If at First You Don't Succeed...

As a writer, I often feel as if I'm on the success/failure rollercoaster. One article is accepted; another is rejected. A short story with a one time payment of $100 is accepted; while another is rejected. One blog is highly commented on; another is never noted.

So for the next few days on my blog, I will be giving myself and other writers a "pep" talk. I hope the quotes, videos, and stories encourage you as they have me.
Write On!

Top 10 Favorite Failure/Success Quotes:

"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely."
~ Henry Ford

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
~ Thomas Alva Edison

"All my successes have been built on my failures."
~ Benjamin Disraeli

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
~ Michael Jordan

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
--Thomas A. Edison

"Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts." ~Winston Churchill

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
~Booker T. Washington

"The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed."
~Lloyd Jones

"Failure sometimes enlarges the spirit. You have to fall back upon humanity and God."
~Charles Horton Cooley

"There is no failure except in no longer trying." ~Elbert Hubbard

Just another thought from the tub.

Famous Failures

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default."
--J. K. Rowling, 2008 Harvard commencement speech

Just another thought from the tub.

Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

**author unknown

Remember the real reason we live, love and laugh came in the form of a baby at Christmas!

Fool's Gold by Melody Carlson

In Fool's Gold, Hannah Johnson was perfectly content as a missionary kid until she spent the summer with her rich relatives. High style and a skimpy budget didn't mix very well, and Hannah finds out how fast money can slip through her fingers when she tries to keep up with Cousin Vanessa and her rich friends. Through her misadventures, Hannah learns a valuable lesson about who brings true peace and happiness into her life.
Melody Carlson speaks to girls in their language. Her books communicate truth through situations real girls face everyday. I have appreciated her edgy style and look forward to reading more of Carlson's books as well as adding them to our church library. As an added bonus, Melody Carlson's books are AR books (if you have school children, you know what this means). So my kids can read her books for credit at school. I love the fact that my children can read good Christian fiction for school.

I am a Blogger Reviewer for NavPress.

Just another thought from the tub,




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas 2009

2009 flew past faster than the new Boeing Superliner 947. Each day was packed with adventures from dawn ‘til dawn with four teenagers in the house. Jeff commented that we should get to bed earlier…I told him we will when Selah goes to college! 

JP, a senior, finished his last season of football. When asked what position he played, I answered, “Line…sideline.” So that ends his athletic career in High School. Although he is considering going out for golf, but since he just started playing last spring, that’s a long shot. With college in his future, a flurry of scholarship applications and financial aid paperwork await. He worked as a lifeguard and bait sorter and is also in choir.

Kezia, a sophomore, works at Sunshine and as a lifeguard, and participates in choir, volleyball, and track and manages the boys JV basketball team. She enjoys hanging out with friends. She plans to work in the medical field after high school and has applied for both respite and CNA work at a care center in Rock Rapids. In her free time, Kezia sings solos/duets for church and school activities.

This year, Tirzah started her high school career. She’s likes high school sports—volleyball and basketball—is looking forward to track. She’s on student council and sings in the choir. Tirzah gives piano lessons this year and enjoys a source of income that works around her sports schedule.

“Wow! He plays like his dad.” Comments often heard when watching Jericho play basketball. As a seventh grader, Jericho enjoys school sports. He made the papers with a couple of 80 yard touchdown runs in football and in basketball makes stealing the ball and driving to the hoop for an easy layup look like an art-form. Jericho’s most winning characteristic is his charming smile…which really does attract the ladies!

Lacey loves the sixth grade life. She is in band, choir, TAG, and parent coached—basketball and volleyball. Jeff gave Lacey permission to be aggressive on the court. He told her, “Just pretend the one you’re guarding is Justus and take the ball!” It worked! Lacey’s passion is art and music and often sings solos in church and school.

Justus (4th) and Jadon (2nd) or Crash and Eddie as we like to call them are still bosom buddies. They wrestle and fight and play together in their free time. Justus enjoyed basketball and baseball this year and Jadon tried baseball for the 1st time last summer. Both swim like fish at the pool and spend hours at home on the computer/xbox taking turns “saving” the universe.

Selah turned 5 in August and went off to Transitional Kindergarten (a KinderPrep program). She still loves her mom “best” and wasn’t quite ready to be gone 5 full days a week. Her favorite pastimes include hanging out with JP’s friends and bossing her brothers and sisters.

Jeff continues to pastor at Faith Baptist Church and work at ATLAS. He can be seen on the church website @ www.faithbaptistofrockrapids.com where he has a video message posted each week. In his free time, he…oh, forgot—he doesn’t have any. He spends his evenings watching the kid’s sports, going to the concerts, or hanging out with the kids.

Lori keeps busy writing, babysitting, and substitute teaching. She and her friend Casey finished their first novel this year and are now in the process of rewriting…a long process. They hope to start shopping it around to agents and editors in the fall of 2010. Lori loves going to all of her kids sporting events and chatting with friends.

Space is so limited in a Christmas letter. So if you want to keep up with our busy lives, become our friends on facebook: Lori Poppinga or Jeff Poppinga (the kids are on as well) or read our blogs:

Lori’s blogs: www.lifeloveandandlaughterinalargefamily.blogspot.com
www.thoughtsfromthetub.blogspot.com
www.thesecretlifeofapastorswife.blogspot.com

Jeff’s blog: www.jeffpoppinga.blogspot.com

Or Lori’s website: www.loripoppinga.com

In spite of all the busyness, we remember that Jesus is the Reason we celebrate at this time of year. He came as a humble baby to save the world. Not in the way men expected, but in the way we so desperately need.

A Phenomenom Sweeping the World!

While some in America work hard to eliminate the words "Merry Christmas" from the public conscience, the words can be found in every country in the world. When Jesus was born, the Romans ruled the known world and brought a common language to everyone making the spread of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, not only possible, but convenient as well. Do not translate this as easy...since the payment for such belief was death.

As the message of Jesus traveled down through the ages, country's everywhere celebrated the birth of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The evidence for this can be found in the fact that no matter where you are from, the words "Merry Christmas" are found. Listen to the video below or read through the list of countries and their words for "Merry Christmas."





Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees

Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees

African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats

Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden

Arabic: Milad Majid

Argentine: Feliz Navidad

Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand

Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun

Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal

Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!

Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce

Brazilian: Feliz Natal

Bengali: Shubho borodin

Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat

Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo

Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!

Chile: Feliz Navidad

Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun

Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan (Catonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun

Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito

Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo

Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth

Corsian: Pace e salute

Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo

Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi

Croatian: Sretan Bozic

Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok

Danish: Glædelig Jul

Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak

Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast

English: Merry Christmas

Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!

Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon

Estonian: Ruumsaid juuluphi

Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal

Eritfean/ Tigrinja: Rehus- Beal- Ledeats

Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!

Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad

Finnish: Hyvaa joulua

Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar

French: Joyeux Noel

Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!

Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!

Galician: Bo Nada

Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!

German: Froehliche Weihnachten

Greek: Kala Christouyenna!

Greenlandic: Juullimi Pilluaritsi!

German: Froehliche Weihnachten

Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto

Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka

Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova

Hindi: Baradin ki shubh kamnaaye

Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!

Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket

Icelandic: Gledileg Jol

Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal

Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah

Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat

Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.

Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie

Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags

Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Lao: souksan van Christmas

Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!

Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!

Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto

Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus

Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu

Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar

Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik

Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb

Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa

Maori: Meri Kirihimete

Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh

Navajo: Merry Keshmish

Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul

Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado

Papiamento: Bon Pasco

Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu

Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!

Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo

Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!

Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie

Portuguese:Feliz Natal

Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha

Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua

Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn

Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!

Romanian: Craciun Fericit

Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom

Sami: Buorrit Juovllat

Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou

Serbian: Hristos se rodi

Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce

Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh

Serbian: Hristos se rodi.

Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa

Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok

Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto

Spanish: Feliz Navidad

Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År

Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon

Tami: Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal

Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!

Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas

Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun

Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM

Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho

Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

Welsh: Nadolig Llawen

Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!

Yugoslavian: Cestitamo Bozic

Luke 2:9-11
9 "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

THE reason we live, love, and laugh.

A Christmas Adaptation of I Corinthians 13 by Sharon Jaynes

*If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

*If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

*If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

*If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

*Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

*Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

*Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

*Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Life Was Easier When...

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” II Corinthians 4:17 NLT

A couple years ago, my oldest son, JP, had a few friends over.

They spent some time playing video games in our TV room.

Tirzah went in to check on the progress of their game.

She came back out almost immediately gagging and waving her hand in front of her face.

“It stinks in there.” She whispered to me.

I agreed and said, “Guys stink.”

She shrugged and said, “Life was easier when boys just had cooties.”

I chuckled. At twelve, her life didn’t look too hard to me, but who of us couldn’t say, “Life was easier when_______” and fill in the blank.

Life was easier when I didn’t have children.

Life was easier when I wasn’t married.

Life was easier when I didn’t have to work.

Yet, all of our new “hard things” grow our character and prepare us for more “hard things” to come.

After a good laugh, I reminded my daughter that life never gets easier so enjoy where you are right now.

Lord, thank you for loving me enough to teach me in all situations, that I might grow in You.

Always growing as I live, love, and laugh.

"In the Beginning Was the Word..." John 1:1

Jeff's message this Sunday, "In the Beginning..." comes from John 1:1. In preparation for services, I made the powerpoint slides to go with his sermon and wondered if there were any videos that could underscore the points he was making. I found this wonderful video at Blue Fish TV. Watch and listen to Amena Brown's powerful presentation of John 1 and her poetic interpretation.





Jesus reveals His Secrets through His Word.

Christmas Past

I got the idea for this blog from my friend, Angie at Messy Cars and Muddy Shoes. I recently scanned all of our family photos into my computer and now seems like the perfect time to share them. It's fun to see how our family grew through these pictures. It seems we added a new baby every year...sort of:). Have fun.

1994

Jeff Lori
JP Kezia

1995

JP, Kezia, Tirzah

1996

JP,Kezia

Jericho, Tirzah

1997

Jeff, Tirzah, Kezia, JP, Jericho, Lori

1998

Back Row: JP, Jeff, Lori, Kezia

Front Row: Jericho, Lacey, Tirzah

2000

Top: JP, Jeff
Kezia, Jericho, Lori, Lacey

Tirzah, and Justus

2001

Tall Row: JP, Kezia, Jericho
Short Row: Tirzah, Lacey, Justus

2002

Lori Jeff

Tirzah, JP, Kezia

Jericho, Jadon, Lacey, Justus

2003

Top Photo:

Lori

Tirzah, Lacey, Kezia

Bottom Photo:

JP, Jericho

Jadon, Justus

2004

Back Row:

Kezia, Jericho, Lori, Julie, Jamie, JP

Next Row:

Jeff, Cory

3rd Row:

Lacey, Karen, Wendell, Jonna, Justus

4th Row:

Jadon, Caden, Selah, Jori, Tirzah

(The Strasser's)

2005

top: Jp, Jeff, Kezia

Middle: Jericho, Lori, Tirzah

Bottom: Justus, Selah, Jadon, Lacey

2006

Back: Tirzah, JP, Kezia
Next: Jeff, Lori

2nd from bottom:Justus, Selah, Jericho

bottom: Jadon, Lacey

2007

Kezia, Lacey, JP, Jericho, Tirzah

Lori Jeff

Jadon, Justus, Selah

2008

Tirzah, JP, Kezia, Jericho

Jeff, Lori

Lacey, Jadon, Selah, Justus

Bundles of Blessings give us plenty of reasons to live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Got Questions: Which Came First the Chicken or the Egg?

Several months ago, I posted a blog with various answers on Why the chicken crossed the road?

Today, I found a video on Blue Fish TV that answers the question: Which came first the chicken or the egg? This short video clip inspired me with it's simplicity and truth. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Love new thoughts from the tub!

Mary Did You Know?

My favorite Christmas song is Mary Did You Know?

The lyrics speak to my motherheart:

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.


Oh Mary did you Know?

No, she did not know, and thankful I'm sure she was for the grace given her to deal with the things as they came. Just as I am thankful for the grace that comes for me to be humble in my children's successes and strength to watch the walk through the trials that come to make them the men and women God wants them to be.

So many secrets in the lives of ministry wives,

Mountain Village Theme

The Moutain Village:
This year I arranged our Christmas Village on top of the entertainment center. The space was very limited so I had to get creative. With a shelf and a couple of boxes, I created a mountain village. The different levels give visual interest, but the limited space made for a very busy scene...not to mention...since it's up high...the kids can't rearrange the set. I would like to say then my people and decorations are safe, but alas, I broke both the horse and rider in the setting up process earlier while the kids were at school. No little ones around to even take the blame.

Like any good village there are two churches and no bars:)

The farm is my favorite with the cows, pigs, horses and various wildlife to be found.

I would like to think that with the Village up so high, there will be no mysteries as there were last year, but...

Giving my family reasons, on a daily basis, to live, love, and laugh!

The Language of Love and Respect by Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs

"To practice the golden rule of marriage, give Love and be given Respect; give Respect and be given Love. As Jesus said, "Give and it will be given you." (Luke 6:38)
--Dr. Emerson Eggerich

Dr. Emerson Eggerich's The Language of Love and Respect gives couples practical ways to improve ther communication. In the original Love and Respect, Eggerich talks about the Crazy Cycle, the Energizing Cycle, and the Rewarded Cycle. The Language of Love and Respect takes couples through the communication steps needed to break the Crazy Cycle, work toward the Energizing Cycle, and ultimately reside in the Rewarded Cycle.

The Language of Love and Respect is a must have for all married couples. Often in marriage, I feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall when communicating with my husband. Eggerich's insight into the way men and women "hear" helps me understand what I need to do to communicate more effectively with my husband. While I don't always remember to apply what I've learned I understand better why my husband reacts to my words the way he does and what I can do to communicate more effectively.

I am a blogger reviewer for Thomas Nelson Publishers.

* Click on the photos to link to other sites.

Just another Thought From the Tub,

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:7 NLT

One morning as I prepared for the day, my youngest, Selah, sat herself on the little chair I keep in the bathroom for those times when I am writing in the tub (you really don’t want to know.) I proceeded to brush my teeth and moments later, I felt a little head pushing on my arm as she stood tippy toe to check my spit technique. Her baby soft hair brushed my arm and reminded me my children are always watching what I do and how I do it.

I see this illustrated when I hear my oldest daughter yelling at her siblings using my delivery, pitch, inflection and, gulp, gestures. Or when my oldest cuddles her darling little sister and reads her a book

My children readily reflect my sin and my virtue. They reflect what they see most. Their watchful eyes encourage me to remember my desire to teach them about God when I’m at home and on the road and when I go to bed and when I get up.

“Thank you, Lord for graciously providing each day as another opportunity to teach my children about you.”

Learning to reflect Christ as I live, love, and laugh.

Silent Night, Holy Night: The Story behind our Favorite Christmas Carol by Myrna Strasser

If you traditionally give your children books for Christmas, check out this well-told tale of Silent Night, Holy Night: The Story behind our Favorite Christmas Carol.


Written by my dear Auntie Myrna and published in 2004, this beautifully illustrated hard-cover book takes the reader from Germany to Chicago and back in time to reveal the beginnings of the song "Silent Night, Holy Night."

Originally written as a poem, Silent Night, Holy Night was inspired by a tender scene between mother and child captured by Pastor Mohr. His friend Franz Gruber, a teacher and church organist, read the poem and asked if he could put it to music. The wonderful song was first introduced on Christmas Eve so very long ago. The Strasser children spread the song throughout Germany as they sang in town after town.


Being a Strasser herself, the story carried a special meaning for Myrna, a lover of all things historical. Myrna spent many years writing and sharing the love of Jesus as she spoke to a variety of women's groups and worked for WDLM, a Moody radio station in East Moline, Illinois. While she longed to break into the Bible Study market, her family tale was her 1st work published by a major Publishing House.

While the book is out-of-print, copies are still available through many on-line venues.



God's people are always giving us more reasons to live, love and laugh.

Park Chapel

Often times for people in ministry, do not take time to refresh themselves in the Lord. You go to church on Sunday and teach Sunday School or small group, participate on the worship team, work in the nursery, deliver a sermon, listen to the latest church "issues" and leave church mre drained than you were when you woke up in the mornng.

A couple of years ago, I shared an issue I struggled with with my dear friend, Nina, who lives in Indiana. Her pastor at Park Chapel in Greenfield, Indiana had just completed a series that dealt specifically with my issue. She told me about their podcasts and recommend I listen to them.

I took her advice and downloaded the previous ten weeks of podcasts. The messages not only encouraged me, but also dovetailed with what my husband had been preaching on and with my the Bible study I was going through. The reinforcement of God's Word through three different venues helped me hide and apply God's Word.

My life got busier and I neglected downloading the podcasts for awhile, but just recently, Nina shared another message by Danny Curry at the Crossing that she thought might encourage me. I decided to make the time to download and listen to the podcasts again and what a blessed time I've had.

There are a number of people talking on the airwaves, but I want to encourage you to check out Danny Curry at the Crossing. He's their youth pastor, so he comes at things from a different/fresh perspective.

Take time to refresh yourself in the Word by reading books by a variety of Christian authors, listen to a multitude of teachers and test their words against the Word, pray without ceasing, and when your friend, Nina, tells you to do something...just do it. :)

Just another secret in the life of a pastor's wife.