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3…2…1… Here it is!!  Archived posts have been updated and uploaded.  Journals have been reread and snippets offered for peeks into my life during these quiet years of my writing journey.  Pictures have been edited.  A new webpage has been created!  This blog (which in my mind I’ve affectionately been calling 2.0), began to evolve way back in the August. 

As I drove home from taking William to school that morning, I recalled a story I’d heard about the flower, marigolds.  The story says that the plants and flowers that are planted around the marigold grow stronger because they are supported by the nutrients and such that the marigold supplies.  On this site, I want to focus on telling stories of strength and providing encouragement, but I also am drawn to do book reviews of some kind.  I haven’t yet fully wrapped my mind around that part, but it struck me that I want readers to leave my site feeling stronger and encouraged.  I wanted the site to feel calm when the reader opens it, lots of white space and golden-yellow lettering for the title and logo. 

Then, my mind took a trip down a large wormhole as I began to dream about owning and operating a used book store… Mrs. Marigold’s Books, Conversations and Coffee… or Books, Encouragement and Coffee… or just Bookstore and Coffee House.  I pictured it as a tangible combination of J.K. Rowling’s “Olivander’s Wand Shop” and an intimate coffee house like “Marshall’s” was in Amarillo.  I want it to have nooks and crannies for quiet conversations or to curl up with a book… or even a place or two for teachers to have to tutor. It would be open 9:00-3:00 while William is at school or “by chance” as the bookstore was in downtown McKinney.   It felt so real I could smell the coffee brewing and hear the whispers of readers.  But… I digress! This is the grand opening of my webpage, not my coffee shop/ bookstore!

The dream has taken seed in my heart and begun to sprout roots.  God is good to provide dreams at just the right time.  I abandoned my marigold name idea but kept the ideas.  I’ve continued to quietly write and gather my stories and I can’t wait to share them with you!

If you would like to stay “in the know”, I’d love it if you decided to subscribe.  Join our community of encouragement!

-Many Blessings, Bethany 

January, 2019 – My mind rushed to catch just one thought to get it onto paper.  I had committed to writing “more”, sometimes daily, sometimes weekly, and I was clinging to a piece of advice that said basically “any writing is writing”.  Sometimes the thoughts came fast and furious, other times it was a slow trickle – just barely dripping a list of things I could possible write someday. But I was creeping forward and holding fast to ideas that formed real words on literal pages.

My spirit rose in January when I saw an Instagram post by Hope*writers inviting anyone to participate in the 12-day hope*writers challenge.  Stepping into this challenge meant my writing could be read by anyone (gulp).  These words would not just between me and Jesus. I closed my eyes, took a deep ragged breath and jumped in; and on January 14, 2019, I posted my first writing challenge!  Here’s a review (just in case you don’t follow me on Instagram!  Which you could remedy quickly!):     

Day 1 – @hopewriters challenge – “word” – Finding the first word to say, to write, to type is always the hardest for me. So most mornings I read the Word before I begin using my own words. God is gracious to fill my mind and my heart with His words of peace, joy and faithfulness. His Words becoming my words is my desire.  As a word-collector, I am in awe of the power of just one word, or just a few, or even how a word is said. May my words speak life. #hopewriterlife

Day 2 – @hopewriters challenge – “morning” – We are routine people. And our morning routines are no exception. This year, with the changes to my work schedule, the morning routine has varied some. But, this peanut butter and homemade strawberry jam sandwich has remained steadfast. W’s lunch is the same today as the first day of Pre-K. The rhythms of life bring me comfort that, though each day things change and the mornings bring a chance to try again, it’s right and good for some things to stay the same. Here’s to the rhythm of your life – whatever your PB&J might be. #hopewriterlife

Day 3 – @hopewriters challenge – “Draft” – Idea, write, check, reread, change, redirect, add, abandon, repeat. So, this is me, my draft, my furrowed brow, my words slowly creeping, taking shape, but not quite ready to be shared. #hopewriterlife

Day 4 @hopewriters challenge – “Mood” – My mood is blooming. Planted deep. Roots secured. Stretching upward. Gathering light. Ready to bloom into something new. Winds of change cause a shiver. Or is that feeling excitement? * This tiny metal sign hangs in a collage in my hallway. It reminds me each day as I walk out the door of the possibility of growth. * Words sprinted through my mind and found their way into written word this morning as I contemplated the relationship between morning and blooming. #hopewriterlife

Day 5 @hopewriters challenge – “Edit” – In truth, my post is belated. Life ran too quickly yesterday. Edit turns my mind to my calendar and to my life these days more than my writing. Making time. Creating margins. Setting priorities. Working through the process. Learning to say no to some thing to say yes to others. #hopewriterlife

Day 6 @hopewriters challenge – “Brainstorm” – The word storm rolls in as a gray day. Then a mist – slow, quiet and penetrating – into the depth of my mind. The drops become heavier, quicker until they evolve into a storm. Words, soft and quiet, whisper until I listen, until I put paper to pen. * This corner, my favorite place to listen for the word storm to roll in. #hopewriterlife

Day 7 – @hopewriters challenge – “Stuck” – Dinner’s recipe called recently for the contents of a jar similar to this one. But, the lid didn’t budge. I twisted. Stuck. I turned. Stuck. I used the sticky gripper thing. Stuck. I walked away, then came back and tried again. I twisted. Still stuck. I turned. Still stuck. I tapped the sides with a spoon and finally, success. But in the dark of night I knew something was wrong. For days, I couldn’t move my wrist or my fingers. An injury from jar opening! It could be a commentary on my age or level of fitness. Or it COULD be a reminder: when things are stuck, a gentle tap does the trick better than force. #hopewriterlife

Day 8 @hopewriters challenge – “Quote” – The words catch between my eyes and my soul. For a moment, in my throat, until I whisper them aloud. * That’s when I know it is a quote I must add to my collection. The collection is varied. Bible verses, humor, descriptions of fictional places and characters, words that make sense of something I couldn’t begin to describe. They all have a place in my collection. The words wait. To be quoted, to be consulted, to be considered. * Thank you, Christy Jordan @southernplate who wrote on her blog the words I’ve posted here. I’ve kept them close for almost four years. They remind me of important things when I feel rushed or harried. * Smiles * Sunlight * Hugs * Coffee * Spirit * Gifts #hopewriterlife

Day 9 @hopewriters challenge – “Inspiration” – In 2011, my tiny boy’s imagination reignited a dream within me during this funny conversation. The dream to write was long forgotten, buried under life and other responsibilities. * Every now and then we still talk about Dixie the Super Spy Dog. My writing has changed direction and Dixie won’t make an appearance in my current project. But, the conversation will always serve as my original inspiration, as will the occasional, out of the blue, question from my boy – who is not so tiny now, “Mom, what have you been writing lately?” #hopewriterlife

Day 10 @hopewriters challenge – “Goal” – What if I set my sights on these three things and everything else fell into place behind them? Maybe I WILL move out of my comfort zone and let more people read my writing. Maybe I WILL keep the margins in our family schedule sacred so there is less rush. Maybe I’ll even learn to parallel park! But, I have faith that if I act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God, He will lead me in all of those things… Or maybe lead me to other things that I haven’t even yet dreamed. #hopewriterlife

Day 11 @hopewriters challenge – “Feelings” – I cried at the movies today. Actually, BEFORE the movies… during the previews… for an upcoming ANIMATED movie. Yep, my feelings were on full display for all to see. * Life would be far less complicated if our feelings were black and white, easily sketched and quickly identified like this image. But no. Deep, layered, difficult to define feelings give spice and interest and beauty to life. * As a writer, communicator, and liver of life I want to feel it all deeply, then describe it well for all to feel. #hopewriterlife

Day 12 @hopewriters challenge – “Progress” – Directions may need to be recalculated. Stop lights may cause a pause. Progress may slow through a few zones. But, to make progress down the road, I will choose to keep my writing gear in DRIVE. * Writing (and posting!) for 12 days in a row, has challenged and stretched me. I have loved the “deadline” of having to get it done once every 24 hours. My progress has been primarily progress of the heart – a change in confidence. We shall see what the future holds, but I have a twinkle in my eye and a spring in my step as I trust that God will lead just where He wants me to go. #hopewriterlife

I did it! I posted for TWELVE days in a row. Which made me think… maybe this writing thing is supposed to start as another blog. I’d missed it and it was time again!

(And also, just a reminder, if you don’t follow me on Instagram yet, remedy that right now! Find me at: BethanyMcMillon)

Many Blessings – Bethany