Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010

Originally this blog was dedicated to what I try to do for God. In the few weeks I've been doing this, it has made me realize that I do pretty much nothing for God. He does everything for me. I am praying that I do better in the new year!
Christmas Eve we went to a 4:00 service at church. It was standing room only and I was standing but I chose a spot by the 10th row so I had a great view. Sweet little girls dressed up like angels came down the row after they performed in the nativity. Two of the little girls were from the Christian school I help out at - one of them smiled and waved as she went by but the other, Hannah, stopped and gave me a huge hug! I have to say getting hugged by one of God's angels on Christmas Eve was the highlight!
Then we went to Mike's sister's Mary Ellen's for a party Christmas Eve. Mike's sister, Beth, gave a talk about how we should all pretend we were there that night in Bethlehem when Christ was born. It was very heart felt and I was sorry when her talk ended. I gave the reading which was an honor really to be asked.
Christmas morning we stopped at my brother John's and gave him his cinammon rolls. Had taken other brother Andy's to him with son, Luke, the day before Christmas Eve. The house he is renovating is lovely. He is gifted to be able to do that! Then we stopped at my sister, Bev's, for breakfast Christmas Day. She had amazing french toast with giant blueberries! It was so good - then we went on to Mike's mothers. I took a platter of Christmas cookies. It did my heart good to see everyone eating them - especially the children. I love to bake but obviously can only eat so many!
It made me think of all the people I had given my Christmas cookies to - brother, Dave, the pastor and his wife at church, our neighbor, Irene, my piano and art students that come to my house Monday and Tuesday evenings, a sister and so on....I am so blessed to be have so many people to give my cookies to!!!
Then we went to my new daughter in law's parent's house which is located in the same city. We had awesome macaroni and cheese and Italian meatballs. And I got to play with Nicky's nephew, Jordan. We played dinosaurs and got some good dinosaur fights going!
Then Sunday morning I went to the small country church I attend at 9 and remembered my Christmas cards for everyone. Had forgotten them the week before and it's a tradition in that little church to remember everyone with Christmas cards for Christmas. Then I grabbed another cup of tea in my Christmas mug I had bought at Cracker Barrel and went to my 11:00 church which is a large contemporary church with a Christian band. I spoke with a lovely family after the service - their son Nathan is applying to medical school and has asked me to edit his essay which I am more than happy to do - and also honored to do.
Last night I had Mike's mom, sister, Margaret, husband, Cody and son, Eric, over for dinner. We had the nicest time with Christmas music playing and the Christmas tree lit. Honestly if I had to pray to marry into a nice family, I wouldn't have even dreamed to pray for my in-laws! Each and everyone of them are special beyond being special.
Thank you, God, for what you do for me!!! And Christmas blessings to all.....

Friday, December 10, 2010

Friday Afternoon

     This afternoon after I was settled in to an afternoon full of agency work, my husband called me from the road. He told me as a libary board member he was supposed to have taken food donations and two very large tables to the library that afternoon to be used for their holiday sale the following day. He asked me to do it for him since he wouldn't be back in time.
     The tables are the tables that seat twelve people each that we use for Thanksgiving. We had 46 people at our house for Thanksgiving this year and what a blessing it was!
     I had to drag them upstairs as they are old and heavy and then get them in the back of my younger son, Luke's pick up truck. This truck had belonged to Luke's grandfather many years before, is a 1992 and the tailgate rusted out years before and is missing. Luke is a college student who mows 3 cemeteries in the summer so it suits him well.
     My husband was driving the good truck and I knew they wouldn't fit in my Corolla. I worried a little bit that the tables would fall out of the back but thought I would just drive very slowly. I drove about 35 mph down our road and into town.
     When I pulled into a parking place at the libary, I noticed both the tables were missing so I did a U turn in the middle of that busy street to go back and rescue them. Driving Luke's truck has never been easy for me and I'm afraid I held up traffic for awhile at the intersection before I could get it into reverse. Then as I rounded the bend on the main street, I saw them in the middle of the road. People were slowing down and looking at them strangely to see what they were.
     I left the truck running, parked illegally, got out and pulled one of them out of the road. Then a nice young man came out of nowhere, grabbed the other one and pulled that one out. He walked through the traffic with me and loaded both tables back on the truck. What a nice guy!!! I thanked him profusely. Honestly it was difficult enough getting them in the back of the truck the first time - am not certain I could have accomplished it again.
     It surprised me as well that the people in the busy intersection weren't angry to be held up; they were smiling and one lady was laughing. Would rather have that than people being angry.
     So I didn't have to take a turn, I drove behind the library, parked illegally [again] and dragged the tables one by one into the library and down the stairs. I also took in the food items for the sale. When I left the tables, I noticed there was a lot of snow on them from when they fell off the truck but by the look on my face, I guess the ladies decided not to say anything to me about it.
     Since I was out and about, I stopped at Lowe's to pick up a couple of things. As I walked through the poinsetta  section, I noticed carts of beautifully scented Easter lilies. I couldn't walk by them without stopping to take a whiff. Their scent is the closest thing to heaven without really being there. The girl unloading them off a cart told me quietly the store had ordered Christmas cactuses but that the warehouse had sent them Easter lilies by mistake. I couldn't help but wonder if people would buy them.
     Then at the light on the way home waiting at an intersection, I noticed my husband's Golden Retriever, Pike, who was sitting in the passenger seat next to me staring through the window at the car next to me. I didn't want to be snoopy but I looked over. There was a little girl holding a Golden Retriever puppy that was wearing a bright red sweater. The little girl was holding the puppy's paw so that it was waving at Pike. For a second I thought Pike might wave back...

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Prayers for Amy's husband, Joe!

Zondervan author, Amy Clipston's husband, Joe has been awaiting a kidney transplant. John Hopkins called them today and said they may have a match. Please lift this up in prayer that this works out for them! I spoke to Amy's writing group in Charlotte two winters ago - on the way back to the airport, The Clipstons - Amy, Joe and their two sons, Matthew and Zachary took me out for breakfast. Joe said he just wanted to be able to take his boys fishing. Pray this dream comes true! What a wonderful thanksgiving this would be for their family.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

My Christmas Box

I just returned from Walmart and bought groceries for my son who is home from college with a friend who played soccer with him. His friend is from England and is such a treasure to have in our house! I had the pleasure of taking him and another team mate to the famous Duff's in Buffalo after one of the games for wings. In Walmart there was an elderly lady who was alone. She asked me if I saw any Christmas flags. I told her no but they might have them in the dollar store. She showed me some pretty artificial flowers and told me a story about them. I listened raptly and felt blessed that she had stopped to talk with me and share her lovely story.
I bought things for a care package for Luke's old friend from Avon Old Farms who is in Afghanistan serving our country. One of the things I bought was a Christmas tree that lights up when plugged in. I bought him red balls, garland, snowmen and other things to decorate his tree with - including a silver angel for the top - plus a lot of treats. I sent a poor boy to the back of the store who had just begun working at Walmart to test it to make certain it would light up when plugged in. It wouldn't be good to send it and disappoint the soldier if it didn't work. I smile when I see him opening the box with all the goodies and pray he'll know how much he is loved, not just by my family but by all of America.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

New PJ's

A local Christian school is collecting PJ's to give to low income children this holiday season. Bought 3 pairs this evening for older children. It was fun picking them out in Old Navy.
Something I've learned from beginning this blog is that I don't do enough for God and He does so much for me. Am going to have to pray about this and work on it!!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Prayers for Ellen

My former film agent and friend, Ellen,  is ill - she just asked to be released from her book contract she was writing on divorce. Her chemo has caused liver damage and she's on a transplant list. Could you please lift Ellen up in your prayers? I met her at Book Expo America in LA years ago; she is a lovely person inside and out. She also has children named Benjamin and Samantha that could use prayers as well.

Monday, November 15, 2010

My New Site

Thank you for all the lovely comments on my new site. My new co-agent Nicole Resciniti did it! She sent me a romantic suspense years ago which I signed. Then she invited me to speak to her local RWA writing group, in Naples, Florida. While there I spent time with her and her gracious husband, Frank. They took me out to dinner and for ice cream and impressed me as just the nicest people ever! Nicole shared with me that when she travels home summers, her favorite past time is fishing with her grandfather. Wow! I was impressed. What character. Nicole is a huge blessing to me and I believe sent by God.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

My First Entry

Hi, welcome to my blog! Am excited you are taking time out of your very busy schedule to read this. I attend two churches - a small rural church at 9:00 AM my ancestors helped build when they migrated to this country from Ireland during the great potato famine and a large contemporary church with a church band at 11:00 AM. My large church visited a homeless center in Plattsburgh this past Wednesday. I was unable to go due to work but I bought two large bags of hats, mittens, scarves to be distributed to the people; I also bought one really warm red jacket that seem to speak to me - I couldn't walk by and not buy it. God had an indiviual that needed that coat.
Through this church, I also filled three Christmas boxes in honor of my sons, Matt and Luke, and new daughter-in-law, Nicky to donate to Samaritan's Purse. These will be distributed overseas to children to help make their Christmas merrier.
My younger son, Luke, has a friend he attended Avon Old Farms School in CT with who dropped out of college and enlisted. I sent him, with Luke's help, a care package to Afghanistan. He wrote to Luke and thanked him profusely. He said he couldn't believe it when he saw the package on his bed because he doesn't get much mail. We are going to send him another one so he receives it in time for Christmas.

Friday, October 22, 2010

A New Beginning

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"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." --Colossians 3:17
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One day when Mary Sue was talking to God, she asked Him -
Why she had a roof over her head to keep out the rain
Medical care when she was ill
A fireplace to keep her warm
And all the food she could possibly eat
When some people had nothing?
 
 
 
In this blog, you will find a record of my good deeds, and I hope you will add yours. Together, we can make a difference.


Blessings to you on this day and all that follow . . .