In July of last year, after reading Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker ( a game-changer, by the way), I composed doodled my dreams for our next home. No judging, please.
Some dreams on this page have yet to come to fruition but the house we purchased two months later did have a barn, a built-in fire pit, a spacious yard (almost four acres) and a sprawling oak tree.
The tiny house is on hold, as is the desire for chickens. (In fact, that desire has shifted toward a Goldendoodle/Sheepadoodle.) Our neighbors raise chickens so I meet her at the fence on Friday mornings for fresh eggs. Did I mention snakes are attracted to coops? Yep, I don’t mind walking to the fence.
Publishing books is a dream, no doubt⏤but plans anchor dreams, allowing them to soar to their full potential. This planner keeps me grounded.
Why the Book Launching is a Dream Come True
- The book is dedicated to my maternal grandparents, Henry and Elsie Knighton. Their love for home, family, and a Sunday drive to the mountains left an indelible mark on my life. It’s one small way to say thank you.
- The book is foreworded by Edie Melson. I met her back in 2009 when I shoved my introverted self into the closet for a few hours and attended a local writer’s group for the first time. She welcomed me from the get-go and we’ve been friends ever since. We’ve written together, slurped down lavender lattes at the local coffee shop (okay, maybe I was the only one slurping), studied God’s Word together, and joined in prayer numerous times. Thank you again, Edie.
- It proves that if I can self-publish, anyone can. Don’t you feel encouraged?
How You Can Help Me Today {Thank You!}
- Pray. For readers to be drawn closer to their magnificent Creator through what they see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. Also, creating the printed version this time around proved to be quite a challenge. I won’t see or hold a copy before you do, so please pray it publishes nicely. Above all, let’s pray that God receives much glory.
- Share. Please share this post, and any Facebook or Twitter posts you might see today and in the coming weeks. There is also a designated page on my site where you can easily click and share images on Instagram and ready-to-click tweets.
- Review. Like I said in my guest post on Edie’s site, Write Like You Believe It, Marilyn got it all wrong. Reviews are a girl’s best friend. Thank you!
Mountains Mug Giveaway – Just in Time for Fall!
In celebration of today’s book launch, I’m giving away this uber cool mountains mug. It features a quote by John Muir (The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go) that’s included in the new book. Simply leave a comment here on the blog sharing your favorite thing about the mountains to enter. I’ll randomly draw a name using Random Name Picker on miniwebtool and post the winner on Friday via Facebook.
Your support means everything to me. Thank you!
I absolutely love spending time in the mountains. I think the sheer vastness gives me an appreciation for how big God is and how small I am. And He still cares for even me. Spending time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life soothes my soul as well. I marvel at God’s creativity I see while there. God thought of creating streams, pine trees, squirrels,butterflies and all the wild birds that inhabit the mountains. For me the mountains are a perfect getaway.
Yes! I couldn’t agree more on all of those things you mentioned, Ellen. There’s something about inhaling the scent of Balsam Pine that makes me feel right at home. Thanks for sharing!!
Bought book on AMAZON minutes ago. Of course to support you and love what you write, but also I love the mountains. Went to Smokey Mou for the first time. Outstanding. God’s majesty is so real up on the mountains.
Oh, thank you for your support and encouragement, Elaine! Aren’t the Smokies beautiful? His majesty is truly evident in the mountains. Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
Cathy, I love this new devotional! And I love the mountains because of how they make me focus on the majesty of God. I can just sit and meditate on His goodness, His greatness, His love, His sovereignty as I gaze at the mountains. Thank you for writing this book!
I so resonate with your words. His majesty is on display! Oh, to sit and soak it up for His glory! Thank You, Lord — and thank you, Crickett, for taking time to share your thoughts. Blessings!
My husband and I spent our honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains, and right now, I’m working on a Chicken Soup story about a family trip to the Smokies. How cool is that? Ditto on what Crickett, Elaine, and Ellen said. How can you look at the mountains and not believe there is a God?
Amen, Tracy! I look forward to reading your story in Chicken Soup. 🙂 Stories set in the mountains are always my favorite. Thanks for taking time to share. Blessings!
yay launch day is here! i so enjoyed going through this devotional! my favorite thing about the mountains is the smell… it is so fresh and crisp! 🙂
(and that mug is adorable!)
I agree, Robyn! Few things side of heaven refresh me like mountain air. 🙂 Thanks for all you’ve done to make Launch Day a success!!!
Backpacking. I also love sitting outside with a coffee and just looking at the mountains in the distance, but there is something so sweet about hiking a trail with my family far from civilization. I love love love it.
Backpacking as a family sounds rewarding in many ways, Kim. I hope to do more of that in the future, especially now that we’re minutes away instead of hours. Thanks for sharing!
Your dream property looks a -lot- like the book my mom’s writing. ❤️ I love all things about the mountains–the air, mist rising, beautiful scenery, gorgeous views, and most of all time spent with family. Thanks, Cathy!
I look forward to reading your mom’s book! And I, too, love all things mountain and family. 🙂 Thanks, Nicki!
The mountains remind me of strength, stability, and Someone bigger than me. They beckon me to reach, stretch, and climb–to give my best in whatever I undertake. And they’re quite beautiful in all seasons 🙂
The cool crisp air in my lungs and the sound of nature and the creatures that inhabit it are God’s gift to us.
I agree, Susan. There’s something about the cool crisp air that hits my reset button. I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Leigh Ann! I love this….thank you for taking the time to share. 🙂 Blessings!
Love your second book!!! And I love the mountains especially when I get away with friends. Buck Mountain. I don’t need to say anything more
Ha! You got that right. (Hey, Buck!) Some of my favorite mountain memories, for sure. I’m delighted you like the second book. 🙂
Can’t wait to see these books in hard copies! The beach and the mountains seem one step closer to Jesus.
Thanks, Tina! Yes, we hit a snag in the printing but the paperback should be out by the end of this week. I’ll post on FB when they’re ready! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
So exciting, Cathy. My favorite things about the mountains are the view and the fresh air. They remind me of God’s majesty and refreshing rest.
Yes! I couldn’t agree more, Jeanne. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Blessings, friend!
Your writing always brings peace to my soul. Mountains, on the other hand, stir my spirit—to pause, to pray, to dream. <3
How sweet, Sandra. Sounds like a good combination! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
A vacationing devotional. Great idea. And the mountains are always a great idea.
Thanks, Jean! I agree. It’s hard to go wrong with the beach. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
The mountains serve as a point of reference when I travel and I feel closer to God when I stop to ‘be still’.
I’ve never thought about the mountains serving as a point of reference. How lovely! I appreciate you taking time to share. Blessings!
When I asked my husband where he would like to go for a vacation (a lake, river, etc.,) he said ‘the mountains in Colorado.’ We’re going to Tennesse and Kentucky in October. We’ll be staying in a log cabin in Townsend. TN at the gateway to the Smokey Mts. National Park! I have always loved the outdoors and live in fairly flat Oklahoma. I always exclaim, “Awesome!!’ when we drive through mountainous areas. It’s beauty beyond words and it makes me want to start singing hymns to our amazing Creator God!! So thankful for the beauty of mountains and rivers and waterfalls. So grateful. LG
Hi, Laura! A log cabin at the gateway to the Smokey’s…in October. That’s downright dreamy! I agree that its beauty can’t help but stir songs of praise. Enjoy your vacation and thanks so much for taking time to share. Blessings!
I’m so excited that your dreams for your home are coming true. I love to see when God honors dreams. I think I like the mountains because there is a certain feeling that God is present there when you look out over the vast open spaces between the mountains. Recently I went with my son to the highest part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I felt like I would fall off and that we were barely clinging to the area we were standing on. It was very scary and awesome at the same time.
Oh, Jane! It’s so good to see your sweet smile and “hear” your voice again. What a blessing! I don’t think I’ve ever been to the highest part of the BRP — I imagine that was quite awe-inspiring. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
I love the smell of the pine trees, the crisp fresh air and the ability to see Gods amazing creation. We were fortunate enough to visit the mountains this summer with our youngest son. It was his graduation/late spring break trip. I wish they weren’t a 10 hour drive, or I’d be there every day!
Hi, Suzie! I agree — long distances between loved ones is difficult but it seems you had a great time! I love the scent of pine so much that I use it throughout my home in the form of candles and surface spray for my kitchen. I immediately feel like I’m in the mountains! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to share. Have a great weekend! 🙂
The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go-reveals the real me from the inside -out. A place to unwind and enter rest, where I talk with the Lord and listen as He speaks back .Just as the Mountains are open .My heart and mind find a lot of open spaces to view. t.
Me too, Tonya! It’s as if my soul hits the re-set button when I start winding those curves. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to share. Blessings!