Balloon Classic

Good evening,

Tonight was the Balloon Glow in Colorado Springs and tomorrow morning will be gorgeous, weather permitting, as roughly 100 balloons take to the sky early tomorrow morning.

Originating in 1977, The Colorado Balloon Classic is the longest continual balloon festival in the Rocky Mountains. Entrance is free and is a great time of enjoyment for the entire family.

Concession stands will be ready before the sun wakes the city. If you haven't seen balloons take off and touch down on the lake just before they ascend even higher, you are in for a real treat tomorrow morning at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs.

As The Balloon Glow shines bright in the evening sky~~let your light so shine before men.

~Jackie

Healing for the soul....

Good morning,

I've changed the email feed on the blog recipients so I can touch different people. If you are reading the blog directly from the site and aren't on the email, please let me know and I'll be sure to add you.

Healing--isn't that what life is about as we work out our salvation? Take the old wounds to our Savior for healing. And, that takes time--a long time. After all, we didn't get ourselves into the twisted co-dependent world mind-set in just one day, did we?

I don't usually tout books on this blog, but a friend of mine, Nancy Rue, is an absolutely exquisite writer and author of over 100 books. Both her fiction and non-fiction books have poignant truths under the story line. "Healing Stones" is the first in a series of three books that are sure to stir your heart as the underlying healing begins. Steve Arterburn worked with Nancy on this series. And, his professional counseling definitely shows up in the book. I can say--first hand-- if you have any "junk" from your past that you don't know how to handle or what to do with it, the book leads you through those steps in your life. But, watch out, you may just find that the healing takes time and hard work as you walk with the characters through their lives.

If you enjoy reading fiction, this is the book for you. Autum is upon us in Colorado and is coming your way soon. This is a great book to lose yourself to as you curl up in that afghan, turn on a reading lamp and watch God bring Autum into this world and healing into your life.

Have a blessed day!
Jackie

Jim met Jesus

Our loss Friday evening was Jim's gain as he entered into the presence of the Lord. Cancer didn 't have victory as Jim entered an eternity with more clear vision than he had up until Friday. Please pray for his wife, Brenda. Her strength in the Lord is amazing as she recounted that the Lord picked a mighty man to go through this. We are in the same small church group and look forward to comforting her and the family in whatever way we can. We miss Jim greatly. He is one of those truly humble people who light up a room without saying a word. And his words were always carefully chosen and full of joy.

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Two friends of mine have exciting news as far as their writing. Names aren't important as the Lord knows what is happening with them. Please pray as the Spirit leads. These are some great open doors.

And me--I'm at about 67,000 at the current WIP. Am loving the self-editing book. Thanks to those who suggested the book vs critique groups. That decision was a hard one to make. But, I am more comfortable with self-edit and an editor than critique groups.

Looking forward to meeting all the saints someday

~~Jackie

A Little Closer...

Good morning, I'm taking a break from the WIP and thought I'd catch you up on the writing progress. The book is at 62,000 words now and the first three chapters will be out to an editor today with a synopsis of the story.The pictures you see here are a sampling of symbolism and adventure you'll find.

The story takes place in a small town in Wyoming and promises to touch the hearts of women, those who have been abandoned, and adopted children. A deeper element of learning to trust pulls the entire tapestry together.

There are exciting scenes from church steeples to angry moose. Grave sites, wolves, foxes and a Biz Jet crash will keep you on the edge of your seat! Oh, did I mention murder???

Hope you enjoy the blog as tidbits show up from time to time.
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Temps here are highs in the mid-50's and we are loving it! I'm thinking fireplace...maybe not quite yet.

Chris will return from a two-week-plus vacation on Monday. We miss him bunches, but the grocery bill had dropped in half :-)

Blessings to you all and have a great weekend. On Sunday, remember the importance of corporate worship and fellowship. Love the brethren.
~~Jackie

Winter of life and a Promise

Our friend rests in a medically induced coma and has been that way for over a week. His wife misses his touch and the soft words he used to whisper to her. We ask God why. But, we also know that God rejoices over the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15--Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones. But, where does endurance fit into our friend's life as his body shuts down and he waits for home? Our hearts ache constantly--no relief in sight.

As his lungs suffered from cancer over the past year, he has been one of the most up-beat people you could ever meet. His winsome love for God drew people to him--and still does. He and his wife travelled to Germany and sought treatments. We were with them just over a month ago. He seemed fine. He looked and felt great.

Now, his wife endures under this pressure and knows God can heal if He chooses. She waits. We wait. The life of a very precious saint is in God's hands. And, if we close our eyes we can imagine Jesus standing at the bedside in the hospital--arms open wide. In a few moments, He may stretch out His hand and take our friend home. If He does, we will again wait. We will wait for the Lord to call His Church home.

That reunion will be overwhelming--almost more than a heart can hold. Not only will we see our friends who are in our lives now, we will meet believers from every age in time. If you haven't read Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven", please try to find a copy. You can get it on Amazon, CBD, or his website~~ http://epministries.com/books/nonfiction-index.htm

1 Corinthians 2: 9 & 10--It is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him." But God has shown it to us through his Spirit.

Please pray for our friend and his family. We hope the best and trust God for everything.

~~Jackie