A Walk Through the Leaves...

I was running errands yesterday when I was hit with an urgent need to go for a walk.
This is significant for one particular reason...
I haven't taken a solo walk outside since my dad died.
I don't know why.
I've walked plenty with Alex but not alone.
So yesterday I couldn't get home fast enough to grab my ear buds and take off down the trail.
It was glorious.
Fall was showing off.
The weather was PERFECTION.
Not sunny, not raining...damp but not cold...perfect fall weather.

The leaves were ankle deep in places.
And there were mushrooms...
I love mushrooms.
They're so delicate.
So fragile...
But they have strength to push through the weight of the damp leaves.

                                           

Leaves let go of the trees in front of me, twirling to the trail.
I stopped to watch them.
Letting go.
Letting go so new life can grow in their place.
For a long while, I was all alone...me and my music.
Praising God for His beautiful world.
Reflecting on the past year...
Realizing that everything was fine...
Really good.
Even though...

And I'm thankful for the journey of life,
The changing seasons,
And solo walks through leaves.

God Will Take Care of You!

Yes, He will!
Matthew 6:26 (KJV) says:
Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?

Two Golden Rings is the story of Violet Finnegan, a young widow struggling through the the Great Depression. She longs to help her family when her father loses his job and they are unable to pay a debt. Will Violet trust God to provide for her family or will she take matters into her own hands?

The ebook AND paperback are available now on Amazon - Click here

Do you want to win a print just like the one pictured above?
Here's how: Be the first person to post a photo of yourself holding a paperback copy of Christmas in Time on social media (tag #heatherswrite on instagram or Heather Morse Alexander on Facebook). If you're the first, I'll send you a 5x7 print FREE!

What if you're not the first one to post a photo?
Here's another way to score a print: Leave a review on Amazon! There are 3 reviews on the ebook...will you be the 4th? :)
I can't wait to give a couple of prints away!

What if you want a print but you didn't win?
That beautiful print was created by my niece, Angela.
She has some for sale in her Etsy shop: Letterbabe

Thank you so much to everyone who has already purchased the ebook and paperback!
I appreciate you! I hope the stories bring you joy!

A beautiful October.

It's a lovely October but...
It's not nearly as beautiful as last October.

Last October,
The leaves were fiery red, bright yellow and glowing orange.
The trees seemed to hold onto the leaves a bit longer as if showing off.
Look at me! Look at me!

The rain smelled incredible.
The sunsets were glorious.
The crispness of morning, a delight.

Last year we'd just come through a horrible time of suffering.
We'd watched my dad battle cancer and ultimately lose the fight.
We didn't look out the windows or feel the fresh air.
We held a vigil of love.

And when it was over.
When the hot pain of anticipation and loss lifted,
October shocked with its beauty.

I remember saying over and over how beautiful THIS October was.
And it was glorious.
It was the prettiest fall I'd ever seen.

Because after the dark,
After going through the ugliness of death,
The light born out of that dark tunnel,
Was so very bright.

Suffering gives birth to appreciation...
Of life, beauty, nature.
And although last October was filled with sorrow,
Joy danced in the falling leaves.
My heart was bathed in a downpour of comfort.
Peace warmed like a comfy sweater.
And it was the most beautiful October on record. 

Christmas In Time - A Country Christmas by Carolyn Bickel

Happy Release Day!!!
Today is the day that the ebook releases so if you pre-ordered (THANK YOU SO MUCH!), it should be delivered to you today!
The paperback still has a week or two to percolate, unfortunately. It's coming though, I promise!
We surely do appreciate your support in this endeavor. It's been so much fun creating a book with my co-authors. What a wonderful group of people to work with!

Today I'd like to introduce you to Carolyn Bickel!
Her story is a sweet tale of Christmas that many of us can relate to...it will warm your heart!

          I experienced some of the events, and situations you’ll see in my story. The struggle to pay the bills, the lack of money to buy gifts at Christmas, like many people, I experienced those difficult times. But in this story I wanted to show the importance of being a close family during hard times. Little things count. Presents from the heart come in different ways, as this family discovered; not always in lavish gifts, but in unexpected ways. The real meaning of Christmas is love for one another, and what this time is all about, God’s son 

Carolyn Bickel lives in southwest Washington State on a small cattle ranch with her husband Sam. Their house pets include a Pembroke Welch Corgi, and their fat cat Mabel. She has written adventures about Mabel and Tasha, yet to be finished. She loves music and plays piano in a band twice a month on Friday night at her church for Celebrate Recovery, a successful program for persons recovering from additions. Lives are being changed. It is wonderful to see.