LOVELY PINK HIBISCUS...

Oh, how I love God's creation, and looking at my beautiful hibiscus bush in my backyard is one of my favorite pastimes. Despite long, harsh winters and the fact that I cut this bush down to an an inch from the ground every spring so that it looks like I've KILLED it, it never fails to return in all its glory, tall, full, and sprouting the loveliest blossoms I've ever seen!

Oh, that we could all be like this bush - endure the harshest conditions, allow God's pruning, and then bounce back even taller and stronger than the year before. I think I shall make this my prayer..."Lord, help me recover from life's setbacks and come forth with Your beauty radiating from my face and being. Increase my faith and let me be a shining example to others of Your love and faithfulness. In Your name I pray. Amen."

BEWARE of Growling Author!

Alert! I've been without Internet service for almost a week now, and I'm getting grumbly. I'm actually sitting in my local library writing this, and that's not all bad (thank goodness for libraries!), but I'm having a difficult time adjusting to this inconvenience while I wait for the return of my "in home" connection.

It's amazing how dependent I am on the Worldwide Web! What did authors do in the "old days" when all they had were pencil and paper, trusty typewriters, and "books" for research? I'm shocked at how often throughout my writing day I click on Dictionary(dot)com or quickly type something into my search engine so I can have important information delivered to me in an instant. We live in an "INSTANT" society, don't we, and while there's nothing particularly wrong with that, I do think it's important to "take the long way home sometimes". That's what I've been doing lately. Instead of surfing the web for immediate info I've had to search my bookshelf for answers and, woe is me, haul out my trusty hard copy dictionary! (Can you imagine?)

I'm learning patience in the process and discovering what it must have been like for early writers who didn't have this instant information at their fingertips. I wonder if they pondered for longer periods. I do know they weren't spitting out three and four books a year like so many of today's authors.

Although I'm missing my Internet and, yes, grumbling and growling at the inconvenience, I want to take advantage of this slower pace. I need to gaze out my office window more and pause to gather my thoughts. I'm too quick to search for answers and ideas on the Internet when often that inspiration lies right within my own built-in "computer".

And now--back to my work-in-progress!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

Intricately Woven...

Anything that is intricately woven takes time, energy, patience, and sometimes even a wee bit of pain. Agreed?

I was just talking to a friend today whose house has been on the market for a few months and hasn't gotten the first "bite" yet. They've already moved, and they NEED to sell. I tried to encourage her, although in times like these it's hard to know what to say. "God's timing is everything," I told her. "Maybe the right person just hasn't come along yet. Maybe he's trying to sell his house. Maybe he lives in another state and will shortly move here - and your house is exactly what he needs." We just don't know why or how these situations come together, but eventually they do work themselves out if we remain patient in our waiting. And, of course, it's best when we trust our Creator with the details.

Take this beautifully woven design for example. Do you think its creator knitted/crocheted/stitched it in one sitting? Do you think she wove it together while watching a rerun of Mash or I love Lucy? Did she wake up one day and say, "I think I'll quick throw together a lovely little blanket."? No, this beautiful piece took hours of effort, patience, dedication, and passion.

Whatever it is you're working toward, whatever your goals, your aims, your desires, don't assume they'll come to fruition overnight. Everything, especially anything of quality, takes time and abundant patience. And if you're in that waiting mode, then don't grow weary in your waiting. Take a deep breath and know it will come to pass in its own good time.

Trust your Creator to give you what you need for every circumstance of life. His plans for you are already intricately woven together, but He sometimes only reveals the finished piece in tiny sections. When you're patient and trusting, you can often look back at the finished work and say, "Wow, now I see exactly why it had to work the way it did."

"Lord, give me patience and endurance for the days and weeks ahead. May I learn to trust You better and trust you with the intricate details of my life, knowing intricately woven things take time and patience. In Your Name I pray. Amen."

The Writer's Daily Prayer...

W R I T E

On my office window sill sits the word
W R I T E in individual block letters. One day as I sat at my computer preparing myself for a day of writing, I studied this word, and suddenly the Lord inspired me to write the following heartfelt prayer. It has been the cry of my heart ever since. I thought I'd share it with you. May the Lord bless you, whether you write or not.


The Writer’s Daily Prayer


With all my heart, I thank You for the opportunity to write for You, Lord. Please grant me the talent to do it with clarity and fresh style that my words will stretch deep into my readers’ souls and make a difference for eternity.


Reach into my heart, Lord, and grant me sensitivity to understand my characters—their soul’s deep core, their wants and needs and dreams. May my sensitivity make my characters come to life for my readers and, in turn, touch a chord of emotion that will draw them into the story.


I long to write from my heart, Lord, so that I may communicate Your love and goodness to my readers. Fuel my imagination with vivid ideas and vital insights that my words will flow and I will have no doubt that You are working through me.


Teach me how to trust You in those moments when the creative juices slow and my mind grows weary. It is for You I write, so please awaken and energize my senses with fresh insights so that my readers will go in search of Your truth in the midst of my fiction.


Empower me with Your Holy Spirit, God, that I may persevere in discouragement, trust in times of fear, hope in the midst of despair, believe when doubts assail me, and rely solely on You for my strength and inspiration. In the name of Your Son Jesus, I pray. Amen.






© Sharlene MacLaren

*Feel free to print this prayer, but please give credit where credit is due. Blessings on you, my precious writing friends.

It All Started With the Electrician!

For several weeks now I've been noticing a strange odor in my office, so I've been using lots of room spray to cover the smell rather than try to identify where the smell was coming from!

But then the smoke started coming, and that's when I realized I had a faulty wall receptacle! Yow! I don't know why I didn't take a 'before' picture because the white plate was all charred. Maybe because I was too busy turning off the power to my office and calling the electrician - who said he would be there within the hour! Good, I thought. I don't want a fire. But then I started looking around my office and saw how dirty it was - even minus the lights.

The electrician is coming, the electrician is coming! Hurry! Clean this room! Well, needless to say there wasn't time for a thorough cleaning, so I just did the surface stuff and hoped he wouldn't look too close. I don't know why I cared. He was a man, after all! Do they really notice dust?

Now, here's the thing - I HATE clutter, but dust, and even a little dirt? Pfff, who cares? This is what the corner looked like behind my desk: I think I even see a couple of those gross little worms that love basement corners. Yuck!










After the electrician fixed the problem, which was a short in some wires, and replaced the charred wall plate, I decided to "go to town" on my untidy office. (Untidy sounds better than filthy.) See my pretty new wall plate - and that burn line running up the wall?















First, I swept underneath my desk and behind it, and even got rid of the bugs and worms! Then I literally just started tossing everything on the floor. Swoop! Nice, eh?















See this big book I used for research on Abbie Ann, which was several books ago? Look at the line of dust where another book had sat atop it! Ick!














And here's something else. Look at all these cameras on the floor! And that's not even counting the one I have in my hand as I snap the shot or the one I have upstairs hanging on a hook. I don't know what it is with me and cameras. I want cheap and easy, so I keep going in search of the "perfect" camera. Look! There's even a pink one there that I never took out of the box! I didn't even know it was hiding in all my "stuff"! Wow, camera, anybody?



















DON'T ASK ME WHY, but I keep this little 'formula' on my white board - I think for purposes of torturing myself. I was able to achieve this at one time, so I seem to want to remind myself of that feat and tell myself to get busy and DO IT AGAIN!



Oh, and then while decluttering, I found some things I can't identify. Like this 'round thing'. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS IT? ANYBODY? I'm too scared to throw it away, though. What if it's important? (It's in my catch-all box.)














So...it appears I'm finished. My little office is once again, neat, tidy, and spotlessly clean, yes, even dusted! Want to see some pics of the finished project? I took some pics of various angles. I love old photos so several take up one wall. On another wall are a few awards I've gotten in the past couple of years. On my windowsill are the letters: WRITE - to remind me. In one corner is Peyton's chair. He stayed clear of my room while I was on this cleaning rampage, though.
I love the two photographs on my shelf. They are of my mom and her two sisters and then moons later my two cousins and me. Kind of cool, eh? P.S. Thanks for indulging me! Love you all!!!

WHO DOESN'T LOVE A BOOK GIVEAWAY?





I'M GIVING AWAY THREE COPIES OF "ELLIE'S HAVEN"!!!




AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SIGN UP BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO BE ONE OF THREE WINNERS! SOUND ENTICING? READ ON!

SYNOPSIS:

A courageous young woman seeking refuge...

Ellie Booth was never the type to run away. But she'd witnessed her stepfather commit a heartless crime, and, knowing he'll stop at nothing to keep her quiet, she has no choice but to flee. Soon, she finds herself in Wabash, Indiana, scrambling for a cover identity to evade her stepfather. For lack of a better option, she answers an ad for a wife/housekeeper/nanny, praying that her lack of experience won't be obvious.

A widowed father with no domestic skills to speak of...

Gage Cooper is reaching the end of his rope. With four children between the ages of three and ten, he needs a reliable nanny, yet each one he's hired has thrown up her hands and deserted her post. When an attractive, spirited young woman applies for the "job," he knows he should pray about the matter, but his desperation for help propels him headlong into a marriage of convenience.

A trial by fire of their wedding vows...

Ellie immediately falls in love with the Cooper children, and, not long after, with their father. Soon, the "marriage of convenience" becomes less of a business arrangement as husband and wife yield to an attraction neither one had expected. When secrets of the past and dangers of the present arise in their lives, their marriage is put to the test, and God alone knows what will become of their union.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? DATE OF DRAWING: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7!!!

MONDAY MUSINGS

We've all heard that phrase a time or two; in fact, someone even wrote a song by the same title!

Don't worry; be happy. There's a lot of wisdom in that little phrase. I Peter 5:7 & 8 says, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert."

Why do you think that verse ends with be self-controlled and alert? I think I have an idea. Worry can be toxic not only to ourselves but to others, especially if in our worry we grumble, complain, and fret aloud. Our attitude of worry can release itself to others and give off an almost poisonous stench, pushing people away from us. Instead, we need to project our worry toward God, the One true source of comfort, encouragement, and peace. Today has enough struggles of its own without trying to figure out tomorrow! Check out Matthew 6:34: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

If worry snags hold of you, gripping you from the inside out, cast it away in Jesus' Name. It is not of God! Worry is a stronghold that can drag you down a path of doom and darkness. On the other hand, don't beat yourself up if it sneaks up on you. Simply cast it aside again--and again if needs be. God understands your human weakness, and He wants to help you with your tendency to worry. He awaits your attention, so turn your thoughts toward Him whenever worry begins to take hold. He INVITES and DELIGHTS in your dependence on Him, especially in those times of struggle.

Don't worry; be happy. Perhaps easier said than done, but with prayer and practice, you can find the kind of joy you desire to make it through the rough times. GOD IS FAITHFUL, AND HIS WORD NEVER FAILS.

MONDAY MUSINGS

Did you know you are loved? The Bible tells us so...

We suffered a great loss on Saturday afternoon when Whitney Houston died, but I believe in my heart of hearts that Heaven gained a precious soul. It's no secret that Whitney Houston lived a life of tremendous ups and woeful downs, that fame, fortune, and poor choices led her down a treacherous path - one that would eventually point to her demise.

How could one who claimed to love the Lord be so mislead?

Perhaps we'll never know the answer to that loaded question, but this one thing we can know; Jesus loves His children, and those who come to Him in humbleness of spirit and with repentant hearts, seeking His forgiveness, will spend eternity with Him.

Whitney Houston often spoke about the Lord, even in her most tumultuous times. God's grace is far reaching, everlasting, immeasurable, uncontainable, irreversible, all-encompassing, and unchanging. We can't grasp its completeness because it's beyond our understanding, but we can KNOW He loves us because the Bible tells us. Christians are not perfect beings. Knowing Christ doesn't make one exempt from error or future sin, but it does save us from eternal damnation. I'm so thankful for God's soul saving grace.

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know - for the Bible Tells Me So. Such a simple little song - yet packed with powerful truth. Click on the link and listen to Whitney sing it from her heart.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS



HEALING VS. GRACE.

If you had your choice, which umbrella would you rather stand under? Think about it...

Our church has launched an 8-week, 40-day study in which we all hope to read through the entire New Testament. During the week we come together with our "growth groups" to discuss our reading and what passages may have stood out or raised a question. Our pastor (Pete Yoshonis) is presenting some fabulous coordinating sermons, and it's a blessing to know that several hundred of us are all plugging along together, hoping to read the entire N.T. over the next eight weeks. (I'm on schedule now. Let's see how I'm doing five weeks from now. Yikes!) My overachieving hubby has already read it in full, and is now starting over!

Anyway, our pastor blogged on the same topic I'm touching on today - this matter of faith, grace, and healing.

One Sunday our congregation was blessed to sit under the tutelage of Ed Dobson, former pastor of Grand Rapids Calvary Church, a large body of believers. He discussed with us his ongoing, grueling battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He recalled conversations related to healing. Some well-meaning friends suggested that perhaps he lacked faith enough to be healed.  They informed him that his lack of faith had undoubtedly raised a barrier between him and God. (Sad, isn't it?)

I have listened to these kinds of conversations myself while going through difficult times and questioning within why God didn't just heal me - did I not have enough faith? It does seem people want to reduce healing to "if you just believe, you will receive".

If all that negative talk discouraged Reverend Dobson, he didn't let on. No, instead he shared a most relevant concept that has stayed with me since his visit some two or more years ago. He recalled the story in Luke regarding the blind man pushing his way through the crowd and calling out in a loud, clear voice, "Jesus! King of David! Jesus, Jesus, have mercy on me."

"Did he ask for healing?" Reverend Dobson asked. "No, he asked for mercy." He went on to say, "I don't know if I have enough faith to be healed, but I do know that God has more than enough mercy for me."

He added, "God has given me the mercy I need each day in the midst of this hard journey."

Are YOU finding God's grace and mercy sufficient for your needs? Click on the picture above to enlarge it and read the wonderful words in this age-old hymn. If that doesn't encourage you I don't know what will.

Be BLESSED, my precious friends. God's grace is sufficient, no matter your need."

MONDAY MUSINGS



Ever feel like Garfield when Monday rolls around?

Mondays are difficult for me. Some people start their weeks with zeal and zest whereas I tend to start them with ZIP, ZERO, and ZILCH. Even despite my Sunday afternoon snooze, which should get me energized for launching my week, I still have a hard time jumping back into my daily routine. By Tuesday I'm fine again. Maybe we should just cut out Mondays, what do you think?

Looks to me like Garfield agrees.

At any rate, I HAVE to pull myself out of this funk and get back to writing. That June 1 deadline will sneak up on me before I know it - and speaking of June, well, that represents warmth and sunshine and summer! Maybe it's the "black and white" winter that plays into my Monday doldrums.

Anybody else besides Garfield and me out there who'd like to eliminate Monday from the calendar? I might get a lot more done. Then again - Tuesday would become the new Monday, so never mind that idea.

Okay, I think it's time for a stretch and some caffeine. "HAPPY" Monday, everyone! And look on the bright side. Mondays only come around every seven days. LOVE YOU ALL!

MONDAY MUSINGS


ONE YEAR AGO!




TODAY!

It's pretty amazing the comparison between last year's and this year's winter. I've enjoyed the milder weather, and I'm sure many of you across the northern regions of the U.S. share my feelings - with the exception of you snowboard enthusiasts. Sorry about that.

I'm still enjoying my fireplace and candles, but I'm also enjoying the fact that it's almost February, and being that it's a shorter month it seems like March comes rolling in before we know it! Soon, spring will be upon us, and we'll all be saying, "What? Another year come and gone - already?"

I love the changing seasons, the newness of spring, the loveliness of summer, the coolness of autumn, and, yes, the bitter chill of winter. Each season serves its purpose in reminding us of the pure joy of life itself - from youth to old age we can embrace it in all its splendor and richness. (IF we choose to, that is.)

I feel sorry for those who mourn change. Change is inevitable, something we must all endure whether we want to or not. In two days, my "almost" 89-year-old mother-in-law will be leaving her home of the past 20 years to make her way to a senior living center. She could bemoan the fact that she's reached that point in her life where she must submit to yet another change, this one truly MAJOR; but instead, she remains her positive self, praising God even through this poignant, monumental life change. She knows her next home will be Heaven itself, and that will be the ULTIMATE change. From a blemished, scarred world to GLORIOUS PERFECTION.

As you go about your day today, consider all the changes you've tackled in your lifetime. Did they grow you as an individual or slow your progress? Think of change as a good and positive thing, and you will be amazed at how it affects your attitude and heart.

MONDAY MUSINGS



The other day I read something that struck a chord with me. It went something like this, though not in these exact words: Jesus is leading us along the high road, but it's full of descents as well as ascents. We see snow-covered peaks in the far-off distance, and we long to reach the top - if only there were shortcuts. Our assignment is NOT to take the shortcuts, but to follow Christ's leading, allowing Him to direct our paths. We should let the heights beckon us, but remain close to our Heavenly Father as we walk this upward journey.

How often do we want to race ahead of God? We think we see the trail He has so intricately mapped out for us that we can easily reach our destinations without any further help. Not. Our paths are winding, bumpy, and loaded with roadblocks. If we fail to seek His daily guidance and direction, we will easily lose our way. Our perfect roadmap is God's Holy Word. Reading it daily and seeking His divine voice in our quiet moments will ensure we take the upward path He's designed just for us. Isn't it great to know we each have our very own life-map? It's up to us to keep checking that map, though, lest we fall into some deadly trap our Enemy Satan has put there just to trick us.

Get out your road map (The Holy Bible) and read your instructions for the day. I pray your journey today will be exhilarating and blessed of God.

MONDAY MUSINGS


TRACKS...

Four days ago the ground boasted of little more than sticks, dormant grass, and a few stray, dead leaves. Today a white blanket of snow, several inches deep, spreads over its barrenness. On Friday morning its fresh fallen beauty awed so many West Michiganders that if you had signed into Facebook at any given moment throughout the day you would have found at least 563 newly posted photos! (Okay, slight exaggeration.) I myself contributed four to the pile, each one of my beloved dog romping in it, sniffing the air, and looking quite mystified by all the whiteness. Aside from his few tracks, though, my yard remained fresh and mostly untouched as the snow continued falling for the next 24 hours.

What of today? Well, now that the snow has stopped falling it's full of tracks, dog and people and sled tracks. Yesterday, the grandkids, Peyton, and Papa played and rolled and tromped through the yard, making tracks of all shapes and sizes.

Tracks.

I'm reminded of my daddy's tracks when I was a kid and how after a heavy snowfall I'd follow in his fresh tracks to avoid getting snow up my pant legs, which begs the question - what kinds of tracks do I leave as I go about my day? Do I leave the kind that people want to put their own feet into and follow behind? I pray so.

I try to follow in the tracks that Jesus made when He walked this earth. I say try, but really, it is only by His grace and strength, and not my own feeble efforts, that I'm able to do so. Somedays it's hard living a holy life. Something as simple as a driver cutting me off at the turn can catch me in an unholy moment!

"Oh, Father, may the tracks I make on this earth be the kind that make a mark for eternity; may my footprints lead others straight to YOU. In Your Name I pray. Amen."

THURSDAY THOUGHTS



We've had the most glorious January weather here in West Michigan, BUT...

STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

Who hasn't read those words splashed across the bottom of your TV screen or heard it announced on the radio, or overheard it mentioned in the grocery store where everyone runs for last minute supplies?

Storms are imminent, both in weather and in life! We can't avoid them. Even in the height of paradise (wherever that may be) one is never immune to storms. I can handle the occasional bad storm--in fact, I rather enjoy them if I'm not inconvenienced by a lack of food, warmth, and electricity! (ha!) No, it's the storms of life that often get me down. Somebody falls victim to an incurable disease, fire burns a house to the ground, an unspeakable auto accident takes the life of a precious husband and father, an innocent child suffers abuse at the hands of someone he/she trusted - and the list goes on.

It's tempting to question where God is when we're busy trying to ride out these horrid storms that threaten to sweep us away, the current so strong we can barely stay afloat. But in my heart I KNOW where He is. He's in the wind, the waves, the mountains, the valleys, and the floods of life. He is there, asking us to trust Him through the darkest storms. How do I know? Because I've tested Him and found Him true and faithful over and over...and over.

"Be still and know that I am God..." the verse states. Next time something sneaks up on you that you weren't prepared to handle, rest in God's protective, shielding arms and simply KNOW that He is God...

And now, I must confess that I am glad I made two grocery store stops today. I am ready for the storm!

MONDAY MUSINGS



I love fresh starts! It's like sitting in front of a fire on a comfy sofa with a brand new book. Ah, the anticipation, the hope, the loveliness of it all.

That's what 2012 represents for me, a fresh start, a new chapter. (As a writer, I would have to use a book as an analogy, wouldn't I?) Seriously, the New Year represents new beginnings - new diets, habits, goals, and choices. But it also represents the unknown tomorrows. None of us can be sure what the year holds. We all hope and pray for untold joy, but some of us may encounter a few bumps and bruises. Regardless, we can be certain of this; God will be there.

I love this artist's rendering of Joseph and Mary bringing the baby Jesus to the temple to meet Simeon. There they dedicate their newborn son to the Lord. In their hearts they must have known great and wondrous things would happen through him, but they couldn't possibly have imagined what. Had they known that one day their son would sacrifice himself on a cruel cross for the sake of all mankind, perhaps they wouldn't have been so eager to present him to Simeon.

Matthew 6:34 states, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

I find comfort in knowing I'll find Jesus in tomorrow and the next day, and the day after that.

"Lord, although it's tempting to worry about the unknown, please put within my heart enough faith and trust to believe You'll walk me through any trials I may face. Each of us WILL face trials; it's a fact of life. But in those trials, help me, and help my brothers and sisters, to find You sufficient for every need. Thank You for your steadfast, even stubborn, love. It surpasses all other forms of love and is ALWAYS enough. In Your Holy Name I pray these things. Amen."

WINTER SUPPER...



It was a wintery, corn chowdery kind of night.

First thing this morning, I looked out the window at a snowy ground and an ice-gray sky and thought to myself...it's going to be a corn chowder night. And so it was. Toward mid-afternoon I gathered my ingredients together, hauled out the big kettle (yep, there's only two of us, so we'll be eating corn chowder for awhile), and started peeling potatoes. Well, shoot, I may as well just give you the recipe! Here it is, my dear friends. Make a kettle for yourself and enjoy... Oh, by the way, Cecil did the spoon-standing-in-the-middle-of-the-bowl test, and it passed with flying colors. This is a THICK, hearty soup, great with a slice of your favorite bread and a small side salad.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons butter
1 chopped onion
1 (32-ounce) carton of chicken broth
4 potatoes peeled and cubed
1 (16 ounce) bag of frozen corn
2 (2.5 ounce) packages country style gravy mix
2 cups of milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 package (3 oz. bag) REAL Bacon (shredded)

DIRECTIONS:

In large kettle, saute butter and onion on medium heat till tender, about five minutes. Add chicken broth to mixture and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are semi-tender. In separate bowl, whisk gravy packets and two cups of milk, then add mixture to the kettle along with the frozen corn, cheese, and bacon. Bring to a slow boil then simmer over low heat till thick and tender, giving cheese time to melt. Serves...a LOT!!!

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!



I like to say "Have a Blessed New Year!" rather than "Happy New Year!" because none of us knows what's around the next bend. Maybe we can't always be happy, but we can always be blessed!

I'll admit 2011 was a happy AND blessed year for me - lots of wonderful times with family and friends, treasured moments with the grandJOYs, and an added bonus on October 22 when God blessed us with another grandson. Oh, the joys and blessings.

What will 2012 hold? Only God knows. But the blessing of it all is that God will be walking right through this year with me, and there is so much joy and blessed assurance in knowing that. If you haven't yet trusted Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, why not make 2012 be your year? There is nothing like the blessing of knowing He holds your hand through every circumstance of life, no matter what you face.

My verse of the year is found in Isaiah 41:13: "I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not be afraid; I will help you.'"

Do you have a favorite verse? Why not share it below and be a blessing to someone who might just need to read it this very moment?

I love you all - and wish for each of you a BLESSED NEW YEAR!

LOVE AT FIRST KISS!



Thirty-six and counting! That's how many years it's been since my darling hubby and I tied the knot!

It was September 1975, and I had reached a pinnacle point in my life. I was 27 and "honeyless" - in other words, no sweetie pie to call my own. (boo-hoo) I had begun to think I might never find "Mr. Right". And then...WELL...let me just tell you.

Cecil is four years younger than I, so, although we were always very good friends - of the brotheryly/sisterly type - we didn't see ourselves EVER falling in love. I had known him since the ripe age of 11, and at 13, my oldest brother married his oldest sister. Our two families meshed and we were constantly together at church, picnics, celebrations, weddings, and holiday gatherings. So, it was only natural he and I would grow up best friends. Through the years we both fell in and out of love countless times, just not with each other. And we always kept each other abreast of our latest love interests.

Then came the day he asked me to pick him up at the airport after his four-year stint in the air force had come to an end. I happily agreed. It would be great to see my long lost buddy again with whom I'd only exchanged letters and shared a few phone calls.

But I'll tell you what - when he got off the plane that day, something inside me went, 'Whoa, baby, when did he grow up?' And when he placed a short, gentle, friendly kiss ON MY LIPS I nearly melted into a puddle of smush. It was that tiny first kiss that did it for me!

One week later - after having spent every spare moment together - he kissed me again - and then again - and then AGAIN. And we asked each other where we'd been all our lives. And then he told me he loved me - and would I be his wife?

Oh, my gracious - it was love at first, well, I can't say 'sight' because the first time I saw him he was about six and I was 10, so I'll just say it was love at first 'kiss'! After that magical September kiss in 1975, we could NOT wait to get married, so, three months later on December 20, we made forever vows to each other.

Ain't love the grandest thing ever? And I have a dozen roses on my kitchen island to prove that we're still going strong.

SHAR'S BIG GIVEAWAY!



'Tis the Season to be Giving!

And that's exactly what I'm doing! I love giving gifts so much more than receiving them, so this giveaway has been a blast for me. Thanks so much to all who entered the previous two contests. I've loved reading your delightful posts. That said, because I'm so full of CHRISTmas cheer, this time I'm giving you a chance to win not one, not two, not even three - but FOUR books. (I sound like an infomercial!!!) Yep, you read right. The winner will receive my three contemporary novels and the first book in my 1920s "River of Hope" Series.

Titles are as follows:
Through Every Storm
Long Journey Home
Tender Vow
Livvie's Song

What do you have to do to enter? Why only one thing! In the comment box below, share one of your favorite family traditions, and wa-lah, you've entered!

This contest will have a shorter window of time for entering. I'm closing it on Tuesday, December 20 (MY 36TH ANNIVERSARY!!!) in hopes the winner will still receive his/her books before Christmas. It's gonna be tight, but we'll make every effort.

So, come on, my sweet, precious friends. Jump on board!!! Above all, enjoy these final days of the Christmas rush, but don't forget that JESUS is the reason for the season!

MONDAY MUSINGS



Are you smarter than a five-year-old?

Yesterday, our family was just getting ready to sit down to Sunday dinner when my husband glanced out the window at the backyard and said to our grandkids, "Just think, kids, in another month or so there'll be lots of snow on the ground, and we can go outside and play in it." Without skipping a beat our five-year-old grandJOY, Dylan, piped up in a scolding voice, "Papa, it's not about THAT; it's about the baby Jesus coming to the earth to save us from our sins."

I could tell he'd heard that line before and had been looking for the perfect opportunity to use it on someone, and in his eyes this particular instance seemed perfect. Of course, we all agreed - even though my husband's comment had nothing to do with Christmas.

Later, that sweet remark coming from my darling grandson's innocent heart got me to reflecting. Had I overspent on gifts - again? Was I dropping enough money into the bell-ringer's red bucket? Could I be praying harder and doing more for those less fortunate than I? Did I carry a heavy enough burden for others? What more could I be doing to make someone else's Christmas more joyful? This morning in my prayer time I asked the Lord to rearrange my Christmas priorities. I want this season to be more about HIM and OTHERS and less about ME.

"Lord, reveal Your heart of goodness to me that I may be a bright and generous vessel of love, hope, and goodwill to those in need. Give me childlike vision for this beautiful season. In Your Name I pray. Amen."