New Year's Reflections

This New Year 2012 has found me in a reflective mood. I was looking through some of my papers and ran across a piece I wrote when I was pregnant with Christina. In February, that that will be 23 years ago. I reread it and found the words to be just as true today as they were on October 24, 1988, the day I penned them. See what you think.
I am sitting here at my desk reflecting over the Sunday morning service which was about Christ's returning. Each scripture that was read was filled with encouragement and certainty of Christ coming again. After each scripture, the preacher would ask, "Are you ready for His return?" Everytime he said that the words echoed deep within me, down to my deepest foundation. I had to ask myself, "Am I living, thinking and breathing the simple instructions Christ gave to His followers? Is my prayer of 'Thy will be done', reflected to others through my actions and attitudes?" Again, I realized my self-righteous pride wanted to brag that I was ready. However, I know Christ can see my heart. He knows what is genuine and when it is only talk on my part.
Again, I had to go before the Lord and surrender, present to God my folly and ask the Holy Spirit to move within me and help me to make ready for the bridegroom. And again, as always, the Holy Spirit took me just where I am in life and began to make known to me how I might make ready, how I might be alert for His return.
I am six months pregnant and filled with excitement and anticipation for the birth of our next child. Sometimes, I get weary of waiting but the hope and the little movements within me restore my patience. The Holy Spirit is guiding me, teaching me, helping me to live this expectation. As Christians, we are all expecting in the spirit. The Christian life must not just be conceived, it must grow within us, change us and live through us so it can be shared with others.
During this time, I want to do all I can to love and care for my body which houses this child. Likewise, this body is the temple that houses the living Spirit of God. Both must be nurtured, one with good nutritious food; the other with wholesome and righteous thoughts. I must rest and not grow weary. I must stay active and not grow weak.
It takes approximately nine months for a human baby to develop and come to us through birth. The first time Christ came to earth was as a baby, fully human and fully God. When will Christ come again? Not even the angels know. What we do know is He will return when Father God says it is time. Until that day, you and I must wait upon the Lord and the scriptures warn us to do so by being alert. This is not idle waiting, this is active loving, caring, expectation that allows our lives to change and be perfected for that glorious day when you and I will see Him face to face. How exciting! As the songwriter says, "What a wonderful day that will be, when my Jesus I will see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His Grace."
Endnotes:
Even though these reflections were made over twenty years ago, I am still waiting upon the Lord. He has changed my perception of waiting from passing time until He arrives to waiting on Him as a waitress waits upon her customers. This is the servant's mentality. When He come for His Church will He find you waiting with the attitude, "What took you so long?" or "Oh, I am so happy You have come, look and see how Your kingdom has been advanced." Whatever your response will be, the prophecy is Jesus will return. On this truth we call all put our trust.

A Fun Event on November 5, 2011

Hey Everybody, come join me and some of my author friends at the Apple Tree Book Shop in Eagle River this Saturday. It is an Open House with book signings, crafts, gifts, refreshments and lots of good conversations. Teri Mize, the owner of the Apple Tree Book Shop always presents a classy and fun event. As winter is now upon us and the Holidays right around the corner, it is time to think about gifts to purchase and nothing is better than a good read. Tilly's Song is such a book as well as other fine books written by other Alaskan authors. As you are out and about this Saturday, stop by from Noon to 4:00PM and check it out. We are planning on a good time and we would love to include you. See you Saturday!

2011 Pink Ice Gala: "Facing Tuesday, An Inspiring Moment"

Dear Diary, MONDAY

I awoke early this morning and prayed, then sat quietly in meditation in close communion with God. Feeling uplifted, I did thirty minutes of Tai Chi exercises before I took a shower, did my self-exam, exfloliated my skin with the vitamin/mineral cleanser and washed my hair. In order to live a more 'GREEN' lifestyle, I put my blow dryer away and let my hair air dry. Next, I strapped on my pedometer and walked up and down the stairs four times before going into the kitchen to make my smoothie. I drank down my concoction of blended fresh spinach, Greek yogurt and an assortment of antioxidant berries, washing down a handful of supplements. I fed my children a nourishing breakfast and drove them to school.

Now that my morning had started off so great, I was ready to check my e-mails, call all the people on my checklist to let them know I love them and Facebook all those from out of town. I fixed my hair and make up and put on my most attractive outfit to meet my husband for lunch. While he ate his large lunch, I munched on a dinner salad with the dressing on the side. When I returned home, after picking up the mail, I paid all the bills. I then took a short power nap and awoke rested and refreshed and read my Bible study lesson. It was now time to pick up the children from school and start dinner. While the dinner was in the oven, I played a game with children and we talked about school. By the time my husband arrived home from work, the table was set and we ate a very relaxing dinner by candle light, enjoying the special treat of homemade rolls.

We, as a family, cleaned up after dinner and I sat and folded the laundry while I asked my husband about his day. The children finished their homework. We tucked them into bed after bath time and prayers. Finally, it was time to enjoy a wonderful bubble bath, slip on my special negligee and have an awesome evening of intimate love with my sweetheart. I fell asleep and had sweet dreams.

Dear Diary, TUESDAY

Monday was my starting over day. This was my time to take life seriously, care for my family and myself. I know all the things I should do. . . but it's Tuesday. . .NOW what do I do?

2011's theme for the Pink Ice Gala is "Facing Tuesday, An Inspiring Moment." I am looking forward to this Gala because every year I have attended has been better than the year before. I have great expectations for this year.

Speaking of expectations, I have a few questions to pose to you. How can you and I approach our lives in a wholesome way being diligent without putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves as well as our family members? How can we be the women God birthed us to be without burning out?

The 'Dear Diary' entries were a bit of a tongue in cheek composition, but if the truth be known, this is not unlike some of the real things I have tried to do on my Magic Monday. Monday seemed to be the day I would start over to develop good habits. It always seemed by Tuesday my enthusiasm was already spent. I realize in order for me to succeed, I need help. I am convinced that we all need to hear stories of success, words of encouragement and real life how-to instructions so we can pace ourselves to live one day at a time and to do so with grace and joy.

The Pink Ice Gala is not just a one-night-out-of-the-year-get-together where we all dress, dine and discuss; it's our MONDAY! This is where we can begin again with fresh ideas and networking, rubbing elbows with new acquaintances and old friends, raising money for cancer research and celebrating life. It is our time to dream BIG and make realistic expectations.

Now, we can realistically face Tuesday and know what to do.

PLEASE JOIN ME AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS THIS YEAR AT THE PINK ICE GALA.

Saturday, October 15 , 2011 at 7:00 pm held at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel Ticket are $50.00 Please feel free to contact us at 907-529-0518 for additional info.

Bear Paw Festival and Apple Tree Bookshop Extravaganza

Ahh! Summer in Alaska. People come out with their babies and dogs to walk, run, play, eat ice cream and go to Saturday markets and festivals. It is a good thing, too, because July 9, 2011 the Apple Tree Bookshop is having authors and artists selling and signing their books during the Annual Bear Paw festival in Eagle River. If you would like a good read this summer or an early Christmas present, come by and join us from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in downtown Eagle River at the Apple Tree Bookshop. Teri Mize is the owner and a wonderful person full of fun ideas and fabulous items for sale for children and every age group that is young at heart. I will be there with my first book, Tilly's Song. This is an historical fiction novel, first of a trilogy, based upon a true story. This timeless story is as true today as it was at the turn of the last century. It is a story of overcoming hard times and making a new life. I hope you enjoy reading it. So gather up your kids and dogs and come by to see me and then wander off to enjoy the other festivities at the Bear Paw Festival. See ya!

Resurrection Power

The truth I have embraced is that Jesus refuses to grant suffering and physical death the final word on human destiny. John recorded the words of Jesus Christ for us in the Gospel of John 6:47, "Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal LIFE."
Today is the beginning of Holy Week. It is the week of Passover, Good Friday and Easter or Resurrection Day. Every year in the season of Spring, we remember how our Mightly God continues to be faithful to lead us out of bondage to sin. First, it was the blood on the door post leading up to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross that delivers us from sin and sickness, allowing us to be in right relationship with the one true God. The 'Good News' is not only are our sins forgiven but our Savior did not stay dead after his execution. He conquered death and is ALIVE today. And truly, truly when we believe in Him and live for Him, we too are promised eternal life.
Today, I received a message that a man who helped parent me is now dying. He is a believer and he and his wife have been a constant witness of Christian life to me. I confess, I wept at the news and then knowing the great promise Jesus has for him, wondered why I shed the tears. Even though my own parents have been with the Lord for a long time now, this man triggered for me the reality of the changing of the guard. I must pause and examine myself and ask the hard question, "Have I learned from Harry and Freddy Sue's example to be a Godly example to at least one other child in my life, other than my own children. Have I honored not only my parents but also those who have helped parent me in life by being what God birthed me to be. I know and have always known that no matter what happened to me, what circumstance might befall me, I have had two loving Christian friends who, along with God, would love me just as I am. My prayer tonight is for their family during their time of grief and another prayer of joy and adoration to God, my Heavenly Father, for giving me His love through this beloved couple.

Update on the Second Novel of the Trilogy

I am grateful to my faithful readers (audience) for their encouragement and gentle coaxing to finish the second story. Life continues to happen and I am in the stage of my life that I must seize the opportunities as they arise. (Well of course, that is what we must do not matter what stage in life we are found.) Since my book tour to promote Tilly's Song, I have traveled to Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and some of the Greek Isles, Turkey, England and Scotland. This past autumn, my husband, Phil and I made our first trip to Niagra Falls; then on to Canada and the Thousand Island area, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. In early December we took a road trip from North Carolina to Denver, CO to deliver a car to Bonnie Mitchell, our eldest daughter. Phil had never traveled through the deep South, so we took our time and went through South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana (stopping and spending some time in New Orleans) then up through Texas, New Mexico and finally to Colorado. That same trip we then flew to Bakersfield, CA for our grandson Logan's seventh birthday. I have been soaking up the adventures and squirreling away ideas and facts for future stories. I call this research. Boy oh boy! Do I like research.

The trip to Germany will be reflected in bits and pieces throughout the second and third stories of the trilogy. Another novel, Forty Days with Ruth, will have some of the facts I gleaned from Scotland.

Another opportunity came my way ; a correspondence course specializing in Art Illustration. I was able to complete all the course work and turn it in February 2011. I have some children's stories I wish to illustrate and now I am a Book Illustrator (with credentials to prove it). I shall be featuring some of my better work on this web site in the near future. I am not hanging out my shingle quite yet; not until I complete all my dreamed up personal projects.

I am writing all this to let you know, never, never, never did I ever see myself writing, drawing and painting, or traveling like I have been doing. I dreamed and desired to do so but never knew how it would ever happen. Never did I ever imagine I would be able to financially accomplish these things. My dear husband finds value in me and of the things I dream, so he tells me to go for it. And God knows my desires and he provides for me to do them for His glory. I am grateful and humbled by these events and opportunities. I have not always felt well but I had places to go and things to do, so I just do them no matter how I feel. Of course, on days and weeks when I had more energy, more is accomplished. Hang in there, the story will be completed and my hope is you will find it a good read!

Please, dear ones, dream BIG. You are never too old, too poor, too tired or too ___ (you fill in the blank) to honor God with your talents. After all, He is the one who has graciously gifted you and me. Know that God knows your desires because He is the one who gave you the desire and the inspiration to accomplish them. So be encouraged! Remember no dream is too BIG or too small; all things are possible for those who love Him.

Tilly's Song is being promoted for the Christmas Season

Hello! I am happy to announce that the Alaska Writers Guide is promoting literature written by its members through a tabloid being sent to all the local bookstores and places like libraries and gift stores where books can be found. I hope you will consider purchasing books this year as gifts for Christmas. I hope you consider sending Tilly's Song to friends or relatives that would like to read an uplifting book that is based on a true story. Feel free to read about Tilly's Song from my website. It can be purchased through Amazon.com or you may call or e-mail me and I will be happy to sign a copy or two or three and mail them to you. The cost is $14.95 and a portion of the money goes to charity. It is actually giving two gifts. The Apple Tree Bookshop in Eagle River also carries Tilly's Song and many other good reads, as well as having vintage gifts and fun children's books. When you read Tilly's Song, please let me know your thoughts. I am currently writing the second book of the trilogy, so your input if much appreciated. Please help our local artists continue to be creative so they may continue to give back to the community. Blessings to you all.