YES. The brand new coffee table book in order

Blank Book


FAIRHOPE MUNICIPAL PIER
Fairhope, Alabama


“If you’re not pursuing that which is good, you may be easily overcome by that which is bad.” - T.M. DiPietro




TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRO DEDICATION
Section I
Section II Section III Section IV
Summer
Autumn Winter Spring


INTRO


It is not easy.
At least not for most people.
Family, finances, betrayal, injustice, disasters, abuse...few people remain unscathed in this wonderful, dreadful, and sometimes confusing journey we call life. If you count yourself numbered among the few fortunate enough to say your passage has been fairly smooth sailing, then I hope you can enjoy this book for the lovely photos and sentiments.
But if you are like the majority, covered in scars and battle wounds, perhaps you will find encouragement and hope in the pages ahead. For my strength, and my courage, has emerged from a lifetime in the battlefield; my peace and joy from countless hours
on my knees crying out to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords — the only one truly given audience to both my suffering and my high praise.
It is not only my story that is shared within these pages, however. There are stories of others that have struggled to overcome darkness in their life— pornography, co-dependency, failed marriages, child abuse, death and loss, etc.
Life is not all tragedy, and this is not intended to be a dark, gloomy book. For despite the storms; irregardless of the black clouds...there is often a rainbow, if you are just willing to search it out.
So learn from the storms that come your way, but always be on the lookout for the rainbows, because it really can be...A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.


DEDICATION


This book is dedicated first to my family. My faithful husband, my best friend; the man who has battled by my side
and who has held me at some of life’s darkest moments, encouraging me to “just breathe” when I thought I could not...I love you Daniel, far more than words could ever express.
To my children, and to my grandchildren...the jewels in my crown...I love you and I hope one day you, too, will stand victorious. I pray you always choose the path of righteousness, the path of love, peace and joy, so that you may also find yourself saying: “I am Blessed Beyond Measure.” May you become a beacon of light shining into the darkness of this lost world.
Although I have very few people that I am truly intimate with — my inner circle is tiny — I do have many people in my
life that I care about and call ‘friend;’ in fact, far too many to name. Those friends have encouraged me, prayed for me, advised me over the years; we have shared times of laughter and prosperity, and have struggled through funerals, health issues and loss. We have watched our children grow up together, witnessing the fears and tears and victories of adolescence, and the triumphant passage into adulthood. We
have withstood the pain of seeing our loved ones choose paths of self destruction, had our hearts broken over and over as we see beautiful and sensitive people destroyed by drugs, we have cried as we held each other after the death of an infant.To those friends that have been by my side, virtually, prayerfully or physically, who have helped me to stand when I thought I could not — or have just shared happy moments with us — I am thankful beyond words.To all those that have been a light in my life...thank you.
To all those that have hurt me, or caused me undeserved pain:
First, know that you are forgiven.
Secondly, thank you. For you have shown me what I did not want in my life, and in a strange way, you have helped shape who I am today. For sometimes out of great pain comes great art...poetry, writing, music, photography, drama...or sometimes, just an encouraging little coffee table book.
May the Lord bless each and every one of you reading this; may He make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.Amen




Summer
an ode to:


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
A BEAUTIFUL LIFE
What is a beautiful life? And what is the secret to having one?
Too often in life we think 'when this happens I will be happy,’ or 'when I finally get here' things will be okay. I, myself, am guilty of this, and I am not always ‘happy.’
So what do we do?
Well, most people search for distractions to help them cope with life's problems. For some, it is television. For others, it is shopping, or food, or sports, or pornography, romance or 'physical engagements', video games, alcohol, traveling, bird watching, pets, etc.; anything that will take our minds off the things that trouble us. Some even use philanthropy or charitable acts as a distraction from their own misery, and truly, this is a good way to take our eyes off ourselves, but is it really enough? Is that all it takes? The answer, in most cases, is no. Although our external circumstances can contribute significantly to our happiness, it is not enough.
A beautiful life means having peace and joy, which are internal, and which comes from a life of moderation, self-discipline and for most of us, time spent in prayer and meditation. For me, this includes being in nature, God's own handiwork — not from acquiring 'stuff' or entertainment, things which only lead to a temporary happiness. There is great peace and renewal found during time spent in the presence of the Almighty; whereas the things the world has to offer bring only a temporal feel good, which pales in comparison, and always leaves us wanting more. For we were created to be in communion with God, and when we are not, an empty hole remains, one we are always trying to fill. (cont. next page)




THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
A BEAUTIFUL LIFE (CONT.)
We once did some work for some young millionaires in New York; they were physically beautiful, had a lovely mansion, were always in society pages, and by worldly standards, seem to truly 'have it all.' We spent weeks in their home, and Daniel and I had great fun working together. However, the couple that seemed at first to be happy, were, in fact, miserable, neurotic and stressed out. We were subjected to constant fighting and bickering. The young woman would often watch us, and talk to me, and one day she told me she wanted what I had — she had not met many people as happy as I was, and wanted to know what I had that she did not; what was my secret? After all, by American standards, she already had everything she needed for a happy life.
I told her it was God. Without God — and sometimes even with God, lol — it is easy to become overwhelmed by our circumstances. Much of the world rejects the Creator now because people do not want to submit their lives, give up vices or answer to anyone other than themselves. They accuse Him of being a cosmic murderer, while at the same time denying His existence. They blame human suffering on God, when in fact, it is us to blame. Our selfish nature — our greed, lust, gluttony, ambition and other vices — are the real reason for the state the world is in. But if we turn our hearts to God, we may just find out that it is a beautiful life... not because our circumstances are easy, or because we have beautiful things, but because He, and He alone, is the source of peace and love and joy. And then, being filled with peace, love and joy, we may become a light shining in a dark world.
May you be blessed today as you contemplate God's perfect will for your life.






“There is great beauty to be found in the ordinary, simple things of life, if can only we can learn to see them ...” T. M. DiPietro


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
HIDDEN TREASURES
Today a neighbor unexpectedly invited herself over to dinner (in her defense she did bring some sirloin steak, lol). After we ate, we were discussing two of my favorite topics, God and science. I found myself getting very excited as I shared with her my love for the enigmatic beauty often found in nature; the amazing wonder of it all, and how it all points to God's glory.
I passionately grabbed a giant abalone shell (Gianna explained to her all about the creature that once lived in it) and showed her the outside, how ordinary looking it was. Then I flipped it over and showed her the amazing beauty hidden within— a beauty which would have been hidden from sight while the shell was in its natural habitat. It was so plain, in fact, that I had the seen the shell lying on the beach with its outer part showing, I may not even have picked it up (okay, well maybe I would have, but most people would not!). The point is, when we turn away from something or someone because it is not as beautiful as we would like, we run the risk of missing the true beauty that lies hidden within.
The Lord himself was a beautiful treasure behind a drab exterior. The Bible says that Jesus was of no great appearance: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (from Isaiah 53: 2) and that "He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53: 3). Yet hidden below his ordinary exterior was the most beautiful treasure of all!
So let us be careful then, brothers and sisters, not to judge things by outward appearances!
But the Lord said unto Samuel, “Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4
O, Lord, help us to see the hidden treasures in the people around us. Help us to see others through your eyes, judging more accurately the situations and people around us. Lord, your word says you hate haughtiness; please forgive us for those times we have disappointed you and judged by the external. AMEN.






There is much to admire in the bright colors of summer, in the children at play, and even in the muted tones of the beach. I love to photograph children in their natural state of play, to capture genuine expressions of surprise, wonder, happiness — and sometimes even a moody pout.
“Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”Proverbs 17:6




San Destin, Florida




THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
THE MASTER ARTIST
As I sat on the dock praying this morning, it occurred to me that I really do see the world through a different lens.
Perhaps this is because I have an artistic bent? I sometimes feel as though I am in the midst of a large gallery; surrounded by masterpieces which are breathtakingly beautiful. From the majestic mountains to the depths of the sea, from the smallest pearl to the greatest eagle — there is such amazing complexity of pattern and detail in nature. Oh, to sit at the feet of the Great Artist, the creator and author of this masterpiece, to hear His symphony play and observe His ways...what greater thing could there be?
The only thing on this earth comparable to His presence is LOVE. Love, dear reader, is the closest we come to actually being close to God. He is the source, and when we truly walk in love, we have joy as well.
I encourage you today, in whatever you are doing, take a moment to pause, to stop and look around you. Search for beauty, and be stirred in love. Find it in the fragrance of a flower, in an infant’s peaceful smile, in the laughter of a child, in the gentle touch of a soft breeze , or the brilliant colors of a tropical fish — and then give your Creator thanks. Let Him know how much you appreciate His work, and ask Him to open your eyes and your heart so you can walk in love and peace today.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7
May God bless you this day as you, too, contemplate the beauty of nature and the Great Artist that composed these beautiful scenes for us! How great is His love is for us!


Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:5




CROSSING THE VALLEY
Have you ever stood on the brink of something truly wonderful? Teetered on the edge of a precipice, knowing on the other side is something so beautiful you cannot even put words to
it? And then wondered to yourself "How can I get there from here?" Because somehow you just know that stepping off that precipice and crossing that valley will be the most excruciatingly painful, yet most exhilarating, freeing and pleasing experience you have ever known?
Lo, I stand at the precipice.
I teeter on the brink, drawn to the freedom that awaits me on the other side, yet even so, I waiver... I gaze longingly at the beauty of it and yet I struggle to leave the sure and secure footing I tread on. The valley is deep, the footholds are few, and “What,” I wonder, "if the other side is just a mirage... what if I am wrong? And what if I never make it to that beautiful place on the other side? Will I perish alone in a desolate valley?"
Lo, I stand at the precipice.
I stand with those who are familiar to me and I wait...and I wonder...and I think about stepping back, about the security of the cliff I stand on, where the footing is already known to me, and I die a little inside...and I know with such certainty I must reach the other side, yet I cannot move my feet...it is getting darker...I feel time passing, life ebbing...I am barely breathing from the agony of my decision...
Lo, I stand at the precipice. And I jump...


My earthly father was a staunch atheist.
If I even made the attempt to speak about God, he became angry; no matter what I did or said, I could not persuade him to change his mind. I prayed and prayed that God would send someone into his life to witness to him, to encourage him, before he died. Well, I am overjoyed to tell you that my prayer was answered, but like so many other things in the life of a believer, it did not happen quite the way I expected it to, for the person God sent in answer to my prayer, was actually...well, it was me.
My parents had become ill, and sadly, my stepmother, Mary Jo Prost, died just before her great granddaughter was born. My dad began to experience a series of health failures following her death, and he asked if he could come visit our family (my parents still lived in Belize, but had come back to the States for medical attention; we were in Pennsylvania attending ministry school at the time). We agreed that he could come visit, despite the uncertainty of his ability to make the trip.
To abbreviate a rather long story, after seeing my persistence and receiving my commitment not to keep preaching at him, my dad allowed me to speak to him, just once, about God (now if you do not know this man it will be difficult for you to understand why this was such a big deal, but to those that do know him, this would — and did — come as quite a shock indeed!).
I took advantage of this opportunity and witnessed to him, telling how much I loved him and wanted to spend time with him in eternity. I gave him a Bible, and read a little to him. The rest of his visit, I did not talk about my faith, but lived it out before him. He also came to visit us when we returned home to Alabama, and keeping my promise, I did not preach to him, but let him see my faith lived out.
Shortly after returning to Belize from Alabama, my father had an accident, falling from a second story loft onto a tile floor, breaking his hip and almost bleeding to death. He slipped into a coma. Thanks to a number of locals that worked to save him, he was still alive when he reached the hospital on the mainland.
I knew of none of this until the surgeon called and asked for my permission to do a blood transfusion, as my father had lost too much blood, and his death was imminent (they do not give transfusions to coma patients without permission from the next of kin). I was shocked by the call, and panicked, not knowing what to do. He could die either way, but would definitely die without the transfusion, and knowing he had not yet made the decision to follow God, I gave my permission and prayed fervently.
Fortunately, or rather miraculously, he survived, and we spent the next few years going back and forth between Belize and the US, so his friends and I could take care of him each time his health failed.
There is much more to this story, the details of which are included elsewhere in this book, but the end result was that my father gave his heart to the Lord. This poem, Crossing the Valley, is an allegory of a person struggling with the decision to trust God and believe His word. Maybe you, too,
are struggling. If you are, perhaps it is
your time to ‘just jump.’ If not, and there
was never a struggle for you, perhaps it
will serve as a reminder of how difficult it
is for an unbeliever to come to faith.
Lord, many of us have loved ones
that have not made the decision to commit
their hearts to you. I pray today that you
will reveal yourself to any readers that may stumble across this writing, and that you will lead them, dear Lord, by your Holy Spirit, into the light of your presence. Help them to understand, to believe...to “cross over the valley” where they may enter into your eternal peace. Amen.
Special thanks to Adrianne Leone, and Abe Meehle, close family friends who were by our side during my father’s last days,( Adrianne was at his deathbed) and in the days following as I had to make arrangements for him.Thanks also to Kathleen Glidden, who came to pray with us, and was also instrumental in my father’s decision for salvation.


Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9
Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations....Psalm 100:4
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5




Leeside Rooms
Caye Caulker, Belize


Broke in Belize
Having run a small hotel on the island of Caye Caulker, Belize, for eight or so years at the time of this writing, and having served in ministry there, I am asked the same question over and over:
“Is it true? Is Belize the paradise the media claims it to be?”
Ahhhh, Belize (insert heavy sigh). It is heavily marketed as THE retirement destination, cheap and friendly, safe and beautiful; a place for all of your dreams to come true. Well, I guess that depends on what your dreams are, and I suppose, what your definition of paradise is. My definition, for example, has nothing to do with this life. There is nothing here that comes close to the Paradise I have set my hopes on, but for most people, paradise is a sandy beach and tropical blue waters. Or for some, millions actually, it is a place where martyrs are given virgins to deflower as a reward for their self- sacrifice and obedience. But back to paradise — I mean Belize — before I digress too far.
You have, I assume, heard the expression “love-hate relationship”? Well, I am fairly certain that phrase was coined in Belize — and if not, it
certainly should have been. Ask any expat what they think of this diminutive country, and most canʼt, or wonʼt, give you a simple answer; perhaps because there is no simple answer. Like everything else in life, there is both good and bad there. The difference being that the good is extremely good, and the bad can be extremely bad, so one has to weigh it out and decide if it is a place suitable to live, or merely to visit—or for some, to avoid completely.
Running a small business in a foreign country is beyond difficult. On one hand, it is a Caribbean waterfront property; what is not to love? Sand and sea, snorkeling and sailing, beautiful weather, friendly locals, whining (intentional error) and dining. On the other hand, it is the Caribbean, and there is much to dislike. Poverty, corruption, poor infrastructure, petty theft, hustlers, drunks, land sharks, druggies and the high cost of living can make life challenging (and for me, on the island, the lack of green vegetables is akin to torture).


Two very special missionaries ...


Broke in Belize
Most residents on the island of Caye Caulker do not trust anyone ,and gossip about everyone, so privacy is not an option. If they do not know your business...they just make it up. Police beat people to death and get away with it, rich expats and foreigners buy up the property, break all the land laws and get away with it, and most men have a wife and one or two girlfriends, and it seems everyone is cheating with everyone else. To say there is an opportunity for womenʼs ministry there is an understatement.
Then there is the altruistic doctor who does not charge people who cannot afford it, and still makes house calls. The community that pulls together to help those in need; medical or otherwise. People that will give freely of their time and services to help others; barbecues and fund raisers are held to pay hospital bills, church services and social media sites are centers to pray for the sick or needy or to determine courses of action and enlist help. On the island ,insurance is not needed as medical care is far more affordable—there is even a free clinic available to all.
But there are givers and there are takers, just like everywhere. By most standards, I would say the islands have more takers. The givers are tapped out pretty quickly, and the prudent guard themselves warily.
My father, who lived there for more than 25 years, liked to say he loved the country and would just be so happy there...if there were no people (other than his family and very close friends, of course). My parents ran a number of successful businesses on Caye Caulker over the years, despite having been conned, robbed, and burned down; they survived
hurricanes and even being held up at gunpoint. Despite the hardships of their island life, they assisted many other struggling residents. Miss Julia, who runs a fruit stand on Front Street, often cries when she sees me because my parents helped her get set up in business.
However, not everyone was grateful for the help. Some would receive work or a handout from my parents during the day, and then come back at night and steal from them. Needless to say, this left my father more than just a little cynical, and he wisely formed bonds primarily with expats... while I chose to embrace the locals, for good or for bad.
Both of us endured our share of pain and drama, despite our differing choices. Although I chose to serve and minister alongside the locals, the churches and the poor, and he chose to hang with the other successful business owners and just give handouts or opportunities to the needy, the only real difference in our negative experiences was that I was taken advantage of mostly by professing Christians, and he was robbed by the druggies he tried to help.
Not that it was all bad, mind you. Once you were broke, people left you alone for the most part. I was fortunate in that I knew some wonderful people — not many, mind you, but a few. And when I was really down hard, people actually stepped up to help. But for the most part, I had to rely on God, and God alone.


Tracy DiPietro
Caye Caulker, Belize


Broke in Belize
Most missionaries and foreign aide workers can share inspiring stories of courage and fear, of miracles of provision or healing, of moments of darkness, of loneliness, of doubt...but they won’t. I guess because it is just difficult to talk about. Most of our experiences cannot be explained in simple terms; they merely become part of who we are.
Then there is the fact that most people cannot understand or relate, or worse, they just donʼt care. They do not visit, or do not know about, developing countries; they have enough to deal with in their own lives, and this is certainly understandable. The greater majority of believers do not want to hear about missionaries, or support them. Some folks feel we should focus on ministry here in the USA, and some do not want to part with more of their hard earned money (if you think I am exaggerating, just ask any pastor; Missionʼs Day is the most under- attended day of the year for the majority of churches).
The other reason workers do not talk about their experience is because it is their mission to help others, regardless of the personal cost, so talking about it seems rather inflating and self-centered. Whatever the personal reason is, the most compelling stories seem to remain buried, and therefore I have chosen to share some some of these personal experiences—not only mine, but others as well.
***
I looked over at the man in the wheelchair. “How sad for him,” I
thought.
“To lose his leg meant he no longer had a livelihood. How would he survive,” I wondered?
Our church was so poor it did not even have a building, we just rented a dirt lot and met out under the stars in what I called an open-air church. The pastor made a plea for assistance, and sent around the offering. I had already purchased tickets for the barbecue meals being sold (common practice on the island to hold barbecue fund raisers), and debated whether I should, or could, give more, as I was at the tail end of my visit and on a pretty limited budget. I gave.
(This man did not attend our church regularly, however, it was not uncommon on the island for people to visit churches or businesses door to door seeking help).
The next Sunday another offering was taken up, so in addition to the normal offering, I gave extra; all I had left, in fact. But I had a great deal of anxiety related to this, (yes, I know, be anxious for nothing), so when I returned home, I got down on my knees and prayed.
“Oh Lord,” I cried out,“You promised to take care of us, and you said if someone asks for your coat, give them your cloak too. We have obeyed, and I have given over all my grocery money. You promised us, Lord, that your children would not go without bread. I have a child that I need to feed for two more weeks, and my workers as well! Please, Lord, I need a miracle!”


BOXES FOR BELIZE A CHILD TO CHILD CHARITY


Broke in Belize
Well, I felt led to get my Bible and read, and look up those verses containing those promises...but when I opened my Bible, I almost fell over.
Inside was 300 USD — just enough to get me through the next two weeks and even extra! I was stunned, to say the least. Oh, ye of little faith!
I had to ask myself, and you are probably wondering too, why I should be shocked? I am, after all, a believer of miracles, and should not have been so surprised. I guess it was the speed at which God delivered, and the realization that had I not reached for my Bible to look up the verses, I may not have seen the money.
Wouldn’t it be something if we were as faithful as God is? Delivering on our promises, caring for those in need, giving our gifts secretly? The pharisees liked to boast about their praying and alms giving, but for the praise of men, and we are told that those who give this way have already received their reward. I do not tell this story to get credit for myself, but to point to God, and to say “Wow, look at what He did And if He did it for someone like me, He will surely do it for you!” So trust Him.
Anyways, you would think after that event that I would always be confident of God’s provision, but you know how us humans are (another heavy sigh). Always a work in progress!
This experience brought into sharp reality the following verse in Philippians:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
May God bless you today as you trust in Him for provision.
Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, Proverbs 30:8
But He answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4


Dr. Hirt, teaching students, Capernaum, Israel
In memoriam:
Dr. O. Herbert Hirt 1954 - 2012
Dr. Hirt never completed the book he dreamed of writing; he never had the time. Instead, this beloved professor, dean and missionary devoted his life to writing into the lives of his family, friends and students.
His sister shared this passage to honor his memory:
“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God...” (2 Cor.. 3:2-3a, NASB).
I could not agree more.




T.M. DiPietro lives a beautiful life with family and friends, dividing her time between them in Belize, Connecticut, Israel, Georgia, and the sunny coast of southern Alabama.
In addition to her prior work as a journalist, this artist/ writer has been penning and posting devotionals for years, and was prompted by friends and family to write a book...so she did!
When she is not writing or taking photos, she is running a guest house in Belize, homeschooling, and serving as a self-funded missionary. She leads a women’s ministry called Transformation Ministry, and has preached and taught at many churches, events, and retreats throughout Israel, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Belize, and Alabama.
She would like to visit England, Scotland and Italy one day, and thinks Israel is long overdue for a return visit!
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