It's a Wonderful Life, Isn't It?

It's a Wonderful Life, Isn't It?

 By Susan K. Earl

What grace we are given to live each day, to touch others’ lives, and to be touched by the lives of those around us. The Christmas season is always a time of reflection for me. How did I make a difference in the lives of my family, my friends, or even of strangers whose paths have crossed with mine? Did I help them along in their journey through life or did I hinder their growth in some way?
I have always been a very traditional person. I treasure the values and the truths instilled in me since childhood. I love the traditional candlelight services at Church on Christmas Eve, spending the holidays with family and friends, and I even take special pleasure in giving and receiving gifts. Yet, in the midst of celebration, I often wonder why and how my life is important in the grand scheme of God’s plan.
There have been numerous books written and movies made that help the lead character examine how the world would be different if they had not been a part of it. Of course, one of my very favorites is Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”. To some this movie is slow, outdated, a good film to fall asleep to, or to poke fun at. Although for me, this movie seeks to help us all understand how the smallest kindness or the least likely encounter can truly change another person’s life.
We are given but a short span of time to carry out God’s plan .We live our lives each day taking it for granted that we will still be around the next day, the next moment, the next second. This is the way we should live our lives, not in fear of death, but in pursuit of life and of life everlasting. I can think back through the many relationships and friendships I’ve built in my life, and know that not only have I impacted their lives, but they have also left their imprint upon mine. Some moments I would love to be able to go back and “do over”. There are words I’ve regretted saying and words I’ve regretted not saying. Sometimes a chance to share only comes around once, and then is forever gone.
Each day we are offered opportunities to change lives, to show the love of Christ to others, and to give of ourselves. Should we accost each person we meet and try to force our beliefs upon them? Would this make a difference or would it scare others away? If we follow in the footsteps of Christ, we can see the pattern his life took. He gave freely of himself each day. His love was not overt, not pushy, but through simple acts of kindness he drew multitudes to their knees. Christ performed many miracles in his short reign on Earth, but to me it was his honesty, his kindness, his spirit of love that drew his disciples to follow him.
I believe in miracles. I believe they happen every moment. I believe my very existence is a miracle of grace. Through this grace I too must offer God’s love to those around me. It might be a mere smile or even opening a door for someone. At times, it might be redirecting someone’s footsteps back along the path of righteousness.
I am not a prophet, I am most definitely not a perfect person, I am merely a small breath of God’s love that exists in his world. And though I strive to follow in his footsteps, I often stumble. Yet, as I reflect back over my “wonderful life” I realize that even through many times of trouble and many times of joy, it is how I cope with each event that reflects to the world the person I am in Christ. As I travel through each day of my life I can offer my friends and family the love which lives within me through Christ. To those lives mine gently brushes, I can offer small acts of kindness to share a little glow of Christ’s love with them.
And so, as my ramble concludes, I offer these simple yet powerful words as my Christmas gift to you.
New International Version (©1984)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Decisions, decisions, decisions

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. When God takes something from your grasp, he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. "
I received this e-mail tonight, and it struck such a chord with me that I know God is directing my steps yet again. I have struggled over the past months to make a life-altering decision. Is what I am doing with my life where I need to be?
I have always been blessed to hear that small inner voice that directs my steps in the way I should go. Yet this year, more than any other I can remember, I have tried to walk against this voice and stay in the safety of where I have been for many years. I know that through all the times of fortune or trouble, through all the tears of joy or pain, which I have dealt with in my life, God has always been a constant companion and guiding force in each decision I make.
Now, I find myself at a crossroads in my life which if I were younger or wealthier would not cause a moments thought. Yet, at this time in my life I must make a choice to uphold what I believe is right and leave the security of a job I've held for over twenty years and go out on my own searching to become the person I feel God designed me to be.
I have followed my heart in many decisions. Now, I feel is the time I need to leave the security of my professional position and move into the unknown world of what lies ahead. I don't know what that is yet, but I know God will lead me where he wants me to go. I know I will pursue my writing full time. I have been blessed that my first novel has done well. Not that I can live off the proceeds. Yet, I know God has a calling on my life and I must follow it. Every step I take that pulls me away from this decision leaves me empty and a deep ache in my heart. Where will God lead me? I never know, but I do know that wherever he leads, I will follow.
The e-mail continued: "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
I know that God will ever watch over us, always meeting our needs, although not always our wants. Believe and know God loves you always and forever just the way you are. Don't be afraid to step up to the challenges that God places in our lives.
Will I leave my job today? No, but through prayer and quietly listening for that small inner voice, I will better understand the path God has laid before. Through the words in this message sent through an e-mail, one of the worries I've allowed myself to wallow in, has been confirmed. I need to lay aside my fears and forge into the unknown wielding my sword and wearing the full armor of God. It's a big, scary world out there... keep me in your prayers!
Blessings,
Susan


Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith. ~Author Unknown

Moon Dance Amazon Price: $15.00 List Price: $22.99

Moon Dance ~ a novel Chapters Nine and Ten

By Susan K. Earl

Greetings! I've finally made it home from the UK. It was a lovely journey and I met some wonderful folks along the way. The trip was very successful and enjoyable. I plan on sharing some of the highlights with you in future hubs. The only disappointing part of the journey was the end when our flight was cancelled just as they started boarding passengers. Forty or so hours later, we made it home, but sin sceal eile (that's another story)! Today I will share Chapters nine and ten of Moon Dance with you. These will be the last two chapters I put on-line. If you'd like to read the next fourteen chapters, I have the Amazon link listed below where you can purchase either the e-book or a perfect paperback of Moon Dance. If you'd like a signed copy, just e-mail me at moondance2010@att.net for details.

I appreciate all my followers and hope you enjoy the love story of Maggie and Joe in Moon Dance.

To read the first ten chapters of Moon Dance ~ a novel  follow theses links:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-by-Susan-K-Earl
http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapter-2
http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapter-3
http://hubpages.com/hub/MoonDanceAnovelChapterFour
http://susan-k-earl.hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapter-Five
http://susan-k-earl.hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapters-Six-Seven-and-Eight
http://susan-k-earl.hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapters-Nine-and-Ten

Blessings & happy reading!
Susan

Moon Dance ~ a novel Chapters Six, Seven , & Eight

Remember the time... I remember the time the idea first came to me to write this novel. Three years of a labor of love, and then one fine day it became a reality. Today I am diligently trying to finish up the sequel to Moon Dance, as well as finish another novel.
Then, lo and behold, as my husband and I were driving to the store this afternoon another story began forming in my head, and I can't wait to finish up the two novels I'm working on, and began on the next one. I always write down my thoughts as they come to me, and then somehow miraculously they just seem to fall together.
Tonight I am offering you chapters six, seven, and eight... three weeks at once! I'm off to the U.K. for a bit, but I will be back in time to share chapters nine and ten with you the first two weeks in August. and then it is my hope that you will be so involved in Maggie and Joe's story that you will want to read the last fourteen chapters. You can just click the Amazon link at the bottom of the page and order Moon Dance by me, Susan K. Earl, at any time. If you're an e-book reader you won't have to wait more than a few seconds, and it's only $9.99!
 http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapters-Six-Seven-and-Eight

Blessings always and happy reading!!Susan

Moon Dance ~ a novel Chapter Five

Here we are half-way through the promised first ten chapters of Moon Dance. For those of you reading each chapter weekly, I will be posting Chapters 6, 7, & 8 next Tuesday. I will be out of the country on tour in the UK for a couple of weeks, and since I didn't want to fall behind in my hubs three chapters will be posted at the same time. I will keep a journal of my adventures while I'm away. I know they will spark some new hubs! Maybe even a new book... you just never know! To read more about it go to http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapter-Five


Blessings always,
Susan

Moon Dance ~ a Novel Chapter Four

Visit http://hubpages.com/hub/MoonDanceAnovelChapterFour to read the latest installment of Moon Dance ~ a novel by Susan K. Earl 

Happy reading!

Sack Lunches

I don't know who wrote this, but my cousin sent it in an e-mail and it so touched my heart that I felt I should share it with you. I hope it will touch your heart as well.

 Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the  luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned  seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm  glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will  get a short nap,' I thought.  Just before take-off,  a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
 
'Where are you  headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.'  

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time...  As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if  he planned to buy lunch.  'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.  Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.  I'll wait till we get to base.'  His friend agreed.
 
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked  to the back of the plane and handed the flight  attendant a fifty dollar bill.  'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
  
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to  the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.  'This is your thanks.'
  
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane,  heading for the rest room.   A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.  Soon after I returned  to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but  noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I  want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.

With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought  me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
  
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of mereached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
  
When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.  Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man

who stopped me, put something in my shirt  pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a  word. Another twenty-five dollars!
  
Upon entering the  terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their  trip to the base.  I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It  will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.  God Bless You.'
  
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and  respect of their fellow travelers.  As I walked briskly to  my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return These soldiers were giving their all for  our country. I could only give them a couple of  meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone  who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of  America  ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'  That is Honor, and  there are way too many people in this country  who no longer understand it.'  

Love and Blessings to all our military who serve us unconditionally 365 days a year, as well as those who have served in the past. 

Susan

Moon Dance ~ a novel Chapter 3

It's time for the next chapter of Moon Dance to be revealed. I feel like the newspaper serial writers of days gone by when my sister and I would wait anxiously for the next installment of a story to come out. Sometimes we had to wait a month because the story would be in a magazine instead of the newspaper. How far we've come in such a short span of time!
I thought I would include my most recent review before Chapter 3... Anticipation is key, and I like to build suspense and keep the reader "wanting" more. :)

"While reading "Moon Dance", I was taken to another time and place. Through the lives of Maggie and Joe, I became involved in the lives of two families and the hardships they each faced. I also enjoyed the love that drew them together and continued to grow despite the difficulties. With each new chapter, I was anxious to see what new adventures were in store for the characters.

Susan K. Earl has done an excellent job with her story "Moon Dance." Not only does she portray several characters and their families, she has intertwined faith, hard work, strength, courage, and forgiveness throughout their lives. This is not only a good read for entertainment, but also one that we can learn from. Great job!"
~ Amy Gatliff, author of The Power to Never Give Up

Moon Dance ~ a novel Chapter 2

This has been a hectic weekend of meetings, family gatherings, and now the new week yields even more wonders to behold. A teacher workshop featuring exploring caves, canoeing, and hiking... it sounded so wonderful when I signed up in the spring, but now with 100 + temperatures, I'm not so sure about the hiking! I love exploring caves, and canoeing is fun. Usually though, my husband does the rowing and I do the enjoying... I think this time, I'm doing the rowing! Anyway, to read Chapter Two of Moon Dance ~ a novel please go to http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-Chapter-2
I hope you have a blessed week and happy reading!


:) Susan

Moon Dance ~ a novel

Recently I heard that James Patterson, one of my must read authors, was offering the first ten chapters of his new Women's Murder Club novel on his web site. I liked this idea, and so today I came to the conclusion that I should do the same.
I will publish one chapter a week for the next ten weeks (every Tuesday), and if you are interested in reading the remaining 14 chapters, you can click on the Amazon link below to purchase an e-book copy for only $9.99. If you would like a signed copy you can e-mail me for more information at moondance2010@att.net

I've included a recent review of Moon Dance: 

Moon Dance, March 21, 2011 By Dolores Ayotte This review is from: Moon Dance (Perfect Paperback) I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel, Moon Dance, by Author Susan Earl. It is very easy to discern that Susan is passionate about her relationship with God as she so skillfully intertwines her own values in her novel about Maggie and Joe. The story takes place in Texas during the Great Depression yet despite the poverty and hardship that so many people endured; Maggie and Joe manage to find love and romance. Although, the main plot of Moon Dance revolves around the love they share, there are many other delightful characters that enhance the story line. There is much sadness and sorrow that is also addressed in this well-written, descriptive novel, but the faith of the family and the love that they all share manages to bring it to a happy conclusion. This book grabbed my attention right from the onset and I enjoyed it immensely.
By: Author Dolores Ayotte 

I am currently finishing up the sequel to Moon Dance, and felt this would be a great way to gain your interest in Moon Dance, as well as entice you to want to know what happens in the lives of the characters in the upcoming sequel.

Visit my hub at http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-a-novel-by-Susan-K-Earl to read Chapter 1 of Moon Dance ~ a novel. Happy reading!

Thoughts for Today

May has brought with it many changes... and I am a creature of habit who really doesn't appreciate change. And yet, I know that in order to grow there must be changes in my life. Have the changes been destructive? No. Have they caused undo pain? Only to my inner being. And so, I will adapt to the will of others, even though I've done a lot of grumbling along the way. 

Now summer looms before me, and I say goodbye to a most difficult year. There have been good things within the realm of despair, but the good has only shown it's face far and few times in between the knock down, drag around way I've felt throughout this year.

Now for the first time in a dozen years or so, I am taking off for the precious few weeks we used to call summer vacation. During this time I plan to try and rejuvenate my inner soul, rest from the harsh realities of being torn down, and prepare myself for a new year. 

Throughout my teaching career I have met some extraordinary people. People who's memories are deeply engrained within me. People I have taught, but whom have also taught me. They've taught me how to be a better teacher, how to laugh at my own mistakes, and how to empathize with the many plights we've found ourselves in.

And so to all of my fellow teachers, I dedicate these "Thoughts for Today" to you...

• The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth."  ~Dan Rather

• A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.  ~Author Unknown

• If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.  ~Donald D. Quinn

• In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work.  It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.  ~Jacques Barzun

• The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate "apparently ordinary" people to unusual effort.  The tough problem is not in identifying winners:  it is in making winners out of ordinary people.  ~K. Patricia Cross

• A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.  ~Henry Adams

• One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.  The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.  ~Carl Jung 

Blessing always, 
Susan

Thoughts for Today

More thoughts and wisdom from my favorite little Pooh bear...

• "Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it."  Winnie the Pooh Pooh's Little Instruction Book

• "A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference." Winnie the Pooh Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh

• "I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me." Winnie the Pooh
•  "I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."
  Winnie the Pooh Winnie the Pooh

• "Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering." Winnie the Pooh Piglet, Pooh's Little Instruction Book

You just can't go wrong with the wisdom of Pooh!

Family friendly Vegetarian Lasagne

One of my family's favorite recipes is one that I adapted from a Pennsylvania Dutch Cookbook about thirty years ago. I was really young at the time...of course! The recipe called for a lot of ingredients that a poor starving student was unable to afford at the time, although I loved the idea of the recipe.
I decided to try to reproduce my own version of the recipe using fewer ingredients as well as less expensive choices. At the time, I was a college student and stay at home (working very hard) mom, so cutting corners and saving time were two very important assets in my hectic life. Every recipe I had tried from this cookbook had been wonderful, and I really wanted to try the vegetarian lasagne, so I set about planning how to best approach the recipe change. What came about was a dish that even die hard meat eaters and those who detest spinach have tried and loved. This recipe has been well-tested over the course of time and eaten by many of my family, friends, and strangers alike; all of whom love it and ask for the recipe. The recipe is simple, takes only a small amount of time to prepare, and is easily adaptable to your own taste.
Easy Vegetarian Lasagne - Susan Style!
Preheat oven to 350*

• 2 to 3 cans well drained, chopped spinach
• 1 pkg. oven ready lasagne shells (newly adapted in the past few years to save time and one less step in the recipe)
• 2 (16 oz.) cans tomato sauce (more if you like it saucy)
• garlic salt to taste
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese ( I prefer Tillamook or Vermont white sharp cheddar myself)

Cover the bottom of an oblong clear glass or corningware pan with tomato sauce. Place a single layer of oven ready or cooked lasagne shells on the tomato sauce. Add more tomato sauce to cover the shells , then top with garlic salt. Add one can of chopped spinach; spread to cover all the shells. Add more tomato sauce, garlic salt, and sharp cheddar cheese. Repeat this step. Finally, layer remaining shells, tomato sauce, garlic salt, and cheese. Place in preheated oven for about 60 minutes until shells are tender and cheese is bubbly. (If you use cooked shells, you can cut the cooking time down to 30 to 35 minutes. Serve with warm garlic bread and watch your family smile as they devour their food nd ask for more.
That's it! To serve larger crowds, just double the recipe.
I have actually converted a lot of folks who say they don't like spinach into spinach lovers with this recipe. I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as mine does.


Blessings,
Susan

Thoughts For Today

On being yourself... 



Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  ~Dr. Seuss


To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.  ~e.e. cummings, 1955

All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was.  I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory.  I was naïve.  I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer.  It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with:  that I am nobody but myself.  ~Ralph Ellison, "Battle Royal"

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.  ~David Carradine


A man who is "of sound mind" is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key.  ~Paul Valéry, Mauvaises pensées et autres, 1942


I am told to just be myself, but as much as I have practiced the impression, I am still no good at it.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com


The great majority of us are required to live a life of constant duplicity.  Your health is bound to be affected if, day after day, you say the opposite of what you feel, if you grovel before what you dislike, and rejoice at what brings you nothing but misfortune.  ~Boris Pasternak


It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.  ~e.e. cummings

Have a blessed day being just who you are, a beautiful creation of God!
~ Susan

Please Join me at the North Texas Book Festival

Last year's festival with former Dallas Cowboy and Author Drew Pearson

Please join me at the North Texas Book Festival this Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. This year's festival will be held at The Center for Visual Arts · 400 E. Hickory · Denton, Texas. 

The North Texas Book Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation that was organized in 2000 by a group of individuals, led by children's author Lynn Sheffield Simmons, to help school and public libraries and literacy programs in the North Texas area. Since its beginning, more than $45,000 in grants has been awarded to deserving programs. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Recent Reviews of Moon Dance ~ a novel by Susan K. Earl:
    “I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel, Moon Dance, by Author Susan Earl.  It is very easy to discern that Susan is passionate about her relationship with God as she so skillfully intertwines her own values in her novel about Maggie and Joe. The story takes place in Texas during the Great Depression yet despite the poverty and hardship that so many people endured; Maggie and Joe manage to find love and romance. Although, the main plot of Moon Dance revolves around the love they share, there are many other delightful characters that enhance the story line. There is much sadness and sorrow that is also addressed in this well-written, descriptive novel, but the faith of the family and the love that they all share manages to bring it to a happy conclusion. This book grabbed my attention right from the onset and I enjoyed it immensely.” ~ Dolores Ayotte,  author of  Growing Up and Liking It

I turned on the TV and planned to read a little during commercials, but I was flabbergasted when I got so involved in the story that I turned off the TV and just kept on reading and reading. I finally went to bed, and then got up and finished reading Moon Dance.  I never really read, but this story kept me so involved I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! Now I’m sharing Moon Dance with my friends and they love it just as much as I do! You’ve got some talent there, Susan! ~ Kathy Element (Michigan)
  
Susan K. Earl’s characters in Moon Dance were so vividly described that I found myself wanting to go back a page or two to see a picture of a previous scene, but that scene was only in my mind! It was almost like watching a movie of these two poor families who were brought together by their children’s love for each other. Both families lived their faith in God and shared that faith with others. The time setting of the Great Depression allowed us to learn how the families coped during hard times and how they relied on neighborly love and God. The lessons taught in this beautifully written romance can and should be lessons we are teaching today in our families. — Linda Duff Niemeir, Co-Author, Sharecropping in North Louisiana: A Family’s Struggle Through the Great Depression

    I loved this book…It has great character development and a great story that kept my interest, in fact, I couldn’t put it down- I read it in one night! The love story is sweet, and how the characters dealt with hard, lifelike problems was touching to me. I really enjoyed it! ~ Jennifer N.

Hope to see you there!!
Blessings,
Susan