A Special Day for Women

May 3, 2014, I am honored to speak at “A Special Day for Women” brunch at East Boulder Baptist Church. I will be taking the women on a tour of Jerusalem, the city of God. We will discuss the importance of that great city in ancient times, as well as in the present. The world has changed over the centuries, but Jerusalem is still the center of the world. Do you wonder about the future? Keep your eyes on Jerusalem.

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Billings Farm

The Billings Farm and Museum is a fun place to visit. They offer tours of an 1890 farmhouse, creamery, exhibits, and a working farm. You can also watch a short film called “A Place In The Land”.

If you are planning a vacation this summer, the Billings Farm is something to consider.

 

Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, will open for its 32nd season on Thursday, May 1, 2014, featuring horse-drawn wagon rides, free ice cream, and farm programs, in addition to the opening dairy farm, restored farmhouse and farm life exhibits.

The Farm & Museum will be open daily through October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every weekend, November – February and Christmas and Presidents’ weeks from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Billings Farm is a premiere Jersey dairy farm that continues a 143-year tradition of agricultural excellence and offers farm programs and historical exhibits that explore Vermont’s rural heritage and values. Click here to learn more.

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Electronic Books

I love books. There is nothing like a good story and my favorite yummy cup of brew to make my day complete.

The publishing world has changed so much over the last few decades. Electronic books are a welcome addition to the reader. It is very convenient to carry around a Kindle or Nook, especially when traveling.

All of my published works are available in electronic format. They are sold on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. Click here for more information.

 

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Lyza’s Story And Professional Narration

It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich woman like Lyza Lane to be saved. Yet with God all things are possible.

Lyza’s billionaire lifestyle leaves no room for religion. She enjoys a meaningless jet-setting existence, keeping busy with L.L. Lane Unlimited, her father’s successful conglomerate, and her mother’s “Save the Orchids” campaign. Little does Lyza know that her lifelong employee constantly prays for her salvation. Be encouraged as Cook’s humble prayers and service throughout the story illuminate God as He works out His plan in Lyza’s life.

Lyza’s Story the Kindle edition is on sale now on Amazon. After you purchase the book, you can add the professional narration option for a special price of $1.99.

Click here for more information.

 

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Sugarbush Farm

Sugarbush Farm is a beautiful place to visit. One can sample 14 types of cheeses produced onsite and purchase maple syrup. Free tours are given of the maple syrup house and the workroom where the cheeses are finished. There is a gift shop, nature trail, and animals to pet. You can visit the farm chapel and even get married there. It is fun to look around the gift shop as well.

If you are planning a trip or are in the area, it is worth the stop.

 

Sugarbush Farm is a 550 acre hillside farm located in central Vermont. The Luces are the second, third and fourth generations to live on this land. Jack and Marion Ayres bought the farm in 1945 with a dream to make a go of country living. They were the first folks in Vermont to start packaging cheese in waxed bars so they would travel well without refrigeration. By 1975 the Boston Globe wrote about Sugarbush Farm “At the end of a scenic Vermont road lies a Cheese Lovers paradise.” In 1995 the American Cheese Society awarded Sugarbush Farm a Blue ribbon for the best smoked cheese in the country.

Today the farm is operated by Betsy, the Ayres’s daughter, her husband Larry and their sons Ralph and Jeff. Its the Luce family’s goal to keep the farm a working, active operation. The future looks bright for the fourth generation with 7 grandchildren learning good working habits on the farm. Click here to learn more.

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The Vermont Country Store

The Vermont Country Store has been sending me catalogues for over twenty years. Every once and a while I order something. Not often enough to rate so much attention, but I have to admit that their catalogues are fun to peruse. When our tour bus pulled up to the Vermont Country Store I overcame my slightly sarcastic attitude (we’re stopping here??) and actually enjoyed shopping the store. David thought this old pickup was pretty neat and asked me to take his picture. I asked him to pose on the hood as an antique hood ornament, but he refused.

Turns out, The Vermont Country Store is a great place to visit.

Loved this old post office on the corner. It reminded me of when I lived in Brule, Nebraska. However, I don’t remember the  street being paved in Brule.

This park was so inviting. You can’t enjoy a sunny fall afternoon any more than slushing through the leaves to a quiet park bench underneath a gold tree.

Gazeboes are among my favorite things. We saw many different kinds throughout our tour. I just got back from Savannah, Georgia and there was one just across from the house where we stayed. I watched people posing for pictures throughout the week. It must have been prom, because everyone was dressed to the teeth. It looked like weddings were happening with limos stopping for the photo shoots, then loading up and heading for who knows where. Evidently gazeboes are great for photo shoots. The one pictured is in Vermont.

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Good News

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepluchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto… them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luke 24:1-7

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Denali National Park

Anyone who travels to Alaska should see Denali National Park. One of the best ways to get there is to take the glass domed train from Anchorage.

Here is our tour group. This gives you an idea of the space and light of the rail cars. It is very comfortable. And, if you have issues with steps, there is an elevator to get you from the main deck to the top. After two days of checking out Anchorage, I especially appreciated that elevator. Alaska is very handicapped accessible.

This is a look at the lowlands of the park. In the distance you can see Denali, or what we used to call Mt. McKinley. Our guide informed us that we were fortunate to see the summit because most of the time it is covered with clouds.

A closer look at Denali.

The river winds through the valley. Here I am on the train to Denali National Park. I’ve heard so much about the beauty and wildlife. I am anticipating a larger than life experience. So far much of the scenery seen from the train rivals the Rocky Mountains.

Here I’m trying to get a picture of the train returning to Anchorage. Everyone looks quite content and friendly. I even got a few waves 😉

 

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Alaskan Forests

The forest in Alaska is enormous and exceptional. Everything is larger than life and everything around you is a lush green. When I consider how cold is gets in winter, I find all the plant and wildlife here amazing. Tall grasses and wildflowers decorate meadows surrounded by towering trees.

Here’s a picture of Mt. McKinley (Denali) in the distance. The guide tells me it is unusual to get such a good view. Most days the summit is covered by clouds.

We stayed at the Denali Bluffs Hotel. Here we are surround by beautiful trees.

If you’re ever in the area, this is a nice place to stay. It’s on a bluff and some rooms are down the hill. All views are magnificent.

This picture gives you some idea if what I mean when I say some rooms are down the hill! This hotel is at the entrance of Denali National Park. It rated a two star hotel. I would rate it a three plus. The rooms can be small, but really, what do you need? You’re just going to get up and go to the park early in the morning. We ate a nice dinner there. Breakfast was also good.

David and I are at the visitor’s center in Denali National Park. You can see the silt bed behind us.

 

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On Our Own In Jerusalem’s Old City

Join two born-again Christians exploring the Old City of Jerusalem without a tour group. Experience the excitement of discovering the Hebraic roots of our faith. Visit archaeological sites and museums that strengthen our faith. Discover Jewish holidays and learn their significance to Jesus and to us. Read about thriving churches in the Old City. Mingle with citizens of the Old City. Learn how to shop the souk and communicate with vendors. Hear the call of ancient stones from the Holy Land. Worship with us as we meet with God in churches, synagogues, mosques, tombs, tunnels, ramparts, and the Western Wall. Click here to learn more.

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