Candy Marie Bridges's Blog, page 7

Three Goldfish and a Bobcat

Emma looking at goldfish

My two and a half-year old Granddaughter Emma was so excited as I lifted her up on top of the kitchen counter to see the three goldfish in our aquarium the day before Thanksgiving. As soon as she saw the fish swimming around, she immediately started shaking from fear. She was unaware that there was a piece of glass in between her and the bulgy eyed fish. Even though I tapped on the glass proving to her that there was a barrier between us, it took awhile for her little mind to process and accept it.  After she got comfortable and felt safe, we showed her how we open the plastic hatch at the top of the tank and drop fish food into it.  When I lifted up the plastic door to drop the flakes in, she again, shook and wanted me to let her down off the counter fearing what she did not understand. Until… curiosity got the best of her and she wanted back up to see again.

The innocence of a child is priceless. They can teach us so much. When we understand what we fear, it's a little easier to work through. For example, many people, myself included fear the unknown. I was recently asked to speak at a breakfast in a few months and I am a tad nervous. I am not a trained speaker, although some may beg to differ as I speak often and boldly at whatever I am passionate about. Usually topics that involve morality. I am quite the advocate for my faith in Jesus Christ. I am also an advocate for discerning good and evil.

I will use the analogy of the fish this way: I can speak to anyone at nausea-um, but until they are hungry with listening ears and spirits, it's like the example of me looking at the fish and the fish looking at me in silence, we see each other, but that's it.  We can learn body language by watching, but even that comes from within. Being compassionate with listening and understanding often takes fear away. Making assumptions about someone without understanding and not going deeper (no pun intended) with knowledge, can lead to the false representation of a person. It's hard for people to open up to others and for good reason. Exposing truths about oneself is a risk and often creates fear of judgement. We all need friends that we can confide in and not have to worry about being judged. Emma trusted me with showing her the truth about the safe barrier with the fish. This is a small example of teaching, understanding and trusting.

 

Finally !

We are now the proud owners of a double oven. I have been cooking for retreat guests for five years with an oven that is the size of an over sized microwave. The trucking company that brought the oven out couldn't drive his long haul semi down out dirt road so I met him three quarters of a mile up the road in my second love. My Bobcat!

Our new double oven being unloaded off a Semi onto the Bobcat.

Candy on Bobcat with double oven

Brand New Double Oven.

 

Book News!


 Congratulations to the five winners of the goodreads book giveaway! I have already signed and sent out a copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains to Ashley, Shannon, Jenna, Sharon and Amber. Thank you for all who participated. If you would like to take another chance at winning, you will be able to enter again. I will be giving three more signed books away. The date of the drawing will be December the 18th. Just in time for Christmas. Enter to the right of this blog.




As a new author, I am still learning all I can about social media marketing. It's quite a mind-boggling experience. To help get the word out about my book, I now have a media page on this site located at the top of the page with all the info for a newspaper, blog sites interested in an interview and others who might want to know more about me and my book.

Have a great weekend!

Candy

Turkey Tuesday

 

Winter is upon us and the holidays are right around the corner. I am sitting in a comfortable chair with a space heater at my side as I write this blog post. I took a hot shower in a clean home. I have a steaming hot cup of coffee on my desk and warm clothing on. I have a job and a happy marriage. I could go on.  I am blessed and I know it.

There are so many men and women who have lost their jobs and the bills have piled up to the point of what seems hopeless. Tempers flare with families and tears are shed. Shut off notices are found at front doors and found in the mailboxes. The phone rings with collectors  badgering for money. The kids are begging for the latest and greatest games and cell phones. They feel deprived because they don't get what others have.

Life is hard at times and celebrating the holidays for some is not possible. It has always been difficult for me to truly celebrate the holidays without thinking of those that are less fortunate. Compassion and empathy are within my spirit.

My husband Jim walks the walk of helping others and I am truly proud of him. And for that I will share with you his ministry.

 

Jim was recently elected Co-President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank  located on our church property in Payson, Arizona. His Co President term will last for three years. His duties include being responsible for all the activities of the ministry. He leads meetings, helps in the office with food distribution, goes on home visits and is on the phone frequently putting out fires and helping others.

Before he became Co-President he worked as a volunteer at the food bank by packing food boxes and interviewing clients for financial aid. St. Vincent de Paul refers to those who are homeless or needing financial aid and/or food as "Clients." A respectful title that helps keep us focused on dignity. The financial needs can be anything from dental work to helping with a late house payment, heating bill, medicine, etc.

There are over one hundred volunteers at our Payson food bank. The building is quite small but the giving is large. Payson is a fairly small town compared to most. With that said,  St. Vincent de Paul has helped 23,993 people. Financially they have given $173,631.68 to 8893 families this year. They have the support of businesses and government agencies, grocery stores, schools, and individuals who keep the ministry going. St. Vincent de Paul gives from what they are given. They do not hold on to funds. They serve the community from generous donations. Giving back on a constant basis.

God provides to those in need through the donations of others. Times are tough and donations have dropped off, but somehow there is enough to keep on giving to those who are in need.  This next Tuesday is called "Turkey Tuesday" at St. Vincent de Paul and it might snow. This will not stop the volunteers from giving boxes of food and all the fix ins for a Turkey dinner to those who are in need. It is in giving that we receive and I implore you to take time this holiday season to re-evaluate your giving. Whether you can give with money or time, consider giving to those who are especially hurting now. Has your neighbor or a family member lost their job?  Have they recently experienced the loss of a loved one or experienced a divorce? It's humbling to both give and receive anonymously. Here are 10 suggestions for giving.

 

1. Donate money to a giving ministry like St. Vincent de Paul.
2. Donate your time to a shelter. Bring your kids and make it a family event.
3. Purchase gift cards to grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and super centers. Anonymously give them to those you know in need.
4. Visit a nursing home and talk with those who have no one to visit them.
5. Have your children do chores to earn money that they will in turn spend on a gift for a needy child. Perhaps from a giving tree at a local church.
6. Anonymously buy a meal for a soldier and his family if you see them in a restaurant.
7. Purchase bus tickets and drop them off to those you see standing in the cold at bus stops.
8. Give the gift of time by offering to babysit for a few hours while a couple can go out to dinner.
9. Deliver a hot meal to a family who is too busy to cook.
10. The most important: Pray that God will send healing and hope to those who are in desperate need. Pray for those who are sick and suffering. Pray for yourself that God will give you the ability to love those who you feel are unlovable.

 

 

 Matthew 5:14-16 states the following:

You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp

and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on a stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let YOUR light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.

The framed print to the right is now available on Amen Christian Calligraphy.

Book News!

I have been learning more about social media this past week.  You may have noticed the tab at the top of my blog that says, Media Page. This page will include helpful information about myself and my new book to those who might be interested in interviewing me.  There is an abundance of social networking opportunities. It's learning them that takes so much time.

There is only one more week to enter your name in the Goodreads giveaway located on the right hand side of this blog.

You might win one of five books that will be given away in less than one week.

What is Menasha?

Menasha

  It's a tasty and filling soup
 

You pronounce Menasha exactly like it's spelled.

This past weekend we had the pleasure of having my Mom here to help with a retreat. Not too long after Mom arrived, she showed me a beautiful cook book that she brought up. As I thumbed through the pages, she asked, "Remember the recipe I submitted for possible entry in a cookbook?" I did remember and as I was thumbing, I found the page Mom's recipe was on. I saw the photo of the Menasha, also called, Potato and Escarole soup. The editors liked her recipe and put it in the cookbook.

Mom's memories of eating this hearty soup are written in her own words on the same page as the recipe.

Immediately after letting her know how proud of her I was, I asked if she would make the soup for lunch on Saturday. She was happy to do so.

As the soup was cooking, the smell of garlic wafted through the air.  Since it was cold and snowy outside, the hot soup was a perfect meal. The ladies really enjoyed it. Many of them  wanted to know the ingredients, so Mom told them along with repeating the family story about the soup. Here it is:

Joanne Bucknum's recipe for Menasha

Many of us in my family love to cook. Both male and female. It's in my blood.  Here at Breath of Life Retreat House, I often share a quote I made up. "Food is Love," so I cook with love and offer healthy and satisfying meals to our guests. For the most part that is. Never mind the Oreo Delight and homemade apple pies that appear after supper.

Quite often, our guests ask if I have a cookbook.  My general response is, "Not Yet," and tell them that writing my memoir has taken up a year so far and that a cook book will more than likely be my next venture. But, there may be a little problem with me creating a cookbook. Cooking impromptu and tweaking recipes as I go may have to stop. I will have to be specific and organized. Ugh!

This will be a challenge for me. But Lord knows, this one should be easy.

Joanne and Candy

 

In addition to the Menasha, I made a roast beef soup that was delicious and the guests wanted that recipe also. I will share it with you next week.

 

Book News!

 

If you know of someone who is struggling with forgiveness or their faith, please consider purchasing my new book, Meet Me In The Mountains.

Below is a review from a woman named Terry. She sent it to me a few days ago.

"Once in awhile, you find that rare gem of a book that touches you deep in your heart. In those intimate places where hope, discouragement, painful memories, past mistakes, etc. like to hide. This book does just that, however, it doesn't stop there. It brings along healing, hope & light; a pot of spiritual soup, good conversation and the love of a good friend with it…

Candy Marie Bridges is that friend. She shares her life as it has been thus far, and let me reassure you, it has not been an easy, perfect one. In fact, it's been just the opposite – rife with challenges, losses and trials. However, even since childhood, Mrs. Bridges has had immutable strength to deal with whatever surprises life has thrown her way. In this, her memoir, she freely shares the secret to that strength, persistence, and determination which have carried her through. Candy Marie Bridges is a woman of faith, and her life reflects just that. Sit at her table and let her tell you about her Friend on the journey, the Lord Jesus Christ. You will be inspired, encouraged, and challenged to reflect on your own life and faith. In the pages of this book you will find hope, healing, encouragement, strength and peace for these troubled times."

***This book also contains Questions for Reading Groups. Would be a great book for small group study.

 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a free book.
The drawing to win one of five books signed by me will be on
November 25, 2011.

 

 

 

 

Chapter One and Friendship

 

 

Have you ever attended a ten year class reunion? How about a reunion celebrating twenty, thirty or more years?  It's strange when you come face to face with past schoolmates, especially when you haven't seen them for so long. It can be surreal to see their grown up adult bodies. It takes awhile to admit in your mind that the person you are looking at is who they are NOW.  Some people you don't even recognize because they are completely remodeled by either choice or nature. Their hair color has changed, weight, voice, etc. Some have aged gracefully. Some have suffered with illness, or others have made bad choices.

Candy, Dana, Laleen and Jeannine - chapter 1

This past Saturday, I had a mini reunion here at my home. Two of my friends from third grade that I speak about in the first chapter of my book came to visit. Their names are Dana and Jeannine. They both live in another state and happened to be spending a weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona celebrating their 50 year birthdays.  Since Jeannine and Dana recently read my book, they were compelled to come visit me here in Pine.  It had been at least twenty years since I had seen either of them and I was elated and excited to see them.

It was around 1:00 pm when they pulled into the driveway in a silver sports rental car. After opening the car doors and stepping out, I greeted them, we hugged and I welcomed them. They were eager to take a tour of our property.

We ate lunch on the front patio and during our meal, I eagerly asked them give me twenty years of updates. For several hours, each of us took turns  sharing our kids' accomplishments, struggles, along with husbands, jobs and activities.  I felt so honored that they took their time to come up and visit.

In a sense, it was surreal to me being here with them.

They mentioned at one point how surprised they were to learn while reading my book that my life from early childhood had been laced with struggle and challenge.  They seem to have enjoyed life with their family and friends and continue to do so. They have been blessed with happy, healthy and prosperous lives.

I told both of them how memories of our childhood friendship inspired me to talk about them in the first chapter of my book.

 

Candy Dana Jeannine

My best friend Laleen, who is also in the first chapter, was unable to rendezvous with Dana and Jeannine. We tried Face Timing her with the IPHONE, but to no avail, so we put her on speaker phone and after chatting, decided that the four of us must meet again soon.

It can be difficult to keep in touch with friends for whatever reasons like taking care of our own families, distance, etc. but true friendship surpasses time. There is that unspeakable bond that lasts a lifetime.  I have been blessed to have many good friends throughout my life. There have been a few that I chose to distance myself from because of their bad behavior.

 

I love what the book of Sirach says about a true friend:

…A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him for one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress. Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame. Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes. When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants; but if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you. Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. Sirach 6:5-17

Laleen and Candy 16 years old

I also found an article by Roy Armstrong about friendship.

Friends are a part of our lives. As the saying goes, a life without friends is a life without a sun. So, you can definitely see the importance of friends. However, friends can be divided into two groups, which are good friends and bad friends. When making friends, you should learn to distinguish between good and bad friends.

As for me, having one true friend is better than having a hundred bad friends. Don't you agree? A real friend is someone who you can trust very much. You can tell him or her anything without reward. And you will treat him or her sincerely. On the contrary, a bad friend is someone who will try every means to obtain benefits from you. Thus, we must be careful in choosing friends.

Here I have a humble suggestion. A friend who always treats people with honesty is a good friend. Inversely, a friend who flatters you to your face is not true friend. All in all, we must make friends with those who have good character and a kind heart. On the other hand, we should do our best to avoid keeping company with people who tells you to smoke cigarettes, steal from stores, lie to parents, or do drugs. These people will never be worthy to be your friends because they believe that being bad and rebellious is a good thing in society; they just have been watching too many movies.

The worst feeling in the world is to be alone and have nobody to share feelings with. Let me tell you my experience. I have a friend named Kelly. She is my most reliable and closest friend. This happened in high school. Under the pressure of studying, I often felt nervous and uneasy at that time. And I did not have the courage to share my feelings with my family. On the other hand, Kelly was always by my side and she encouraged me. Thanks to her, I was able to control my emotions. Whenever I am in difficulty, she would encourage me by telling me stories of how historical heroes conquered their obstacles. Whenever I feel tired and nervous, she would relax me by singing pop songs or telling me interesting and hilarious things. Frankly speaking, I enjoy staying with her. She is really my true friend.

Now, if you share your feelings with a person whom you think is a friend to you, and that person does not pay attention to what you say, this should be able to tell you that this person is indeed not a true friend, because he/she does not care about you.

In short, friends play an important role in our lives. We seriously need to learn how to deal with the different kinds of friends we have, so we can not only protect ourselves from the bad friends, we can also stop wasting time with them.

Roy Armstrong has always liked to write articles that give people the information they want and need.

 

If you have a story to share about a friend, please leave your comments.

 

Book News!


The contest for winning a Free Book is still going on. Please click the Goodreads link and enter today.




I have received three more book reviews this week on amazon.com Please check them out.

 

One of my loves!

Pellet Stove

I CAN NOT BELIEVE OCTOBER IS OVER!

Two nights ago our pellet stove was meticulously cleaned and officially fired up for the first time this season. I love this little giant. It puts out enough heat to keep us and our home warm and toasty all through the winter. The little pea sized wood pellets fall from a chute into the burn pot located inside the front of the stove.  When running non stop, the stove will go through 40 pounds of pellets in a day and a half.  The amount of ash to clean up is literally two cups at the most. It's efficient and functional and one of my favorite joys in the evenings throughout the winter.

 

My Blog this week is short and a little late due to retreats that we are hosting here at Breath Of Life Retreat House.

 

In the meantime, I am still learning so much about social media and marketing for my book. It's mind boggling, but I enjoy figuring out the opportunities that are out there. I know that the old fashioned word of mouth form of advertising still works well. If you have read my book and it has inspired you to think about your past, present and future, I hope you will spread the word about it to your friends, co-workers, and family, especially those who might be suffering with the loss of a loved one, or feeling hopeless, helpless and even unforgiving.  Know that I too felt those feelings, but not for too long. There is a way to conquer them and perhaps reading my story will help to inspire and find hope

in what seems hopeless.

 

I will be back this Friday to share about a very special visit from two people who came to "Meet Me In The Mountains"  I haven't seen them for over 20 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Wedding! A Widow! A Scripture!

 

This past week was filled with News,
Complaints and Hope!

 

The news was exciting! The complaints were real!
The Scripture was one that I love but don't completely understand!

 

Preston and Kayla

 

Let's start with this past weeks news! My son Preston proposed marriage to his girlfriend of four years. This is my baby boy who is much taller than I and a strapping handsome young man. Of course I am biased, but he is still "My Baby." He is the last to get married of my three children and I am happy that my son has found a wonderful young christian woman to spend his life with. He and his girlfriend will seek marriage counseling before they are married and for this I am very pleased. I know the benefits.

Before I got married to my son's father, Mike, we participated in an Engaged Encounter weekend that opened my eyes to some of the unknowns of my future spouse. Even though I wouldn't have admitted it then, I believe that LOVE CAN BE BLIND in some areas.  Since it was thirty years ago, I can't remember exactly what those truths were, but I definitely remember that the weekend was filled with the opportunity to dialogue honestly and intensively about our prospective lives together. We discussed our strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and our role in the church and society in a face to face way. It helped me to understand my future spouse more and accept who he was. It gave us a more realistic perspective on the inner person. It's so important to go deeper in discussions about a couples future together. It's also a discerning process to know if in fact this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

 

This leads to my next bit of news. On retreat here at Breath of Life over the past couple of weeks, I had the pleasure to listen and speak to a woman who was a widow of three years. She knew I was a widow for five years before meeting my husband Jim, and I believe she needed to vent. She was experiencing deep loneliness and desiring to find a good loving man again. I know that loneliness. She so wanted to find a man who had morals, respect, dignity and like her, a man who lived his Catholic faith.

Her complaint was about a recent date that she went on that turned her stomach. The man exposed bad behavior. He thought and expected her to sleep with him on their first date and assumed in his mind that she wanted the same. He took her to dinner and a movie. She was shocked and surprised at his advances after their night out. She is fifty one years old and when I asked her where she met him, she gave me a secular internet site. The web site does not require it's subscribers to share with others, a moral compass. I then explained to her that meeting someone on a site that does not value a Christ Centered Marriage should be avoided unless she is willing to take that risk. I told her this only because she shared with me that she was a Catholic Christian. There are several Christian sites and for her, Catholic sites, that promote a strict set of moral values. It's not a guarantee that you will meet Mr. Perfect, but it is a place where meeting someone with like minded values and expectations is a good start. Prayer should always be first.

I myself, after being a widow for five years found my husband Jim on CatholicMatch.com. My daughter Sarah also found her mate on CatholicMatch. I loved the site because I put down on my profile who I am and what I expected out of a mate. My profile reflected facts like me not being a trophy wife and not wanting to move from the town I am living in. I shared my down to earth personality, love of my children, and me wearing jeans and tennis shoes most of the time. In addition my desire to serve retreat guests, cook and work in the yard. I shared with brutal honesty what I was looking for in a Catholic Christian mate, so it weeded out those men who might be looking for a wife who loves to travel, go dancing every Friday night and eat sushi. So I suggested to this woman that there are guys out there, but you have to go to the right places or internet sites to try and find them. I compared it to trying to find someone in a bar. It can be done, but you are taking a risk with someone who may not even be in their sober mind when they see you across the room.

I am a Calligraphy Artist and Proverbs 31 is a scripture that I have been asked to letter for years. Over the years, I have created a line of Christian Art/Calligraphy. There are many that are on my "to do" list and some have been there for years. I lack the time that I used to have with creating more works of art and lettering, but, I am feeling that this scripture, which I too love, has now moved to the top of my lettering to do list.

The scripture I love and have trouble understanding fully is Proverbs 31

 

I found an article I enjoyed reading in regards to the Proverbs 31 scripture and I share it below.

Credit happily given to Daria Sockey from Venus, Pennsylvania.
 
 
 
Proverbs has a section subtitled
"The Ideal Wife:"

 

She's held up to us as a role model, yet she dishes out intimidation as well as inspiration.

"When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize."

On the one hand, anyone trying both to run a home and earn extra income sees a true sister in Mrs. Proverbs 31. She's CEO of a cottage industry garment factory, a real estate speculator,and with her spare profits from these ventures, she plants a vineyard. This is in addition to clothing and feeding a large household,

caring for the poor,and dispensing wisdom left and right.All in the same day.

I get tired just reading about it.

On the other hand, moms who are just trying to get through the day feeding, cleaning, and educating little people might respond to Mrs. P's exploits with, "Yeah, right. She's got a built-in daycare center with all those maidservants and what not. Give me some of those, and I'll be out there buying fields and planting vineyards too."

But I think we can all learn a lesson from the Ideal Wife without getting hung up on literal details. The idea is to be whole-hearted in caring for the needs of our families and others in need; not to give in to the temptation to slack off.

The more interesting question, in my opinion, is "What about the Ideal Husband?" Surely all the God-fearing men out there are eager to measure their own virtues against

a guilt-inducing Super Man.

Aren't they?

Well, divinely inspired I am not, but in the spirit of Proverbs 31, here are my own thoughts on the Ideal Husband.

They come from the good example of several wonderful dads I know, especially my dear husband, Bill. It's a Father's Day tribute to any man who can be more or less recognized here:

When one finds a worthy husband, his value is beyond high-yield IRAs.

His wife, entrusting her heart to him, has an unfailing prize.

He goes forth to a job he may not always like, enduring rush hour traffic and unpredictable bosses in order to provide for his family.

He rises before dawn to get the nursing infant, bringing it to his wife who remains comfy and warm in bed.

He takes the lead in family prayer, giving good example to his sons.

He wields dish rag and vacuum in due season, and exhorts his sons to do likewise.

He takes a rowdy preschooler to the back of the church, that his grateful wife may worship the Lord her God in peace.

He fixes the broken towel rack or installs the new blinds within 48 hours of his wife's request.

He relinquishes a favorite televised sporting event to spend the evening with the family God has given him.

When his wife glumly announces that it's hot dogs for dinner again, he replies, "Great! My favorite!" and gives her a kiss.

He says "Gee! You're pretty!" at unexpected moments, cheering her heart and renewing her self-confidence.

Hairlines recede and bifocals may appear, but such a man is forever a hero to his wife.

 

Book News!

My book "Meet Me In The Mountains" is now available in the Kindle and Nook format on amazon and Barnes and Noble. For those of you who have read my memoir, I would sincerely appreciate a review on these sites.

Also the giveaway is underway to win a free book signed by me. Five books will be given away and the drawing is November 25th, 2011.

 

Enter today on the right hand side of this page!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Tuesday is the "New Friday"….for this week anyway.

I just had to share this cute picture of Emma and Sophie, our granddaughters.

Sophie and Emma

I was unable to blog last Friday due to being a little under the weather. Tis the season for sniffles, sore throats and colds. With two retreats coming in this week back to back, I am going to blog today and say that today, Tuesday will be my Friday. I don't think Friday will mind.

Now…….on to the news. Where do I start?

With my dream last night of course. But first, let me ask you, Do you ever wake up with a song in your head? A tune you may not have heard for five or ten years?  For no reason, a song just starts playing in your mind and you start humming or singing the words without realizing why? Maybe it's an Elvis song or a religious toe tapping hand raising praise and worship song? Or a more soothing relaxing melody?   I have.

This morning I didn't wake up to a song, but instead I woke up to thoughts of  "MY FAVORITE MOVIES." Why? I have no clue, but I escaped for a brief few minutes to mentally review my top favorites and thought, "Where in the heck did this come from?" "Why am I even thinking this? ….No answer. So for whatever reason, I give you my list of top past favorite movies.  1. My big fat Greek Wedding.  2. Cinderella Man.  3. Big Fish.  4. The Five People You Meet In Heaven. 5. Madea's Family Reunion. 6. The Princess Bride.  7. Evelyn.  8. Life is Beautiful.  9. Fireproof.  10. Bella.  11. Tyler Perry's, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.  For the most part, these movies have a moral message, sometimes loosely, but still focusing on underlying life challenges. Again, not sure why I woke up with this thought, but maybe I am supposed to ask you………..

 

  What's your favorite all time movie and why?

     From the list above, mine would have to be "Life is Beautiful"  It's a testimony to the love and sacrifice of a father for his family! I still cry at the end even though I have seen it more than ten times.

 

 

Our second annual "Apple Day" was fun and productive. We had six people picking, peeling, paring, cooking and freezing hundreds of apples. I will use these to bake pies and other desserts for retreats. Jim and I, my daughter Sarah and my son in law Brad, along with Carol and Roger Fornoff helped with the two day process.  The second day, we had the pleasure of meeting two of the Fornoff's daughters Karen and Terry who also helped with the work. This yearly ritual will be an annual event and not only do we produce yummy apple pie filling, but we produce a time for enriched conversation and friendship.  I love the multi-tasking.

Second Annual Apple Day At Breath Of Life Retreat House

Sarah holding freshly peeled apples from our tree.

 

This Weeks Book News!

The contest has begun to win a free copy of my new book, Meet Me In The Mountains. Five winners will be chosen on  Nov 25, 2011. Please sign up at the

Goodreads Book Giveaway

displayed here on the right hand side of my blog.

Reflections from this past week

I was touched and inspired when I got a phone call from my friend Priscilla. She had to share with me her news. She gave my book to a lady in hospice named Jeannette.  Jeannette is dying and loves to read. Her last days here on this earth are filled with reading as many books as she can. After eagerly reading my book, Jeannette took the time to write me an uplifting and encouraging note. She shared how much she enjoyed the book and noted how she, like I. try to seek the Lord's will for my life.  She actually got out of bed and into her wheelchair and made her way to her bedroom window to read the book.  Although I will never meet this woman, I have a vision in my minds eye as to her frail hands holding Meet Me In The Mountains by the natural light in her tiny room.  She has included me in her prayers and for me, there is no better gift from someone. I pray God blesses her with a peaceful exit from this world to a new and pain free life forever in heaven.

Another bit of news: Jeannie, another woman who recently read my book, is going to facilitate a book study using my book, Meet Me In The Mountains. There will be a dozen or more people participating in the monthly gatherings. The group will read up to four chapters before meeting once a month. They will then discuss some of the questions at the end of each chapter.  I am so excited about this and am anxious for feedback.

If you have read my book, PLEASE give me your thoughts. Feedback and reviews are encouraged at the following web sites.

www.amazon.com

www.candymariebridges.com

www.goodreads.com

www.imprbooks.com

I Gained Two Workers, But Lost A Job

Morning sunrise showing off new paint job.


Good Friday morning!

 

I can't believe tomorrow is October the 1st.  Life is busy as ever. The past month and a half has been filled with intermintent times of me and sometimes my husband Jim painting the outside of the retreat house, guest house and the office. It's a huge undertaking. We will have used thirty gallons of paint which includes two colors. In between phone calls, shipping orders for www.AmenChristianCalligraphy.com and educating myself about options for marketing my new book, I have had a paint brush and roller in my hands. Because I realize that it will probably snow before I can finish this project, I have admitted that I need help, so as the saying goes, "My name is Candy…. and I need help!" I finally succumbed to hiring two painters to finish painting the houses. They have been at it for four days now and I hope it will be finished today. I completely enjoy this type of work because I am outside in the beautiful clean mountain air. It's therapy for me. I am so proud of the way it looks. It's fresh, it's clean and finally…….it will be finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up this morning with extreme concern that I lost a clients job. The job, a beautiful cross stitch that had taken twenty years to complete. It was created by a woman that attended a retreat last weekend. Her name is Ellen. Her beautiful priceless work of art got thrown away in the trash by accident while I was attending to the care of my granddaughter. There is much more to the story that includes a beautiful dog that I struggled to find a name for, watching my grand daughter suffer with the flu, and the dread that I would have to tell this woman that her job got thrown out. I even thought that maybe I should offer her a check for $1,0000.00, but quickly dismissed it because I knew no amount of money could replace her priceless labor of love.

Perhaps it was the paint fumes that sparked this dream last night or the glass of red wine I enjoyed at dinner that was the reason for my dream. Yes it was just a dream! All I know is that I am so thankful this was only a dream and that I do not have to worry about telling someone that their job got thrown away. I have never lost a clients project. Ever.

Book News! — Contest!

Meet Me In The Mountains is continuing to get wonderful reviews and feedback. I am humbled by the responses I am getting in regards to the thought provoking nature of my book.  When someone tells me that they can't put the book down, as a new and first time author, I don't think I could hear anything better.

So what's the contest about?  I am going to give away six free books to a book club or study group. I am looking for feedback on how the book benefits both individuals and their book club as a whole.

 

                                                                                                                                                                         Contest Rules

 

The winner will be drawn on November 25, 2011

One entry per person

The entry form will be added to this blog next Friday, October 7, 2011

Three ladies buying books in the gift shop here

at Breath of Life Retreat House.

 

 

IT'S FALLING !!

What's Falling?

 

     Nature is. It is officially the first day of Fall and it seems like the whole forest knows. The squirrels are busy burying their peanuts and acorns in our flower pots. The woodpeckers are creatively and what looks to me, painfully inserting their food into crevices and cracks in the trees so they can find their treasures in the winter and the Elk are bugling even louder and more often in the early mornings and evenings trying to find a mate. There's preparation in the air.



The air is cooling and winter is not too far off.

     Our apple trees have an abundance of apples like none I have ever seen. We have two trees that normally produce just a few apples each year, but this year the trees have literally grown hundreds of them. The other apple trees are doing the same and we, like the squirrels are preparing to store our treasures. We are getting ready for our annual "Apple Day" We get together with another couple and take a full day and pick, clean, core, cut, cook and freeze apples. We then have apples to make pies, apple pancakes, apple sauce, apple turnovers and more. The work involved is methodical and organized so we can create enough to keep us going through the winter.



     In reading my daily scriptures, I was excited to read a verse that hangs in a special place by our front door inside the retreat house here at Breath of Life Retreat House.
     But now, "take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work! For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts" (Hg 2:4). "I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts" (Hg 2:7). "Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give you peace" (Hg 2:9). "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11).
     The woman, Mary Helen who gave this prophetic verse to my Godmother, Marie four years ago, told her to give the verse to me. Mary Helen was insistent that the Lord put this verse upon her heart just so she could share it with me. Coincidentally at the time, I was struggling with the abundance of renovation projects going on here at Breath of Life and it seemed like too much to bear. The hope in that scripture kept me pressing on and now I see so clearly that the Lord fulfilled His promise. His peace is here in abundance and our guests often share their feeling of and unexplainable peace here. I share that it is explainable and definitely from the Lord.
     I love work. I find escape in it and of course, production and satisfaction. It also brings sleep much easier at night. In my book, Meet Me In The Mountains, I share my work in both the physical and spiritual and how it helped me get over and through many trials and challenges.  For some, physical work may not be an option, but work in prayer can be just as satisfying. Working towards conscious preparation for our future destination….. heaven.

 

Book News!

 

 

 

A contest is coming!


I will be giving away Six books to a group who would like to use it in a study group. More in next Friday's blog.


Great feedback is still coming in about Meet Me In The Mountains. Inspirational, thought provoking and uplifting.


My book will make a wonderful gift for the holidays!


See the video trailer at the top of this blog! Please share it with others on your facebook page!

 

 

 

Is it Okay to Pray at Bunco?

This past Tuesday was my once a year hosting for Bunco. This includes fixing dinner for twelve ladies. In case you don't know, the game is a dice game and Wikipedia explains it this way: Bunco is a social dice game involving 100% luck and no skill (there are no decisions to be made), scoring and a simple set of rules. Women who are part of a Bunco club take turns as the Bunco hostess, providing snacks, refreshments and the tables to set up the games.  Small amounts of money can be involved as well. The object of the game is to accumulate points and to roll certain combinations.

I fixed a Portobello vegetable soup and some beef wraps for the ladies to eat before we played our game. Most of the ladies have been to my house and seen the retreat house which is on the same property.  This time there was a few ladies who were new or subbing for others and hadn't seen the property.

It overflows with Christianity and the love of the Lord with inspirational and scriptural art and decor. One of the ladies, Tamara, who has been to my house many times, gets summoned by me to give a tour if someone wants to see all of the retreat house.  As we sat down to eat in the meeting room, one of the newby ladies told me that she noticed that there was a chapel in the house and without any hesitation asked if I would pray for her. She then gave me the reason for her request. It had to do with an adoption of a baby that one of her children were fighting for. There were complications with the delivery involving the birth mother and she was concerned that because of it, the mother may have second thoughts. Her prayer was hoping that wouldn't happen.

With the loud and cackly voices permeating the walls while they were eating, I told her that I would be happy to pray.  I also mentioned we should do this before we played Bunco, since some of the ladies blast out of the house immediately afterwards and a few include a little too much vino during our game playing.

Since we were all on different stages of eating, I decided to ask her to come with me so we could pray. I was going to the little home chapel. As I entered the kitchen, I quickly asked one of the ladies I know who is a Christian to come with me and join in a prayer.  She dropped her wine opener and followed without hesitation.  We prayed for God's will to be done with the baby and birth mother and that no matter what the outcome, that God's Will be the answer to our prayer.

I know this was a difficult prayer for her to hear as this mother only wanted her son and daughter-in-laws happiness with the adoption.

Sometimes what we think should happen is not whats best. I know the Lord heard our prayer and hope that the outcome of this situation will all ways give glory to God.

Some people are afraid to pray for others out loud or in a group. I sure know what that is like.

My suggestion: Just do it. Sometimes just saying out loud, "Lord, I am not sure how to pray or even know what to say or how to start, so I will ask with simplicity." Teach me to be unafraid to publicly pray for others and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.

 

Book News!

 

This week I learned how to write a press release for my book, Meet Me In the Mountains. I have submitted two so far. Many more to go.

I am getting more reviews from readers. One lady enjoyed it so much she asked me when I was going to write my second book. "Oy!" I said.  You are looking for TWO miracles huh? (smile)

Another woman, Mary Lynne said the following, "What a beautiful testament to your faith in God as well as how things work out, both good and bad, when you have the right attitude! It also confirmed that people come into our lives for specific reasons and at the right time!"

Another lady in California is taking the book to her book study group and will use it for reflection and teaching. I am so appreciative of the feedback.  Please leave your review here on my blog or on Amazon.

 

YES!
Amazon.
My book is officially on amazon.