“Oh, oh.” “What Rose?” “Do you see them?” “What do you see, Rose?” “The angels, they’re here.” “Where?” “All around.” Her smile grew wider. I couldn’t see what she could see but I could see the radiance on her face. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any brighter, she smiled the most beautiful smile, “He’s here!” “Who’s here, Rose?” “Jesus is here, can’t you see the light?” I could not. The room looked the same. “He wants me to come with him. Should I go?” She looked so peaceful that I answered, “Yes, Rose, you should go.” Her smile faded, “But who will take care of Dee? I can’t leave Dee.” “Dee will be ok, she has Bill. Bill will take good care of her.” She was quiet for a few minutes as I stroked her hand, and I thought she fell asleep. “Where’s Dee?” She asked. “I need Dee.” Fortunately, Dee returned home a few minutes later and came into her mom’s room. She took my place by her bed and held her mother’s hand. After a while Rose fell asleep, and I filled Dee in on what had happened and the visions her mom saw. She didn’t seem too surprised. “Do you want me to stay?” I asked Rose. “No, go home, your family needs you.” I gave Rose a kiss, hugged Dee and drove away wondering if I would see Rose again. I received the phone call from Dee later that night. Rose had gone to her heavenly home, “surrounded by angels, with a smile on her lips and a look of peace on her face.” “I told her it was ok to go, Cindy. I told her to go.” “That was what she needed to hear, Dee. She knows you love her, she’s at peace.” I have come to believe that God does indeed send God’s messengers Every Story Begins At Home.
to us- “they come to you and me in our darkest hours to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of love.” This is the final installation of my stories on angels. ***** Cindy Parker came to the United Church of Christ by way of the Presbyterian Church. A life-long
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door as an opportunity to open a new one and create a new chapter. No use feeling depressed when life throws you a curve ball. Take it as a challenge and accept it with a positive attitude.” Highs and Lows of her business: • Highs are getting to work from home when I am doing orders and getting to spend time with my family. Also, to provide a product that I feel is high quality and fresh – and seeing and hearing my customers enjoy it. • Lows are the fact that since it is still growing, I have to work a couple other part time jobs. Most of the money earned goes right back into supplies and new equipment.
Presbyterian, she jokes that she was “predestined to become UCC!” Currently called as the Pastor and Teacher of Christ Church UCC in Latrobe, PA and St. John’s UCC in Darlington; she, her husband Larry and three daughters enjoy traveling all over the world! Cindy also serves as a Spiritual Director for the Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus retreats and was part of the team that brought the Kairos Outside Ministry to Pennsylvania. Kairos (which means special time in Greek) is a prison ministry for women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration. Cindy completed her undergraduate studies at Penn State and her MDiv. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary along with a year-long internship at Family Hospice and Palliative Care. She enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and photographing her daughters.
• Make everything fresh • Tinker tinker tinker with recipes and find ways to make them your own • Never give out your secrets But the big secret is already out in Ligonier – I’ve never heard so many thrilling testimonials about a member of a networking group before. People everywhere seem to love her delicious pies, cakes, cookies and other goodies. As it has been said in our meetings, BatterUp! Cakes is hitting home runs all over town! To learn more or contact Carlson, please call 724-237-9732, check out her Facebook page or visit BatterUpCakesandGoodies.com.
Family time is very important to Carlson. “I have 3 children. Justin (10), Jacob (6), and Holly (4). My major supporter of this venture and assistant – and the one that keeps me going – is my fiancé, David. ” Goals for the future: • Open retail • Partner with a caterer • Work with more restaurants • Develop fundraising plan to help local organizations raise money Tips for amateur bakers: • Keep practicing and never give up learning new techniques
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