The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert flower, Tucson, AZ We've all had something unexpected happen. The best is when the unexpected is good, am I right? Yah. I think so too. Sadly, the reality is there are also a lot of bad unexpected things that happen to people around the world. Weather related, criminal, social, economical, and much more. I wish, how I wish I could do more than I already do to help. But having only two hands makes it tough. Photo by Mary Vee, Michigan Sunflower For today, though , let's talk about the good unexpected moments. Those times when someone or something completely surprises us. Think presents. Think opportunities Think the sun peeking out on a rainy day. Think the person who helped change a tire. Think the check in the mail Now that we're thinking about it, there were a lot of unexpected blessings that came our way over the course of our lifetime, right? All gifts from God. Photo by Mary Vee  - ...

http://www.marcussamuelsson.com/about As a boy growing up in Ethiopia, Markus, his sister and his mother became sick with tuberculosis. His mother died from the disease.  He and his sister had no place to go. One day, a family from Sweden decided to adopt a child. I don't know if they were unable to have children, but I do know they had room in their lives to give an orphaned brother and sister a loving family. Markus and his sister moved with his new family to Sweden, he went to school, and grew tall. He became interested in cooking and was able to go to a culinary school. Markus skills enabled him to become an accomplished chef. He worked in fine restaurants, has been a judge for cooking competitions, and has cooked in the White House for the president. Markus volunteered for a program for poor children interested in becoming cooks. The program provides training, scholarship, direction, and opportunities for those who complete the training. From the look...

Yes, Friends. There is a book giveaway today!! Montana.photo by Mary Vee Sometime Life doesn't go the way we want.  Little pebbles tumble in the way and create road blocks.  Tires go flat, accidents happen, sickness strikes. Still at these moments, God shows His lovingkindness by letting the sun rise, freshening the air, and letting the water flow. We all know someone who has had something fall into their path. I think of a little girl at my church who was recovering from leukemia, but recently had a relapse. Our church family is very concerned about her. I think of the people in the Philippines for their lose of life and damage from the typhoon. You may know someone who can't find their smile at work today. Let's reach out and bless those whose are working through issues . Share a blessing with those in your community. And praise God for His presence. Please share a comfort verse in the comment section. I will have a book give away this w...

A song sung by the Detroit Bible College Choral: Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever amen, amen, be honor and glory for ever and ever amen. From I Timothy 1:17 . Before a family meal is eaten, the table must be set. There can be a wide range of dishes and other assorted pieces placed on the table, depending on the need. For me, I had an opportunity to dine with the Father at a table He set this last weekend. Here is how: About a year ago, my son gave me an exterior hard drive for my computer and recommended I back up my data regularly. I set the device in my computer bag and promptly forgot about it. Last Friday, I happened to visit him and while there asked him to teach me how to do the back up for my computer. He taught me by doing the job. Sunday, I received word that Jim, a good college friend passed away. Several friends from our college choral went to the visitation. Jim's brother, Robert, gree...

Beth Vogt with me at the Dallas ACFW conference Think of the one special something you've received. It doesn't have to be tangible, it could be a thought, a concert, a hug, a conclusion, a beginning, there are no limits except you can only pick one. Got it? Good. Allow the bigness, the elation, the adrenelin bubble to the front of your thoughts. Recall the moment you first discovered what you would receive and walk through that day. Keep walking through the days after. Your blood is tingling, racing through your veins. Feel excited again?  Are you bursting to retell the event? If you can, run, now, to the nearest person or call someone. Tell them your exciting news. How did they respond? Did they get excited with you? Did you tell your story with animation, (arms and hands moving), facial movement, (brows up an down, lips switching from happy to serious, etc), Did you add details because of their excitement, maybe rewind the story and retell parts? Perhaps y...