I Wanna Be Like Erma

 

 

There are a lot of you out there who probably don’t know who Erma Bombeck was. If you are one of those who don’t, in a nutshell, Erma was a humorist whose syndicated newspaper column, books, and public speaking ‘gigs’ made people smile, laugh, and become more comfortable in their own imperfect skin, for over thirty years. And she did it well. Very well. But humor wasn’t her only gift. She had a wisdom about her that countless people benefitted from. One of the wisest things Erma ever said was this: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and that I could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

I would very much like to be able to say that, too. And for it be true. I would like to believe most of you would, too. But it’s not enough to merely want it to be so, is it? If we want this to be true of us, we have to do. We must take responsibility for our own actions…how we use our talents. And yes, we all have them.

That is why, instead of taking up my usual amount of space talking about why Erma’s hope should be ours, and how to make it ours, I simply want to say this: God created each of us for specific and varied purposes. Multiple purposes to take us through the multiple stages and phases of our lives. So, go use them. Use them to share Jesus, show Jesus, grow closer to Jesus, and to help others want Jesus, too.

 

Be salt and light,

Darla, aka, Momma D

Who am I? 

I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself. I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

​

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

​

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

​

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

​

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

​

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

​

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

​

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

​

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

​

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.

Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

​

Where can you find me?

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store

 

Not Much of a Game

Two of my kids were especially fond of playing games when they were kids. They still are. And one of their favorites was a matching game using a deck of Garfield-themed cards. The deck consists of eighteen sets of Garfield in a variety of silly costumes. 

Over the years (35+) those cards have gotten a LOT of wear-n-tear. How much is a lot? Well, my card shark kids (and now grandkids) can distinguish several of the sets by the pattern of the wrinkles on the backside of the cards. Yep, that's right--in a lot of cases they don't even have to turn them over to know which is which. They think it's fun because it's an easy win. Not me. And no, it's not because I can't recognize them like they can. I can distinguish a few of them, but not enough to win the game...like that. But that's okay, because the way they play pretty much cancels out the reason for playing in the first place. 

The point of the game is supposed to be recall. But when they know which cards are which without ever turning them over, there's no recall involved. Not the intended kind, anyway. 

 So, what's the lesson here, you ask? 

The lessons I want you to take from this are to not let your kids settle for taking the easy way out and to teach them to rise to the occasion of a challenge. 

I'm not saying they should revert back to an old-fashioned encyclopedia instead of the internet or never eat a frozen waffle or buy pre-sliced apples. What I am saying, though, is that your kids shouldn't be encouraged or allowed to always take the easy 'A' classes, have you do most of the work on their class projects yet still receive all the credit, or 'earn' their way onto the team or cheer squad because your business generously offers to buy new uniforms. 

John F. Kennedy once said that "To whom much is given, much is expected." You could also turn that around and it would still be true: "To whom little is given, little is expected".  So, as a parent, if you don't challenge your children to grow in integrity and intellect, and if you don't challenge their curiosity and sense of adventure, it won't develop. Instead, they'll spend life doing only what is familiar, safe, and sure. 

Children ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NEED a certain amount of 'safe', 'familiar', and 'sure' in their lives. These things are necessary for building confidence and self-worth. These things help them lay claim to their identity. But too much of a good thing isn't really all that good. 

Love,

Momma D 

Who am I?

 

I’m Darla Noble—Author and Speaker with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.

I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, hanging out with my mini-dachshund, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

​

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

​

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

​

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I have to say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

​

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

​

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

​

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

​

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

​

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

​

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more. NOTE: Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

​

Where can you find me?

I am winding down the season of speaking and book signings before the holidays, but if you 'like' or 'follow' me on FACEBOOK you will know about any and all upcoming events. 

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore. 

 

                   

An Ecclesiastical Life

 

About the time this edition of the FOCUS hits your doorstep (or inbox) we, as a nation, will be paying our final respects to former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter’s legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, humanitarian, peacekeeper, and man of God has been at or near the top of the news headlines since the day of his passing. Mainstream media, as we all know, is always quick to criticize, ridicule, and mock anyone and anything that differs from their liberal views. But not this time. And would you like to know why? Because they can’t.

That’s right. They can’t. They can’t ridicule and mock President Carter because to do so would be a) utter foolishness, and b) a super-duper whopper-sized lie that even the media won’t touch.

For you see, President Jimmy Carter lived an ecclesiastical life. He knew what Solomon meant when he wrote: “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” ~Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 NIV

The first phrase in this passage—the one about the value of a good name—is easy to understand. But the day of death better than the day of one’s birth? What does that mean? And how could mourning someone possibly be better than celebrating (feasting) with them?

When we are born, we are all equal. Equally helpless, dependent, and positively pure and blameless. There’s not a single solitary mean thought or intention in our tiny little cute-as-a-bug bodies. But…

But over time and the passage of years, we make choices and decisions between good and bad and right and wrong. We choose to live loving fulfilling lives, or to live with a victim mentality. We develop such character traits as honor, integrity, loyalty, and kindness, or the traits of selfishness, passiveness, and intolerance. We choose to honor God. Or not. And on that day—the day we breathe our last—those who know us well, and even those who know of us will be left to bear witness to whether or not our death is one worth mourning.

The way we live, i.e., what we do, how we do it, who we do it to/with, and the motives which drive us, will either be celebrated or talked about. Let that sink in.

Of course, they (the media) talk about the energy crisis, the Iranian hostage situation, and several other things that happened during Carter’s presidency. But so did he. They have shared how sweeping Regan’s win over Carter was. But that’s what happened, and President Carter, being the man of integrity that he was, took it in stride and moved one. Yes, he, along with First Lady Rosalynn Carter, moved on to bigger (yes, even bigger than the presidency) and better things.

I won’t take the time to list these things because you have undoubtedly been reminded of them (or learning about them for the first time) over the last several days. Instead, I want to leave you with a single thought followed by a question.

The thought is this: The reason the media cannot criticize President Carter’s life and legacy is because there’s nothing to talk about. Instead, it is one worthy of only the highest and most genuine celebration.   

The question is this: When you die, will people talk about you, or will they be celebrating your life? 

Be salt and light, 

Darla, aka, Momma D 

Who am I?

 

I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.

I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

​

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

​

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

​

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

​

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

​

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

​

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

​

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

​

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

​

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.

Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

​

Where can you find me?

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store