Thank you so much Rivka. We do heal through finding our purpose(s) along the way of life and I am so grateful for this writing passion. I wish for you the same. I am thankful for the many friendships here, and the love, which heals us in ways we never imagined. Who would think we can do this without being physically together? God knows we need it in all the modern things and He keeps up with it! Sending you much love. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to you and yours. oxox
I am eternally grateful for meeting someone like you here, Deborah. This past year has held many transformative experiences for both of us and I look forward to what 2025 has in store. Love to you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Alison, I feel the same way. You are extremely special and I hope to meet you someday. What a good God to bring us together. @Alexander Semenyuk is a very special part of that and I do hope we can all chat on my little podcast in the New Year! I am planning on it :) I’d love to chat with just you, as well, and talk about your incredible fiction writing. I think 2025 is going to be exciting. Much love to you and your family. Merry Christmas and thank you for filling my heart with love. ox
First, all of us on Lighthouse will chat! Then I truly want to do more one on one interviews! I can get so excited for a new year and I hope all the ideas happen before half of the year goes by! ha ha!
I would love to get together some day! I’ve never been to your neck of the woods so that would be amazing. I’d also love to meet Alexander, too. He put together an incredible group of people.
That would be so cool Alison. If you’re ever in SoCal I’d love to host you!
I think the Lighthouse crew will have fun chatting on a zoom interview in the new year and then I’ll pull the “sound only” for the podcast. We will have to come up with a theme, like what our hope is for the new year or what we’re working on or hoping to work on and maybe what our writing process looks like or something. Let me know if you have any ideas! They can’t be longer than 40 min and that’s a challenge with a lot of us. Mostly because it’s a time investment for people. @Alexander Semenyuk really did put together some great humans and I feel very blessed to be a part of it.
Deborah, thank you so much for the mention and that lovely poem. Thanks again for including me on your journey along with so many other amazing Substackers. Wishing you all the blessings Life has to offer this Christmas season! xoxo VP
Dearest Victory, thank you so very much. I am filled-up with love. I pray for your journey here. Never stop writing your poetry and living in the Light. We need it. Wishing you many blessings as well and a lovely, peaceful Christmas. oxox
Deborah, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind wishes and prayers. I’ll keep poeticizing as long as possible (you should see what I’ve got cooking on my stack! It’s listed in my latest update ICYMI). Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
Victory, never stop! You are soooo cool and you see clearly. I’m excited for you and your stack! It’s always exciting to head into a new year with creativity on our minds! I love it! I will absolutely check it out! Merry Christmas! oxox
Thank you Deborah for the beautiful poem you are so gifted ,and l forget how Jesus suffered ,and l need a sharp reminder.I hope you all have a blessed day together.I have my little nativity scene.and am greatful for this day, to be here is a gift. God bless you all in Jesus name.🙏🕊️♥️xxx.
Thank you dear Mary. You have blessed me greatly. Everyday is truly a gift. I am glad you have the nativity scene displayed. I have a little one the grandchildren love to play with. That’s what it’s all about. God Bless and keep you this Christmas and always. Cheers to a beautiful new year ahead.
My sweet friend… you are a composer! An amazing vessel that thoughts and words flow through… with urgency, vulnerability, such accuracy, with love and kindness. You’ve been writing up a storm lately, sweet girl! I’m still catching up on your orher pieces. You’ve been blessed with the gift of writing…cherish it as we all do! Take this holiday break with your mum this year. Gather all your loves together…I know there will be a poem about family eventually! 😀
The crown is perfect, add sketching to your talents. Keep note paper next to bed and chairs, dictate onto your phone if you have to! Let it all out because God is giving YOU what needs to be said and read!! Much love and happy holidays to you and your family! I will see you on IG… I will DM you. Never gonna let you go! 😅🎶😘
My bestie here! I just adore you Joan. I can’t tell you how much life in my heart you have gifted me with, with your love and support. I am so happy to know you and can’t wait to catchup with your stack! I think I’ve missed a few! You inspire me greatly with your zest and beautiful attitude for life! I love your writing. Praying you have a safe, joyful Christmas with your family and we will continue this love affair (ha ha!) into the new year as we create and support each other. What a good God to connect us.
Dearest Deb, how sweet to see my name in your list of friends,. I'm grateful for the Substack community as well as Salt and Clay that led me to our friendship.
Dear Jody, this means so much coming from you. I can’t tell you how much our friendship has meant. You are very inspiring and someday I hope we can meet over a lunch like we almost did! God Bless you and keep you this Christmas and cheers to more fun and creativity in the New Year. Sending you a great big hug. oxox
Thank you so much for this Ron! It’s been an amazing journey to meet so many great people like you here. Can’t wait for more fun here in the New Year! God keep you this Christmas and always. ox
You wrote a wonderful poem. I like how it is about what the season should be all about.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. Thank you for including me and I’m looking forward to having a continued family-like relationship in the future.
Thank you so much Ken! It felt good to wrap up the year and what a year right? I feel the new year will be full of hope and more fun here. Thank you for your kindness and support. I have enjoyed reading your stories. We will stay in this family as long as the algorithm dance doesn’t get too intense (lol) - and then we’ll have to organize a meetup somewhere in the U.S. if that happens! Much love to you and your family this Christmas and always. ox
Wonderful! This beautifully captures the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks for the Mention, and thanks for all the support and inspiration you've given me this year, too. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family... 🎄😎🎄
Awe, thank you so much Chris! I have yet to catchup here but you are on my short list! I have so loved reading your work and chatting with you in Notes! You are an absolute blessing and inspiration yourself!
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year with more creativity ahead! yay! Sending you much love. oxox
Beautiful 💜 my favorite poem from you now! Thank you for this...thank you for your blog and everything you have poured out. Sending you lots of love and hugs 💜 and I pray that you have a very blessed holiday season and an amazing new year!
Oh I love that it will be your favorite! and I love you Merissa. You have blessed my heart in ways you can’t imagine. I love your writing and I hold you in my prayers for a lovely, peaceful Christmas and amazing creative endeavors (or the completions of many more writing goals in the New Year + school projects to go smoothly, which I know is a lot at times, when you desire to write for yourself or Him, as I was explaining here!! - patience, right? lol ). I hope the Lighthouse writers can chat on my little podcast in the new year - so that’s one goal I have! It will be awesome :).
Aww 💜 Love you too! Thank you for your prayers! Yes, we all need that patience with all that goes on in our writing world and our lives! I'm all for a podcast chat...already excited for it!
I can’t wait to do our Lighthouse podcast! It will be the first one when I get back at it! I’ll be in touch with everyone and we’ll get some ideas for it or a theme! God Bless you Merissa and thank you for your beautiful light which truly fills my heart. ox
Another amazing poem. The Lord is definitely working through and for you. In the little time I've "known" you, He has blessed me through you. I understand completely how you feel like a creative vessel. When I wrote each book, He wrote through me. I was/am his instrument. I wish more people could feel it. There is a John Rich interview with Tucker where he explains it happened to him with his song Revelation. Have a beautiful Christmas.
Thank you so very much Joan. He is working through you beautifully and filling you with strength. And he’s so cool to bring us to each other :). How amazing is that? I am amazed at how He works and the process that is difficult to explain, yet such a blessing to feel. I wish everyone could experience it. Sending my love to you and a big hug. I hope your Christmas is peaceful. I know this is a heartfelt time remembering your beautiful Morgan, which is daily - but I know how much you miss her and this time of year can amplify the grief. ox
Dear Kelly, you have blessed me beyond words. What an incredible God we have. I pray your Christmas is full of peace and joy and that the New Year brings a fresh hope and far more creativity (if that’s possible!) as you all continue on this healing journey and grow in God’s continuous love. I would love for you to be on my little podcast. I’m making a list!
I love you back and thank you thank you for being you. It’s beyond inspiring. oxox
Happy Christmakah Deborah! This year is a rare alignment of the two holidays, so double the light. I'm so glad to have met up with you here this year. Have a fabulous and restorative holiday. Thank you for the honorable mention. Luvluvluv the drawing of the Crown and the spontaneous discovery of a new talent with drawing!
Awwwe, I LOVE this combo greeting Heidi! Happy Christmakah back! Very good! Yesss, double the light which I can feel is being shone on mankind right now. I wish you and yours a beautiful, peaceful holiday enjoying the love of the most unconditional. God’s amazing creatures that you adore so well :).
And THANK YOU for the compliment! I honestly have zero idea what I am doing but it’s pretty fun to try! With each thing I try, forging through the fear, the better it feels in the end. Even if it’s crud! ha ha! Much love to you and many blessings for the new year. oxox
In a rather similar synchronicity, I also found a new creative outlet through drawing. I recently took the Oregon Naturalist Online Course and had an assignment to draw a food web. It turned out really well. I was shocked. I also stocked up on pens and sketchbooks. Have a wonderful weekend and holiday!
Oh that is so cool! I’d love to see it! My friend (who is beyond inspiring as a multi-media artist and the naturalist I mentioned previously) keeps a full drawing/sketching journal of “noticing” as a naturalist. I think you’re on your way! I’m back to staring at mine :). ha ha!
Just beautiful, Deborah! Thank you for the mention. I've enjoyed meeting exceptional people on Substack since I joined in April and you are one of them! The crown looks great! And your process is very similar to mine. I too, have pulled over to write or opened the word app and spoken my thoughts. The best ones are the ones that just 'come down the chute'! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you so very much Rosemary! I fully intend on diving into your writing. I love your notes and see so much goodness and love in your life and in working with our homeless. Praying over your family, your husband’s health and your strength. I am so excited we share a similar process and just follow what we are hearing and seeing. It’s amazing and challenging but it’s a gift to give back to Him. Wishing for more to come down that chute in the New Year, and for you to experience the joys and miracles that Christmas has to offer. Sending you much love. ox
Have a nice holiday with family and friends, Deborah.
Thank you dear friend. I pray the same for you as well. Hope you’re doing good. Say hello to Arya for me! oxox
Thank you; Arya says hello right back. 🐦🦜🕊
I love what you wrote about healing through writing.
I wish you success in your writing, continuation of healing and no more pain.
Thank you so much Rivka. We do heal through finding our purpose(s) along the way of life and I am so grateful for this writing passion. I wish for you the same. I am thankful for the many friendships here, and the love, which heals us in ways we never imagined. Who would think we can do this without being physically together? God knows we need it in all the modern things and He keeps up with it! Sending you much love. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to you and yours. oxox
You too!
I am eternally grateful for meeting someone like you here, Deborah. This past year has held many transformative experiences for both of us and I look forward to what 2025 has in store. Love to you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Alison, I feel the same way. You are extremely special and I hope to meet you someday. What a good God to bring us together. @Alexander Semenyuk is a very special part of that and I do hope we can all chat on my little podcast in the New Year! I am planning on it :) I’d love to chat with just you, as well, and talk about your incredible fiction writing. I think 2025 is going to be exciting. Much love to you and your family. Merry Christmas and thank you for filling my heart with love. ox
That would be a lovely interview, I’d watch!
First, all of us on Lighthouse will chat! Then I truly want to do more one on one interviews! I can get so excited for a new year and I hope all the ideas happen before half of the year goes by! ha ha!
I would love to get together some day! I’ve never been to your neck of the woods so that would be amazing. I’d also love to meet Alexander, too. He put together an incredible group of people.
That would be so cool Alison. If you’re ever in SoCal I’d love to host you!
I think the Lighthouse crew will have fun chatting on a zoom interview in the new year and then I’ll pull the “sound only” for the podcast. We will have to come up with a theme, like what our hope is for the new year or what we’re working on or hoping to work on and maybe what our writing process looks like or something. Let me know if you have any ideas! They can’t be longer than 40 min and that’s a challenge with a lot of us. Mostly because it’s a time investment for people. @Alexander Semenyuk really did put together some great humans and I feel very blessed to be a part of it.
Deborah, thank you so much for the mention and that lovely poem. Thanks again for including me on your journey along with so many other amazing Substackers. Wishing you all the blessings Life has to offer this Christmas season! xoxo VP
Dearest Victory, thank you so very much. I am filled-up with love. I pray for your journey here. Never stop writing your poetry and living in the Light. We need it. Wishing you many blessings as well and a lovely, peaceful Christmas. oxox
Deborah, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind wishes and prayers. I’ll keep poeticizing as long as possible (you should see what I’ve got cooking on my stack! It’s listed in my latest update ICYMI). Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
Victory, never stop! You are soooo cool and you see clearly. I’m excited for you and your stack! It’s always exciting to head into a new year with creativity on our minds! I love it! I will absolutely check it out! Merry Christmas! oxox
Thank you Deborah for the beautiful poem you are so gifted ,and l forget how Jesus suffered ,and l need a sharp reminder.I hope you all have a blessed day together.I have my little nativity scene.and am greatful for this day, to be here is a gift. God bless you all in Jesus name.🙏🕊️♥️xxx.
Thank you dear Mary. You have blessed me greatly. Everyday is truly a gift. I am glad you have the nativity scene displayed. I have a little one the grandchildren love to play with. That’s what it’s all about. God Bless and keep you this Christmas and always. Cheers to a beautiful new year ahead.
Sending you a big hug and much love. ox
My sweet friend… you are a composer! An amazing vessel that thoughts and words flow through… with urgency, vulnerability, such accuracy, with love and kindness. You’ve been writing up a storm lately, sweet girl! I’m still catching up on your orher pieces. You’ve been blessed with the gift of writing…cherish it as we all do! Take this holiday break with your mum this year. Gather all your loves together…I know there will be a poem about family eventually! 😀
The crown is perfect, add sketching to your talents. Keep note paper next to bed and chairs, dictate onto your phone if you have to! Let it all out because God is giving YOU what needs to be said and read!! Much love and happy holidays to you and your family! I will see you on IG… I will DM you. Never gonna let you go! 😅🎶😘
My bestie here! I just adore you Joan. I can’t tell you how much life in my heart you have gifted me with, with your love and support. I am so happy to know you and can’t wait to catchup with your stack! I think I’ve missed a few! You inspire me greatly with your zest and beautiful attitude for life! I love your writing. Praying you have a safe, joyful Christmas with your family and we will continue this love affair (ha ha!) into the new year as we create and support each other. What a good God to connect us.
Merry, merry Christmas. Love you. ox
Funny girl! 😅🙌👍🎄🎅🏻
ha ha! Love you friend. ox (oops here I go again! This affair must stop. No. Don’t stop. Nevvaaa!!! )
Dearest Deb, how sweet to see my name in your list of friends,. I'm grateful for the Substack community as well as Salt and Clay that led me to our friendship.
This is a powerful poem, especially these lines,
"Thorny crown on his head
a broken mother's prayer
He would rise from the dead
no tomb could ensnare"
Well done, and I think the crown is just perfect!
Dear Jody, this means so much coming from you. I can’t tell you how much our friendship has meant. You are very inspiring and someday I hope we can meet over a lunch like we almost did! God Bless you and keep you this Christmas and cheers to more fun and creativity in the New Year. Sending you a great big hug. oxox
oh, I will take that hug. And here's to an actual visit in the New Year....
Cheers to that indeed! I hope we can do it! Much love to you Jody! ox
You lift us with your posts, Deb! Glad to be along for the journey!
Thank you so much for this Ron! It’s been an amazing journey to meet so many great people like you here. Can’t wait for more fun here in the New Year! God keep you this Christmas and always. ox
You wrote a wonderful poem. I like how it is about what the season should be all about.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. Thank you for including me and I’m looking forward to having a continued family-like relationship in the future.
Thank you so much Ken! It felt good to wrap up the year and what a year right? I feel the new year will be full of hope and more fun here. Thank you for your kindness and support. I have enjoyed reading your stories. We will stay in this family as long as the algorithm dance doesn’t get too intense (lol) - and then we’ll have to organize a meetup somewhere in the U.S. if that happens! Much love to you and your family this Christmas and always. ox
Thanks Deborah, great poem, hope you have a nice restful and safe holiday
Dear Martin, thank you so very much! I wish for you the same :)
God keep you and your family warm and safe this Christmas and always. Keep taking those pictures. Happy New Year as well. oxox
Wonderful! This beautifully captures the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks for the Mention, and thanks for all the support and inspiration you've given me this year, too. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family... 🎄😎🎄
Awe, thank you so much Chris! I have yet to catchup here but you are on my short list! I have so loved reading your work and chatting with you in Notes! You are an absolute blessing and inspiration yourself!
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year with more creativity ahead! yay! Sending you much love. oxox
Thanks! That is much appreciated. I've really enjoyed chatting with you, too, and reading your lovely work. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year... 🎄😎🎄
Thank you so much Chris. oxox
Beautiful 💜 my favorite poem from you now! Thank you for this...thank you for your blog and everything you have poured out. Sending you lots of love and hugs 💜 and I pray that you have a very blessed holiday season and an amazing new year!
Oh I love that it will be your favorite! and I love you Merissa. You have blessed my heart in ways you can’t imagine. I love your writing and I hold you in my prayers for a lovely, peaceful Christmas and amazing creative endeavors (or the completions of many more writing goals in the New Year + school projects to go smoothly, which I know is a lot at times, when you desire to write for yourself or Him, as I was explaining here!! - patience, right? lol ). I hope the Lighthouse writers can chat on my little podcast in the new year - so that’s one goal I have! It will be awesome :).
God keep you and your family always. oxox
Aww 💜 Love you too! Thank you for your prayers! Yes, we all need that patience with all that goes on in our writing world and our lives! I'm all for a podcast chat...already excited for it!
God bless you and your new goals this year!! 💜
I can’t wait to do our Lighthouse podcast! It will be the first one when I get back at it! I’ll be in touch with everyone and we’ll get some ideas for it or a theme! God Bless you Merissa and thank you for your beautiful light which truly fills my heart. ox
Another amazing poem. The Lord is definitely working through and for you. In the little time I've "known" you, He has blessed me through you. I understand completely how you feel like a creative vessel. When I wrote each book, He wrote through me. I was/am his instrument. I wish more people could feel it. There is a John Rich interview with Tucker where he explains it happened to him with his song Revelation. Have a beautiful Christmas.
Thank you so very much Joan. He is working through you beautifully and filling you with strength. And he’s so cool to bring us to each other :). How amazing is that? I am amazed at how He works and the process that is difficult to explain, yet such a blessing to feel. I wish everyone could experience it. Sending my love to you and a big hug. I hope your Christmas is peaceful. I know this is a heartfelt time remembering your beautiful Morgan, which is daily - but I know how much you miss her and this time of year can amplify the grief. ox
This is beautiful, and I thank YOU. I love you, dear friend. I pray your Christmas is a blessed beyond measure. xoxo
Dear Kelly, you have blessed me beyond words. What an incredible God we have. I pray your Christmas is full of peace and joy and that the New Year brings a fresh hope and far more creativity (if that’s possible!) as you all continue on this healing journey and grow in God’s continuous love. I would love for you to be on my little podcast. I’m making a list!
I love you back and thank you thank you for being you. It’s beyond inspiring. oxox
Happy Christmakah Deborah! This year is a rare alignment of the two holidays, so double the light. I'm so glad to have met up with you here this year. Have a fabulous and restorative holiday. Thank you for the honorable mention. Luvluvluv the drawing of the Crown and the spontaneous discovery of a new talent with drawing!
Awwwe, I LOVE this combo greeting Heidi! Happy Christmakah back! Very good! Yesss, double the light which I can feel is being shone on mankind right now. I wish you and yours a beautiful, peaceful holiday enjoying the love of the most unconditional. God’s amazing creatures that you adore so well :).
And THANK YOU for the compliment! I honestly have zero idea what I am doing but it’s pretty fun to try! With each thing I try, forging through the fear, the better it feels in the end. Even if it’s crud! ha ha! Much love to you and many blessings for the new year. oxox
In a rather similar synchronicity, I also found a new creative outlet through drawing. I recently took the Oregon Naturalist Online Course and had an assignment to draw a food web. It turned out really well. I was shocked. I also stocked up on pens and sketchbooks. Have a wonderful weekend and holiday!
Oh that is so cool! I’d love to see it! My friend (who is beyond inspiring as a multi-media artist and the naturalist I mentioned previously) keeps a full drawing/sketching journal of “noticing” as a naturalist. I think you’re on your way! I’m back to staring at mine :). ha ha!
Here it is!
https://conversationswithcritters.substack.com/p/conversations-with-critters-bd1
Just beautiful, Deborah! Thank you for the mention. I've enjoyed meeting exceptional people on Substack since I joined in April and you are one of them! The crown looks great! And your process is very similar to mine. I too, have pulled over to write or opened the word app and spoken my thoughts. The best ones are the ones that just 'come down the chute'! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you so very much Rosemary! I fully intend on diving into your writing. I love your notes and see so much goodness and love in your life and in working with our homeless. Praying over your family, your husband’s health and your strength. I am so excited we share a similar process and just follow what we are hearing and seeing. It’s amazing and challenging but it’s a gift to give back to Him. Wishing for more to come down that chute in the New Year, and for you to experience the joys and miracles that Christmas has to offer. Sending you much love. ox