The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Sometimes we allow ourselves to become bogged down with stuff. We run around trying to finish this and plan that. I opened the window this morning, heard the song of several birds, and thought of God.  My mind immediately leaped into the list of things I needed to do today. Really? That happened fast. And what were these terribly important things?  Some truly were necessary. Feeding the family. Going to work. Etc. Some are not.  Let's talk about how we spend our day. What do we really need to do today? If this was the one day you could remember when you turned 94 years old, what would go through you mind? God asks us to live each day to His glory. Each day, whether it seems good  or bad  needs to honor HIm. And when our choices honor Him, we can find peace even in the problems.  I am so glad you stopped by today to read this post. If possible, take a look outside. If the weather is good, step outside again. Listen to the sounds. Are the kids outside? Is it rainin

Today I welcome an award winner author,  a lady who is both kind and friendly, Janelle Mowery Enter to win Janell's  new release,  Always Remembered .  Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. I met Janell through ACFW. Seems I've met so many wonderful people there. What a kind, giving, and friendly person. She immediately responded to my message asking her to visit with us and spoke to me as if we'd known each other for a long time. How awesome is that? I asked Janell to share how God has led her writing journey. This is what she said: God Made Me with an Extra Dash of Adventure Spirit I believe our creator God makes every individual unique, each with our own dreams, desires, and bents. I think He made me with a slightly adventurous spirit. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved books. When I was six, I was given Alice in Wonderland , which I believe awakened in me that adventurous spirit. 

The coffee shop can be a perfect place to sort out thoughts and get work done. I find this setting a great place to relax. I love to spend an hour chatting with my husband while sipping what ever blend of tea struck my fancy. But sometimes I come by myself to work. Like today. I have my cup of English Breakfast tea, cell phone, and lap top spread across the table surface. I purposely chose a booth to prevent someone from reading over my shoulder.  Today's work? Updating my sensory vocabulary with observation. What do people wear, how do they converse, what is the body language, and what words do they use. This particular shop is playing classical music, the tables are nicely spaced for privacy, abstract and impressionistic paintings hang on a coffee brown wall and business is being conducted all around me. To my right, a thirty-fiveish man is pouring on the sales tactic to an eightyish man. The younger one is leaning forward and speaks loud enough for all near him to

Today's college town bus... You are in for a treat.   University of Michigan Bus is free for campus transportation. If you visit, you'll see why a bus system is needed to get students to classes and back to their homes for this large campus. I went to the University of Michigan campus and spent the day with my college daughter. She swiped her card to pay for her fare and I pressed my coins into the meter. We plunked down in the first available seats, I chose to sit sideways to watch the action. Easily ninety percent of the passengers either spent their time texting, surfing the net, or talking on their phones. A few International students chatted in their common language. the remaining passengers stared blankly out the window. The bus driver must have been instructed not to speak to anyone--or else he couldn't speak English. Needless to say, I could have been anywhere in the world and experienced the same thing.  I found it exciting. The closer we cam

Today I welcome award winner author  Kim Vogel Sawyer Enter to win Kim's  book,  Kansas Weddings . I met Kim at ACFW. She is a gracious and lovely person. I immediately saw her godly heart .  I asked Kim to share how God has led her writing journey. This is what she said: Little Girl Dreams From my earliest memories, I have wanted to write.  My parents tell me I was telling stories before I was old enough to write the words on paper.  I believe the desire was planted in me by my Maker, and when the time was right, He watered the seed and brought it to fruit. Although I entered college as a journalism major, my plans took a turn when my young husband left and I was alone with a baby to support.  I changed my degree to elementary education so I would be more available to my daughter. But that desire to write remained in the back of my heart, and I continued writing whenever I had spare moments. 

I hadn't heard until the end of the day about the bombings at the Boston marathon. This will, in no doubt, be added to the growing list of events that should not have happened during my lifetime. It's important to discuss our impressions, fears, concerns, and needs during and after these situations. Real people were involved both physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually. Yes, I remember where I was when J.F.K was assassinated  the first shuttle exploded and the second burned in the atmosphere, Columbine shootings, Oklahoma bombing, Newport shootings, and the many others in between these and the Boston marathon. What does God have to say about tragedies like these? Let's talk together and share verses and words of encouragement. I'll start. Dear Friend,  God loves you. So very much. And when you walk through terrible times, He understands your sorrow and pain. He will wrap His loving arms around you. He has also put in the heart of o

Are you ready? Have you sent in your forms? This year, for the first time, we needed help. Mainly because we moved and worked in two different states. While we may or may not agree with the politics of our country, we feel it is important to pay our taxes and to do them correctly. And since Jesus paid His taxes . . . . I hope you will receive a nice refund and can do something wonderful with it. Let's dream about that wonderful return. What would you like to do? I mean it's not like winning a prize, this was your earnings that didn't need to go for taxes. One year we received something like $35. I was ecstatic we didn't have to pay more. We used the money to go out for dinner. My husband and I are planning a special anniversary celebration. It will take awhile to save up for it, even with the tax refund, but we hope to go in a year or two.  Would you like to know what we want to do?   Go to Israel. Perhaps, and the is the bonus dream, start with

Today I welcome a friend  and   hero,  one who has overcome then sought  to help others,  Dr. Richard Mabry.    I met Richard at an ACFW conference and have seen him pop up in cyberspace many times. Why? Because those who know him can attest to his kind, gentlemanly ways. Who wouldn't want to sit down and chat with him?  Richard, or Doc as some call him, loves to play golf. He says, he "works fruitlessly to improve his golf game." Sounds like a challenge to me, eh?  He is a retired physician, and w hen not writing, he spends his time reading, and defending his title as the world’s best Granddad. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church, pastored by Dr. Chuck Swindoll. I asked Richard to share how God has led his writing journey. This is what he said: When Life Hands You Lemons… How would you complete that sentence? Most folks would say something about m

Let's do something different today. We all have ruts, daily grinds, rituals, even the sun needs to come out and say hi. (I'm in a rut on this one because I am very sun deprived.) Hallmark and calendar companies have labeled everyday of the year with some sort of recognition. Let's make today  National Upset Your Routine Day Here are some ideas:  Serve breakfast for dinner.  Set up camping tents in the house and sleep in them Call someone you haven't had contact with in a long time Oh...here is one: Write a letter...using paper, pencil, envelopes and a stamp. Listen to your favorite songs from at least ten years ago. Look at a photo album (nothing on line) Sit on the floor (some of us may need help getting up, but hey, that's okay) Roast marshmallows over a candle (yes this works, my teen daughter and I do this in the winter or yuck weather days like today) Color something with crayons. Do your chores in a different order.  What'

I couldn't help it. I confess, I am a girl. There are times when I need to switch thing around. Can't stand having my feet stuck in the muck, or trapped in a corner.  I move the furniture in my house without telling my husband, and today I changed the appearance of my website. Do you like it? I hope so. I felt "Let's Talk" welcomed you more into the conversation. Gives you an opportunity to say what you're thinking...and I love to hear what you have to say. I felt the colors were warm, inviting, and might make you want to sit a spell and chat with all those who stop and join us. I felt the table setting would entice you to take your time, maybe venture into the other rooms of my website where you'll find virtual sweet tea, flavored coffees, assorted teas, and, of course, pastries. Next time you come, bring a friend and let us get to know him or her, too. May God richly bless your day with warmth, sunshine, and giggles.

Today I welcome a fantastic  author who is funny  and a super friend: Tina Radcliffe   Enter to win Tina's  latest book,  Mending the Doctor's Heart .   International readers may also enter!   (see end of post)  I met Tina at ACFW. After a meeting,  I happened to step into the same elevator as Tina and a group of conferrees. We went up a few floors. The others stepped off the elevator leaving Tina and me, but we were not alone. Before the door closed, Tina looked at the inebriated man mumbling to himself, grabbed my arm, and said, "Mary remember we were going to  talk with a few friends first?" She grabbed my arm and the two of us escaped. Tina is a lot of fun. I highly recommend you introducing yourself if you ever see her. Warning: be prepared to laugh.  I asked Tina to share how God has led her writing journey. This is what she said: These Books Aren't Mine, They're God's Mary,