From Julie:
As I type this we’re still staying at home, and there is growing conversation about businesses opening up. I’m preparing this post a little early as I have a non-IR release happening this month. I’m excited, because one of my critique partners and dear friend, Kathleen Friesen, agreed to share today. She is one of the authors of this month’s newest boxed set, Love is in the Air. I’m sure you’ll enjoy getting to know her. As a bonus, leave a comment and I’ll choose TWO winners to receive Love is in the Air.
LAND OF LIVING SKIES
Have you ever lain on the ground or an outdoor lounger and gazed at clouds skittering across the expanse of sky? Did you see figures in those white puffballs?
As a child, I loved relaxing on a patch of lush, green grass and imagining all kinds of shapes in the clouds—dogs, birds, maybe a face or even a dragon. The sky came alive to my mind’s eye. While I rarely sprawl on the lawn anymore (at least not on purpose!), I still love to watch the sky and “see” a variety of forms and figures.
My home is in Saskatchewan, Canada, and if you’ve ever seen the license plate on a vehicle from here, you may notice a phrase on it: Land of Living Skies. This province contains a variety of landscapes, but the part we live in is mostly flat—no mountains or even forests in this area to block the view of the overhead display. Spring and summer overhead views range from clear blue skies or puffy cumulus to rain clouds, thunderheads and—the ones that strike fear in my heart—ominous dark clouds that begin to swirl. If clouds appear a greenish tone, we immediately head for shelter. Yes, clouds can determine our actions.
So, after a lifetime of watching clouds, when offered the chance to join an impressive group of authors for a boxed set called Love is in the Air, I assumed it would be a piece of cake. Surely I could come up with a story about clouds or flying. No problem.
Sitting with my laptop open to Word, I stared at the empty page. Day after day. Writer’s block settled in for a long, miserable visit. I had no ideas for a plot, characters, setting—anything at all. I wondered if I’d mistaken pride for direction and thought I might need to back out of the commitment. Notes from other members of the group, Tanya Eavenson, Candee Fick, Laura Hilton, and Kathy Rauser shared their writing progress, but I had nothing. Summer drifted into fall, and my manuscript-to-be remained blank.
“Lord,” I prayed, “I can’t do this without You. I’ve been trying and failing. If You want me to be part of this group, You’ll need to give me the beginning, at least. Something to get me started.” That prayer repeated for a few weeks without results.
One beautiful late summer day, my husband and I drove two of our grandchildren back to their home after spending the day together. Kamikaze bugs (another part of the Living Skies of Saskatchewan) decorated the windshield. Relaxing in the passenger seat, I gazed past dead bugs to the beautiful, partly cloudy sky.
Then something incredible appeared out of the blue, and I gasped. Directly in front of our car, clouds created clear letters: J I M. What in the world? The gravel road had no shoulders to pull onto, and we were late, so my husband continued to drive. I couldn’t snap a photo. Our grandkids tried from the back seat, but the bug splatters blurred their photos. A minute later, wind dispersed the letters. If I didn’t have three witnesses to the amazing sight, I would have thought I’d dreamt it.
Wonder filled me. What did J I M mean? After praying for every Jim I knew, I asked God, “What was that about?” He whispered into my heart, “You asked. I answered. Fly with it!” No wonder I’m convinced of God’s power and compassion—and sense of humor.
As my novella Written in the Clouds begins, Serena Hanson and her mother, Blythe, echo my experience. The letters J I M form in the clouds, sparking a love story for two generations. 
That is my “Story Behind the Story,” and I hope you’ll read and enjoy all five novellas in Love is in the Air.
BIO:
Kathleen Friesen has always loved to lose herself in a good story, especially tales of love and faith that overcome. These days, she’ll often get lost in her current work in progress, whatever it may be. Kathleen’s stories invite the reader to risk faith, dare to love, and enjoy the results.
When she’s not at the keyboard, you can find Kathleen camping, visiting with friends old and new, or helping her husband renovate their house. When the renovations are finally done, there may be a party.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenefriesen/
Website: https://kathleenfriesen.weebly.com/
UBL: https://books2read.com/u/3LDxaD
Don’t you want to head outside and gaze at the clouds?
Don’t forget to leave a comment! I’ll draw two names to receive Love is in the Air. —Julie
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
My best friend and I loved to lay on the ground and look at the clouds to see what we could find. So much fun and such fond memories of a friend whom cancer took way too early.
Wow, I love that! What an awesome behind the scenes story, Kathleen! 😊
Your story sounds excellent! This is the first time I’ve heard about this collection, but now I’m super excited to read it! 😊
I used to love cloud gazing when I was a kid. Id empty my mind and it was amazing what the clouds would morph into once I let myself go. I’ll have to try doing it again now, after reading your post.
Still love cloud gazing, so much more comfortable lying on my bed than the ground nowadays. You story reminded me of a friend who was annoyed with God. She told me he said if she returned to study she wouldn’t need to worry about money and she was distraught because she didn’t have money to pay the rent. Thing was he never said she would have money, just she wouldn’t have to worry about money. Funny how we see what we want to whether it’s clouds or conversations. Good luck with your new releases.
Thank you so much for that peek into your writing inspiration! I’m excited to read it now! I do like to sit on the porch with my youngest son and look for formations in the clouds. It sparks the imagination and gives you something to think about that is good while soaking up a bit of sunshine. Phil. 4:8 is my ministry verse and one that I’ve taught my kids. It’s also one that I need to keep bringing my mind back to. Cloud watching is one way to keep my mind on things that are pure and lovely.
Thanks for visiting Inspy Romance, Kathleen! You reminded me of a day in the late 90s when I was walking home from work and spotted a running puppy in the clouds, ears streaming out behind him. This was in the days before cell phones so I couldn’t snap a quick photo. Some of you may remember when we didn’t have a camera on our bodies every minute LOL. But the puppy was so clear I stopped stranger after stranger and pointed their attention to it. All were amazed at the clarity.
As far as I know, it wasn’t a sign of anything other than God dropping a piece of whimsy and laughter into people’s lives. We already had a dog; we did not go out that day and get a new puppy.
I love finding shapes in the clouds! It was one of my favorite things to do as a child and I still search today😁!!
Lovely memories are precious treasures. I am sorry for your loss, Lori.
I love this!!! I still love to look at the clouds, though I don’t lay on the grass or driveway anymore to do it! I still like to find shapes in them. Mom does the same when we’re in the car. She can’t see too well, but she still manages to find the clouds and a few shapes. She had me take pics of clouds one day, cause she could see them so well.
Lori,
I’m so sorry about your friend. I am glad you have those memories. They are precious. Blessings to you.
Caitlyn,
I had the opportunity to critique Kathleen and Laura’s stories and you are in for a treat! Thanks for stopping by!
Megan,
I used to do this as well. I like the idea of going back out, what a stress reliever that would be for us all.
Dianne,
What a great lesson in that. So true! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Caitlyn! I’m thrilled to “meet” you here and hope you will enjoy all the stories in Love is in the Air. :)
Lila,
I love that you watch clouds with your son, and are able to bring God’s promises and truth to it. It really is a lovely and pure activity that draws us closer to Him. Have a blessed weekend!
Wonderful, Megan! Cloud-gazing is good for the imagination–at no charge!
It really is relaxing, Julie! (Thanks for inviting me today!)
Valerie,
I was in a community Bible study years ago. There was a participant that God was skeptical that He would care so much and be so personal to send Jesus to us. She prayed that He would show her. She went on vacation with her grandkids and there was a skywriter. She was watching with the kids and suddenly she saw it and grabbed a picture. It said “Jesus loves you.” She committed to Christ on the spot.
Paula,
I need to get back to that! It was so fun as a kid. Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you, Dianne! I love your reminder of how perspective matters. God bless you.
I love your comment, Lila! What a great perspective!
How intriguing!!
I’m a rather new resident of South Carolina, having moved from Illinois. One thing I love is the “Carolina Blue” sky and the clouds that decorate it. It reminds me of the cartoon opening of The Simpsons … LOL
Love this! What a cute memory, Valerie!
Free entertainment, good for your health (being outside), and a great imagination-spark. Thank you, Paula Marie!
Sweet! I love the way God uses even something as simple as clouds to bless us.
Trudy,
I love that you and your mom are able to do this together. That’s such a blessing. I’m so glad you stopped by today!
Laurie,
That’s hilarious! What a perfect description. I’ve heard that Carolina skies are amazing, and that gives me a visual!
Our skies had “Simpsons” type clouds just the other day. I haven’t had the chance to visit either of the Carolinas yet but hope to someday. Thank you, Laurie!
We’ve had so many rainy days of late, it makes it hard to look out at the sky and see the blue expanse.
As a photographer, I have always loved to capture sky-scapes. Clouds, rainbows, sunsets, all sorts of images where clouds play a role. I have never had any of my pictures capture one of God’s special pictures, though. As the basis of a story, it sounds wonderfully fun!
I hope you get sunny days again soon, Denise! Thanks so much for reading and commenting–it means a lot to me.
Ooh, I’ll bet you’ve captured a lot of beauty, though. I really wish I could have gotten a clear photo of “my” JIM clouds, but at least I had witnesses! It did make the story fun to write. Thanks so much!
WOW! What a wonderful, amazing story!
I remember laying on the ground with my siblings and friends growing up and finding shapes in the clouds. So much fun.
Me, too, Leilia. Such good, innocent fun! Do you still watch clouds?
What an interesting story, and inspiration for your book. I look forward to reading it.
That’s good news, Kathy! I hope you enjoy all five stories!
I love looking at the various shapes the clouds make. When I was visiting my son’s grave shortly after he died I saw a cross in the clouds. It reminded me of the God’s love for us!
Denise,
I understand. I live in NE Ohio which has been designated one of the top cloud covered places in the world, up there with Seattle and London. It takes a toll. May the sun shine soon for all of us.
Lincoln, I love taking nature pictures. Clouds and sunsets are my favorite. It’s one of the ways I worship His creation. Thanks for stopping by!
Lucy,
It was fun! I think we all need to return to those activities.
Kathy,
I think you will enjoy it! I’m glad you got to catch a glimpse today.
Pam,
I’m sorry for your loss. I do love how involved and specific God is in His love and care for us. What a precious thing for Him to give you that cross.
Pam, please accept my deepest condolences. What a blessing, a special gift from God, to see a cross in the clouds. Yes, God truly loves us!
Love sitting outside looking up at The clouds and seeing different shapes in the sky My little granddaughter sits with me and one day she ask me Mamaw is that Papaw Taylor up in the sky ! Because the imagine we seen was like a arm outstretched My Grandchildren make my day!
Aww, how sweet! I love the picture you painted of you and your granddaughter watching the clouds. Who knows? Maybe God was giving the two of you a little reminder of your husband’s love. Thanks so much for sharing!
I like to look at clouds. I love the colors and shapes and types of clouds. I enjoy watching weather changes by the clouds.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for commenting! Clouds are pretty amazing; they can inspire us in many ways and even spur us to action.