I hope you are enjoying a day of relaxation as we start the summer season.  Many of you may be having picnics, barbeques, or just enjoying a day off work.  It’s funny how a holiday like this reminds us of simpler times.  Times when we played ball until dark and caught fireflies and put them in a jar with holes in the lid.  I’ll admit that life gets too busy for me sometimes and I long for the simplicity of those days.  This weekend we had a reminder of those times.  We were in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Blue Gate Restaurant.  Many of the groups in gospel music have performed there and it’s always a fun time.  The food at the Blue Gate is incredible! Amish fare is the specialty, but they have a large menu including about 30 homemade pies, homemade bread with homemade apple butter and homemade noodles!  Is your mouth watering yet?

Shipshewana is one of those places that has the feeling of stepping back in time.  There is a large Amish and Mennonite community there.  Horse and buggies and bicycles co-exsist with cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  Saturday morning I walked around town, looking in the shops and buying things like homemade jam and noodles.  I enjoyed looking at the handcrafted furniture and even had time to sit on the expansive porch of the beautiful Blue Gate Restaurant.  Sitting on the porch in a glider, rocking with the  breeze in my face, watching the buggies go by, and just listening to the sounds of a slower pace, I realized how much my soul needed that.  I needed the rest, but I needed the reminder even more.  Today is a day to relax and reflect.  Take time today to just relax and not worry about the stuff of life too much.  Remember our fallen heroes and the heroes that now serve our country protecting and defending our freedom. Listen to the sounds of a slower pace, it’s good for the soul.  Oh yeah, eat a hot dog for me! (I love hot dogs!)

Thanks to Mel Reigsecker and all the staff of the Blue Gate for their hospitality.

As I walked down the hallway, I would glance into the rooms and see the people that now call this place home.  People who once raised families, held jobs, and just lived life are waiting out their remaining days.  It always breaks my heart to see them just lying in bed or sitting and staring into space.  I saw two little ladies in their wheelchairs holding baby dolls, moving their chairs with their feet, and talking to themselves.  They appeared to be looking for something that is now only in their memories.

As I walked toward my mother-in-law’s room, I saw a decorative plaque hanging on the wall.  The sign read Angels Gather Here.  Was the sign referring to the precious people in those rooms, the dedicated staff taking care of them, or could it be that angels really do walk those hallways? When I entered my mother-in-law’s room. I saw her sleeping peacefully in her chair completely unaware of her surroundings.  I decided that all of those things were true.  There are angels that care for these dear ones daily.  I believe there are angels from God sitting at the bedsides keeping vigil.  And believe me, there is definitely an angel in room 301.

We are riding down the road on the way to Myrtle Beach, SC for Singing in the Sun.  We left Claremore, OK last night and we should get to MB by about nine tonight. It’s a looooong way from OK to SC.

We had a great day yesterday in Claremore.  We were in concert at the Claremore Church of the Nazarene in the evening. Guy Penrod and Austin’s Bridge were there for the morning service.  Ms. Shirley Nickles hosted both groups for lunch at The Pink House Restaurant.  We had a great time with those guys, Pastor J. J. and others from the church.  The food was great and the fellowship even better.  Thanks to all the folks from the church for such a great day.

We go to many churches and meet many wonderful people, but some places just stand out. Places that just feel like you’re home. Claremore Church of the Nazarene is one of those. We were there for a Christmas concert about a year and a half ago and we just loved the people there. I met a wonderful lady there at that time, Cora Merkle. Ms. Cora was there last night and it was so great to see her.

You might ask what’s so special about Ms. Cora.  Well, it’s hard to explain, but there are just some people you have a bond with the moment you meet them and she is one of those people. Ms Cora is 81, sharp as a tack, full of God’s spirit and just an absolute joy to talk to. I talked with her a while last night and then I had to go to the product table for a while.  Roger and Lauren were both there so I said to Roger, “I’m going to talk to Ms Cora.”

He didn’t know whom I was talking about.  I explained I had met her last time and I wanted to visit with her a little before the concert.  He asked me why I wanted to talk to her.  I told him that I wanted to talk to her because she knew things that I needed to know.  Things that only saints that have been on this journey a long time have learned.

This precious lady is a wealth of knowledge and I was so encouraged just by spending a little time with her.  Oh, did I mention, she’s a hoot, too! She told me she was the only Cora Merkle in the United States. I asked how she knew that and she said, “Well, I Googled it.” She’s 81 and she Googles!!!!

She asked me if I was on Facebook and I had to admit that Lauren was but I wasn’t.  I asked her if she was and she said, “of course!” OK, I was a little embarrassed.  That’s the way I want to be when I’m her age!

Of course, I’m already a little behind. She has to use a walker now, but her mind and spirit are amazing. Looking into her eyes as she talked about the Lord and her life spoke volumes. I wanted to sit and talk longer with her, but time would not permit.

As we parted last night, she hugged me and said, “I love you, Debra and remember we have a appointment.” She had told me that when we get to heaven, she would look for me and we would sit and talk for a long time.  That’s a date, Ms Cora.  If you haven’t talked to a “Ms Cora” lately, I would encourage you to find a mature Christian in your church, community or your own family and spend some time with them.  They have much to say that you and I need to hear.  If you have someone like that and have spent some time with them, tell us some of the words of wisdom that they have spoken into your life.

Have a blessed week!

Debra

Click HERE to learn more and to sign up.

Inadequacy. It’s something we all encounter. The feelings and thoughts that we are just not good enough and we have no power to change that. It is a common debilitating disease of our time. Not good enough in my job. Not good enough in my relationship(s). Not good as a parent. You name it. We all encounter it. I know it well. I’ve had to overcome these feelings and learn to have CONFIDENCE in my own life many times. I think I can help.

Helping you through these times is my passion. If you attended my talk at the Extra Mile event, you know exactly what I’m talking about, and I’m now available to go farther into this with you. If you were not able to attend the event but wanted to, and still want to get into this teaching, here’s how to do it.

Join with me and others in “The Confidence Class.” The class is an online seminar for overcoming inadequacy in your life and replacing it with confidence. The Seminar begins on Monday April 24th and goes for 4 weeks. Here’s how it works. If you join us, you will be emailed a login password a few days before we begin. The password will give you access to my private site: The Confidence Class. It works a lot like a blog. I’ll be posting a “talk” and study guide each week complete with questions for you answer and things for you to work on. You will write back to me your stories, trials, and concerns and I will be responding right there to each and every one of you. It will be our own little private discussion group for confidence building—not open to the public.

Again, if you were at the Extra Mile, you have experienced the value of this first hand and can now continue. If you were not there, but know deep down in your heart that you lack confidence in some area of your life, this is the place to work on that. I would love to work with you. As I said, it’s my passion.

The cost for the 4 weeks of confidence building is $47.00. Just click on the button to participate.

Debra

If you just can’t make it, but would like to be able to hear and see what’s happening.  There will be a special opportunity for you after the conference to check it out online at a date to be announced.  So, keep checking the site and we’ll be letting you know…

• It’s an event
  Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 20, 2010. The premiere of Lauren Talley’s first book and new solo album, Songs In The Night, and the launch of an exciting new ministry.
• It’s an invitation
  Join Lauren and Debra Talley as they teach you from God’s word how to overcome life’s obstacles and live the life in Christ you were meant to live.
• It’s an experience
  In the breathtaking scenery of the Smoky Mountains, reconnect with God on a deeper level. Enjoy inspired teaching and be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime worship experience featuring two concerts with Lauren Talley and the Talley Trio.
• It’s a challenge
  Push yourself to learn more, grow closer, dig deeper, and go farther in your walk with God.

Will you go the extra mile? Click here [link no longer active] to learn more.

Many people make resolutions for the New Year, but I have found that I am one who has good intentions, but has a hard time following through.  Is there anyone out there like me?  I have set a few goals this year though.  My main one is to spend more time in the Word.  Another is to get my freezer cleaned out, but that will have to be a warm weather goal since the freezer is in the garage.  I have some others, but I would like to know how you feel about resolutions and if you have any for this year and how you plan to accomplish them.  I could use some inspiration!

We hope to see many of you in the coming year.

Happy New Year

Debra