Shirley Brosius

January 1, 1970

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colorful foliage, especially the reds against yellows and greens that my husband and I saw on a recent trip upstate to see the elk that roam near Benezette, Pennsylvania. We set the alarm for 6:30 a.m. so that we could be at a viewing area when the sun came up, and we were not disappointed! About two dozen elk, some balancing huge antlers, nibbled leafy breakfasts as they crossed a gully and climbed a hillside. It was unbelievably peaceful sitting on a bench overlooking a patchwork quilt of forests and fields.

Part of the fun of the trip (for me; Bill might not agree) was shopping at Ivan’s, a small dress shop located in St. Mary’s, where I bought a beautiful sweater set. On the way home we also visited Wellsboro, where I set up a book signing for Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference at From My Shelf Books during their Dickens of a Christmas weekend.

On December 1, craft vendors will line Wellsboro’s streets dressed in capes, hats, long skirts, knickers, boots and, of course, warm gloves or mittens. Strolling carolers, brass bands and sometimes kicking penguins or performing dogs add to the holiday atmosphere. Some churches hold bazaars or feature musicians and choirs in evening Christmas concerts. There’s plenty of food—funnel cakes, hot chocolate, apple dumplings and hot sandwiches. Gas lights and lighted trees line the grass plot of Main Street, and when it snows, the town has that magical quality of a Christmas card.

Two friends and I, who call ourselves Friends of the Heart, are quite excited about an upcoming engagement at Crescent Beach Baptist Church in St. Augustine, Florida. I thank God for bringing us together. Ministering is always a blessed experience, but ministering with two friends is even more exciting. I’ll list our scheduled events at the end of this newsletter. You can learn more about us at www.womenspeakers.com. Just search for Friends of the Heart.

I cannot believe how quickly Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching. It is so true that the older you get, the faster time flies. I feel as though I need a month just to catch my breath. But God never gives us more to do than time to do it. I feel blessed to be healthy and enjoying the journey. That journey includes a trip to State College tomorrow (November 15), where I’ll be interviewed about Sisterhood of Faith by Karen Walker on Way, Truth, Life Radio (107.1 FM) at 12:35 p.m. Now THAT makes me a bit nervous. However, it is a wonderful opportunity God has given me, so I’m embracing the experience, and I’ll try not to stutter.

Rather than write a monthly newsletter, I’m going to send it out bi-monthly, so I’ll be back in touch after the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessed Christmas to you all.

Shirley Brosius

Upcoming events:

November 18, 10:30 a.m. - Dramatic presentation of the book of Philippians from memory at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View.

December 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Book signing at From My Shelf Books, Wellsboro, PA.

December 2, 1 to 3 p.m. - Book signing at Borders Bookstore, Lycoming Mall, Williamsport.

December 8 - Speaking at Women's Christmas Dinner at Crescent Beach Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL, with Friends of the Heart.

December 15, 1 to 3 p.m. - Book signing at Berean Bookstore, 1625 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA.

December 16, 1 to 3 p.m. - Book signing at Waldenbooks, Colonial Park Shopping Center, Harrisburg, PA.

January 19-20, 2008 - Leading women's retreat for First United Methodist Church in Hershey with Friends of the Heart. Event will be held at Camp Hebron, Halifax. Theme - Serving: The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love.

January 26-28, 2008 - Leading women's retreat for Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church in Connecticut with Friends of the Heart. Theme - Serving: The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love.

February 8-10, 2008 - Leading women's retreat for Camp Hebron as a member of Friends of the Heart. Theme - Celebrating the Christian Life at any Age, at any Stage.

May 4, 9:30 a.m. - Speaking on "Passing On Your Legacy" at Council of Catholic Women, Watson Inn, Watsontown.