NEW!!!  Excerpt from

Abby the Sheep

The third book in The Eyes of the Stable Series

by Christie Gerschutz

Copyright © 2008

CRM Books

ISBN: 1-933341-30-0

Reading Level:  Grades 2-5
 

He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Emma O'Brien walked to the top of the hill, the dew-laden grass cool and soft on her bare feet.  As she loved to do at sunrise, she knelt down and drank in the view.  Low, rolling hills covered the landscape, their green trees and swaying grass rustling with birds and wildlife.  A hazy mist lay softly on the scene, slowly lifting with the rising June sun.  The clouds on the horizon were radiant with vivid colors, and the sky above was a stunning azure blue.

She breathed in the sweet smell of Kentucky bluegrass and looked over at her family's cows.  The cow pasture was carpeted with the beautiful grass, its bluish-green tint matching her eyes.  Mabel, Feisty, and Blaze grazed contently, occasionally lifting their heads to stare at the little eight-year-old daydreaming on the hill.

Emma's white teeth flashed in a grin as she thought of the time her cousin Eric had tried to ride Mabel.  The memory of his landing smack on his backside made her giggle.  As she turned her eyes back to the view in front of her, she noticed that a tiny sparrow had lighted on a large rock beside her.  Emma's eyes turned a deep sapphire blue with delight.

"How er you, little feller?" she asked.

He merrily tweeted in reply, cocking his head as if studying the girl.  Emma's black Labrador, Hank, growled at the trespasser.

"Hank, stop that. He ain't hurtin' no one."

"Emma!"

Her mother's voice made Emma start.  She jumped up and looked back towards the farm, where her mother, Faye, was standing on the porch.

"Yeah, Ma?"

"Time to go get your chores done! Faye hollered.

Emma sighed heavily. "Oh, c'mon, Hank. Let's go."

The faithful dog trotted cheerfully after her, not understanding but happy to be along.  Emma walked down the hill, casting a wistful glance at the scene behind her.  Mabel lumbered in the door of the big brown barn to wait for Emma.  Emma pulled out the cumbersome wooden bucket and set it on the ground under Mabel.  Plunking down on the three-legged stool, she began the tedious work of milking the hefty black-and-white animal.  Mabel stood obediently until Emma was finished, then plodded back out to the pasture to join her fellow bovine.  Emma lugged the heavy bucket up to the front porch, the frothy milk sloshing against the sides of the container.

"Here's the milk, Ma."  She set it on the porch outside the door of the two-story wooden plank house.

Her mother walked out, wiping her hands on her crisp white apron.  "Thank you Emma," she said, looking down at the bucket.  "My, Mabel sure is giving a lot of milk.  We'll have lots of fresh milk and butter now that the calf won't be taking up most of it."

"I guess so.  It still seems so sad that they have to be taken away from their mothers so soon.  Oh!  Ma, do you think Feisty's gonna have a calf?"  Emma fairly danced at the thought.  "She sure is gettin' fat."

Faye smiled and answered, "Ask your father when he gets home."

"Is that a yes?  Is it?" she persisted.

"Emma, I'm not saying yes or no.  Just ask your father what he thinks."

"What who thinks about what?" a deep voice called.

Emma turned and looked up the path.  Her sixteen-year-old cousin, Eric, was coming down the lane with two bucketfuls of fresh strawberries from the field, his tan face and arms glistening with sweat from the sun.

"Eric!  Feisty's gonna have a calf!"

"Emma!" Faye said sternly.

Emma snapped her jaw shut and slowly turned to look at her mother.

"What did I say?" Faye firmly asked.

"I--I mean I'm s'posta ask Pa if she is... 'cause she might," Emma stated, then lowered her head.

"Aw, that's awright, little cous'.  I knew what ya meant."  Eric grinned and put his arm around Emma's drooping shoulders, "C'mon, help me clean these strawberries up fer cannin'."

Emma glanced at her mother for permission.  Faye smiled, her pale blue eyes showing her fondness for her oldest daughter.  She pushed her own brunette hair off her face.

"You can go help your cousin.  Afterwards I'd like you to help me out with this here new canning invention.  I sure am glad that your aunt's neighbor in Brooklyn--what's his name-- Mr. John Mason sent us these jars.  Sure makes it a lot easier to keep food."  She looked at the glass jar in her hand and shrugged.  "It's supposed to keep food tasting better for a longer period of time.  It would sure help out with keeping food in the winter.  Well, I hope some company will manufacture it for him and make sure people find out about it.  Anyway, yes, you may help Eric.  But first take that crock of beans down to the cellar.  I decided I won't be needing it for supper after all."

Emma froze.  "The--the cellar?"  she asked quaveringly.  "Are y--you sure you won't need it fer somethin'?"

Faye turned towards the door.  "Yes, Emma, I'm sure.  I've told you, there is nothing down there that can hurt you.  Now go."

The little girl picked up the jar and began slowly walking toward the cellar doors.

"Oh, Emma," her mother called, stepping back onto the porch.  "Here's a candle so you can see down there.  And remember, do not go through that inner door for any reason whatsoever."

As if I would ever want to, Emma thought.  That's the only thing that scares me about the cellar.  Her knees shook as she made her way around the house.  She tucked the clay jar in the crook of her arm so she could shield the flame with her hand.  A locust flew past her and she jumped.  Finally, she stood before the double doors of the cellar.  She took a big breath, set the jar down and opened the doors.

Cool air rushed out and nearly extinguished the candle.  Holding the jar tightly, she cautiously crept down the squeaky wooden steps.  She paused at the bottom and looked around.  The candlelight cast weird shadows on the walls, where rows and rows of shelves lined the dark cellar.  Dried and jarred beans, corn, peaches, peas, carrots, and of course, strawberries were the only good things about the cellar in Emma's eyes.  She hurried over to the strip of bean jars and placed the crock on the dusty shelf.

Turning to her left, she spotted the inner door.  For as long as she could remember, her parents had forbidden her to go behind that door.  She had often heard noises coming from it, but could never distinguish what they were.  Whatever was in there, it scared her.  But as terrified as she was, she still decided to walk over and turn the knob, just to see.  Maybe there was some present in there for her that her folks didn't want her to know about... or maybe for her sister.

She scowled.  Her sister Katie was the baby in the family and always seemed to be the favorite of her parents.  A thought popped into her head.  Wouldn't it be fun to discover her sister's present and let it loose?  After all, those noises could be coming from an animal.  She'd let her folks think that it got loose on its own.  So Emma ignored the little voice in her heart that tried to dissuade her, and reached for the knob.  She paused as she thought she heard something behind her.

OOF!  The wind was knocked out of her as two brawny arms clamped themselves around her waist.  The candle fell from her hand, and blackness enveloped the room.  She caught her breath, screamed as loud as she could and tried to kick her attacker.  Her bare heel connected with a shin, and the stranger grunted in pain.  The arms dropped her, and she ran for the door with all her might.  She tripped on the last step and fell into the bright sunshine.  Opening her eyes, she squinted back towards the cellar door.

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Emma O'Brien had always wondered what was behind the forbidden door in the cellar. Her sixteen-year-old cousin, Eric, had kept her from finding out the secret with stories of rats and trolls that lived in the room, but eight-year-old Emma's curiosity is becoming greater. Her suspicion continues to mount after the family is accused of helping runaway slaves. Emma's family then faces deadly peril when the Battle of Perryville rages near their farm in Kentucky (Ken-tah-ten in the Iroquoian language). Follow the O'Brien family as their faith is tested through the trials and tribulations of the Civil War era.

No part of this book may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher.

Ruth 1:16 Ministry 4 Teens... Becoming Women of Faith Interview

Christie has had a love for a variety of music all her life, Contemporary Christian Music is her favorite. She began piano lessons at age 6, and currently plays nine different instruments - the piano / keyboard, violin / fiddle, acoustic guitar, hammer dulcimer, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, tin whistle, drums, trombone, and voice - with a desire to learn even more.

Currently, she is focusing on writing books for youth and children. Books that she has written and that are available for purchase are Rekindling the SpiritFire: Reflections of an American Homeschooled Teen and Samuel the Camel and the Lone Star. Christie is also busy writing and recording songs for her new CD entitled Rekindle the Fire.

Through her music, writing and speaking engagements, her desire is to reach her generation about seeking God and doing His will. Eventually, she would like to live in the West where she can work with the Native American Indians, but she will go wherever God calls her.

Christie has discovered her calling as a musicianary - a missionary through music. Her prayer is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, her books and music will help people to have a real and personal relationship with the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Christie and found that not only does she have wonderful talent, she is an amazing young woman in the Lord.

1. Tell us a little about your album. What was the inspiration behind it?

Well, I don't have a CD available yet. Although I'm hoping to eventually. My songs are really inspired by my relationship with God and with others. Several were written specifically for certain friends, but I think that they can be relevant to all of us. We all suffer difficult times where we need encouragement; and we all go through joyful times where we just can't contain all the praise that we have for what God has done. "God's Song" was written for a friend who lives far from me. She was going through a difficult time and I wanted to be there to hug and comfort her. I asked God to give me the right words and that song is the result of it. "A Beautiful Thing" was written for some friends that were getting married. They had asked me to sing at their wedding and I thought how most songs are about love at first sight. But there are times when people are friends and as time goes on their love grows until they fall in love. Much like our love for God grows.

2. What motivates you?

Definitely God and my love for music and writing.

3. How do you measure success?

Wow! Of course, I'd like to be successful at what I do. I think we all desire that. But I think it's more than just our careers. It's about our faith. To me success in life means finally coming to the place where I can fully trust God and just say "Alright, whatever you want, God. It's totally your call."

4. What is your view on how young women of God should dress?

I think young women need to not only think about how guys are viewing them, but also what Jesus would say to them if He walked up to them. He does see and know everything. So Ladies, COVER UP. Your clothes may not be tight, but if you're revealing your chest, or your stomach, or your entire leg area, chances are you're not being modest. On the flip side, you may be completely covered, but if your clothes are skin-tight, it's not any better. You may be trying to attract the attention of some cute guys, but remember all the weirdos that you'll be attracting too.

5. What is your view on beauty?

Beauty is how you see yourself in Christ. If you see yourself as beautiful within, you'll have the joy of Jesus and realize how beautiful you are to Him. I'm sick of the industry (music or acting) telling girls "You have to be skinny in order to be somebody," then the media slams girls if they're too skinny. "Do they have anorexia? How thin is too thin?" when at the same time, they'll talk about girls that are "too fat." "Is so-and-so getting sloppy? Is she too big?" It's dumb. People come in all sizes. Personally, I will never be petite with a tiny rear or bird legs. I am who God made me to be at 5-ft 9-inches. If I am beautiful in Christ, then I'm beautiful in life. And so are you.

6. How do you handle peer pressure, even in the entertainment industry?

Haha, see answer above. Fortunately, I haven't had to deal too much with the pressure to look good yet, but I do know how hard the industry pushes for us to look and sound amazing. I have always been somewhat of a rebel, so if they tell me "You have to dress a certain way to be popular," I will work that much harder to prove them wrong. Maybe the rebel in me has help me stand up to peer pressure. Anyway, I hope to show a higher standard to girls. That it's okay to be modest, to have fun and still glorify our Savior. That will be true beauty.

7. What is your favorite hymn and why?

Wow! I do love "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", just because it helps to know you're not alone even when you feel like it. My favorite worship song is "Draw Me Close", because it helps me as a single woman remember that I have a Savior who loves me passionately. Sometimes I like to just listen to the song and think about if Jesus were singing it to me. You know we are His Bride! But there really are so many hymns, praise & worship songs that I like and a lot depends on what I'm going through at the time and how it ministers to me.

8. What is your favorite verse?

I love Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Although at times I've held Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a reminder that we all go through tough times.

9. Tell us a little about the books you've written, how did you come to write them?
What was the inspiration?

My first book was "Rekindling the SpiritFire: Reflections of an American Homeschooled Teen", a teen devotion and Bible Study. Through that book I was invited to the International Christian Retail Show in Denver where I met author, Catherine Ritch Guess. She encouraged me to continue writing and suggested that I write about things that I know and love with a passion. All I can say is that I never set out to be an author; God brought me here through circumstances beyond my control. He is so amazingly awesome!

Now I am writing for CRM Books of North Carolina. The Christmas stories, "The Eyes of the Stable Series", are for children in upper elementary. It's like "Charlotte's Web" in that the animals are the main characters. The first book "Samuel the Camel and the Lone Star" is about the birth of Christ as seen through the eyes of the Magi's camels. The second one will be out this Christmastime and it's "Jacob the Donkey" and is about the donkey that accompanied Mary and Joseph. I guess I'm writing something a little different in that it won't really make any difference which book is read first in the series. Each one will be centered around the birth of Christ, but from different perspectives of the animals. Samuel deals with a bully and his own pride. Jacob deals with the loss of his father and fear. I'm hoping that each book will be able to touch children in different ways, because I know that each child is struggling with different issues. Whether it's putting up with bullies, pride, forgiveness, even an underdog friend that comes out a shining hero, the death or loss of a family member, fears of the unknown, tired of the same thing and wanting to go explore the world. Just a lot of random fun characters that make life interesting.

I also am writing a series for older children (Middle School) called the "Land Of Series." The first one will be out next month and it's called "Ken-tah-ten: Land of Tomorrow." It's about an Irish immigrant family living in Kentucky (Ken-tah-ten in Iroquois language) during the Civil War. The second book in the series is "Absaroka: Land of Shining Mountains" and is a continuation of the family's life after they settle in the area northeast of what is now Yellowstone National Park to begin cattle ranching. The publisher wanted books that would appeal to both boys and girls. I grew up loving the Civil War era, cowboys and Indians (I'm part Irish and Indian so I had an interest in my heritage), rodeos, and the whole West thing.

Check out Ruth 1:16 Ministry 4 Teens at: http://ruth116ministry4teens.com/index_home/Home.html