Go Ahead and Dream

I'm thinking back to less than a year ago . . .  when my H and I walked into a Barnes and Noble on the West Coast. We passed the aisle with the cookbooks and I looked at it like I had never done before. I took books off the shelf and looked through them . . . admired the beautiful pictures and layouts. . . and put them back with a silent sigh. I wondered, what it would be like . . . no . . . I could hardly dare to dream . . . it would be asking too much. But dream I did.

Sales took off quickly in Canada when the book came out. I really could not have asked for more . . . . yet when I mentioned the need for sales in the US to Kathy in Virginia, and she asked about getting us on at Barnes and Noble in her area . . . I got chills up my spine! And when I found out that the Barnes and Noble she was talking about was in the same city as our American publisher . . . well plans started shaping up. ... partly because I am married to someone who is not afraid to follow dreams.

Last Thursday, while in Harrisonburg, Virginia, we walked to a Walmart close-by to get some groceries. On the way back we walked past the Barnes and Noble and decided to go in and have a coffee. Lovella, ever the curious one . . . began looking for the cookbook isle. We checked the book shelves, almost afraid to hope . . . saw nothing . . . until we looked down the aisle and up at a display shelf that showed off the front cover of books... and there it was!

I went to bed that night . . .  overwhelmed with thoughts of how dreams come true. How little things happen that ultimately take us there. An email . . . an encouraging word . . . a friendship . . . a connection . . . another MGCC who is not afraid to dream.

It was way too early in the morning to start thinking .. . but my thoughts continued in the early morning hours. I had new hope to dream even better dreams. Dreams for my kids and grand kids. Dreams that affect a lifetime and eternity . . . and in the darkness of the morning, on my pillow, instead of counting sheep, I prayed.

I'm learning that I can have dreams, but that the God who loves us all can magnify those dreams into more than I could ever imagine. In meeting with the publisher and discussing royalties that are going to a children's shelter in the Ukraine . . .  we saw how God is enabling and providing . . . not just book sales.. but book sales to feed and provide for orphans. The dream is bigger than I could have ever aspired to . . . but in His love and wisdom, God is giving me the joy of witnessing loaves being multiplied.

A Special Place in the World

There are episodes in life . . . . appearing as chance happenings. . . that, on that first encounter can never visually foreshadow the chain of events that will eventually change a certain course of your life. That is how I feel tonight . . . as I've reflected on what just happened!

We checked into the Jameson Inn and

were welcomed with a beautiful box of goodies in the room from Kathy, aka as Menno Jeweler. I had tears in my eyes as I made a call and heard her voice for the first time . . . almost afraid to break that special shell of our imaginary friendship that began online about 2 1/2 years ago.

It was just a little comment . . . that brought us together . . .

Menno Jeweler said...

I have to say that I've never seen this done before. I've got some sheets in the dryer right now and can't wait to try it out! Thanks for the tips!
Just stumbled onto your blog from the "Mennonitegirlscancook" blog, enjoying both!
Kathy

April 3, 2009 12:02 PM

Actually, I think she made another comment earlier where she did not sign her name, but this is what I found, looking back. And the rest is history. We began emailing one day and the emails went back and forth over time ... sharing about family, hard things and good things.

Kathy . . . you are beautiful . . . inside and out! Agewise I could almost adopt you as a daughter ... not quite ... but a niece for sure. Thank you for showing me that neither age nor distance can deter a friendship based on common values and a shared faith.



And this is only the beginning of the story embedding itself on my grateful heart today.

CTV Kitchener News

It's been a day! Some things I'd like to have a chance to do over . . . to correct, while some things I'd like to do over for sheer joy!

First thing in the morning we headed back to Kathy's house and took over her kitchen . . . taking two hours of preparation for what would take five minutes to air.

 

At the studio we were ushered into a dark, cool room with a kitchenette on wheels and proceeded to set up. The producer came by to check on what would be happening and the weatherman came by to talk things through with us before doing his weather report.

And before we knew it, the kitchen got wheeled into the show room and, like sheep, we followed the crew.

Turned out the weatherman wanted to mix the noodles . . . good thing the dough was not really needed.

Next thing, I almost drizzled icing all over his sleeve as he went to tilt the plate of berry scones . . . and attempted in vain not to sound nervous. Funny, the things I learned about myself. Who IS that person talking, anyways?

The best part was the fun back in the cool room after the taping  . . . Kathy had hidden in the shadows to observe and joined us for a much more relaxed pose.

After the News Hour, CTV staff came in to sample the soup and scones. Very fun!

We packed up and got back in the car, lighthearted and ready for the road. Our GPS lady was put to the test ... sometimes doubted . . . possibly accused of leading us astray . . . yet thanked . . . as we checked into a Comfort Inn for the night.

Niagara Falls

There are times when it's just too easy to capture a beautiful scene.

Today as we were milling about the crowd of tourists, snapping pictures,

the thought came to me how easy it is to photograph when God puts something this beautiful in front of you!



No matter where I focused my lens



The scene was breathtaking!

All I had to do was press the button!

It was a beautiful day . . . the sun was shining

And the mist rising from the tumbling water felt good.

The flags showing off their colors in the breeze, reminded me of what a privilege it is to live in peace as neighbors and have a connection with both sides of the border.

For dinner we were  invited to Kathy's home. Kathy and her husband moved into this heritage house as a young couple and have raised a family here. It has not bee too many times that I have been in a home that is 100 years old.

The dinner she and her husband served us was wonderfully prepared and we enjoyed conversations about our connections. We were happy to know that we have been the cause for some of her business in the past few months at the warehouse and it was so nice to finally put a face to the friendly voice I had only heard on the phone before.

 

What a blessing to make new friends! We drove away with a contented sigh.

Flying High

We calmed our early morning jitters with a coffee and muffin just before boarding the Air Canada flight.

Right on schedule, we landed in Toronto . . . to find the walkway ... that would lead us to the train ... that would lead us to a phone . .. that would lead us to the shuttle ... to get to the slowest car rental place ever! We did not look quite this chipper at the end of that ordeal.

None-the-less . . . we were not delayed too much with our meeting with Ingrid at a nice restaurant in Oakville.

Situated on a beautiful marina, the view was beautiful and the company . . . well, we felt like instant friends.

and it was so nice to finally feel warm air in the early evening, even as the sun was setting.

We're Off

 

It was about 11 months ago . . . near the end of last summer that we got together as MGCC to sign a book contract. Mind you, by this time we had done a lot of the work already, but this was the first time we could all get together and it was something we wanted to do while in the same place and time. After we each signed our names, a number of us headed to the post office for an official send off. To say the least, we were giddy with excitement!

So that was that. After a few more months of perfecting our writing styles and photos we left it in the hands of the Publisher. While in their hands, we had several opportunities to work with them on the editing, the final edit being done in February, I think. The book was printed just before Easter, and stocked in a number of stores, locally, by Mother’s Day.

There has not been a dull moment to talk about as we regularly hear updates of folks who are enjoying this cookbook. We have simply been amazed about what God can do with a few willing hearts. As for myself, I have been surprised how God can use something that I enjoy so much. I don’t know why that surprises me, but it has.

Several of the gals have recently had the opportunity to travel to a conference in order to promote the book and they have had a wonderful time. This time Lovella and I are taking a turn. It’s a trip that began quite by chance through a friend who lives in Virginia, maybe almost teasingly, asking if she should get us in for a book signing at Barnes and Noble. To make a long story short, it turns out the distribution centre and head office for our Publisher, Menno Media (formerly, Herald Press) is in the same city as the Barnes and Noble this friend was talking about. The Publisher got involved and has since set us up for book signings and appointments in several cities, along with meeting staff and touring the Canadian and American offices.

So, this morning we fly to Toronto, meeting the Education and Media Coordinator for Ten Thousand Villages (Canada) for dinner on our way to St Catharines. Tuesday we may have some time for touring and Wednesday we have an interview appointment in Kitchener at a CTV Station. I’m excited and nervous.

I thought that it would be fun to take you along as we keep you posted on the rest of the trip while we go. Not sure how regular the updates will be but maybe we’ll just take turns.

The invitation is open . . . it will be an adventure!