My New Book, Essence: 365 God Thoughts About You

I want my Crisp Mountain Air readers to know about my newest book. I spent 365 days (and yes, there is a Leap Year post) praying and writing what I thought God wanted to say to my readers. It was a labor of love and learning to listen. Now I want you to experience that voice I heard for you and for me. In a dark world and in scary times, I pray this book brings light and life and hope to you as you start each day brighter and rising higher to see a beautiful vision of how God sees us and His creation. I'm so blessed to have endorsements from some of my favorite teachers and authors, including Dr. Brian Simmons; Ray Hughes; Don Milam; Steve Backlund; Theresa and Kevin Dedmon; Matt Tommey; and more. Much love to all and thank you for reading my blogs!

My friend sent me this picture of my book given to her as a gift. 

Here is the Amazon link to purchase. It will make a great gift any time during the year, but especially for the New Year. Gift yourself and a friend! 

Click here to purchase paperback, hardcover, or Kindle.

Old Couples Not Talking At Restaurants

When Rick and I were first married, building our house in the mountains, and working two full time jobs with three kids...occasionally we would get to go to Denver, drop the kids at their grandparents' and go to lunch together. These rare times were full of conversation and catch-up.

There would always be an old couple sitting at a table in any restaurant. I would notice them because they would NOT be talking. I would tell Rick something like "we will never be like that. We will always have something to talk about. We will love each other. We will care about each other. We will enjoy being together." 

Well, we have now become that old couple, and quite often we will sit at a restaurant and NOT talk. I have come to realize there is a precious intimacy in being so content and confident in your person that language can be silent and still joyful. But this kind of knowing comes after many years of living together. 

Life is so funny; such a paradox; and loves to laugh at our folly. Be joyful!

Find my books on Amazon by clicking right here.

Still This Little Girl

This is me! My bike is decorated for the Fourth of July with crepe paper streamers and a 48-star flag.

I was called Kiki. I grew up in this home on Lake Bluff Boulevard in Shorewood, Wisconsin. It was the house my grandpa purchased new in 1926 and where my mom and my aunt grew up and where their young mom tragically succumbed to spinal meningitis .

This picture was taken within 10 years of my dad fighting in World War II. The Korean War, the Cold War, and the polio epidemic were all happening at the time this picture was taken. Sonic booms were normal. The threat of nuclear war was imminent. These were threats this little girl was thankfully oblivious to.

Soon we would get our first television. After it rained, my little brother and I would play with sticks in the sidewalk cracks and make mud pies. Summers were spent at Atwater Beach where my mom and I loved to find colorful smooth stones washed up by the waves of Lake Michigan.

My grandma lived downtown and took the bus to visit us on weekends. My grandpa lived two blocks away.

At the age of 3, my family was my world. Now, at 72, my family is still my world.

I keep this little picture on my desk to remind me of who I am. I'm still this little one - full of dreams and play and hope and imagination.  If I could speak to her from 2023, I would tell her:

• Keep looking forward.
• You will fail and mess up, but you will be ok.
• Never stop learning.
• Be thankful.
• Life goes by fast. Embrace every moment.
• Be kind.
• Don't be afraid to be who you are.
• You are special.
• You have never been alone.
• You are greatly loved.
• You are brave and strong.
• Follow your heart.
• Stand for what you believe.
• You are a gentle, quiet warrior.
• You will have adventures.
• Dream big and bigger.
• God already knows you.

Check my website for information about my books and blogs and life. www.christinetracy.com

Don't Lose Heart

Recently, we were so disappointed we were unable to attend some events that would have been SO good for us. One was in the Smoky Mountains. Another in Redding, California. Have you ever felt like you're missing out? Like you were left behind? 

Yeah. I know it. But, I've lived long enough now to realize when there is something we had to say "no" to, there is always something better coming. There is always a blessing in the missing. Honestly. Life works that way. You think the world is coming to an end. And then it isn't. Life takes a turn; a new adventure; a new dream. It gets better and you get to cherish a special moment you wouldn't have had had you not missed out on what you thought was so important.

If you're in a painful place right now, I understand. But don't lose heart. Your joyful blessing and adventure is ahead. And...you are not alone in today's pain. 

I found this from one of my favorite songwriters and musicians. Take a listen.

Every life contains its sorrows and pains
Its stormy weather and its rough terrains
You watch me wrestle with my length of chain
And smile so bravely as you tell me
Don't lose heart.... Dan Fogelberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxB2jUErffU&list=RDFxB2jUErffU&start_radio=1

Thank you for reading my blog and please subscribe! For more of my writing, check out my books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Christine-Tracy/e/B00MBR0Z6E/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

You Are a Gift!

Have you ever considered that we were given the gift of life in order to give it away?

Gifts like compassion, personality, faith, love, wisdom, experience, and knowledge...they're all part of the life we've been granted. So what do we do with all of this?

Sure, we need to work to pay the bills. But the fun comes when we can work from passion, create from strategic and brilliant ideas, and then give, give, give of our heart to others who are hungry for what we carry.

We actually become a gift!

I feel like I have been given so much. How can I release it to change the world around me?

1 Timothy 4:14 - Don't minimize the powerful gift that operates in your life, for it was imparted to you by the laying on of hands of the elders and was activated through the prophecy they spoke over you. (TPT)

2 Timothy 1:6 - Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

October 11 - Fly Higher!

This past week in Denver, Colorado, we have experienced  a phenomenon. A migration of Painted Lady butterflies descended on our fall gardens throughout the region. I can't help but wonder if this is a sign. If it is, it is calling us all to step into new beginnings and life - and - just as a butterfly leaves its cocoon - we are to complete our transition into a new level of our destiny. So, quite simply, I urge you to fly higher, think higher, recognize your own value, and take the risk before you. We were never meant to stay put forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

October 9 - Your Life Dreams

I'm doing a bit of research for a class I'm teaching. Please help! Here are the questions - answer any or all. Thanks so much. This will make a difference for many people!

1 - Are you or are you close to living your dream?
2 - How did you discover your dream?
3 - What were your first steps - or how did you begin to walk out your dream?
4 - What dream are you working on now?

You can answer in the comments below, or email me at chris@christinetracy.com.
Answer whenever you read this, be it today or in the future!
Thank you for your help!

"I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down." Abraham Lincoln

"God had a dream and wrapped your body around it." Lou Engle