A "Paper Missionary" Writer

What a treat! My hibiscus bushes are blooming again. I've enjoyed looking at these beauties for over a week now. What a gift for the end of summer!


I'm not a big fan of nearly all the shows one can watch on TV, or go to the movies to see. A good book captures most of my free time instead of a television show.

Soon after I gave my life to Christ in November of 1978, the first Christian romance novel was published in 1979. Many of you are now familiar with Janette Oke and her book series, Love Comes Softly. That one book began an avalanche of Christian writers telling stories girls love to read.

I confess, I do enjoy a good romance novel. But when I gave my life to Christ that 14th day of November, I wanted novels with morality, faith, courage, perseverance and many other qualities that would speak to me about living a Christ-filled life.

When Hallmark came out with a movie from the first Love Comes Softly book in 2003, I was excited. And I wasn't disappointed.

More recently Hallmark came out with a movie and series by Oke's When Calls The Heart series in 2013, I was delighted with the first season. The second season wasn't quite as good. I haven't seen the third season because I go to bed early. It will be out soon on DVD.

I don't like everything Hallmark does. The Cedar Cove series and Chesapeake Shores, now playing, are becoming like Peyton Place, for those of us that remember. I'm hoping When Calls The Heart doesn't disappoint in the third season.

I watched an interview with Janette Oke and the producers of the Love Comes Softly and When Calls The Heart series. In her first book it was so refreshing to read about a man who is honest, genuine, a good person and a godly man. We don't see that in TV shows and movies of our culture. This man exists! Our young people need to see a man of virtue to learn and understand what it means to be a man of God.

They also discussed the difference between a book and the movie that portrays it. The writers said they could never match up to the original experience of the reader and their imagination. A movie must be a new experience, fresh and exciting on it's own, yet keeping the underlying faith and integrity as the story is presented. I found that interesting.

I read the biography of Janette Oke, written by her daughter, many years ago. As a writer I'm always interested in another writer's life. I've pulled the book out from storage and, I'm enjoying reading about her once again.

"She tried to picture each one of her little books as a little 'paper missionary.' It had the potential, through the spirit's working, to reach a heart crying out for truth and answers somewhere, and she prayed often as she wrote that this would be so," wrote her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan.


It is delightful to listen to folks share when you know their hearts are faithful to provide good decent shows to watch.

You remember Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. Series that the entire family could enjoy together. They are classics!

So this post I give credit to Janette Oke who provided interesting and clean books for a baby Christian to read to help her on her road to maturity. We all need role models, and I seek strong, wise women and men to help me along the way. Because what you put before your eyes and hear with your ears surely stays there. And I want it to be good!

By the way, if you've never watched Hallmark's Signed, Sealed, Delivered series, grab a Yoohoo (remember them) and settle down for another series of delightful  characters and good entertainment! Oliver, Shane, Rita
and Norman will provide laughter and smiles as they work to deliver dead mail in the Dead Letter office.

So I ask you, just what are you looking at? What you put before your eyes and in your ears will definitely stay there. I want it to be good!




My next post will be in two weeks: Wednesday, October 5th. Next week I'll be driving down the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia singing John Denver's "Country roads, take me home to the place I belong.  West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads."
                                         

Just a Little Humor

I'm dog sitting this week with two of my favorite friends, Delaney and Aspen! Both have a sweet temper. Aspen is happy, loving, happy, and Delaney is gentle, slow, peaceful. And they both love me!

"It takes both the rain and the sunshine to make a rainbow." unknown

Martin Luther, a German monk and prominent theologian, began the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century in Europe. His desire for people to feel closer to God led him to translate the Bible into the language of the people. I found the following story interesting which Billy Graham shares in his devotion book Unto the Hills.

"There is a story about Martin Luther going through a period of depression and discouragement. For days his long face graced the family table and dampened the family's home life. One day his wife came to the breakfast table all dressed in black, as if she were going to a funeral service. When Martin asked her who had died, she replied, 'Martin, the way you've been behaving lately, I thought God had died, so I came prepared to attend His funeral.'" Unto the Hills, Billy Graham

Although I like the humor I know living with depression can be very hard. I've had my share, and continue to take medicine to help both depression and headaches which have lived with me most of my adult life.

                                               I'm looking forward to the beauty of fall.

Depression happens to most people at some time or other, as the story shows with Martin Luther. Both great and small can be afflicted through their life.

Please know I'm not saying you can talk someone out of depression which Martin's wife was hoping to do. Christians can be depressed as well as any other person. There can be a chemical imbalance that can only be helped through medicine.

That being said, I liked the story. It is hard living with someone who suffers from depression. Just ask Jerry. He's had a lot of practice.

"Fits of depression come over most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. There may be here and there men of iron . . . but surely the rust frets even these." Charles Swindoll

I've learned you just keep moving on . . . doing something good for someone else . . . meeting a friend for lunch. Do things that you enjoy doing. Volunteer. Help someone. And most important, call on God.

"Only eyes washed by tears can see clearly." Louis L. Mann

         Abby and Jo are still happy little girls! Devoted to their master. Ninety pounds of love!

Last Monday, September 12th, was National Chocolate Milkshake Day, and I didn't participate. I love chocolate milkshakes. Grew up on them when Daddy made them in our kitchen and continued the tradition through most of my adult life. Unfortunately, I don't take too well to milkshakes anymore. Now that's really depressing!

Why Does It Take So Long?

Last Saturday was my last "fawn spotting" for the season. What a wonderful time I've had this summer. I'm so glad I started doing this my first summer of retirement.

Well, this is certainly an embarrassing post! Sometimes I just have to shake my head at myself and wonder where my brain is.

Why does it take so long to get some things right? You know what I mean. You're doing something a certain way and all of a sudden something changes and you realize you can do it better. "Why didn't I think of that a month a go? A year ago? Many years ago?"

I always shake my head that I didn't think to do whatever it was a different way. And it's happened again. This time it took me five years to get it right. Humble pie.

                                                           Are you sharing, Mom?

Since my retirement five years ago, I've had a difficult time with when to have my devotions. I just couldn't seem to get it right. I now had all day! I tried morning, afternoon and evening, but I haven't felt peaceful about anything I've tried.

Abby and Jo to the rescue. My two little girls (well, at 90 lbs. each I guess they're not little) had a time change in their routine. Ever since my cancer treatments and knee surgeries, their feeding times have been off because of us adjusting our schedule to work for us. My friend urged me to try adjusting their time.

About six weeks ago, I started getting up at 5 in the morning to feed them. (I like to think I'm a farmer and getting up for my cows.) That's when it happened. That "oh yes" moment of remembrance.

Most of my 30+ years as a Christian, the early morning hour before getting ready for work was my devotion time. It was the best time for me to fulfill this delight each day. And I was inspired and encouraged all day! Duh, Carol, why couldn't I remember that!

I had just turned off the car in the cemetery hoping to see the doe and three fawn again, when I saw this doe and fawn in the field. Light was low, but I managed to get a fairly clear snap.

So about four weeks ago I started having my devotions at 5 a.m. And what a wonderful time I've been having. I guess since I retired I felt I could sleep a little later in the mornings. And so I tried everything else but that.

Why do things happen like that? I guess it's just part of living.

I'm just glad God never gives up on us! He patiently waits while we try everything but the right thing. I know He's smiling that I finally got it right!

I like this Jewish Proverb: "Any man who understands his own foolishness is already a little wise."