Allie Pleiter on Ten Thousand Hours

I just finished Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers.  While the book has loads of interesting information on what makes success and what doesn’t, one fact stuck with me:  10,000 hours.

It’s been scientifically and anecdotally documented that the point of mastery for most given skills and techniques comes at the 10,000 hour mark.  Be it cooking or music or computer programming or calculus--the mastery mark seems to universally rest at around 10,000 hours.  Talent may be a launching pad, but it is still no short cut to excellence.  Gladwell presents the theory that opportunity and cultural environment fuel success just as much as--in fact more so--than intellect or talent.  The person closest to their 10,000 hours will be the person “in the right place at the right time” to achieve greatness.

As a person who views the world with the eyes of faith, I found this fascinating...and challenging. Not because I believe in “luck,” but because I believe it’s God’s providence that gives us opportunity and environment and talent.  Which also means that it’s my job to put in those 10,000 hours to be ready to use the gifts He’s given me when my time comes.  In writing, in life, in whatever I pursue.  

It’s why the hero in my story MISSION OF HOPE is a favorite of mine.  Quinn Freeman's life--his “10,000 hours”--led up to God’s unique invitation for him to make a difference.

Where are you on this road?  Can the concept of “10,000 hours to mastery” fuel a goal for this new year?  Where is God calling you to be ready and working?

Paid Forward

Kim Watters here. Last summer, I found a wallet in the street. Being a Christian and I’d like to think, a very nice person, I tracked down the owner through a business card in his wallet and gave it back to him because that’s what we do. The early twenty-something was very grateful and tried to pay me. I didn’t accept. I figured he needed the eleven dollars in his wallet more than I did. I simply requested he pay it forward sometime and that in turn, I would have it paid forward for me.

Fast forward to December 26th. Yep, you got it. The day after Christmas sales and the day my kids wanted to trade in all their gift cards and cash because they just didn’t get enough games for their Nintendos. My ten-year-old son carries his own wallet. Hey, I’m trying to teach responsibility. Well, you guessed it. He took it out in the toy section to count his loot and put it on a shelf when he picked up a toy.

When we got home—because my seven-year-old forgot her envelope in the rush to run out the door—my son asked where his wallet was. After a few heart-stopping moments, we jumped back in the car and raced back to Target. Along the way I said a prayer to God that the wallet would still be there--believe me, I knew the chances were slim on such a busy day—but I prayed anyway. I asked him to pray as well.

“No.” My son is having issues with his belief and somehow feels God hates him-especially now that his wallet is gone. “God hates me.”

“No He doesn’t, Honey. God has bigger things to worry about than picking on you.”

“Nope. He hates me.”

“Okay Lord, I need some help here. Really need some help.” I tried again. “God loves you. Sometimes he just has a unique way of showing it. There’s got to be a gift or message in this for you from Him.”

Mentally I’m trying to count how much money was in that wallet and knew it was going to cost me at least a hundred on top of what I’d already spent for Christmas, because I refused to let the lost wallet dash his Christmas spirit. Okay, I know there’s tough love and a responsibility factor, but there’s also being a parent and protecting our children from the harsh realities of life as long as we can. It’s a scary world out there and he’ll spend more time in it than in the dreamy state of childhood.

It turns out I didn’t need to worry. My prayers worked. Rushing up to the customer service counter while my kids scrounged around the toy section, I asked if a wallet had been found.

“A black child’s wallet with no ID?” The young lady asked?

“Yes. It’s got a few Target gift cards, a Borders card and some twenties inside.”

“Yes. Tiffany has it. Some man found it in the toy section and gave it to her.”

I almost cried. I’d like to hug the man who found the wallet and realized he held a child’s Christmas inside. It would have been so easy for him to pocket it and use it himself, except he understood the contents were more than just pieces of plastic and money and it didn't belong to him.

He truly was a messenger, and my son learned that God does love him. So whoever my good Samaritan was. Thank you and God Bless You.

Plot versus Character--the book--Lenora Worth

No, I didn't write this book. My friend Jeff Gerke did. But I'm glad he wrote it. Even though I've published over 40 books, I can always find way to learn to be a better writer. I think Jeff's book will help me do just that. It's subtitled as "a balanced approach to writing great fiction." I could use some balance somewhere in my life! Might as well be my writing. And the man dedicated the book to his beautiful youngest daughter. Sigh.

Anyway, the cover blurb asks the question--What's more important to a story: a gripping plot or compelling characters? This books says the best fiction is rich in both. It shows writers how to be good at both. So what do you think? Does the plot come first or should the characters carry the story? Would you rather read a fast moving plot with little character study, or do you like to get deep inside a character's head and see what makes him tick? Or maybe you like a little bit of both.

If you're a writer, read Jeff Gerke's book. It will help clarify things for you. If you are a reader, tell us your feelings. Have you read a book that covers both of these things? Who does the best plots and who creates the best characters?

Plot versus character. Game on!

Happy New Year: New Year/New Look by Lisa Mondello

Hello from Lisa Mondello! I'm always excited when a new year rolls around. It gives me time to evaluate what I've done, what I want to do and how I want to do it!

First let me say that Pam, our amazing web person, has given us new look while we were all out celebrating the new year. I think it looks fabulous! What do you think?

Second, I'm going to brave and talk about resolutions. I know, I know. To some, it's a dirty word. To others, resolutions are meant to break. To me, they're just an opportunity to think about where I am and what's next. Simple. Nothing to get all flustered about. Those of you who break out into hives when you read resolutions, you may want to skip this part and go back and read our 12 Days of Christmas story that the Craftie Ladies wrote just before Christmas. The rest of you can chime in with your own resolutions if you dare!

1. Exercise. I'm a wimp when it comes to that. I realized that when I stopped working 9-5 in Corporate America, the most activity I got during the day came from walking from the desk to the coffee pot. Granted, coffee is an addiction for me and I can get a good workout just doing that. But it's not enough. So I'm going to put exercise on my lists of must dos each day.

2. Housework. (Yes, I know. Another dirty word. But it can't be helped.) Housework is the one thing that falls by the wayside when I'm writing. It always amazes me that I can get so engrossed in a story that I don't even see dust...until I send off my manuscript. Then I can't believe how bad it got.




3. Read the classics and read out of my comfort zone. I find that I read what I love...other romance novels. I do that because I know what I like and since I have such a limited amount of time because of my busy schedule, I don't want to waste that time on something I may not like. But that never gives me a different perspective on style, story, structure, etc. So I'm going to start reacquainting myself with the classics and go from there. I'm open to suggestions!

Okay, that's it. It was painless. Well, on paper anyway. What are your resolutions? Tell me if you dare!

Many blessings, Lisa Mondello

The Cowboy's Homecoming Interview

How exciting to have _Jeremy Hightree the hero from __The COWBOY’S HOMECOMING__ a __January 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Jeremy Hightree, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m a kid from Dawson, Oklahoma who has managed to do pretty good for himself. I guess the most interesting thing is that I’m really a Cooper, and didn’t know it until I was 18. I’ve spent the last 12 years being pretty mad about that fact. Some people might be interested in knowing that I bought the church I grew up attending…just to tear it down.
2. What do you do for fun? Ride bulls and build custom motorcycles.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? I’ve put off talking to Tim Cooper, my dad, for about a dozen years.
4. What are you afraid of most in life? That’s easy, Bethlehem Bradshaw
5. What do you want out of life? I guess the answer to that is the same as question four, Bethlehem Bradshaw. I thought I wanted revenge, but Beth is a lot better option.
6. What is the most important thing to you? Taking care of my family. Oh, and Bethlehem Bradshaw. I’ve been a pretty happy bachelor for a long time, so I guess I’m coming to terms with the reality that things have changed.
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? Right now I’m reading Beth’s mom’s Bible. Beth gave it to me, thinking it would be the thing that would stop me from tearing down Back Street Church.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I guess I’d be more forgiving.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I have horses and some cattle.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I think I’d go back about 40 years and try to figure out what happened to my mother. What turned her to alcohol and kept her from being the parent she should have been.

Thank you Brenda for sharing Jeremy with us.

FEATURED BOOK: THE COWBOY'S FAMILY BY BRENDA MINTON

Widower Wyatt Johnson brought his two little girls home to Dawson, Oklahoma, looking for a place to heal. The grief from his wife's death still lingers, but it's time to move on and try to live a simple life. He's in for a surprise when he finds a lovely young nanny on his doorstep, ready to give him the help he won't admit he needs. Now his life is far from simple, which may be a blessing in disguise. In Rachel Waters he finds a nurturing, vivacious woman whom his daughters adore. Together, Wyatt and Rachel can help each other realize that they're deserving of laughter, friendship…and love.

Farewell 2010!

If you're like me, you're surprised at how fast 2010 seemed to pass. When I see or read retrospectives for the year it always amazes me how many notable events have occurred.




I think, if we're not careful, we can dwell too much on all the negative things and forget every beautiful sunrise, every kindness, every moment of every day that is a gift from God.






We are so used to having all we need - even if it's not all we may want - that we simply expect it as our due. Looking farther back, I can see that even the so-called disasters of my life have brought eventual peace and happiness and I like to think that's what the Lord had in mind all along. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete and lacking nothing."


That said, I must admit that I am already looking forward to another spring, God willing, so I can once again enjoy beauty like the pictures I've included. They were taken in my yard and I have to say that the first blooms always thrill me the most. As I said above, it's easy to get used to the beauty all around us and miss each new miracle.

May we always be aware of our many blessings,
Valerie Hansen

A New Path

Leann Harris here. I was at Walmart today and saw my new book, Second Chance Ranch. That is book 13 for me, but it is my first straight romance. This book was an amazing journey. If there were no dead folks in the plot, how was I to tell the story. But God is amazing and reaches down in us and makes the desert bloom, or a mystery writer fall in love with a story and have it carry her away.

There were days when I sat down at the computer, and started writing and the words flowed without effort. Well, truthfully most days. And when I would read what I wrote, I could only stare at it in amazement, because I saw another Greater Hand working. It was an exciting time.

This (when the book flows) is a rare treasure for sure. Not many books happen that way. It's like labor. One child might be easy birth and the next hard. Both you love both children. My hero, Zach McClure has a brother and sister. Ethan's story (his older brother) was torture to come up with the idea. And Ethan is probably one of the most dependable, steady and wonderful men I've ever written. And that probably was the problem.

Second Chance Ranch was a gift. I am grateful for it.

Christmas book in progress

I hope you all had as wonderful, surprising, and joyous Christmas as we did. Now that the house is semi-clean again, I have a book to get back to. It’s a Christmas story-book four in the Redemption River series-about a haunted hero, a Christmas crazy heroine, and a mysterious mute boy. And of course, there has to be a dog and the requisite eccentric characters of Redemption to round things out. After taking off the month of December to enjoy my favorite time of year, I have to get my nose to the grindstone to make deadline, so wish me luck, say a prayer, and keep an eye out next year for THE CHRISTMAS CHILD.

After Christmas Glow with Janet Tronstad

Hi, it's Janet Tronstad here. All the presents are opened and the Christmas ham has been eaten. I don't know about you, but I like the lazy days after Christmas just as much as the actual day. I enjoy seeing my nieces and nephews enjoy their presents and the adults are all off work so we're just sitting around enjoying family time. How about you? How are you feelling now that the big day is over? Did you get a favorite gift (my sister got me a Kindle -- yipee!)? Get to see some of your favorite people?

From the Craftie Ladies of Romance

Merry Christmas

12 Days of Christmas-Day 8

I start my email with "Dear Daniel..." and can't go on.

Why can't I write today? Seth is kicking so hard and I've had this feeling that something is going to happen. Maybe I should call the doctor.

I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. My sweet husband is counting on me to email him everyday. I can't let him down.

I think over the last seven days and how each day has reminded me of the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, the song that Daniel used to show me how much he loved me.

But we never made it to eight maids a milking.
He was called up before we got to day 8.

I must focus and get this email written.

What can I write to Daniel about today? Maybe because I can't say what I want to.

I can't just say--Come home! I love you. I miss you!

That won't cheer him up.

I brush away a few stray tears. I hate being this emotional. I know that I'm not the only one missing my husband at Christmas. I have to be strong for Daniel, for little Seth. Pressing my hand over my abdomen, I whisper, "I love you and so does your daddy. You're going to be such a lucky boy." I smile and think of the future, our future.

Instead of eight maids a milking, I imagine sitting in the bleachers watching Seth in a Little League uniform.

The door bell. Oh, I'm a mess. Did I even comb my hair today?
The bell rings again.
Seth leaps within me.

Just like John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb when Mary who was carrying Jesus came to visit her.

Hurrying from my desk, I pause in the hall but decide not to look in the mirror. I open the door just a bit. "Hello?"

"Joy."

The voice is so familiar but it can't be--

And then Daniel is inside and hugging me.

"I haven't even combed my hair!" I shriek.

Daniel is laughing at me, but I don't care because I'm kissing him and hugging him.

"There was a change in assignments," he explains. "I'm home for two weeks."

I can't speak. All I can do is weep.

Thank you, Father, for bringing my sweet Daniel home. And please keep his friends and comrades safe.--Joy


Well, our Christmas story ends here. Hope you all enjoyed it! You'll have to finish the song without Daniel and Joy. They are too busy to think of anything but being together! Merry Christmas and may God bless our soldiers and sailors in harms way safe. Amen.

12 Days of Christmas...Day 7 by Lisa Mondello

My dearest Daniel,

Last night was a rough night. Seth was awake all night, kicking me and reminding me how much I'm missing you this Christmas season. As I lay awake in bed, I kept twisting my engagement ring on my finger and thinking about the day you asked me to marry you. We drove down from Maine to Boston so you could show me where you played soccer at Boston University. (Or so you said.) We walked through Boston Common and saw the Swan Boats. It was my first visit to Boston and you said that I couldn't visit Boston without taking a ride on the famous Swan Boats.

Seven swan boats were floating in the pond. As we climbed aboard one you told me the story of how the Swan Boats were started over 130 years ago by Robert Paget and his wife Julia. Robert lived only 1 year after they'd started the Swan Boat rides and left Julia a widow with 4 young children. Even though women weren't allowed to run businesses in those days, Julia held strong and preserved the dream they shared of offering rides to visitors to the Public Gardens of Boston Common. I was so touched by your story about the strong woman who kept the dream she'd had with her husband alive that I started to cry.

You then pulled the engagement ring out of your pocket. But before you could ask me to marry you, the boat rocked and the ring fell out of your hand. You thought it fell in the water so you jumped in and began frantically searching for it, screaming for the driver to stop the boat so the ripples in the water would stop and you could see better. The Swan Boat driver yelled at you to get back into the boat but you kept searching, finally diving under water, looking for the ring.

I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt, especially when the boat turned around and the sunlight hit the deck just right and I saw the ring on the floor of the boat by my feet. With tears streaming down my face I handed you the ring as you climbed back aboard in your drenched clothes. The boat was packed with people, but I didn't see them. Only you. I also didn't see that the other boats had stopped on the pond to watch what was going on. When you asked me to marry you and I said yes, everyone in the boats started clapping. It was such a magical moment. Last night the memory of the seven Swan boats "swimming" in the pond at the Public Gardens played through my mind over and over as the baby kicked in my stomach and I missed you.

My ring is tight on my finger now that I'm pregnant. But I refuse to take it off my hand. We made a promise that day to love each other and be together for the rest of our lives. Our baby, Seth, is an extension of us, a blessed gift that God has given us. I miss you more than I can say. This Christmas just won't be complete without you here with me and each day forward won't be the complete until you're back home in my arms again.

Until you're home in my arms again, keep my love in your heart.
Love Joy

Twelve Days of Christmas Part Six by Terri Reed

My darling Daniel,
I awoke this morning to the honk of the Canada Geese. I looked out the bedroom window to see the distinctive V formation of the birds migrating. Such a cold, bleak sky. The birds are leaving late this year. I suspect because everyone feeds them. Snow has already fallen, covering the ground in a blanket of white. I wonder if the geese I saw this morning were the same six geese we saw laying in their nest by the lake shore last spring. Do you member how beautiful and majestic they looked with their long black necks and white cheeks? And the babies! Oh, how cute they were. Just like I know our little Seth will be. He’ll look just like you, darling. I imagine him with your smiling blue eyes and strong jaw. I wonder if he’ll have your walnut brown hair or if we’ll have a red head like me. I’m sure anxious to meet this little guy. Every night I read to him before going to sleep. Last night we read from the Psalms. God’s word brings me comfort. I cling to His promises as I wait for the day you’ll return to me and our son. Oh my, Seth, just kicked. I think we have a soccer player in the making. Must be time for breakfast. Since the doctor wants me to gain a little more weight, I think I’ll make your favorite pancakes. I hope I can get the ingredients right. You always make them so perfectly. I hope you’re eating well there. I worry even though I know I shouldn’t. God’s watching over you. Hard to believe it will be Christmas eve in two days. I’ll be having dinner with your parents. I’m hoping you’ll call like you did for Thanksgiving. I so need to hear your voice. Please take care and know that you are loved and missed.
Forever yours,
Joy

Twelve Days of Christmas Part Five by Pamela Tracy

Dear Daniel,

I'm sitting here in the doctor's waiting room, my rounded stomach causing me to sit more sideways than straight, and I'm missing you like crazy. If I look up, there's a television, but it's turned to some medical station featuring a program about heartburn. I've a magazine in my lap - wait! I don't have a lap - I've a magazine in my hands, but I'm not reading it. Instead, I'm clandestinely perusing the room and studying all the other expectant mothers.

I feel so alone.

Across from me there's a young pregnant woman, a girl really, who already has a toddler. For the last five minutes, all I've heard is "Don't stray too far, Angel. Be careful, Angel. Angel, come to Mommy."

I'll be hearing the term angel all day.

I, of course, will be thinking about my own angel: you.

Oh, Daniel, why are you so far away? Please be careful. Please come home to me.

A few fathers have accompanied their pregnant wives. Some look scared; some look bored; a few look excited. One expectant father is busy talking to his unborn child. I can hear him telling the soon-to-be-born, "I'll take good care of you. Now, be nice to your mother and get off her kidney."

You'd be excited if you were here.

I'm finally in the examination room. Oh, Daniel, Dr. Welby says everything is just fine. Oh, and he wants me to eat more. Imagine a doctor telling me to eat more. I'm supposed to gain a pound a day. And, here's the best part. The doctor handed me his fetoscope, and I got to listen to Seth's heart.

Thump, thump, thump.

God's miracle and more. While I was listening, my necklace - the chain holding the five golden rings you gave me on our fifth date - slipped down until the rings were right over Seth's heart. I started crying, Daniel, crying, right there in the doctor's office.

It was like you were listening to Seth's heartbeat too.

And, I no longer felt alone.

All my love and prayers,

Joy

Twelve Days of Christmas--Part Four by Missy Tippens

Dear Daniel,

I have a confession. I'm feeling blue today--disappointed. I've been thinking so much about our first twelve days together that today, when I heard a bird calling, I thought maybe, just maybe, you'd come home to surprise me and were making bird calls outside the window.

I know, silly of me. And actually, I have to admit it ended up being a good day. Since the Mayor declared the village Christmas theme in your honor, everyone in town has been so sweet. Today, the Lipscomb family surprised me by bringing lunch. And yes, they had remembered the story of our fourth date and were outside making the bird calls. We ate together and talked about you all afternoon. Were your ears burning?

Do you remember how you embarrassed me on that date by blowing that silly bird whistle each time the audience applauded at the concert? Then as soon as people would start looking around to see where the noise was coming from, you'd hide the whistle? I know people thought I had done it because my face had to have been beet red. You were so funny and made me laugh again.

Oh, I miss your humor so much. I miss the silly things you always do. And yes, I even miss those embarrassing moments, because I know you were stepping outside your comfort zone, trying to win me over.

You had won me over for sure by that night. And even though I was already falling in love with you, I couldn't resist teasing you, telling you that birds--such as partridges and French hens and turtle doves and calling birds-- were not the way to a woman's heart. That jewelry would be much more effective. And you looked into my eyes, so serious, took hold of my hand, and told me you couldn't possibly consider such an intimate gift until the fifth date. I don't think I've ever told you how your touch made my heart stutter. Daniel, dear, you'll always take my breath away. Even when we're old and gray and Seth is grown with his own children, you'll be the one who makes my heart beat faster.

Oh, Daniel, I'm so proud of you, but please stay safe. I can't wait until we can be together again. I know it's going to be difficult to deliver Seth while you're so far away. But I pray for the moment I can see you with our baby in your arms.

All my love,
Joy

An Amish Christmas Interview

How exciting to have John Doe, the hero from An Amish Christmas, by Pat Davids, a Dec 2010 release from Love Inspired Romance with us today.

1. John, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

That’s kind of hard to do. I know so little about myself. I’m the victim of a violent crime and I have amnesia. I guess the interesting thing is that I’m staying with an Amish family while I try to find out who I am.

2. What do you do for fun?

I do the one thing I seem to be good at. I work with horses. I don’t know how I learned the skill, but I enjoy training them. A horse accepts me at face value for who I am today not who I was before.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

The Amish don’t have electricity or computers so I have to go into town to the public library to check a website called NamUs. It’s a site for information about missing persons. I used to check it all the time, but lately I dread going there. I’ve found real happiness here in this Amish community. I’ve come to care deeply about an Amish woman. I’m afraid if I do find out about my past that happiness will be destroyed.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Two things. Never having an answer about my identity, and having an answer about my identity

5. What do you want out of life?

I want to be free to love the woman I care about more than my own life. Her name is Karen.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Answers.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I don’t read much now. I’m not sure if that means I never did or not. I’ve been reading the Bible. I’m finding a lot of comfort in God’s word.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

This might sound silly, but I want to become part of the Amish community. I think that’s why God left me here. I’m living with people whose faith is a major part of their everyday lives. They speak of God as if He were present in every aspect of their day.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No pets, at least I hope not. I’d hate to think of a dog or a cat pining away for me in some apartment or back yard. It’s even harder to think I might have a family, parents, a wife and children somewhere wondering where I am and why I didn’t come home.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d go back to the night before I arrived in Hope Springs. I’d go back to a time when my own name wasn’t a mystery.

Thank you Pat for sharing John with us today.

FEATURED BOOK: AN AMISH CHRISTMAS BY PATRICIA DAVIDS

When Karen Imhoff finds a beaten man lying unconscious by the road in her Amish community, she doesn't hesitate to help. "John Doe" needs a place to stay while he regains his memory, and she has a room to rent. The handsome Englisher proves invaluable around the family farm, yet his presence wreaks havoc with her emotions. Karen has her younger siblings to care for. She can't fall for an outsider who doesn't know his own identity. But as Christmas draws closer, the simple grace of this life—and this woman—could inspire John to make Karen's dreams come true….

Twelve Days of Christmas-part three by Margaret Daley

Dear Daniel,

Ten days to Christmas and I still have so much to do. I finally bought a tree today and set it up. When I pulled out our boxes of ornament, I found those three ugly French hens you saw in that little shop on our honeymoon. I still remember how you insisted we had to have them for our first Christmas tree. I bought the last set of ornaments--twelve lords leaping--yesterday. Well, they are as close as I could get to leaping lords. That completes our set of the twelve days of Christmas ornaments. I can't wait for you to see them all on the tree. I wish you could have been there tonight when I put them on the tree. Seth got a kick out of it. Literally he kicked me as I put each of those three French hens on the tree. I wonder if he is telling us something. Do you think he is going to play football like you did in school?

Speaking of football, I saw the movie, Blind Side, again--this time on T.V. I cried and laughed through it just like the first time I saw it with you. I was so thrilled you finally wanted to go with me to a movie. When you told me it was about a football player, I thought I was in for one of those boring sports movies about male bonding, but that was all right. You were going to the movies with me. Boy, what a surprise when I saw it. I appreciated the movie again and thought of that evening we went to dinner and to the show. So when you come back, we need to go to dinner and pick another movie to see.

I can't wait to see you again. Soon Seth will be here. I need you here, too. Please come home soon. I pray for you and your company to stay safe and return to us. I love you, even when you had to have those three ugly French hens for our Chrismtas tree.

All my prayers and love,
Joy

Twelve Days of Christmas - Part Two by Allie Pleiter

Dear Daniel,

Seth kicked hard today--he must be trying to say hello across the miles!  Your mother sent Christmas presents, and in the packages were two fluffy stuffed birds to put in Seth’s crib as we wait his arrival.  How special it is to await the arrival of a baby during the Christmas season!

Your mother’s gift made me wonder if you ever told her the story of our “turtle doves.”  How long you must have saved up to take me to that fancy restaurant in the city!  I felt so glamorous--no one had ever asked me to get all dressed up and go "out on the town" like that.  We didn’t have such places where I grew up, and when you arrived to pick me up in your suit I thought you were the most handsome man alive.  I still do; the sight of you in uniform can still make me swoon, dear.

Oh, but it’s your sense of humor I love most of all.  What people must have thought when the waiter brought over those ceramic bird salt and pepper shakers for us to use amongst all that fancy silver! How ever did you get him to go along with such a charade? Ah, but then again you have always been the most charming man I have ever known.  I can still hear the chuckles of the old man and woman next to us as you went on and on about our “two turtle doves,” and how we would keep these salt and pepper shakers in our kitchen when we were married.  God must have known how badly I needed happy Christmas memories, and how wonderful you would be at giving them to me!  I think that night, seeing you so handsome and yet so funny at the same time, was when I truly began to fall for you.  Yes, I know you say I never stood a chance against your pursuit--and truly, I suspect I didn’t.  How could any woman not love such attention and affection!

I’m looking at the birds now, sitting at our kitchen table.  They are together when we cannot be, aren’t they?  I love that everywhere in our home are lovely reminders of how distance can never really separate us. And now Seth will have his own soft, fluffy “turtle doves” to remind him that his father loves him even from far away.

Stay safe, my love.  Use your wonderful humor to bring cheer to all the soldiers with you--they must need you as much as I did!  I still do.  Come home to us soon, we miss you more than I can say.

All my love,

Joy