Looking for CWO’s post-it board, where bloggers share giveaways and announcements? You can always find it linked in our sidebar under the topic of “blogging,” or click here to find it: Post-it Board

Hi, My name is Tricia in Massachusetts. We need prayer for our daughter Kate, age 11. We adopted Kate at age 7 and her prior family history was severe which caused emotional special needs including PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder and neglect issues that often are overwhelming to all of us.

Please pray we find a resolution to her special education needs and a new counselor. She loves The Lord.

Blessings, 

Tricia

Hi My name is Sara ..and I have a Friend that lives in New Jersy ..Her husband is ill with Pleuorosy and hasn’t shown signs of improvement. Please hold him up in prayer . Her name is Patty ..I don’t know his as we are new internet friends.

Thank you so much ..

Blessings ..Sara

I would appreciate prayers for my mom and dad. My mom is suffering with stomach pain and a swollen abdomen. She is 79 and my grandmother, her mom, died of stomach cancer at the age of 82.

My dad is also starting dementia and is medicated and seems to be doing better, he is 79 years old and suffers with ankylosingspondylitis and has much pain.

Tito and I have a goal to get out of credit card debt and we need wisdom on how to allocate our funds that would help us pay down our debt quickly.

My mom and dad’s name are Ruth and George. My name is Lisa and my husband is Tito we would love to become debt free and not lose our motivation as we work at it.

God Bless you for helping us pray for ourselves.

Lisa

It started at the mall—that moment I knew I was born to be your mom and that you belonged to me. Dad and I had decided to shop our separate ways—his, the hardware department; mine, the pharmacy, where I scraped $14.25 together, so I could tinkle on a wand.

20 minutes later, with new purchase in hand I watched, while the image of a plus sign announced your existence. 

I had the kind of smile a kid gets when Grandpa lets them keep the puppy he found. It was a good smile—a very good smile.

December 25, 1996 was the day to celebrate our God who—clothed in mere humanity—had come to be with us. It was also the day that you, my little one—merely clothed by the flesh of my womb—had gone to be with Him.

A wise Dr. Seuss once said, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” He may not be ‘The Great Physician’ but I do agree with the doc on that one. I believe that, like you, each one of my children were a reason to celebrate life. Some stayed for only weeks, one stayed for 5 months, and your big brother Brendan is still hanging around after 16 years. I know you’d love his funny ways, but sometimes he tickles too much.

I never knew how long we’d be together—I wanted a forever. And yet when I did lose you—your existence wasn’t any less significant. Nothing was wrong with your perfect form, your spirit, or soul. I wasn’t a fool for thinking it would last. No. I am glad that I embraced your life and declared your existence to the world. It was simply a matter of His divine orchestration. 

I’m grateful for a God who offers life, and by His Son—hope in the unseen things of this world. His Word teaches me that you are a treasure I hold, while reminding me that one day—one marvelous day—I’ll embrace you again.

For that short moment in time, I was a vessel that carried your fragile, growing little soul. Your days, though they were few, hold great purpose. You are, and always will be my child. —Love, Mom.

©2008, Darlene Schacht, editor of CWO

Darlene is mom to four on earth, and five born to heaven.

Visit her website: DarleneSchacht.com

CWO,

I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how much I have appreciated the encouragment and info in your column.  I started reading CWO this summer and it has been a God sent to me.  In July my daughter took a picture of me that was a huge wake up call.  I got on CWO and started reading your “Live Well!” articles.  While reading I was convicted of the sedentary life style I had been living.  I was not excessively over weight, but was extremely unhealthy and could barely keep up with my kids.  Through your encouragement I began eating healthier and walking daily.  In the past my attempts at weight loss have been centered around the things of this world–appearance, ego–and though i would have some success, I would burn out shortly and go back to my old ways.  I have lost 20 pounds, eight inches from my waist, and feel better then I have in years.  The only thing that I have done significantly different is shifting  my focus from myself to my Lord.  I can now run with my kids and join my husband in his many out door hobbies.  Thank you so much for being there giving encouragment at the exact time that  I needed it.
 
Crystal Schwartz

For monthly encouragement on faith and weightloss read more of “Live Well!”

When our first child, Allie, was a year old, I miscarried a pregnancy of 8 weeks. Generally, when we told people about it, they seemed to shrug it off, after all, it was only 8 weeks. We never let anyone know that we had dreams of this baby, and that secretly we had a name for her, Elizabeth. People wouldn’t understand how we could choose a name without knowing from the doctors whether it was a boy or girl, and they certainly wouldn’t understand how we could connect with our child’s spirit without it having more of a formed body. Because of the overall indifference, and refusal to acknowledge my early pregnancy loss as important, we hid it from people.

Sadly, for thee years, our little girl had become nothing more than a secret, but in November of 2007 that all changed. A friend shared with me the story of her own pregnancy loss, and with our common ground I felt compelled to tell her about Elizabeth. I never expected the feelings of peace that swept over me. As I spoke Elizabeth’s name, I released her from that hiding place, I set her free to do what she was meant to do.

Suddenly, I realized that other women felt the same way I did, isolated and hushed by the world about something that was so deeply a part of us. I wanted to make a way for these women to share their stories. These children were a part of them, and now they are a part of heaven. I found a flyer for a Bible-based miscarriage and infant-loss class, and I knew that I needed to do something. I contacted them to ask if I could donate quilts for some of the women who lost their pregnancy’s, as a means of showing support, and acknowledging the life of their child. After speaking with them, I decided I wanted to teach the class, but first I would need to go through it. I never expected the healing that was to come. In the Bible study, I found peace in places that I never expected, and it even went beyond my pregnancy loss.

For many unsuccessful years, I had searched for healing from the sorrows of my childhood, but nothing seemed to go deep enough to even touch it. Somehow, God began using our Elizabeth to heal me from the most painful memories of my life: an abusive childhood, losing both my parents, forgiving the mistakes of the people who raised me in their place, and letting go of my deep resentment for what I felt God had done to me. The miscarriage class was a safe place for me to say, “You know, God, it just isn’t fair, and I don’t understand it,” but I didn’t just stop there at the resentment, I went one step further and heard God’s response to that, saying to me, “I know you don’t understand all these things, but it doesn’t mean that the story stops with your sorrow, it goes even further to reveal your healing, the person you’ve become as a result of this, the difference I can make in other’s lives through your healing and your new life in Christ.”

After completing my pregnancy-loss Bible study, I was surprised to discover some wonderful news–I was pregnant again! After four years of infertility, a miracle had happened. The beginning of my pregnancy was terrifying. Since we had lost Elizabeth, all those fears of losing this pregnancy overwhelmed me. In time, I came to realize that God wanted me to put all my trust in Him, no matter where the pregnancy would take my life, I needed to trust that He knew what He was doing. So, I accepted His promise from Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I knew I had to trust Him, and so I did my best. Well, it was more like the kind of trust where you say, “Okay, you can drive, but I’m still holding the map.”

When I first shared the news of the baby with my daughter who was five-years-old, she had some news of her own to share, “Momma, I have some bad news, some really bad news…I don’t like babies.” However, it wasn’t long before she changed her mind about that, and by the time I was 15 weeks along, she was nuzzling and blowing on my stomach everyday, and saying “Goodnight, Sammi!” Which, by the way, is what she named the baby. Although I’m not sure why, soon we were all calling the baby Sammi.

I was so excited when I first felt a little butterfly fluttering. I mostly felt it when Jack played his guitar, or when Allie came over to jiggle my stomach. I’d say, “Stop! You’re making Sammi dizzy!” And she would just laugh hysterically. Expecting the baby had become our new way of life. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as we planned. On September 5, we delivered Sammi at 18 weeks. And on September 18, we buried our Samantha Grace. We can’t tell you what happened, and we don’t know why. I can’t explain God’s plan or reasoning when He does things that seem so outrageously different then what we expected, but I do know that God’s peace is with me still the same. I know that somehow, I feel calm in the middle of all this.

Just a few days after I delivered Sammi, I was holding our 3-month-old kitten, which had fallen asleep in my arms. As I carried him into our room, I broke down when I realized how empty my arms felt, but not just my arms, my womb was empty, and then there is this hole in my heart longing for that baby to still be a part of me. I know that God still loves me, and I know that God loves our Sammi, and that Sammi’s life has a purpose. It was not some random senseless loss, and just because I can’t wrap my mind around God’s plan doesn‘t mean Sammi’s life and death have no purpose. Sometimes it isn’t about understanding God’s plan. Sometimes it’s just about accepting it for what it is, and letting God do what He needs to do. Would it change anything if we understood?

The Word tells us:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb…”–Jeremiah 1:5

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together…. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” –Psalms 139:13-16 

I have no question as to whether or not my Elizabeth or Sammi truly existed. When someone asks me, “How many children do you have?” I have no shame in admitting that I have three daughters, only two are in Heaven. I know that before the Bible study, Elizabeth was simply a secret, and now, both my girls are touching lives everywhere.

©2008, Kristie Verret,
Mom to Alicen, Born to Heaven: Elizabeth, & Sammi

Web site: Born to Heaven

Congratulations to CWO blogroll member, Sherry Woodbridge who won second place in Women of Passion’s third annual Christmas story contest, with her story “Good News in Bethlehem.” 

Please show your support to our sister by heading over there to read her story: 

Good News In Bethlehem Second Place Winner

Way to go Sherri!

Hollywood mom Barbara Cameron visits with us this month to tell us what it’s like to raise two children who became household names starring in hit TV series. Her son, Kirk Cameron, played the role of Mike Seaver on the show, “Growing Pains” (1985-1992), and her daughter, Candace, played D.J. Tanner on the popular series, “Full House” (1987-1995). Barbara is the mother of four and author of the newly released book, A Full House of Growing Pains.

Barbara, I enjoyed reading your new book. Can you tell our CWO readers what A Full House of Growing Pains is about?
It’s basically the story of my journey as a mom of four children, two of whom worked in the entertainment industry. I take the reader on a very personal and private journey into our family’s life. I share my intimate struggles as a wife, mother and woman.

How did your children become involved in show business?
This story goes way back to when Kirk and his sister Bridgette were two and three years old. My husband, Robert, and I lived in a small apartment, and I made friends with a neighbor in the same building, Francine Rich. She had a cute son named Adam who was acting in commercials. He later landed the role of “Nicholas” on the show, “Eight is Enough.” Fran encouraged me to take my children to see her agent, but I never thought anything would come of it, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to.
We later moved and bought our first home in Fillmore, California. In time, Fran and I ran into each other again, and I invited her to my home for lunch. During that visit, I showed her some recent pictures of the children in my sister’s wedding. Kirk was the ring-bearer, and Bridgette and Melissa were flower girls. She asked if she could show the picture to Adam’s agent. I finally agreed, not thinking anything of it. I figured this was probably the best way to put an end to her asking me again!

Then two days later, Fran called and told me the agent wanted to see all the kids, and to call to set up an appointment. So that was it. I made an appointment, took the children in, and the agent wanted to represent Kirk and Melissa, and told me to bring Candace back in a year, since she was only four at the time.

Kirk and Melissa started booking commercials, then about a year later, Candace started working. Later, Melissa decided she didn’t want to do it anymore. Kirk and Candace continued booking commercials, small parts on television movies, and films. Then Kirk landed the role on “Growing Pains.” While Candace was working on the film, “Punchline,” with Sally Fields and John Goodman, she auditioned for “Full House” and after a series of call-backs she landed the role of “D.J. Tanner.”

What kinds of challenges did you face raising a family in Hollywood?
I think my first challenge was trying to find my way around Hollywood. You’re always traveling during peek time, so traffic is horrendous. We had some scary adventures navigating Hollywood Hills in our 1968 stick shift V.W. bus! I’d take the long way just to avoid the hills.
When the children first started doing commercials, it was fun and exciting, and also pretty safe. But as Kirk and Candace’s shows gained in popularity, so did they, and soon our lives changed drastically. We experienced the celebrity life you only read about in magazines. We rode in limos and flew all over the world. The temptations were tremendous. Money! Fame! Stardom!

How did your family respond to being in the limelight?
It’s amazing how people treat you differently when they assume you have money. We were perceived as being rich and famous, yet we weren’t any different than the families in our neighborhood. Robert was a junior high school teacher, and I was a stay-at-home mom raising four children. We lived in a tract home, and all the kids had chores and were disciplined if they disobeyed.

The challenges grew harder as the children became more popular and became teenagers. Some of those challenges were that the kids in school were very tough on Candace. We had many people come in and out of our lives who only wanted a glimpse of how we lived. Some who didn’t give us the time of day suddenly wanted to become our friends, and those we considered friends suddenly asked us not to come around anymore.

Someone who worked for us for ten years stole a large amount of money from our children’s account. The person was caught and put in jail. We had stalkers and some pretty scary incidents. There were challenges in my relationship with my husband, and between the children and their dad. Our life was truly “a full house of growing pains.”

Was there ever any jealousy from your other two daughters?
Bridgette and Melissa were very supportive siblings. Bridgette always wanted to act; in fact, she was the one I thought the agent would take. But when the agent didn’t, Bridgette took it all in stride, as that was her personality and character. She was always positive, even in the difficult times.

I don’t think there was any jealousy. Kirk and Candace were always very kind and generous to their siblings. Kirk and Candace working in the business was just the way it was. Their life was different than Bridgette and Melissa’s. But we were also a family, and we made sure the whole family enjoyed the ride.

How did you help keep your family close during those chaotic years?
We took family vacations whenever possible, going camping in our tent trailer or to the beach on Sundays. This became a family tradition for many years. We spent a lot of time at home having birthday parties, holiday gatherings, anything we could do together.

And I have to attribute my husband to keeping us grounded. Robert’s focus for our children was college. He believed that the children working in the entertainment industry was just for fun. I remember he said to me, “I’ll believe it’s something to consider as a career when Kirk makes his first $10,000.” Well, after a few commercials, Kirk was on his way!

So, after seeing the children making an income, we soon realized this could develop into something they could do as a career. As Kirk’s show became more popular, he became one of the “teen heartthrobs” of America, and we lost much of our privacy. Our family interacted more with the friends we had before the children were in the business, and our extended family as well.

Why did you decide to write a book about your life as a Hollywood mom?
First of all, it wasn’t my idea to write it! A few years ago, Ray Comfort, Kirk’s ministry partner, kept telling me, “Barbara, you should write a book! You have so many great stories to tell about how you kept your children grounded while living in the world of Hollywood.”

I thought Ray was absolutely nuts. My thought was, Who in the world would really care to read about the life of the Cameron family … how boring! Yet, over the years, I’ve had many parents ask me about how to get their child intothe business. They wanted to know how my husband and I handled the fame while keeping our family strong and intact.

When Ray said this book could be a wonderful evangelistic tool, I reconsidered. I thought Who am I to say “no” to the possibility of sharing the life God gave us in hopes that it could draw someone closer to Him?

Yet I didn’t know the first thing about writing a book. Ray told me, “Just start writing.” And so A Full House of Growing Pains was born.

Your book delves into some painful issues relating to your marriage. Can you share some of your struggles?
I married about a year after high school, after meeting Robert at one of California’s beaches. Since he’s seven years older than me, I looked up to him and valued his opinions. My vision of marriage was that you became “one.” I had hoped we would love each other so much, no matter what we did, or where we went, we would always be together and want to be with each other.

A few years into marriage, my husband’s strong verbal skills started to weigh heavily on me. I felt criticized and judged. And yet that was what I loved about Robert in the first place. He was my voice. As the “honeymoon” drifted away, I started believing I wasn’t happy. What was happening? What was going wrong? I soon made a vow to myself that when my children were 18 years old, I would get out of the marriage, if things continued along that path.

When Kirk and Candace landed the television series, our lives changed. I was exposed to a whole new world. I became more confident. I began making my own decisions, expressing myself more, and managing their careers. I was now a businesswoman, able to draw an income and have money of my own.

It was tough on our marriage, which began to spiral downhill. I realized I didn’t have to wait until my children were 18 years old. I could leave now!

What made you decide to stick things out?
I watched my children experience the struggles in our marriage. They saw how it threatened to tear our family apart. Yet through it all, they learned about commitment.They learned that running away from problems in life won’t solve anything, but instead will destroy what is precious. They learned there is a God who loved them and wanted a personal relationship with them. They learned what it really means to be living for Christ.

Today, my grandchildren are being trained up in the Lord which is just so awesome to witness! My husband and I visit our grandchildren together, not separately. They will learn through my book about their grandparents’ struggles and how, through Christ, we were able to keep our marriage together.

We are thrilled to have Candace joining us here at CWO as a regular columnist. Can you give us the scoop on what your son Kirk is up to these days?
Kirk and his wife, Chelsea, just celebrated their 15-year anniversary. They have six children, ranging in age from 3 to 9 years old. I don’t remember who the adopted ones are. They’re all beautiful children God brought into their lives. Chelsea has her hands full caring for the children, while Kirk travels to speak at universities, high schools, churches, conferences, and community events throughout the country.

When he’s home, he works on “The Way of the Master,” a reality TV show that he and Ray Comfort have created, which won the National Religious Broadcasters’ Best Program award for 2005 and 2006 and a People’s Choice award for 2004, 2005, and 2006. He also co-hosts “The Way of the Master” radio show, which broadcasts daily, and occasionally appears as a guest host for other television shows. Kirk is actively involved in developing family entertainment.

Wow! Your whole family is staying busy. Do you have any advice on how today’s Christian women can have healthy marriages and families in a culture that is increasingly hostile to our values?
I learned through Debi Pearl’s book, Created to Be His Help Meet, this truth: “No man has ever crawled out from under his wife’s criticism to become a better man.” The Bible talks about winning our husband over without a word (1 Peter 3:1). This was very powerful for me to hear.

The Bible also talks about how a wise woman builds up her house and a foolish one tears it down. These verses from the Bible are God’s commands for us women. It doesn’t matter if you’re married to an unbelieving husband, God is our authority, and He is first in our life. If we will live according to His word, we’ll see the fruit of our labor.
There is hope for our marriages, and divorce is not the answer. God hates divorce. It’s a convenient way for us to continue living in sin. It reeks of the unbiblical modern gospel message that preaches “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” Ladies, don’t buy into the lies that you hear in your head. That little voice that says you deserve better, that you should be happy. The adversary wants nothing more than to destroy our families, and he is doing a wonderful job of it today!

We deserve nothing, and yet though the incredible love of God, He will help us to be the wife, mother, and woman He created us to be if we will just seek His Will for our lives. My favorite verses are Phil 3:14: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and Mark 8:36: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

I hope that readers will come away from my book relating to my experiences and understanding that there is hope for their marriages and their children’s salvation, even in the teenage years! It’s through repentance and faith, followed by obedience and the power of prayer, that will help your family be the best it can be.

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Barbara! ~ Heather

___________________________________

Read more about Barbara, as Heather asks about her trips to Africa, her involvement with Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Camp Firefly. Please follow this link to part 2 of their interview:

Barbara Cameron Interview, Part 2

Learn more about all the exciting ministries the Cameron family is involved in through visiting these websites:

Barbara Cameron, www.barbaracameron.net
Way of the Master, www.wayofthemaster.com
Candace Cameron, www.candacecameronbure.net

Christy is a 30-year-old chick who lives in the Wild West. She was born a middle child. Christy is married to a hot guy she met at church eight years ago. They’ve been married for six years and are totally in love with their two little boys. Christy has answered the Lord’s call to be a full-time mother and homemaker.  Biblical parenting is her top priority. She loves to laugh and make others laugh too.  If people aren’t laughing with her; they’re laughing at her! 

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
I wanted a name that would encompass everything to do with house, home, and family life.  The word domestic just wasn’t “homey” enough.  So, in classic Christy fashion, I switched it up and made my own word.  And that is how I came up with Homestic Affairs.

http://www.homesticaffairs.blogspot.com/

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I tend to go in streaks.  One week I might be dealing with sick kids, so I’ll blog about that.  The next few posts may be about my parenting style or a product review.  I consistently post a weekly fun fact. During the holidays I usually post seasonal fun facts.  But I also come up with totally random facts, such as: hold on to your seats… “The Origins of Velcro”.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
A friend from church has a blog.  And that really exposed me to a whole community that I was unaware of.  Everyone is so uplifting and supportive. It’s really awesome–I wanted in on that!! So, I launched Homestic Affairs in July 2008. I still consider myself a baby blogger; I’m not even a year old yet. But blogs are such great resources and I hope to be that for others as well.

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
That really depends on how my day has gone.  Generally, I try to keep my posts fairly short, because I know that every woman is a busy woman.  And there are a lot of blogs out there they want to read.  I want my blog to feel like a short chat with a friend.  Not a loooong drawn out one-sided conversation with someone who can’t get enough of herself.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
My kids are my biggest accomplishment.  If there were a Mom Olympics I’d be a medal winner.  I know that sounds so egotistical.  But, my whole life, I’ve never been outstanding in any particular area.  And now that I’m a mom, I feel like I’ve found my secret talent.  My house isn’t clean all the time and I’m not very organized, however, I devote myself to caring for my children–body, mind and soul.

God has a way of growing me closer to him via “The Refining Fires of Motherhood,” as I like to call it.  I always knew motherhood would reshape my body.  But I didn’t know that it would also reshape my soul. 

What struggle, if any, have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
One of my sons has some health issues.  He has a feeding tube.  And sometimes, right when I sit down to blog, his feeding pump alarm will go off.  Or his stomach can’t tolerate his feed and we’ve got to clean everything up.  And then there’s the typical, “Mommy, I have to ___________ (fill in bodily function here)” or playing around to avoid bedtime.  And if it’s not one it’s the other kid ready to party at bedtime.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

bunchofscrap.blogspot.com/

zachandjules.blogspot.com/

livingproofministries.blogspot.com/ 

Is there a Bible verse that God has recently placed on your heart?

“My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.”  Proverbs 6: 20-22

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing?

Thanks for the opportunity to share my blog and a little bit about myself.

Formerly a wall muralist, Sophia began to paint a floral series after losing her oldest son in ‘02, to a rare genetic disorder and heart disease. She began to get invitations to share her experience of God’s grace through grief, leading her to women’s conferences, banquets, moms groups and churches. She started Dare2Shine, Inc, to encourage others who are walking through the losses of life to find hope, and shine through their circumstances.

Now having two very active boys, and a family of mild processing challenges, she writes and blogs to share her quest for excellence in nutrition, discipline and spiritual peace.

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?

Joshua was called “Sunshine Boy,” and we sang “you are my sunshine” to him. My middle name is Dare, from the Outer Banks of NC, and Virginia Dare of the Lost Colony. After raising Joshua, we learned what an impact one little life can have on others, and wanted to encourage others to realize the effect they have when they choose to shine their light. My corporation and my site are Dare2Shine. 

What do you find yourself writing about most often?

Raising boys and art

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
I began to paint, write and blog to help me focus on my true blessings that shine through all of our challenges.  It expanded into a site of resources and HOPE to encourage others. I started my first blog site in 2006.

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?

Not as much as I’d like. There are stolen moments when I really feel pressed to share something poignant, but most of my day is so filled with mommy duties and I never want my blog to be something that prevents me from being “in the moment” with my boys.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
Being a painter, I have to have good reference, which has challenged me to become a good photographer as well. We also had so many health challenges due to anxiety and stress that my husband and I now enjoy cycling (I prefer spinning), weight lifting and teaching classes on healthy aging. I occasionally teach “God in art” classes to homeschoolers and small private schools.

What struggle, if any, have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
Time has always been the struggle, and I think, for most moms. Since I learned how important sleep is for my sanity, I have refused to sacrifice my rest for blogging. It will just have to fit somewhere in the waking hours for now. 

What are some of your favorite blogs?
agardenofblessings.blogspot.com (inspiring me to garden)

fruitinseason.blogspot.com (comforting)

anotherpieceofthepuzzle.com (autism mom)

themangotimes.com (humorous home school dad)         

Is there a Bible verse that God has recently placed on your heart?
Phil. 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Election week was very emotional for me).

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing?
Yes. My desire is to share with women how truly significant they are, right where they are planted. Many times we feel so inadequate in our circumstances, or we are going through such consuming challenges that we cannot focus on the good, or see the light in the storm. But even in the heart of our grief at losing my son, we stood on Romans 8:28, and felt confident that regardless of our current pain, (and it has been a rough few years), God would use those circumstances to glorify Him and His kingdom.

He would use us, and even the life of my sweet son, to impact many. When we are able to change our focus, we can see that God does give us so many blessings that are new every morning. 

I love to encourage others in the current blessings they already have, whether it be our children, our spouses, friends, family, pets, and all the ways that God shows His beauty in the everyday.

My art, personalized plates, and message are all created to help us keep that focus.

When I do find the time to explore other blog gals out there, I am so inspired and encouraged that hopefully, my time blogging is all worth it, possibly to someone else. They are all so eloquent and knowledgeable and I strive to continue to learn and grow this area of my life. 

Visit Sophia at her blog: Dare2Shine

DeeDee’s life is filled with a crazy schedule that she thrives in.  She is recently an empty-nester and has found joy in the new freedom of not having to cook dinner!  She leads a women’s ministry that has been described as a “gentle revolution,” a description that fits her as well: gentle.  Ministry is her passion but it wouldn’t be possible without the family that has long supported her.  She has been married to Byron for 22 years and has two sons (Byron and Brennan) and a daughter-in-love (Megan).

DeeDee was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is facing this new challenge with a strong determination to glorify God through it all. She battles fear, just like any other woman, but she is confident in the God that has promised He will never leave her nor forsake her. In a recent post she writes, “I have prayed that I would know Him more, and I have prayed that He would not let me miss a single opportunity to do just that.  His character attributes are endless and I will never know them completely, this side of heaven.  But this is an opportunity for me to know Him as Jehovah Rophe–the God that heals.  I know He is THE Healer, but now I will know Him as MY Healer.  I am not afraid.  I am not perplexed.  I am not struck down.  I am on an amazing journey to know my Savior more.  And when this battle is over, I will be stronger for it.”

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
Creativity is not my strong suit!  So the name of my blog is also the name of my person, which makes it easy for my blog buddies to find me.  Come see me at:  www.deedeesharon.blogspot.com. 

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I love writing about my friends and family. They are precious to me. But as a women’s ministry leader, my heart is to encourage women. Every new lesson I learn and every new discovery of God’s character in my life immediately goes through the filter of “how can I share this with my girls?”  Many of my posts are written with these women in mind.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
Peer pressure!  As my writing buddies began to blog, they encouraged me to do the same.  I took the plunge a little over a year ago and became addicted instantly.  It is so much fun to meet sisters in Christ from around the world!

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
It really depends on the post.  If it’s a fun post to update what’s going on in my life, it doesn’t take too long to prepare.  I can splatter my random thoughts pretty fast and furiously!  But if it’s something that God has placed on my heart, that usually comes out of my times spent in prayer and study.  One of my recent posts was after an unusual weekend of solitude where I had the opportunity to spend hours and hours just seeking the Lord.  Those days are rare…and precious.  But they bring beautiful revelations to share!

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
I love to sing.  I am a vocalist with our worship team at church and the privilege of leading our church family in praise and worship never grows old.  

What struggle have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
Time.  I love doing ministry, but it keeps me very busy, along with a family and full-time job.  There are seasons that I just can’t seem to get to it. But even when I am too busy to post, I never fail to check in on my buddies and keep up with what’s going on with them.  That is what I love most about blogging.  It’s this built-in accountability system that allows you to stay in touch with your girlfriends

What are some of your favorite blogs?
A Pink Carnation in Bloom (www.apinkcarnationinbloom.blogspot.com)

Faith Imagined

Granola Bar Devotional

Positively Alene 

Is there a Bible verse that has God recently placed on your heart?
There are many that are precious to me right now.  Psalm 91 is sweet comfort when you are facing great challenges. But my favorite verse is Philippians 3:10 and the Amplified Version says it so well.  It reads, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].”  With all the busyness of life, this verse keeps me grounded and reminds me what my purpose is: to know Him.

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing?
Blogging has been a great blessing in my life.  When you can journal your thoughts and then receive encouragement from your sisters from around the globe, it is such a gift.  I love reading the blogs of the women who have crossed my path and staying in touch with those that inspire me so.  Only our Creator could have thought of something this clever and I encourage anyone who has a story to share to be bold enough to proclaim it and bless those of us who want to hear it.  Luke 8:47 says, “When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed.”  However God is moving in your life, don’t be afraid to blurt it out! You may never know the lives your story will impact!

Visit DeeDee at her blog: www.deedeesharon.blogspot.com

Robin Richards, age 36, from the greater Cleveland OH. Area, has been seeking after God since she was a little girl.  Growing up, she always knew that there was a deeper relationship with God that she desired.  In her mid 20’s she gave her life to Christ through a local Christian outreach ministry and seemed to be on the right track by following after Christ and serving in the ministry where she was gifted. Life had a way of pulling her awa,y when she took a job that required her to work on Sundays–missing Church and her friends that could keep her on the right track.  She found herself far away from God, pregnant, and uncertain about her future. 

After much prayer, counseling, and determination to get back her relationship with God again, she returned to Church, learning the true meaning of surrender and finally experiencing the real power and presence of God that He wants all that seek after Him, to experience.  

Robin is currently attending a large non-denominational church where she serves as a Bible study leader and patiently waits on The Lord for direction in her life. Being a single mom has been a blessing in disguise for her. It has taught her many life lessons and brought her into a closer and deeper relationship with her savior Jesus Christ.    

Robin, how did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?

I have a Café Mom group for single moms called: “Blessings and Struggles of Single Moms,” and I thought it would make things easy to keep the forum and the blog under the same name, by both sharing a ministry of reaching out to and encouraging single moms.  The name was voted on by my café mom forum members, and honestly it wasn’t my first choice, but I prayed about it and gave it to God, and He really laid it on my heart. I am so glad now. Looking back, it makes so much sense when I find myself writing and sharing with other single moms and what they are going through.   http://blessingsandstrugglesofsinglemoms.blogspot.com

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I write mostly about what God is teaching me either through His word during my daily devotion time, or if I am struggling or being blessed in a certain area.  This past month has been full of growth and a roller coaster of emotions for me, but all in all, it has consistently brought me back to the feet of Jesus in surrender.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site? 

I started blogging out of curiosity of seeing others blog and wondered if it was something I wanted to get involved in as well. I think I launched my site sometime in the early summer of 2008 and just started out with one, which ended up growing out into 3 separate blogs.  Most of my spiritual growth though is shown in this one.

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post? 

It depends. I really blog more for quality and not quantity. I may go a few days or even a week w/o blogging because I want my content to have true meaning and purpose for not only myself, but also my readers. I want to use it to show others my strengths and weaknesses, to encourage and grow in my relationship with Christ, and get to know my fellow bloggers as well.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging? 

I am finishing up a few classes to complete my Bachelors in Business degree from Tiffin University and I am an avid Christian Music fan. I would love to go to more christian music concerts and events, but it’s hard with Olivia at this stage of our lives.  A few of my absolute favorite groups are The David Crowder Band, Switchfoot, and Mute Math; but I’ve been listening to CCM since I was a kid back in the 80’s, so I’ve seen a lot of movement within the industry since then, I could talk all day about it, lol. 

Right now, I spend a lot of time just being a mom, and trying to keep my life in balance for myself, and my daughter.  I attend my church regularly and try and stay involved and volunteer where needed. 

What struggle if any have you experienced with keeping your blog updated? 

I guess sometimes, just coming up with new and exiting content.  Because I have 3 separate blogs, I have to divide up my time and give equal posting to the others as well.  I’d actually like to merge them all together into one blog, but I haven’t quite figured out how I want to do that and what it would look like.  It would make it easier for readership and for me to be able to post in one place all the time.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Wow, that’s a hard question. It kind of changes as I grow and discover more blogs that bring me closer to Jesus, and help to feed my soul.  A few of my favs that are always chiming in with encouragement are:

http://tamelasplace.blogspot.com/

http://www.poweruplove.blogspot.com/

http://persevere-lori.blogspot.com/

Is there a Bible verse that God has recently placed on your heart? 

That would have to be Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future”. 

Right now, God has me in a season of waiting, and so I am learning to place my whole being in who He is and His promises for me as I seek to grow and serve Him here on earth for His Kingdom. 

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing? 

I am blessed that God has allowed me to share my heart in this way, through CWO, blogging, and social networking.  I hope that single moms will come by and visit my blog and/or the cafemom forum and know that they are not alone in their journey as parents.  We all as human beings need each other to lean on and find support through. 

My hope is that we will do more of that online and off line as well in our churches, communities, and families; because we are the body of Christ here on earth, made to serve and love and be Jesus to the world.  

Visit Robin at her blog: 
http://blessingsandstrugglesofsinglemoms.blogspot.com

More than any other, November is the month that reminds us to pause and give thanks. To express our thankfulness with joy–giving praise to our God.

I love the tradition our family started a while back of going around the table one by one, expressing our thankfulness–each in our own unique way. Starting from the youngest to the oldest, my children pause to give thanks. And then it’s my turn…

I’m thankful for my four children, for a husband who’s heart is set on serving his Lord, and for a Lord who is worthy to be praised. It’s not what God does, what He gives, or how He meets my needs, which makes Him so wonderful, it’s the way He forgives and then forgets who I was.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

Many of us will remember Candace Cameron Bure from ABC’s Full House, where we affectionately knew her as “DJ Tanner.” Today Candace is a role model to young women everywhere, with a testimony of growing up in Hollywood, while growing in faith with God.

This month, Candace gets candid on the topic of spanking when a reader asks, “Why is it that Christian parents are taught to hurt their children when it’s clearly not what Jesus taught?”
 

Hi Candace, I have a question for you. What “discipline” technique do you employ or recommend? I too am a Christian. However, I am quite concerned that many people who want to follow Jesus’ teachings are misled. Jesus went against many of the practices that are laid out in the Old Testament. He was a pacifist. Why is it then that Christian parents are taught to hurt their children when it’s clearly not what Jesus taught?

The reason that I ask is because on Kirk’s site he promotes the book and videos of Shepherding a Child’s Heart, and your forum also talks about the book.

The book demands that the child be hit each time they do something that the parents object to, even when a baby cries about having their diaper changed!

Page 154 “Rebellion can be something as simple as an infant struggling against a diaper change or stiffening his body when you want him to sit on your lap. The discipline procedure is the same as laid out above. You have no way of knowing how much a child a year old or less can understand of what you say, but we do know that understanding comes long before the ability to articulate does….When our oldest child was approximately 8 months old….Obviously he was old enough to be disciplined.”

“Spanking” is a cutesy word for hitting. If an employer spanks his employee he would be arrested.

I respect you and wanted your insight–I couldn’t ask Kirk about it because he doesn’t have this type of forum.
 

First I would suggest that parents read Shepherding a Child’s Heart for themselves and come to their own conclusion. You pulled an excerpt that sounds misleading. When read in the context of the whole chapter—and the entire book—you would see that there is absolutely, without question, NO abuse. That excerpt was simply talking about our defiant nature—even as young as a baby. It DIDN’T go on to say they should be spanked for not wanting their diaper changed.

A spanking is NEVER done in anger or in rage. It is a loving correction done with explanation and prayer to simply teach a child right from wrong. And please understand that a spanking is not the first resort. When a child is asked to do something and defiantly refuses, it is then that they would be lovingly corrected. As small children, often a second asking is good—something like, “Sara, Mommy asked you to put your toy in the basket.” If not responded to again, then correction would be appropriate.

Do you ever have to teach your child to say, “NO! That’s MINE! Gimme!”? Of course not. That is the sin nature we are all born with—a selfish, defiant attitude. We have to teach our children to share, to be kind, and unselfish. The Bible fully supports “the rod of correction,” but again, never in abuse, anger or for a parent’s selfish reasons to control his children.

Jesus did not come against the teachings of the Old Testament, but He fulfilled the “Law,” and the practices that the law entailed. We must keep in mind that Jesus is the same God “Yesterday, today and forever.”

I discipline my children by spanking when the situation calls for it. Once a toddler is walking around and getting into things, a slap on the hand is one way they respond to correction. It shouldn’t hurt as much as be a surprise, and discomfort to them. This prepares them that the word NO comes with a consequence. Once my children were around 18 months old, and we knew that they could understand our instruction, they were spanked on the bottom if they disobeyed. As my children grow older, we find more creative ways to discipline, allowing the punishment to fit the crime. These types of disciplines are effective and biblical when done in love. It is the responsibility of all parents to teach and train their children

I sincerely hope you would read Shepherding a Child’s Heart in its entirety. The title is so appropriate, because it is a WONDERFUL book that in no way teaches us to abuse our children. It’s all about getting to the heart of the matter and guiding them to understanding Godly submission.

Of the 19 chapters in this book, only one is dedicated to “the rod” even explaining common objections.

I hope this has shed some light on my view.

P.S. I also read an interesting article that Dr. James Dobson wrote for Focus on the Family titled, ”To Spank or Not to Spank.” In it He writes:

“Contrary to what you have read in popular literature, this firm but loving approach to child rearing will not harm a toddler or make him violent. To the contrary, it is most likely to produce a healthy, confident child.”

“But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.”

—2 Corinthians 2:14 (New Living Translation)

As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, I can’t help but review the events and people who have left their mark on my life. At the time, I probably didn’t appreciate them as much as I do now, but hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it?

I’d never thought much about heading off to the mission field. In fact, after an extremely boring slide show during fourth-grade church camp, I prayed that God would find something—anything—for me to accomplish closer to home. Our special Saturday night guest arrived at an after-dinner meeting towing a slide projector, a gargantuan case of slides, and a stack of handouts. His wide-eyed expression reminded me of Aunt Bea on Mayberry, RFD, right after she realized that she’d ruined her whole batch of dill pickles.

I’d never met a real-life missionary until that night. Maybe they should have sent a guy who laughed once in a while. Maybe he should have dressed down a bit and wore jeans instead of slacks and a white dress shirt. Or maybe it would have helped if he’d warmed up his audience with a funny story or two. He didn’t seem like any of the dads or pastors I knew. His description of missions work sounded very much like torture.

After switching off the lights, this nervous-twitchy little man cleared his throat, then quoted a few key verses that dripped with “thee’s,” “thou’s,” and “thy’s”. The show began with a grass hut deep in some faraway jungle, and moved on to slides of huge snakes with exotic names I couldn’t pronounce.

“We found this mammoth python coiled around a bucket in our washing area!” he said breathlessly.

Oh great. Pleee-ase, God, do NOT ask me to be a missionary!

The slide show moved on to a series of hairy spiders and a pile of huge mosquitoes that might have drilled the jugular of unwary victims while they slept, had he not done some fancy baiting to lure them into the Mason-jar trap.

When the lights flicked back on, nobody said a word. (Imagine two hundred kids stuffed into a steamy dining hall, and nobody speaking.) It was quite the night to remember. Afterwards, on my trek back up the hill to our cabin, I aimed my brand-new red flashlight back and forth across the path. A girl couldn’t be too careful. You never knew where snakes would hide, the missionary had warned us.

With maturity came a better understanding of God’s “call”. I realized that as a believer, wherever I live, whatever I spend my life doing, He asks me to view my little corner of the world with new eyes. To reflect Jesus by watching for opportunities to show simple kindnesses. To be a friend to the friendless. Encourage a stranger. Cheer a child on. Lift someone’s chin. Leave a good word.

This season, when our hearts turn towards the blessings we enjoy, and the concerns we share as a nation, I’m thankful I had the opportunity to attend church camp as a child. That experience helped me think beyond my own small community, to a world filled with needs I couldn’t begin to imagine. I never thought I’d count that “boring” camp speaker as one of the most influential people God ever brought across my path, but it’s true.

God’s timetable always casts a shadow of the bigger picture.

©2008, Bonnie Bruno

For more slice-of-life stories, visit Bonnie’s Macromoments blog: http://macromoments.blogspot.com

“It was one of those perfect English autumnal days
which occur more frequently in memory than in life…”
—Author P.D. James

Oh, may it not be so!

Autumn gives us every opportunity to live an authentic life. Yet how easy it is to miss the little things in the pursuit of a “perfect” life! An authentic life treasures beautiful moments in an imperfect world. We must discipline ourselves to linger even for a moment on those things so they will become emblazoned in our memory like a snapshot in a tattered scrapbook.

20 Little Things To Treasure in Autumn

1. Quiet dinners by the fire
2. Reading mystery novels in darkened rooms
3. Flannel sheets at the end of a long day
4. Candles Flickering
5. Smelling cinnamon, oranges & cloves
6. Pumpkins
7. Roasts, potatoes & carrots
8. Fluffy feather beds on a cold night
9. Watching movies snuggled in soft blankets
10. Cozy socks
11. Pie in the oven
12. Warm crackling wood stoves
13. Squash with buttered brown sugar
14. Chili and corn bread smothered in honey
15. Wind blowing through leaves
16. Glow of lamps through windows
17. Laughter filling a room
18. Scrabble and popcorn
19. Caramel apples
20. Family

In the simple daily discipline of meditating on thankfulness, for even the tiniest details of God’s provision, we cultivate an “attitude of gratitude.”

©2008, Melissa Michaels

Praise God for simple things, precious blessings and treasured moments!

This article was adapted from The Inspired Room blog originally published on September 18, 2008.

Later I would learn that Uccello painted the Battle of San Romano with tempera on wood panel in 1435, a scene recounting the victory of the Florentines over the Sienese.

But walking through the Louvre that day I didn’t know any of that. Frankly, the painting’s spirited clash of metal, charging horses, flapping banners appealed little to my pastoral, peace-loving sensibilities. But it was that boy sitting there….

If it hadn’t been for that cross-legged boy sitting on the floor of the gallery, a few feet from this masterpiece that purportedly once hung in Napoleon’s bathroom, I likely wouldn’t have given the work more than a passing glance.

But when I realized what this child attempted in the circling of tourists and foreign languages and the clicking of shutters, I lingered long, intrigued.

What I witnessed brushed me, dyed me, soaked into the fabric of me.

Actually, the young boy didn’t gaze on Uccello’s painting either. I never saw him look directly at it. Instead, this boy of perhaps ten turned slightly to peer at the canvas beside him. An artist had propped up an easel in front of Uccello’s Battle of San Romano, carefully dipped her brush into the palette atop a stool, and painstakingly copied every stroke of Uccello’s unto her canvas.

And this boy copied every stroke of hers.

Perhaps it was that Uccello’s work overwhelmed the budding artist in terms of sheer size, overall complexity or looming magnificence.

Or maybe because he simply could see this living artist, this intentional, considered painter right here before him, that he decidedly imitated her every gesture.

In a way, she incarnated Uccello.

She highlighted the sheen of a mane just like Uccello’s and the boy, simple ballpoint pen in hand, slowly sketched the arch of a mount just like that. She daubed at her recreation of Uccello’s shadow falling across armor. The boy too let his pen carefully shade.

She painted Uccello. He painted her.

The child copied the copyist.

The gallery surged with another drove of sight-seers murmuring over the masters, but it’s the unsophisticated drawing of a child imitating an imitator that captivated me. That scene of one disciple following another disciple following the Master is the one imprinted on my memories of the world’s most renowned museum.

For wasn’t it a kind of incarnating of the essence of the art of parenting? More: of spiritual formation? Ultimately: of Christ-likeness.

God first stretched flesh over Himself in the person of Christ and came among us to show us how to make the God-life come to life. He brought the God canvas close so we might see it, live and in color, that we too might imitate. And now His Spirit perpetually stretches skin over Christ-in-us to show our children, the world at large, how to animate the canvas of a soul with the same God-life. We, who imitate Him, bring our God-canvas close, so others too might imitate.

That life-relay in the Louvre re-enacted Paul’s exhortation to children in the faith, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Our children imitate those they spend time with, are attached to, be it peers, parents, teachers, coaches, faith communities. Jesus concurs, “It is enough for the student to be like his teacher…” (Matthew 10:25).

I wonder what my children are copying from the life modeled in the daily gallery of my heart, this home?

I may well forget that Uccello used wooden models of the rearing steeds in the Battle of San Romano, or applied silver leaf so that the metal studs gleamed, luster long now worn off. But for these children circling through my day, watching what I paint on the canvas of these hours, I do well not to forget:

Draw God. Incarnate Jesus. Imitate His Spirit.

They’re copying our life-canvas.

Photos: watching the imitator be imitated at the Louvre

©2008, Ann Voskamp

Tune in as Jill chats with organizational expert Elizabeth Hagen. Whether you’re an individual stuck in clutter, or a business leader looking for a way to energize your team, Elizabeth Hagen works wonders.

Elizabeth’s energy, passion, humor, and can-do attitude will show you how to see the solution, not the mess. Elizabeth’s 1:1 consulting, team workshops, and famed “Organize with Confidence” seminars have helped thousands of people just like you go from overwhelmed to action.

©2008, Jill Hart

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy —they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. 
—Marcel Proust

Last Christmas, I came across a unique book called Ferris Wheels, Daffodils and Hot Fudge Sundaes by Laura Jensen Walker. This gratitude journal, which was inspired by Walker’s bout with breast cancer, consists of blank pages to write on, quotes and scriptures about thankfulness, and her own lists of the things—both big and little—she’s grateful for.

One afternoon, Jordan noticed the journal and asked if he could write in it. I thought, “Why not?”

Here’s what my 5 ½ year-old recorded (spelling errors and translations included): “I’m thankful for . . . santa, baby jesus, momy and dade, mi house, or (our) bones, mi (my) presents, or hort (our heart), luv fum (from) momy and dady, for God, apol jows (apple juice), and I am gad dit we r nt mosdrs (I am glad that we are not monsters).”

Jordan’s creative list inspired me to write down some of the things I’m thankful for: God’s never-ending patience with me . . . two working vehicles—and one that’s paid for . . . a potty-trained child (I thought he was going to be in the Guinness Book for oldest kid in diapers!) . . . girlfriends . . . the movie Babette’s Feast and musical Les Miserable . . . e-mail . . . gooey chocolate brownies . . . good relationships with my in-laws . . . for a husband who cooks, babysits, and does laundry (don’t hate me, ladies!) . . . and for a mom who made me write thank-you notes after every holiday—before I played with my gifts—and who wrote me affirming letters as I was growing up, listing the things about me she was thankful for.

Come to think of it, my mother was an excellent model of thanksgiving. Even when she went through a lengthy illness, she kept a great attitude. And Jordan’s desire to create his own journal page reminded me that gratitude—like many of the attributes we want (or don’t want!) our children to develop—can be taught by example. What a scary, but thrilling, idea!

“This, surely, is the most valuable legacy we can pass on to the next generation,” wrote Arthur Gordon in A Touch of Wonder. “Not money, houses or heirlooms, but a capacity for wonder and gratitude, a sense of aliveness and joy. Why don’t we work harder at it? Probably, because as Thoreau said, our lives are frittered away by detail. Because there are times when we don’t have the awareness or the selflessness or the energy.”

I’m going to start praying for that selflessness, awareness and energy, so I can plant seeds of gratitude in my children. Wanna join me? Maybe even on tough days we can model a spirit of thankfulness to all those around us. And pretty soon, we might be surprised at the beautiful garden of gratitude that has sprung up around us.

“Do not get tired of doing what is good.  Do not get discouraged and give up, for we reap a harvest of  blessings at the appropriate time”. 

–Galatians 6:9

I am certain that for all of us, at times, it seems like no matter how hard we pray, or how many sacrifices we may make, or how many good things we do, God just isn’t answering our prayers.  It is especially true for me right now in this season of my life. At times, I do feel like giving up, I am tired of always having to do the right thing, and I am very discouraged. But the passage above reminds me to hold on to my faith, as God has promised that He will reap a harvest of blessings for me in His own time.  I just need to be patient, keep on doing the right thing, keep on praying, and be strong during this difficult time.

Thanksgiving is a time when we thank the Lord for the harvest of blessings which He has bestowed upon us.  That means we should also thank the Lord for the trials and tribulations in our lives, because out of those times come greater compassion, greater understanding and wisdom, and a greater love for God and others.

When I read this passage, I’m reminded of a time 21 years ago, when I found out that I couldn’t have children. After a period of pain and depression and discouragement and wanting to give up, God chose to reap His harvest of blessings on me in the form of adoption.  God chose me to become the mother to two beautiful babies over the course of three years, and who are now beautiful young women. This gift of motherhood is the most incredible blessing I have ever received from God.  Even with the tumultuous changes of this past year in my relationship with my oldest daughter, I still treasure the gift of this woman child, and I wouldn’t want to give up on being her mom.  Now, don’t get me wrong–there have been days when I was so discouraged that I wanted to just give up on everything, but that didn’t mean I wanted to give up on her or my relationship with her.  I just wanted to give up because the pain was so great.

This Thanksgiving will be a time of reflection.  I will be grateful for the blessings my family has received, the hardships my family have experienced, and God’s steadfastness throughout this most difficult time.  I will be grateful for the good times and the bad, the lessons learned, the love that we still share amongst each other despite the pain and agony we have suffered.  I will be grateful that God held me while my world crashed around me, and He put me back together so I could continue to function as a wife and a mother and a counselor.  I will be grateful for having the experience of having something so sacred being ripped from my life because it helped me to learn how to love and let go and forgive.

This Thanksgiving I will especially ponder the wonderful blessing of the birth mothers of my daughters.  As my daughters approach the age of perhaps being able to meet their birth mothers for the first time, I pray that these wonderful women will look at our daughters  and say to me “Thank you for a job well done”.  I pray that I have not let them down in any way.  I pray that they have experienced a harvest of blessings from the Lord in their lives.  And I thank them for their selfless act of allowing me to be their kids’ mom.

“This is the first measure of thanksgiving:  a thankfulness that springs from love”.
William C. Skeath

©2008, Valerie Wolff

I am excited to introduce you to Patti Lacy.  Patti is a first time author that swept me off my feet with her book An Irishwoman’s Tale. She lives with her husband and two children in Illinois.  When she is not volunteering, Patti is hiking and sightseeing in most of the fifty states, as well as Canada, Ireland, and Switzerland. Her travels have made the vivid imagery of her book come alive. Patti has the gifted ability of making you as the reader, feel you are right there with her character.

Without further introductions I would love to share this new author with you.

Thank you so much for joining us here at CWO.  Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Your invitation thrills me; thanks!

I’m a middle-aged former college instructor who loves to cook, jog, and eat, not necessarily in that order.

In 1995, a wild-haired Irish friend told me a story which God cemented in my brain. I continued to teach but began listening to the Still, Soft Voice say, Write that Story. I finally did. Since 2005, words have been pounded into computer files, and I hope to keep writing until God directs me to do something else.

An Irishwoman’s Tale is your first book.  What would you say to someone who wants to become a published author?

Read incessantly. Study the craft. Save money until you’re able to hire a top-of-the-line editor, preferably one specializing in your genre of writing. After you make the changes they suggest, ask them if the work is ready for submission. If they say yes, buy stamps and some high-quality business stationery and query away.

Great advice, thank you!

The imagery in An Irishwoman’s Tale gives the reader the feeling they are walking the hills of Ireland with your character Mary Freeman.  Can you tell us what research you did to write your book?

That’s because Mary and I did walk County Clare, clinging to each other so we wouldn’t get blown off the dangerous cliffs! She really did run off and leave me on the treacherous Croagh Patrick climb. I spotted with my own eyes the thousand shades of green and saw mist and sea and land mingle to form a third dimension…Drat! I opened my eyes to find that I’m not in mystical County Clare but plain ole Normal, Illinois.

That is the way I felt when I was reading your book An Irishwoman’s Tale, I was swept away to the cliffs of Ireland.

When I read that the protagonist Mary Freeman was based on a true story, it drew me in and made me want to jump inside the book to love her and save her.  Can you tell me more about the real life Mary and how she is doing today?

Mary continues to minister to the downtrodden in her community. A vibrancy surrounds her, goodness radiates from her soul, and I love her more than ever.

God has blessed Mary and Paul, their two girls becoming productive and beautiful young women. Through God’s grace, Mary is at peace with her past and hopeful about the future. In some neat ways, she’s returned to her rural roots and hears the mournful yet melodic minor rhythm of her beloved County Clare as she works the land. And she still gains tremendous pleasure from cooking for others! In fact, I enjoyed a fresh-from-the-garden feast on a recent visit.

Oh yum. It is great to see how God works in peoples past to bring Him glory in the present.

I read that An Irishwoman’s Tale is the first installment in your Kaleidoscope series.  Can you tell me more about the series?

We have to let Sally the chatterbox have her voice! Expect Sally’s story, crawling with secrets she tried to bury deep under a Louisiana bayou’s murky waters, to be released by Kregel in April 2009!

I can not wait.  I loved Sally’s character.

I think there is so much you can take away from this book, but what are the major themes of “An Irishwoman’s Tale?”

Romans 8:28, God working for good in the lives of those who love Him, who call upon His name. Even though Mary’s Heartland home had its share of problems, America served as the catalyst to get Mary out of a horribly dysfunctional Irish home. And as Mary began to offer her problems up to God, He worked to change both her inner and external life.

Another crucial element of the book is Mary’s Christ-mandated need to forgive both her mothers for the pain they inflicted on her (Matthew 6:12-14). When I think of sacrifice, I think of Mary bathing, feeding, and changing her mother for well over a decade, during which time she grappled with raising teenagers.

Some social issues explored include: dealing with aging parents, substance abuse, mental illness, and the residual effects of suicide. As my son told me, “This book’s stuffed with problems.”

An Irishwoman’s Tale would be a great book for a book reading club.

Can you share with our readers about Magdalene Homes?

“Aunt Jo” really did loan me a book about the Irish “Magdalene Laundries” entitled The Light in the Window by June Goulding. Apparently the Catholic church originally founded the Magdalene Homes to help “fallen women” find a place in society. Over time, the charitable, caring aspects of this institution eroded, and women were treated like slaves, toiling long hours in unsatisfactory conditions. The Homes also became depositories for women who’d become pregnant out of wedlock. After the “poor dears,” as “Jo” described them, gave birth, their babies were ripped from their arms and put up for adoption.

Apparently the Irish society virtually ignored the Magdalene phenomenon until around 1993, when a real estate developer unearthed the mass grave of over 150 Magdalene “inmates.” This discovery set off a shock wave of allegations, accusations, and investigations and resulted in films, songs and books documenting the degrading treatment of women.

Thank you for sharing this Irish history with me, it is the first time I have learned about Magdalene Homes.

Are there any projects in the works that you can tell us about?

I’m currently working on a series entitled “Spanning Seas and Secrets.” My first novel of that series has the tentative title My Name is Sheba. In this novel, the gregarious daughter of 1930s New Orleans jazz musicians must choose between the son she never knew and the husband that never knew her.

Thank you so much for joining us here.  Can you share one thing or verse God is using to speak to you right now?

Thank you for having me! Dear writing friends and readers, whatever you do, do it with all your heart, soul, and mind for that Audience of One. Then you’ll never be disappointed.

I look forward to more of your books!

Ladies – If you would like to win a copy of  An Irishwoman’s Tale: click here for details .

©2008, Laurel Wreath

For that is what God is like. He is our God
forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.
—Psalm 48:14 NLT

I was recently asked to bring a broccoli cauliflower casserole to a home potluck that was to be held out at the lake.  Rather than say, “I have no idea what that is”, I responded, “sure!”  After all, I write for Bonnie’s Kitchen at CWO – if I can’t try new recipes once in a while how can I expect my readers to?

There are usually a couple of rules I apply when trying out new recipes:

1. Don’t try them out on guests.  Tackle them at home first where the crowd is a little more forgiving.
2. Don’t try them in an unfamiliar kitchen.  Try them out first where your normal cooking has been tried and true.

With this casserole I was breaking all the rules. I pulled a recipe off the internet and in my usual style tweaked it a little before even trying the original recipe.  Although I had not tried it in my own kitchen first, it looked foolproof so I decided it would be perfect for the potluck.

When I got to the lake the oven was broken! Without grocery stores readily available I had to alter my plans to adjust my casserole to be a stovetop recipe. I will admit my stress level was raised a bit.

Uncertainty always causes a little stress. Look at the market conditions lately. No one can predict what will happen over the next few weeks, never mind the next few years.  For many, stress levels are increasing with each news broadcast.

When there is uncertainty I am comforted in knowing that there are some very basic things I can count on lasting forever.

• My God is the same yesterday today and forever.
• Seasons may change, the world may change but the Word of the Lord will last forever.
• No matter who becomes ruler of our country, my God will reign forever and ever.
• No matter where I have to live today, I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
• I may never get invited back to a potluck at Dorothy’s but nothing can separate me from the love of God!

Dorothy’s Yams

Base:
6c Yams (cooked & mashed)
½ sugar
½ tsp salt
½ c milk
2 eggs beaten
¼ c melted margarine
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Topping:
½ c brown sugar
1/3 c butter
½ c flour
1 c chopped pecans
1 ½ c coconut

Combine yams, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, margarine and vanilla.  Pour into a 1 ½ quart casserole dish.  Combine remaining ingredients and spread on top of yams.
Bake at 325 F for 35 min.

********

Bonnie’s Broccoli Cauliflower & Cheese Casserole

1 lb chopped broccoli
1 lb  chopped cauliflower
1 10 3/4 oz. can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1  diced medium onion
3/4 lb. grated medium Cheddar cheese
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
Bacon bits
¼ lb grated medium cheese

Combine all ingredients except topping into a large casserole dish.  Mix well. Cover with and bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.

Remove cover and sprinkle bacon bits and cheese on top of casserole.
Bake, uncovered, for an additional10 minutes.  Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

To adapt this recipe for a stove top:
Simmer ingredients on low for approximately 50 min.  Stir occasionally.  Add topping and serve.

The book of Judges tells us the story of Samson, a man of incomparable strength. He tore a lion apart with his bare hands, caught 300 foxes, slew 1,000 men with the jawbone of an ass, tore the gates from the city wall, pulled down the pillars that held up a vast house, thereby killing 3,000 people, and had a weakness for women.

Chapter fourteen tells us that his first wife deceived him, enticing him with tears for seven days, until he finally gave in. I can’t imagine my husband letting me get away with that now, but I do remember using that method of manipulation a few times myself during the early years of marriage. Again in chapter sixteen, we read about yet another woman, Delilah, who for the love of money, sought out to discover the source of his strength.

And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; that he told her all heart. —Judges 16:16-17a

The story of Samson who’s secret to strength was that of his hair, may well typify the power we have when God is on our head, but I see that it also illustrates the power that persistence holds to weaken our strength. Even the strongest of men become weak when faced with temptation time and again.

Speaking of which, my sister and I did a pretty good job of weakening the strength of our parents. This is probably why our family was familiar with the “222″ tablet. 222 was like an aspirin with a shot of caffeine—great for headaches. My mom would pop one of those in her mouth, and my sister and I could pull each others hair out all day. And yes, we usually did, which is probably why Mom and Dad were well stocked.

I have a 222 for you today too, but instead of popping this one in your mouth, pop it into your thoughts:

2 Timothy 2:22, Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

That verse stands out to me, because of the 2-fold solution if offers in fighting temptation:

1. Flee
2. Pursue

If only Samson had a bottle of those resting by his bedside, he might have fled from the women who persisted to trap him, and pursued a woman strong in faith and devotion.

Are you fleeing the habits that have caused you weight gain? Have you stopped strolling down the potato chip isle, put the chocolates out of site, and cut down on cola?

Good, and while you’re doing all of that fleeing, I hope that you also vigorously pursue better choices as well.

It’s about balance. ie. Here’s what I’m giving up… Here’s what I’m adding in…

If an alcoholic quits drinking, but doesn’t join a support group, cling to the Lord, or make drastic life changes that will keep her on track, she’s walking alone on a slippery slope. Fleeing is only half of the solution, pursuing is the other.

Likewise we need to pursue better choices if we hope to make lifestyle changes. Pursue the rich things in life such as goodness, love, knowledge, self-control, perserverance, and above all, a Christ-like character. All things that nurture our Spirit.

That’s where we’ll find the source of our power—that’s where we’ll find our strength!

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. —2 Peter 1:5-7

©2008, Darlene Schacht

*We advise that you always consult your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

O Lord you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my every thought when far away.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  Psalms 139:1-3

It was an extremely cold November day in St. Louis, and I was bundled head to toe in a plaid, wooly winter coat, fuzzy gloves, tall black leather boots, and a red woolen cap.  All that was visible was the tip of my frozen nose and my blood-shot eyes weary from hours of studying for final exams.

It was mid-week service night and I was the piano player at church. It was necessary to get out on this cold, snowy evening and make the twenty-five minute trek to the assembly or the poor saints would have to do the hymns accapella. As miserable as I was, I didn’t want the Lord to have to endure such an assault on His divine ears.

I drove through the snowy, winding roads from Webster University, through the little town of Kirkwood, before finally reached highway 44, when I noticed my car was pulling hard to the left. The undeniable struggle of a flat tire was not a welcome problem for me on that cold, dismal evening.

I pulled the car to the side of the road and sat there for a long while, not sure what to do.  Believe me–I had never changed a tire in my life, and was in no mood to learn in the freezing cold, being more given to high heels and frilly blouses, than lug nuts and motor oil. Cell phones were not available in those days and it’s not very often you find a pay phone neatly parked on the side of the interstate.  So, I did what seemed the only logical thing to do–I prayed!  Long and hard, fast and furious, I asked God to help me figure out what in the world to do about the flat tire.

Thoughts of being found frozen and snow-covered in my car shadowed my mind, but I had to push those growing fears aside.  I sat for nearly an hour hoping a police officer would see my hazard blinkers and come to my rescue.  Where’s the knight in shining amour when you really need him? I usually only had the honor of meeting my soldier in blue when I was ignoring a stop sign or exceeding the speed limit, (unfortunately, a common occurrence in those years).

I knew I didn’t deserve to have my prayers answered. I couldn’t blame God if He left me out there on the highway to freeze to death.  Even though I had faith in Him and considered myself a Christian, I’d certainly made some blunders.

In those times of need when we call on God, it’s our sins that run through the mind like a motion picture in living color–reminding us of our unworthiness.  At that moment, all I could think of was what I’d done wrong- the lies I told, my lack of kindness and compassion, the blatant and rebellious choices I knew were against God and His word–they all ran through my mind while I sat in a cold car with a flat tire on a snowy evening.

Another hour passed and I knew the service was over and the hymns sung without me. It’s amazing how insignificant one can feel all alone in the cold. I was beginning to feel pretty sorry for myself when the headlights of a car, pulled up behind me.

My heart began pounding so fast I could hardly catch my breath. I was excited that someone had finally come to my rescue and at the same time, frightened because I didn’t know the identity of my rescuer. I opened the car door and frozen snow and sleet blew into my face as a large man in a heavy brown coat approached me.

“Looks like you have a flat there, M’am.”

“Yes, I do, and I sure hope you can help me,” I replied, the anxiety and the cold causing my voice to shake.

“I saw your car on the side of the road as I was driving east, and felt like I should turn around and come back to help you.  I’m not sure why I did, because I’ve never done this before, but I just felt like I had to.”

Without another word he popped my trunk, pulled out the spare, jacked my car up and in twenty minutes had my tire changed.

I didn’t have a dime in my pocket or a dollar in my wallet to give this wonderful man, but I thanked him profusely and offered my fuzzy-gloved hand to him in appreciation for his kindness.  He just smiled at me, shook my hand and returned to his vehicle.  I watched as he drove away and asked God to give him a special blessing for his amazing compassion on such a miserable night.

As I drove away, all I could think of was God’s mercy and His love for me, in spite of my shortcomings and mistakes.  Why did He value me so much?  I knew it wasn’t justified.  I hadn’t earned His favor, and never could.  And yet, He loved me just the same–as though I was pure and perfect with no fault.

O Lord you have examined my heart and know everything about me. (And evenso, you love me still.) You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. (Even in a car with a flat tire by the side of the road.)

In those times when I doubt my worth and wonder if my life will ever amount to much, I think back to that snowy night by the roadside. That’s just one more reason to be grateful for God’s boundless love and compassion toward me.  I’m grateful His love is not predicated on my accomplishments or my failures.  But rather, a free and priceless gift from the One who knows everything about me and still calls me His own.

©2008, Tamra Nashman

October was a special month for our family.  If you are in ministry, chances are it was a big deal for you, too.  Why? It was Pastor Appreciation Month!

Luke and I consider ourselves supremely blessed to serve a congregation who takes this event to heart. Among the expressions of affection we received were home-cooked meals and goodies brought to our house, gift cards for dinner out and home improvement, notes of encouragement (often with a monetary gift inside), a gift certificate for a haircut from my favorite hairdresser, and various treats for the kids.

All of these things are tokens of gratitude for our entire family and believe me, we have no doubt our congregation loves us.  However, our hubbies need applause and inspiration the other eleven months of the year too.

Hold that thought as I share this month’s question from Bethany. She asks:

“How can I be a better encouragement to my husband in his ministry? I know I was never meant to give him the guidance that only God can, but he gets down sometimes. I want to not only uplift his spirit in those down times, but to also spur him on to do his very best as God’s instrument.”

As the wife of a minister, one of our primary roles is to provide refreshment between Octobers when the days can sometimes feel long and thankless.  Here are seven practical ways you can give your husband an extra boost just when he needs it most:

1. E-Prayers
   It is a given we should pray for our husbands.  But, consider what it would mean to him if he were able to read your petitions on his behalf! Send him regular emails chronicling your prayers for him. If he doesn’t have a private e-mail address in his church office, set up a special account for him at a free email hosting site such as www.gmail.com. If your hubby is as tech savvy as mine, also be willing to teach him how to use it.

1. Plan a lunch date
   Because Luke and I have four children, eating out is a Sunday-Lunch-Only event. However, now that all the kids are in school, we often meet during the day at a restaurant with a cheap lunch menu. Not only is it an inexpensive date, but we are able to give one another undivided attention as we catch up on what is going on in each other’s schedule.

1. Give full attention to his sermon prep.
   I don’t know about your husband, but mine is encouraged by my undistracted concentration during his sermon preparation. Each week he walks me through what he plans to preach on Sunday to organize his own thoughts and to ask for my input.  I am guilty of listening half-heartedly at times. (Luke, I can see you rolling your eyes.)  Nothing says, “I respect you”, like eye contact.

   Luke.  I cannot make eye contact if you are still rolling yours.  I promise I’ll do better.

1. Run interference for him
   One thing that zaps Luke’s energy is pettiness.  Sisterhood, can we agree that most paltry issues originate in the female half of the species? When foolishness is brewing among the women folk, I do my best to quash the problem without Luke having to become involved. He is always relieved if I can prevent him from becoming embroiled in girl drama.

1. Make home a relaxing place
   Y’all, Luke is rolling his eyes again. For the record, making a peaceful home has really been an area where I’ve been convicted as of late. Our out-of-control schedule has resulted in bad attitudes and a stressed out family. I am not willing to let this environment continue and I consider it my job to change the mood in my home. Just this past week, I’ve started to get a handle on overflowing drawers and closets and have started some meal planning so we can hopefully have more dinners at the table in the coming weeks. I’ve also refused some activities we would have otherwise loved to attend because I recognize over-scheduling is at the root of all the other chaos.

   My friend Joanne Heim (author of Living Simply) is hosting a blog conversation called, “Simplify Me”  where I am also gleaning tips on streamlining our lives.

1. Keep his Sundays sacred
   I have a hard and fast rule not to nag Luke on Sundays. I’ve done it in the past and can testify that a good fight before he is supposed to preach is a true Spirit dampener. I’ve had to pray long and hard about it, but I can honestly say God has enabled me to release Luke to do his thing on Sundays without resenting him for leaving me home with the four kids to get ready by myself.

   Whatever it takes, resist giving in to feelings of self-pity on the Lord’s Day. In other words, suck it up. Obviously, I’m not trying to minimize how hard it can be to feel like you are going it alone.  However, there are six other days of the week to have that discussion with your husband. Sundays are off limits.

1. Be spiritually mature.
   This is a pre-requisite to being able to resist feelings of self-pity and neglect we just spoke of that can sometimes rear their ugly heads. I’m not saying they shouldn’t exist because our hubbies can become so ministry-minded they are no good at home. Obviously, that should never be, and I’m not at all suggesting you should remain silent if your home and relationship are suffering.  But, I cannot tell you the number of ministry wives with whom I am acquainted who expect their husbands to be their Jesus. These men become the target of their wives’ own spiritual neediness who consequently guilt-trip him any time a situation and/or meeting forces him to be away from home.  Girls, if you want to truly encourage your husband, be filled in your own relationship with the Father so that you overflow on him instead of suck him dry every time he hits the door.

Ultimately, our husbands need to know that we are on their side and support the work to which they are called.  Try a few of these seven things and watch his smile brighten!

Again, let me say how very much I appreciate your insight and questions.  Each of you inspire me to think more carefully on how I can be a better wife to my own husband and that you seek the same in your relationships.

I hope you will visit me at The Preacher’s Wife where there is a huge community of women just like you waiting to call you friend.

Also, please continue to send your questions to:  thepreacherswife1@gmail.com

Until next month!

©2008, Lisa McKay

She was sleeping when I began slicing onions and celery and a Granny Smith apple; when I crumbled one tube of maple-flavored sausage into my heavy black skillet, and stirred, and watched the heat rising in savory wisps.

She didn’t see the coming together of a fresh batch of homemade poultry seasoning–all those spice containers gathered in a huddle around my mortar and pestle, and the careful measurements of half-, and quarter-, and eighths of a teaspoonful of rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, pepper, and nutmeg. She didn’t get to see the turn of the pestle as it crushed those herbs into one pungent, indistinguishable spice.

She missed all the rest of the stuffing-making steps, too–the chicken broth poured slowly over that mound of seasoned bread crumbs, the three cubes of melted butter spilled in golden dribbles over the mixture, the last dash of salt, and the final twist of freshly ground peppercorn.

But she is there when I stuff the turkey, and oil him up, and lift him to the pan. And I’m glad. For at the last second, I need her extra pair of hands to widen the opening of the cooking bag.

Bag closed and bird in the oven, she asks, “What do you need me to do next?”

I love having a daughter. As weeks become months and months disappear into years, she is slowly becoming my second self. On days like today, I can give her a general suggestion and she knows how to carry it straight on to finish.

“We need to set the tables,” I say. And without asking any further instructions, Tera wipes first one, and then the other table, covers them both with tablecloths, and begins to carefully set out the china from its rest-of-the-year hiding place.

While folding whipped cream into a big bowl of marshmallow-flecked fruit salad, I watch from the kitchen as she arranges the candles on each table. She moves the tall, glass-enclosed pillar an inch to the right, then two inches to the left. After a few long seconds of thought, she brings a votive to join the pillar. As a final touch, she sets a tiny pilgrim man in front of one arrangement, and a tiny pilgrim woman in front of the other.

“Will you put on some music?” I ask. She sorts through the CDs piled near the player and selects one. I’m glad when I hear Fernando Ortega’s voice.

I cut an inch from a head of garlic, nestle the tangerine-sized orb on a square of foil, and drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves. Tera watches me twist the edges of the foil upwards and curl the tip, and set the packet in the oven for roasting.

“Did your Grandma teach you how to do all this?” she asks.

I think of all the recipes my grandmother passed on to me–Poor Soup, breaded tomatoes, red beans … the list goes on, each memory more homey, more bacon-grease enhanced than the last. Kalamata Aioli isn’t on the list. That one I figured out for myself. The stuffing recipe is my own concoction, too.

“No,” I say. “But Grandma taught me to love the kitchen.”

Tera leans against the counter, resting her pretty face in her hands. “When I get married, I’m going to have you come over and make our Thanksgiving dinner.”

I look at her, and just as I do, Fernando Ortega’s voice rises from the living room.

Out of time
We’re running out of time

How old was I? I try to remember the first time Grandma handed me the spoon and began to transfer her love of cooking. Was I Tera’s age? Younger?

“No, you won’t do that,” I say. “Because you’re going to do the cooking yourself.”

Tera laughs. “No way. It’s too much.”

“No, it’s not. You’re going to be a great cook.”

Out of time
We’re running out of time
I glance at the counter. What’s left to make? Green bean casserole.

“Wash your hands,” I tell her. “You’re about to make your first Thanksgiving dish.”

Her eyes widen. “What am I making?”

“Green bean casserole.”

She draws in her breath. “No! Not today. I’ll make it some other time. Not on Thanksgiving.”

But I’m looking at that hourglass. “Some other time” won’t happen. And next year, she might not want to stand here in the kitchen with me. If I wait, I might miss my chance.

“Today,” I tell her. “You’re making it today, and it will be wonderful, and everyone will love it.”

She did … and it was … and everyone loved it.

©2008, Shannon Woodward

This month one of our readers will win a copy
of Patti Lacy’s book,
An Irishwoman’s Tale

Product Description
Far away from her Irish home, Mary Freeman begins to adapt to life in Midwest America, but family turmoil and her own haunting memories threaten to ruin her future. It takes a crisis in her daughter’s life — and the encouragement of Sally, a plucky Southern transplant — to propel Mary back to the rocky cliffs of her home in County Clare, Ireland.

About the Author
Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University in 1977 with a B.S. in education. She taught at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois, until she retired in 2006 to pursue writing full time. She has two grown children with her husband, Alan, and lives in Illinois.

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (July 8, 2008)

___________________________

Enter to Win

The book draw is open to residents of Canada or the US. To enter our draw, please send an email to our editor which includes your name, full mailing address, and email address. Deadline for entries was midnight on the 25th of November 2008. It is now closed. 

The winner was: Kristi Malone, TN

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts
by Trish Berg, Terra Hangen, Cathy Messecar,  Brenda Nixon,
Karen Robbins, & Leslie Wilson

Terra Hangen, mother of two adult sons, lives in coastal California with her husband and their two cats. She loves to write and share tips on gardening, Christmas celebrations, cats, recipes, book reviews, and everything else that catches her fancy. Her articles have been published in Country Woman, Victorian Homes, Back Home, San Diego Family Magazine, Lutheran Digest, Mature Living and many others. She is currently writing a gardening book that includes scripture. Her garden column appears each month at www.positivelyfeminine.org

Terra along with five other women authored “Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts,” a book written to help us unclutter Christmas and bring harmony to this busy season. Turning the pages of this practical book, you’ll find tips for creating traditions, gift giving, growing myrrh, and so much more! The colorful eye-catching design makes this book the ideal gift!

I understand that you co-authored your book with five other women, what prompted your group to come together on this project?

We are all members of an online Christian writer’s group, and I noticed that Brenda Nixon, like me, was a Christian who wrote for secular publications. I sent her an email and asked if we could be Barnabas partners, and our group quickly grew to 6 gals. Cathy had the idea for a book of Christmas firsts, and we all got involved, with Cathy Messecar doing much of the shaping of the book.

How did you go about naming it, “A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts?”

Cathy came up with Christmas Firsts, and we liked “quilt” and “scrapbook.” I love “scrapbook” because all of our tiny parts created a more beautiful “whole.” We call ourselves “The Word Quilters,” so we got to use both words.

Was it difficult to coordinate the project with several writers being involved?

Yes and no. Together we work remarkably well, and agree that the hand of God is in this. Each writer has different strengths–I am called the “garden guru.” I wrote many green related tips for the holidays like how to make a wreath of pine cones, and how to select a living tree. Leslie is an expert on several aspects of Christmas, and gives many presentations on the topic, so she was already poised to contribute.

We have been surprised that our votes on book related questions were often unanimous. Now how often does that happen in everyday life with a group of six gals? (By the way, we have never all been in the same room together. Only one of us, Karen Robbins, has met all of us.)

Since I’m a designer, I have to ask…who designed the book cover? It’s beautiful!

Thank you. Leafwood Publishers used Thinkpen Design to create the artwork, and they have won awards for other books they have designed.

The entire book is as pretty as the cover, and I wish you all could see the pages; it is not white paper with text, but full color on each page, with a scrapbook feel.

When we saw the color designs for the cover online, and got to vote on our favorite, we were unanimous in loving this cover, with the blue background and silver stars.

What is one of your favorite “firsts” from the book?

Several favorites are “Purple Stocking” where Karen describes how her adopted daughter chose the color of her first Christmas stocking, and “Mr. Paul” where Brenda describes how her daughters created a bountiful gift basket as a surprise for an elderly man.  “Decorating For Love” tells about Trish’s attempt to create a tradition while decorating an outdoor tree in freezing weather.

Is there a general message our readers can take away from this book?

We help readers put Jesus front and center for the holiday, and this takes the pressure off of doing too much. We share some easy cookie recipes, my baklava recipe, and ideas for creating family traditions.

What great Christmas tips or ideas did you glean from your co-authors?

I felt a few pangs of joy as I read their contributions, and a smidgeon of sadness (just a touch) that I hadn’t learned about their traditions years ago.

Cathy explains how to set up a Santa chair, which won’t cost you any money, and Leslie describes a fun balloon bouquet tradition.

You’ve said that creating traditions creates stronger families. Can you share a personal example of that?

Things families do each year become threads that bind us together. One day my children may recreate some of our traditions for their own families, and take them to see the Nutcracker Ballet, for example.

How does this book differ from other Christmas books?

It offers stories of Christmas firsts, which I have never seen in any other book. The idea is the first time for a Christmas milestone, like a prodigal child returning home, or my story of my first Christmas camping in the Everglades.

I understand that you’re on the CWO blogroll. Where do you hang your hat in the blogosphere?

My own blog is http://terragarden.blogspot.com  I blog about all sorts of topics, with a focus of gardening ideas, and also book reviews and book giveaways.

Each of us blogs one day a week at http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com
My day is Friday. This blog is an ever growing resource for any Christmas subject, with answers to many holiday dilemmas.

How long have you been blogging?

I began my blog in January 2008, I visit other folk’s blogs and leave comments, and especially like gardeners’ blogs.

Where can readers go to find out more about the book, and can we order it online?

You can order from Amazon and from Christianbook.com, call toll free 1 877 816-4455, or visit: 
www.christmas-scrapbook.info. 

Lots of people have told us that if you hold the book in your hands, you will want to buy it. It has a warm, friendly, scrapbooky feel to it.

You’re right, Terra! I’ve held it in my hand, and thought that it was one of the most beautiful books that I’ve seen. It would definitely make a great gift, or a coffee table book for the holidays.

When you think of Christmas, is there a Bible verse that comes to mind?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

In closing, is there anything that you’d like to add?

Writing is a journey, and I am very joyful to have my writing partners with me: Trish Berg, Leslie Wilson, Cathy Messecar, Brenda Nixon and Karen Robbins. We are now a very close family and hope that our creativity and love of Jesus will reach out and hug you in the pages of this book.

Great job, ladies. We look forward to seeing many more book projects from you all in the future!

(Congratulations to Blair Frye, who won a copy of this book!)

Find out more about the book at:
www.christmas-scrapbook.info

Visit Terra at her blog:
http://terragarden.blogspot.com