How about you? Do you have any dreams or ideas that need to be revisited in this new year? Can we pray for each other and encourage one another as we seek God's direction and trust Him to lead us in these pursuits?
Thank you, all of you, who wrote such encouraging words last year. I am ashamed that I didn't follow up on this. Praying now that God will show me His plan. Amen.
Original Post 1/29/2017:
Yesterday I was thrilled to find this lovely little teapot at our local flea market. I was drawn like a magnet across the yard to it as soon as my eyes rested upon it's loveliness.
As it turned out, I actually knew the couple who was selling it, and it belonged to the man's grandmother! So that made it even more special to me. I brought it home and cleaned it up and did a little research on the manufacturer of this sweet little teapot:
And I found out that the McCormick Tea Company in Baltimore, MD, actually contracted with the Hall China Co. from East Liverpool, Ohio to manufacture these pots back in the 1940's-90's. This vintage teapot was most likely from the 1950's or thereabouts, which makes it at least as old as I am!
The teapot actually came with an infuser for loose tea, which was included with my pot...so I am thrilled that it came with all of it's original parts intact, with the exception of a little chip/crack in the infuser.
So naturally, a new teapot warrants a tea party, don't you agree? Since none of the men in the house were interested in attending an afternoon tea party with me, and since it was too blustery of a day to invite anyone over at such short notice, I decided to enjoy a little tea party with my favorite baby doll, "Baby Elva"...
Here she is, all dressed up in her pink party dress, which was actually my very own baby dress! So the teapot isn't the only antique at this party!
I picked up one of my delightful little books about tea time to read..."So Rare a Treasure" by Sandy Lyman Clough. Sandy is a renowned artist as well as writer...and her claim to fame is her beautiful paintings of teacups and teapots and many other lovely antique treasures.
As I sat there reading and sipping tea and munching on a delicious store-bought "Chip's Ahoy made with bits of Reese's Peanut Butter cup" cookie, I was struck with a new perspective on something that I had been thinking about earlier today.
This morning my hubby was talking to me about my blog, in particular about the new series that I'm writing, "The Secret Garden Chronicles", and he was encouraging me to think about writing a series of small devotional style books---perhaps E-books...and his idea was that they didn't have to be 365 pages long with a devotional for every day of the year, which is what my goal had always been but I'd given up on because it was too exhausting...but that perhaps I should just put together maybe 20 chapters or stories, with the photographs that I take to go along with the stories, and that a shorter style of devotional book might be more realistic.
I kind of "pooh-pooed" the idea in my mind...(but I didn't tell him that), thinking that no one would want such a short book and it would be more trouble than it was worth, etc., you know...just being negative in my thinking...and then this afternoon I picked up this little book, and as I sat there reading through it while sipping my tea and eating my cookie, I noticed that it only had seventeen chapters/stories...and it was devotional in nature, writing about the things she loves...antiques, tea cups and other "treasures", with stories from the heart...
and I was enjoying reading this little book because it wasn't exhaustive...and it was delightful and encouraging...and suddenly I realized this was exactly the kind of book my husband was trying to tell me about this morning!
Now, trust me, I know he has never picked up this book or read anything quite like it, but he was describing it to me so accurately, that I have to believe he was inspired by the Lord to tell me this.
So now, what do I do with this idea? I do what any God-fearing woman with a crazy idea would do...I pray about it..and seek God's wisdom first.
That doll looks SO real! The t-pot is a great purchase! Beautiful! I think your hubby has a great idea about the devotional book. Your Secret Garden Chronicles are true blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri. I am really praying about this, because it will be a lot of work ...and I don't want "deadlines" to spoil the joy I have in writing...so Please pray. Yes, my baby doll is pretty special! She was a wonderful gift to me from a dear friend. Thank you again for your encouragement. You are a blessing to me.
DeleteI can tell you I would buy your E-book!
ReplyDeleteOh, bless you Sandi. I don't know a thing about how to publish an E book, so this may take a while, if I do it. Praying about it. I don't want to lose the joy of writing by making it become "work". So I pray that God will show me what HE wants me to do and how to do it. I do appreciate your words of encouragement. God bless you, and thank you.
DeleteJust continue writing your daily--or weekly stories as God leads you to do. Add your pictures along the way--as you already do, then someday, go back through your writings that you have collected, and "wa-la!" you've got your little book!
ReplyDeleteThat's just what John said...basically. But there is a lot work in putting it all together...and it takes money to publish. So, I'm praying about it...and asking the Lord to show me the way to do it w/o too much expense since I don't have any money! :) Thank you for your vote of confidence! I love you sis.
DeleteI always enjoy when you bring out Baby Eva to share with us. She looks much like my Oliver. I think a devotional book would be wonderful! I always love to read your thoughts. For sure, pray about it but keep it in your mind as a possibility. I know many people would be blessed by it.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your baby Oliver! We should get our "babies" together before you move away! Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am praying, and seeking God's wisdom regarding this, as this would be a big undertaking that would also cost me money that I don't have, so I need to be sure God is leading in this and that He will provide the way to do it. Thank you for your prayers!
DeleteI'd certainly purchase your e-book. I believe your hubby was Divinely inspired.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. You are wonderful. I think I need to start some research into how to do this. E Book or real book...an in the hands gift style devotional book...(which would be MY preference), but it has to be ordered by God because I have no means by which to pay for such a venture. Thank you for praying about this with me. You all are my test audience and spiritual mentors.
DeleteOh, yes, Pamela, God will indeed reveal to you in time if this is an idea born of Him. Keep praying about it, seeking His wisdom and guidance. And personally, I'd love to see you write a book like this!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you Martha Jane. I am seriously praying about it, but the cost scares me. I don't have the financial means to do this on my own, so if God truly wants me to do this, He will have to provide the way. So I am taking it slowly and really thinking it through carefully. Thank you for your encouragement. I do appreciate your words of wisdom.
DeletePam, I was thinking the same thing...you have a talent to write and share God with others. I pray God will lead you to take on this venture, opening doors and windows and your heart to share your walk with Him with others. Blessings my friend, praying God's will over this..btw, lovely tea party!
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers. I am just not sure if I want to tackle this...it's a lot of work and a lot of money. So I am praying that God will show me the way and if it truly is of Him, He will bring it to pass without me stressing over it. Thank you for your prayers. I so appreciate your wisdom.
DeletePam,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely teapot you found--a tea party sounds delightful. By the way, your baby doll looks very REAL.
As for the book idea. Why not go for it? You write well, especially in a devotional style. Longer books can be overwhelming, yet they are possible when they are broken into smaller "bite-sized" pieces. (A number of years ago, I successfully researched, wrote, and defended a thesis for my Master's degree.)
Blessings!
Thank you Kim, for your wisdom and encouragement. Please continue to pray that if this idea is of the Lord, He will bring it to pass. I just don't want to lose the joy of writing for my friends here...but perhaps God has a larger audience who needs to have His encouragement through this ministry. Just not sure, and appreciate all prayers. God bless you.
DeletePam, Thank you for sharing this update. Perhaps this is the year to gather your thoughts into a devotional book format? :) It's a big undertaking but one that will reap huge dividends--for you and for others.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you, Kim. I am praying about this and seeking God's direction. Just not sure if this is what He wants or not, but I am truly open and waiting...
DeleteIt's never too late to start writing, Pamela! Why don't you simply start the project and we'll all pray that God will provide the funds to publish when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, and thanks for all your prayers for us!
Thank you, Martha. You know what the publishing/writing process is like. I know it is a huge undertaking, and unless God is in it, I don't want to waste my time...but then again, the writing and praying and doing this even without the publishing would not be a waste of time...it would be a blessing to me and hopefully to others... Praying... and continuing to pray for you and your family. Thank you for taking the time to visit and encourage me when you are in the midst of your own trials. You are a blessing.
DeleteGo for it. Why not? It would be a lovely thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. It would be one of the "brain" challenges for me, for certain. I am praying about it and seeking God's direction. I appreciate your words of encouragement.
DeleteI thought that doll was real . Dang she looks real . I enjoyed this post . Yes i do have hopes and dreams for this new year . My word this year is hope . Some are for myself and some for my children . I caught myself praying yesterday for a few of those hopes but o was praying that God would see things my way . I had to revisit my prayer time and truly lay my heart out there to Him and the heatestvrhibg was that i found myself asking fir His will and not mine . I cannot tell you the peace i had . Good stuff today fior me to read. Hugs and blessings, Cindy .
ReplyDelete