I just finished doing a video for my BookTube community. I will have down below for you to watch if you would like. In that video I chat briefly about buddy reading and why it was so important for a … Continue reading
I can’t believe it’s 2022 now.
Wow!
Like…this year has gone by so fast. Hasn’t it?!
If I am truly honest, the last few years has gone by insanely fast for me and I don’t think my brain or heart has truly caught up yet. But this year is going to be different. I know it. I have this undeniable feeling in my gut.
The year ended so much better than I imagined in some ways–*ahem* I started my YouTube Channel up again–and in some ways ended in such tragedy and devastation that I can’t even discuss without my heart breaking. In all fairness, I can’t help but pick myself up from the ashes and wonder how many times the fire needs to be blazing before I turn into the promised diamond 👑 of said fires.
I found myself looking up towards the beautiful heavens on many occasion and asking God to return sooner, rather than later. Oh, how I still long for His glorious return. But until that day, we are in the pressure cooker called life and we have all experienced some crazy times this last year (or should I say two). However, there is something nudging me in the pit of my soul that tells me this year is the start of different. I am not sure in exactly how this will look, but my guess is that diamonds are going to start being revealed.
2022 will be different. There’s no doubt about it. It may be steeped in humility, but dazzled by His Glory. Appearing to be dirty and a lump of coal, but deeply forbearing of something–something so, so, brilliant! I hope you are going to experience it too!
But, back to the topic of me starting my YouTube channel…
YES, I did it and I am so happy! I truly missed the community and am amazed at how it’s grown. Some even don’t remember me and that is good! I started the community of Christian Book Content to get the ball rolling in March of 2016…to be a pioneer in a way. There was only a few of us at the time–Lindsey fromBFCG, Angela from Coffee&Chapters (which has passed on to be with the Lord), Sara Ella, Nadine Brandes and a few others. It was incredible to be apart of those early years establishing the Christian BookTube culture. It was very surreal.
And although some have moved to more of their writing content, exploring other Social Media platforms as their go-to, some have stuck around. Which is wonderful to see!
I didn’t have the best story as to why I left… It is quiet sad actually, which I will be touching on in the next Video (so be sure to subscribe to the Channel), but I didn’t come back just for BookTube.
You see, I changed my channel name from ChristianYABooksAndMore to me! Melanie.
I did that for a reason. I want to bring more of who I am. So that when things come up in my life–as they usually do–you can be apart of it. The early days of being absent from YouTube was the hardest. I just didn’t know how to involve you, what to say, how to portray what I was experiencing and how much information I wanted to show you. It posed many challenges. But, the biggest challenge I had was trying to connect to you with what was going on, when I only had books to relate and convey my message through.
Now, I want to bring you into my homemaking days, my journey as an artist, my journey in writing and the real life issues of having dyslexia and what that all means in my life, the books I read and my journey through the struggles I have because of things that have happened, my journey to being a godly women and virtuosity, as well as elegance–all the things that make me, me. Not just about reading the books I love.
To be frank, I want to be more authentic and real with you.
I am so amazed at those who have supported me and stayed subscribed all this time. My heart is overwhelmed thinking of it. I pray for each one of you and don’t take you as a number. I think of you as a friend. As I learn and catch up on all that I missed in creating content and the community I once was apart of, I hope you continue to follow along in the journey. I am sorry if it feels I turned my back on you. I never did, but in this new step forward, you will be more apart of my life in a unique way.
I am looking forward to this new experience with you and I hope you are too ❤️
Happy New Year!
Here’s a sneak peak of my site-specific exhibitions!!
And here is a video from my YouTube channel where I go into more detail about my day.
Also, just a note to let you know where I am at with my writing.
I am still plugging away, though I have taken a break, on some of the editing for the book. I know it’s taken such a long time to get this one under way, but it is worth the time and patience. I am not at my optimal to be able to pour into it and I want to make sure I do an amazing job, not just a good job…so thank you for all your patience and those who are waiting for my book! I love all of your support.
Until there is more to add, please enjoy this video!
eady to unveil who I am as an artist, the story that took me here, and allow for my work to be held in the arms of enthusiasts, collector’s, admirers, museums, and friends. Continue reading
When God whispers, “Come here and be still.” Do you listen?
Do you hear Him whisper?
I have been going through some very trying moments in the last month, I can’t even begin to speak on it. And out of all my prayers, God didn’t seem to respond to any of them.
So I thought.
However, what he did do spoke more volume than anything I was asking for.
Actually he didn’t SAY anything. That is until He actually DID something…
Guess what that was?
Just guess…
He took away something.
Yes, you read that right. He didn’t answer my prayers or hand me the things I wanted…no…he took something AWAY.
That’s right. And it was none other than my phone. MY PHONE.
All was fine one day, then right smack dab in the middle of some of my deepest heartache’s, my only life-line seemed to vanish. And not for one day…but 7!
After mthe first frantic couple of days, I heard Him. He whispered…“Draw near to Me. Come closer. Rest in My peace.”
And so I did.
And I have to tell you, I’ve never felt better! Never more refreshed and reassured. Closer. I have loved the feeling of being closer to Jesus.
I still need work. My problem hasn’t gone away and I REALLY need more time in prayer, but He knew out of all the things I needed–a silent, UNbothered, UNtechy, UNbusy, completely gathered kind of rest–it’s what I desperately needed.
Going forward I will be balancing my phone habits and spending more time silent and still before My Heavenly Father!
I don’t think I can do life without it.
How about you? What has God been whispering to you lately? Have you heard it? Do you need Him to? Let’s pray together…
God, help me be still. Help me to hear your whispers. Help me put away the thing that keeps me from coming to You. Help me gather my heart to You. To be close to You. Not be distracted by the world, the screen, the hype, the play by plays of life, but get to know YOU. To pour out my sorrow, my shame, my cares before You because I know You do care for me. These days are only getting worse and I need you. Help me to seek You first, worship and get to know You more.
Amen.
#bestill #Christian #faith #findingpeace #seekingjesus #lovingGod #hope #drawneartogod #breakfromtechnology
I was so honoured when Rick from Connections HQ asked me to host an interview for their Website. Me? I truly was humbled. Now, the task of finding which author to interview was up to me. Who should I pick? … Continue reading
To Self Publish or not to Self Publish… That is the question… I present to you 😀 I value your opinion. To me, your input is important because some of you know I’ve worked extremely hard on the story of … Continue reading
I am super excited to write this post! Angela (over at Coffee&Chapters) and I are heading up NaNoWriMo through our Goodreads Book club. Typically we read a book together as a group for the month and then, we all participate … Continue reading
Yes! The 300 BookTube Subscriber Giveaway is finally here And I have the Rafflecopter link for you to enter the Giveaway! After much thought and all your lovely comments on the video that you can see here: I have made … Continue reading
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