Alissa J. Zavalianos's Blog

The Earth-Treader

Wow, it’s been a while. I haven’t written a blog in a few months. I have some exciting news, though! For many of you, this won’t be anything new, but for some of you, perhaps you haven’t yet heard: I published my first book!!

The Earth-Treader is now available on Amazon and will be available at major retailers soon! The company I’m publishing with has finally gotten back to me and has cleared up a portion of the problem, so I have high hopes the rest will follow suit as well. I will be sure to update.

The Earth-Treader
Available at Amazon as a Kindle e-book and paperback.

Now to tell you a little bit about my writing journey. (Again, sorry if this is repetitive.)

I began writing Rylla’s story back in the spring of 2016 while in my honors creative writing class at college, and at that time, her love interest’s name was William and she had no brothers. I reopened that same document in January 2020, during some of the last few days of my Christmas break, and I was both shocked and disappointed with that I had written. I knew it had potential, but it was so short.

I only had about 30 pages written at the time, and I kid you not when I say that most of it was awful. I had no direction, no clear plot, no captivating moments…it was truly an abysmal story. I sent it off to my brother who confirmed my worst fears and challenged me to write in a new direction. After a few hours of brainstorming, it hit me, and I went back to editing the entire thing.

The process took a long time, but once I had my idea, I went with it. I could see the plot unfurl like a wave hitting the shore. My characters grew deeper, the scenery more lush and vivid, the conflict and resolution more poignant. I finally had my story.

Fast forward to the first week of July, my book was done, the last line written! For so long I had envisioned the final battle scene of my book, and when it eventually came time to write it, I was shocked when it was over.

Next came the editing process, which took me about a month. It made my writing so much better, and honestly enhanced my story so much more. (Thank you, Jane!) And then came the interior artwork and map which I was so excited to get. Truly incredible work. (Thank you, Chaim!) And finally came my cover art, which is amazing. I can’t stop looking at my cover. (Thank you, Kirk!)

I’ve met so many wonderful people on this journey, and who knows, maybe I’ll write more stories set in the Earthen-Crest kingdoms. I’ve grown to love Rylla, Caz, Elowen, Jovin, Moo, Fang, Garth, Finn, Winnie, Uwan…the list goes on. So many characters, so many stories. I may choose to write more about them one day.

All I know is that I will continue to keep writing, and I have a few new stories coming up that I can’t wait to share with you all!

Thank you for following along and for all your support! And thank you for reading.

Be you of good courage,
Alissa

Dreams that Breathe

There’s something both relieving and overwhelming about a heavy rainfall. Relieving because it replenishes the earth and allows you to remain indoors and read that book you’ve been wanting to pick up for a few days now. Overwhelming because of its sound, its loudness, its cacophony of noise. I love a slow trickle of rain, but when it begins to beat heavily, it feels all consuming as if I’m drowning behind walls of water.

It’s like a dark space devoid of light. The emptiness and magnitude of the darkness seems to swallow up my senses, as if the darkness itself were some living, breathing thing. That in itself is a loudness that exists in the stark silence. In some ways, it almost feels heavier than the rain. But when there’s light, I can breathe a little easier, the all consuming “noise” of the dark diminishes and it doesn’t feel as loud. It’s but a mere trickle of water filtering into a babbling brook.

Too much of a single thing isn’t necessarily a good thing. We need rain to help our earth, water our land, and nourish the creatures, but if it only ever rained, we’d end up with a second flood. (But God’s already promised that won’t happen again, so don’t fear). And if the world existed in utter darkness, we couldn’t see where we’re going nor receive the necessary vitamin D we all crave in the bowels of winter – though it might be conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Needless to say, too much of one thing negates the acknowledgement of the other. Though if it only rained, one might say, “Wow, we need some sun to dry all this up.” Or if it was always dark one might utter, “I wish I had a flashlight.” But that’s the thing, when we’re so engrossed in the things we love and deem worthy above all else, we sometimes forget the need to pause and take a break. We sometimes can’t see past our own noses, and what we come to love, we eventually idolize.

For example, when I was younger, I was so obsessed with Legos that I would play with them nonstop, waking up early just to go to bed late. And in between? I’d forget to eat my meals and simply build my Lego mansion all day long. Yes, I was only a child and it’s only natural my priorities were a bit off, but I’ve seen how that same mindset sometimes carries into my reality now.

I love writing. Truly, it’s a gift and something I thoroughly enjoy. But I found that when it moved from simply being something I enjoy to scrambling to getting my book finished under any and all circumstances, editing my writing like a fiendish mongrel, researching the publishing process without pausing in between, and trying to find the quickest most cost effective way to publish my novel, I had lost all my joy. I was consumed by my need to “publish now or forever hold my peace” that I just had to stop.

During that rigorous time, I had basically stopped reading. I had given up on one of the things that helps me relax, one of the things that if I don’t do it, I feel the strain thereafter. I was a writing machine, and though productive, I was only focused on the end product instead of enjoying the writing journey. My life began to feel like a heavy rainfall or a room consumed in the dark. I needed the sun to break through the clouds and dry up the water while filtering into my darkened room. I needed a break.

After I decided to slow down, I was able to breathe easier. I have taken a more docile approach to publishing and I am doing my research, but I am not a frantic deer darting headlights anymore. Instead, I feel as if I’m grazing in a meadow.

Writing is a great thing. Hobbies are excellent things in general! But when they become all consuming to the point of obsessions and idols, the only place they can go is crashing down on the ground, leaving you utterly helpless that whatever you had planned didn’t turn out the way it was planned in your head. In my mind, my book would be published and on the shelves of Barnes in Noble only after two weeks of me finishing it. How ridiculous is that? I had a nice dose of reality come smacking me across the face when I found out one: how awful that would be, and two, how in order for my book to be great, I would need to still put forth more time and work.

And that’s okay. Rushing good things doesn’t make them better. And being totally consumed by them doesn’t make them more special. Sometimes it’s necessary to take breaks and leave the darkened room to finally see the sun. Or perhaps instead of waiting for the rain to stop falling, maybe just running outside in it for a bit and letting the droplets hit you on the face is enough of a wake up call to remind you that there’s more to life than all consuming dreams.

I think dreams do best when you let them breathe. Because when you do, you can too.

Isolated Reflections

It’s been relatively quiet on my blog as of late, and the major reason is due to my intentional filtering of time and effort into a different project.

I’m writing a novel, one that I hope will someday grace the bookshelves of stores and countless homes. But most of all, a novel that I can call my own and put in my own home. That being said, the task is long, but it’s proving both stretching and freeing as I’m seeing a story come alive that I hadn’t even known was there.

Writing looks different for everyone: some have certain characters in mind while others think of wildly amazing plot lines. I find both those things important, but what really turns my gears are landscapes and imagery.

There’s something about a well placed image that can conjure up feelings of longing, hope, or a desire to see what’s beyond. Where a book or story is set makes the world of difference in my eyes.

And this translates into many areas.

Our world is in a sensitive and vulnerable position right now where people are either afraid for their lives or trying hard not to let much affect them. This term of social distancing and self-isolation starts to feel exactly what those words indicate: loneliness.

As my husband and I are being forced to stay home (which for us introverts, you know it’s actually kind of nice), there have been moments of fear, isolation, and even hopelessness creeping in. It’s tempting to start believing those lies.

But there are greater truths we can use to combat these isolating thoughts and feelings. We have God’s word.

The other day I was reading and I felt compelled to look up Jeremiah 29:11, the famous verse about knowing our future is secure. And though that verse is freeing, it’s the ones that follow which really impact me.

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

My husband and I recently started watching The Lord of the Rings, it being his first time and it being my (I honestly can’t remember how many) times. Regardless, we were both drawn into Tolkien’s world, laughing and crying alongside his characters.

Similar to the passage in Jeremiah and Tolkien’s character Éomer, right now feels like we’re in a place of exile, of deep separation from the normalcy and routines of life. No, we are not forced to leave our homes, in fact, it’s the very opposite, yet we find that our situations have changed from ones of comfort to upended peace and disruption.

In regards to Éomer, he and his sister Éowyn were adopted by their uncle Théoden, king of the Rohirrim. Though their uncle gave them a safe place to live, all the while Théoden’s adviser Gríma Wormtongue was filling his mind with poisonous words, causing him a clouded sight and a passivity for his own realm. In addition, Gríma had Éomer exiled from Rohan, to roam around aimlessly with a group of men on horses, the infamous Riders of Rohan. Later, we find that once Éomer returns, he is imprisoned by the very man who sent him into exile.

This seems like a pretty impossible scenario. Éomer, a man who seeks justice and honor, yet is being forced to live like an outcast because a reign of injustice and evil has corrupted the throne.

But hope is not lost.

Gandalf the White comes and releases Théoden from Gríma’s lies and thus frees his mind. He reclaims himself and his throne. He has found himself again. Théoden reinstates Éomer, performs many kingly duties, and wipes the tarnish from his name; he proves his valor. And after his death, Éomer is named the new king of Rohan.

Now why is this important? Some of you might not be LOTR fans, which is totally fine, but I can’t help but feel like Jeremiah 29:11-14 and Éomer’s story relate to our current situation.

Some of us have lost jobs, some of us are sick and perhaps have lost loved ones, some of us have had weddings cancelled, trips postponed, financial difficulties, etc. For some of us, all hope seems lost.

But Jeremiah speaks of a hope, one that comes from the Lord and cannot be shaken. We only need to call upon the name of the Lord, in earnest with hearts fully devoted, and He will meet us.

And for Éomer, he chose not to give up. He could have sulked or fled, but instead, he used his exile to form the Riders of Rohan and helped where he could; he chose to rise above his circumstances. And in his captivity, he proved all the stronger once he was freed.

There is hope, friends, that this darkness will not last forever. And I’m reminded, during the darkest times wherever I feel most afraid, that the Lord is good, even if I can’t fully comprehend what that means.

It’s like a landscape, the ones I love oh so much from The Lord of the Rings. The snow-capped Misty Mountains to the greenery of the Shire. From the wide stretch of the marshes to the plains of Rohan and Gondor. Yes, these places are only fictional though they were shot in New Zealand, however, the beauty of these landscapes reminds me that the creator of the world is truly in charge. If He took so much care in forming beauteous things for our eyes to behold, then perhaps it’s okay to trust that He will take that much care in holding us too, if not more so.

I take great comfort in His word, in characters like Éomer, and in the reminder of his provision from the simplicity of a landscape.

He is in control. And that’s where I find my hope.

 

For information on LOTR, I received it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3omer

This Christmas Season

March came and went.

[image error]Best Day Ever

The summer flew by.

[image error]Fenway Park
[image error]Annual Red Sox Game

Grad school finally ended.

[image error]Graduating Grad School – thank you to all involved

Zac and I both started new jobs.

[image error]I took a job as a 5/6 English Teacher!
[image error]No, Zac isn’t working with cats, but he joined a new Engineering Firm which he’s enjoying!

Fall erupted into brilliant colors which have long since faded into browns.

[image error]Mums & Pumpkins
[image error]Raking Leaves
[image error]Apple Picking with Samwise
[image error]Apple Picking with the Hubs

Halloween & Thanksgiving passed by like a breath.

[image error]Handing out Candy
[image error]Moo’s Costume – Little Chef
[image error]Thanksgiving Turkey Trot – Dad & Uncle not pictured

Now onto Christmas.

How is it that my sweet husband and I have been married for 8 months now and tomorrow we get to celebrate 3 years of being together? Time flies.

Seasons are like that. They seem long in the waiting, but it’s often in the daily trudges and choices to keep persevering, that time truly seems to be the victor. It passes by without us even noticing just how fast it’s moving. Like a ninja cloaked in black, it’s elusive.

Since getting married, Zac and I have been thoroughly enjoying many “firsts” together. Some of these firsts include going to the same restaurants we’ve always gone to but now feel different because… mawwiage (The Princess Bride, anyone?) The same could be said about visiting out favorite stores, watching our favorite movies, eating our favorite foods, etc.

But what truly feels different are the holidays. And we are really feeling it this Christmas.

The day after Thanksgiving, Zac and I began decorating our home. This included putting up the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen. The lights are so dainty, making the tree look filled with fairy lights. Moo likes it too!

[image error]This is a real as it gets, folks
[image error]Moo the tree model
[image error]Lit in all its full glory
[image error]Kitty Christmas

After putting up the tree, we realized we were missing a few things. The wreath we bought for our front door was too big and didn’t fit, so we wanted to get something smaller. The banister looked bear, so we wanted to get some garland to add something extra. The ornaments looked great, but we needed hooks to actually hang them on our tree… You get the picture.

So Zac went to Christmas Tree Shop on Black Friday. The craziest place on earth. It wasn’t until he got to the store and finally came home that we both realized what day it was. Needless to say, I’ll be more vigilant next year about sending my husband into the throngs of hungry shoppers. He made it out alive though.

So, once he returned home, we resumed our elf-like duties and finished decorating our home.

[image error]Zac bought this because he knows I like birds
[image error]All three of our stockings
[image error]Lit up some bushes
[image error]I call these “Monster Bushes” because they look hairy

And currently, since being snowed in for the past two days, this is the view from inside our home.

[image error]Yeah, a little more than a wintry mix

Zac and I will occasionally find ourselves staring outside at the neighbors’ lights, looking at our tree, dancing like weirdos in the kitchen to Christmas music, and laughing uncontrollably about who knows what – we feel like children waking up on Christmas morning. We’re excited and full of anticipation for this festive season.

This is a beautiful time of the year, and though we’re reminded daily how fortunate we are, it’s all because of God’s grace.

Thankfully, this has been a sweet and peaceful season for both Zac and I, and as much as I pray that continues, we both know life is not always so forgiving. But we aren’t sitting around waiting for the storms, though inevitably they will come, instead we are trying to abide in thankfulness.

We are eager to see where the Lord brings our little family through the end of 2019 into the new beginnings of 2020.

In Him,

XO Lizard

[image error]The Zavalianos’s
[image error]Our Child

Bookshelf Tour – Part 2

Some of you may remember my first Bookshelf Tour: Part 1 and a lot of my favorite books featured there. Today, I am going to do part 2 of my bookshelf tour, navigating you through a variety of novels: their genres, content, etc.

This tour will be a little different because some of the books featured on here I still have yet to read. They are on my ever-growing “to-read” list which I’m hopeful will never be shortened. ‘Tis the bane of a bibliophile I s’pose.

Anyways, I’m so excited for this second segment! I hope you are too! (It’s a bit long, so bear with me.)

* * *

[image error][image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Chronicles of Narnia and Boxen by C.S. Lewis

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Classics (all ages)

CONTENT: Narnia has been one of my absolute favorite series for a while now. It’s brilliantly written, the characters are well-developed, and the world Lewis creates makes me feel like it very well could be real. I love everything about it!

Boxen, on the other hand, is a compilation of Lewis’ early works before he even wrote Narnia. In this book, we can glimpse his inspiration and the foreshadowing of his greatness. It’s fascinating work!

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Lord of the Rings and Other Works by J.R.R. Tolkien

GENRE: High Fantasy, Adventure, Classics

CONTENT: It’s probably not surprising that I chose LOTR to talk about next. Lewis and Tolkien were buds, so naturally, I feel as though their books are friends. I finished the LOTR trilogy a year ago, and I read The Hobbit long before that my freshman year of college. I’ve dabbled in The Silmarillion a bit, but soon realized with my new job I wouldn’t have enough mental capacity to both read this novel and lesson plan. It’s, again, on my long list of “musts.” The other books are also on my list, and I just safely assume that everything Tolkien touches (wrote) is basically magic. They’ll probably rock my socks right off.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

GENRE: High Fantasy, Fiction

CONTENT: Speaking of Tolkien, here is a man who writes similarly. Now I have yet to read this book, but a friend of mine recommended Rothfuss due to our mutual love of LOTR. So this book must be brilliant. Oh, and its 662 pages, so good luck – I can’t wait to read it!

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Book of Dragons by Michael Hague

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Children’s

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, YA

CONTENT: Now who doesn’t love beasts and dragons? I have only every skimmed the covers and pages of these beautiful, intriguing books, but I’m very excited to finally sit down and read them.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle

The Arthur Trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland (I’m missing book 1)

Faeries, Elves & Goblins by Rosalind Kerven

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, YA,

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Folktales of Ireland by Sean O’Sullivan

Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment by David G. Hartwell

Irish Fairy and Folk Tales by various authors

GENRE: Fantasy, Folklore, Short Stories, Cultural

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

The Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest by Nancy Springer

Maid Marian by Elsa Watson

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, YA

CONTENT: Wow, this one is loaded, but I couldn’t separate them. Howard Pyle was ingenious enough to write Arthurian Legends and tales of the great Robin Hood, so they had to stick together. I also had to throw in some books of Irish folklore in there as well. You can’t go wrong with any of these.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Classics, Adventure, Children’s

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry (I’m missing books 2, 4-5)

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, YA

CONTENT: Another classic story with many book adaptations. It’s my goal to get the rest of the Starcatchers series, so I’m on the lookout. Peter Pan is definitely an all time favorite of mine; there’s so much nostalgia. This is a must read!

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Moorchild by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

GENRE: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retelling, Romance, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Classics, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley

GENRE: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retelling, Romance, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Adventure, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Adventure, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley

GENRE: Fantasy, Romance, YA

CONTENT: I pictured all these novels together because they have a common theme. They are adventure novels with twists of fairy tales and fantasy. These are all YA novels that could be read at the middle-grade level as well. They are clean and full of adventure. And of course, I have yet to read these. They are on my list!

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson

GENRE: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, YA

CONTENT: I loved this book so much! It was a super sweet story, and the main character was a peach. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish. It was very descriptive and took a little while to develop, but I enjoyed that aspect. If you like Ibbotson, this is an awesome one to add to the list.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

GENRE: Historical Fiction, Romance, Classics, YA

CONTENT: This was such a great book! I had no idea what to expect going in, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it to my taste. It was filled with adventure, heartache and longing, and a beautiful coming of age story. I enjoyed every aspect of this novel.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

GENRE: Fantasy, Humor, Adventure, Romance, Classics, YA

CONTENT: I’ll admit that I’ve only seen the movie, but I’ve heard the book is better. I look forward to reading this classic novel and confronting the ROUS’s face to face.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Waterfire Saga by Jennifer Donnelly

GENRE: Fantasy, Mermaids, Romance, YA

CONTENT: This saga was awesome. I’m not usually one for mermaid stories, but I couldn’t put these down. I just thought they were super creative and provided a unique perspective of a world below the water. Intriguing, suspenseful, and captivating, these are great books!

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Animals, Middle-grade

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle-grade

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

GENRE: Historical Fiction, European History, Cultural, Middle-grade, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Middle-grade

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Briar and Rose and Jack by Katherine Coville

GENRE: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retelling, Adventure, Middle-grade

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Hatching Magic by Ann Downer

GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Animals, Middle-grade

CONTENT: The only one I’ve read on this list is Briar and Rose and Jack, but I am eager to read the rest. Coville’s book was fun and lighthearted, and it was a cute twist on the stories of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” These books are all geared towards a Middle-grade audience, though I’m sure plenty of teens may find them interesting.

[image error][image error][image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: East of the Sun, West of the Moon by Jackie Morris

The Wild Swans by Jackie Morris

GENRE: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Animals, Middle-grade, YA

CONTENT: These are some of my favorite books ever. Not only is the writing fantastic, but the illustrations are beautiful. I tried to take decent pictures of some of the full-paged prints, but honestly it doesn’t do it justice. These are so so good. Please read them.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

GENRE: High Fantasy, Romance, Retelling, YA

TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn

GENRE: High Fantasy, Romance, YA

CONTENT: Both exquisite books, Marillier and Shinn do some of the best fantasy. The word building, plots, characterization, and vocabulary is so great. It’s been a while since I’ve read these books, but I’d gladly read them again. If you like high fantasy, like LOTR, then these would be good for you: Just think less war and more faeries.

[image error]TITLE(S)/AUTHOR: The Wilde Island Chronicles by Janet Lee Carey

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, YA

CONTENT: These were recommended to me by a very dear friend, and I’m loving them! I’m on the last book, so hopefully I’ll finish up soon. My friend suggested for me to read Dragonswood first, then Dragon’s Keep, and then In the Time of Dragon Moon. Even though that’s not the order they were written, it actually makes more sense that way. If you like dragons, faeries, and magic, then you’ll most likely enjoy these

While

It’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and write. And I often find I’m most inspired in that same special place time and time again, reminding me that the “pen is indeed mightier than the sword.”

That special place is, obviously, my book room. A room where there are more pages than problems, where there are more words than worries, and ultimately, where there are more books than oxygen to breathe. I like it that way.

But recently, I’ve neglected this space. I’ve chosen the cold, kitchen table over this warm and cozy nook for reasons I can’t quite put a finger on.

Perhaps it’s the stress of a new job, the laborious hours spent wrestling with lesson plans and grading. Perhaps it’s the ease of just plopping down somewhere closest to the fridge after a long day. A girl’s gotta eat. Or perhaps it’s because this is a new season that I’m still growing into, learning to balance work and play.

Regardless, I always come back to this room. The small and quiet magic it holds and the warmth of my cat who follows. It’s therapeutic.

Needless to say, I’m inspired to write and read more and talk less. I want to listen better and simply be present. This space reminds me of those important things, no matter how often it becomes neglected or forgotten.

Here, I feel home. Here, I’m reminded that adventure is just a closed book waiting to be opened, listened to, and read.

Aren’t we like books? Just waiting for someone to pay closer attention to us, for someone to simply take the time to care? To invest and listen? To fold back our pages (walls) and seek to go deeper?

Vulnerability is hard, but it’s beautiful. Listening can be difficult, but it’s worth it. And slowing down isn’t always easy, but it’s important.

Change in the Wind

I can feel the change in the wind.

The trees sway differently, only a slight bending in the breeze, a little more resilient now that summer’s long thaw is nearing its end.

The birds feed more regularly at the feeder, storing up energy and nourishment for the harsher months to come.

The sun shines its friendly face, less brazen and more nurturing, like a slight kiss upon the brow.

And the wind, it stirs and pushes, settles and refines, kisses and berates, all the while bringing promises of Autumn.

It rustles and sweeps stray hairs across my face and tickles my bare toes into a tingling feeling – the feeling you get when you hang your feet off the edge of a cliff. A feeling unexplainable, but of something the sublime.

It’s moments like this where I feel closest to God. Where His presence seems most tangible, and I’m reminded of what it means to be alive.

All creation speaks His name. The wind rustles, “Jesus,” a sweat whisper in my ear. A calm, a reassurance, a reminder that He lives and moves and holds all things. That He holds me. That He wants me. That He provides for me. That He above all else, is good.

The wind is changing, and so am I.

Taking Flight

Trapped in a cage

That no one can see

A bird fully fledged,

Strong –

Waits to break free.

Its song is beautiful

Amidst the fear,

Its mourning once

Unnoticed –

Now we hear.

It jostles the cage,

Rattles the bones

Until the iron has

No will –

Of its own.

“I’m free, I’m free,”

Cries the bird, “At last!”

“No more, no more!”

An anthem –

“What’s past is past!”

The victory is sweet,

The healing is sweeter.

For the wings took a

Beating –

But no longer weaker.

What once was a cage

Is now a reminder

That strength is

Found –

Deep inside her.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Some poetry for this beautiful, sunny Monday. I love birds and their reminder that freedom and rest aren’t far away. Isn’t that cool? How God uses His creation to paint pictures of redemption and healing, of joy and hope, and of freedom and peace.

So do not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows,” Matthew 10:31.

May this serve as a reminder that no matter what you may be experiencing, there is freedom and rest on the other side.

Lizard

My Own Little Library

There’s some kind of magic in having a room full of books. It’s like they’re just sitting there waiting to take you on an adventure.

Every time I walk into this room, I breathe a little easier, time seems to slow down, and I’m reminded that being human is indeed a beautiful thing.

And the collection keeps growing. I know I should probably stop, but pretty covers and captivating stories beg to be put on these shelves.

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I don’t mind, and thankfully my awesome husband humors me (he likes to read too, though not quite obsessively), and the cat seems to enjoy it as well. Moo has taken to long naps on the comfiest and biggest armchair in the house. I don’t blame him – it’s the best.

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All this to say, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to collect and read books, and for a safe space to retreat where they await my arrival like old friends.

It’s some kind of magic, and it will never grow old.

Fluttering of Feathers

There are moments where being

In love feels like flying,

Soaring high above tree tops

And chasing the sun –

Other times it’s found in the

Mundane, the routines,

The ebbs and the flows of

All that it means to be human,

More of an existence

Rather than a fluttering of feathers.

But most often, it’s

A hand to hold or squeeze,

A face to kiss goodnight

And good morning as

The sun sets and rises,

Knowing that no matter how

Or what or why,

They are always there

To stay.

[image error]Attended our first wedding as a married couple!

I’m overwhelmed by all the love I have for this man. I love him all the time, but there are moments where it hits me harder than others. I’m thankful for that though, it helps remind me not to take him for granted.

Zac, I love you, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life in your arms and in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

[image error]Steven Schultz Photography

You make me so proud to be your wife.