Hello, from the Outer Banks

Hi everyone! We are currently on our yearly trip to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and I thought I would share some pictures with you throughout the week!

Today we visited a beach in Corolla, where the Currituck Banks Estuarine Reserve is located. We set out to enjoy the ocean spray, sunshine, and...to look for the wild horses. :) We were blessed to see around half a dozen! We watched them traverse the shoreline and later saw them move up into the dunes. And we all laughed when a small, mischievous-looking group of them approached a fisherman's cart, checking out all his supplies. :D And the fisherman could only watch, because people are allowed to get no closer than 50 feet of the lovely creatures.

(You can see the fisherman in the background, though his cart is not visible in this shot.)



 

 



 Einstein is my back-seat companion and turned to let me get a shot of him between his spells of watching out the windows. :)

 

When we got out to walk we could get better pictures, plus cool off a bit in the water's edge. :)

Josh

Love this snapshot of Mother :)

Pop

 

And down here you are actually allowed to drive ON THE BEACH! It is true that the tire tracks take away from the natural appearance of the beach, but it is a completely different experience from driving on pavement--and you sure can't beat the view! (Plus it's really fun to bounce through the ruts left by the other vehicles ;)

Chelsea behind the wheel

And I got a turn too

Pelicans

 

So now you have seen what I have been up to today! And I know generally my blog posts generally focus on writing and projects, but God's creation is so beautiful, so perhaps you shall enjoy seeing photographic captures of it. :)

And to add in some book-stuff, I will tell you, this morning I worked on some outlining for the fifth Lauren book. Book four is already outlined. I just need to write it!

New Project!

Some of you already know about this. I have started a new venture--making pioneer bonnets and selling them wholesale to another company.

 

We are starting small, with the three color options shown here:  

Two size choices, Small (approx. girl's 8-12) and Large (approx. girl's 14-adult)*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

*Large shown

 

 

I will be posting more on this in the upcoming weeks, giving more details. I am very excited for this opportunity and looking forward to seeing where the Lord takes it. :)

 

 



Convention Follow-Up

It's been nearly a week since we returned home from a very blessed weekend in Indianapolis. Below are some pictures from the convention. I was so glad to meet many readers, as well as other young authors! Lord bless each of you!

We also had the pleasure of meeting Dean Butler, the actor who starred as Almanzo on the TV show, Little House on the Prairie! For a big Little House fan, it was neat to see that he is continuing in preserving and sharing the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder. :)

 

Setting up on Thursday

 

 

Signing books

 

 

Group shot with Mr. Butler!

 

 

 

Hope to see you all there next year, Lord willing!

 



IAHE Convention

Lauren Books is going to the homeschool convention in Indianapolis again, and it is in just over two weeks! I am excited to announce that this year, not only will the booth have the Lauren Series books, but also time-period costumes for girls and their dolls!

Hope to see you there!

Check out the IAHE website to learn more details about the convention and the exhibitors. http://www.iahe.net

And watch for more upcoming posts concerning preparation for this trip! :)

Sweet Journey

I am currently reading a devotional book by Teri Maxwell, called Sweet Journey. It's focus is what the title implies---a sweet journey with the Lord! Seeking Him through His Word and through prayer. And while this sounds simple and obvious on the surface, Mrs. Maxwell makes some great points and the book is truly encouraging.

And I am enjoying it so greatly, I felt I should share!


"Daily Bible reading is simply non-optional for the Christian who wants to grow spiritually." ~Teri
Maxwell

If you are looking for something to aid you in establishing (or re-establishing) daily time in the Word and in prayer, perhaps you might want to consider reading through this study! :)

Upcoming Deal!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that A Thief in Pigeon Valley is going to be only $1.99 the first week of February! (The 1st - 7th)  Kindle edition only.

I always like finding books when they are discounted! ^_^

Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

Certainly those words are awe-inspiring!

I read this devotional from John Elliott and decided to post it here for all of you. It only takes a minute or two to read, so I encourage you to take the time to do so, and then consider its points. If not profound, it certainly is a good reminder to us that we serve the all-powerful God of the universe!!

Amazing Unbelief


“. . . then Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’” (Luke 1:18).

“Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’      Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13)


I find Zechariah’s response to be one of the most amazing admissions of unbelief imaginable. The angel Gabriel is standing right there in front of him – in blazing heavenly splendor direct from the Presence of the Lord Himself. Furthermore, the angel tells him that the baby that will be born to him and Elizabeth is an answer to a prayer they have prayed. They had actually prayed for a baby! And he still was unbelieving!


Every Jew knew the story of Abraham intimately. Zechariah could have told the events of Abraham’s life in great detail without hesitation. Perhaps Zechariah even became more animated when it came to the part where Sarah conceived even though she had passed through menopause and that Abraham was a sterile old man. Essentially, God was saying to Zechariah, “I am going to repeat in you and Elizabeth what I did in Abraham and Sarah – an old man and a menopausal woman are going to give birth.”


How is it that we believe that wonders happen to others but not to us? Herein lies a common mistake that we must avoid at all costs: we must avoid the temptation to put a person like Abraham on a pedestal and assume that his case is unique – that somehow he was “special” and in a separate category, different from the rest of us. No. No. No. The reason God gave us the story of Abraham was to show all of us for all time that HE can do amazing things regardless of our circumstances. Indeed, the reason all of the stories are told of men and women of faith, in both Old and New Testaments, is to show us that we CAN imitate them. There is nothing wrong in saying to God, “Lord if You could do it for Abraham, Elijah, Gideon, Deborah and David, you can do it for me.” This is simple faith. This is an appeal to the God who acted in the past with wonders and miracles – the same Jesus Christ Who is today what He has always been.


One of my spiritual heroes is George Mueller who lived in the 19^th century whose life of faith blessed thousands both then and now. I find my faith inspired when I read of the ways God provided for Mr. Mueller in order that the work of the Lord might go forward. I have often prayed, “Lord, provide for me and my work in the same way you did for George Mueller.” I heartily recommend prayers like these. Keep this question alive: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”


2014 Galestorm Music Inc

                                
                                          
 www.JohnGElliott.com