Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 447

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 28, 1942: French Somaliland switches allegiance from Vichy to Free French. Nazi doctors at Birkenau concentration camp begin sterilization experiments on female prisoners.

Amish Day Giveaway Winners

My sincerest apologies for not posting the winners for my Amish Day giveaway on December 17 as I promised.

The winner of The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer is...Charity!

The winner of Life with Lily by Suzanne Woods Fisher is...Jasmine A.

To read about these delightful books, please see my Amish Day post. Charity and Jasmine, thank you for leaving your email addresses. I'll contact you.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 27, 1942: Germans form Smolensk Committee to persuade Soviet POWs to fight for Axis. Gen. Henri Giraud replaces Darlan as high commissioner of French North & West Africa.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 26, 1942: New song in Top Ten: “There’s a Star-Spangled Banner Flying Somewhere.” Ferdinand Bonnier de la Chapelle, who assassinated Adm. Jean-François Darlan, the French commander in North Africa, is executed.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 25, 1942: In Tunisia, Germans retake Longstop Hill; Americans lost 500 men in 4-day battle.

The Advent Wreath - Christ Is Born!

One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath with cookies and eggnog and hot chocolate. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.

On Christmas Day we light the final candle - the Christ Candle. If you'd like to join the Sundin family in this tradition, here are some family friendly, kid-tested ideas. Adjust these to the ages of any children present to create a meaningful time for your family.
Christmas Day - The Christ Candle

Candles:
Light all three purple candles (the Prophets' Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, and the Angels' Candle), the pink candle (the Shepherd's Candle). Lastly, light the white candle in the center, showing how Jesus is the Light of the World.
Story:
Explain how the shepherds watched their flocks, heard the news that the Messiah had born, and went to see the Baby Jesus in the manger - and how they reacted with great joy.
Scriptures:
Luke 2:1-20 (the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds)
Matthew 2:1-12 (the visit of the Magi)
John 1:1-14 (Jesus coming in the flesh as the light of the world who brings life)
Songs:
"Joy to the World"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"What Child Is This?"
"O Holy Night"
And all your family's favorites!

May the peace and joy of our Lord and Messiah, Jesus Christ, fill you with His light this Christmas.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 24, 1942: Soviets take 1 of 2 airfields used in Luftwaffe supply of Stalingrad. Adm. Jean-François Darlan, French commander in North Africa, is assassinated by Ferdinand Bonnier de la Chapelle, a French royalist.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 23, 1942: Bob Hope entertains troops in Alaska, the first of his Christmas shows. First War Loan Drive ends, raised $13 billion (quota was $9 billion).

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Dec. 22, 1942: Allies launch assault on Longstop Hill, Tunisia. US Seventh Air Force B-24s bomb Wake Island, first air attack in Central Pacific, 4300-mile mission. Congress authorizes relative rank for Army Nurse Corps; pay same as for male officers without dependents.

Book Beat - Cedar Creek Seasons

In real life, few people are drop-dead gorgeous. Real-life people have quirks and imperfections and lumps and wrinkles. And real-life people fall in love.

I thoroughly enjoy romances that celebrate real-life people in all their glorious, humorous imperfections, and Cedar Creek Seasons is such a book - four delightful stories set in the four seasons of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, featuring four women in various seasons of life.

In "Contest of Wills" by Becky Melby, Willow Miles celebrates her fortieth birthday with a Polar Bear Dip and meets famous local artist Wilson Woodhaus when the door of her minivan falls off. Their budding romance is threatened when they enter the same competition.

"In Tune with You" by Rachael Phillips introduces us to proper choir director Chesca Appel, busy preparing the perfect Easter chorale. When her pastor pairs her with Seth Amundsen to add drama to her production - Seth ends up adding humor, romance...and a donkey named Stupid.

In "Silvery Summer" by Eileen Key, recent retiree Claire Parsons accompanies her niece to her former hometown of Cedarburg for a craft fair. Everywhere she turns, she's confronted by Eli Mueller, who broke her heart decades before.

"Maybe Us" by Cynthia Ruchti features Beth Schurmer, who has put her personal dreams on hold to care for her beloved grandfather and his yarn shop. The shopboy-next-door, Derrick Hofferman, is a klutzy seven-foot-tall brownie maker who charms Beth and her grandpa - but what is he hiding?

All four novellas overflow with humor and quirkiness. The characters ring true - as rumpled and odd and wonderful as your friends. The writing is fresh and fun and truthful. These four authors collaborated earlier on A Door County Christmas, and I certainly hope they'll collaborate again in the future!