Love Letters

Love Letters

I remember years ago my mom told me that my grandpa used to write notes, aka love letters, to my grandma when they first started courting. He was two years older than her and was a school teacher in Wright Township, Greene County, Indiana from 1913 to 1920. My grandma didn’t attend school during this time, as she had only completed an eighth-grade education, which was common in the early 1900s.

To the best of my recollection my mom told me that grandma said that grandpa used to send handwritten notes home to her via one of his students who was also her neighbor. She replied to him in the same way. Those notes must have been very sweet as they fell in love and got married in 1915.

My grandma was 19 years old and my grandpa was 21 at the time of their marriage. They were blessed with four children, David, Sarah, Naomi, and Ralph. My mom, who later changed her name to Sara, was their second child.

Circa late 1920’s, my grandpa, my mom Sarah, her siblings David and Naomi, and my grandma holding baby Ralph.
A sweet memory from a January 1966 hometown newspaper clipping about my grandparents’ December 1965 50th wedding anniversary.

My grandparents were married just short of 54 years when my grandpa passed away in November 1969. I remember feeling so sad when I heard of his passing. I loved my grandpa. My grandma survived him by 16 years, and then passed away in November 1985. I loved my grandma too. Both she and my grandpa were strong Christians and made a big impression on my life by the way they lived their lives, the way they loved me, and the way they loved Christ.

A few years ago, I saw an article that centered around a box of old love letters, and it sparked this old memory of my mom telling me about my grandparents. I thought, how sweet it would be to have some of their old love letters.

So I asked my siblings and a couple of my cousins if they happened to recall this, or if they actually had any of those letters. Unfortunately, they did not, so my faint memories will have to suffice.

I suppose it’s safe to say that handwritten notes and love letters are a thing of the past now. Technology has definitely brought us some great advances and conveniences, but it has also changed the landscape of how we express our feelings and how we communicate with each other.

Texting is probably one of the most common forms of communication today, but there are definitely some pros and cons to texting. The pros include convenience and time efficiency, and the cons include being misunderstood, texting the wrong person by mistake, autocorrect mumbo jumbo, and missing out on the joy of in person interactions.

So, while I regret not having found any of those old notes of my grandparents, I do have something better: several copies of what Billy Graham referred to as God’s “love letters” to us—the Bible.

“It is there He tells us not only that He loves us, but shows us what He has done to demonstrate His love. It also tells us how we should live, because God knows what is best for us and He wants us to experience it. Never forget, the Bible is God’s Word given to us so we can know and follow Him.” #BillyGraham

However, according to the Baptist Press, “while the average home in America has three or four Bibles in it, more than half of Americans read little or none of the Bible. Less than a quarter of those who have ever read a Bible have a systematic plan for reading Scripture each day. And a third of Americans never pick it up on their own.”

Since becoming a Christian,  I’ve read through the Bible three times and been in various Sunday School Bible studies over the years.

However, I haven’t always studied my Bible. There have been more times than I care to remember when I haven’t been actively studying or reading my Bible. Truthfully, there’s really no good reason why a Christian should not currently be in some type of Bible study.

In December 2022, I started a new personal Bible study using my Spurgeon Study Bible along with the John MacArthur Study Bible iPhone app. Later, I added Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary to my study as well. I find listening to my iPhone Bible app combined with the visual study guides really helps me with comprehension. My goal is a daily Bible study, a chapter or two a day, and although I haven’t always met my goal, I do most days. In January 2026, I completed the Old Testament which took me approximately three years to finish. As of this writing, February 2026, I am in Mark.

I believe one of the best ways for Christians to know God and His will for our lives is by studying the Bible. It’s rich in meaning, instruction, and warnings. It gives a glimpse of who He is, helps us better understand His plans and purposes, and helps us grow in Christlikeness. It also helps us make sense of some of the things we see going on in the world today. No matter how dark the days may seem, His Word assures us that we, who are called by His name, have a hope and a future in Him.

The Bible is a collection of love letters about,

• The creation story and the fall of man.

• The Old and New Covenants established by God.

• Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

• The words of Jesus in the Gospels.

• The preaching and teaching of Jesus in Acts and the epistles.

• The end times and return of Jesus Christ in Revelation.

The Old Covenant was based on law, which required correct behavior and which the people continually broke. It consisted of a sacrificial system that only temporarily removed sins. The sacrifices were administered by priests who represented the people of Israel to God, but the people could not enter God’s presence themselves.

The New Covenant is by grace, which is a gift of God given to the people of God, and of which the Holy Spirit testifies. The sins of the people are forgiven and removed once and for all through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus’ shed blood on the cross that made it possible for all those who will believe in Him, including Gentiles, to have direct and intimate access to Him and eternal life.

Jesus is the fulfillment of all of the covenants, prophecies, and promises found in the Bible. He is the Messiah, God’s only Son, and the King of kings. He conquered sin and death according to God’s perfect plan of salvation. Everything about His life, His sacrificial death, His resurrection, and His ascension was foretold and revealed in the Bible.

I like this quote from Alistair Begg:

“We find Christ in all the Scriptures. In the Old Testament He is predicted. In the Gospels He is revealed. In Acts He is preached. In the epistles He is explained, and in Revelation He is expected.”

The Bible also teaches us that God is sovereign. God is good. God is always to be trusted, and so much more.

So, if you’re a Christian and you’re not currently involved in some type of Bible study, ask yourself why not?

If you’re not a Christian, why not carve out some time to read and study the Bible today? It’s God’s love letter to you.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Our 2023 Journeys Cruise

Our 2023 Journeys Cruise

In October 2023, Harold and I embarked on a 14 Night Carnival “Journeys” cruise to the Eastern Caribbean out of Galveston, Texas on the Carnival Dream.

We booked this cruise the year before when I saw the itinerary went to most all of the ports that we were supposed to go on in March of 2020 to celebrate our 40th anniversary. That cruise was cancelled due to the Covid-19 hysteria. So, over three and a half years later, we finally got to go on our Eastern Caribbean Cruise!

Our Itinerary:

Day 1 Galveston (Embark)

Day 2 Sea Day

Day 3 Key West

Day 4 Sea Day

Day 5 Grand Turk (XXLD due to weather)

Day 6 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Day 7 St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Day 8 St. Kitts, Basseterre

Day 9 St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

Day 10 St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Day 11 Sea Day

Day 12 Falmouth

Day 13 Sea Day

Day 14 Sea Day

Day 15 Galveston (Disembark)

Days 1 and 2 were sea days and were mostly spent exploring the ship, enjoying the music, entertainment, food, and people.

Day 3 brought us to Key West, Florida for the afternoon. We walked down to the Southernmost Point, and enjoyed several of the sights along the way: the Kapok Tree, the Key West U.S. Naval Air Station, and back to town to do a little shopping. We visited Key West in 2017 but missed seeing most of the things we saw on this day, so this was a great stop.

Days 4 and 5 were both sea days as Hurricane Tammy made it impossible for the ship to dock at Turks and Caicos. We already visited Grand Turk in 2019, so we were much more thankful to be safe rather than sorry. We filled the extra time relaxing and enjoying the ship activities.

Day 6 was spent in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We took a local tour to see the old town, forts, new town, the capital building, and the beautiful colorful homes of San Juan.

On day 7 we slept in a bit after being up late the night before. In St. Thomas we shopped a little and then went on the Skyride and saw some amazing views. It’s a beautiful island.

Day 8 at St. Kitts, Basseterre, I got up early this morning and snuck around the ship hiding 7 rubber ducks and 7 cards with Bible verses. We ate made-to-order omelettes for breakfast and climbed back into bed as it was raining when we docked. We went ashore around noon just as the rain subsided and enjoyed some shopping and the colorful sights at St Kitts.

On day 9 we docked on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, and took a tour of the island which included the French St. Martin side as well. We learned it’s a long distance phone call from the Dutch side to the French side. They also have two completely different governments. My favorite stop was at the SXM airport where the beach runs right up to the landing strip. The signs along the fence warn about death and serious injury if you stand there. We ate lunch at the Sunset Beach SXM Restaurant while airplanes landed and took off. I walked over to the beach and got a video of a jet flying overhead me as it was landing. I remember wanting to visit SXM several years ago when I worked for Delta, so it was really nice to finally be able to come visit here.

St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, SXM, and Port of St Maarten.

We spent day 10 in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands shopping and enjoying the colorful sights and sounds. Back on the ship, we enjoyed our nightly routine of dinner and entertainment.

Our nightly dinner companions, Ralph & Pat from the Houston area, and Clovis & Donna who are full-time RV’ers.

Day 11 was a Sea Day. We (actually Harold) found a rubber duck this morning on our way to breakfast. The day was full of activities including a costume contest. Harold wore his Indianapolis Colts Manning #18 jersey and I dressed as an Indianapolis Colts cheerleader. We watched the Texas Rangers play in the World Series on the big screen up on the Lido deck, and went to bed, exhausted after a full day on the ship.

Day 12: We visited Falmouth, Jamaica and enjoyed some shopping at the port. The port is cone-shaped which lets two cruise ships dock around it at the same time. Jamaica is full of colors, music, and a lot of humidity.

Days 13-15 sea days went by super fast on our way back to the Port of Galveston.  We picked out our favorite photos from our prepaid photo package, enjoyed the entertainment, the people, the crew, our dinners and especially the desserts!

Some Dr Seuss fun with Sam I Am, Thing 1 & Thing 2, and The Cat in the Hat!
Formal Night #1
Formal Night #2
Casual, formal, and our Halloween costumes!
Casual nights

We enjoyed every minute of this cruise and were thankful to have been able to celebrate our 40th anniversary on this wonderful cruise, even if it was three and a half years later than originally planned. 

Sadly, I came away feeling sorry for some of the other cruisers. We noticed several of them who seemed bored, unappreciative, and liked to complain a lot. Newsflash: True happiness is not found in cruising. Happiness is found in a relationship with Christ.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

And, until a person comes to the realization of the truth of the gospel and their desperate need for a Savior, no amount of cruising (or whatever a person is doing trying to obtain happiness) will ever fill the need in our lives which can only be accomplished through receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior

“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 144:15

Joy!

Joy!

When I was in junior high school from 1966 to 1969, the journalism class put out a monthly publication with the current school happenings and various articles written by journalism students. One month it included a section with comments from several students who had completed the following statement,

“Happiness is…”

I wish I had saved a copy of it, but didn’t, and I don’t remember any of the answers but I do remember the different types of comments. Some were funny, some were trying to be funny but weren’t, and a few were really sweet. I remember this giving me a glimpse into the different personalities of my classmates.

So, how would you fill in the blank?

“Happiness is…”

I know completing that statement might be difficult for some. I think it’s mostly because happiness is often circumstantial and is likely determined by what’s currently going on in your life. It can be difficult to be happy when life isn’t going well, when life is hard, and when tears are many.

But I do believe there’s a joy that transcends our circumstances. It’s a joy that remains in and through the difficult times in life. It’s a godly joy, and it comes from knowing the Lord and from looking to Him in all of life’s circumstances; both good and bad.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

The joy of the Lord is actually more than a belief; it’s my experience. Joy in just knowing the Lord. Joy in the good times. Joy in the bad times. There have been many times in my life where God has given me peace in the middle of the storm, and joy in spite of my circumstances. Times when I trusted in Him no matter what, and rejoiced in Him no matter what.

Because,

The Bible tells us, regardless of our present circumstances, that we are to rejoice in the Lord. When we look to Him and praise Him in worship, our hearts are filled with His joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Even when life is difficult.

So today, if you find yourself feeling down, upset, lonely, or sad, it’s my prayer that God will surround you with His presence and fill you with joy, peace, and hope in Him.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Here are the first two verses and the chorus to a sweet old children’s song (author unknown) about the joy of the Lord. Perhaps you remember it from long ago. May it bless you as you read (and sing) along today.

Title: I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy!

Verse 1:

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart!

Where?

Down in my heart!

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,

Down in my heart to stay!

Chorus:

And I’m so happy, so very happy,

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

Down in my heart.

And I’m so happy, so very happy,

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Verse 2:

I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart!

Where?

Down in my heart!

I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart to stay.

Chorus:

And I’m so happy, so very happy

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Down in my heart.

And I’m so happy, so very happy

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Male and Female He Created Them

Male and Female He Created Them

God’s word explains, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

And God’s word is clear, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

There are only two sexes, “Jesus said, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female.’” Matthew  19:4

Yet, in the last few years we find ourselves living in a world where,

– Gender ideologies defying God in an attempt to redefine God’s creation of man and woman and their God-given roles.

– Men who identify as women being allowed to use women’s public restrooms and dressing rooms.

– Public school teachers proactively teaching young children about changing their gender as they teach their woke worldview version of sexuality and without the parents’ knowledge.

– Young children given puberty blockers and hormones in an attempt to change their gender, and in some cases against the will of one of their parents.

– Public libraries hosting drag queen story hours for young children, where men mockingly dress up as sexually provocative women.

– Men who identify as a women being allowed to compete in women’s sports, who are winning and literally stealing trophies away from rightfully deserving women athletes.

– Men and women voluntarily undergoing irreversible, painful, and numerous surgeries, and voluntarily taking hormones in a futile attempt to change their gender.

– Public school teachers who are allowed to teach K-12 students about LGBTQ lifestyles and agendas.

And this is just a partial list of some of the more recent societal changes regarding sexuality.

How did we get here?

Some might say we could blame it on Gloria Steinem of the 1970s Women’s Liberation movement. This is the woman who defied God and successfully convinced millions of women that they had the right to be liberated from traditional women’s roles.

Some might say we could blame it on the Supreme Court for enacting same-sex marriage laws and allowing same-sex couples to adopt a child.

Some might say we could blame it on woke corporations who’ve hired DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) managers to ensure their company meets certain expectations to keep their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores high.

Some might say we could blame it on the men who fail in their God-given roles as spiritual leaders in their home and as head of the household.

Some might say we could blame it on the women who try to “run the show” in their marriage by usurping their husband’s God-given role as head of the household.

Some might say we could blame it on woke churches that allow Beth Moore and other so-called “women pastors,” who dare to defy God and His word (1 Timothy 2:12) each time they stand at a pulpit and preach to men.

While I believe all of these things have certainly played a part, they’re not the root cause.

We find the root cause in the Bible.

In the book of Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, Eve believed the serpent and chose to disobey God. As Eve was tempted by the devil, Adam was tempted by Eve, and sin entered the world through Adam.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-6

And, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

The Bible explains our root problem is sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

And, sexual sin, in particular, is not only against God, it is against one’s own body.

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

God implores us to “abstain from sexual immorality” in 1 Thessalonians 4:3

However, unrepentant sinners, by nature, don’t want to repent, obey God, or His word. By nature, unrepentant sinners love the darkness instead of the light.

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” John 3:19

To add insult to injury, “the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul” (Psalm 10:3-4).

But it doesn’t have to be so. The distance between an unrepentant sinner and God is not far.

If you find yourself described here, and feel God convicting you to make a change in your life, just turn around. Turn toward Christ and away from sin.

It’s not too late.

For Jew or Greek, male or female, LGBTQ or heterosexual, rich or poor, etc.

The good news is that God made a way by sending His Son to take the penalty for our sin—for all who’ll come to Christ in repentance and faith.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Acknowledge the sin in your life today and repent of it. Put your faith and trust in God, the Maker of heaven and earth. Cry out to Him and humbly ask for His forgiveness. Trust in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.

And, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If you’re male, trust in God’s plans and God-given roles for men. If you’re female, trust in God’s plans and God-given roles for women.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Interestingly, I remember when I was a child, I used to dress up in my brother’s army outfit and crawl around in the backyard playing “Army” with a toy machine gun strapped to my back and a rubber knife in my mouth. I was, what was commonly called, a tomboy. Vic Morrow of the TV show, Combat, was my inspiration. But, you know what? I grew out of it. How glad I am that no one tried to give me puberty blockers or tried to convince me I needed to try to change my gender back then! I love being a woman. Actually, I love all the roles that God has chosen for me in life, and I especially love being a mom, and a grandmother, aka “Maw-Maw.”

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day

As the years have gone by, Mother’s Day has become one of my favorite holidays. My perfect Mother’s Day includes food, family, flowers, fun, and a Mother’s Day card.

So in the days leading up to Mother’s Day, I always think of my mom who passed away in 1998. I was blessed to have her in my life for the first 44 years of my life. She was the main role model in my life and in so many ways—as a woman, a wife, a mom, and a Christian. I will forever remember her praying on her knees by her bedside at night, and studying her Bible in the early mornings when I was a child.

”Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:25-28

My mom and me in Indianapolis back in the late 1970s.

My grandma, my mom, and me in 1979.

My mom passed away at the age of 77 after suffering for several years from Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:25-28

My grandma was a godly woman too. When I was a child I loved going to her house just to be close to her. When I was a teenager and again as a young adult, she would pull me aside and tell me that she was praying for me. I knew she loved me and she knew I needed prayer.

Here’s a photo of my grandma in our kitchen nook in Indianapolis back in the early 1970s. She was trimming the meat off a turkey to make us some of her delicious homemade turkey noodle soup.

“Older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine. They should teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:3-5


My grandma was recognized and honored in her community as “Mother of the Year” in the 1960s.

And here is a photo of my great-grandma Stockrahm. I think this picture was taken in the early 1950s. She lived with my grandma in Frankfort, Indiana, when she was elderly and where my grandma took care of her until she passed away. I was very young back then, but I do remember she was very quiet and that my grandma was very protective of her. I remember feeling so sorry for her because she was fragile and ill.

My great grandma Stockrahm.

“Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:4

I’m so very thankful for my mom, my grandma, and great-grandma. They were wonderful and godly mothers.

My mom and grandma taught me that as mothers and grandmothers, we should never give up. We are to continue in prayer for each one of our loved ones. We are to continue modeling Christ to our family, and to take advantage of any opportunities to share Christ with our children and grandchildren. Our influence has an eternal impact on the lives and futures of our children, our grandchildren, and so on.

“Even when some children will not let us speak to them about religion, they cannot prevent us speaking for them to God. Never, never let us forget that the children for whom many prayers have been offered, seldom finally perish.” #JCRyle

“Good mothers are very dear to their children. There’s no mother in the world like our own mother.” #CharlesSpurgeon

“To be a mother is by no means second class. Men may have the authority in the home, but the women have the influence. The mother, more than the father, is the one who molds and shapes those little lives from day one.” #JohnMacArthur

I’m so thankful that being a mother was in God’s plan for me. I thank Him for our three daughters, who are mothers now as well, but more importantly, they’re Christian mothers.

My girls and me.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

Mother’s Day 2021

Mother’s Day 2022

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6

Mother’s Day 2023

Mother’s Day 2024

Mother’s Day 2025

Called By Name

Called By Name

“Elaine Crandell! Come on down! You’re the next contestant on The Price is Right!”

I first remember watching “The Price is Right” sometime after I graduated from high school in 1972. I continued watching it on and off over the years, basically whenever I just happened to be at home during the day. I never thought I could ever be a contestant on the show until sometime after 1989, when I started working for Delta Air Lines. My travel benefits at Delta opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me and my family.

So in January 2005, my daughter Megan and I flew to Los Angeles for three days of sightseeing and shows.

Now instead of going to bed the night before the show, like any normal person might do, we left the comfort of our warm hotel room and spent the night standing (in my daughter’s case, sitting in her wheelchair) in the cold, in the dark, in downtown Los Angeles, on the sidewalk just outside of CBS Television City studios.

We arrived outside the studio really early, around midnight actually, which made us the third group in line, and pretty much assured us we’d be able to exchange our tickets for a studio admission number at 6:00 a.m. We spent the night trying to keep warm, eating bagels, and talking with everyone around us in line. It was fun but in the middle of the night I started feeling sick and went back to the rental car to lay down. I couldn’t sleep so I got up and got back in line. By the time 6:00 a.m. rolled around, the line had grown around the block and out of sight, and I had a soar throat, but, we got our studio admission numbers!

We left to go back to the hotel with strict instructions to be back within three hours to get back in another line. We freshened up but were afraid to lay down thinking we might oversleep.

About three hours later, with our admission numbers in hand, we got back in line at CBS Television City. This was about a three hour process and although we were exhausted, it turned out to be a nice experience. It was here I met a young man who was a previous showcase winner a few years before. He was now working as a student advisor at a college and was back in line on this day with a group of students from his college. We talked for a while about a lot of different things, including my faith in Christ.

Continuing our way through the admission line, we encountered the show producers who were conducting interviews with each one of us, one by one. I noticed they were very personable and were taking notes as they did their interviews. The producer who interviewed me asked me what I did for a living. I smiled and told him, “I make mad people happy!” He laughed and then asked me what I really did. I explained that I was a customer service agent for Delta Air Lines and that I help passengers and agents resolve various problems and issues.

He must have liked my answer.

Within a couple of hours, I heard my name:

“Elaine Crandell! Come on down! You’re the next contestant on The Price is Right!”

I jumped up, screaming, and ran up to the podium. Within a few minutes I got the winning bid on a metal detector and ran up on stage. At this point my heart was pumping and my mind was racing with so many thoughts: “Mercy, those lights are so bright! Do I look sick? Do I need more make up? Do I look like I’ve been up all night?!” Suddenly I found myself talking with Bob Barker and playing The Range Game. I looked back to find my daughter in the crowd and all I saw was what seemed to be everyone telling me to stop. I hit the stop button but it was a tad bit too soon.

They cut to a commercial break and whisked me off stage to sign a bunch of legal papers: one giving my consent to be a contestant on a CBS game show, another explaining that I understood that I’d be responsible for any and all tax implications of my prize winnings, and yet another paper that gave me an option to decline any or all of my gifts.

By the time I finished signing all the papers it was time to go back on stage to spin the Big Wheel in the Showcase Showdown. My 95, in one spin, won me the chance to bid on a showcase!

During one of the next commercial breaks, a stage manager came up to talk with me. He was so kind. Talking with him really helped calm my nerves. My only regret at this point was that I realized then that I forgot to say, “Hello!” to my family while waiting for the Big Wheel to stop.

So then came the chance to win the showcase. Mine was a set of video phones, a Colorado Hot Air Balloon trip, a Colorado ski vacation, and a ski boat. I had no idea how much that ski boat was worth but decided to bid low as I didn’t want to overbid. My mind raced back to a few weeks before when my husband and I were invited to go on a ski boat but we declined because neither of us skied. I suddenly wished we’d gone as maybe the price of it would have came up in our conversations. Oh well, too late now.

As it turned out, the ski boat was worth a lot more money that I thought. I underbid my showcase by over $25K and lost to my opponent who also underbid her showcase, but by less.

What a day! All 24 hours of it! We went back to our hotel and as soon as the excitement wore down we both fell asleep in exhaustion.

A few weeks later I made a T-shirt to remember the experience. I used the photo of my expression when I realized I’d lost the showcase and titled it “The Price was Wrong!” Ha!

In retrospect, so much of what happened was right. I enjoyed and shared a great experience with my daughter. I won a metal detector worth $1100, which I still have. I got to be a contestant on one of the longest running game shows in television history. I got to meet Bob Barker, and I got to share my faith with a stranger.

In the big picture of life, “The Price is Right” is just a TV game show. My name was called and I won a gift.

Oh so much more importantly, Jesus knows my name! By faith, I’ve received the gift of eternal life; life here and now, and life in the ever after.

Not because I’m a “good person.” Not because I was baptized or a member of a church.

But because I trusted in Jesus and His plan of salvation one night many years ago, when God lovingly convicted me that I was a sinner in desperate need of a Savior. I responded and called out to Him in repentance and faith, and placed my trust in Jesus alone.

It was Jesus who took the penalty for my sins on the cross; He paid the price in full on my behalf. God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Author of Life, made a way for a sinner like me to be redeemed.

The Price Jesus Paid is Right, and it was according to His perfect plan and unfathomable love; it’s for all He calls to come and follow Him, for all who will respond in repentance and faith.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

For several years while Harold and I were in the RV business, we kept very busy traveling. Typically we would buy one-way flights once or twice a month to go buy motorhomes at various locations, then drive them back home to Texas to sell. We traveled all over the United States, but the road between Texas and Florida was our most traveled route. We’d often stop for the night in Mississippi or Louisiana on our way home to Texas, as either state was a good halfway stopping point.

Anytime we traveled in the first quarter of the year, no matter where we stopped in the Mississippi or Louisiana area, we’d find ourselves engulfed in a sea of purple, green, and gold Mardi Gras décor. The colors were vivid, and eye-catching, but what I found strange was that they also decorated Christmas trees. The same trees that held Christmas ornaments in December were decorated with Mardi Gras ornaments, signs, and ribbons in January, February, and sometimes March.

In February of 2023, after once again seeing the Mardi Gras decorated trees, I decided to look a little more into the history of Mardi Gras.

So one day I decided to look into this and did an internet search. I learned that the Mardi Gras tradition dates back well over 2,000 years to the pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, which included raucous Roman festivals. When Christianity arrived in Rome, the religious leaders (Catholicism) decided to incorporate these popular local pagan traditions into their religion, which apparently was an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Initially, I found the merger somewhat interesting, but the more I read, the more disturbing I found it.

Growing up attending a Methodist church, I was somewhat familiar with Ash Wednesday and Lent. However, years later, after I actually came into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, I noticed the Baptist church I attended didn’t speak about Ash Wednesday or Lent. It was then I learned that the practices of Ash Wednesday and Lent were actually man-made traditions primarily found in the Catholic Church, and a few Protestant denominations such as the Methodist Church. A few years later I learned that penance is a Catholic sacrament and even though it may sound similar to repentance it’s not the same thing.

Repentance is a change of mind: turning away from sin and turning to God. Repentance (of sin) and faith (in Christ) are commonly referred to as two sides of the same coin. Repentance not only precedes salvation but is an ongoing daily practice for believers in Christ.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Penance is a Catholic sacrament in which an external action or form of discipline is performed to show sorrow for sin. Generally, penance takes the form of praying certain prayers a specified number of times, fasting, or spending time in front of an altar. This is unbiblical. Nowhere does Scripture teach that performing works or the act of punishing oneself can make restitution for sin.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

Now I realize that Mardi Gras has long been considered a colorful cultural tradition for many of those raised in the South. The colors, the cakes, the parades, and social gatherings have become an enduring Southern tradition that many people have enjoyed since childhood. And while it’s not my intent to offend anyone, I do want to try to convey a biblical perspective here. So I have to say that I find the excess, debauchery, drunkenness, and such as what goes on in New Orleans and elsewhere in the name of Mardi Gras, including Fat Tuesday, sickening. People overindulging, sinning egregiously, and doing so publicly; supposedly getting the sin out of their system before they start trying to be “good” again. The Bible specifically reminds us, “No one is good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10), and one doesn’t become “good” by performing any kind of man-made tradition. Sin is a serious matter that is offensive to God and should never be celebrated in parades.

“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” Romans 6:13

The truth is we’re all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. It’s only when we repent of our sins and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the finished work He did on the cross that He covers us with His righteousness.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The idea that Mardi Gras evolved from the mixing of raucous pagan festivals, the Catholic Church, and man-made traditions with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ doesn’t sit well with me. Let alone the fact that these increasingly lewd and indignant Mardi Gras celebrations have been going on for so many years, and as a form of entertainment no less. And while I suspect many non-believers participate in Mardi Gras festivities and are just there for the party, what about those who participate in Mardi Gras festivities who claim to be Christian? Do you not realize you are mocking Christ and His finished work on the cross? Christ did not die for your sins so that you could celebrate them in Mardi Gras parades and parties. Nor did Christ die on the cross for your sins so that you could sin all you want and assume all is good as long as you can go do some penance.

Repent and trust in Christ alone.

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.’”Jeremiah 21:8

Query Family Christmases

Query Family Christmases

My childhood Christmas memories were some of my fondest childhood memories. We were not well off financially but we always had a wonderful Christmastime. Our Christmas celebration was fairly traditional all except for one thing: we had it in the middle of the night! It was not until several years later that I realized that most people don’t have Christmas at 3:00 a.m.!

Christmas 1956
Christmas 1956
Our family Christmas card Circa 1961 or 1962. I’m sitting on my dad’s lap, Dennis standing next to me, and Doug on my mom’s lap. Standing in the back is Eldon, Joyce, and Ronnie.

Actually, my dad worked a second job as a musician. He played guitar 🎸 and got home around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. So instead of him going straight to bed and having to wake up in a couple of hours, we’d all get up when he got home. By the time we were done opening presents, my mom would fix us a big breakfast and then she’d lay back down for a morning nap while we played with our new toys. Then it was off to my grandma’s for a visit and dinner. She would give each of her grandchildren a small gift or maybe just a dollar bill for Christmas, but the size of the gift didn’t matter to me. I loved my grandma and grandpa so much! After a day of food and fun playing with my cousins and siblings, we’d pile back into the car and fall asleep on the ride back home.

On my grandma’s stairway with my cousin Connie, and my brothers Dennis, Ronnie, and Doug, Circa late 1950’s or early 1960’s.

When I was old enough to shop for presents on my own, I remember going to K-Mart or Ayr-Way (later bought by Target) and getting all my Christmas shopping done in one day. I loved being able to do this, and really enjoyed buying my family handpicked gifts. It didn’t matter that they were from a discount store. I thought they were perfect gifts and I felt joy in giving gifts that I had bought on my own. In retrospect I believe this is when I first experienced the blessing of giving gifts.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Now many years later, with grown children and ever growing grandchildren, I still enjoy giving gifts at Christmastime, but it’s more about being together as a family and making memories that I cherish the most. Our Christmas gatherings have taken on a deeper meaning to this aging wife, mom, and grandmother. Lord willing, I’ll have many more Christmases and many more years here on earth but I know my days are numbered.

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14

As for man, his days are like grass: he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone … But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. Psalm 103:15-17

One day God will take me home and in turn, I’ll be but a memory to my loved ones, and awaiting to see them again in heaven. In the meantime it’s my hope and prayer that each one of my loved ones will have personally received the most perfect gift ever:

The LORD Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Knowin’ Where I’m Goin’

Knowin’ Where I’m Goin’

Travel has long been one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy everything about it, even the planning. I also enjoy the challenge of traveling as inexpensively as possible.

Thanks to my airline employee and retiree benefits, I’ve been able to travel inexpensively for many years. I also get discounts on hotels, car rentals, and cruises too. All of which I’m very thankful for.

So in October of 2022 I traveled to/from Indianapolis for my 50th high school reunion. I flew on a confirmed ticket there because I wanted to make sure I’d get there on the day I planned, and decided to use my airline travel benefits to standby for my return flight. I wasn’t sure if I’d be going back to Dallas or to Tampa, plus getting back on a certain day wasn’t as important as getting there, so standby travel was a good option for my return. I also booked my hotel using reward points and reserved a rental car with a discount rate. Everything was set. At least I thought it was.

I made a little mistake on my hotel. 😬

Well actually, kind of a big mistake.

I had booked the hotel several months out using my husband’s Wyndham Rewards points. I put IND in the hotel search bar as I generally prefer staying near the airport whenever I need a hotel. The search showed availability south of IND airport so I booked it. So far so good.

So I thought.

As I got closer to my travel date, I even pulled up the address of my old high school on my iPhone and noticed that the hotel was actually in Southport. I thought, “Oh, that’s close to my high school. That’ll work.”

Same hotel name. Wrong hotel.

Wrong.

So on Thursday morning I flew nonstop from DAL Dallas Love Field to IND on WN Southwest Airlines. I got my rental car. I drove to Frankfort to have lunch with my cousin, Jeri. We had a nice visit and then I drove by my grandparents old house and also by the graveyard.

Then I drove over to Lebanon where I met my 2nd cousin, Chrissy, for dinner. After a nice visit I put in the address for my hotel on my iPhone map and headed back toward Indianapolis around 10 p.m. It was dark when I exited I-465 on to US 31 South and I was shocked when the map told me to take an immediate right. I thought, Oh no! Not THAT hotel! I remembered THAT hotel from over 50 years ago.

Mercy.

It was late and I was tired. I thought, well maybe, just maybe, they’ve updated it and that everything would be ok.

Wrong again.

As I walked inside the lobby I saw a few attempts had been made to try to update the hotel, but as I opened the door to my room my heart sank. The carpet was torn, the door lock latch was bent and therefore did not work, the toilet paper holder was rusted, and the under sink area had exposed pipes that were rusty and dirty looking.

So I sat down exhausted and upset with myself. I’d been up since 3:30 a.m Dallas time. Why wasn’t I more careful about which hotel I booked? Why didn’t I take time to reconfirm my reservation and verify the location?! I closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, what should I do? 🙏🏻

I called my husband and told him I made a BIG mistake. While on the phone I heard people out in the hallway which made me feel uncomfortable; unsafe actually. I decided right then that I needed to find another hotel. Then, while still on the phone with my husband I got a text from my cousin Connie, who I was planning visiting the next day. She asked me if I was at my hotel and if everything was ok.

Insert perfect timing and an answer to prayer here! 🙏🏻❤️

I was embarrassed to tell her that I’d made a mistake on my hotel reservation, plus it was so late, nearly 11:00 p.m. but she insisted I come on over to her house to stay instead of getting another hotel. I was so thankful 🙌🏻 and it was so nice to stay with her for three nights.

While in Indianapolis I visited my brother Ron, the graveyard where my parents and brother Eldon’s gravesites are, went to three different reunion events, and had a Sunday visit with my brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Pam, at their new house in Westfield. We went to church, had brunch, a nice 3 mile walk on the Monon Trail, and a yummy dinner at home. The next morning I returned my rental car and flew standby on Delta IND x/ATL TPA.

It was a wonderful trip; all except my hotel mess-up. I realized:

• It was my own fault.

• I booked the wrong hotel.

• I assumed everything was ok, and

• I should have reconfirmed my hotel reservations and verified the location. As a seasoned traveler I should have known better.

Which made me think,

How much more we all need to make sure where our eternal destination is.

Years ago I used to listen to a Christian radio program hosted by Larry Burkett. He taught Christian principles concerning finances. He used to say, “Do your givin’ while your livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.” Good advice with a catchy country twang.

Thus the title, “Knowin’ Where I’m Goin’”

While “knowin’ where I’m goin’” is good advice concerning hotel reservations, it’s of eternal importance concerning where we’re going after we pass away.

It’s OK to make a mistake with a hotel reservation.

It’s not OK to make a mistake with our eternal destination.

• Have you admitted you’re a sinner in need of a Savior?

• Have you repented of your sin and placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone? Was there a change in your heart and in your life?

• Never “assume” you ’re going to heaven because you’re a “good person” or because you were baptized or because you go to church, or because of any “good works.”

• “Reconfirm your reservation” to heaven in “fear and trembling:

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13)

And,

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5

Make sure Jesus is your Savior and Lord.

You must be born again. John 3:7

Then, rest in knowing that the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

“By grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

As the hymn writer, C.L. Bancroft (1863) reminds us, we’re not saved by anything we’ve done, we’re saved by a work done for us:

Because the sinless Savior died,

My sinful soul is counted free,

For God the just is satisfied,

To look on Him and pardon me.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found

My first car was an old clunker. It was a light blue Chrysler and I’m not sure of the year (late 1950’s or early 1960’s) but it was definitely old. It had what I would describe as “wings” on each side at the rear of the car, and a convenient hole in the driver’s side floorboard where I could empty my soft drinks and coffee. Ha!

Strangely, it had an automatic transmission but no “P” for park; I had to put it in “N” for neutral and pull the parking brake. This would have been fine, except for the fact that the parking brake was broke. So, I had to open my door and throw a wood block under the front tire to chalk it in place. The real problem came when I’d miss the tire and have to hurry out of the car, get the block from wherever it landed, and wedge it under the tire before the car rolled too far. Good times! Ha!

Hey, I was 16 years old, it was 1970, and I was happy just to have my own car, even though it was a clunker.

It basically got me from point A to point B, and it had an AM radio, which was always tuned-in to either pop or rock music. 🎶

June 1971, in my light blue Chrysler.

The problem was my sense of direction; it wasn’t very good. I was always getting lost. I remember crying on more than one occasion because I was lost. This was the point when I first began thinking how cool it would be if my radio could please just tell me where I was, and how to get to where I was going. I was on the edge of brilliance (😂) but somehow fell short of inventing GPS navigation.

Then,

In 1972, I got a major upgrade; a brand new 1972 Camaro Rally Sport in Mojave Gold, complete with rear spoiler, an AM/FM stereo radio 🎶 (woo-hoo!), an 8-Track Tape player, lots of pop and rock 8-Track Tapes.

Me and my Camaro, May 1972. (My dad gave me $1000 for the down payment, and I worked full-time my senior year of high school, paid my monthly payments weekly and got it paid it off within a year.)

Fast forward to today, I drive a 2019 Jeep Grande Cherokee. It has a beautiful Pearl Red exterior color, and my favorite interior feature: Car Play with access to my iPhone apps, media, contacts, maps, and more.

October 2017, at the Texas State Fair in the Car Pavilion. I told Harold I loved the color of this 2018 Jeep. He surprised me a little over a year later in December 2018 with a brand new Pearl Red 2019 Jeep Grande Cherokee!

Lots of changes.

Much for the good.

But,

Of all of these changes over the past 50 years I’d have to say that the greatest change has not been in my cars,

but in my heart,

and in that which I choose to feed it.

The change in my heart occurred in my mid twenties when I turned to Christ in repentance and faith. I became born again, but God still had a lot of work to do in me, and still does. What I choose to feed my heart has a lot to with the process of sanctification and in the recognition of God’s grace in my life. It has been in my Bible studies that I recognized within myself, similar weaknesses and defeats experienced by many of the hero’s of faith in the Bible. I realize that any good I have done for Christ is not the result of my strength or intellect or character, but because of God’s grace. His grace is amazing and it is by His grace that He is still doing a work in my life. I know it is the Lord who is keeping me standing day by day, and moment by moment.

A.W. Pink reminds us that “God suffers it to appear that the best of men are but men at the best. No matter how richly gifted they may be, how eminent in God’s service, how greatly honoured and used of Him, let His sustaining power be withdrawn from them for a moment and it will quickly be seen that they are ‘earthen vessels.’ No man stands any longer than he is supported by Divine grace. The most experienced saint, if left to himself, is immediately seen to be as weak as water and as timid as a mouse.”

“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4

So these days,

My favorite thing to do while driving is listen to Christian talk radio. My favorite station is AFR, a Christian Talk Radio Station out of Tupelo, Mississippi. That station, combined with my favorite pastors, Christian teachers, and podcasters on iPhone apps are such a blessing. Suffice it to say that I’m thankful for each one of them. They, along with Bible study and prayer, help me keep more “in tune” with God and less “in tune” with the world.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

So, how cool is it, that my getting lost when I first started driving, and my desperate hope that the radio would tell me where I was and how to get to where I needed to go, has actually come true in my life,

And,

in more ways than one:

Thanks to my Car Play maps and navigation system, I no longer get lost.

Thanks to Christian Talk Radio and my favorite iPhone apps that help guide me in my walk with the Lord.

Cooler still,

Thanks to the Lord,

“I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.” #JohnNewton

By the grace of God,

I know who I am, (a sinner saved by grace).

I know where I am, (in Christ Jesus)

and,

I know where I’m going, (In the world but not of the world; on my way to heaven one day in God’s perfect timing.)

So,

“Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” Jeremiah 42:3

And enjoy the ride along the way.