Laurel Luehmann

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August Memories – 2024

September 2, 2024August 31, 2024by Laurel LuehmannLeave a Comment

Another month in review! ❤

Pain, if sanctified, creates tenderness towards others.
c.h. spurgeon

Things worth remembering

my sister’s graduation party
cousin shenanigans
mosquito bites and songwriting
diving into edits on Project Redemption
laughter and encouragement shared via Facetime
a sibling bonfire
scavenging flowers from the field edge
corn day, the slip and slide and moon gazing
being at eye level with the hawks or vultures or whatever they were
marching out of the grocery store with a shocking amount of mini donuts
starting a weekly schedule for my newsletter
the first apple fritters of the year

Know the holiness of waiting.
hannah Hodgson

What I’ve been reading

change of state – Hannah Hodgson

And in the tidepools of all the tears there is sea glass and shells, a cradle of mercy; you are producing beauty housed in the presence of God.

One of my very favorite poets finally released a poetry collection!! Hannah portrays grief and loss in the light of the resurrection so beautifully and with such poignance. Sadly this collection was only available for a limited time…but you can read some of Hannah’s poetry over here on her Instagram account. I highly recommend it.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle – Beverly Cleary

The sound of voices so close made Ralph more eager than ever to escape. “No!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the metal chamber. “I won’t have it! I’m too young to be dumped out with the trash!”

Reading this again has been such a joy. XD

Giants in the Earth – O.E. Rolvaag

Her loneliness was so great that she felt a physical need of bringing happiness to some living thing…

I finally finished this book! Towards the end there were a couple of characters that drove me crazy, but it was definitely worth the read and the ending was powerful.

It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God.
charles spurgeon

From the journal

Oh, Miracle-Worker, may I rest content, joyous even when healing hands seem stilled.

Don’t let my soul live paralyzed!

What made this past month memorable for you?

❤ Laurel

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)

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The Lost Rose by Victoria Lynn – Cover Reveal

August 22, 2024by Laurel LuehmannLeave a Comment

Isn’t this book cover gorgeous??

Releasing on November 1st, 2024, this is the third book in a non-magical fantasy series, The Chronicles of Elira. The book is available to preorder in ebook, paperback and special edition hardcover!

The blurb:

Years have passed, the world has shifted, and the Eliran people have faced unimaginable loss.

Elgon, ensnared in a royal catastrophe, must navigate betrayals and personal grief. With his kingdom’s fate hanging by a thread, he clings to a sliver of hope, waiting desperately for the return of his most trusted knight.

Malcolm’s quest is a treacherous odyssey, fraught with danger and shrouded in secrecy. With a charge to rescue and protect, the weight of his past mistakes threatens to crush him. Can he redeem himself in the eyes of his brother and king, or will their secret mission be discovered and ended by their enemies?

Rosalie, isolated in a castle tower for most of her life, knows little of the world beyond her prison walls. Rescued by a mysterious stranger and propelled towards her destiny, she embarks on a perilous adventure. Will she survive the grueling journey, or will the trials of a lost heir prove too great?

A knight on a quest, a lost princess, a malevolent foreign ruler, and a secret of epic proportions will alter the fate and future of Elira forever.

Preorder an ebook copy

Preorder a paperback

Preorder a special edition hardcover (think sneak peeks, illustrations and a bonus epilogue!)

Unfamiliar with the series? You can read my reviews for Once I Knew and This Life of Mine!

Book Reviews, Journaling, Personal

July memories – 2024

August 5, 2024by Laurel Luehmann3 Comments

I keep saying this, but…what a month! XD

O Lord, keep far from me the curse of leanness of soul; let me not have to cry, “My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!” but may I be well-fed and nourished in Thy house, that I may praise Thy name.
Charles spurgeon

Things worth remembering

dancing the Jitterbug with my grandma
the county fair
watching the trailer races at aforementioned county fair
INTENSE heat and humidity
the concert that wasn’t and the subsequent sunset
songwriting with a friend
a photoshoot with friends and a host of mosquitoes
the fights that were much more enjoyable to watch than the baseball game
more intentional reading
getting the notes for Project Redemption from my developmental editor (!!!)

Beware the barrenness of a busy life!
bishop j. Taylor Smith

What I’ve been reading

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

Who you turn to when the stakes are high – when the responsibilities are mounting – says a lot about whom you trust.

Guys, I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!! As in, you won’t be seeing this book pop up over and over again in the monthly recap posts as it has been lately. XD It was a good and thought-provoking read with a healthy dose of questions to lead to action steps.✨

Giants in the Earth – O.E. Rolvaag

The sun had no strength these days. It peeped out in the morning, glided across the sky as before, yet life it had not until toward evening, as it was nearing the western rim of the prairie. Then it awoke, grew big and blushing, took on a splendour which forced everyone to stop and look; the western sky foamed and flooded with a wanton richness of colour, which ran up in streams to meet the coming night.

Goodness, this novel on pioneer life in the Dakota Territory has been fascinating. The author gets into the heads of his characters so well, and the descriptions of the prairie are gorgeous. (The book does contain a good amount of mild language…just something to be aware of.)

Once There Was a Bear: Tales of Before It All Began – Jane Riordan

“Oh,” said Tigger, who couldn’t quite remember if a hum was something to eat or something to sit on. “Tiggers like those, too.”

The Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne are some of my favorites, and the author of this prequel did a stellar job preserving the spirit of Milne’s characters and narrative style! This book has been an absolute delight.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
trust in the LORD forever,
for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
isaiah 26:3-4

From the journal

Oh, but Jesus, my story was never supposed to be about me and my achievements, anyway. It’s all about You being strong through me, even when I can’t seem to take a step forward.

Can’t I trust the seedling to the hands of the One who planted and watered the seed in the first place?

What made this July memorable for you?

❤ Laurel

writing updates

goodbye, TWNL

July 29, 2024by Laurel LuehmannLeave a Comment

If you’ve been around since my first little book came out circa April 2022, THANK YOU for sticking with me and my ever-evolving poetry.

You are so gracious.

I published This Will Not Last as a haphazard experiment…a wild attempt to familiarize myself with the world of indie publishing.

It truly is only by the grace of God that TWNL managed to bless people I’d never met, in spite of the imperfect structure and teenage angst that defined its content.

The Lord is so gracious, and I’m grateful.✨

However.

Just because a book served a purpose at one point in time doesn’t mean it should be eternal, and so I‘ve made the decision to stop printing copies of TWNL at the end of this month.

While TWNL was a huge stepping stone for me as a writer and a poet, its poetry is very different from the poetry I write now, both content-wise and structurally, and I think the time has come for me to distance myself from the immature teenager version of my poetry.

(Sorry, TWNL…I still love you. But you know it’s time.)

So…if TWNL did happen to bless you in any way and you’d like to grab a copy or two before it goes out of print, you have the rest of the month to do so here.

Thank you all so much for tagging along with me on this poetry journey!❤️

❤ Laurel

Poetry

homeward bound – a poem

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024by Laurel Luehmann2 Comments

Hello friends!

I was flipping through a book of my handwritten poetry the other day and found this poem I wrote a few years ago. It’s just a little thing without a ton of meaning, but I like it, anyway. If you’re familiar with the song “Homeward Bound” it might mean a bit more to you.🤭

you didn’t bind me to the pasture,

never chained me to the plow.

you set me free to find my calling…

I returned, for I bleed rain,

the wind is in my heart and soul, and

I am restless till I’m working,

my feet rooted in this ground.

you set me free to find my calling…

I returned to you somehow.

Book Reviews, Journaling, Personal

June memories – 2024

July 1, 2024July 8, 2024by Laurel Luehmann3 Comments

This June was sunshine and thunderstorms and wildflowers and good books.✨

And mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes.

When he bares his teeth,
Winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane,
We shall have spring again.
C.S. Lewis

Things worth remembering

the start of the local farmers market
flower shopping with a brother
kayaking with the same brother in the rain
wandering through a newly-discovered cemetery
savoring slow mornings on vacation
reading on the dock
sand volleyball and Crossnet
Facetiming a dear friend
hayrides with cousins
wild costumes and Uno in the rain
late night cousin chats
scrounging wildflowers from the ditches

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…”
Revelation 2:4-5a

What I’ve been reading

Morning and Evening – Charles Spurgeon

Jesus says, “take freely.” He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions.

I think this is the best daily devotional I’ve had yet. ❤

A Light in the Window – Jan Karon

“What don’t you love?” he asked, looking at her intently.

She gazed back at him. “Oh, soggy mittens, chocolate without nuts, a man who can’t find it in himself to hold your hand when it’s sticking right out there in plain view.”

He took her hand that was resting on the table. “What else?” he said.

I finished this one on our family vacation, and it was a delight. I’m so glad there are so many more books set in Mitford!

The Colors of Rain – Abigail Hayven

Her life was pretty normal, but normal through rose-colored glasses. Normal with abstract colors thrown in. Normal in an intentionally romanticized way.

This book is a masterpiece. Both the pacing and narration are absolutely brilliant, and Rain is one of those characters who deserves to go down in literary history with the likes of Anne Shirley and Jo March.

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

When you’re brave enough to show your scars to others, you declare that both your celebrations and your sufferings belong to the Lord. In doing so, you steward them both well.

Yes, I’m STILL reading this book! XD It’s still good.

(I’ve also been beta reading a short story that will be published in this anthology!)

LORD, my heart is not haughty,
nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with his mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
psalm 131:1-2

From the journal

It is His strength within me. His love. His heart. His mind.

It was glorious this evening, and beauty is pulsing stronger on the horizon. God, You are so good to carry Your weak ones and give them hope’s whispers in unexpected places.

Let me not long for the cup You have not given.

What stood out to you from this June?

Oh! Just a note…I’ll be sending out a newsletter with some writing updates in a week or so here that you might not want to miss. You can click here to join my mailing list if you haven’t yet.

Stay the course!✨

❤ Laurel

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)

Book Reviews, Journaling, Personal, Poetry

May memories – 2024

June 3, 2024June 3, 2024by Laurel Luehmann2 Comments

Goodness sakes…what a month! Buckle up, friends, because this isn’t going to be a short post. XD

We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and our blessings in sand.
Charles Spurgeon

Things worth remembering…

finding a bunny while mowing
rain…rain…more rain…
jamming with music friends, VeggieTales and Springsteen
feeling ridiculously proud of my brother and his student address at his commencement ceremony
spending a week in Tennessee with old and new friends
sharing tears and laughter with this dear friend who always points through the dark to Jesus
spotting one of my music heroes in downtown Franklin
finally visiting the Rabbit Room
windows-down car rides + music swaps
Livy and Kiana’s performance of “Santa Fe” when the WiFi was being cantankerous
seeing one of my friends get married off
tornado warnings and music practice with no electricity (RIP, keyboard and bass guitar)
the first songwriting session
The Noodle Redemption
riding in the tractor with a brother

I realized that I was immortal till my Master’s work was done. – John Patton

What I’ve been reading…

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – C.S. Lewis

“Am I to understand,” said Reepicheep to Lucy after a long stare at Eustace, “that this singularly discourteous person is under your Majesty’s protection? Because, if not–“

My heart has needed a return to Narnia. ❤

Adorning the Dark – Andrew Peterson

Sometimes you start with nothing and hope it all works out. Not sometimes—every time. All you really have is your willingness to fail, coupled with the mountain of evidence that the Maker has never left nor forsaken you.

I started a reread of this on the plane to Tennessee. Andrew Peterson’s appreciation of and hunger for hope and beauty is catching.

future flowers, whispered war-cries – Hosanna Emily

i may wake to morning stars or thick darkness yet, but maybe – hope against hope – it’ll be Day. soon, He promises, and that’s enough.

Hosanna and I did a book swap in Tennessee, and I’m savoring the journey through this chunky book of hope-laced poems. Hosanna has a passion for Jesus and His coming that is contagious, and she articulates her heart so well in this poetry collection!

A Light in the Window – Jan Karon

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Everything and nothing. What you did today, what I did today, what we’ll do tomorrow. About God and how He’s working in our lives. About my work, about your work, about life, about love, about what’s for dinner and how the roses are doing – do they have black spot or beetles…”

So far, I’m loving the second book in the Mitford series even more than the first! It feels softer, cozier, even more full of warmth and gentle healing.

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

Even when we’re only given fleeting seconds of connection, we almost always have the opportunity to share the touch of Christ, if not in our actions, certainly in our reactions.

I’m still savoring this book!

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name…
Romans 1:5

From the journal…

Oh, God! Get it through this hard head of mine that nothing shall be impossible for You, and that You have not left the business of redemption. Open my eyes to see the chariots of fire. Open my heart to wait on You and You alone for provision…there is joy set before me…and so I can endure.

Help me, Lord, as I walk the rim of the darkness, staggering towards the light and holding it in my heart. Thank You for this time of grace…this opportunity to stand firm in the darkness and hold high my torch. You are so good…always, even when the world continues to fall apart around me.

Thank You, Jesus, that You are sovereign, and that Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth.

Instead of seeing every bad thing as a failure of God’s goodness, why don’t I see every good thing as His grace?

Let me not be defined by what I lack. I am not a dry tree. I am planted by Your river.
Liz Snell

What are you taking away from this May?

Stay the course!

❤ Laurel

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)

Poetry

tapestries + timelines – a poem

May 27, 2024by Laurel Luehmann5 Comments

Hello, friends!

Since sending Project Redemption off to an editor, my brain has been freed up to actually write poetry again! Here’s one of my recent favorite pieces…

I can trust my paltry timelines to

the hand of the God who crafted time

and set within this heart His mark:

an ache for the world unsullied by

a death-driven race for

desire unslaked.

behold

He is making

all things new…

untainted by the sin-stained clock,

the God who rules outside of time

is weaving tapestries of tears

and heartbeats – and His story’s end

wastes not a racing one of them.

Book Reviews, Journaling, Personal

April memories -2024

April 29, 2024April 27, 2024by Laurel Luehmann3 Comments

Hello, friends!

April showers have been bringing dandelions and daffodils…and this post.:)

Things worth remembering…

not having a cold for the first time in forever
living on ice cream, yogurt, and noodles after bidding wisdom teeth goodbye
a nostalgic viewing of a Winnie the Pooh movie…or two
handing Project Redemption off to an editor
being able to write poetry again
hitting a cajon with wild abandon for the first live worship time with our entire church
being told by a young child that I’m “too little to drive”

Fear not tomorrows, child of the King; trust them with Jesus. Do the next thing.
Author unknown

What I’ve been reading…

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

Encouragement is more than just giving a compliment. It is the passing on of courage. To encourage someone is to give them the courage to face an unknown future, the courage to trust an unseen God, the courage to stand firm in a turbulent culture.

I’m so glad I finally got this book. I’m marking it up all over the place! It’s been a gentle challenge for me to consider the way that I walk through life and treat the people that surround me…and what that lifestyle says about who God is.

At Home in Mitford – Jan Karon

“Timothy, look at that funny cow staring at us.”

He raised his head slightly, and froze. “Do not move,” he said. “That is a bull.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she whispered, “this happens in comic books, not real life. Will we be gored?”

I’m such a slow reader, but I was able to tear through this book while I was down after getting my wisdom teeth out! XD You can read my full review here.

The Inheritance Games – Jennifer Lynn Barnes

…I looked past her to the counter and realized she’d baked more than muffins. There were also cupcakes. I felt my stomach plummet. “Oh, no, Lib.”

“It’s not what you think,” Libby promised. She was an apology cupcake baker. A guilty cupcake baker. A please-don’t-be-mad-at-me cupcake baker.

I did end up shelving this as DNF because the combination of teenage angst and implied content wasn’t my cup of tea. That and the plot just didn’t grab me like I’d hoped. I loved the MC’s snappy dialogue, though, and the glimpse of the tender heart beneath her armor, even in the first chapter.

“…we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
2 chronicles 20:12

From the journal…

Let me see each day, each aspect of my life as a battleground; an opportunity to decrease and let You increase.

What made your April memorable?

❤ Laurel

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission…at no extra cost to you.:)