The inscription on this pen reads: This Pen Has Been Stolen From: Montgomery Police Academy, 740 Mildred St., Montgomery, AL 36104"
While researching my latest novel, and spending countless hours with a class of young recruits, the staff presented me with  this pen. Today, I may receive some odd looks, but I find it fun to autograph Uncharted Waters with my pen!

When I was about 7 years old my parents gave me this doll for Christmas. I named him William, not knowing another William would come my way many years later. Believe it or not, my husband, William, was given this little William Tell cap when he was small. Somehow, the doll & the cap survived and now occupy this antique high chair. One more treasure can be found in the center of the high chair tray. It's a picture of my friend and me days after receiving our Christmas dolls. We are all dressed for school to share our Christmas gifts for "Show & Tell."

Why do I bother to relate this story? Yes, I' sentimental, but I see more than emotions here. Each item serves as a reminder of something, and Someone, far greater. I believe God uses the ordinary to point us to the extraordinary. He cares about all the details of our lives and leaves us memorials to remind us of His goodness. Are your valuables on display? Better yet, can everyone see the ultimate treasure living in your heart?

Do you like to admit a weakness? Neither do I.  In fact, weakness was not even in my vocabulary as my husband and I planned our July anniversary trip to Colorado.

As I look back on it all,  it seemed like a dream come true. When I was a child my dad worked for the railroad so I've always been fascinated with trains. Well, the wheels really started to turn when  Bill and I watched the vintage train adventure  in the Rockies sponsored by Country Travel Discoveries.

Your patience might wear thin if I tired to recap the five fascinating adventures including Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Durango, Silverton and more. Taking your breath away, however, turned into an understatement because, by the second day, I began to feel strange. Breathless. Was this the usual sinus attack? I didn't think so. We tried allergy medications, nasal sprays, etc. but nothing worked. By the end of the week, I was coughing more than any steam engine and, frankly, counting the hours before reaching home. Finally, after a delayed flight, we made it and, by God's grace, were able to see the physician the next day.

Pneumonia. Not a pleasant diagnosis. Why am I telling you this story? I'm sharing it because God was showing me more than scenery on this anniversary. God was, in fact, reminding me of why I fell in love with this man in the first place. Bill is a man who lives out Ephesians 5:25 everyday. "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . ." The marriage vows, "in sickness and in health" are meant to be remembered.

Now the weakness is exposed, and yet I can say with assurance: "This was the best anniversary ever!