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Moostletoe
Blurb
Fresh out of divinity school, Rev.
Samantha Evans is ready to conquer the world for Christ. She lands in Moose
Creek, Maine, a tiny backwater town with more moose per square mile than men.
Even worse, one of her new parishioners chews up new ministers for breakfast,
and he’s hell-bent on sending her packing.
Forest ranger Eric Palmer is done
with women. Determined to live simply with no encumbrances, he’s moved to
Northern Maine to study the moose population. With Christmas right around the
corner, he runs into his buddy, Sammie, the girl who’d been his best friend
when they were teenagers. Unlike most of the women in his life, he trusts her
implicitly. But could she ever be more than a friend?
When
Samantha’s career is on the line, Eric must save her job and rescue his own
shattered heart in the process. But how does Matilda the town moose factor in?
·
Excerpt from Moostletoe
As they
headed toward the fence at the back of the large yard, the trapped moose turned
her head and fastened Samantha with the longest, most distressed face she’d ever
seen. Somehow, the words “there’s a moose stuck in the fence” had not prepared
her for the sight of two hooves sticking to the top of tall pickets.
Poor
moosie indeed!
The TV
news reporter strode toward Eric and Travis, a determined set to his jaw.
Eric
took charge. “Dale, you can film, but be quiet about it and keep well back. I
know everybody loves Matilda, but she’s a wild animal and she’s scared. You
too, Mr. Tremblay.”
“We’ll
do our best to behave.” Dale smirked. “But the TV audience is going to eat this
up and we’re here to serve.”
Eric
grimaced. “She’s just a moose for crying out loud. People in Aroostook County
see them every day.”
The TV
crew moved into position. Eric glanced at Samantha. “Sammie you asked what you
can do. Your job is to pray we can get this moose out of trouble, fast.”
“Will
do.” Samantha nodded and clung to the fence line several yards away. Matilda puffed,
her breath sending up a cloud of steam. Samantha’s heart went out to the
creature, and she unleashed a silent prayer. If God cared for the lowly
sparrow, He surely loved the magnificent moose.
Eric’s
eyes zeroed in on the television camera as two men continued to edge closer.
“Confound it, Dale, stay back. Don’t you have a zoom on that contraption?”
The
cheeky, young reporter lifted his chin. “We’ll stay back as long as you give us
an exclusive after the rescue.”
Eric
planted his hands on his hips and huffed. “Exclusive? Dale, what do you think
this is? Portland? You’re the only TV station there is in these parts. Just
keep your distance. Hey, Tremblay? You have a small hatchet?”
A protest
erupted from the cameraman. “Surely, you’re not going to hurt that wild
animal.”
Eric
shook his head. “No, of course we’re not going to hurt her. We have to break up
the fence.”
Dale
cocked his head. “Why can’t you just yard on it until her feet come out?”
Huh? Samantha searched her memory banks. Yard on
it. Ah, yes. Pull hard.
“Do I
look suicidal? I’m not getting anywhere near those back hooves. We have a
crazed five-hundred-pound moose who’s not thinking straight, here.”
The
cameraman grumbled and when Eric turned his back, the cameraman made a hand
gesture that meant … Samantha wasn’t sure what it meant, but it couldn’t have
been nice.
Matilda
shifted her back feet, tried to maneuver backward and pitched a bit to the side.
The wooden fence scraped against her front fetlocks and she bellowed, a
terrible noise that rang hollow in the damp, night air. Terrified, her eyes
flicked back and forth, the whites showing. Helpless, Samantha prayed harder
and shuffled her feet to keep the circulation moving, her chest squeezing.
The
cameraman hefted his camera and aimed it at the reporter. The show was about to
begin.
·
What I’m thankful for
this Christmas
This Christmas, I am especially thankful for
Charles Shultz. The Peanuts cartoon guy? Yes, really, and I’ll tell you why. My
mother is a nonagenarian and last year, when she was 92, she was asked to give a
short devotional at her retirement center’s Christmas party. This was quite a big deal because there are
hundreds of active retirees who are, no doubt, not long for this world. Mom
wanted something different to say, something interesting and not too preachy. I
suggested that she re-inact the part of Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas
where he gives a speech about the true meaning of Christmas. Linus gives us a
recitation of the true meaning of Christmas by quoting a scripture passage:
Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)
8 And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.
The
story is so simple…and yet so life-changingly profound. Can’t you just imagine
my little ‘ole mother standing up in front of hundreds of people pretending to
be Linus? She even had a blanket as a prop. Maybe that performance made a
difference in someone’s life, or at least served as a reminder of what
Christmas is all about.
So
this Christmas, I’m not just praising God for a courageous Charles Schultz who
had the audacity to oppose the network and air this show the way he wrote it. I
am also praising God for a mother who continues to spread the message of hope
and love in her own little corner of the world. It is my mom’s life purpose,
even at age 93 now, to tell other’s that they are beloved children of God. How
wonderful is that?
Below
is the link to Linus’ speech if you’d care to share a little bit of Christmas
with me.
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