The Blue Umbrella

me here:  Haven't read this one yet, but it sounds like something the girls would dig.  I will try to get it and let you know what they think.  Check it out...


The Blue Umbrella, by Mike Mason from David C. Cook on Vimeo.



What would happen if all the world’s weather was controlled by one man with a blue umbrella? If your mother had been killed by lightning, would you trust this man? This is the decision facing 10-year-old Zac Sparks in Mike Mason’s new page-turning fantasy novel, The Blue Umbrella (David C Cook, October 2009). Probing the depths of good and evil, the first in Mason’s series for 9 to 12 year olds is a superbly written children’s story with deep spiritual resonance.


When Zac Sparks’ mother dies, he’s sent to live in Five Corners with his cruel old Aunties. It isn’t long before Zac knows something strange is going on. Five Corners is populated with weird characters—a midget butler, a girl who doesn’t speak, a blind balloon seller, and a mysterious singer who is heard but not seen. Then there’s the Aunties’ father, Dada. Zac’s first encounter with Dada is so terrifying he faints dead away.

The one bright spot is Sky Porter, the proprietor of the general store across the street, a friendly soul who encourages Zac—when the Aunties aren’t looking—and shows him a kindness that is sadly lacking from his dismal life. But Sky isn’t what he seems either, and when Zac learns Sky’s amazing secret he realizes, to his dismay, that this wonderful man may have a very dark side as well.

Discovering that Dada is an evil magician who is intent on stealing the ultimate treasure, Zac knows many lives are at stake, including his own. With time running out, he must turn to the one person who might be able to help: Sky Porter. Can Zac trust him?

In the vein of Lewis and Tolkien, Mason has crafted a fantasy that will certainly appeal to fans of Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, Lemony Snicket, and The Chronicles of Narnia. “In this era of climate change, when weather is arguably the most important issue facing the world, a story that dramatizes the human role and responsibility in creating weather is highly relevant and timely,” says Mason. “The Blue Umbrella is permeated with a sense of awe at the power and beauty of weather, and it asks the question: Who is behind all this?”

Author Bio: Mike Mason is the best-selling, award-winning author of The Mystery of Marriage, The Gospel According to Job, Practicing the Presence of People, and many others. He has an M.A. in English and has studied theology at Regent College. He lives in Langley, BC, Canada, with his wife, Karen, a family physician. They have one daughter, Heather, who is pursuing a career in dance and the arts. The Blue Umbrella is Mike’s first novel.

Moving Beyond the Walls...to Kenya

Our church has a team of 23 members in Kenya right now, serving in a slum where the conditions are just unimaginable, but the people are amazing and inspiring. 

Among other things, they are participating in this really cool project called "Bring the Light" where they literally bring light into the homes of Bondeni - which are small shacks, with no windows, no electricity, no light.  The team cuts a hole in the roof and replaces it with plexiglass and - ta dum! - light.  Then the super cool part begins as they share the Light of Christ.

Read all about it on a blog the team members are posting to regularly during their tenure.  Very cool!  http://movingbeyondthewalls.wordpress.com/

Red Cross Mock Disaster Drill

We actually did this back in May, but I just discovered the photos on the (greater Indy) Red Cross FBCI blog (http://rcfbci.blogspot.com/).  It was fun because we participated as a family.  I am on the TPCC shelter team and Jim and the girls were "residents".  Hannah and Kaylie even got to stage a fight.  Hannah did a great job being a surly pre-teen.  Let's chalk this up to her mother's excellent dramatic ability - as opposed to Hannah's own experiences. 

Check out all the photos here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/redcrossindy/TradersPointMockDisaster#5335419492243897282

What is the Red Cross FBCI?  It is their Faith Based Initiative arm - the Red Cross partnering with churches and faith-based organizations to provide disaster care to people in their community.  TPCC is now ready to answer the call should a disaster hit our area -  we would operate an actual Red Cross emergency shelter if called upon.  Which is awesome because the church should be involved and active in its community and we get to partner our strengths with the Red Cross' resources.  (Try the blog - that probably explains things more)

Hallelujah!!

Yee hah!!!  So much rejoicing today as Hannah got up before her new family and dedicated herself to Christ today in baptism!  The joy in my heart is overflowing and spilling out - usually in the form of tears.  Which is appropriate, as when Hannah was born 11 years ago, I became a total sap.  So here we are and have come full circle.

For the first time ever in my life, I wrote notes out on my hand (I kid you not) because I was so worried that I was going to get into the baptistry, turn into a blubber of mush, and forget everything that was on my heart to say.  Even with that, I still missed one of my thoughts, but it is all still good.  The message was delivered.  If you weren't there, you missed a beautiful thing.  I am partial, but I am thinking it is the mostest beautifulest baptism ever.  But again, I am partial.

If you missed it, here is a quick recap:

Before....

During...(wish I could tell you what I was saying here.  I know I was crying...)

After!!!!  Hurrah!!!

After, after.

Me and my precious treasures!!

Best Day Ever!

Did I mention that Hannah is getting baptized Sunday?  Oh, and it is her 11th birthday, so now her birthday and her re-birthday will be the same day!!  No offense to my husband or anyone else who has been part of the best days of my life, but I am thinking that this is going to pretty much be my best day ever.  If I can make it through it.  Many Kleenex will die a wet, sloppy death Sunday.  Did I also mention that I have the honor of doing the baptism?!  I cannot tell you how exciting this is for me or the joy I have at Hannah's decision to take this step in her walk with God or how much it means to me.  It is just too much.

I am sure there will be more to come, but for now, I wanted to spread the GREAT news!!!

PS - Contrary to what you may hear via heresay, I did not talk Hannah into it just so I could get one of those cool "New Creation" or "Saved" tshirts.  (but hey, since we will be doing it anyway...)

Macinainiack Bridge Walk

(explanation: Kaylie insists "Mackinac" is pronounced "Mack-i-nae-nee-ack")


For over 50 years, the good people of Michigan have closed the Mackinaw Bridge on Labor Day morning, and a bunch of folks take a little stroll across its 5 mile expanse.  Me, I have only been participating for two. 

Last year we got up before 5am to be over on the northside of the bridge for the 7am start.  This year my mother decreed that we could sleep in and not worry about starting at 7am, as (unlike some walks) you just have to start anytime before 11am and this way we'd still enjoy the walk AND a little more sleep.  Normally my mom is very wise.  This was not one of her best choices....

7:00am - in line to catch the bus that will take us over the bridge.  Hannah is doing her cow impersonation.

7:46 and 12 seconds - still in line

7:46 and 18 seconds.  Did I mention we are still in line waiting for a bus? 

7:49am - Hurrah!  Our bus!  (It has a spoiler???)

8:23am - still on the bus.  Note the scenery behind Hannah - we are still on land.  Let me explain we catch the bus a mile from the interstate, and from that exit to the bridge is another mile.  So at this rate we are going what, 2 mph?

9:06am - We have finally made it across the bridge.  This is my stepdad and Hannah waiting for my mom to get out of the portapotty line.  Hope they are comfy.

9:53a - WOOOOO HOOO!!!  We are FINALLY walking the bridge.  We have officially decided that getting there at 5:30am is worth the trouble of getting up that early, just to avoid the 3hour hassle.  :)  (I should mention some poorly timed vehicle accidents led to extra long delays that day)

Trying to get a photo of me and Hannah walking over the grates.  Our feet were too fast for me.  (That is Lake Huron below)

Do you see this?  There are two people halfway up the tower!

Even freakier, this guy all the way at the top.  I looked it up:  the height of the main towers over the water is 552 feet.  (wow)

11:12am:  FINISH LINE!!! 

Now we can go to the Big Chicken!!!  (Another post for another day....)

Same Kind of Different as Me

Okay, I don't have the official word on this one, but I wanted to make sure you know about this book I just read:  Same Kind of Different As Me.  It is an amazing book.  The story of a black man, a white man and his wife, and how the three came together from very different places in life and time, inevitably making a huge difference in the lives of so many others.

If you have read The Help (which I also recommend), the two books have many similarities, notably first person accounts of the treatment of blacks in the south in the mid to latter part of last century.  One major difference is that The Help is a work of fiction, where Same Kind of Different is a true story.  The story flows so smoothly that it is amazing to think it is not the work of someone's imagination, but real life events that happened to real people. 

This book was so eye-opening.  I have lived such a sheltered life that, while I know horrible treatment occurred (and still does) in our country, reading about it in the first person stirs feelings and emotions I can't even describe.  But, this book was also reaffirming and heartening: at the heart of the story is the fact that God uses anyone, anywhere.  He uses the unlikeliest of folks to accomplish many of His greatest works.  We are reminded that He uses ALL things for the good, that He is always with us, is always faithful.  If we are open to His call, marvelous, amazing things can (and will!) happen. 

Everyone can learn something from this book, so check it out.  Get the book (http://www.amazon.com/Same-Kind-Different-Modern-Day-International/dp/084991910X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1) or visit their website:  http://www.samekindofdifferentasme.com/ .  You will dig it.