In Memory of Mocha

In Memory of My Mocha

2/14/98-3/14/09

Good-bye, Moocha Mocha.

Like Father, Like Son

As we talk about aging, one of the blessings of aging is watching your children become adults. For myself, my children are now my best friends. I have a blast with them--no one can make me laugh harder or smile more.

Here's a picture of my son when he was almost three. Every Christmas season I set out this picture as a reminder of my blessing and how fast time flies.

More years than I care to count have passed since this was photo was taken. But here's why we can rejoice as years turn into decades. The next photo is of my grandson taken recently. It was created to mirror his daddy's photo.

So again, I will revel in this picture and treasure my time with the most precious people I know. I will smile and laugh--bring on those laugh lines!

Smiles!

But wait, there's more!

A couple of days ago I told you about the Christian Book Expo in Dallas March 19th-22nd. But wait, there is more. Not only will there be over 200 authors to meet and sign your books, but there is going to be a "Picnic with the Authors" sponsored by Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Here's your personal invitation from AWSA!

You and your friends are invited to have lunch with bestselling Christian women authors for our first ever luncheon with the authors INSIDE the Dallas Convention Center. Come to meet the women you already know on the pages of your favorite books, enjoy our book giveaways, prizes, book signings and more. Please have a bite to eat with us!

When: March 21st
Where: The Christian Book Expo at the Dallas Convention Center's Women's Luncheon Conference room
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 pm
How to purchase a ticket(s): Click HERE

Every table will be hosted by one of the many authors, myself included, who are sponsoring this special event. There will be great food, good conversation and fantastic books. What more can an avid reader want?

Please join us at the Christian Book Expo and the Picnic with the Authors!

Christian Book Expo--Coming Soon

The Christian Book Expo is just around the corner. What is CBE? It is a new conference designed for those who love Christian books. It is being held in Dallas March 19th-22nd. It will be an exciting conference filled with opportunities to meet your favorite authors and get your books signed. Here’s a glimpse of what the weekend holds for you!

· More than 200 of your favorite Christian authors
· 150 transforming seminars led by authors
· Tens of thousands of Christian books
· Nightly inspirational events
· KidZone

I will be there beginning on Friday morning, March 20th. My book signing is at the New Hope Publishers booth at 12:00 pm. Please stop by and say “Hi,” receive a book and a hug!

Also, our own Lysa TerKeurst and Suzanne Eller will be there along with over 200 other authors. WOW! For a “bookaholic” like me, it sounds like a perfect weekend. For more information click on the link below.

http://www.christianbookexpo.com/index.php

Hope you can make it! It is a one of a kind conference designed for you—the Christian book lover.

Fear of Aging

My grandmother was not the friendliest person on earth. She paid little attention to me and rarely remembered my name. No, she certainly was not a huggy, kissy, sweet type of lady. I was afraid of her.

When I was a little girl I would look at my grandmother and shudder. She seemed so decrepit. I was probably about six. She was probably in her mid-sixties. I remember the deep purple veins that crept up her legs like spiders. Her nylon stockings pulled up to pudgy bulging knees. The dark circles under her eyes hunkered down next to her nose as she breathed heavily. Her sagging chin waved at me when she shook her head at me. But it was the underlying seething bitterness that frightened me the most. Her attitude was, "I am hateful and proud of it!"

YIKES! My little girl mind shrieked, "I hope I never look or act like that!" The thought of me be being like her was terrifying to a six-year-old's imagination. It still does make me pause and consider things about old age.

What scares you the most about growing old?

• wrinkles


• veins


• age spots


• bitterness


• loneliness


• weight gain/loss


• anger


• health issues

Well, sure enough, I am beginning to develop many of those scary physical characteristics. But I will not allow myself to become a cranky, bitter old woman. I am determined to age gracefully and more importantly to be grace-filled.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Can I hear an "Amen!" ?

Don't be Cowardly about Aging!

How many of you read the P31 Magazine this month? If you haven’t—read it!

I thought the article “Permission to get Old” was thought provoking. The author, Karen O’Neil Velasquez, nailed the truth about our youth oriented culture. How many of us look in the mirror everyday and shriek, “Yikes! Who is that person? When did that new wrinkle form? Is that actually an age spot that I see?” “They” say that 50 is the new 30—BALONEY. Ladies we need to unite, be our age and act our age. Here’s one way to do it and “age gracefully.”

I belong to a small group of women who meet every Tuesday evening for Bible study. One of our “girls” is significantly younger than the rest of us. We love to tease her about the upcoming changes that will soon take place within her beautiful body—skin tags, nose hairs, hot sweats, etc. I think you can imagine her horrified expressions. If one of us hasn’t completed the lesson we just use the excuse we couldn’t find our reading glasses. She gulps and tries to smile encouragingly. Honestly, I don’t know why she still hangs out with us.

But together we chuckle about the reality of aging. We are giving each other permission to laugh and create a few more laugh lines. There is no stopping it—well, unless you go to heaven.

So don’t be a coward about aging. It is going to happen to everyone. Let’s laugh in the face of it and agree with Ms. Velasquez, “Permission to get old simply means a course of correction in my thought process. It means that I begin to value what God valued all along.” Curious? Find a copy of the P31 Magazine and read the article.

Then laugh with your friends as you age gracefully together.

Where in the World is Susanne the Blogger

Well, I have certainly fallen off the ends of the blogging world, haven’t I? Here’s what has happened to me. I became addicted to Facebook and Twitter. All of sudden I found myself Twittering to my tweets and making friends on Facebook.

I really had no intention of doing either, until my editor “suggested” I become an active member on both. I asked my son to help me set up FB and he said and I quote, “That is the most asinine thing I have ever heard. No one over the age of 35 should be on FB.”

Oh well! I am on Facebook along with 175 million other people who most likely are over the age of 35. It’s a fun and quick way to stay connected with your friends. I am hooked on it.

Then after Facebook came Twitter. Twitter is like FB, except it is quicker and usually from your phone, which then places your twitter on the wall of your Facebook. Then your friends are called Tweets. Confused? That’s OK! I am still learning all the new techniques of social networking along with everyone else.

On Weekend Today, the anchor Lester Holt discussed “Etiquette for Social Networking.” It was fun to watch, especially at the end when Holt asked, “Does anyone use phones anymore?" I wanted to email in, “Yes, we use phones to Facebook and Twitter.”

Now, I want you to know I am back to the blogging world. I think I can juggle blogging, FB, and Twitter, too. However, if you want to know more about my day and you have lots of extra time (ha-ha), here are the links if you would like to find me on Facebook or Twitter. Join up; it’s fun and the quickest way to catch up with your friends and tweets.

http://www.facebook.com/

http://www.twitter.com/