Treasuring Memories & These Last Weeks

Are you treasuring these last weeks of summer along with me? How delightful to enjoy evening bike rides and walks, playing tennis, hitting golf balls and just hanging out with family and friends. I love all the seasons, even winter (for a time anyway), but summer is hands down my favorite.

Back to school is just around the corner for our youngest grandchildren Joshua and Anna. Their parents recently moved from Florida to within five minutes of us in July. Yay! Our older five grandchildren have completed their schooling through college so this is like a do-over.

I’m wondering how you moms and grand moms do or did celebrate the first day of school in your children’s lives growing up. I always made homemade chocolate chip cookies. I was so sad and baking gave me something meaningful to do other than cry. I loved being a Mom and having my four children home with me all summer. When they’d return home from school on the first day we’d sit at the kitchen table so I could hear about the new adventures in each of their lives.

Recently, I came across a letter I sent our twin grandchildren when they started first grade eight years ago. I re-sent it to them as they start high school because the pointers still apply today.

Dear Anna and Joshua,

Remember to look at your teacher and listen when he or she talks. Obey rules with a cheerful smile and don’t be grumpy when you have to do something. If you have a question or need help, ask.

If at first you don’t understand how to do something, it’s okay, sometimes you need to try several times before you can do something new, like riding your bicycle, remember? And sometimes your brain needs to hear things often, before the new idea sticks in it. Be patient with yourself.

Be on the look-out for other children that you can be kind to. Check if someone seems to be left out and include them. Even if other children are sometimes naughty, you be good. However, if someone is rude or unkind you don’t need to play with them until they improve their behavior. Always remember God loves you and your family does too. Love, Grandma and Grandpa

Wise advice for all of us adults today too? Being kind and considerate of others is always in style whether it’s in the grocery store or government offices or on the roadways. That said, most people are so awesome. Every day people pleasantly surprise me with their thoughtfulness.

Best of all, God is in our new experiences and in the old. Some things are always current like loving Him and depending on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to help us through all the experiences of our lives. I can’t imagine doing life any other way, can you?

Happy end of summer and transitioning into a fantastic fall season friends and family.

SPEAKING NEWS

Mid-August Wayne and I travel to Monroe, Wisconsin for the Christian Women’s Connection Men’s Guest night. Wayne will give the keynote talk and I’ll present a feature “Enhancing Important Relationships.” Wayne's new book, Thoughts For Today, Words For Tomorrow a father's legacy to his children will be available and is also on amazon.

FREE BOOKS

Last month 250 people ordered my e-books on days they were free. Since my writing is ministry you know I love giving away free books (I can only do this with the books I own all rights to which doesn’t include my mysteries - sorry.) Jesus Time devotionals will be a free e-book on August 28 and September 18. 

WRITING NEWS

I’m SO excited to announce The Windemere Affair my next mystery novel will be released October 5^th. It will be available for pre-order shortly – I’ll let you know when I have a date.

Thank you for so graciously receiving my new Jesus Time, 365 Love Notes of Wonder & Worship book and for your kind notes and reviews. I pray you'll be blessed daily by these devotionals.

 

I started writing every Tuesday for the Facebook page Fill My Cup, Lord alternating with a team of delightful Christian authors. I’d love for you to check it out and LIKE our page which we hope will encourage women.

Hebrews12:2: "Looking away from all that will distract us to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith, and also the Finisher bringing it to maturity and perfection." (Amplified Bible)