December and Dreams Coming True

December is such a lovely month---with the sights and sounds of Christmas all around us. Like many folks, my very favorite time of year is the Christmas season and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

 With all the busyness going on, I really try to take time to think about the REAL "reason for the season"---and give thanks for that Baby born in humble beginnings who came to save us all. 
This December is extra-special to me personally, because I'm preparing to celebrate my precious grandbaby's very first Christmas! Having my first grandchild born this year has been a dream-come-true for me.
Another dream-come-true has been signing my very first book contract, and I'm thrilled!
I give God all the glory for my blessings, and this year as I celebrate Christmas with joy, I will be extra-joyful for the special blessings and dreams that came true. 
I hope you will have a wonderful Christmas celebration and will remember the special Baby whose birth changed the world.  Merry Christmas!! 
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Bringing Maggie Home

Author Kim Vogel Sawyer has been at the top of my "Favorite Authors List" since I discovered her books about eight years ago. I can truthfully say I have loved everything she's written, and her books remain on my Keeper Shelf.

Her most recent book, BRINGING MAGGIE HOME, is now my new favorite. This story is quite different from the other books she's written, but it's such a touching, heartwarming story that stays with the reader. 

Over seventy years ago, a family was affected by the tragic, sudden disappearance of their very young daughter. That haunting mystery lasted decades, impacting the child's older sister most of all. 

This book is based on that tragic incident, and features three generations of women: a grandmother, mother, and daughter. I don't want to give away any important details about the story, but will say this is a touching story of forgiveness and healing, and I highly recommend it. 

Although I was given a copy, I've purchased another copy to give away. If you'd like to be entered in a drawing for a copy of BRINGING MAGGIE HOME, please leave a comment below!

Book Recommendation

Author Tamera Alexander is one of my very, very favorite Christian authors, and I'm always happy to recommend her books. In August she released the third book in her Belle Meade Plantation series, To Wager Her Heart.  I was very honored to do a reader endorsement for this book and highly recommend it. After reading this touching story, I decided this was my favorite of all the Tamera Alexander books - - and I've read AND loved them ALL! 

Set in Nashville, Tennessee in 1871, the story follows Alexandra Jamison and Sylas Rutledge, two people with very different backgrounds. As I read this love story set amidst actual history, my heart tugged with emotion and I didn't want to stop reading. The author has done an AMAZING job of weaving fictional characters and events with real ones - - a true gift! 

If you enjoy historical romance, you will absolutely love this story. Even though this is a stand-alone book, I also recommend reading the first two books in the Belle Meade series too - - you will not be disappointed!

The Sun and The SON

Today is the "Big Eclipse" that so many in my part of the country have been anticipating. Indeed it's very exciting, and should be a spectacular event. Lots of folks have obtained special glasses to protect their eyes while they view this amazing happening, and some are even planning parties---complete with "Sun" chips, Sunkist soda, and other snacks with names related to the sun. Lots of excitement and anticipation! I too, have my special glasses to protect my eyes and am eager to observe this when it occurs later today.

But all of this "sun" talk has made  me think about another word that sounds the same: son. Not just anyone's son, but THE Son. God's Son---Jesus. How wonderful it would be if we would all be excited and focused on The Son of God every day! If we praised His name daily and often throughout the day rather than mainly in a church service on Sundays. How wonderful if we shared with friends and family about the amazing things He is doing in our lives. Because after all, as amazing and awesome as the eclipse of the sun will be, it cannot compare to the amazing, awesome, eternal love we have from God's Son, Jesus. He paid the ultimate price for us, because He loves us so much. This is something worth celebrating---EVERY day!!  

     And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.  
                                                                           1 John  4:14

Blessings in Abundance

Somehow the month of July slipped past before I could post on here, but on July  7 the Lord blessed my family abundantly!  My daughter gave birth to a precious, healthy, beautiful baby girl, and we are so very thankful. I believe that every child is a blessing. When a woman is told she won't ever have a child, but then gives birth, this is a true miracle from the Lord. That is what happened to my daughter, so we are in awe of what God has done.
As I think about the many, many ways the Lord has poured out His blessings on me, I am humbled. I've done nothing to deserve these gifts, but my heavenly Father loves me so much and I am eternally grateful to Him. May I always live with a thankful heart and do what I can to bless others, because I've been blessed abundantly in my life. God is SO GOOD - - ALL the time!!  

    I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  
                                                                                         Psalm 34:1

Summer Approaches

It's hard to believe we've already reached the last days of May for this year - - which means - - summer is approaching! Although summer is not my very favorite season (I love autumn!) this summer will be very special for my family. We are happily awaiting the birth of my very first grandbaby - - a true miracle and blessing from the Lord! 
Knowing that my daughter's due date is approaching, I've been extra-busy as I complete lots of projects (including numerous medical/dental appointments) before the baby arrives. Thankfully my appointments are all completed (except one---nothing major!) so I'm tackling other projects I need to finish. But I'll admit that a while back I was feeling a bit discouraged as it seemed an endless list of not-so-fun appointments loomed in my future. Of course now that those are behind me, I've felt a wonderful lifting of my spirits. But I've been reminded that when we are facing trials or simply feeling overwhelmed at numerous tasks we must accomplish, the best thing we can do is pray. Yes, we have to work hard and do our best to take care of what must be done, but then we also need to pray for guidance and peace as we tackle those tasks. All of this reminds me of an old saying about sunflowers, which happen to be one of my very favorite flowers! The saying goes something like this: We can learn from the sunflower. Keep your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you.  ~ WOW!! I love that! For Christians, we can also think of keeping our face to the Son, knowing our Lord will guide us and help us when shadows threaten to overwhelm us.  
            
           Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. 
                                                                                         Psalm 55:22
                                                                                                                      

The Blessing of Friendship

I have always been blessed with my friends. Even though I was painfully shy as a young child, I still enjoyed having friends. As I grew older, I realized more and more just how important having true friends really is - - there's just something special about sharing laughs and making fun memories with good friends. There have also been times when I'm not sure what I would've done if not for special friends, uplifting me and offering comfort. 
I can remember my dear Mother---who had a lot of friends!---telling me many years ago: "To have a friend, you must be a friend." So very true! Since I value my friends, I try to let them know how special they are to me, and how much I appreciate all they've done for me through the years. Sometimes I feel I could never repay the kindness of my friends - - I am truly blessed! But I want to continue doing what I can to show others how much I appreciate them, and how special their friendship is to me.

        A friend loveth at all times. Proverbs 17:17

Her Motherhood Wish - Book Recommendation

I recently read a delightful historical romance by Author Keli Gwyn, and I was again reminded of why I enjoy Keli's stories so much!  HER MOTHERHOOD WISH is set in California in 1875 and features believable characters, action with a touch of suspense, and a wonderfully satisfying ending. The two main characters are Chip, a carpenter who has his life planned out and intends to stick to his plan, and Callie, a young woman who loves children but carries a painful reminder from her childhood. When the story opens Chip and Callie encounter two young children who've just become orphans, and I was hooked for the remainder of the book. Keli Gwyn is very thorough in her historical research, and I even learned some history tidbits while reading this story! When the story ended, I wanted to continue reading - - that's how much I enjoyed this book. If you're a fan of historical romance, you would enjoy HER MOTHERHOOD WISH by Author Keli Gwyn - - highly recommended!!  :)

Grace and the Preacher

Author Kim Vogel Sawyer has been my favorite Christian author for the past eight years, and with each of her books that I read, I'm reminded of why I enjoy her writing so much!  Due to release on March 21, 2017, Grace and the Preacher is a sweet story set in a small Kansas town in 1882. The heroine is Grace Cristler, a twenty-four year old postmistress who doesn't see marriage as being likely in her future. But when she begins corresponding with the new preacher who's due to arrive in town and take over her retiring uncle's church, Grace feels hopeful that he might be the man God has for her. 
I will quote what's written on the book's back cover:  Can the faith of one small prairie town and a kind woman's generous heart survive such a great deception?
Since I don't want to give away any "spoilers" in the story, I'll just say that this book kept me hooked all the way to the satisfying ending. I LOVED it!! 
Kim Vogel Sawyer has a talent for creating characters who truly "come alive" as I read, and the powerful messages in her stories offer hope and the reminder of how much God loves us.
If you're not familiar with this author, I strongly encourage you to look for her books. You will not be disappointed!