Another Book Project Complete

Another Onward Books, Inc. project complete. This is the book that caused my exciting Thursday! Looks good doesn't it? Feels good to complete another one. Now on to the next. This time it's Ken's book we are working on to be complete by the end of August. No rush job on this one!

A Long Day

Well, Thursday started out with a phone call to see if the books would be ready to pick up. Yes, they would be ready by 3. Okay, we were off. Not as early as we hoped, but book pick up and delivery, here we come (with some shopping in between). Our drive to our pick up location would be three hours.

I picked up Jill Franck and the truck, and we were off. I think I already said that but, believe me, by the end of the day we were really off! We couldn't find a QT until we nearly reached our destination so the caffeine kick we needed was slow in coming. After filling up with frozen cappuccinos we started searching for our destination and a few phone calls later backed the truck to the ramp and started loading the books. They were not able to load the pallet so we loaded each box by hand, all 21 cartons, or 548 pounds into the bed of the pickup surrounded and covered by a tarp since we had come through a severe rain storm on the way from Springfield.

Next we visited Trader Joe's, our real reason ... I mean one of the reasons for coming on the trip. Then after having not eaten all day we stopped off at Mimi's Cafe for some lunch/dinner. Yummy.

Now, off to camp to deliver the books. But first a stop for gas and to unload the books from the back of the pickup into the back of the extended cab since the downpour was threatening to dampen the delivery! Yep, all 21 cartons and 548 pounds. Plus all those bags from Trader Joes!

When finally we reached our destination some two hours later near Lake of the Ozarks we were ready to unload a few boxes and be on our way home. The then near three-hour drive seemed more than we wanted to do but necessary to get us back home and it was then too late to stop at the Osage Outlet Mall. Our dreams of shopping during the day (other than Trader Joe's) squelched, we drove on home and with our delivery made and job well done we were able to put our heads to the bed and feel like we "done good."

Kristy Dykes - My Friend

"A great story is life with all the dull parts taken out." —Alfred Hitchcock

Oh, but life is the story with all the parts left in, even the dull parts. Though life in the Dykes home these days is far from dull. Each day is new as loved ones watch Kristy slip closer to her heavenly home.

Christ is still the great physician, He can still heal that precious body. He can still bring strength and wholeness. We can still believe for His miracle touch, and we do. But, He can choose to take Kristy home, and if He does we have to believe that in that He also chose to bring His healing touch. Just for us that’s more painful.

I met Kristy many years ago when I began my first book and she agreed to be a contributor. Thus began our journey of friendship and partnership in two devotional books. She is one special lady. Always smiling, always upbeat, positive, genuine, giving and ready to talk about her hero husband.

My friend, Kristy Dykes, has cancer. A brain tumor. Actually it's gone, but the cancer's not. I read her blog each day (www.christianlovestories.blogspot.com). Actually her husband Milton still keeps it up; Kristy can't anymore.

Kristy is an award-winning author of 10 Christian fiction titles as well as over 600 articles in many publications including two New York Times subsidiaries. Her titles have been on the Christian bestseller list and Top 20 List at christianbook.com, and have won many awards, including second place in the 2007 Barclay Gold, third place in the 2007 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, and third place in the ACFW 2006 Book of the Year Contest (novella category).

"She will touch your heart with love and laughter.” —FLORENCE LITTAUER. I know her many other friends would have much here to say about her if given the chance.

I read the blog each day with hope that God is strengthening her, bringing healing, giving peace. They are sharing precious memories with us of their grandchildren, blessing them, teaching them, growing them, letting them receive from them all that they can at this time.

Milton may God richly bless you for all that you are doing. May He grant you the strength, the peace, the comfort and the knowledge that whatever this trial may bring that He will be there upholding you, shielding you, carrying you when need be.

Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

It’s a simple verse but it says it all.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Last Thursday evening, Ken and I enjoyed a walk around the small lake near our home. We watched ducks and geese waiting to be fed, a school of sunfish near the bridge, and carp and koi gently finning along the shore's edge.

But things changed dramatically on Friday. Heavy rains transformed the small body of water into a raging torrent that overflowed and flooded the area, closing the nearby road and sending emergency vehicles into action. Three teenagers were caught in the flash flood when the tiny creek that runs out of the lake sent a wall of water their way that forced them to climb trees for safety. A full-scale rescue effort took three hours, but ended successfully.

The next day, I walked around the lake again. The waters had receded and there was the same school of sunfish and the same koi swimming casually in the same places, as if nothing had happened. The ducks and geese were still begging for food; the turtles' heads could once again be seen sticking above the water as they floated along lazily; people were enjoying the trails as if the flood had never happened.

If we had not seen the lake's swollen waters the day before, I would have had no way of knowing the flood had even happened.

Do we let things disappear from our lives in the same way? Important things that we forget about as if they'd never happened? Events that could have shaped our lives or changed our direction. Have we let valuable opportunities for life lessons slip away, virtually forgotten?

What important occurrences have you forgotten or taken for granted? Do you need to take some action? Is there something you need to learn? Has God tried to speak to you through some event and you've not taken the time to stop and listen?

We need to keep our spiritual eyes open and not let valuable learning experiences zoom right by while we go on our merry way thinking, Well, tomorrow things will be back to normal. God wants you to grow because of life's floods.

Don't waste the floods in your life.

Father's Day

Today is the day to remember fathers. I think of mine often. Little things bring him to mind. Also we have been going through photo albums and slides scanning them onto our computers to make CDs and DVDs so that we can enjoy them and share them with others.

My dad was very special to me. He worked long hours while I was growing up but I still have memories of times spent together, and then in his later years, after retirement, of times shared together.

I have especially enjoyed stories told by friends of things he had done for them, or prayers answered after he had prayed. He loved people; we couldn't go to a restaurant without him stopping to talk to several people—many of whom he knew, some he didn't ... but he would remember next time we were there.

He's been gone 14 months and I miss him. I know he's no longer in pain, he's walking without stiffness. He's singing on key! I'm lonely. But I have wonderful memories of a man who loved me and did everything he knew how to do to make me happy and love me the best he knew how. Thank you Daddy. I love you.

It's At the Printer

We got it to the printer. Now we wait and see if they are going to be able to get it printed on time and back to us in time for delivery by the end of the first youth camp that the author wants the book by!

Now it's catch up time again. Getting caught up on all the things I let go while getting the book done. We did get some things accomplished this week though that we had needed done. Computers to the shop, car to the shop, Peggy to the shop, Ken to the shop, Mom to the ... did I mention we finally got that stump pulled!!

Working on the Book

Well we are almost done! Looks like we are going to get 'er done! This one is going to get done in even shorter time than the last one! Of course this one is a shorter book. Ken is doing his edit today and then when he is finished I will do another read through and it should be ready to go to the printer early next week. Whew! Another project, completed, on time, on schedule, lookin' good!