Yesterday I had the privilege of taking Autmn to Camp Christian in Mill Run, PA.  It was fun to help her get settled into her bunk in the dorms, watch her pass her swim test for the deep end, and see her chasing around the grounds with her cousins.

I was barely a year older than Autmn the first time I spent a week at Camp, and this is Autmn’s second year as a full-week camper.  There are so many wonderful people there – all Godly men and women who love the Lord and share their faith with the campers.

I am praying this week that the blessings of heaven will fall freely (hopefully not accompanied by rain!) and touch the lives of campers and leaders alike.  Camp Christian – a place set apart. 

Since it’s throw-back Thursday I thought I’d go back a bit myself – not to Mary’s and Daniel’s lives but to my own.

The photo is of me when I was maybe two years old, standing in front of our family car.  I don’t remember where the photo was taken and should really ask my mom!

Who would have thought by looking at that little girl back then that she would grow up and write books!  The only thing I can remember wanting to be when I ‘grew up’ was a librarian.  Well, that didn’t happen, but the next best thing DID happen:  I grew up to write books that may actually be IN libraries!

How fun is THAT?  Have a great day.

You can imagine my surprise and delight last night when I went to the wingsepress.com site to order more books.  I looked at the featured new releases for July (mine had been June), and scrolled casually down the page.  I saw the word ‘Best Seller’ appear, and there it was!

LETTERS TO MARY!

I’m not sure exactly how it got to be a best seller, but I want to thank all of you for your support, for buying and reading and sharing and encouraging.  So many wonderful things have happened this year, and I am amazed and in awe of where my life is going.

PLEASE KEEP READING AND SHARING AND ENCOURAGING – IT IS MUSIC TO MY SOUL!  AGAIN, A MILLION THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!  AND ENJOY LTM!!!

Happy, happy birthday to my Mom, Dorothy Graves – the motivation and encourager behind LETTERS TO MARY!  Mom and my aunt Joan (Mom’s on the left) are officially part of the SKUNK HOLLOW GIRLS, in fact the ORIGINAL Skunk Hollow Girls, having grown up in Home, PA, in a little vale referred to as Skunk Hollow because of – all things! – the skunk cabbage! 

But I just wanted to wish the very best of days to the woman who gave birth to me (three weeks past the due date!) and raised me.  It was not always easy (SELDOM easy???) but she never faltered and has been my champion every step of the way.

So here is a hug and a prayer for blessings to be poured from the Heavens, grander and more glorious than you could imagine, Mom.  Thanks for every little (and big!) thought and effort you have selflessly given to me, and may your days be long on this earth – as well as happy and healthy!  Love you bunches!  

After a day of working 2 (really 3!) jobs, I came home to take my walk a little later than I normally would.  As I finished up, coming down Wren Drive, I was captivated by the drama of the sky. 

The clouds were dark blue and deep purple, sort of swirled like melted marshmallows.  The sun had already slid behind the distant trees, but a little light was still peeking through in places.

When I looked at that, I was struck by the majesty of the heavens, and could imagine the voice of God booming through eternity.  I like to remember that God is fair, and loving, but also fearsome and all-powerful. He sees everyone equally – the just and the unjust alike – but knows our thoughts and intentions intimately.  I also like to remember what Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables!) says on an evening after a full, blessed day.  I would agree with her:  God’s on His throne, and all’s right with the world.  Amen.

It seems like forever since I’ve posted here!  We spent the weekend in Albion with my mom and John.  Ron and I took Autmn and Chrissy north with us, and we all went to Raccoon park on Lake Erie.  The girls had a WONDERFUL time, as we all did!

Other than the expected – which was swimming and snacking! – the most amazing event was watching a bald eagle fly directly over our head.  He (she??) dropped a 12 inch fish in the parking lot, then landed on a tree branch down the beach.  Everyone was taking pictures but it was pretty well concealed and up high enough to not be obvious.  But we all watched until it flew out over the lake and disappeared into the puffy white clouds of the blue sky.  Amazing.

It was fun to be on Crouch Road, sleeping in the room Mary probably slept in – walking through the gardens and eating in the kitchen Charlie designed and built.  Great weekend with my wonderful family – and so glad Ron could share with us!

Last fall I spent an afternoon pulling weeds and cleaning up flower beds at my daughter’s house.  The older two boys – Peyton and Logan – were in school, but Chase was still at home.  I think he looks like a little James Garner in his hat and boots!

Chase was combining his digging chores with his snack time, and munching mini-marshmallows out of a little plastic bowl.  Next thing we knew, he was digging holes and burying the marshmallows in the flower bed.  Turns out he was hoping that if he planted the mini ones, once they grew he would have normal size ones for some’ores! 

I didn’t see the point in explaining the fallacy of that theory, so we filled the little watering can and let him finish out the project the right way.  He was very proud of his hard work, and we were very proud of his thought processes!

I never heard the official end of that story, but I’m pretty sure he did NOT harvest marshmallows.  But what we planted that day – and what grew from that – were happy times together making wonderful memories.  I’m hoping that sometime soon we can plant some more marshmallows.  I’ve been really hungry for some’ores…..  Love you, Chase!!!!

Here is the house that Charlie built!  My parents still live in this house, one that Charlie built for his wife, Annie, and the one in which Mary spent her last years.

It’s amazing to me how much history is in this house.  The floor to ceiling wooden cupboards in the kitchen.  The walk-in closet in the upstairs hall.  The clawfoot bathtub in the upstairs bathroom.  The attic with the low ceiling, because at the last minute Annie decided the house was too big and Charlie had to alter the plans.

I am so honored to be part of the story, sharing in Mary’s history and creating my own.  And even more honored that my parents chose to share the story with me, a story that came to life in LETTERS TO MARY.  Be sure to check it out. 

Yesterday I spent the entire day at my daughter’s home helping to get the house organized.  We were everywhere from the attic to the basement (Matt’s territory!) and all places in between.  I was designated weed-puller – which is playing in the dirt as far as I’m concerned!  Before long I had that little garden space spiffed up and looking showy again.

I did find a snake skin hiding in the leaves under the peony bush, but luckily no other evidence of any other living creatures.  I’m thankful for that!  We worked from 9:30am until almost 10pm, and really got a lot accomplished.  Just a bit more to go!

I am very project oriented so this was really lots of fun and brought me much satisfaction.  I got those ‘troops’ lined up and marching and we accomplished more than we thought we would.  They were all good little soldiers!  Thanks to my family for a day well spent, and for all the love and fellowship that crept about while we were lugging furniture and sorting through closets!  Great job – love you guys!  

Almost 240 years ago, men and women who were no different than you and I set their hearts and minds on making the 13 colonies a separate nation.  Much sacrifice was made, many battles were fought; families were alienated from each other and countless people gave their lives.

I am not sure I would have been a Patriot; I am extremely loyal and unmoved in my convictions, but I am relieved and proud to say that I am 100% American, a Patriot to the largest degree.

Whatever you do today, this entire weekend, take a moment to thank God for your – OUR – country, and to recognize the people that stepped out in faith and determination, and to those who continue to do so today.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!