From the Pod in the Big Apple

Our first views of New York were quite hazy

as we drove into the city in the pouring rain.

We had quite the tour as we looked for our hotel. Note to self... be sure the address in the GPS is loaded correctly. We checked in. I thought the tenth floor would give us a good view.

But I was mistaken.

The Pod is the perfect little space to call home while we are here. A double bed against the wall . . .

an airplane type sink on the other wall with a shower and toilet behind a glass sliding door not much bigger than a coat closet. Much like a cruise ship cabin.

The rains stopped and we took a walk down the street.

It was hard not stop every few steps . . .

and take photos of beautiful architecture

framed by trees.

We walked to Central Park

which would not be Central Park without the pigeons skittering about.

It is a beautiful park!

After dinner we took a walk about Times Square and checked out a few favorite stores. The rest had to wait for another day. 
So that's all she wrote.

Scenes we Let Behind Yesterday

 

Words that come to mind . . . hard work . . . simple joys . . . genuine friendships . . innocence . . . consistency . . . beauty . . . contentment . . . trust . . . commitment and faith. There is probably a whole lot more . . . but I have not had the chance to do anything but observe. There is a peaceful feel about this place . . . and I want to say thank you for letting us pass through.

From Lancaster with Love

I realize this may get tiring to listen to . . . but again, my heart is filled to overflowing!

The view from our window is a peaceful setting . . . so descriptive of the place and people we see around here.

I've enjoyed watching the farmer make his way around the alfalfa field . . . not feeling the need to do it quicker via more modern methods. So different from the way we are used to doing life.

 By contrast . . . we are here because of the people we have met as a result of blogging.

Last night we set up for our final book signing in the US. We have had five pre-planned book signings and two impromptu (or surprise to us) signings so far. This one was at the Berean Christian Bookstore in Lancaster.

It was an hour plus of sheer bliss . . . meeting friends . . . or friends of friends . . . and making new acquaintances with whom we could share our story. By eight o'clock all of the books the store had ordered were signed and sold.

A special thank you to the store manager and two sales girls . . . also to Judy, Sharon, Joy, the two Jeane's, Joanne, Becky, and Ruthi who put us in contact with some long lost friends whom we are meeting for breakfast today.

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.