Serendipity is the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. We picked up two grandsons on a Wednesday morning and returned them to their mother on a Saturday morning. Talk about serendipity; it was in the air. Swimming at the local wellness center, enjoying an ice cream cone at Echy's Ice Cream Shoppe, having a picnic on the river (and seeing a crane and a snake and bees and bugs and various sticks), swinging, playing in the park, pancakes with Grandpa, and feeding the horses filled our days. There was a story to share with every experience. Example: two year old grandson loves the water and will stand underneath the bucket at the pool until it is full, then turns his face to the ceiling and takes the contents of the water-filled bucket full-force in the face. However, when we arrived at the car wash, he asked for a blanket. "Are you cold?" I asked him. No, I'm scared. So, this small mighty wonder of a fish in the pool, sits under a blanket in his car seat while the car is being washed. Will we ever understand? Or, stop smiling?
As a mother (and now a grandmother), I sometimes wonder which stories to tell, which stories to keep forever secret, and which do not matter. Sharing or not sharing seems to depend on family circumstances in life, the people who impact your situations, and generally what's happening out there.
I was drawn to "Letter to My Daughter" by George Bishop when at the library this week. George has an interesting background having taught and lived in Solvakia, Turkey, Indonesia, India and Japan. Currently he lives and teaches in New Orleans. However, what I found most interesting is that this novel, the letters to his daughter, are written from the daughter's mother. So, he has chosen to take the female perspective. I was intrigued by the story as I am a baby boomer, and it is this period of time that the mother speaks of--her own teenage years. It is immensely touching for many reasons. Although fiction, it could be any one of our stories.
The book was in a sense a "serendipity" moment as I often don't find one that really provides a good story and makes me thing as well.
This next story takes a while to get the serendipity spin, so stick with me. I delivered our precious grandsons to their mother early this morning: we met for breakfast at a half-way point for her and for me. Traveling early in the morning with two grandsons and all their gear, I was sensible about my wardrobe: camoflaged pants, plastic sandals and a beige shirt. I added my on-sale $1.20 earrings from a recent shopping trip. After meeting mom, having breakfast, and giving goodbye hugs and kisses, I returned to my home-town to take in a bridal shower. As I walked into the room, I scanned the crowd to see dress after dress after dress in bright colors--like cocktail dresses! I couldn't leave; I'd already been spotted. A grandmother gave me the once over from head to toe and a few others glanced my way. I used the brightly colored wrapped gift to cover as much as me as I could and found a place to sit--choosing a seat across from a friend who sat with others I did not know.
And, this is where the serendipity moment starts. My friend, Heidi, introduced me to Mary who sat across from me. Mary started with, "Are you the Kathy Stauffer who writes those books that are for sale in that little shop in your town?" Yes, I answered. Long story short: Mary writes, too. After the shower, I brought her to my house and gave her a copy of each one of my books. We plan to keep in touch via email and when she visits relatives again in our town. Our goals seem to be the same: witnessing to others through our written words.
Have your ever thought that God brings certain people into your life and allows certain things to happen all the time. Now, that is serendipity!
Romans 8:28 tells us, We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him who are called according to his purpose.
Wishing you God's wonderful blessings.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
...There Is A Season
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; . . . a time to embrace. . . a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; . . . What gain has the worker for his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time . . .
Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11
My husband and I attended the 60th wedding anniversary of some friends recently. Sixty years is a long time. Although they were concerned that no one will come, the attendance was huge, and they will be reading cards for days if not weeks.
When I was younger, I could not imagine being married, being a mother and never even thought of those "grandmother" years or the possibility of being married to someone forever. My husband and I have been married over forty years; and even though we have had the ups and downs like many couples, we have surely been blessed.
When spending time with my son and daughter-in-law recently, we found ourselves examining photographs in a mall from the early 1900's. The question, "What period of time would you like to go back to if you could?" My daughter-in-law thought the 1950's would be a good time--antibiotics had been discovered, and clothes were less cumbersome. Interesting, I thought. My son thought that his life today was great. When we pressed him with, Oh come on, play along, you have a time machine at your disposal, he changed his answer to "yesterday." Smiling, he stated that life was good for him, and he didn't want to go anywhere else--an answer that any mother may be pleased with.
When it was my turn, my first response was the late 1800's; society was changing so quickly at this time; historical changes were happening. And, then, my next thought was why not return to Biblical times when Jesus walked the earth? It would be dusty, dirty, and so very unlike our clean, cool, efficient houses and work places, but what an insight. The Bible would come alive in a different way because I had been there.
For everything there is a season. . .
Marci Cheevers just published her first book after thinking she could never write a book. Shapato Publishing, a small publishing company out of Everly, Iowa, published her book. I have not purchased yet, but when I checked it out, it appears to be spontaneous writing and joy over every day life.
For everything there is a season . . .
A friend of mine wrote me a note regarding my last book, "All the Rivers Run Into the Sea." She wrote, Your best talent is weaving the scripture into the story and your knowledge of the Bible. The plot, the characters, and descriptive scenery are all just great. I could hardly put the book down. These were very encouraging words. Just today, I received some not-so-encouraging words from another writer, Shelly Beach. She has an impressive web-site, and she agreed to read this book. Although her words were encouraging, she said her agent would not be interested in this book as the central plot was not established in the first chapter or two.
For everything there is a season . . .
Whatever your stage or place in life is at this moment, I encourage you to stay strong, believe in God's purpose for your life and then, continue. Endure.
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that god has given to the sons of men to be busy with. he has made everything beautiful in its time . . . Ecclesiastes 3: 11
Wishing you God's unexpected blessings this week.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11
My husband and I attended the 60th wedding anniversary of some friends recently. Sixty years is a long time. Although they were concerned that no one will come, the attendance was huge, and they will be reading cards for days if not weeks.
When I was younger, I could not imagine being married, being a mother and never even thought of those "grandmother" years or the possibility of being married to someone forever. My husband and I have been married over forty years; and even though we have had the ups and downs like many couples, we have surely been blessed.
When spending time with my son and daughter-in-law recently, we found ourselves examining photographs in a mall from the early 1900's. The question, "What period of time would you like to go back to if you could?" My daughter-in-law thought the 1950's would be a good time--antibiotics had been discovered, and clothes were less cumbersome. Interesting, I thought. My son thought that his life today was great. When we pressed him with, Oh come on, play along, you have a time machine at your disposal, he changed his answer to "yesterday." Smiling, he stated that life was good for him, and he didn't want to go anywhere else--an answer that any mother may be pleased with.
When it was my turn, my first response was the late 1800's; society was changing so quickly at this time; historical changes were happening. And, then, my next thought was why not return to Biblical times when Jesus walked the earth? It would be dusty, dirty, and so very unlike our clean, cool, efficient houses and work places, but what an insight. The Bible would come alive in a different way because I had been there.
For everything there is a season. . .
Marci Cheevers just published her first book after thinking she could never write a book. Shapato Publishing, a small publishing company out of Everly, Iowa, published her book. I have not purchased yet, but when I checked it out, it appears to be spontaneous writing and joy over every day life.
For everything there is a season . . .
A friend of mine wrote me a note regarding my last book, "All the Rivers Run Into the Sea." She wrote, Your best talent is weaving the scripture into the story and your knowledge of the Bible. The plot, the characters, and descriptive scenery are all just great. I could hardly put the book down. These were very encouraging words. Just today, I received some not-so-encouraging words from another writer, Shelly Beach. She has an impressive web-site, and she agreed to read this book. Although her words were encouraging, she said her agent would not be interested in this book as the central plot was not established in the first chapter or two.
For everything there is a season . . .
Whatever your stage or place in life is at this moment, I encourage you to stay strong, believe in God's purpose for your life and then, continue. Endure.
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that god has given to the sons of men to be busy with. he has made everything beautiful in its time . . . Ecclesiastes 3: 11
Wishing you God's unexpected blessings this week.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Thoughts On A Father's Day
Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, started Father's Day in 1910. The custom spread through-out the United States. It is a day in which many persons from the U.S. and Canada express their appreciation to their fathers through gifts, cards, a phone call, or a visit. (This information came from The World Book Encyclopedia, 1973 Copyright.... which tells you something about my house, what I keep, and which sources I really like to use.)
My dad was born in 1915. Perhaps he celebrated a few Father's Days with his own father or perhaps not. They lived on several different farms before settling in Iowa and were more than likely busy with planting, harvesting, carrying for the chickens-pigs-cows-and an occasional horse, canning, and butchering a hog or cow when the family needed meat.
He's 97 years old now and understandingly finds some of the changes incredible. His mother thought it remarkable that she rode a horse to school and lived long enough to see a rocket go into space. My dad who farmed his entire life, shakes his head and smiles over the use of air-conditioning in farm equipment, a device called a GPS to assist with planting--not to mention the cost of an acre of farmland or a new tractor.
Growing up on this very farm my Dad and his family did, I would never have imagined as I hoed the garden, walked the beans, ran through the rain-puddles for entertainment, and drank a cool drink from the hose whenever I wished that someday I would go shopping and actually pay for a bag of dirt for my plants and a bottle of water for me to drink.
Someone once said that the only thing we can be sure of is change.
I spent part of Father's Day with my dad and can tell you that some things do not change. I have always felt loved by my dad; I still do.
There is another thing I can be sure of, however, and you can, too. And, that is God's unconditional love for us and his promise of life in an eternity. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8
or . . . for I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of god in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38, 39
Wishing you unexpected blessings this week.
My dad was born in 1915. Perhaps he celebrated a few Father's Days with his own father or perhaps not. They lived on several different farms before settling in Iowa and were more than likely busy with planting, harvesting, carrying for the chickens-pigs-cows-and an occasional horse, canning, and butchering a hog or cow when the family needed meat.
He's 97 years old now and understandingly finds some of the changes incredible. His mother thought it remarkable that she rode a horse to school and lived long enough to see a rocket go into space. My dad who farmed his entire life, shakes his head and smiles over the use of air-conditioning in farm equipment, a device called a GPS to assist with planting--not to mention the cost of an acre of farmland or a new tractor.
Growing up on this very farm my Dad and his family did, I would never have imagined as I hoed the garden, walked the beans, ran through the rain-puddles for entertainment, and drank a cool drink from the hose whenever I wished that someday I would go shopping and actually pay for a bag of dirt for my plants and a bottle of water for me to drink.
Someone once said that the only thing we can be sure of is change.
I spent part of Father's Day with my dad and can tell you that some things do not change. I have always felt loved by my dad; I still do.
There is another thing I can be sure of, however, and you can, too. And, that is God's unconditional love for us and his promise of life in an eternity. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8
or . . . for I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of god in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38, 39
Wishing you unexpected blessings this week.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
A Friend and Ledea
Bits and pieces, scattered thoughts--is what I'm writing about, again, as life continues to spin out of what I used to call a routine. YES, I missed last week--in TX with four grandchildren--an adventure every five minutes with memories to appreciate. Memories that bring spontaneous smiles with others wondering--what must she be thinking? Children are genuine--they know no other way. Children are spontaneous--they know no other way. "Let the little children come unto me--for as such is the kingdom of God."
This morning was the last work day for me with a part-time job I had. This responsibility was a good experience; I learned from it; but it was time to go on to something else. Retirement is wonderful in that one CAN DO THIS--go on, make other choices, try different things, eliminate one job for more time with family or another activity. When one is younger, you cannot (or do not want to) imagine what life may be like after 55 or 65, but when a person arrives, most of us realize it is not a bad place to be--some even think it is the best place to be. I personally think we should praise God each day for the good and also for the not-so-good. I used to tell my children that if every day were your birthday, before long, your birthday would not be special any more. You get the analogy, I'm sure. Make the best out of the bad; rejoice, give glory in the good. God IS good.
My dear high school forever friend emailed me to let me know she had just finished "The Secret Is." There is a letter in this book especially for the reader on the last page. Ledea (main character--her story) encourages her readers to read James. Well, my friend did read James after finishing the book. Like I said, God is good. One of my purposes in writing novels is to attempt to get the reader back into scripture--because scripture is used in the stories--although not in a "preachy" way.
For example, "The Secret Is," (title of book number 2) is taken from Colossians 1:27 which read, "God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God." (Wow! Think about this.)
Christ is in you... you will share in the glory of God...
So, you're asking how is the book not preachy? This is what Ledea's story is about: Ledea grew up on the wrong side of town with a single parent. Ledea also struggled with a learning disability. A devastating accident in high school, falling in love with the wrong man, moving to the little brown house by the lake and discovering the box room at her grandparent's house all held secrets. But, because of God's promises, Ledea learned at a young age, she clung to her faith and was able to weather what life threw at her. This story is messy, funny, scary--as all our lives uniquely can be. Ledea tells her story innocently and sweetly, and, remember, she has a chapter for you.
Please remember, "The eternal God is your dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27. And, my prayer for you, is that through the bits and pieces and scattered moments of your life, that you take time to be still and know that God cares and loves you in an incredible way.
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