Author of Meet Me In The Mountains – A Memoir
Candy Bridges
Candy Marie Bridges lives in the beautiful mountain community of Pine, Arizona. She and her husband Jim work together at Breath of Life Retreat House serving scrapbookers, quilters and Christian church groups. Candy is also a calligraphy artist and picture framer. Her work can be found and purchased at www.AmenChristianCalligraphy.com. In addition, She is a new author. Her book, Meet Me In The Mountains is a memoir. She shares her life journey in an honest and open format. From her parents divorce at twelve years old to her husbands wronful death, she exposes challenges in between each of these events in her life. A stubborn, determined and faith focused woman will make you laugh, cry and see that no matter what, a spark of hope is eternal.
Home page: http://www.CandyMarieBridges.com
Posts by Candy Bridges
What I’ve Learned From Blogging
4192 days
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It’s like going to war, fishing and never leaving the classroom.
I started blogging a little over a year ago right before my book was published.
The purpose being, to share my interests and personal stories along with promoting my memoir. I enjoy writing about topics involving family, friends and faith.
I am not sure how many people read my blog each week, but I know I have at least four readers. My Mom and my oldest daughter read my blog, along with a few friends. Occasionally, a comment gets posted or someone clicks on the “LIKE” button at the top of the page of my blog and I get so excited.
Blogging is kind of like fishing. You cast your story out to the world and if the fish are interested, they might respond by Tweeting, Commenting or Liking your story. There may be lot’s of other fish looking at the “bait,” but not biting. Perhaps they nibble at a sentence or two and then swim away. Because you can’t see them, you wonder who they are, where they come from, and what they think. Can you tell I love analogies?
Most of the time I don’t know what I am going to write about until a day or two before my blog goes live. My goal is to post my blog by Friday of each week. This usually causes a little tension within myself because I realize waiting until the last minute often creates stories that could be written better if given more time.
When something happens or someone says something that interests me, I say to myself, “Oh that would be a great topic to blog about,” but being hopelessly gifted with a short memory, I usually forget about the topic the following day. Sometimes I write the thought down, but you can bet I will lose the paper. Just like I lost my grocery list this morning.
When I do decide what to blog about, I spend several hours writing. Half of the time, I turn into an English teacher.
Why?
Because I addictively write the words ” HOW,THAT and BECAUSE” way too much. I am constantly correcting, and fighting the abundance of prepositions and run on sentences. It’s like a war with words. I go to battle with them every time I write. I edit my story several times.
I have learned how to condense four sentences into two. Condensing happens when in my mind, I clearly hear my three kids forcefully reminding me, “Mom…, GET TO THE POINT.“ They say this because, (see… I said because) I have a habit of dragging stories out when telling them, so I try to keep my words to a minimum and to the point when blogging.
They say a good blog should be kept to around five hundred words. In fact, I literally just learned after a year of blogging that the Word Press program I use, counts the words as I type them and displays the count in the lower left hand corner. This is a handy time saver and I now see looking down at the left hand corner that I am at 536 words. Better go. Have a great weekend.
Book News
- A gentleman who read my book called me this past week and told me how angry he was at the nurse who told my son something she was asked not to tell. This part of my story touched him because he is a nurse. He could relate the forgiving and re forgiving in his own life.
- The Goodreads giveaway is on. Enter to win a paperback version.
- This week I am reading aloud Chapter 12 of my book. I am half way through my memoir. Let me know if you are listening. The remaining chapters will be difficult to read just as they were to write.
- Patience is a virtue and I should be most virtuous after STILL waiting the Kindle Version of my book to be available on Createspace. When it happens, I will let you know. Hopefully within the next two weeks.
Chapter 12
Words and Wisdom
Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones…
0199 days
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Do you remember running to your mom or dad when you were little complaining that someone was calling you mean names? Did your parents suggest you respond to the offender by saying,
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!!!
When I was told to say this, I remember that after I said it, I didn’t feel any better. The mean comments hurt. They hurt inside. Emotionally. Name calling and even sarcasm hurt us sometimes more deeply than physical sticks and stones.
It has been my life long challenge to think before I speak. I try to respond to questions or discussions with respect and honesty. I keep sarcasm locked up unless it’s lightheartedly appropriate and not hurtful.
Have I mastered this challenge?
No.
I am always working on it.
Sarcasm is an indirect form of speech intentionally used to produce a particular dramatic effect on the listener. Sarcasm can be used in all kinds of ways — it can express everything from anger to humor and is an example of what someone says being different from what they really mean.
In my book, I share several personal stories about sarcasm and disrespect. I witnessed it At a young age and I knew it was demeaning and hurtful.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe sarcasm has it’s place and can be used to create a smile or further thought, but when it’s used intentionally or even unintentionally to ridicule another so the person using the sarcasm will be elevated, I see insecurity, pride and arrogance. I noticed as an example, while watching the recent Vice Presidential debate the abundance of visual sarcasm. Not once, not twice, but too many times to count. It’s unbecoming of a Vice presidential leader in my opinion. No matter the party affiliation.
I am guilty of sarcasm myself. Like when I hear a car in the distance pass by with OBNOXIOUS blaring music, I will often sarcastically say out loud, “Hey why don’t you turn that up a little more because I can’t hear it.”
The person driving obviously doesn’t hear me, so I guess there is no harm in saying it to myself. I would see harm if I chose to say to the persons face, “Hey Mr. wanna be Rock-star, as for the loud and annoying music, why don’t you turn it up so the rest of us can hear how even more annoying it is.” There are more hate filled words containing blatant name calling and sarcasm. I would probably get punched if I said that to the persons face.
To keep sarcasm in check I usually remind myself of the Golden Rule. That being, Do and say unto others as you would have them do and say unto you. And if i am not sure, i Just keep my mouth shut. It’s usually a win win.
Book News!
- Still waiting for the Kindle conversion for my book through Createspace.
- A new giveaway will be available soon where you can win a paperback copy of my memoir. Just in time for Christmas.
- Below I read chapter 11 to you. Enjoy.
Chapter 11 – Joy in the House
There Was No Debating It
2206 days
Pin ItWe were going!!
Trust me………..it’s not what you think.
Because of a canceled retreat here at Breath of Life, we had a few extra days off work. Days off are rare and precious and since our fourth Wedding Anniversary was yesterday, Jim and I decided we would spend the day fishing at our favorite lake up on the Mogollon Rim. We love the peace, beauty and advantage of a week day outing offering us an uncrowded lake.
So we set out around 7:30am heading first to WalMart so each of us could purchase a day fishing license and one container of worms, aka Night Crawlers. That was $38.00. We also picked up a couple of Subs at Subway for our lunch. $12.00. We then drove to the lake and spent another $47.00 to rent a small tracker boat with an electric motor. Woods Canyon Lake only allows electric motors because they are quiet and don’t pollute the water. We like that too. Gas money there and back $30.00. So we figured we needed to catch several fish to make our monetary investment worthwhile.
- Candy steering the boat.
As is my ritual, I drive the boat. This means I sit at the back and maneuver the handle on the electric motor steering us in the direction we want to go. Jim laughs at me because I drive the boat backwards. Why? It’s easier for me to point the lever where I can see in front of me. Seeing in front of me means I am looking out beyond the back of the boat. When I move the lever in line with the desired direction, that’s the direction we go. If I was looking out the front of the boat, the lever points in the opposite direction and I get all flustered. Plus I don’t have to keep turning my head to see where we are going. It just works better for me. Anyway, after we left the dock and found a place to throw our lines in, I took a worm and put it on the hook. Trust me, if I could see their little wormy eyes, I couldn’t do this task. Jim used whatever gizmo he likes to use. Right after we threw our lines in the calm glassy water, we noticed lot’s of fish breaking the water in all directions. Wow! we just knew we were going to reel them in like mad. After about twenty minutes of not catching anything, I decided to add to the hook a couple of salmon eggs. I figured I would entice them with a choice. Another twenty minutes went by and nothing, but the fish were still breaking the water, sometimes very close to our boat. I spoke up an encouraged them to just jump into the boat since they were so close. They did not oblige. So I took out some super-duper lime green marshmallow garlicy smelling bait and added it to the hook which now contained three choices for the multitudes below us.
- A choice of three bait options.
While waiting for the big one, we agreed how beautiful the day was and our surroundings. The calm water, warm weather and peace was soothing. After about an hour and a half of not catching one fish, we ate our lunch and set out towards another part of the lake. We found a cove and cast out. It was crazy busy below our boat because the fish were still joyously breaking the water all around us. Jim must have tried four or five different lures and techniques. I got to a point where I questioned God. Out loud I said, “Okay Lord, you know every single fish in this lake and you know that we don’t get a lot time off. You also know that it would be nice if we could catch a couple.” The fish continued to jump up and out of the water teasing us to no end.
It was then time to bring our boat back to the dock. As is many times in my life, I decided to look at all the positive things about the day and they out numbered all those teasing trout. So we got in our car and not too far away, stopped to take a short walk along a scenic path and take a few photos. I share some of them below. All in all the day was perfect. Each day I live and breathe and have someone to lovingly share my life with makes me realize its not always the number of fish you catch… but who is there beside you trying. And that my friend is…………..priceless.
Book News
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Speaking of patience, createspace is still working on the kindle version of my book. There was an email they did not receive from me a couple of weeks ago, so now I must wait another 3-4 weeks before the process is completed.
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There will be another Goodreads give away starting in just two weeks. At that time, you can enter to win a copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains.
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Two people told me this past week that after they read my book, they feel as though they know me so well. I told them, “Yes you do. You definitely do.”
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This week I read Chapter 10 from my book. You can hear it below and listen to all the previous chapters in my previous blogs. Comments and feedback are welcome and encouraged.
Chapter 10 — Two girls and a Miracle
What a Beagle has to do with Patience and Perspective
2219 days
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I asked my daughter Sarah if she would like to do a guest blog for me this week and she agreed. She did a great job. Here are her thoughts on what a Beagle has to do with patience and perspective. Enjoy.
Scritch, Scratch, Bang. These are the muffled sounds I have been hearing all week as I have been trying to wait patiently in the front bedroom. I am a busybody and it is challenging for me to sit still and even more difficult to be confined to one room. But this is where I have been spending the first five days of my fall vacation waiting for the brand new tile to be laid throughout our house.
The Beagle, A.K.A. Chloe, has also been confined to the room with me. Her confinement consists of her crate or her doggy bed in the closet. She has not complained about sitting around all day. On the contrary, she seems to appreciate the safety her crate and the closet can provide. She also manages to squeeze her tubby beagle-self underneath the bed, an even smaller space. It is interesting how perspectives can be so dramatically different in the same situation.
There are many times in life that we have a certain perspective of a situation based on our personality, experiences or lack thereof. When you think about it, our perspectives are extremely limited. Those who have had the opportunity to travel, see, or experience many of the facets of this life may disagree that their perspective is limited, but compare your perspective with that of God and it is incomparable. As I read today’s reading, I couldn’t help but think about how God questions Job and gives him a small taste of His perspective:
Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:
Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning
and shown the dawn its place
For taking hold of the ends of the earth,
till the wicked are shaken from its surface?
The earth is changed as is clay by the seal,
and dyed as though it were a garment;
But from the wicked the light is withheld,
and the arm of pride is shattered.
Have you entered into the sources of the sea,
or walked about in the depths of the abyss?
Have the gates of death been shown to you,
or have you seen the gates of darkness?
Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all:
Which is the way to the dwelling place of light,
and where is the abode of darkness,
That you may take them to their boundaries
and set them on their homeward paths?
You know, because you were born before them,
and the number of your years is great!
Then Job answered the LORD and said:
Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again;
though twice, I will do so no more.
There are many moments when we need to put our hands over our mouths and appreciate the moment that we are experiencing. We need to take it into perspective that God’s perspective trumps ours every time and He is always looking out for our best interest, whether we are a Beagle or a busybody.
Book News!
- Congratulations to the two winner of the Goodreads Giveaway. Michael from Las Vegas and Janelle from Pennsylvania each won a copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains.
- This week I am reading Chapter 9. Listen below as I share my experience with riding in a hot air balloon over the desert in Arizona. Was it a smooth ride, or…………then again, maybe not.
Chapter 9 - Staying Afloat
What Kind Of Stubborn Are You?
2227 days
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Good, Bad, or Both
Both family and friends used to tell me how stubborn I was as a child. I guess I will admit that I can still be a bit stubborn (tongue in cheek).
For example, When I want to accomplish something or I have a goal to reach, determination and self motivation take over. When road blocks appear, which they often do, I decide how to build a bridge to get over the blocks or a tunnel to get under them.
I have been known to make mistakes while choosing to be stubborn.
I then have an opportunity to decide whether or not i will correct my mistakes by starting over, continuing or quitting. All of These choices can be humbling, but learning through them leads to becoming as matthew kelly says and to quote him, “A better version of myself.”
The definitions below apply to both good and bad in regards to being stubborn.
The definition of the word Stubborn is: Obstinate and Unyielding
The definition of the word Obstinate is: Determined and Stubborn
The definition of the word Unyielding is: Resolute and Steadfast
A good Stubborn
holds fast to positive outcomes by thoughts and actions that ultimately lead to a better you which in turn creates good examples for others.
My Good stubborn example: as a young mother determined to stay home with my kids during their school age years. My husbands income was not enough to get by, so I chose to figure out how I could stay home with our kids and also bring in an income. This involved me being steadfast in creating my home based calligraphy business. It wasn’t easy. The hours were long and sleep was a luxury, but in my stubbornness, I reached my personal goal and was able to do both.
A bad Stubborn
can be vindictive, unforgiving and selfish. It can eat you from the inside out and the result will be a more hardened, bitter and unpleasant you.
I can be bad stubborn also. Especially when an argument ensues. My bad stubborn wants to get back at you with choice words and make you pay for hurting me. Most of the time and Thankfully, my good stubborn beats the bad stubborn up by prompting me to look a quarter of a mile down the road in my mind and see that the outcome of bad stubborn is not what I really want.
Why?
Because bad stubborn doesn’t offer inner peace. The self absorption steals it from you and reacts by putting walls up or reacting without love. This can be be cause of a hidden hurt, an addiction or insecurity.
Have you ever wondered if God is stubborn?
Hmmmm. I really don’t know. I do know that The Bible says God is Love.
So perhaps Gods Love for us is nothing short of
” Good Stubborn Love?”
Unyielding, Resolute and Steadfast.
Book News
- This week I am reading Chapter 8 of my book. The title is, Arizona Here We Come! I am one third of the way through the book and reading it aloud really triggers past memories for me.
- I would love to know if anyone is listening to me read the chapters each week aloud? Please let me know.
- Still working on the Kindle version of my book with Createspace. Patience, Patience and more Patience. Let’s say, Stubborn Patience.
- The Goodreads giveaway is coming to a close. Just two more days to sign up to win a copy of my book Meet Me In The Mountains.
Chapter 8 – Arizona Here We Come!
They are right on schedule
2235 days
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I can hear them now as I type. They are surrounding us screaming outside somewhere in the distance.
The sun has yet to make its morning appearance.
I first blogged about this just over a year ago which was when I initially started blogging. I want to re post my thoughts on these heavyweights because they fascinate me.
So who is screaming and why?
My short story explains it below.
It was before the sun came up around the second or third week in September when I heard high-pitched screaming. It hadn’t been more than nine months that I lived here in the beautiful mountain town of Pine. The sounds frightened me and I seriously considered calling the police. As I lay in bed listening to the inconsistent high-pitched screams, I decided to pray about what I was envisioning in my mind. Dear Lord, please protect and save the person who is screaming. Please stop the abuser from hurting them so they can be helped. I had no idea what direction or exactly where the screams were was coming from. My heart ached thinking that someone was screaming in desperation. The sound eventually stopped and I was glad, but the next morning I heard it again, and again I prayed, Dear Lord, please send someone to help that person who is in pain or being hurt. I thought to myself, why doesn’t the person get away from their attacker? I also thought perhaps I am not as safe as I assumed here in the mountains where supposedly crime was minimal or non-existent.
As was my ritual, I got out of bed and turned the TV on to hear the morning news where I quickly learned I wasn’t the only one concerned about the sounds I heard. Other people were calling in to the police to report the screams. Interestingly, the police knew exactly who the screamers were and there was absolutely nothing they would do about it. They allowed this behavior to carry on and told the callers it was normal to hear the screams in this area this time of year. They assured us newbie mountain people not to worry. They informed us that it was elk rutting season.
This is when the big over sized males make high-pitched screaming noise to attract a mate. The official name is bugling.
Bugling Shmugling.
Sorry, but what my ears hear sounds like teenage girls screaming at a Justin Beiber concert.
If you click on the picture below, you will hear what I heard.
It’s been seven years now that I have lived in the mountains and like clock work the big four legged boys are looking for a mate. This yearly rutting ritual is alive and well.
I can’t help but think each time I hear the September bugling from the Elk of my innocent ignorance when I first heard the sounds.
I also think of God and wonder if He just thought He would mix things up a bit and create a sound that would be so unbecoming of such a huge male creature… just for the fun of it.
Book News!
- There is only one more week to enter the Goodreads Giveaway to win a copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains. Enter to the right.
- Got a very nice review this week from a lady who claimed my book is witty, inspiring and heartfelt.
- Still gently fighting with CreateSpace to reformat my book into the Kindle version. The paperback is complete and selling for a discounted price of $15.00. You can purchase it here on my blog or at https://www.createspace.com/3717023 Its not easy to do a Kindle conversion when your publisher goes out of business. It will take time and something I am always learning………..Patience.
- This week I read Chapter 7 from my book. The title: A note in the drive thru.
There’s a great movie out. I watched it three times in one week.
1240 days
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Preview
The first time I saw the movie was with a Deacon friend, his wife and my book study group. The second time I watched the movie was a few days later with my daughter and her husband. A couple of days later I watched it with my son and his wife.
Are you wondering what the title of the movie is? Are you wondering why I saw it three times in one week?
The title of the movie is, “October Baby”, and I watched it three times because I wanted to share the inspiring message with my kids.”
This touching movie is based on a true story. It focuses on one young woman’s struggle with accepting the news that she was adopted and, more importantly the survivor of a failed abortion. It’s her unexplained illnesses and emotions that ultimately lead her to find out the shocking news. Hannah, the lead actress, like many who are adopted insists on finding her birth mother. In doing so she must deal with the consequences along the journey.
Hannah is driven to find answers that will satisfy questions about her past, but the answers she finds are not easy to accept.
--------------- It's what we do with those answers that matters most. ---------------
This non preachy movie depicts the truth of how one person’s choice based on selfish motives ultimately involve more than just the one making the choice.
Why?
Our human nature fights it.
Our selfishness and pride don’t want to go there.
The most powerful word in the movie is forgiveness. You will have to watch the movie to see where and to whom this word applies. Please don’t assume the movie ends when the credits start rolling just after the last scene. You will be touched and inspired at what follows. The movie is now out on DVD and October Baby has recently been released as a novel.
See the trailer below:
http://youtu.be/3pxeDBnZYu4
Purchase the book at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1433678470/ref=rdr_ext_tmb
Book News!
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The Goodreads giveaway will end in two weeks. Enter to the right of the blog to win a copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains
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CreateSpace now has my book for sale. The price is now just $15.00 for the paperback version.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OF THE BOOK BELOW.
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In addition, you can also purchase the book on my website for the new lower price. http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/A-Memoir-By-Candy-M-Bridges-Meet-Me-In-The-Mountains-Paperback-MMITM-PAPERBACK.htm
Meet Me In The Mountains is currently being formatted to the Kindle Version on CreateSpace and will be available soon at an unbelievably low price.
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This week I read Chapter 6 of my book below.
What a Whirl!
2248 days
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Mary R. Fetchel
My Nana
That’s what my Nana used to say when she heard or saw something new and modern in the world that was difficult for her to accept. Her intent was to say the word, “world,” but she would unintentionally say,“whirl.” New technology like a cell phone, sophisticated gadgets and instruments in a car, or blatant immorality would often spark the phrase, “What a Whirl!” Hearing her say this when she was alive, always made me laugh and today, I find myself repeating her words more and more.
The past few weeks, I’ve watched and listened to the speakers during the Republican and now the Democratic convention. As I watch the reactions of many people in the audience as they listen to their party’s supporters, there is a fury of passion as promises and blame fire up uncontrollable shouts of agreement. Some of the people remind me of the young teens and women we have seen in those old tapes crying over Michael Jackson or Tom Jones or Elvis as they stand screaming and shivering reaching their hands out begging for a touch from their idol. I haven’t seen any person in particular going to that extreme, but the passion in their shouting and jumping and sign waving is close.
I wonder if they are in their right minds or if it’s the electricity in the air duping them to act this way. One thing I know for sure. As the candidates propose their solutions to us, people are caught up in the excitement which boils down to one word.
————— HOPE —————
Hope that their candidate will be a bold leader successfully bringing each of us and our nation more happiness, peace and prosperity.
Each of these worldly solutions are just that and will never be fully quenched on this earth. There are degrees and seasons when we will experience happiness, peace and prosperity no matter what chaos our nation is in. This comes from within.
There is one very interesting similarity so far with each candidate. Both Romney and Obama have admitted their opponent is a good and loving, devoted husband and father and that each of their wives are supportive and loving, along with being caring and devoted mothers. Isn’t this interesting?
If it’s true and you take just these two facts alone and create a world full of the same, Oh what a whirl…. or shall I say, “world.” it would be.
BOOK NEWS !
- The Goodreads giveaway is still underway. Please sign up to win a free copy of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains.
- Still waiting on Createspace to complete the changes to my book. Since my publisher went out of business, I am republishing independently and have deleted their info and logos from my book. I have also added a QR Code to the back of the book. This is pretty cool. Hope to have it finalized by the end of next week.
- Listen as I read one chapter from my book each time I post a blog. Below is Chapter 5. You can listen to previous chapters by visiting my past blogs.
Motivation Through The Eye Of A Storm
0262 days
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We are already hearing about the inevitable hurricane season that’s approaching. Every August and September, folks who live on the east coast prepare for the worst scenario as soon as they hear of an approaching hurricane.
For several months, I’ve had the Faddis family on my mind.
Their lives are currently within the eye of a storm and they can’t stop it. Chris Faddis’ wife, Angela is battling the end stages of colon cancer. Her year and a half long fight has shaken many asking the question, why? Why with two small children, and what should be, a whole life ahead of them, do they have suffer with this cross? The clock is ticking as Angela awaits her fate now in hospice. We never give up hope though in healing through prayer.
Almost like a TV reality show, we are updated about Angela through her husband Chris. His postings on social media like Facebook allow us real time news about the family. Why is Chris continuing to share this heartbreaking storm with us? Why is he involving the whole world in his suffering?
———– I believe it’s for two reasons. ———–
One, because Chris has sought out the powerful prayer support from any and all for his wife and children. He knows the power of prayer and also believes that even if his prayers are not answered as he or others would like, he humbles himself and rests in the faith that God hears his and everyone’s prayers and accepts the fact that God’s will and Glory will prevail through it all.
What an example!
The second reason is because he needs the financial support and help to press on through this storm. As Chris takes care of his two small children and chooses to be by Angela’s side while in hospice, he is unafraid to ask for help. I believe our world is full of people who can and want to help and are just waiting to be asked. They have the ability to offer assistance financially, prayerfully and in other ways.
Since I have experienced a major storm in my life with my husbands wrongful death, I truly can say that I understand how hard it is to ask for help. It is humbling. Pride get’s in the way.
Chris has put his pride aside and humbled himself to ask for help. This week, we have launched a Fundraiser for Chris Faddis and his Family. It’s called:
--------------- "The Faddis Family Coffee Fundraiser." ---------------
As a way to help Chris and his family, we are donating every penny of profit from the coffee fundraiser to help with the enormous medical bills and other needed expenses. Please consider buying some gourmet coffee from us as we campaign together in helping this family. There is a place on the order page of the web site to leave a message for the family and we will send all the messages along with a check at the end of the fundraiser.
There are other ways to donate to the family also with various fundraisers Chris has started which you can find on his Facebook pages.
Here is the link to ours. http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/Faddis-Family-Coffee-Fundraiser-HIS-COFFEE-Gourmet-Roast-Coffees.htm
If you prefer to download an order form for the coffee so you can take orders from your work, school or church, please email me at calligraph@aol.com and I will send you the form. Thank you for your support in advance!!!
Book News
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The goodreads giveaway is still going on. Enter here on the right side of the blog to try for a chance at winning a copy of my book.
- I have chosen CreateSpace as my new independent publishing company. My book has been unavailable through amazon for several weeks as the Publishing company I originally had has gone chapter 7. Of course it is available here on my blog.
- There is hint that I will be writing another book soon. Can you guess what kind it will be?
- I welcome all comments, suggestions and feedback about my blog and book.
- I am reading one chapter from my book each week on my blog. Below is chapter 4.
A Few Bumps On The Road And A Sign From God
4269 days
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I can pretty much guarantee you will experience bumps on the road of your life. This usually happens in one of two ways.
1. Without warning
or
2. you see them coming
Life can be going along just great and all of a sudden, BANG!, something intrudes, impedes and challenges us. Perhaps it’s an argument with a family member or a spouse or an illness that befalls us or a loved one. Maybe faith or finances dare us to reconsider our actions. How about depression or loneliness?
God knows I’ve had my share of these types of bumps, and believe it or not, they still come up. Just when I think life couldn’t be better, bumps, or drama appear on my road. Drama from friends, family, the businesses and even my own drama.
One of the latest bumps on or in my road appeared this past week.
I got the unfortunate news that my Book publisher went out of business! That would fall under number one above.
So what am I going to do about it? Should I end it all with my book and stop further printing, promotions and marketing? Should I consider writing my memoir an accomplishment that I felt led to do and now close the door? I thought about this option and not being totally sure what to do, I decided to ask God for a sign.
What did I ask?
Please let me know what to do lord. I hate wasting time. ( By the way, He hears that from me all the time..) This is not a life or death bump in my road, but I still desire some help and guidance.
So have i got an answer yet?
I believe so. it came about by a daily reflection I read about giving our all in all we do. Most importantly though, i strongly felt the lord was telling me, “Candy, your book is about your life story. but more importantly, your book is about me and your faith and trust in me. Hurting people need hope and when this earthly life brings about boulders and mountains in people’s, lives, your story is a witness to them that leads to my love, peace and acceptance. As you say in your book, Press On!
So with that, I say…
Okay Lord… You Win.
What do we do when pebbles or even boulders appear?
1. Accept that they are there.
2. decide how and when you will deal with them.
3. know that life’s bumps can make us stronger and when we have the mindset to learn from them, our road will eventually be smoother….Until the next set of bumps come along.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance from those you trust and love.
5. Pray
---------------- So what's up with the skates? ---------------
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned my plan to ride my roller skates around the driveway on my birthday. Mind you, I have not put on my skates for over thirty years. I am about thirty pounds heavier also. So irritating. So on my birthday, I did just that. I was wobbly and a little unsure, but kept myself upright while singing the disco song “Oh, I love the night life, I got to boogie on the disco ’round, oh yea. Please don’t talk about …” Okay you get the idea.
Gliding along carefully watching for pebbles in the driveway. I enjoyed listening to all eight bright orange wheels humming as I skated. After a couple three rounds in the driveway, I then decided that the wooden floors in the house were safer. No possible bumps. I just had to stand up straight and keep my balance while rolling along. A couple trips from the kitchen to the front door and back was all I needed to realize that…
Hey, I still got it.
BOOK NEWS!
- The Goodreads giveaway is underway. You can enter to the right of this blog to win a copy of my book.
- FREE COFFEE through the end of August. ! All orders placed for the paperback version of my memoir, Meet Me In The Mountains will receive four blends of HIS COFFEE. Holy Grounds, Be Still, Raise the Dead, and Vanilla from Heaven. We are getting great feedback about the coffee and book.
http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/A-Memoir-By-Candy-M-Bridges-Meet-Me-In-The-Mountains-Paperback-MMITM-PAPERBACK.htm - You can click on the player below to hear me read chapter three of my book. The first and second chapters are found at the bottom of the two previous blogs. The link for chapter one is here: http://candymariebridges.com/its-almost-time/
- The link for chapter two is here: http://candymariebridges.com/my-dream-about-rush-limbaugh/
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