A Novel Creation www.WatersWords.com

From India to Kosovo With Love Here is a Picture of My Granddaughter & the Indian Barbie I Bought for Her In Mumbai Four years ago this month I traveled to India with my daughter. I’ve shared that story before   (Click Here to See Pictures and Read That Entry)   but some experiences, like a good cup of tea are better when steeped a bit over time. It’s only then we can enjoy the richness of what has been placed before us.  It was late in November…Tom had been gone barely a month…if that…when Kendall asked me if I wanted to go to India with her to help girls who had been rescued from human trafficking situations. She said the trip was “next year in April.” To a person living in a fog, next year or even April sounded like light years away. It didn't matter. I figured I’d probably be dead by then anyway. I agreed that evening, though my level of commitment wasn’t very high. I went to bed later that night apologizing to God for not consulting him first. I ...

I’m from Florida. At least that’s what I’ve always said.  I was born in Ohio, lived in Arizona a while, moved back to Ohio, then to Florida.  Picture Of a Tree in My Backyard in FL I understand why I usually say I’m from Florida. I went to high school there. That’s where I got my first driver’s license and where I lived when I started dating. I went to the University of South Florida. I got married in Florida and my first two children were born there. Tom and I bought our first house in Florida. All of the “rites of passage” pieces from childhood to adulthood took place for me in Florida. We had just had our second daughter when the research team Tom was a part of decided to move. The choices were Texas or Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio to be specific. I was born in the neighboring town of Hamilton. I had family in the area. Moving to Cincinnati would also mean Tom could complete his Masters degree at the University of Cincinnati in biomechanical engineering....

When I taught at Cincinnati Christian University, one of my responsibilities was to advise students. Advising usually takes the form of helping map out what courses to take to move toward the goal of graduation. Sometimes it spills over into other areas of life.  I had a student come to me unsure about finishing her degree and becoming a teacher. She had married and she wasn’t sure she could continue taking classes.  “I want to be a teacher,” she told me. “But if I can only take only a few classes at a time, it will take me forever to graduate.” I remember turning to the blank side of her paper and drawing a mountain. I told her there are many ways up the mountain.  “Some people climb straight up,” I said as I drew a line leading straight to the top. “Others meander along the way and stop now and then.” I drew a line that wound its way back and forth finally reaching the summit. “The point is,” I told her, “the view is just as beautiful from the top n...

I’ll be up front. I’m not perfect. You knew that but I want you to know I know it.  Like the characters in my books, I’m flawed. I may talk a good game, but sometimes that’s all it is…talk.  Grab a Copy Here  For example,  I believe in turning everything over to God. I really do believe that. I counsel others to turn their problems over to God. But do I do it? Mostly. Not all the time. Remember a couple of weeks ago when I shared that my camper was badly damaged? I prayed about it and turned it over to God. I trusted Him to take care of everything. I felt a sense of peace that all would ultimately work out.  Then last week I wrote about my books –fifty copies of  Libby’s Cuppa Joe   coming from my publisher –had not arrived. I knew they would eventually get here, but instead of turning their delivery over to God, I asked Him to give me patience as I waited for them.  There’s a difference. Each day as I prayed to be patient…instead...