Ezine-Issue 1

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Contents
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1. Introduction
2. Just for fun
3. News from TheLillyPond.com
4. I know what she said
5. What's your story
6. Reach out
7. Contact me

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1. Introduction
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Thank you for subscribing to my ezine. We're all
working to improve our relationships with our
mothers and daughters and the other important
women in our families.

I've found strength and direction when I remember
lessons and stories from my mother. I hope you
enjoy them and I look forward to reading stories
from you.

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2. Just for fun
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For about ten years my dad worked for the missions
department of a church group headquartered in
southwest Missouri. As a result, missionaries from
all over the world came through our town, often
leaving their children there to attend school.

These kids endured such pressure. They were
expected to be holier, more spiritual and of
course, they should be preparing to be
missionaries themselves since they were, after
all, missionary's kids. But in fact, they were
just regular kids, sometimes continents away from
home. And Mother worried about them. A lot.

And she took action. She started a social group
for them called SPOMKs. Society for the
Preservation of Missionary Kids. They loved it and
we had a party with 30 to 40 kids of all ages each
month. They could come in from the pressure, just
be themselves and just have fun as kids, knowing
that everybody else there understood what the
pressure of being a missionary's kid was like.

In the fall, Mother would have a Halloween party
for them and there's one thing we learned about
missionary kids. They all participated and had
some of the most creative costumes.

But one year, one young man was bragging about how
nobody could ever trick him. Mother was the
consummate trickster so, for her, this guy became
a big challenge.

After bobbing for apples, and putting on a few
other party games, Mother had a contest to see who
could eat their caramel apple the fastest. She
made sure this young man was in the group and that
his (and only his) apple was really a caramel
onion. Yes, this trick required skill and
planning.

He was so determined to win that he was halfway
through his onion before he realized what he was
eating. Then he looked at the other people in the
contest and said, "Those dummies are eating
onions!" Like he wasn't. Then he realized that his
was the only one, and that he had given himself
away by being so quick to sound off.

He looked at Mother and she gave him her very
innocent look. And he grinned real big. He fell in
love with my mother that day and he learned what
I'd known all our lives. You better get up pretty
early in the morning if you want to stay ahead of
my mom. Just when you'd start to get a little
cocky, there she'd be with her innocent little
grin and you with a little egg on your face.

### Lillian Hinds ###

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3. News from thelillypond.com
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I will be in The Lilly Pond Chat Room next Tuesday
night, May 15, at 7:00 Central Time. So get online
and let's have a little chat.

I'm adding articles and features almost every day
so check back to the website and see what's new.

Go to www.thelillypond.com and look around.

We'll be posting serious information and tips for
working through your relationships with your
mother, your daughters, your grandmother, your
granddaughters, your step-mother, and on and on.

And we'll have some fun.

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4. I know what she said
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In the fall of 1971, Mother and Daddy went to
Africa for six weeks. Daddy had wanted to visit
there for as long as he could remember and this
was a dream come true. They started in (then
called) Elizabethville, going through various
countries and ending up in Johanasburg. Along the
way, they spent about 10 days with Mary and Elmer
Deal who were missionaries to Zaire (well it was
the Congo when they left the United States and by
the time they arrived, it was Zaire. Now it is the
Congo again!)

They had all been friends for many years and
enjoyed the time together. Mother and Daddy were
so overwhelmed by the fantastic scenery, the
beautiful animals and most of all the hearts of
the people they met there.

One day Mary took Mother to meet one of the ladies
in their church. With Mary interpreting, the woman
asked if Mother would sit with her on the porch of
her small home. Mother sat with her in silence
for quite a while. The woman never spoke, but just
smiled at Mother and every once in a while, she
would reach over to pat Mother's hand. (Women
everywhere in the world know how to visit!)

When they were ready to go, the woman said
something to Mary and she turned to Mother to
translate. But Mother stopped her. "You don't need
to tell me; I already know what she said." Mary
was a little bit surprised since Mother didn't
speak the language. But Mother went on. "She
wanted to thank me for sending you over here, to
tell her about Jesus." Mary was stunned to say the
least. That was just what the woman had said.

How did Mother know? She couldn't read minds but
she was pretty good at reading hearts. She and the
other woman both had Christ in their hearts.
Mother told me later that it was so clear to her
that this lady was so very grateful for the grace
of God in her life, and the opportunity to hear
about Jesus' love and forgiveness from the Deals.
God gave Mother and Mary a special gift that day.
One that Mother brought home and shared with me.
And I am glad to pass it along to you.

Philippians 2:1-2 -- If you have any encouragement
from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if
any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy
complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and purpose.

### Lillian Hinds ###

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5. What's your story?
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One of the most valuable resources we have in this
world is each other. I'm hopeful that stories and
lessons my mother taught me will be a blessing to
you. Perhaps you have a lesson your mother taught
you or a story that lifts you up and would be of
help to someone else.

Maybe you learned to deal with the loss of your
mother. Or maybe you have a tip to help mothers
survive their teenagers. Maybe you have a story
that's just plain funny. Whatever it is, I would
be delighted if you'd send it to me for sharing
here in this ezine. Include your name, city and
state and tell me whether you want us to publish
your full name, or just initials, or your location
only.

Just send your story by email to
stories@thelillypond.com

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6. Reach out
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If you know someone who would enjoy having The
Lilly Pond ezine, please feel free to forward this
email in its entirety to them.

If you received this ezine from a friend and you
would like to subscribe and receive your own copy
of The Lilly Pond, you can go to thelillypond.com
and subscribe for free or just send a blank email
to thelillypond@thelillypond.com

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7. Contact me
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Your comments are welcome at
lil@thelillypond.com

Thanks for reading!

With all my heart,
Lillian

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