July … already?

Firstly, my apologies for no June blog, I really thought I’d done one. No idea how that happened so lets move onto July quickly because tomorrow its August.

So how is the flying coming along? Good question. When it comes to the writing I’m at different stages with the two children’s books: one about the shepherds, who were at Jesus’ birth and the other about the wise men who visited him before he was two years old.

Almost every year it seems a new version is produced of the Christmas stroy, my kids still remember their favourite The Grumpy Shepherd, but as lovely as all these stories are, they seem to me to fall short of what it says in the Bible. Then two years ago, for church, I was asked to talk about the Shepherds, as part of the run up to Christmas. Looking for a new angle I presented it as a children’s story, which I have worked on since. However, I would like to illustrate it myself, and this will need a lot of practice as I haven’t painted or drawn for years.

Writing for me is like painting but with words, but now the words will actually be turned into painted illustrations.

The wise men’s story is still in the early stages, with just a few scenes in my head. I’ve studied the scriptures, asked many questions, and what takes the time, gone looking for answers. However, the answers are never straight forward e.g. What did the wise men wear, how far might they have travelled? Which of course depends upon where they came from and the route they took? And opinion is always divided on the big questions. In the end I will have to decide who, what, when, where and how, but I won’t decide alone, it’s His story after all, just like Martha’s story was His story too.

Now all of this is like clearing out the rocks, uprooting the bushes and filling in the pot holes on the ground which is to be my runway for take off. It’s what takes the time, effort and energy but also builds those flight muscles whilst laying the foundation. Finally, that stony ground is level enough to put on my running shoes and start to write/run: the best bit, where the imagination comes into full play and anything can happen. Some of the story is already in my head, some of it will be inspired as I write, and all will be rooted in the scripture, my constant reference point. As I run, I take little leaps into the air building those muscles as the story is born and grows. Of course, I’ll still need illustrations but I’ll be practiced by then, and hopefully it won’t take as long.

Learning to fly takes time, but for now we can enjoy those short glides (and don’t let anyone tell you they’re just big jumps).

P.S. I may have to order some more Martha Martha’s soon, and am always so encouraged to hear how much you have enjoyed and been blessed by reading the book.

Blessing to you all as always,

Ceridy