Newsletter

February 2025

Cozy

There are few things better, in this life, than to cozy up with a good book, a good friend, or a warm cup from which to sip. Next weekend, we get to do all three! Dragon Tale Books in Menomonie is one of many businesses hosting special events for the Cozy Cocoa Crawl. Ann has invited me to lead the 12:30 story time, and I can't wait!

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.” (NIV)

Lately, I've been reminded of the pace of life. I believe there are seasons when I have very little control over it, and others when I choose to let it get out of hand, but rarely do I pace myself well. This is an area in need of personal and spiritual growth. Can you relate? The psalm above is a necessary, daily reminder to put things into perspective, recognize our human limitations, and surrender where we need to let go and let God.

~~~

I'd like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to the Cornell Public Library. I was already honored when Denise invited me to celebrate a special Christmas story time, but some very excited children made it a memory I'll never forget. What a blessing to participate in our community this way.

Father, thank you for opportunities to share the love you've so generously lavished on us. Help us to be mindful of your presence, your power, and your lovingkindness to us as we share it with others.

January 2025

Wisdom

My word of the year for 2025 is Sabiduría, the Spanish word for wisdom.

Proverbs 3:7

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Recently, I was tasked with the challenge of writing out my testimony. I thought it would be quick and relatively easy, but it was precisely the opposite of both. I have neither completed it nor convinced myself that it will be anything less than heart-wrenching to do so.

The assignment described a simple outline for testimony as follows.

1) Life before Christ

2) Recognition of sin and need for a savior

3) Changed life with Christ

Because my journey has been life-long, I became aware that, for me, I had never fully sat down in the lap of the second step, cried my heart out over my sin, looked at myself through the lens of God's holiness, and truly repented.

When Jesus said, 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NLT

He was pointing out such a simple yet profound paradigm, a direct link between forgiveness received and love shown. Until we recognize how much we've been forgiven, we haven't really experienced how much we can love - by the power of His Holy Spirit alive in us.

Father, thank you for this realization, for a heart preparing for true repentance, for Jesus' words and example, and for revealing to us the direct link between forgiveness and love.

December 2024

Awe

Awe is that sense that reminds us of our place in the universe. I am in awe this Christmas season as I remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior.

I might say it's "awesome" that Denise has invited me to lead a Christmas story time at the Cornell Library December 21st. It is, and I'm so excited, but I misuse awe often.

I am humbled and intrigued by every facet of the story of Jesus' birth as it plays out across the pages of scripture and occasionally leaps off into life-like imagery often demonstrated by my dear sister-in-Christ, Vicki Boettzer who originally showed me how to slow down long enough to let God's Word come to life. I hope you can join us for story time and for the Walk to the Manger at Acres of Hope in Cornell any Friday or Saturday from now until Christmas 6-8PM! Invite your friends and family for a wonderful time in His word and in His presence.

Luke 2:6-20 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Father please bless the ministries you've called us to and help us to bless others with the light of your love this Christmas season and always. Amen.

November 2024 (Noviembre 2024 )

Please enjoy my first-ever bi-lingual newsletter! (¡Por favor, disfrute de mi primer boletín bilingüe!)

Gratitude (La Gratitud)

1 John 2:3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.

(Y podemos estar seguros de que lo conocemos si obedecemos Sus mandamientos.)

This Friday, I have the privilege of joining some outstanding local authors at the GE Bleskacek Family Memorial Bloomer Public Library from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for an author open house as well as a meet and greet. I am so excited. I hope you will consider stopping in and bringing friends. I would love to see you, catch up on what you've been reading lately, and encourage you to Christmas shop for author-signed books from my friends. They are incredibly talented and so welcoming.

(Este viernes, tengo el privilegio de unirme a algunos autores locales sobresalientes en la Biblioteca Pública Bloomer de GE Bleskacek Family Memorial de 2:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. para una casa de puertas abiertas de autor y reunirme y saludar. Estoy muy emocionada. Espero que consideren detenerse y traer amigos. Me encantaría verte, ponerte al día con lo que has estado leyendo últimamente, y animarte a comprar libros de mis amigos firmados por el autor en Navidad. Son increíblemente talentosos y muy acogedores.)

Lord, thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I am eternally grateful for the support of friends, family, and community. Help us not only to obey your commands, but to experience deep gratitude for they way they can protect and shape our lives into a living testimony if we follow closely after you. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

(Señor, gracias por esta maravillosa oportunidad. Estoy eternamente agradecido por el apoyo de amigos, familia y comunidad. Ayúdanos no solo a obedecer tus mandamientos, sino a experimentar una profunda gratitud por la manera en que ellos pueden proteger y moldear nuestras vidas en un testimonio vivo si seguimos de cerca a ti. Oramos en el poderoso nombre de Jesús. Amén.)

October 2024

Pray

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The divisive, polarizing, hate-filled attack on our sanity around election time is nearly unavoidable. I am deeply grateful for the rare brave souls with integrity who are willing to enter that contemptuous world to fight for truth and Godly principles on small scales and large ones. I am also thankful that it is not my calling, but I also can't avoid a stirring in my soul to do something. I have successfully avoided the topic for so long that I began to believe there was nothing I could do.

If you can relate, don't give up, there's hope. I have found one thing I can do. I can pray. A faithful, wise, wonderful sister-in-Christ has invited me to join a local Prayer Hub. We gather corporately for one hour each month to pray for global, national, state, and local leadership, government, educators, ministry, families, revival, and our own personal petitions, and individually as often as we can. It is powerful, and it is the only thing I feel complete integrity doing in the realm of government. The prayers are pre-scripted so there's no pressure to have the right words, but there is flexibility to share your heart if you feel led to. Let me know if you'd like more information to lead a hub of your own or get plugged into one that's up and running.

Fall has arrived! Save the date! The GE Bleskacek Family Memorial Bloomer Public Library will have an Author Open House from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15th. I will share more details in the November newsletter.

Fruity Update: Bentley Blueberry is in the works and could be out before Christmas, Lord willing.

Lord, only you know the right leaders for the right times in the right places, and only you have total authority. Help us to seek your face and trust you completely.

Thank you my brothers and sisters in Christ so very much for your continued support!

~May the Father bless you today and always as you seek him and follow Jesus by the power of his Holy Spirit alive in you.