So here we are at the end of an exciting contest where entrants have shared their stories of something precious and lost being found and joyfully returned. In the spirit of The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe, I want to thank all who participated in sharing your life story. You honored me by doing so and I am grateful.
And now to announce…the winner of an author-signed copy of TheWondrous Story of the Little Shoe is … Anne Kinney ! Congratulations, Anne! I will be contacting you to make arrangements of how to get your book to you when books are published in the VERY near future.
At this moment, I am awaiting a proof copy of the book to be delivered to me to inspect. Upon my approval, we will go to press!
If you are interested in purchasing a copy for yourself, a child or grandchild, please private message me and we can set it up. If you would like it signed, please include who it is for and an interesting fact about them so I can make the signing special.
God bless you, everyone.
“An enchanting story meant to be read aloud and enjoyed with loved ones. From the wondrous illustrations to the delightful rhyming cadence, The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe has a lasting message for all ages.” —-Donna Sloan, author, An Adirondack Grandma
“Grandma Searching”…original watercolor by Corinne K. Avery for “The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe” …
Have you ever lost something precious, prayed to find it, either deliberately or unconsciously… and joyfully found it?
If so, please share your story in 50 -100 words in thecomments section of this blog, leaving your name. All those participating in this fun contest will have their names entered into a drawing to win a copy of TheWondrous Story of the Little Shoe signed by the author. With your permission, I will also share your story by sharing this blog on Facebook, with updates. Please indicate by adding “permission given” next to your name.
This opportunity starts immediately today, Saturday 10/ 24 and will end on Monday 11/ 2 at 6:00 pm. Winner will be announced on Tuesday evening 11/3.
I look forward to reading your story of The Precious and Lost, Found.
So, you never know when it will happen…one life intersects with another and wonder shows up unexpectedly, brilliantly illuminating the moment.
I was shopping in CVS the other day, singing along with the music being piped into the store. I had joined in with Peter Cetera’s crooning of the “Glory of Love,” and suddenly I heard another voice singing to me on the inside,”Like a knight in shining armor from a long time ago, just in time I will save the day, take you to my castle far away…” The affection of my Papa in Heaven was breaking through in the words that were carrying me to another place.
I did not realize the music had stopped as I continued to sing, alone, I thought, in the back aisle: “You are the One Who will fight for my honor.You are the hero I’ve been dreaming of. We’ll live forever, knowing together that we did it all for the glory of Your Love…” My heart was smiling as the song ended.
Moments later I was standing in the front checkout line. A woman standing behind me asked, “Excuse me, was that you singing in the back aisle there a little bit ago?” I smiled and nodded. Her face relaxed into a full relaxed expression as she continued…” you have a beautiful voice. You gave me a very precious moment in my day. I really needed that.” I thanked her and told her that her words were kind. She was emphatic,”Well, I call it like I see it. That was very meaningful.”
And all at once that heavenly affection that I was feeling on the inside leaked to the outside. I couldn’t help it. I told her,”Even on my worst day, and in the middle of all the weirdness around us lately, God puts a song in my heart. That is what you heard.”
She thanked me again adding, “Yes… He has a way of doing that. God bless you.” Her eyes met mine with a sincere inner knowing.
The cashier at the checkout was taking in this entire encounter. He collected my purchases. I paid him and passed along the joy with a gentle but deliberate “God bless you, Sir.” He studied me in that instant and seemed to sense these were more than mere words. His face lit up. The glory of God’s Love had leaked through. The moment was brilliantly illuminated.
You just never know when it will happen.
“Take you to my castle far away… ” P.Cetera / photo of Blarney Castle- C. O’Riley
Hello out there! This is an All-Points Bulletin and first blog to welcome you aboard to my dream-come-true, my online home for all things creative. I think I will call it my “Celtic Cottage,” a wondrous space where writing flows from an origin deep inside. It is a creative spring of living words whose source is not me but to whom I have surely given my permission to bubble up and be released through me. It is a secret place of encouragement and inspiration.
I love to observe life moments and find loveliness in the seeming ordinary places. Pausing to linger and look at them with childlike eyes can be transforming and bring hidden treasure. It is a joy to capture these times and communicate them from the heart whether in written or spoken words which release life.
Please join me on this journey of wonder restored. Linger and rest for a while. May your heart be encouraged and your soul refreshed. May you dare to dream again. Sla’n agat (good-bye in Gaelic) for now, dear friends. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here.
