Secret Talents

Secret Talents

"And the special gift of ministry you received...keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible" (2 Timothy 1:6-7 (MSG).

What secret talents do you have?

I think my secret talent is related to my hair––blonde with streaks of white. Can hair be a secret talent? Maybe. But, maybe it’s not my hair at all that’s a secret talent, but maybe it’s what my hair can do––attract little girls like a magic magnet. I noticed this secret talent a few years back when little girls started to stare and smile at me. Living in a country where blondes are not seen often, I accredited my attraction to little girls to my hair––and being a tall, blonde––a site rarely seen in Bolivia. When I first noticed this secret talent, it to opened doors to ministry with little girls, especially during Sunday School hours.

When my daughter was a small child, her hair attracted attention on the streets of Bolivia. People constantly touched her long, curly blonde hair whenever we walked around the city where we lived.  Since my aging brought with it bottled blonde hair with white streaks, I too became a rarely seen site. But then, something else entered into my secret talent. On furloughs, I also noticed this happening in the States where blonde hair is not unusual. Being a children’s writer, I’ve always felt I connect with children, but not in such a magical way as I do with little girls. When I meet or talk with little girls, I automatically talk on their level and so love being with them. I truly believe God has given me a special gift of ministry with children (a secret talent)–– especially with little girls. It’s so much fun! What's your special gift of ministry?

Merry Christmas

Rumi Rancho Reindeer

"There really are reindeer in Bolivia,"

said Abby to her sisters, Ellie and Olivia.

"They seem to me just a little bit strange.

Aunt Peggy says it’s because they’re open range.

I’ve seen them and they are strange indeed

Because their funny antlers are red and green."

Many kids walk far to go to Rumi Rancho to play

They hear stories of Jesus and always want to stay.

They heard that Jesus was born a long time ago

  His birthday is on Christmas day and He loves us so.

Missionaries travel the whole world wide

To tell the Good News that Jesus is alive.

He was born in a manger on Christmas day

So that we might learn of all God’s ways.

The way to heaven is still the same

Believe in Jesus, He knows us by name.

We know we celebrate because you are the reason

So Happy Birthday, Jesus, this Christmas Season.

From Rumi Rancho you can hear the kids cheer

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

  

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

     who is Christ the Lord.”

And before you go, check out this recipe all the way from Bolivia!

BOLIVIAN BUÑUELOS RECIPE:

Buñelos are a popular snack throughout Latin America. While they can be eaten at

anytime, Bolivian tradition sees them eaten on Christmas morning with syrup and hot

chocolate.

Buñuelos are a soft doughy sweetbread that is deep-fried in the same way doughnuts are

made, with a similar flavor but a slightly more chewy texture, traditionally served

drizzled with a syrup or honey. The buñuelos are often puffy with a crispy crust and air

pockets on the inside.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons fresh yeast

1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon anise

2 eggs

2 cups flour

3 cups butter

Molasses to taste

1/2 cup sunflower oil to moisten hands

Preparation:

In a bowl, dissolve the sugar in water, add the fresh yeast, let it stand for about 7 minutes,

then add the salt, anise, eggs and flour, mixing it slowly with your hand until you obtain a

watery dough. Let the dough stand and rise twice before you start frying in hot butter or

oil.

To fry, first spread oil over your hands, take a handful of dough with the fingertips and

stretch it into a 4-inch round; rotating the dough occasionally to form a circle. When

about to fry, poke a hole in the middle, and put in the frying pan with a stick or the back

of a wooden spoon through the hole. Let it acquire a golden brown color on both sides

before retiring and leave in a colander to drain away excess oil; then put all in a bowl to

serve.

Serve with a jug of hot sugar cane syrup, molasses or honey for each person to add the desired amount on the buñuelo. Note: Some Bolivians prefer to eat their buñuelos covered in sifted powdered sugar.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

Memorable Scenes

Thanksgiving was a traditional family gathering at my in-laws. The siblings came from near and far with their families. Entering the snowy driveway, we'd see the house with seven gables high on the hill. The roar of snowmobiles could be heard coming from the fields nearby––nieces and nephews enjoying Grandpa's toys. Beautiful horses galloped in the fields near the red barn. Approaching the house, we'd be engulfed by a whiff of the turkey; then Grandma opened the door and lavished us with hugs. As we'd sit down at the beautifully set table with its china and crystal, the golden turkey was the centerpiece, and the pumpkin pie was a sweet ending to the feast. It was truly a Norman Rockwell scene.

I miss those gatherings. They are but treasured memories now that many family members have entered eternity. The memories cause me to be thankful for the times past, and they make me conscious this Thanksgiving of how short my time is on earth. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1 NIV).

This Thanksgiving Day, I'll give thanks to the Lord for providing a way for me to have eternal life and for good health, family, and friends, and so many other blessings. And yes, good memories too. God is so good––enjoy His goodness––Happy Thanksgiving!

My New Release

My first devotional for adults of all ages. Yay! 
Read the back cover here:

Where was God?

Didn't He see them in the middle of a foreign country with no help?

Frustrated and exhausted, Peggy walked the mission property early mornings to slip away temporarily from her caregiver duties and meet with the Savior. Her husband suffered from a bout with shingles that left him in constant pain with no relief––not even with morphine. Months turned into years. Countless doctors tried their best but with no success. 

Where was God? Didn’t He see them in the middle of a foreign country with no help? Hadn’t they given their lives to serve as missionaries and trusted Him for their health? She wept as she sat near a flowerbed filled with daisies. 

Just then, the buzz of bees drew her attention. They danced peacefully from flower to flower doing the job God created them to do, even as a storm approached. She noticed a pattern. If bees could be joyful and peaceful in all circumstances, surely she could find a way. 

Through the thirty-one devotions, this book examines what Peggy learned about God’s intricate creation of the honeybee and how it speaks direction into our need for living peaceful, productive lives while overcoming stress and achieving joy. God is faithful always, and His creation magnifies His majesty if we take time to seek Him in everyday situations––even through the honeybee. 

Dancing Like Bees is available in Paperback and on Kindle at:  https://amzn.to/2YMDbUd