God Encounters

Did you ever have an experience that touched your heart so deeply that you were a changed person. You look back on that day as one that changed your life? I had such an experience last week...I got a new pair of "God eyes." It was so significant that I wrote the date in my Bible. You can read about it on Boomer Babes Rock--I'm blogging there today.

I believe "God Encounters" happen for a purpose. If you have one you would like to share, I would love to hear about it!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie

Empty-Nest Vacation

Today I'm blogging on Boomer Babes Rock, so hop on over and check it out. I'm talking about the joys and sorrows of an empty-nest vacation. Yes, we have come to that phase in life where our "boys" take their own vacations and report back (via cell phone) just how great it is. There's joy and sorrow mixed together: we're not paying for it, but we're missing all the fun!

Life is bittersweet. When they're growing up, you wish they would hurry up and grow up. When they're gone, you wish they were back. So what we're left with are precious memories of vacations we took every year of their lives: trips to Acadia National Park, Yosemite, Disney World, the California Coast, Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg, and my favorite--Bar Harbor. There are Creative Memory albums filled with precious photos and when I need a vacation, I pore over the pictures and re-live the God-given moments that come only once in a lifetime.

The empty-nest vacation is one of the best vacations I've been given--knowing that we left memories with our "boys" to travel the journey of life and hopefully carry on the tradtion with their families.

Living Passionately,

Connie

Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover's Soul

I just heard that I was accepted into Chicken Soup for the Coffee-Lover's Soul.

Everyone who knows me, realizes I'm passionate about coffeee--can't wake up without it. And for someone who has more coffee stories than you can imagine, it was a thrill to have my favorite "coffee tale" accepted: "Touched by a Coffee-Loving Angel." I'm not sure if they'll be serving my special brew in heaven, but this cup of coffee literally saved my life!

Look for it in stores in the fall, although it's available for pre-order now at Amazon.com.

If you have a coffee story, you would like to share, feel free to send it to me at conniepombo@hotmail.com, and whoever has the most hillarious or heart-wrenching story, I'll be sure to send you an autographed copy when it's available.

Passionately yours,

Connie

Secret Garden

Today I'm blogging on Boomer Babes Rock about my "secret" place. About four years ago, I read about the "Best Kept Secret in Lancaster County," and realized it was just down the street from where I live. From the months of June-September on Wednesdays from 1-7 p.m. the Conestoga House is open to the public. The Steinman Sisters have lovingly restored the mansion and the gardens.


I'm passionate about all things natural and green, so this is my respite. It serves two purposes, it gets me out from behind my computer and enjoying the beauty of nature. And then when hubby gets off from work, he meets me there for a light picnic at one of the designated areas. We have date night and quiet time together in the lush background of tropical gardens and waterfalls.

Sometimes the best places to visit are in your backyard. I urge you to search out what's available in your city; you just might be surprised. There might be a secret garden waiting for you.


Living Passionately,




Connie

No Longer a Stranger

Today I'm blogging on Boomer Babes Rock about the grandmother I never knew. Recently some lost letters emerged that gave me a glimpse into the life of the woman that has remained a mystery for most of my adult life.

I'm the family historian and love collecting and saving cards, letters, and photos. I was the original scrapbooker before Creative Memories came along. I have literally hundreds of albums and continue to collect more. It's one of the things I'm most passionate about.

Our hectic 21st century living precludes us from preserving the past because we're just too busy. But one day, our children and our grandchildren will want to know what we did, what our passions were, what books we read, and how we spent our days.

Sure, we now have "blogging" which has pretty much taken the place of the journal and writing letters, but there's nothing like feeling and touching a letter--see the handwriting and looking at the stamp (it makes it more real).

If you've been putting off writing a letter to someone you love, write it today! What greater day than the Fourth of July!