Josh Groban's Oh Holy Night/Nativity Video

I know we're all busy, but the four+ minutes it takes to experience this video clip of Jesus' birth is something you won't regret.

Indulge a Mom

My Noelley directed Carol of the Bells at our Christmas for Christ service. It's the first time this group played together, but it was nice. [Click here] to watch on YouTube.

Christmas Prayer Breakfast & Book Signing Event

What a lovely Christmas prayer breakfast the Pastors' & Intercessors' Network Ministry shared this morning[pinmtroy.blogspot.com].

I'm pictured with, Pam Hancock from Zion Christian Church; and the guys are Pastor Bob Cholette from Troy Assembly (who hosted the event), Don Aupperle from Hope Community Baptist and Family Life Radio, and my own dear husband, Bill.

People gathered from several area churches. We enjoyed a great breakfast and wonderful worship. Representation came from the Troy City Council, and we prayed for our community and our leaders.

Last night I was invited to a book signing at Borders in Birmingham for Tom Mooradian, author of "The Repatriate: Love, Basketball, and the KGB." At an afterglow event at Hagopian World of Rugs, a unique dedication was done for the book.

In addition to meeting many wonderful people, I was thankful for the opportunity to address those assembled and tell them about the Armenian projects I'm working on, in particular, Bachik the Birthday Kiss. Although my Armenian husband passed in 1997, I still feel connected with the Armenian people, and as I sign off, I am preparing to make an Armenian dish, cheese borak, with my daughter. We'll freeze them and have them for breakfast Christmas morning...one of our annual traditions.

Detroit Armenian Women's Club

OK...so we didn't actually meet at the Geghard Monastery, but when I think of Armenia, I think of this famous location in Yerevan. I have a book proposal out, a series on world religions, one of which is titled Beyond the Tombs of Yerevan. I've also written an interactive bilingual book in Armenian and English for preschool and early elementary children titled Bachik the Birthday Kiss, and am in process with a middle school book about Armenian twins raised on the Cape in the 1950s, The Pirates of Castle Rock. Check the website in the future for availability of these titles.

Projects and silliness aside, I was pleased to speak at the December meeting of the Detroit Armenian Women's Club, and I thank the ladies for their hospitality, the fine meal, and the opportunity to share my connection with the Armenian community through my deceased husband, our children and my writing. The club is a charitable organization that raises funds for scholarships and relief work for the needy around the world.

For my Armenian friends, “Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand!”

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving...

How is this for a bird? I have to say, this is the best turkey I have ever turned out. Just goes to show what a little investment of research and effort will do. I brined the bird (I'd never heard the term "brining" before), a fresh one, followed all the guidelines for prepping, stuffing and baking, and voila--a masterpiece!

I can't help but notice the spiritual lesson here.

I admit...in years past I've pretty much thrown the bird in the oven and hoped for the best. But the results were much better when I delved into the art of preparing a turkey, researched, consulted the experts, then actually followed through.

When we apply these principles to our walk with God--checking the directions (in the Word), studying, consulting with people who have already achieved success, then actually following through--we can achieve the results we hope for, too.

What's up?

That's a good question...

After a CRAZY October, I've been happily working away in my office catching up on administrative issues and writing. I've submitted a chapter for a new collaborative effort with my church. I'm excited to work with a wonderful team of godly ladies affirming the concept of modesty to Christian young women.

And...I'm working diligently to finish the manuscript of Quilting Patches of Life, Vol. 2. I've been getting inquires as to when that will be complete. I hope to have the manuscript finished within a month, and publication details will be forthcoming after I evaluate the project with my literary agent.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!