person and through the mail. Several of the Bible Training College student’s relatives first learned about their family’s connection to Oswald Chambers from me. (They were thrilled! I was thrilled!)

The son of Oswald’s student Eva Spink blessed me over the phone. (Thus, passing on a blessing that, as best I can tell, came all the way from Charles Spurgeon. I’ve continued to pass that blessing on!)

I corresponded with an “old China hand,” about her mother, Gladys Ingram Donnithorne.

My life has been so enriched by hearing from people, sharing information with others, listening, and speaking.

It continues every week.

Thank you, again to Baker Books for publishing Mrs. Oswald Chambers.

Everyone who wrote to me, shared the book, and read My Utmost for His Highest to discuss with me, thank you.

Most of all, I thank God for how he worked in the lives of those three saints: Oswald, Biddy, and Kathleen Chambers to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Well done, good and faithful servants.

I’m glad that when I enter my rest–I’ll join you with the God we worship to rejoice.

Thanks be to God.

Tweetables

Five years later: the joy of writing Mrs. Oswald Chambers. Thanks readers! Click to Tweet

Mrs. Oswald Chambers biographer writes about the resulting 5 years of joy. Click to Tweet