Christmas Cookies

I’ve made — and eaten — all kinds of cookies over the years, but my personal favorites, as many of you may already know, are chocolate chip cookies.  My mom baked them on a regular basis when I was growing up.  Later, when I had children of my own and we all went north to …

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Christmas Boxes

There are so many people living on the streets these days; young, old, vets, people who have lost their homes.  Each has a story, a family, hopes and dreams.  The needs seem overwhelming, but we each can do something to brighten the lives of those around us.  Rick and I make Christmas boxes each year.  …

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Insecta-Palooza

When I saw the ad, I couldn’t resist going to a bug fair.  How many times do you get to handle creepy-crawlies?  My daughter, Shannon, was game and so were her two children.  So off we went to the local college campus to get up close and person with insects.  Unfortunately, most turned out to …

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The 180 Movie

If you haven’t seen this movie, I hope you will jump to www.180movie.com and watch it right now.  It is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen, and only 30 minutes long.  Ray Comfort interviews eight people adamantly pro-abortion, and changes their minds.  The questions Ray Comfort asks change hearts and minds.  …

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Addiction

Upon our return from the Panama Cruise, Rick and I learned someone we love dearly had disappeared.  We knew what that meant and our hearts sank.  Some knew where he was out there in the night going through his own private hell.  All we could do was wait and pray and hope the turn-around would …

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Bible Study on the High Seas

When we first boarded the Island Princess, we wondered if we’d be able to connect with other Christians while onboard.  As it turned out, others wondered the same thing.  One couple asked for a place and time to meet, and requested an announcement appear daily in the Patter, the on-board daily activities calendar.  We expected …

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Aruba

Ah, the hot steamy air of Aruba, shopping only a block from the dock, so convenient.  I was on my usual quest for postcards and coins, and found both quickly. Rick and I pant in the heat, our clothes sticking to us.  Jewelry stores line both sides of the street.  If one is in the …

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Cartagena, Columbia

We only had a half-day in Cartagena, but we made the most of it with a walking tour of the Old City.  We saw the fortress built to stop the repeated plundering of Cartagena by English and French pirates, a Catholic church where canonized priest Peter Claver evangelized thousands of black slaves from Africa, and …

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Panama Canal

After a night in the Bay of Panama within sight of Panama City, the Island Princess lined up for her turn to go through the Miraflores Locks.  Rick and I spent most of the day hanging out and over our balcony, snapping pictures of the ingenious lock system of the Panama Canal.  A fully loaded …

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Costa Rica

After another relaxing day at sea, we arrived at Puntarenas, Costa Rica, early in the morning.  We gathered downstairs in the Universe Lounge to await our instructions to disembark and meet up with our tour guide.  Andre proved to be a hoot.  He talked non-stop for the five hour tour, regaling us with stories of …

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