The Saturday Journal: A new book--The Saturday Journal: Stories of Faith, Family, Farming, and Community.

I’m not one of those writers or authors who has in their backstory, ‘I’ve always wanted to be a writer’ or ‘I wrote a novel while in elementary school’.  I didn’t earn "excellent" grades in composition or grammar in school–(still not much on the “correct” way to place a comma). And as a child, I loved books,  but not so much reading.  I did read, but I was more of an outside work and play–sports kind of girl growing up.  

I love taking photographs–and that is where I received my first taste of sports reporting–taking photos at local high school and youth sports for the newspaper.  But it wasn’t until I was handed a clipboard–pencil and stats sheet before a football game and was told–here, let me teach you how to take notes and stats for the story.  This was the turning point of my soon to be "for the love of stories--storyteller" when he, my editor, said, ‘I’m not writing the story–you are.’ 

Now one would think reporting on a football game or any kind of sports competition is more about the final score–the stats along the way.  And yes, that is a big part of it–however, as I learned week after week–it was so much more.  It was about the stories on the sidelines–conversations with players and coaches--parents.  Every game had a story and many of those stories were rooted deeper than on any playing field. 

And I began listening more–for stories. 

I began writing feature stories–people stories I call them.  In my years as an adult college student, I found another interest–stories of farmers and oral histories–family stories–creative writing.. Some stories were born out of my imagination–others while nudged up to a goat on a small farm. 

I have this habit–maybe it’s a good one, I’m not really sure.  I get a glimpse–a trickling or hint of a story in a conversation or one in which someone shares with me–a message–an email–’here’s a story for you’.  'You need to talk to this person'. And my first words usually tend to be, really?  Or wow!  And then my heart gets to racing and I can’t wait to talk to this person–this family--or a group of individuals–to learn more of their story.  

I cannot describe to you in words how grateful my heart is for the stories I have heard in the past–for those who have shared their story with me–many I have written on paper–shared with you--shared with others.  And many I can’t–in respect of those who hold the stories–their stories.   

I wrote this to myself–not long ago–to remind myself of the privilege and blessing of being a writer of one’s story. 

To the storyteller, remember the story you ink–the story you voice–it’s the opening of one’s heart. Hold it gently–Honor it–and Tell Their Story Well.

There’s a Psalm Moses penned–Psalm 90 (verse 9), “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” 

This is so true. 

I pray the stories shared in this collection of stories, The Saturday Journal: Faith, Family, Farming, and Community will encourage you to take every opportunity--to listen and listen intently–open your eyes--open them wide to see, and most of all–understand the importance of sharing our stories–our history and heritage–for those to come. 

To each and every person who has allowed me to be a small part of your story and took the time to share your story for this new project--a heartfelt thank you.  And to each contributor, Logan Jones, Angela Scercy, and Tiffany Shepherd, who graciously shared their talents and stories--to Lisa Lambey Parker for saying yes to taking photos at the Special Olympics--for the cover photo, and to the amazing design work of Danielle Addington Hudson--the book would not be complete without each of you!

And above all else, to our Creator-- for His Word, and to the Storyteller Himself–the One who filled His earthly ministry with lessons illustrating beautiful stories of hope and promise and grace.

Thank You.

My gift–I lay at Your feet–it is Yours.   

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COMING SOON!

The Saturday Journal: Stories of Faith, Family, Farming, and Community

will be available toward the last of November--possibly sooner!

More information will be shared on how to pre-order the book.

Pre-orders begin on Tuesday, October 14.