Published!

I'd been working on my blog all afternoon to enhance it for the publishing of my book. I made some changes in design, but haven't tweaked it quite right yet. I took a breather and thought I'd check around some just to see if my book had been released anywhere yet. I was pleasantly surprised to find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as the Inspiring Voices website!

I'm still waiting for my first copy to arrive. But you can order it now! What a dream come true!

The Old Hymnal

In my church on Sunday mornings there is an old friend that now sits undisturbed, unused. The hymnal seems to have been passed over for a new age and new ideas.

Eyes now look at a screen up front where words are displayed, four lines at a time. To me, it's so bare. Once the words are sung, they disappear for another four lines of words, and so on through the song. You don't get to see an entire verse in its whole, or dwell on the words because they are soon forgotten.

There is one who still holds the hymnal in her hands and delights in singing by looking at the words and music. Me. So many hymns build the gospel story as they go through the verses. I get much satisfaction being able to see the entire hymn in front of me so that I can dwell on the words as I sing.


The words don't disappear in a blink of the eye. The story unfolds before me and the meaning understood. Seeing the musical notes with the words adds to my enjoyment of the entire hymn. I cherish the book that speaks of Jesus and tells His story for all to know.

I was given a very special hymnal during my career with the Baptist Convention. I was honored to work with a man of music, a master of song and story. Dee Solomon was a perfect example of a man filled with God's word and gifted with His music, and Dee did what he could so others may know the love of Christ.

Dee's hand was in the creation of "The Baptist Hymnal for Home & Family." When I learned of this I told him I was going to purchase a copy for a special remembrance of his work. To my surprise and delight, Dee presented me with a copy and wrote the following lovely words on the front page. Below is his note, followed with the words typed.



"In deep appreciation for your friendship and whose life is truly symphonic, influencing all with its soft moments, many themes that develops into beautiful melodies, varied rhythms to meet the demand of the day. Thank you for your encouragement and constant caring. May the words and music of this hymnal be the source of inspiration for life's journey."

He truly encouraged the encourager.

In the book "Amazing Grace ... Inspiring Hymn Stories" Kenneth W. Osbeck shares this thought about the hymnal: "The church hymnal, a most important heritage of the Christian church, is one of the finest collections of man's thoughts and feelings about God."

I also like these words from an unknown author: "Hymns breathe the praise of saints, The vision of the prophets, The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs. They bring solace to the sad, Assurance to the perplexed, Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed. They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations. Study them to be pure in heart; Sing them to be joyful in spirit, Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship." I do that best with hymnal in hand.

Some may think it easier to provide the words on a screen for people to sing. But, I ask, does it capture the heart of those singing or are the words forgotten to read the next line.

For reasons unknown to me, I've always been a loner, not following the crowd, standing alone. I guess I still am. I may be the last person standing who holds a hymnal in her hands, but I will cherish the book, where faithful men and women of old told God's story through their life for Christ. The old hymnal is my friend.

Soaring with Eagles

The other week my friend Cindy and I went to Conowingo Dam up in Harford County. Cindy had been following the eagles on the web, and November is a good time to get some snaps. I like the snap above because of the entire scene. The fall color with the eagle flying was neat!

I'm thinking we may have seen 10 to 12 eagles at different times. What an experience! I've only been fortunate to see one, may two, eagles, both at Blackwater Refuge in Cambridge.

It was a beautiful fall day, temperature warm (5 degrees warmer would have been nice) and the eagles were providing us with opportunities to snap away!

I didn't expect any great snaps with my little camera. I was hoping for some good snaps that I could enjoy. There were 8 to 10 folks with those thousand dollars lenses, but I wasn't intimidated. One older fella was looking out for me, pointing out eagles in trees.


The snap above actually had three eagles roosting, but I only managed to get two in the picture. But I was indeed happy! The snap below, only one eagle was resting for awhile.


Yes, I was soaring with the eagles and it was an exuberant feeling! Just as it says in Isaiah 40:31: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles ..." The snap below is the best close up I got!

The Best Part of Life

"Yes, autumn is really the best of the seasons; and I'm not sure that old age isn't the best part of life. But of course, like autumn, it doesn't last." C. S. Lewis

My sister-in-law, Bobbie, called one Friday morning and said, "I'm going to Thurmont to get some fall pictures. Do you want to come along? Newly retired, and not haven taken many snaps lately, I said yes!



There was beauty to be found everywhere. Oh, if only it could last! The sky was a beautiful blue, just a perfect day to be out enjoying God's creation. A perfect time for reflection.

"Hiding in every flower, in every leaf, in every twig and bough, are reflections of the God who once walked with us in Eden." Tonia Triebwasser

We'll see that garden of Eden one day, and it will be perfect!






Once, Bobbie told me to look up--and look at what I saw! To think I almost missed it.

Yes, autumn is a beautiful season. Helen Steiner Rice wrote these words about autumn: "What a wonderful time is life's autumn, When the leaves of the trees are all gold, When God fills each day as He sends it, With memories priceless and old."

Reflecting on God's blessings warms your heart and inspires your soul. Musing about Lewis' statement about being old may be the best part of life, I'm tending to agree. All of nature now embraces me as it never has before.


The things of this world mean far less than they use to, and the things of God far more. Touching somebody's heart is more important than any achievement I've aimed for or any pleasure I desired.

George Washington Carver said this about nature: "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

I encourage you to "tune in" as you pass a babbling brook, a majestic tree or see a soaring hawk. This may be the best part of your life! And for all those who know Jesus, the ultimate part of your life will be seeing Him!

Never Stop Praying

Through the years I've often done battle with the word never. I've learned it's in my best interest not to use it. It's a word that you often have to eat.

But I feel confidant in using it in this title. I was reminded of it this morning in a devotion I read. It told of George Muller, who founded orphanages in England in the 1800s, and the five close friends he prayed for to be saved.

After five years, he saw one friend saved. Another 10 years he saw another friend saved. Another 25 years of prayer found two more friends saved. That left one of the original five. Muller died not seeing the last one saved.

He had prayed for some 50 years for his friends. Fifty years. That's a long time to continue praying when you see sporadic results.

Scripture that is most often quoted regarding persistent prayer is found in Luke 18:2-6. Jesus tells his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. It's the story of the widow who kept coming to the judge with her plea. The judge finally granted her request to get rid of her.

I certainly have prayers that I've been praying for years but have seen no answer. A number in fact. But I keep on praying for I know God answers prayer in His time and His way. Maybe I won't be here to see all of my prayers answered, as George Muller, but that doesn't stop my hope in praying.

Oh, that 5th friend of Muller's. He surrendered his life to Christ at Muller's funeral.

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:15). The point is never to give up until the answer comes. For our God is gracious and generous and His works are miraculous.

I like this quote by Oswald Chambers, "The prayer of the feeblest saint on earth who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan."

The early snow brought two bucks to our back gate. We hadn't seen them since summer.

The Dream Continues

My book is on its way to the printers! I signed off on the Galley and Cover yesterday. I will get the first copy in two or three weeks.

Since I signed up with Inspiring Voices, a service of Guideposts, it's been an interesting journey. Only three short months have passed, but with very focused energy every day. Now begins the marketing phase.

It would be hard to describe what the note writing ministry has meant to me. From the early stages when I put forth my greatest energy on working with words to find the right ones to encourage someone ... to the middle stage when I felt comfortable writing those words ... to the present stage when I feel honored to write God's encouraging words--my life has been encouraged over and over.


It has been a fulfilling service, helping me grow in wisdom and understanding, and pushing me beyond my limits of the ultimate introvert. Imagine me, who can't say two words in a group of people, giving a talk to numbers of people, about an incredible ministry.

I think back to when Jerry first suggested I write a book on note writing, to actually doing it, producing it, and then selling it when I gave my presentation. And now it will have the possibility of touching many lives as God uses it for His Glory.

Dreams do come true ... even at 62! I can't imagine what it will be like holding a published copy of my book in my hands.

Jerry spotted the first snap and liked the scene. The second picture I snapped, enjoying the clothing for the lightpost.

The Beginning of a Retired Life

"We shall everyone of us have a charge to keep, an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, one generation to serve." Charles Wesley wrote these words talking about the song he created titled: "A Charge to Keep I Have."

I especially like the words of the second stanza: "To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill--O may it all my pow'rs engage to do my Master's will!"

These are the words I found in the October 14th devotion in "Amazing Grace," on my last day of work. I felt they were given especially to me as I start my retirement. God has truly energized my desire to serve Him with the gifts He has given me.

But there is another reason the devotion was special: the 14th. Unplanned by me, the big occasions in my life have all arrived on the 14th. I was born on March 14th, which I obviously had nothing to do with. I was saved on November 14th, which I didn't plan; and I was married to Jerry on December 14th, which was the best date for the pastor who married us. And now here I am, on October 14th, retiring.

The scripture verse with the devotion is from Ephesians 4:1: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."


Retirement has begun!I passed the first Monday without having to get up and go to work. But Sam and I did leave the house at 7:15 to begin walking in the park. It's a dream I've wanted to fulfill for a long time. Hopefully, most mornings we will be able to walk in the park.

Now begins the cleaning up, throwing out and rearranging in my writing room and computer room. Things have been piling up in there for the past few weeks, and I'm ready to get it over with. Organization has always been one of my qualities and it's time to get these rooms back.

I actually went three weeks without downloading any pictures I took. That certainly is a record! That big, beautiful tree on Pferffkorn Road is not quite in full fall color, so it's on my appointment book. I took the above picture last fall of the tree. I was away at the Annual Meeting when it was in full color; even so, the tree was still lovely. Hopefully, in a few days, I will get the snap I've imagined.