Cumberland Falls "Moonbow" Corbin, KY







I'd like to share a story with you . . .




~TELEPHONES IN CHURCHES~

A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.
Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD.

The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Kentucky, upon entering a church in Louisville, Kentucky, behold - he saw the usual golden telephone.

But THIS time, the sign read, "Calls: 35 cents."

Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute.

Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"

I love this part.............................
The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in Kentucky now ......
You're in God's Country, It's a local call."

American by Birth - A Kentuckian by the Grace of God !

(I do not know the original author)

. . . As for me I was born a "Yankee" from Connecticut, but my life's journey has brought me to Kentucky. I must admitt, when I first came, I was reluctant and did not understand many things I saw or heard here. But the landscape is welcoming, the people genuine and warm hearted---they'll wave at ANYBODY when they drive by, they don't have to know you--but they will aknowledge you in a friendly manner. Unnecessary--maybe, but genuine and friendly none-the-less (and, yes, I do wave at pass'er bys and Amish buggies).

As I venture out to other places and big cities across the country, I enjoy the entertainment and opportunites for fun--but I am always glad to come HOME to Kentucky. Big cities can keep their super-highways, toll roads, grid-lock traffic, and high prices. Give me a curvy country backroad any day :) These days I find myself interpreting KY ways and traditions to other new-comers.

So perhaps, Kentucky is not the only place God calls home, BUT it is the place I call HOME.

Perhaps, sometime I can show you around MY HOME STATE, Kentucky.
Your Friend in KY, Laura

PS--I am friendly so if you post/e-mail a comment to me and include your email address, I WILL email you back. Always open to making new Friends.

Holiday Wishes & Year End Highlights

December 2007

Dear Friends & Family,

This Holiday Season marks the end of 2007. Along with the Holiday festivities, comes a time for reflection and an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends.

This has been an AMAZING year of learning and growth for me. I have come to appreciate this quote: "Life is the Hardest Teacher, it gives the Test first, the lesson after." (I do not know the author)

2007 began with the decision to end the union between Scott and I. We both touched each other's lives for a reason, but ultimately our 'lessons yet to be learned' led us on different paths. Our divorce was finalized in February. Logan and Sierra (pictured above) have adjusted to the changes, but look forward to every opportunity to visit with Scott. Logan, Sierra, and I have remained in the "work-in-progress" house on Nolin Road.

Change often leads to other doors of opportunity. One of which was to spend time exploring and re-evaluating ME--I have read books, met new people, reconnected with old friends, discussed new ideas, and traveled extensively. I could fill pages, but I'll mention just a few:
* New Favorite Books: "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill, "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olsen, " Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki , "Love Languages" by Gary Chapman
* New Favorite Movies: " The Secret" and "Facing the Giants"
* New Favorite Singer: Dixie Trahan
* Same Favorite Pastime: Talking & Visiting with Friends

I am currently working at a local rural hospital in a neighboring county. I am the only Occupational Therapist and have 1 assistant. I have been there a year and a half. Although I miss the friends I made while working at the nursing home, I have made new friends and enjoy the stimulating challenges that come with in-patient, out-patient, and home-health clients. This is exactly where I need to be during this time of my life.

Another change was my decision to pursue a self-education in marketing and business (ironic I know to those aware of my previous aversion to such). Although I enjoy my career in OT, I want to expand my knowledge and skills. Learning about business and economics will strengthen my financial skills. I have also discovered marketing to be a good fit for my creativity and love of communicating with people. True marketing is communication, and does not require pushy, aggressive sales. I am currently working with a line of nutritional and health products thru the Vitamark Corp. (A congruent fit with my primary focus this year on my personal health and fitness-- a work in progress.) So if any of you know someone looking to make changes in their health or would be interested in sampling new prodects--feel free to pass on my name and contact information.

Highlights of My Year include:
*Watching Ean (my nephew) rise to the responsibility of "Big-Brother"
*Visiting Tampa, FL and eating Grouper for the 1st time
*Watching my brother give the Sunday sermon in his congregation
*Learning to cook with Super Soy (dehydrated meat substitute)
*Getting a new hairstyle in Detroit
*A boat ride on a North Carolina lake with my Dad and nephew Ean
*A new niece, Lydia born on 7/5/07 (my step-brother's little girl)
*My friend from NY moving to Glendale, KY (only 6 miles away)
*A greater appreciation for the details
*Losing 40 lbs
*The privilege of proof-reading a friend's autobiography
*Watching my little sister Melissa successfully tackle the challenges of college while working full-time
*Watching Eli (my youngest nephew, 16 months) learn to walk & shoot a basketball *grin*

One of the Biggest Highlights of 2007 was my first cruise to the Carribean. I traveled on Norwegian Cruise Lines to Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Cozumel. My adventures included swimming with the dolphins and parasailing! This trip also afforded me the opportunity to re-connect with a friend and former college roommate Sara. I had an amazing time and will definitely cruise again.

If success in life can be measured by the people in one's life----I am truly blessed and extremely wealthy!!! My warmest thoughts and best wishes are with
All of the Special People who touch my life.

Wishing you all a Happy Healthy Holiday,
Laura, Sierra, and Logan

PS- I now use email on a regular basis, so feel free to email me anytime: llucas.success@gmail.com
OR. . . check out my latest posts at "YourFriendinKY.blogspot.com"
My other sites: "successtransformations.vitamark.com" & "CraveTheRush.com"

What an Amazing Year for Challenges, Growth, and Joy!!

me. . . Parasailing in Belize!

WOW, the Year 2007 is almost gone. And what a year for me it has been. This year has included some of the hardest challenges, saddest moments, and greatest Joys in my life thus far.

*This year I faced the loss of love, friendship, and pre-conceived dreams with the termination of my marriage.

*This year I faced my GREATEST enemy and made a NEW friend--I found both within myself.

*This year I am learning to let go of Fear and Control---the only thing I can control is my own mind.

*This year I have made some of the most Amazing Friends!!! and met some very interesting People!!!

*This year I have TRAVELED- Tampa, Houston, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.

>>>I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea:

My Life has TRANSFORMED this Year.

I have learned the true measure of SUCCESS.

The following expert summarized my thoughts for this Year well. . . .

December 10

Challenges

"The ultimate measure of a man is not wherehe stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but wherehe stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King Jr.

What our friends know of us while the sun is shining is one thing -- what they find out about us when the darkness closes in is something else altogether. It doesn't take a person of very great character to reflect a bit of glory when there is beauty and brightness all around, but let a person be tested by hardship or pain and then, if there's no light coming from inside that person's heart, the darkness will be dark indeed.

Challenges show us our weaknesses. All of us have some of these, of course; there is no use denying that we do. But we may not pay adequate attention to our weaknesses until some crisis makes us aware of them. And to that end, challenges are good for us. Whatever helps us see the areas where we're vulnerable is a thing to be thankful for. Wise people want to know, as soon as possible, where they need to shore up their defenses, and challenges offer us that opportunity.

But challenges also show us our strengths. Just as we each have our weaknesses, we each have our strengths also. And just as challenges force us to look honestly at our weaknesses, the same challenges may surprise us by bringing to light some strengths that we didn't know we had. "Within us all there are wells of thought and dynamos of energy which are not suspected until emergencies arise" (Thomas J. Watson). When we have to take one of life's hard "exams," we make not make a perfect score, but often we do better than we ever thought we could.So, when all is said and done, what's the main thing that we want from life? Is it simply ease and pleasure? If that's all we want and we're discontent when we get anything else, then we probably have our sights set too low. The fact is, there are several things, such as character growth, that should have a higher priority than ease and pleasure. And if the goodness of something is judged by what it does for our character, then we'd have to say that challenges and tests, however difficult or unpleasant, should be placed in the "good" category.

"Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we askbut when we are challenged to be what we can be." Morris Adler

"Thank You!"

To all those who touched my life this year

I thank you for whatever contribution you made.

I am Grateful for my Year of Transformation.

I wish YOU all a

a Happy Healthy Holiday.

Your Friend in KY,

Laura

SMILE!!

"I've learned....

That a smile is an inexpensive way

to improve your looks. "

Andy Rooney

Joy in the Moment

Fall is My Favorite time of year. The wonderful array of fall colors in the foliage and harvested produce becomes "Art." Too often in the past, the fall colors come and go without my taking time to truly "savor" the time-of-year.

This year, I was invited to my first Pumpkin Carving. I generally considered carving pumpkins as an activity children do with their parents at home. However, my friend Donna elevated the activity to a "Social Event." Complete with good food, dear friends, perfect weather, stimluating conversation, and topped with mulled cider. We had a Great time!!

Then I realized, how often have I said "We should get together sometime" then NOT--time gets away or I get "too busy." Somehow though I MAKE time for events, such as Birthdays, Christmas, Weddings, etc. I have resolved that Life is Best seasoned, like the sprinkling of salt, with many "little" memorable events with friends and loved ones. In the end, it is those moments that help determine the value of MY life. If giving a get-together a "Name" or "Labeled-purpose" helps make-it-happen, so be it.

I want to challenge each and everyone of YOU to find a reason to celebrate--ie. Un-Birthdays, Girls-Night-Out, or Just-Because.

Living is in the Details.

I wish the best of this Fall Season to all My Friends & Loved Ones.

Butterfly Transformations

I found myself drawn to the symbol of the Butterfly this year. Although several different creatures begin in one form and change into another form as they progress thru the stages of life, the Butterfly most fittingly captures the struggle involved in transforming, the achievement of beauty, and freedom of flight.

It is the effort expended to break out of the chrysallis that builds the strength necessary for survival and flight of the newly emerged Butterfly. Without the struggle, the butterfly would be too weak to survive it's new life. My struggles in life took on a new meaning, once I realized that the lessoned to be learned would provide me with the strengths I will need in the future.

Freedom of flight for me, means : Freedom of Thought, Freedom of Time, and Financial Freedom. While living my life with both inward and outward beauty.

So. . . How Does One Become a Butterfly????

You Must Be Willing to Give Up Being a Caterpillar.