We Interrupt this Spanish Program

Once upon a time, I promised to highlight your stories and photos, and add a permanent link to you in my sidebar, should you decide to share an intersection between your life and my first book.

That's why I'm interrupting our Spanish program to feature Deb's lovely, unusual journey to Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places. Here's just a glimpse...

So I turned to her book for some guidance when I was at a crossroads of sorts. It seemed to be that this was the answer nudging at me. Some insight or clarity or hot soothing cup of something. To get past the last sour taste. Where I still clung to anger and some need to spill out all my examples of hurt.

You can read the rest of 'Unearth', here.

Book Giveaway, Blue Field and a Little Grace

Many moons ago, I promised to gently exchange Links for Art. So today I'm delighted to share Rebekah's Blue Field (and add a permanent link in my sidebar). Rumor has it there is a story behind this field, or perhaps a little poetic love (tell us, Rebekah, oh do.) [UPDATE: Here is Rebekah's telling. Thank you so much for sharing, Rebekah.]

Similarly, I'm delighted to add a link to Laura Boggess, who is currently hosting a Stone Crossings Book Giveaway, 'til Wednesday evening (Is there a story behind those tiles? Not sure, but if there is, I invite a telling.)

And speaking of tellings, I wonder if you might have a poem or vignette lurking just below the surface, to offer for this week's Searching for Grace writing project...

Stories, pictures, gentle exchanges. How I delight in these little tastes of grace.

Stone Crossings in Field photo, by Rebekah Wagner

YOU TRIED IT (and this week's RAP):
Cricket's Searching for Grace
Bought As Is's Grace Found Me
Heather Owens (poem here in the comment box)
Teri (poem here in the comment box)
nAncY's A Random Act of Something That Could Be Mistaken for Poetry
Mom2Six's In Search of Grace
Laura's Searching for Grace
Eric's I Searched for Grace
Prairie Chick's Grace in Winter
Erica Hale's I went Looking for Grace
Teri's Grace, Where Are You...
Sarah's An Offering
LL's Communion
Laura's Shoots of Green
Laure's The 7 O'Clock Morning Hour
LL's daughters' Gold on the Forest Floor
Joelle's Snakeskin
High Calling Blogs' RAP: Color of Grace
Marcus's Myth of Grace
Elizabeth's I Found Grace
Ann's Open Your Hand to Take Now

Of Grace and the Barn

Ann, my dear Ann of Holy Experience, who slowly made her way into my heart, has graciously agreed to let me post her picture of Stone Crossings, as part of my Links for Art offering.

I first saw the picture when she gave the world this eloquent review of Stone Crossings. Still, I knew nothing about the secrets behind it, the humble beginnings of the table and what Ann's mind and hands had purposed and wrought. So, thank you, Ann, not only for the picture but also for this beautiful story. Told in the kind of beautiful words you're always speaking...

It's an old wooden table, one that's been out in the barn for years, neglected. I dragged it into the sunlight this summer, painted its top face a happy, gentle scone color, sat it out upon the front porch, a place of honor. Bestowed her with a wreath of worn chairs, ancient and memoried. So the little ensemble greets visitors right at the front door, inviting them to sit a spell, share. And I smile when I think of Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places laying there. It seems appropriate, right. An abandonded, beat-up barn table redeemed, set in an esteemed place.

Grace found in a hidden place.

Isn't that just SO Ann? Grace that searches the darkness of a barn, works to bring love to light.


Stone Crossings at Wooden Table photo, by Ann Voskamp. Used with permission.

Trade 'Ya: Links for Art

I know I can get those little book icons from Amazon, to use when reviewing a book on my blog. Sometimes I have. But more often I like to take my own pictures. Personalize things a little. After all, if I'm telling you about a book I'm reading, I feel like I want to add some aspect of my surroundings. Like I said, personalize things a little.

Sometimes other people do this too. I still remember Ann Voskamp's lovely worn, wooden table humbly holding tea for two and a copy of Stone Crossings.

And I have clicked The Jesus Creed on my floor with a cornhusk Mary, Two Men Fighting with a Knife on my piano, and Celtic Devotions on my side porch, looking out towards my secret place.

The other day I was delighted to discover a colorful picture of Stone Crossings at Nancy's (see above). When I asked her if I could borrow the picture, she graciously commented...

l.l., i took this photo when i was sitting on my porch. i had been reading your book and put it down and placed the stone on it to keep the wind from blowing the pages. when i saw it sitting there i just had to get a photo of all the stones that were in one place. my 11 year old daughter and i like rocks and stones and have them sitting in different places in the house and now these have made their way out onto the porch this summer...

I was touched by Nancy's sweet words and her artistic photograph. Then a small idea began to grow in my mind. Links for art. Or in other words, I would love to link to you if you share a personalized photo of Stone Crossings with me. A little story to go with it, like in Nancy's comment, would be nice if you're comfortable sharing.

Just a thought. Trade 'ya: links for art.


Stones and Stone Crossings photo, by Nancy. (Photo and permanent link provided at bottom of blog sidebar.)

OTHER 'LINKS FOR ART' POSTS:

Ann Voskamp's photo in Of Grace and the Barn