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."

SHAR'S BIG GIVEAWAY!!!



'Tis the Season to be Giving!

Beginning TODAY, I'll be offering a chance to win my 3-book "Daughters of Jacob Kane" Series. Simply post a comment below telling me what your all-time favorite Christmas song is - and just like that, you're entered! On WEDNESDAY, December 14, I'll throw everybody's name into a "hat", draw one out, and let you know if you're the lucky winner. The winner's books will ship out just as soon as I receive snail mail information from the winner! My next contest (beginning December 14) will be for a chance to win my 3 contemporary stand-alone books AND...(dunt-ta-da-dah!!!) "Livvie's Song", number 1 in my "River of Hope" Series, so that's a total of FOUR books that final week! (With a little luck and Christmas blessings, all winners should receive their books before Christmas!)

Are you in? I hope so! I'm really looking forward to learning what your FAVORITE Christmas song is. If you feel so inclined, you can even tell us why, but that's not a requirement.

Okay, summary:
1. Tell us what your FAVORITE Christmas song is, and if you want to elaborate on the reason, go for it.
2. If you happen to be the winner on December 14, I'll contact you! (If you sign anonymous, I won't be able to reach you.) I will then need your 'snail mail' info.
3. JUMP ON THE CONTEST BAND WAGON!

Many blessings and love to all!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...



ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF SHAR'S BIG GIVEAWAY!!!

And the winner is..."Little Lady"!

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH YOUR SNAIL MAIL, "LITTLE LADY", SO I CAN SHIP YOUR BOOKS OUT TOMORROW OR MONDAY!

And now...onto my NEXT giveaway.

Stay tuned, everybody!!! Sending you lots of hugs and Christmas Joy!

THE CHRISTIAN WRITER'S 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 the doubts settle in, 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 reprint this prayer.

MONDAY MUSINGS



Christmas memories run like rivers of delight through my head, but here is one that washes over me every year about this time...

I couldn't have been more than seven-years-old, toothless, innocent (mostly), and tenderhearted. Times were very hard. Daddy had lost his factory job, and our family was living off his unemployment. It was almost Christmas, and my mom had told we kids that this Christmas would be sparse. I think we were all fine with it, even though a teeny part of me couldn't help but grieve over the thought of no presents.

Every other year, our family took the trek in our old blue Ford with the broken heater from Michigan to Ohio to visit my grandparents, and this was one of those years. The lack of presents would be fine as long as I got a taste of Grandma's fine cooking, the smells of which filled every corner of their two-story house. There would be turkey, stuffing, "lumpy" potatoes and gravy, green beans, scalloped corn, homemade rolls, and plenty of pumpkin, cherry, and apple pie. Of course, the wooden bowl would be brimming with an assortment of nuts - pecans, walnuts, and almonds to name a few, and I'd have fun trying my hand at the nutcracker while Grandpa's Victrola played any number of Christmas carols, and the Christmas lights twinkled on the fresh-cut spruce tree.

Even though I knew there wouldn't be an abundance of presents that year, I still awoke on Christmas morning with anticipation stirring my chest. Downstairs, I heard adults in happy conversation, the rattle of pans on the stove, and the splendid aroma of bacon drifting through the floor register. I yanked the covers off me and padded down the carpeted staircase in my flannel nightgown with the pinkie flowers. Grandpa sat in his navy blue velvet chair and smiled when I emerged. "Here she is, folks! At last we can begin!"

"Begin what?" I asked, wiping the sleep from my eyes and walking over to Grandpa for a gentle hug.

"The presents, silly."

Presents? At that, my older brothers seemed to appear from nowhere, and my parents and grandma came from the kitchen, steaming mugs in their hands and twinkles in their eyes.

Yes, there were presents, nothing major, mind you, but presents, six or seven with MY name on them. I opened things like socks, a board game, a book, a pair of mittens knitted by Grandma, a new sweater, and some pajamas. The BEST present, though, came inside a very large box. What in the world? I couldn't imagine, but my heart pit-pattered with nervous joy as I ripped off the tape and ribbons and tore away the paper. Pulling the lid from the box, I blew out a breath of utter astonishment. It was my doll! Used, yes, and very well loved, but cleaned up spic and span to look like new! My mother had done something very special. That fall, while I was at school, she'd begun using old scraps of fabric to stitch many, many different outfits for my doll, dresses, coats, skirts, shirts, nightgowns, hats, scarves, and even blankets. I recall picking up my doll and squeezing her to me, then staring down at the scores of outfits fashioned by my talented mother. I don't think I'd ever loved so fully until that moment or experienced so completely, what it meant to give from a heart of love and sacrifice.

Mom died in January 2010 (almost two years ago) at almost 97 years of age. As the anniversary of her passing approaches I am filled with precious memories of Christmases past - but I cannot help but hold especially dear that Christmas of 1956 when she taught me afresh the true spirit - and joy - of the blessed Christ season.

SHAR'S BIG GIVEAWAY!!!



'Tis the Season to be Giving!

For the next two weeks I am going to be providing you opportunities to win my books! Why? Because I'm filled with Christmas cheer, that's why!

Beginning TODAY, I'll be offering a chance to win my 3-book Little Hickman Creek Series. Simply post a comment below about a special Christmas memory - and just like that, you're entered! On December 9, I'll throw everybody's name into a "hat", draw one out, and let you know if you're the lucky winner. The winner's books will ship out the following Monday! My next contest (beginning December 9) will be for a chance to win my 3-book series titled The Daughters of Jacob Kane, and then the third week (beginning December 16), I'll offer you a chance at winning my 3 contemporary stand-alone books AND...(dunt-ta-da-dah!!!) number 1 in my River of Hope Series, so that's a total of FOUR books that final week! (With a little luck and Christmas blessings, all winners should receive their books before Christmas!)

So, are you in? I hope so! I'm really looking forward to reading about your favorite Christmas memories. Who knows? Maybe I'll even find something I can use in an upcoming book!

Okay, summary:
1. Post a comment below.
2. Include a favorite Christmas memory.
3. If you happen to be the winner on December 9, I'll contact you! (If you sign anonymous, I won't be able to reach you.)
4. JUMP ON THE CONTEST BAND WAGON!

Many blessings and love to all!!!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS



'Tis the Season to be Jolly, Fa-la-la-la-la, etc., etc...

You know the old carol, the catchy tune, the fun lyrics. And I do get a warm feeling whenever I hear it, even if it's older than Stonehenge. haha. I still remember asking my dad, the church song-leader, when I was a little kid, "How come we never sing Deck the Halls in church? Can we sing it Sunday morning?" He laughed and told me it wasn't a hymn, that there was no mention of Jesus in the song. Oh. Humph.

How often we go about the Christmas rush forgetting its true meaning, forgetting altogether that without the baby Jesus there would be no Christmas despite the way the world tries to push His name aside. Even the word Christmas is shunned by many.

I'm all about decking the halls, don't get me wrong, but I'm not about leaving Christ out of Christmas. In this wonderful season of advent, let us keep at the forefront of our minds the real reason we celebrate this wondrous time of year. It's not about the tree, the presents, the glitz and glamour, the lights, or even the Christmas carols. It's about that tiny babe, Jesus, who came to earth one frosty night to give us LIFE ABUNDANT.

MONDAY MUSINGS



Christmas really IS about us...sort of.

It's about us - to a point. God gave up His only Son, Jesus, for US so that we could learn of His great love and forgiveness. Though mocked and spat upon, Jesus went from town to town to preach the Gospel message for US, sacrificing comfort and convenience. For US, He bled and died on a cruel cross so that we could know firsthand how very much He loves US, and then he rose from that dark tomb for US that we might have eternal life with Him.

So, from that perspective, Christmas is about us. BUT...because of all He did, shouldn't we turn the tables and make this wondrous season more about HIM and less about US?

I continually catch myself in the trimmings and trappings of Christmas, looking for the best bargains, racing from one place to another, filling up my calendar with "must attend" events, and living out entire days before it occurs that I haven't spoken to my Savior in hours!

Want to join me in the challenge to put Christ at the forefront of all we do? If you're "in" simply post below, "I'm in!" That little gesture will help to keep us accountable.

Love and CHRISTmas hugs...

THURSDAY THOUGHTS



Happy Thanksgiving! How many times have you greeted someone with that phrase this week? I know I have said it to store clerks, friends, the stock boy who carried my groceries to my car then loaded them in my trunk (yes, our local grocery store STILL carries out that nice gesture), and to countless others in passing, including those with whom I've "talked" in cyberspace. I love Thanksgiving, perhaps as much as Christmas. It's one of those holidays that can't help but make me reflect upon all the many things I'm so blessed to have, and I'm not talking material goods here - I'm talking faith, family, friends, and so much more.

Today, as I gather with the ones I hold most dear - my beloved family - I intend to do a lot of hugging, laughing, conversing, and EATING. Most of all, though, I intend to rejoice.

"Thank you, Lord, for the countless blessings you bestow upon Your children. May I never take them for granted. In Your Name. Amen."

MONDAY MUSINGS



Life is full of beautiful surprises. Take this picture for instance. At first glimpse, you are awed by its splendor. The serene lake scene, two lovers standing on the shore, their images framed by tree branches. So pretty. And then a closer look will reveal an unborn baby. See it? Now, I view the couple as more than just two people in love; I see them as rejoicing in the wonder of becoming parents.

I love how God surprises us with joy - a red-tinged sunrise, a falling star on a sparkling night, a rainbow in the mist, a golden sunset, or a newborn's first smiles. Lately, our family has been making utter fools of ourselves during our one-month old Mason's every waking moment, trying to coax a smile out of him then leaping for joy when we get that half-second glimpse of one. Today, he curled up one side of his mouth and then broke out into a full smile. Granted, he closed his eyes shortly afterward and drifted into a blissful sleep, but those few seconds brought my family untold JOY.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day this week, let us look for joy in the everyday moments...and give God all the thanks.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS


Photo: LaUnion, HONDURAS

I miss my hubby already - and he hasn't even been gone for 12-hours. I will survive, I keep telling myself.

My husband loves adventure, and he's passionate about missions, so it stands to reason that he would love mission trips. I am writing this at 2 a.m., and at the moment Cecil is either lying on the floor in some remote corner of O'Hare Airport, or leaning up against a cement wall trying to get a little shut-eye before the terminal opens at 3:30 allowing him to proceed through security and reach his gate for his 5 a.m. departure to San Pedro, Honduras. Once there, he will board a beat-up truck and pay a taxi driver $125 to escort him up the mountain to a village known as LaUnion. Here the average villager provides for his family with a whopping salary of $2000 per year. My husband has a great interest in micro-finance; thus his reason for going. In recent months he has "hooked up" with some sharp young college grads who have started a company known as Union MicroFinanza. They make loans of $200 to struggling farmers to help them with their coffee growing businesses. Yes, $200 goes a LONG way in this penniless village. Cecil is going to spend his days there learning how the business operates, talking to farmers, offering encouragement, and attending planning meetings. Actually, to be perfectly honest, I don't know what he's going to be doing. I'll find out more as the days go by and I get emails or maybe even a phone call. This one thing I do know: he's passionate, and he has a big, sacrificial heart--and I am SO proud of him. I love that man, and I just wanted all of you to know it.

If the Lord happens to bring him to your mind, would you pray for him in the coming days? (He will be returning to the states on Tuesday, November 22.) Please pray for his health, his safety, and most of all, that God will bless him as he seeks to do His will.