Stephanie A Hill Affiliation: Dept of Biology - Sound generation in Mantis religiosa (Mantodea: Mantidae): stridulatory structures and acoustic signal

Barb is a consummate communicatorwith an economy of words, her transparency, wit, and ability to translate common experiences into life-changing lessons will inspire, amuse, challenge, convict, and encourage. Those of us who have been privileged to read her on-line snippets of wisdom over the years are thrilled to see these thought-provoking nuggets finally compiled into a book.

~ Bobbie Nicholson

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I am amazed at the way Barb can take so few words and offer such rich meaning. She writes the kinds of things that I want to read a second and third time so that the wisdom, the lesson, and the truth settles in my spirit. Thanks, Barb, for being willing to share the gift God has given you...I am blessed!

~ Kathy White Martin

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At last! The book Ive been hoping would be written is here--Bailey Wisdom in Bits and Pieces. Each bit and piece is like a well sharpened arrow aimed straight at the heart. Barbs humor is like no other. Her insight and wisdom have encouraged my soul many, many times over. Reading each vignette, I find myself laughing and crying at the same time, while shaking my head in awe at how God has used Barbs words, yet again, to speak directly to my situation. Get in line! Hopefully there will be a few books left when Im done buying for all of my family and friends!

~ Lesli Peash

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As a long-time friend and associate of Barb Bailey, I have noted her skill in putting poignant thoughts in writing. Yes, Im one of those who kept asking her, Are you getting ready to publish something yet? This book held me captivated as I experienced the emotions and sensations of each season, as I smelled the fragrances and beauty of the flowers that always catch her attention, as I heard the rumblings of mid-Washington storms and smelled the rain before it fell, as I experienced again the carefree but sensitive spirit of Barb Bailey. Get a cup of coffee and plan to take a trip to yesteryear and tomorrow. Your day will be brighter.

~ Harry Oldenburger, Retired Pastor

Copyright 2012 by Barb Bailey. All rights reserved.

Published by BarbsWordWagon

P. O. Box 1297
Othello, WA 98344

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version R, NIV R. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

www.zondervan.com

ISBN Softcover : 978-0-9859393-0-4

ISBN Ebook : 978-0-9859393-1-1

DEDICATION

Though my name appears on this little book it will be forever linked to other names; friends and family who have honored me by placing value on the gift in my hands.

Dear MaryAnn Gambill, I think youre leaning over Heavens balcony with a smile and saying You did it, Barb! You finally published some of your writing. I always knew you would! My life has been forever blessed by your friendship.

There were others who invaded my days with Hows your writing coming along, Barb? Or You should publish this, Barb. And Im still waiting for that book. Thank you for your persistent affirmation and encouragement.

To you, dear Mike--you who know me better than anyone from the inside out--thanks for believing in me. You have appreciated my fascination with words and my preoccupation with crafting them into verbal pictures--always dreaming of publishing. When I wanted to slack off, you would not let me. I love you!

And for coming alongside this know-nothing-about-publishing novice, thanks to my Publishing Coach, Athena Dean. You made me feel like I knew what I was doing.

With much appreciation,

From the simple question, Whats on your mind? Barb Baileys posted Facebook responses have woven daily nuggets of inspiration and humor through the fabric of holidays and seasons of life.

First Christmas. A King born in a barn. The Baby Deity sleeping amid the sounds, clutter, and smells of farm animalsnot the stuff of pristine palaces. Picture it! The perfect God coming to imperfect man with His arms open wide to embrace us with His love. I think I can hear Him shouting with joy from that stable: Ive come down to your level to lift you up to Mine!

I love Christmas. I love the carols; I love the decorations; I love giving gifts. Last night, I unpacked my favorite thing: my manger scene, the story of that first Christmas. Gods life-gift of Jesus to a dying world still deeply touches my heart. Perhaps because I have experienced first-hand the Gift that first Christmas brought to the world. Oh, Christ of Christmas, thank You for living in us today!

The phrase four-letter words carries with it a load of negative baggage. But Heaven has a four-letter word that puts light into darkness and breathes life into a dying soul. Heavens four-letter word is Hope--born that first Christmas morning in the middle of political chaos and moral uncertaintya time much like ours. Even after two thousand years, the great Hope of Christmas remains. Jesus was born for such a time as this!

M-m-m-m-m-m. Its December 24th! Did Adam say, Merry Christmas, Eve on this day?

A-h-h-h-h-h-h-h... while the rest of you are in hyper-mode trying to get it all done before midnight, I was done yesterday. Whew! Busy, busy, busy these last few weeks. Lots of work... lots of fun... lots of special people and family. Thank heavens, Lord, that You dont take a break when Christmas Day is over; Youre Emmanuel, God with us al-l-l-l-l-l the time.

Im sitting here knee-deep in Christmas thinking about gifts. Funny thing, Im not seeing wrapping paper and bows; Im seeing the faces of beloved family and friends. Thanks God that on that first Christmas our faces were on Your mind when You sent Jesusthe greatest gift of all.

I have a confession to make: I love fruitcake. I know, Ive laughed alongside of you as late-night comedians and daytime ads poked fun at these Christmas concoctions of weird fruit and nuts. But deep inside, it hurt; it really hurt. Why is no one surprised?... (sigh)