An Absence So Great- Jane Kirkpatrick

I received an email from Waterbrook Press saying that "An Absense So Great" by Jane Kirkpatrick was being released, and would I like to participate in the blog- tour? WOULD I?
The first book in the series, "A Flickering Light," is my all-time favorite novel (at the moment) and therefore the chance to read the follow up to the lifestory of Jessie Graebele was answered with a resounding "YES! YES!YES!"

"An Absense So Great" picks up where "A Flickering Light" left off: Jessie Ann Gaebele is an 18 year old photographer in the early 20th century trying to discover herself, forge a career in photography all the while she's dutifully burying emotional memories that seep from her heart. At the end of the first book Jessie's life was turned upside down by unfortunate romantic longings-and as an act of shame and penance she exiles herself to Milwaukee to grow up, squelch the forbidden feelings she has, and to forge a career in an industry dominated by men.

"An Absense So Great" is chocked full of historical encounters with real-life characters being masterfully woven into the story; glimpses into everday life on the great plains at the turn of the century makes the story come to life.
An Absense So Great chisels out a comfy haven in your heart- where we (the readers) give Jessie the freedom to be herself; a place where we inadvertently realize that we're all "Jessie's." Kirkpatrick makes the relation to the dreams, failures and heartache that Jessie Graeble is running from and toward all at the same time quite personal.

Kirkpatrick manages to engulf the reader in the photographic world of the early 20th century, filling the novel with real pictures and observations from the eye of a photographer.

Reading the story of Jessie Graebele is like looking at a portrait for quite sometime before realizing that the eyes your staring into are your very own.

Shine All Your Light,

Cass

The Vanity of Reflections

The picture above is one of the shots I was able to capture on Sunday afternoon. I love the reflections on the water; an exact opposite of what's really there. Do you ever feel like life is that way? The world sees a slightly distorted upside down, vantity of what really is. Their world that they put so much stock and emphasis on is but a reflection that will ripple at the least amount of wind or storm. Nothing solid or concrete- just a hazy reflection of the real joy that they could grasp if they were to walk upright with the Lord.
I hope everyone else is experiencing the same wonderful spring-like weather us N. Carolinian's are having! The kiddos and I are building a fire and roasting hotdogs outside for dinner. I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures to come!

Shine All Your Light, Cass

Finding Wings

A few weeks ago the kiddos and I went to a friends house and spent the day at her beautiful property. The kids had a blast...and so did their mom! Late in the evening I went for a walk along her creek bed and as I looked into the flowing water- I spotted this shell (see above) it reminded me of an angel wing.... I smiled to myself...I had found wings. There are soooo many scriptures pertaining to wings in the Bible. I love the sweet, simple gift from the Lord reminding me that He's my protection and shelter. He's the joy the causes my heart to soar. I picked the shell up out of the water and just held it. It was one of those precious moments when you know that the Lord was quietly whispering words of strength, love and mercy to your heart. Simple as it was- it was truely a divine gift. I went home and pinned the shell to my corkboard- and it was then that I realized all the other "wing" things that had been pinned to my corkboard. I wasn't MEANING to have a "theme" they were just items that were special to me....and I smiled. The Lord knows our hearts better than we do!

May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:12

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalms 17:8

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings Psalms 63:7

Gabe resting at the end of a long day of work and play. He didn't know I was taking the picture.

What a catch!! Our friend has a pond and Jakey was SOOOO excited to catch this "fish" ;)

This is "HAPPY" my friends dog soaking up some of the first warm rays of spring. She's such a sweet dog.

Well, I'm going to go to a photography class today and try to exercise my "wings" :) Whether you're in the place of your life that you need the shelter of his wings, the protecting wings of angels or are spreading your wings to fly....may you shine all your light!

-Cass