March 20, 2024

This past Saturday, I stepped out of my comfort zone and behind the speaker’s stand to present my book, “Family Stories for God’s Glory–Finding God in all of Life’s Moments.” The book’s purpose is to give God the glory for all His wondrous works in our personal lives. I believe the message came across; with His help, it was a success despite my feeble efforts.

These are true stories about our family, which consists of four married children and twelve grandchildren (six boys and six girls.) Don’t ask me how they managed that! Our family now numbers thirty-three, including the married grandchildren’s spouses and six great-grandchildren. Each member has an individual story, minus the greats–they had not yet been born when the book was written. The rest of the family members unknowingly furnished approximately 90% of the content. Included are stories of our childhood and early married life, Christmas stories, Empty Nest stories, Downsizing and Moving, and stories of our challenges and heartaches.

I read, to the audience, a story from my husband, Marlin’s, childhood. This story shows how God was in his young life with a plan to give him an enjoyable retirement. When Marlin was twelve years old, he yearned for an electric train for Christmas. He spent hours admiring them in the Sears Catalog. What he got was a scroll saw (jig saw in those days) because his dad had noticed his interest and ability in woodworking. Although extremely disappointed, Marlin soon began making simple projects and enjoying a sense of accomplishment he could never have gained while watching a train run around and around a track. Today, Marlin is an award-winning skilled woodworker thoroughly enjoying retirement. God had it all planned for him and was right there when he opened the disappointing Christmas present. Neither Marlin nor his dad had any idea that God was making great plans for Marlin’s senior years! Isn’t God amazing!

See you next time!

Charlotte