We passed the one year mark in our new home and we love it. There is still much painting and fixing up to do, but the main floor is nearly there. We just need to install some light fixtures and put up a railing and it will be done! The second floor still needs some major renovation, and the basement is almost fully painted. Then we tackle all of the stuff that we crammed down there from our thirty-seven year marriage. Gotta make room for that train board!
We were able to do some camping this year. Our big vacay was to South Dakota. We’ve never seen Mount Rushmore, and it didn’t disappoint. The highlight, however, was our five-year-old grandson, Adrian. We decided to take him alone because all of his siblings (except the baby) had been able to go out of state for various fun things this year. This picture is where we camped. We had a lot of fun and even sang in the car. For a rousing rendition of a song about a frog in Mandarin Chinese, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/kracklinprosie?feature=mhee.
Yes, Mandarin Chinese. Adrian and his three older sisters are going to a school where that is taught. They thought it would be fun since their church often hosts Chinese students and some of them have spent time in their home.
And here’s a picture with the oldest, Dominic. He’s thirteen and it’s hard to catch him in photos. He is becoming interested in pursuing Christian rap. I’ve heard him. He’s pretty good!
And now a word from our sponsor…
I had two books come out this year. One was the eBook (now also in print) that I told you all about last year. Titanic: A Legacy of Betrayal. A secret. A key. Much was buried when the Titanic went down, but now it's time for resurrection. It’s available in Kindle and Nook as well as print. Please visit www.titaniclegacyofbetrayal.com for more info.
The second was a novella anthology. Postmark: Christmas. My story is titled “A Blessed Angel Came.” A shy woman with an important message meets a photographer bent on helping her find her voice, if his past doesn’t silence it completely. This book can be found in most Christian bookstores and Walmart. Or, it can be ordered from places like Amazon, B&N, etc.
And finally, we could use your prayers. Jim was laid off from LGS a couple of months ago. We are excited (and, yes, a little scared) as this opens up other avenues for us to pursue. Please keep us before the throne as we enter into this new phase.
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
–How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss.
Skye has spent his entire life dealing with pain and abandonment issues from his childhood. But as an adult, he's finally happy. . .until the day he gets a call from a lawyer saying his hippie mother, Hannie, is in a coma. When Skye shows up on Hannie's alpaca ranch as the surprised and hostile heir apparent, Ruthanne struggles to believe that her wonderful employer could be the same woman who caused the bitter pain she sees in Skye's eyes. Will Skye and Ruthanne each allow their unforgiveness to keep them bound and unfulfilled, or will God use a strange situation to heal their past hurts and anger? Order HERE.
imagined meeting the girl of his dreams while draped over the side of a charter boat, nauseous. Captain Meranda Drake hadn't imagined she'd ever fall for a land-lubber. But the two team up to search for a long lost booty of coins that belong to Meranda's family. Their search takes them from the deep waters off the Oregon coast to the lighthouse that represents Meranda's deceased father. What they find is something more important than ancient treasure, more lasting than love, and more solid than the rocky shore. Order HERE.
for a role that will launch her acting career. One problem. It requires her to handle a falcon--and she's afraid of birds. She enlists the help of bird handler, Tim Vogel, who has a fear of his own--actresses. Will Glenys overcome her fear before she endangers lives? Will Tim shed his prejudice before his soul mate leaves forever? And will a gossiping parrot named Cyrano be able to bring these two together in his unique way? Order HERE.
