COAST
COURIER
A
quarterly newsletter from
Karen O'Connor Communications
October
2007
Dear
friends, family, and colleagues:
Greetings from Watsonville, California.
News from our corner of the world:
| We've
been busy. Just finished up our front landscaping and added
some flowers to my 'Prayer Garden' in the back. We enjoyed
sitting on our porch or at our café table for coffee,
tea, prayer and conversation. Now autumn is in the
air and the days are shorter. |
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Karen's Prayer Garden
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| I've returned to hiking. I joined the Ventana Chapter of
the Sierra Club (Monterey Bay area) and I go out with a group
three Tuesdays a month. There are so many beautiful places
to hike close to home. I'm always surprised by the new discoveries.
My soul is at rest when I'm in the mountains or along the
shore. Nature is the best medicine. |
Writing and hiking buddies:
Karen, Carol, and Sherry
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What a treat!
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In August Charles and I spent
a week in Lake Tahoe with our camping friends. We meet once
a year for hikes, campfires, shared meals and lots of fellowship.
One of the ladies is a Mary Kay consultant so she offered
a complimentary 'foot spa' one day after a long trek. Mmm.
Felt so good on those tired ol' feet. |
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| Earlier this month my granddaughter
Mairin and I participated in a two-mile Walk for Life to
raise funds for the Santa Cruz Pregnancy Resource Center. |
Walk For Life |
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On the work front:
I finished my latest book in the Gettin' Old Ain't For Wimps.
. . series. Title: The Golden Years Ain't For Wimps to
be published by Harvest House in March, 2008. And I received
a contract for the next one, Bein' A Grandparent Ain't
for Wimps to be published in January of 2009. If you're
a grandparent and have any funny experiences to share, please
contact me for guidelines. karen@karenoconnor.com
Next week I'll be a mentor at the Mount Hermon Fall Writing
Clinic and in early December will be a guest on American Family
Living (www.americanfamilyliving.com)
taping five radio shows focused on the material in my 'Wimps'
series. Afterwards Charles and I will make the rounds visiting
family and friends in Riverside, Calabasas, Carlsbad, and San
Diego.
If you're thinking about holiday gift giving, please consider books.
And if you're looking for books with humor, hope, and a bit of
spiritual food, please check out mine on my web site home page: www.karenoconnor.com.
You can order directly from me (karen@karenoconnor.com)
for an autographed copy or visit amazon.com or christianbook.com.
I'll be happy to fill your order promptly. Contact me by e-mail
for details.
Some things to consider. . .
Reflection:
"Give thanks to
the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (1
Chronicles 16:34 NIV).
Inspiration:
"Gratitude
is the rosemary of the heart." (Minna
Antrim, 19th century American writer)
Charles, giving thanks!
|
Action:
During this season of celebration and gratitude
I hope the following will encourage you.
The Blessing Box
About
twenty years ago my husband and I discovered through a friend
a tangible way to promote an attitude of gratitude in our lives.
We placed a small box on a table with a pen and pad of paper
beside it. Each day we jotted down at least one thing––but
often more––for which we were grateful––from
the bird in the tree outside our bedroom window who awakens us
with song, to the birth of a grandchild, from a gift of money
just when we needed it, to a surprise visit from an old friend,
even a lovely walk along the shore together.
No item was too small
or insignificant. From time to time we opened the box and read the gratitude
slips. Our eyes moistened with tears as we recalled all the ways God had blessed
us, looked out for us, and pointed us in the direction we should go. Even in
the worst of times, we discovered so much to be thankful for: one another,
our faithful family and friends, our church, our warm home, our freedom...the
list is endless.
I now look at life through
the lens of gratitude, counting all of it good––no matter what. The
person I am today is the sum of all experiences I've had up to this point. No
one part is better or worse than another. With God in charge I am safe, serene––and
very thankful.
Thought for the day: Nothing is too difficult for
me––as I entrust myself, my will, my very life to
the God who cares for me.
Let's stay in touch. I'd love to hear from you. . .
karen@karenoconnor.com
If you're interested in reading my blog, please check it out:
www.WordyKaren.blogspot.com
And stop by my website. www.karenoconnor.com.
I'll be updating it by the end of the year.
Till next time, be well, and may you be blessed.
Karen O'Connor
Karen
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