Hummingbirds,Pennies,andandHope

Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

Jeanne Lemmon Skinner has taught English for twenty years and is a graduate of the Ohio State University. She attended an angel workshop in Miami, Florida about ten years ago that was taught by Doreen Virtue. Her book is fi ction, but the events that happen in the book are real experiences. She wanted to write something uplifting for teens. So much of what her students read in what she calls the teen issue genre is heavy and depressing.

She has found her students to be searching for something to hold on to. Th ey represent various religions, and many have no religion. God is universal for all people and she believes that knowing His angels are there for everyone is comforting. It is her hope that young people, and old, will fi nd hope by reading Hummingbirds, Pennies, and Hope.

She lives in Columbus, Ohio and has three children and her husband has two. Together they have nine grandchildren and all regularly receive books from Grandma!

Anna is a typical high school student who is tired of writing boring research papers. When she decides to research angels, however, all that changes—in fact, her life changes. She learns that her grandmother and mother both know how to communicate with angels and that both have received signs from deceased loved ones. When she discovers her grand-mother’s angel cards, she uses them to communicate with her own angels. After her presentation to her classmates, she reluctantly agrees to teach others how to use angel cards and is compared to a witch by the editor of the school paper. Anna faces the disapproval of her father, the vice-prin-cipal, and her best friend as her angels continue to leave her pennies as a sign of comfort. When she is asked to assist a famous author in teaching teens about angels, Anna is not sure can handle the pressure.

Hum

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FICTION

U.S. $XX.XX

Hummingbirds, Pennies, and

Hope

Hummingbirds, Pennies, and

Hope

Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

Copyright © 2012 Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. Th e views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Th e author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. Th e intent of the author is only to off er information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012904067

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Th inkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.Certain stock imagery © Th inkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4525-4836-4 (sc)ISBN: 978-1-4525-4837-1 (hc)ISBN: 978-1-4525-4835-7 (e)

Printed in the United States of America

Balboa Press rev. date: 3/21/2012

Dedicated to my daughter, Jill, and friend, Mary, who were also students of our gifted teacher, Doreen Virtue.

1

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Chapter 1

“This is a research paper I think you’ll actually enjoy,” said Ms. Peters as she stood before the class and smiled at her

humor. As expected, her English class responded with a loud groan. “You will be selecting a topic that interests you. Think of it as an opportunity to learn about something new and exciting; I am emphasizing the word ‘new.’ I will not read fi fty papers about the history of professional football. Your topics are due Friday, and I reserve the right to veto any topic.” The bell rang, and Ms. Peters was quickly surrounded by questioning students.

Frustrated with another assignment, Anna pushed past the students and entered the crowded hallway. Another research paper! Doesn’t she get tired of grading? I have a paper due for Mr. Coates next week on the survivors of the Holocaust. I just don’t have the time or the energy to write another paper, thought Anna as she walked to her locker.

“Wait up!” called Maddie, Anna’s best friend. She was on her way to audition for the upcoming fall play, The Crucible, and was visibly anxious. “Wish me luck,” she said as she clutched the script.

“I don’t know why you’re so nervous. You’re great. You’re always great, but if saying good luck makes you feel better, good luck! We read one of the scenes from The Crucible in drama class, and Mr. Biggs explained the symbolism. We all wanted to read

Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

2

more, but he said we had to try out in order to fi nd out what happens. I wish I could try out just to see how it ends,” Anna said as she tossed most of her books into her locker.

“He’s good at giving teasers. Hopefully, you’ll be in the spring musical. It’ll be even more fun than this. You still plan to be on the stage crew for the play, don’t you?” Maddie asked anxiously.

Brushing her hair away from her eyes, Anna said, “It depends on how Grandma is doing, but I think I’ll be able to help with costumes and makeup. That way I can earn Thespian points, and we’ll still be together.”

“We’re stuck together like peanut butter and jelly, as your grandmother says. You can’t have one without the other. I’ll call you later and give you all the details from tryouts,” Maddie promised.

Anna watched her friend walk away. Maddie was pretty and talented, a winning combination that made her one of the most popular girls in school. She was tall and blonde, and she walked with the grace of a dancer. As she passed a group of boys, they all turned and smiled. Thom Deal wished her good luck on the tryouts, and his whole face smiled when he spoke. Thom had liked Maddie since freshman year. Unfortunately for Thom, Maddie considered him just a friend and they had never been on a date.

Anna gathered her things and headed for home. She was glad that she could walk to school. It gave her time to unwind, and on beautiful days like today, she could enjoy being outside. She loved the fall. She kicked the brightly colored leaves as she walked. A shower of crimson and orange surrounded her feet.

As Anna approached the library, she saw that the sun had illuminated the fountain in the courtyard. The sparkling water splashed happily from the top of the three tiers to the bottom. Yellow mums had been planted at the fountain’s base, and the whole area had a golden glow. I think I’ll run in and see if I can fi nd

Hummingbirds, Pennies, and Hope

3

something to research, thought Anna. At the moment, nothing sounds very interesting except a nice, warm chocolate brownie dripping with chocolate icing.

As she walked past the teen section in the library, Anna stopped to see what was new. More vampire books? I don’t get it! What’s with this vampire craze? I would never want to be a vampire; I enjoy food too much. No way would I exchange eating chocolate for drinking blood! Anna knew what a few people were researching, but nothing sounded very exciting. She wanted something new and unique.

She wandered into the hobby and craft section because Sara Little said she was going to research how to make paper. Anna looked at various books, but she wasn’t very artsy, and she was sure Ms. Peters would expect her to actually produce an example of what she had researched. Sara would make her own paper and then do something creative with it, making it look incredible. I can’t see myself creating anything I’d want to share except a large veggie pizza with extra cheese, she thought as her hunger announced itself again.

The next section was self-help books. There were some interesting topics, but nothing drew Anna in. Nope, nothing here, she thought, beginning to feel discouraged. The next aisle held spiritual books, and Anna thought of all the books in her grandmother’s book case at home. Grandma loves these books. Hmm, this might be interesting, a book about communicating with angels. I wonder if Ms. Peters will approve it. I bet no one else will choose this. Hey, as long as I can write fi ve pages about it, I’m good. Anna glanced at her watch and knew she had to hurry. Mom would have to leave soon to get to the shop, and she was needed to stay with Grandma. Anna quickly checked out the angel book and headed home in the fall sunshine.

“Hi! I’m home!” Anna shouted as she opened the front door. She walked into the kitchen, but no one was there. They must be outside, she thought. The glass doors that led to the patio were open