A Grandmother Reads Benny's Angel to Her Granddaughter

Thank you to this grandmother for her touching account of reading Benny's Angel to her 3 yr. old granddaughter.

BENNY'S ANGEL: Who stole the flowers in God’s Secret Garden?

My 3-year-old granddaughter, Julia, found my copy ofBenny’s Angel, a new children’s book by Laura Allen Nonemaker, during Thanksgiving. As I read it to her, I was amazed at how quietly she sat in my lap. In fact, she asked me to read it to her again later. Julia laughed as we read about Benny and his animals friends—I think she liked the silly voices that I used as I read her the story.

I enjoyed reading Benny's Angel to Julia—sometimes it's fun just to observe at a simple tale through the eyes of a child. Even though this book skimmed the surface with its biblical teachings, it opened the door for me to talk to my grandchild about prayer in a way that she could understand. The tale also seemed to captured Julia's imagination. With all the technology available to entertain children these days, it's refreshing to find a book that helps me to connect with my grandchild, using simple concepts, words, and pictures. So, I’m grateful to add this enjoyable little story to my children’s books at home. BLESSED, kj

Thanks To All Who Made Benny's Angel Book Signing Successful!

My first book signing for Benny's Angel: A God's Secret Garden Adventure was a success and a blessing. What a joy it was to read the book for the children, who included my own great-granddaughters! All the children enjoyed coloring the printouts of Benny Bunny and Marietta the Angel that we made available to them. The adults were gracious with their response when I shared my experiences leading up to the birth of the book. The question and answer session was lively, enabling me to share the positive experiences I have had with Tate Publishing & Enterprises during the production of Benny's Angel. I am looking forward to several more pre-launch events that are scheduled for September and October. Stay tuned for dates and times.

                                                                                 ~ Laura Allen Nonemaker

Order Benny's Angel

Don't Miss the First Book Signing for Benny's Angel!

You are invited to the first book signing of Benny's Angel: A God's Secret Garden Adventure. Author, Laura Allen Nonemaker will read for children in attendance. She also will share the unusual events surrounding the birth of her children's book and its journey through publication.


This delightful tale uses animals, nature, and a visit from an angel to teach children the importance of prayer and the value of trusting God. Benny and his secret garden friends promise to find a special place in the hearts of children everywhere.

   
        Date:  Saturday, September 10
        
        Place: Audubon Hospital Community Room L2       

        
         Time:  4:30 pm  Laura will do a reading for the children
                  5:00 pm  Dinner available in cafeteria
                  6:00 pm  Laura speaks 

         

                         Book signing before and after meeting

                 

Guest Blogger, Ellen Boyer, Says...

Sometimes it is difficult to sort out who we are and what makes us tick. A common way of considering what God did when he made us in His image is to think in terms of humans as triune beings; that is, we live in a body, have a soul, and we are a spirit. It is easy to understand the body component: the “shell” we, the individual, present to the world around us. We are unique corporeal entities easily recognizable to one another; but what about the soul and the spirit.

In Genesis we read that after God formed man of the dust of the earth (the body), He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Since the formation of the body and the process of man becoming a living soul are described, it seems that “the breath of life” must refer to man’s spirit. Theorizing that man can be described as three distinct parts combined to produce a living, breathing soul inhabiting a recognizable body allows us to discuss who we are and what makes us the unique individuals we are forever becoming.

So what is this soul – this distinct component of humanity that develops over our lifetime? You may have heard it described as the mind, the will, the intellect, the emotions, and that place in each of us that learns, develops values, and becomes the center of our character; but where is it? How do we get in touch with the “who” we are now? Perhaps the soul can be better understood when visualized as a garden. A garden produces exactly what is sown; and reflects most precisely the amount of work that has gone into it. Its health and productivity requires weeding and tilling, feeding and watering, time and much care. A good crop demands the removal of rocks that block the seed as it is sown. Stubborn old roots must be pulled out to make way for new, healthy growth. Carefully chosen seed is required for the prepared soil; and the gardener must be on the alert ready to protect all that has been planted. The well-tended garden provides food for the gardener with enough left over for others who are hungry or are in need of the encouragement a perfect bloom can provide.

Have you checked your garden lately? Have weeds grown up to choke out your choice flowers or vegetables? Is tilling in order? Has an insignificant plant overrun what could be a prizewinner? Have pests entered and destroyed the harvest? Perhaps it is time to go to your garden – alone and while the dew is still on the roses. Talk to the Master Gardener there and discover who you are now and what He would have you do to prepare the garden of your soul for the coming harvest.

A Fragrant Remembrance

It was a cold day in December. I shivered as I came up the walk, eagerly anticipating the warmth of a hot cup of tea. A package was waiting for me on the doorstep and I quickly scooped it up and let myself in.

I removed my coat and put on the kettle, wondering if this might be an early Christmas gift. I carefully opened the box, allowing a delicious, sweet aroma to escape into the air. Nestled in the tissue paper was a scented candle shaped like a small cake. A letter was enclosed. Congratulations! You are the winner of a fine Country Cottage Candle. Thank you for visiting our booth at the Glendale Crossing Festival. Immediately, my thoughts traveled back to an unforgettable Saturday that previous October.

My husband, Bob, and I had left early that Saturday on our annual excursion to the Glendale Crossing Festival in that small town south of Louisville, Kentucky. We parked at the top of Main Street and took a hurried shortcut through some neighborhood yards, impatient to begin our “treasure hunt”.

The crisp air was invigorating and a pageant of fall color spread out around us. The view from the top of the hill was like a Grandma Moses painting, with hundreds of colorful booths dotting the streets and spilling into adjoining fields and parking lots. On our way down the hill, we stopped at a booth that featured country craft items. There was a raffle for a candle called “Grandma’s Shortcake” that smelled heavenly. I seldom win anything, but it was free to enter, so I dropped my name and address in the box and we moved on.

Gift ideas abounded as we marveled at the variety of crafts and gadgets for sale. Did we know anyone who might like a faucet that seemingly poured water from mid-air into a big barrel? Who would appreciate that unusual garden creature fashioned from salvaged parts? Even though a steady drizzle had begun, it could not dampen our enthusiasm. We were determined to make the most of our special day together.

After selling our business of 18 years, Bob and I had made a commitment to take time to “stop and smell the roses.” It was even more important after our dreaded nemesis, cancer, renewed its attack on Bob. From previous experience, we knew the power of God to heal and our faith and trust were steady. At the same time, we realized that the passing moments of that October day contained gifts for us to treasure, such as…

        

sitting side by side on a bale of hay, while eating chili and cornbread…

savoring the tantalizing aroma of fried apple pies...

purchasing an antique picture frame that Bob had noticed me admiring…

feeling like kids again…

the gentleness and goodness of the day.

The whistle of the kettle jolted me from my reverie. I turned off the stove and lit the candle. Gazing at its hypnotic flicker, I mused about the way our lives are as tenuous as that flame. Bob was admitted to the hospital two days after the Glendale Crossing Festival. He went to heaven a short while after that. How grateful I am that we decided to treasure the present moments and how like my Father to send me a fragrant remembrance of that special October day.

                                                                                    
                                                                                  ~  Laura Allen Nonemaker

The Star

Shortly before Christmas, our five-year-old grandson,

Brandon, bounced through our front door and climbed in my lap. He threw his arms around my neck and, with a big smile on his face, announced proudly, "I'm the star in the Christmas play!"

"How wonderful, Brandon!" I said. His grandpa signaled his approval by rubbing his head affectionately. We were bursting with pride that our precious grandchild had been chosen to star in his kindergarten play.

The night of the play, we were filled with anticipation. The band of tots filed onto the platform and we craned our necks to catch a glimpse of our Brandon. There he was, his sweet face wreathed in a huge silver cardboard star. Although he was flanked by several other little luminaries, our grandson was for us the shining star of the show.

Note: Brandon is grown now and this Christmas his two little girls will be, for us, the "stars" of their show.  

                                            

                                                                                                                                ~Laura

Ten Practical Steps to Bring Hope to Your Holidays

  1.  Be careful about focusing on yourself.

  2.  Reach out to help others.
       a. Practice hospitality.
       b. Donate time to charity.
       c. Give gifts of yourself - crafting, cleaning, cooking, babysitting.

  3.  Get physical exercise. Be realistic - 20 minutes, 3 times a week.

  4.  Eat, drink, rest properly. "Be sober..." (1 Peter 5: 8-10) This means without the influence of an intoxicant.

  5.  Read your Bible and meditate every day.

  6.  Live one day at a time.
       a. Set goals for today - attainable ones.
       b. You only have today - don't throw it away grieving over yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.
           (Matthew 6:25-34)

  7.  Make good plans and accept invitations. "God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:6)

  8.  Write letters, send some cards, read some books, etc.

  9.  Stay connected.

10.  Go to church. "In the presence of Jehovah."  "God inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalms 22:3)

The angel said, "Get dressed. Put on your shoes." Peter did it. (Acts 12:8, The Message) God will do for us, but He expects us to do what we can for ourselves.
                       
                          Adapted from a message by First Assembly of God Women's Ministries, Fort Myers, FL

Giving Thanks

This is my first post on my very first blog. It's an exciting new world with a steep learning curve, but I'm getting it little by little. Thanks, Crystal - I love it!

God has been so good to me and I thank Him with all my heart. There are some amazing things happening in my life. I am watching the scripture that I have stood on for a long time, that my latter days will be greater than my former, coming to pass. Thanks to my dear husband, Paul, for your love, patience, and support as I begin this new venture. I am blessed to have you in my life.

By the time Benny's Angel, my first children's book, goes to print in 2011, I plan to add a special page for children, with interactive features related to the book. This is a lofty goal, but as Pastor Dan says, when you shoot for the moon, you have the possibility of landing in the stars!

At this time, I dedicate this blog to my precious Savior, Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that those who visit here will linger awhile to dig in God's Garden and leave enriched in spirit, mind, and soul.