It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over at the December Caravan Etsy Shop! As y'all know I start adding the Christmas items to the shop on November 8th through the 18th every year! I love adding them this time of the year so that it provides plenty of time to enjoy these one of a kind treasures and items for this season (and for future seasons)!
This season I will be offering a variety of different journals, buntings, cards, storybook Christmas buntings, and some fun surprises!
It is always so much fun to start adding holiday items to the shop!
I love this season and the special memories that are made around this cozy time!
It always seems that hope is a little bit more abundant during this time of the year which is a precious reminder these days.
I do understand though that for some, the holiday season can be particularly difficult and painful for a myriad of reasons. I myself have been there many times over the years and my heart breaks for each of you in this situation.
I know that many of you have heartbreak behind the scenes and are working up the courage to muster smiles and happiness for those around you.
I can only hope and pray that during these next days and months you will feel the tender grace of God meet you in your pain. You are not alone.
As with each of my items in the shop, the Christmas collection in the shop is designed to inspire hope and joy in every part of your life through handmade items. I hope that you have a chance to check out the different items that are currently available and don't forget to keep checking back throughout this week as more are added to the shop! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE!
Happy Sunday friends!
Two years ago, when the first edition of When Light Dawns was released in 2015 I remember laying in my bed, stunned that my second book was actually in print. I was in the midst of my first treatment round with IV antibiotics and was extremely sick so the book release at that point seemed unreal. In fact, just 11 days before the book release I had started an extremely intensive treatment round that included all day antibiotics. To be frank the book release was a whirlwind. There were no book release parties, no big dinner celebrations, and to be frank there were many tears behind the scenes due to being so sick from treatment.
In many ways, as I look back on that time, I see that it was very symbolic of the Christmas season when Jesus was born. It was difficult and it was messy, and in my own way I felt that I was in a stable. And honestly it makes me smile. When Light Dawns, the first edition will always have a special place in my heart. It was truly born out of love and a desire to encourage Lymies who were struggling in the midst of the "joyful" holiday season. I so related to this as I often wept through the days almost wanting the Christmas season to pass. When it is a struggle to breath and live this season can feel overwhelming.
As I think back to that season and to how far the Lord has brought me in these past two years, my eyes well up with tears. It has been a long and tiring battle but the Christmas season has remained for me a beacon of hope against many dark and moonless nights.
As I think back to having this book end up where it has I am truly overwhelmed that there are more than 10,000 copies of of this little book in print and that it is being translated into several different languages. It seemed fitting as we approach the Advent and Christmas season for a 2nd edition to come along. This second edition has been updated and expanded but still includes the 40 day devotionals that offer a reflection on the Advent and Christmas season, along with a song.
While this book could be read for anyone with a Chronic Illness, the book is the first and only Lyme patient specific book for Advent and Christmas. The book can be used as a simple encouragement to the weary heart or as a guided devotional study. My prayer remains the same that this little book will provide spiritual encouragement and give new meaning to the popular phrase, "Holiday Preparations".
I am SO excited to announce that it the 2nd edition of When Light Dawns officially released this morning!! You can purchase it where books are sold or on Amazon (also available in Kindle form) and you can click HERE to purchase it!
Thank you to each of you that have already purchased it!! If you have a chance will you take a moment and leave a short review? Thank you!! Thank you so much to ALL of you that have been walking this journey with me in prayer! TRULY you are a blessing!!
"The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never extinguished it."
-John 1:5-
With Love,
These past few months I have really been considering this concept of how much truth and hope is found in Elizabeth's words in this journal entry. This past week, as I and so many of you wept at the tragedy that enfolded in Texas and other events around the world I have considered this a bit more deeply.
As we approach the end of 2017 and consider a new year I think it is fair to say that this past year has been filled with lots of emotional turmoil for this nation and this world that I love so much. Honestly, just even typing the words "emotional turmoil" seems to be a bit of an understatement.
But in these times of emotional turmoil and brokenness, we as a people are given a unique opportunity to show the love of God to those who need it most. To those who have been directly affected by a tragedy, to communities who are brokenhearted, or just to the children that we see who are scared for their futures.
This past week I have been so encouraged by the courageous and tireless work of hundreds of law enforcement officers who daily risk their lives to bring peace to an often chaotic world. I sent off a couple of thank you letters to soldiers I have adopted knowing that they and their families are sacrificing so much to serve our country. We have seen and witnessed heroic loving behavior as families offer forgiveness in the midst of their pain and grief. I see friends who courageously come together and loving address disagreements no matter their political beliefs or standings.
In these moments I am gently reminded that we have the opportunity to show love to each person that we encounter today.
Love that can speak grace to the hurting.
Love that offers kindness in the face of tragedy.
Love that rejoices with truth and holds on to hope.
Love that offers compassion to those who disagree with them.
Love that knows love always triumphs.
We live in a world that is often plagued by fears and terror. Today friends let's take our love into this world confidently knowing that by doing this- by courageously facing problems and fears together we are creating a legacy of hearts being at rest peacefully and safe.
"Tell those who are terrified, be brave, and don't be afraid. Your God will come... He will come and rescue you."
-Isaiah 35:4-
-Isaiah 35:4-
#hearties- Looking for a practical way to touch a child's life and create a legacy of love? I just read about this story this week and think it would be amazing for the #heartie community to flood this little boy with your cards and love. Jacob Thompson who is a 9-year old boy whose dying wish is to receive Christmas cards? What a beautiful gift to give to him and to his family in seeing his wish come true. You can read more about his story HERE or to send a Christmas card today mail it to the following address:
Jacob Thompson
c/o Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall St.
Portland, ME 04102
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Planning a birthday party can almost be as fun as the event itself, as you can enjoy many an hour selecting the perfect theme, finding the best decorative accessories, and arranging the delicious food and drink. Yet, you will want to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free experience from start to finish. Learn how to plan an unforgettable birthday party.
Create the Guest List
Once you have decided to throw a party, you will need to confirm the guest list. If you are planning a birthday party for your friend, reach out to their loved ones to identify if they can make it on a select date. Private Facebook groups have made it easier than ever to connect with large amounts of people in one quick swoop, so you will know who is coming and who isn’t.
Select a Party Theme
Party themes will ensure the event stands out in your guests’ minds. You can choose from a variety of themes, such as fancy dress, Hollywood, or an elegant affair. Think carefully about the birthday boy or girl’s personality, so you can create a party they will remember forever.
Find the Best Venue
You also need to consider the best venue to host a party. For instance, you can hold the party at home, or you can hire a beautiful venue to accommodate a large group of guests. Consider whether the birthday girl or boy would feel more relaxed with a party at home, or would prefer all eyes on them at an off-site venue.
Create & Mail Birthday Party Invitations
Once you know your numbers, you should create birthday invitations that detail the time, date, location, and dress code. Also, try to incorporate the party theme into the invites, which can build excitement for the big event. However, ensure you mail the invites a minimum of three weeks before the party, so people will have time to arrange their schedule and send back their RSVPs.
Buy Food & Drink
Ensure your guests are not thirsty or hungry throughout a party by stocking up on plenty of food and drink. For instance, you can hire a caterer to create stunning dishes the guests will love, and you could even provide an open bar. Alternatively, you can cater the event yourself with the birthday boy or girl’s favorite foods, and can buy alcohol in advance to ensure you have plenty of drinks for your guests.
Bring the Birthday Cake
A birthday is not complete without a delicious cake. Ensure the birthday girl or boy can blow out the candles at their party – and try to identify the best point in the event to turn down the lights and shine a spotlight on the special guest.
Ask for Help
If you are planning a birthday party for a friend or family member, don’t attempt to arrange the event alone. Enlist helpers to take some of the burden before, during and after the party. For instance, you can ask their parents to greet the guests, or can ask their friends to help set up or clean up the venue.
This may be a sponsored post but all of the thoughts I agree with and match the tone of my blog .
The North Cape and the Wind and Reef Restaurant in Tignish // Prince Edward Island, Canada
November 5, 2017
Happy Sunday friends! Today I am so excited to continue to share more about my recent trip through New England, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia! Today I am excited to share about our trip up to Tignish and the North Cape and our dinner at the Wind and Reef Restaurant.
As you can tell from the map above the North Cape is on the North Western most part of the Island. From our stay at Montgomery Inn at Ingleside in Kensington it took us about an hour and a half to get to the North Cape.
The drive to North Cape was absolutely beautiful. There were so many different red cliffs that we say and beautiful scenic ocean views.
When I decided to put a visit up to the North Cape in the itinerary I found out about the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre which is a place that has amazing art displays in addition to an aquarium but also is set on the beautiful ocean.
Due to our time frame we unfortunately didn't have a chance to visit that but also housed at the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre is the famous Wind and Reef Restaurant where we made reservations for dinner for our first evening on Prince Edward Island.
When we drove up we were immediately in awe.
The Wind and Reef Restaurant is located at the edge of the reef at North Cape.
The rock reef is the longest natural rock reef in North America- stretching approximately 2 kilometers off shore. At low tide you can walk the distance of the reef and high tide it was stunningly beautiful as there was the "meeting of the waters" as the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the North Cumberland Strait come together.
I had been told ahead of time to make a reservation around sunset and I definitely recommend this to everyone. It was simply gorgeous.
Also located in this area is the The North Cape Lighthouse. This lighthouse was originally built to warn sailors of the reef which was unfortunately the site of many shipwrecks.
Our meal at Wind and Reef was absolutely wonderful and was truly one of our favorites from our time on the island. The menu was varied, the food was delicious and the views of the reef and waters crashing along with the lighthouse were stunning.
It felt a bit like a dream to be eating in such a gorgeous place with the waters crashing around us and the lighthouse in the background with the sun setting. It was all so wonderful!
I can't recommend a trip up to the North Cape as part of your itinerary for visiting the island. It is definitely an experience you will want to have! You can read more about visiting North Cape HERE and find out a bit more about the Wind and Reef Restaurant HERE. They definitely recommend making reservations and you can find the contact information for the restaurant HERE.
MAINE:
Camden: // Lord Camden Inn Review // Maroon Swing Dress & Boots //
// A Walk Through Downtown Camden Maine // Maine Schooner Olad Sunset Cruise //
// A Walk Through Downtown Camden Maine // Maine Schooner Olad Sunset Cruise //
Cape Neddick: // Cape Neddick Lighthouse //
General: // A Drive Through Beautiful Maine and a Lesson to Never Stop Exploring //
Portland: // Ferry Ride from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland, Maine //
NEW BRUNSWICK:
St. Andrews By the Sea: // A Drive Across the Ocean Floor to Minister's Island //
// A Walk through St. Andrews By the Sea // Kingsbrae Gardens //
// Purple and White Midi Dress in the Garden // The Algonquin Resort Review //
// A Walk through St. Andrews By the Sea // Kingsbrae Gardens //
// Purple and White Midi Dress in the Garden // The Algonquin Resort Review //
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
All Things "Anne": // Anne of Green Gables Museum // L.M. Montgomery Birthplace //
// Green Gables Heritage Home // Green Gables Walking Trails // Dalvay By the Sea //
// Montgomery Inn at Ingleside // A Look Inside Montgomery Inn at Ingleside //
// Senators Suite at Montgomery Inn at Ingleside // Anne & Gilbert the Musical //
// Green Gables Heritage Home // Green Gables Walking Trails // Dalvay By the Sea //
// Montgomery Inn at Ingleside // A Look Inside Montgomery Inn at Ingleside //
// Senators Suite at Montgomery Inn at Ingleside // Anne & Gilbert the Musical //
// The North Cape (Tingish) // Wind & Reef Restaurant // A Lighthouse Adventure //
// A Walk on the Beach Beside the Rugged Cliffs // Charlottetown, PEI //
// Sunrise Ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia //
NOVA SCOTIA:
General: // A Drive Through Stunning Nova Scotia // Sunrise Ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia //
// Ferry Ride from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland, Maine //
Halifax: // Halifax Citadel //
Lunenburg: // Lunenburg //
// Ferry Ride from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland, Maine //
Halifax: // Halifax Citadel //
Lunenburg: // Lunenburg //
A huge thank you to the Prince Edward Island Tourism Board that sponsored my trip to the Island, provided so much helpful information, and a special thank you to Laura who worked to organize everything for our time in Prince Edward Island.
National Novel Writing Month and Partnering with the Mighty Pens to Raise Money for the Malala Fund
November 4, 2017
Happy November friends and Happy National Novel Writing Month to so many of my fellow authors and writer friends who are working so hard this month to complete the novel that you have dreamed of writing!
This month I am so excited to share about partnering with a group called the Mighty Pens to help raise money for the Malala Fund! Our goal is to harness the passion of writers during the National Novel Writing Month to raise money for girls' education around the world!
What is the Malala Fund? Well the Malala Fund raises money for girls education around the world. It was founded in 2013 and is dedicated to preserving every girls right to 12 years of "free, safe, quality education". It was named after Malala Yousafzai who in 2012 was shot by a Taliban gunman in the head, neck, and shoulder. Malala had been an advocate for girls' right to education and was shot for her beliefs and because she wanted to learn. In 2014 Malala became the youngest ever Nobel Laureate. She continues to advocate for girls education.
Isn't that amazing? Malala has long been one of my heroes and I am so excited to partner with the Mighty Pens to help raise money for her organization!
So today friends I have something to ask you! You know how many runners will run a sponsored race for charity? I am doing the exact same thing this month- except with words. So instead of asking you to sponsor a mile for a race, I am asking for you to consider sponsoring the words that I write to be sponsored. I am hoping that you would sponsor me as I attempt to write my word count goal of 25000 words in the month of November. And don't worry- it doesn't have to be much! You could sponsor a dollar for every thousand words I write or a dollar for every 10,000 words or a dollar for the whole thing! Really this is up to you!
I am hoping to raise $250 by the end of the month to donate towards this project! Thank you so much for your consideration! You can find my donation page (along with updates that I will be doing) HERE! Thank you again so much for considering to partner with me this month! Off I go to write more words!! *smiles*
"One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."
-Malala Yousafzai-
These past few months I have been really thinking and considering this concept of how we change and grow as people. Sometimes, like the case with Pastor Frank Hogan, we even take on a new name to separate ourselves from who we were before and the person that we long to become. Sometimes the change is a bit more subtle and we don't change our name... instead we try in our own flaws and courage to become the person that we hope to be. We see that the people that we were before in anger can teach us kindness. We learn that the greed that we used to live our lives with can change into generosity. Our hearts transform from a place of indifference to one of compassion.
But this doesn't come at a lightening fast speed or pace.
Yes, it is weathered.
Yes, it has had numerous paint jobs since it was built.
Yes, some beams have had to be replaced.
Yes, it has been beaten down by different storms.
Yes, it leans a bit to the left depending on what angle you view it from
... but the foundation is sure and against the backdrop of the mountains it remains steadfast and strong.
The story goes that the farmer who built this barn spent years doing so. Neighbors supposedly questioned if it would ever be completed and when it finally was some said that it didn't "look" like much.
But this barn has housed many animals from a cold winter night. It has provided shelter for those who were homeless. It has held a wedding. It has held a memorial service. It has seen the beginning and the end and held laughter and barn dances and memories in between. The time of building the foundation provided a place for the past 75 years for people to come and find refuge. The farmer once said... "I look at that barn everyday and remember how long it took to build and I also see the changes it has endured and I remember that time and work can change me for the better too."
"To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years..."
Like this barn, building something that lasts requires a firm foundation that comes about slowly and with great determination. Building and changing into the people that we long to be takes time. Sometimes we have these great moments where it is easy and the changes we long to see seem to happen magically and quickly....but most of the time, well most of the time friends it is slow... and a lot of work.
In this world that so often communicates to us that great things happen quickly and that you can become anything or anyone you want in a minute... let us remember that there is a beautiful hope that comes with slow and deliberate building and change. That the people we long to be can happen with great patience and determination. That the people we want to live like can happen as we slowly and confidently step forward... making small and important changes to shift the direction of who we portray to the world into who we really are in our hearts and lives.
Let us learn to embrace the mistakes that we have made in the past to help us become a better version of who we can be in the future. Instead of growing discouraged by the times where we mess up, let's give ourselves the kindness and compassion that we give to others and see how far we have come. Let us take a breath, let go of the anger and embrace kindness. Let us stop living so much for ourselves in this culture that is all about selfies and "me" and live our lives openly and generously... showering those around us with God's love so much that they don't even see us, but only see Him. Let us move from a place of indifference at what is going on in our world to one of compassion. Today, dear friends, lets embrace the beautiful hope of slow building and change... knowing that we are creating a life that will have an impact and legacy even beyond our years.
"Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look...Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!"
-2 Corinthians 5:17, the message-
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."
-Habakkuk 3:2-
-2 Corinthians 5:17, the message-
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."
-Habakkuk 3:2-
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
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