Scripture of the Month: “My life has been an example to many because you have been my strength and protection.” Psalm 7:7 NLT

 

Quote of the Month: “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been alone in the dark with a mosquito!”  Unknown

I have been thinking a lot lately about stories. The ones I love, the ones I’ve hated ; the ones in my head and those that are daily being lived in my life and the lives around me. Tragedies. Comics. Epic tales. Adventure. Mystery. Intrigue. Romance.

I’ve been sharing some of my best loved books with the girls and my youngest has hit the Anne of Green Gables series that I well remember my other girls reading. We’ve read Little Women, and as we have done about every two years since Eden was little, we are reading the Little House books aloud. They are rich in history and the precious treasure of close family. We are very nearly on the prairie, in the big woods and hungry as bears when we read all the dinner descriptions in Farmer Boy.

Yet I am aware that this is likely the last time I will do this – at least with my older girls. They are a bit more restless, too cool to sit very long with us on the porch or in their play fort or in the park and read aloud. All this is normal, and yet it is a difficult adjustment for this mommy.

It has made me remember that every day we have the privilege of life and breath is the beginning of our “a long time ago.” As such, we have a responsibility to make our stories shine. To keep our commitments and honor our vows. To show our children through our examples that Jesus is the most important thing. That our lives here count for eternity. That though it cost them everything, it is worth it to stand for Him, even if at school, at work or with friends, it means that they stand alone.

I so enjoy hearing from all of you and am praying that your “once upon a times” and “a long time agos” are rich and sweet.

“But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa’s fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the big woods. She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth…she looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting. She thought to herself, “This is now.”

She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the fire-light and the music were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods 

 

The honor of singing a medley of God Bless America & America the Beautiful at the Silver Dollar City 9/11 anniversary memorial service to honor First Responders. The Carthage Police Department Honor Guard is in the background. They did an outstanding job. What a beautiful service!

From Our House to Yours

Greg and I escaped for a glorious 31 hours to the Anchor Inn Bed & Breakfast in Branson, for our “fake” anniversary, since he was at the Body Farm in Tennessee for our actual day. That too was a story, for how can you deny someone the privilege of accomplishing a lifetime training goal just because it happens to fall on that date? It was just as much fun to celebrate 16 years and 2 months of marriage, and now I only have to wait 10 months for the next celebration!

It’s hard to believe that only five of my eighteen speaking engagements for this year are left on the calendar! I’ve been able to take a few of the girls with me as I go to help them remember why I do this and to steal some precious moments alone with them.

In my office, I am nearly finished with my first novel, Barefoot in December. Thanks to all of you who have written to encourage me and who have left precious comments on the website.

It has been four months and two weeks since the devastating tornado in Joplin. Each business that reopens, each home that goes up, each tree that sprouts green is a powerful symbol of hope. Please pray for all those affected, because the 3 to 6 month mark is often worse to deal with than the immediate crisis.

I’ve had such fun mining through old books and magazines in order to prepare special trivia for our church’s Old Fashioned Revival Sunday. One resource I’ve been reading is this month’s book selection, a tiny but timely tome about making do with less. Written during the height of the Great Depression, much of it is charmingly appropriate for today’s economic times.

Only two months and 17 days until Christmas time! There now. I’ve either stressed you out or thrilled you to pieces.

Hugs and blessings,

Cindy

 

Anchor Inn Bed & Breakfast in Branson

Autumn Speaking Schedule

October 7-8 “The Showdown: How God Fights for Us in the Battles of Our Lives”; 3 session retreat – New Heights Christian Church retreat – Bourbon, MO

October 19 “Peanut Butter Motherhood” – College Heights Christian Church, Joplin, MO MOPS

November 4-5 “God’s Got It Covered: A Quilt of Joy; A Quilt of Comfort; A Quilt of Victory” – 3 session retreat – Tiak’o’khata Resort – Jackson, Mississippi

November 12 – “The Chocolate Side of Life” 11a.m.-1p.m. keynote/luncheon – Racine Christian Church – Racine, Missouri

November 14 – “Hot Chocolate for Couples” – Carterville Christian Church – Mom2Mom – Carterville, MO

Fast Fact: The average family household has 23 technological devices!! [Parenting, 111,9/11]

I love this new acronym to help remember to eat HEALTHFULLY & MOVE MORE: Get off your SOFAS!!! (solid fats and added sugars). Parenting, 8/11,27

Weight in! No, not you – your purse! If it weights 10 lbs. or more, it effects your posture and can cause back pain or even headaches. It might be time for fall cleaning in whatever bag you carry.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Movies…

Clark Gable reluctantly signed a contract to play the part of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind in 1938. Gary Cooper had turned the role down, reportedly saying, “Gone with the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I’m glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his nose, not me!”

Mom Kiss: Courageous – Go see this movie! Inspiring, convicting and laugh out loud funny. What a blessing to have this message in real theatres. Pray for Hollywood to wake up and notice what needs to be out there.

Mom Hiss: the remake of Footloose – preliminary reports and footage shows dance moves and disrespect that makes the original version seem like a Disney film. The producers have taken what could be a wonderful premise and lowered it to the typically raunchy teen fare with smutty clothes and even smuttier bumps and grinds.

On Our Table

Seasoned Autumn Oyster Crackers

1 pkg. dry Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing mix

¾ c. olive oil

1 ½ packages oyster crackers

¼ t. garlic powder

¼ t. dill weed

Combine spices w/ olive oil. Pour over crackers on jelly roll pan. Stir to coat. Place in 250 degree oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

This is our family’s favorite as a snack or in autumn’s soups!

 

October 23^rd marks ten years since Apple released the iPod. Remember walkmans, boom boxes and gulp, 8 tracks?