Mimi & Grandpa's "Book of the Month"

I love a great story. As a children's librarian, I had the privilege of reading aloud to students. These memories inspired me to give our grandchildren a year-long Christmas gift: Mimi & Grandpa's "Book of the Month."

Our December selection was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.

It's the story of the Herdmans, the worst behaved kids to ever walk the earth, and their eagerness to participate in the church Christmas pageant. An impish and rowdy bunch, the Herdmans were also clueless about Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a funny and delightful tale.

Robert the Rose Horse  by Joan Heilbroner is January's title. It's one of Grandpa's childhood favorites. Because roses made him sneeze, Robert leaves the farm, moves to the city, and finds a job. Sneezing remains a problem, so Robert changes jobs...until he find the perfect one. The book is illustrated by P. D. Eastman.

 I excited to mail our next selection to the grands! Come back in February for my reveal.  And yes, you can borrow this idea.

What beloved book would you give a child? I'd love to know!

The Grapes of Wrath

People are mean.

I read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Uprooted from their Oklahoma home during the Dust Bowl, the Joad family joined thousands of other migrants seeking a better life in California. Hope drove them west. They discovered, not a land of promise and opportunity, but homelessness, unemployment, hunger, desperation, and wrath. 


Solomon wrote, "... there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1: 9). Since Cain murdered his brother, Abel, man has demonstrated inhumanity against fellow man. Lying, cheating, and the undignified treatment towards men ignited wrath in the migrants' hearts.

Anger motivates people to action. And, that action can manifest itself positively or negatively. The migrants attempted to stand and unionize; however, their valiant stand brought them imprisonment, beatings, or even death.

The book's message is valuable and relevant to our generation. Injustice spawns contempt.  Chaos, abuse, oppression, despair exist. But, Love's light shines in the darkness. Opportunities to extend kindness remain. What will we choose?

The novel's abrupt and unexpected conclusion impacted me. It required a self-check. We're all people, created by Almighty God, doing life together. Whether I am poor or broken, or weary will I muster all my strength to nourish a famished soul?

Lord, give me eyes to see. Help me love like Jesus. 

What historical fiction novel impacted you? How?

My INTENTIONAL Journey

My 2015 "ONE WORD" is INTENTIONAL.

I will be INTENTIONAL about memorizing Bible verses. I chose to participate again with the SSMT. Memorize 2 verses a month in 2015, and post these verses as comments to the Living Proof Ministries blog.

For my first verse, and because applying it requires an intentional attitude,  I chose Ephesians 5: 15, "Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, ..."

My second verse is the rest of that sentence: "... making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5: 16 - NIV). One translation puts it this way: "Use every chance for doing good, because these are evil times." (NCV).  Will I be intentional about "making the most of every opportunity"?  I must intentionally choose to do good.

I pulled  into the coffee shop's drive-through and ordered a vanilla latte. I noticed a police vehicle two cars ahead of me, and sensed a "God-nudge"- one of those moments you think maybe God is trying to tell you something. "Pay for the officer's order." 

In that brief window of opportunity to do something good, something kind, something to show appreciation for law enforcement, I rationalized. I justified. I told myself the business probably gives free coffee to police officers. So, I did nothing. And when I got home, I wanted a do-over. Another chance. But the opportune time was...gone.

I'm disappointed I missed an opportunity. But today, is a new day. God's mercy is new. Because evil exists, there will be God-given moments to overcome evil with good. I will be intentional, and do good.

How have you overcome evil with good recently?

One Word 2015

God desires His People to be conformed, not to the world, but to the image of His Son Jesus (Romans 8: 28- 30; Romans 12: 1-2). As considered areas for growth and improvement in 2015, I asked the Lord to give me "ONE WORD" to represent an area where I can mature in Christ. "ONE WORD" is easier to remember than a list of resolutions, that I'm not likely to keep.

My "ONE WORD" is:

"Intentional" resonates with me. As I read, I'm amazed how frequently that word occurs! Uncertain of what I am to be "intentional" about, I will continue to ask God to guide me in this area, yielding my plans to His good plan for me.

Prayerfully consider choosing "ONE WORD" to focus on in 2015. Write your word on an index card, and keep it in a prominent place. Ask God to help you grow in this area, and then take steps to put it into practice. Choose a supportive friend to help and encourage your growth. Throughout the year, review your goals, and restart if necessary. I'm cheering for you!


What's your "ONE WORD" for 2015?

A New Year's Prayer

2014 was filled with challenges as well as times of celebration. As I reflect on the past year, and look forward to the new, I am reminded that man makes life plans, but it is the LORD who directs his steps (Proverbs 16: 9). May you experience God's peace, hope, joy, and love in 2015!

LORD God, you are the giver of life. You are love. You are the hope of the world. Thank you for your protection, provision, faithfulness, and salvation. 

Bless us with wisdom, and a passion for you and your word. Bless us with strength, good health, and and a desire to know and love you more. Holy Spirit, please help us, guide us, teach us, and comfort us. May we all experience your presence, mercy, grace, salvation, and forgiveness. Help us to love others as you have loved us. In the Name of Jesus, amen.

Have a blessed 2015!

Significant Ornaments: Island Life

My husband's work assignment transported us to Trinidad and Tobago, a two-islands nation located off the northeast coast of Venezuela. We traded our "life in the suburbs" comfort for the land where the steel pan originated.

Days after arriving in Trinidad, the earth shook under our feet. Our first (and not the last) earthquake. What was I doing here? Surely, the Lord did not bring me here to kill me. At the end of that stress filled day, Creator God provided a glorious sunset!

We desired to experience as much as possible.  We marveled the leatherback turtles nesting at Grand Riviere, and the scarlet ibises (the national bird of T&T) roosting in the deep green mangroves of Caroni Swamp. We sipped coconut water out of its shell. We savored doubles (two flat pieces of fried bread filled with curried chickpeas), and shark & bake. I learned to play "Amazing Grace," and "The Entertainer" on the steel pan.

New things, life-changing things, were born. I started my first blog - Callaloo Tales: Our Adventures in the Caribbean and Beyond. I planted a "Praying Grandmothers" group.

We're grateful for the opportunity to live among the expats and the locals and experience different cultures.  The friends we made touched our lives forever, and we will never be the same. 


For our 2006 significant ornament, I purchased a Trinidad-shaped souvenir key chain, and tied red, green, and gold Christmas ribbon around it.


My Trinidadian friend, Lee, gave me the "palm tree" pottery ornament when we repatriated in 2008.

What special ornaments hang on your Christmas tree?































Out of the Fire...

Something explosive cracked above our heads. As my husband investigated, neighbors rushed to our front door, informing me our house was on fire. Lightning hit the roof, and the attic burned. Volunteer fire fighters rushed to the scene. Dale and I stood watching in disbelief. Thankfully, the blaze was extinguished and no one suffered injuries.

 

Displaced for five and a half months during reconstruction gave us a new appreciation for home and for the fire fighters who risked their lives to save it.

 

That experience of loss and rebuilding led us to begin a new Christmas tradition - the significant ornament - to symbolize the most meaningful event of that particular year. I purchased a panda fire fighter ornament. It was 1997. Years later, we have a box full of special tree ornaments- each with a story.





 As I pull each significant ornament out of its storage, I remember the stories. As the fire fighting panda is unwrapped and hung, I whisper a prayer for first responders.

Thank you, Lord, for brave men and women who risk their lives to protect people and property in crisis times. Bless them with wisdom, strength, and courage. Protect them from harm and injury. Protect their families. Meet their every physical, emotional, and spiritual need. Comfort those who mourn loved ones lost in the line of duty. In the Name of Jesus, who gives life and peace...amen.