Guest Author, Sherry Shindelar

Sherry is a critique partner, prayer partner, and friend. You will be touched and encouraged by her books.

 

The Story that Held my Heart Captive

The story of Cynthia Anne Parker captured my heart a couple decades ago, and she still haunts my imagination. Her story inspired my novel, Texas Forsaken, and my newly released prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, which is part of the Freed by the Frontier novella collection.

Cynthia was taken captive by the Comanche at age nine during an attack on her family’s fort on the Texas frontier in 1836. Her father and several other extended family members were killed, and her brother John, her cousin Rachel, and a couple other family members were captured along with her.

Her Aunt Elizabeth was rescued a couple months after the attack. Her cousin Rachel, who had been badly abused by the tribe, was returned a couple of years later and died within a year of her return. John adopted the Comanche lifestyle and lived with the tribe for years before eventually leaving the tribe to farm in Mexico. But Cynthia became Comanche and became an integral part of the tribe for over twenty-four years.

She married an influential war chief, Peta Nocona, and had three children with him, including Quanah Parker, a powerful Comanche chief. Several times over the years, Indian agents and traders attempted to ransom her, but she refused to go, and the tribe refused to trade her.

In December 1860, Texas Rangers attacked her village and captured her and her baby girl, Prairie Flower (Topsanah), killing everyone else in the village. Eventually, one of Cynthia’s relatives claimed her and took her to live with his family, but she refused to accept this new life that was being forced upon her. Several times, she tried to run away to the open plains, desperate to find her husband and her sons. Her uncle eventually agreed to help her look for her people, but they’d have to wait until the Civil War ended.

Prairie Flower died, word came that Cynthia’s son Pecos had passed away, as well, and the Civil War dragged on. Cynthia lost hope of ever being reunited with two remaining members of her beloved family, Nocona and Quanah.  Overcome by sadness and longing, she sank into a deep depression and died of a broken heart. 

Cynthia Ann’s story, the story of a woman torn between cultures, has perplexed, intrigued, and haunted me since I read it. My heart aches for her loss, and questions flood my mind. Some stories are like that. They stay with you, and this one was all the more indelible because it was true and filled with unknowns.

The Lord placed the idea on my heart to write a story about forgiveness, healing from trauma, and love overcoming all odds.

In Texas Forsaken, Book One of my Lone Star Redemption series, I developed a character inspired by Cynthia Ann, started at the moment of crisis, and wrote a different trajectory. I couldn’t give Cynthia Ann a happy resolution, but I could give my character Eyes-Like-Sky a muted happy-ever-after. Eyes-Like-Sky has a second chance at life and love.

Wichita Path Sacrifice, my novella, which is included in Freed by the Frontier, is the prequel and is inspired by the captive stories of Cynthia Ann Parker and her cousin, Rachel Plummer. Eyes-Like-Sky must choose between fighting to escape back to the world she once knew, or daring to hope for a life with the warrior who has captured her heart.

In both of these stories, I wanted the reader to see that the Lord can bring good and blessings, even out of the direst of circumstances when we turn our hearts to Him.

“Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.”  Psalm 30: 5b

 

 Buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Freed-Frontier-Lone-Star-Redemption-ebook/dp/B0GX2WN3ZB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

 

Social Media Links:

Instagram: sherryshindelarauthor  https://www.instagram.com/sherryshindelarauthor/ 

FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/historylitgirl/   Sherry Shindelar Author 

Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/134972322-sherry-shindelar  

Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/527022753

 

Acts 29 Rerun

This summer we studied through the book of Acts at our church. This last week, we finished the book and wondered what was next for Paul. And what is next for us? What story is God writing for us next in our lives.

 

I found this post from a few years ago, another study of Acts from the same church.

 

April 21, 2023

 

At church this week we studied from the book of Acts.

 

Acts 1:7-8: He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

Our pastor, Matt, said Jesus gave a table of contents here for the rest of the book of Acts, through chapter 28. I’m not sure where I heard it, but someone said we are living in Acts chapter 29.

 

Acts 2:42-47: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

Matt went on to talk about the church, a community of people who were joined together by belief in Jesus. He said this is talking about us in 2023.

 

The church two thousand years ago and now, are a group who give ourselves to God’s word, to prayer, to meeting the needs of those around us, and to showing why others should want to be a part of God’s family.

 

That is as true now as it was in the first century. God will add people to his church if they see us loving each other and those around us. We may not all be great friends or agree about everything, but we agree on this: Jesus, his word, his ways. 

Can I Memorize This?

I asked God to give me a message. These were the two verses I read next.

 

Proverbs 16:24

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

 

Ecclesiastes 7:9:

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,

For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

 

I am so quick to snap at my family, especially my husband. I asked God to show me a few more verses about kindness. This is what he gave me.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

 

Ephesians 4: 32:

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

I used to memorize Scripture a lot. I remember that when we first got married, I told Murray that I was working on memorizing the book of James

 

My memorization goals became less as the years passed, but I know I kept that goal in mind.

 

Then fourteen years ago, when I was brain injured, I told myself that I didn’t even need to try. I would still read the Bible, of course, and write down special verses.

 

Now I wonder if I could try to memorize again. I’m not starting with full books, but I’m going to try just a few verses at a time. 

A Few Special Books

I am so grateful for the wide variety of books which are available to me.

 

Isaiah’s Legacy, A Novel of Prophets and Kings by Mesu Andrews. A beautifully written story set in Old Testament times. Surrounding the life of King Manasseh, the son of King Hezikiah, describing with incredible wonder God’s unfathomable grace in forgiving horrible sin when there is true forgiveness.

 

Embers in the London sky: a novel by Sarah Sundin. A Fascinating story of World War II in London. The Blitz and murder.

 

My beloved by Jan Karon. A fresh New Mitford story, with Tim and Cynthia, many old friends and some new. A lovely community, beautiful surroundings. God showers his grace on those who need it.

 

The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse. A delightful story of love and mercy and paleontologists in Wyoming in the 1880s. Part of a series.

 

They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin. My favorite line in the book: “There is more grace in Jesus than sin in us.” There is a beautiful chapter on how much God wants us to know his fatherly love for us.

God is our Savior and Lord. To obey him, we make him and what he wants the center of our life, not ourselves and what we want. Luke 9:23-24: “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.’”

Beautiful pictures of God’s love and acceptance of us, of his taking our punishment so we could be with him.

Two Salad Reruns from Kathy's Kitchen

Well, both of these certainly look like they’re good to revisit.

 

Summer Salad From Kathy’s Kitchen

 

August 5, 2022

 

I got this recipe from Marilyn, who was my boss. We’re eating salads more often these days, and I’d love if you’d share favorite recipes with me.

 

Just reading this one makes my mouth water.

 

SEVEN LAYER SALAD,

 

Ingredients:

One head or bag of lettuce

One bag frozen peas (frozen or fresh broccoli can be substituted.)

One large onion chopped well

One pound of crisp bacon crumbled

One to two cups shredded mozzarella cheese

4 to 6 hard-boiled eggs sliced

one to two cups Miracle Whip

paprika

parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

Put lettuce in a large salad bowl.

Layer frozen peas on top of the lettuce

Layer onion on top of peas.

Layer bacon on top of onions.

Layer mozzarella cheese on top of bacon.

Layer sliced eggs on top of cheese

Spoon Miracle Whip over entire top of salad.

Sprinkle top with paprika and parmesan cheese.

For best results cover and refrigerate overnight.

Or cover and shake well. Or serve it up just as it is.

 

Summer Fruit Salad from Murray’s Kitchen

 

August 1, 2025

 

Combine chopped apples, sliced grapes, sliced bananas and berries of your choice. Murray used blueberries, and we loved it.

 

For dressing use honey, lemon juice and mayonnaise to suit your taste. This was a big hit in our home. 

Guest Author, Diane Samson

 

I love Diane’s books. They are fascinating and important.

 

 

I’m thrilled to be a part of Kathy’s blog! Kathy has proofread several of my novels in my Young Adult Fantasy series, Gems of Fire, as well as my new release, Gems of the Sea, which is the first in a next-generation series called “Gems Rising.”

People often ask me what inspired me to write. I was once at a writing conference where the speaker asked if the inspiration for us being there began with one book: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. At least 75 percent of the people in the room raised their hands. I was no exception.

The Narnia works were so powerful to me as a child and in simple terms, I remember as a 10-year-old wanting to make others feel how those books made me feel. And it wasn’t just the feeling—it was the life lessons gleaned from those pages.

I heard a pastor once mention that the reason we love stories is because the great ones echo the great story, or the one true story of the Bible, namely the gospel of Jesus. He claimed that even in various cultures throughout the world, all the myths that move people the most echo that one great true myth.

I took a class in college called Biblical Themes in American Literature. The professor made a similar point. While not allegories, these stories, many of which are classics like Steinbeck’s East of Eden, carry types, whispers, are echoes of Biblical stories. Many times a type of Christ will be seen such as in the British literature classic A Tale of Two Cities where Carton gives up his life at the guillotine so the people he loves may live.

In How Harry Cast His Spell, John Granger makes the point that Harry Potter is inherently a Christian work. The only wizards who use any form of true dark magic are the dark wizards, for one, but ultimately the Harry Potter story demonstrates the story of Jesus in that the power of love conquers death. This theme is hit over and over throughout from Harry’s mother’s protective “spell” of love to Harry himself willingly laying down his life for his friends.

J.R. Tolkien made this very point to C.S. Lewis and was one reason C.S. Lewis converted to Christianity. Tolkien argued that the myths Lewis loved were based on the one true myth, the one great story told throughout the pages of the Bible, leading up to the cross and not ending there—one day Jesus is coming back.

The prince coming to rescue and return life to a sleeping bride is the story of our hope in Jesus returning to rescue us. The story of the warrior who slays the dragon is a type of Jesus who ultimately will conquer Satan and rule the world. And of course the story of the one who sacrifices himself to save others goes without saying. Jesus is the story under every other story, Tolkien argues. And every great story whispers His name.

The books Wired for Story and Story Genius by Lisa Cron hits the same points, although she doesn’t come from a Christian point of view necessarily. She says our brains are literally wired for story. She argues that humans evolved around campfires, learning survival skills from stories. (Uncle Bob ate those berries and died…or Aunt Sally provoked a bear and look what happened, etc.)

Over time, the telling of stories was how we learned—at first to survive, and then later out of a desire to stem curiosity and learn about our world.

Two things can be true at once. Our brains can be wired for story and the ones most meaningful have echoes of the one true story embedded inside them. Perhaps it’s no accident that Jesus taught in parables—though sometimes confusing for us, His audience seemed to glean every word of his parables, often taken from the surrounding environment.

My stories contain Biblical themes, but I’ve never written them as allegory or trying to teach anything specific. I’ve always wanted anyone—of any faith— to enjoy them first as stories. And if they find a greater story lying beneath, all the better.

 

website: 

www.dianesamsonauthor.com

 

 Gems of the Sea Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6CJTMD3

 

 

Psalm 33, Joy from God

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

 

Father, we have so much reason to be joyful and to praise you. All that you have done to show your love for us. All the strength you have to fill us with awe. Thank you that you desire to have us as your people. 

Crying Out to be Gawked at, Rerun

This first appeared on my blog in September of 2015. Precious memories

 

 

“Somebody should really wash all this stuff.” That’s a note I remember from almost twenty-eight years ago, when Murray and I lived in our first apartment on Willow Way. I was pawing through the dirty clothes one day and found a braille note left in there for me. Another Day I found a note taped to a light switch saying: “This is art. It’s crying out to be gawked at.”

 

Over the years, I’ve found many others from Murray, in my lunch and in other more unexpected places. He often wrote out words to songs for me—such as one about how everything that’s happening is happening at the zoo—and other sweetie notes.

 

When I was working, the kids were smart and knew that the best place to leave a note for me was taped to the coffee pot. That was the first place I’d go in the morning, even before I took a shower. Rebecca often left me notes, usually telling me to wake her up either before or after my shower, depending on how late she had stayed up and how much studying she still needed to do.

 

A note from Sarah warned me not to go into the girls’ room that morning. They’d been up late the night before, putting their bunk bed together, and it was still sticking out in the middle of the room. That must have been before Murray asked me to stop waking everybody up to say good-bye before I left.

 

Many of these notes I now find in my Bible, especially Rebecca’s coffee pot notes, because I’d sit down and read my Bible while I drank my coffee. I’d slip the notes into the page I was reading from that day. Now they’re a nice surprise when I read those chapters again. Most of Rebecca’s notes ask me to wake her up, usually with “please!!!” included, sometimes a threat of what she’ll do to me if I don’t wake her up on time. A note from Caleb lets me know he was leaving early for work before any of the rest of us got up, because he was filling in for “a dude.”

 

I love finding these as I’m reading my Bible, but I know there are many other notes packed away in other places. I look forward to finding them someday, and I don’t think about it often, so it will be a surprise and a joy when I do. And it will always be art, crying out to be gawked at.