Nothing Could Burst Her Bubble

Thursday dawned even more beautiful than the previous three days in Bar Harbor. Kate awoke easily looking forward to the adventures their last full day in Acadia National Park would bring her family.

She softly nudged Adam's shoulder. "Wake up, sleepy head. We've got to get moving. The parking lot at the trailhead of the Bubbles was full yesterday morning when we drove by at ten."

Adam groaned and mumbled that he was awake, but Kate was already in the bathroom washing up and getting dressed. By the time she emerged, ready for the day, the girls were both awake as well and searching through their suitcases for the perfect outfits.

Within a half an hour the family of four was enjoying their continental breakfast and within another half hour, they were loaded into the Expedition and once again on the short drive into Acadia National Park. Roughly 2 miles past the turnoff for Cadillac Mountain, Adam signaled and turned into the small roadside parking lot. As expected, it was already crowded, but they were able to find a spot, and everyone piled out ready for another adventure, hoping it would be as marvelous as the previous days.

The well-maintained trail was a continuous, gradual ascent through a seemingly ethereal forest. It was a fun, relaxing hike, only about one mile to the summit, and along the way they had to scramble a couple times over large rocks.

 The time spent together on the moderately trafficked trail with her husband, daughter, and step-daughter made Kate wish this vacation would never end. Gone were the everyday demands of chores and errands. Gone were the temptations of technology. Kate used her cell phone as a camera, not as a device to keep her connected to the rest of the world. In place of the monotonous language of typical daily life, there was laughter and meaningful conversations. Not that Kate never laughed with or talked to her husband or kids when they were at home. On the contrary, Kate thought they lived a very happy life together, but just very predictable and highly demanding with Adam's coaching schedule and the girls' extracurricular activities.

Before long, Kate, Adam, Madeline and Chloe were standing on the top of South Bubble Mountain, their eyes taking in an incredible view of Jordan Pond on one side . . .

 And the Atlantic Ocean in the far off distance in the other direction.

"Wow," Kate exhaled. "You can hardly tell where the sky stops and the ocean begins."

"It's an amazing view," Adam agreed.

Kate enjoyed the majestic views while examining the exposed edges of the steep mountainsides, suddenly very thankful her children weren't fearless and curious toddlers.

"Come on, Mom!" Madeline exclaimed. "Let's get our picture with Bubble Rock." She was referring to the famous tourist attraction which was basically an elephant-sized boulder that had been carried by glaciers many, many years ago and deposited at the very edge of the cliff. To read about it, it seemed like just an average sight until Kate actually laid her eyes on it.

"Look at it! It's just balanced right there on the edge of the cliff! How does it not fall?" Kate shook her head in awe.

Chloe looked at Kate matter-of-factly. "The rock is big, but God is bigger. That's how."

Somehow in the eight years that Kate had been this girl's step-mother, Chloe had grown from a shy, awkward preteen to a stunningly beautiful and wise young lady. How had Kate missed it? She blinked, that's how.

Pulling Chloe to her, Kate kissed the teen's temple. "You're right."

They all took turns posing for pictures with Bubble Rock, pretending to push the giant rock off the side of the mountain, and spent several more minutes marveling at the God-drawn tapestry.

They climbed the last little stretch to the summit of South Bubble Mountain, and then slowly began their return descent to the trailhead. Kate, however, remained high on pure joy. She had no intentions of coming down anytime soon and she knew, after this wonderful vacation with the most precious people on the planet, nothing could ever burst her bubble. 

Worth the Wait

After such an early morning, they returned to the hotel, were four of the first diners at the continental breakfast, and then easily took a two-hour nap back in their room. When Kate slowly woke, she reached for her phone, still in camera mode, looking through the stunning pictures from their amazing experience that morning. Exhaling, part of her felt like it was just a dream and she was relieved that it was very real.

Adam rolled toward her. "What's on the agenda for this afternoon?"

"I don't know that anything can compare to this morning."

"Doesn't mean we shouldn't go try and see what adventures we can find, does it?" Patting her hip, Adam crawled out of bed. "I'm going to shower."

"Alright. I'll get the girls up and around." Setting her phone on the bedside table, Kate reluctantly parted with her pictures for the time being and went to the adjoining room in their family suit to rouse Madeline and Chloe.

Within the hour, the family of four made the short drive from their hotel to Jordan Pond, a crystal clear mountain lake. Adam and the girls, ever the adventurers, were eager to hike the 3.6-mile perimeter. Kate, on the other hand, was anticipating the famous Jordan Pond House popovers.

Right off the bat, however, Kate thoroughly enjoyed the hike. It proved to be challenging and the views were incredible. The trail they started out on had several stretches which were narrow boardwalks, and they each had to watch their steps. A turned ankle would've been an easy injury on that section. That gave way to a stretch through and over rocks. They had to be sure-footed during this section as well. The last and longest stretch was relaxing, a mostly dirt or pea gravel trail, and they stopped many times during this section to marvel at the beauty of their surroundings. They discovered on their hike that Jordan Pond had an average visibility depth of 46ft.

"I wonder why it's so clear," Madeline mused gazing over a bridge at a frog and several minnows easily visible in the water.

"It said on the sign back where we started that there is no swimming or motorized watercraft allowed, which means nothing is polluting it," Adam stated.

"I see a kayaker, though. That's okay?" Chloe asked.

"Kayaks and canoes don't use gas or oil which could leak into the water." He smiled. "It looks fun, doesn't it?" All three ladies nodded and they continued on their hike, which was over way too soon.

Turning back one last time at the end of their hike, Kate snapped a few pictures and gazed at the pretty mountain-bordered lake. "I could just stare at this view all day long."

Slipping an arm around her waist, Adam nuzzled his wife's neck. "I get an even prettier view every single morning and evening."

"I love you, handsome." She kissed his cheek. "Now let's go check out those popovers in the restaurant. I'm feeling that hike!"

Jordan Pond House was an extremely popular full-service restaurant and the only one inside Acadia National Park. It was just a short distance from the Jordan Pond trail and the scenery out the huge windows as they enjoyed a fancy coffee or hot chocolate drink and popovers was every bit worth their decent wait.

Kate smiled. Just like life. Seems like all the best things take time and patience, but it's always worth the wait. That night Kate fell asleep early, exhausted but absolutely satisfied.

A New Beginning

At 3 o'clock the next morning, Kate's alarm sounded, summoning her from heavenly sleep. She was only annoyed for a breath of a second until she remembered why she was crazy enough to set her alarm for such an ungodly hour in the first place.

Moaning, Adam stirred beside her. "Whose idea was it to go see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain?"

Kate playfully swatted him with the pillow as she rolled out of bed. "I believe all of us agreed to it. Now get up. I don't want to miss it."  She roused Madeline and Chloe and went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

On the short drive from the hotel to Acadia National Park, the family of four chatted about the facts they'd learned regarding Cadillac Mountain. 

"Hey, Mom, did you know that Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard?" Madeline questioned. 

"I believe it." Kate gazed out the windshield in awe of the lightening violet sky as they turned onto Summitt Road, the steep, winding road leading to the top of Cadillac Mountain. "The world looks so different in the dark, doesn't it?" 

"Yeah, but from October to March it's the first place in the United States to see the sunrise," Chloe added.

"But it's June." Adam, ever the competitor, feigned disappointment.

Kate grinned, watching the scenery out her window, still shadowy in the dim light, but mysterious and majestic in the chilly early morning hours. "I'm pretty sure it'll be ok if just this once you aren't first. I think you'll be just fine."

Adam chuckled, and Kate once again fell in love with his fun-loving spirit. After everything he'd been through in his previous relationship, it was a miracle to Kate that he didn't have a chip on his shoulder. Or maybe, she thought, because of all he'd been through, he appreciates the relationship we share a little more.

"Bet you didn't know Cadillac Mountain wasn't named after a car," Madeline challenged as they pulled into the parking lot near the summit of the mountain. "It was named after a French explorer in 1918. Before that, it was just called Green Mountain. How boring is that? Cadillac Mountain is a much cooler name."

"Yeah, well, all the grooves and scratches in the granite were caused by glaciers, and scientists think the summit is actually one edge of a collapsed volcano," Chloe retorted as Adam pulled into a parking spot near the flat viewing area where a small crowd already gathered, each individual with a coffee in one hand and their camera in the other. 

Kate opened her door and immediately pulled on a hat. "Come on you two walking talking encyclopedias. Grab your blankets and let's go claim our spots." At a quarter past four that early June morning at the altitude of 1500 feet, the temperature was in the low forties, and Kate chuckled that though they were on summer vacation, they were dressed like they were ready for winter.

The family of four found a spot to sit on the ground against a short cement wall that bordered the sidewalk, which was fortunate because the wall helped block the frigid breeze. Huddled together, Kate, Adam, Madeline, and Chloe drink hot coffee or chocolate from their thermoses and snapped pictures as right before their eyes the sky changed from one thin pink and yellow ribbon across the horizon to great splashes or orange and red as if someone had thrown a whole can of paint across the blue canvas. 

And then, at approximately ten minutes until five in the morning, a brilliant thumbnail of light poked up above the horizon. Everyone cheered. It was a stunningly spiritual moment for Kate as she understood all too well the value and importance of new beginnings. It didn't seem like that long ago that she and Madeline left their house in Tennessee to move home to Harvest Bay, Ohio. It was the exact sunrise they had needed following the many dark and lonely days after the unexpected passing of Ryan, her first husband and Madeline's father. That's not to say that it was easy, but it was what they had needed, and looking back now, as Adam slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his side, Kate saw how remarkably beautiful it was.

They sat there for several more moments watching the dazzling ball of light climb higher into the sky. Madeline and Chloe walked down the path a short distance to snap some more pictures. By a little after five in the morning, Adam pushed to his feet and helped his bride to hers. 

"Let's hike to the summit," he suggested. "We can't come this far and not reach the summit."

As much as Kate fancied the idea of going back to the hotel and crawling into her bed, she knew they might not get this moment again, and a few extra z-z-z's could never compare to this amazing experience she shared with her husband, daughter, and stepdaughter. The half-mile hike was only slightly uphill since they drove the steepest part. Standing on the summit of the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, with the most precious people in her life nearby, Kate thanked God for all of the sunrises in her life, for the anticipation of each new beginning, and the way they shed light on all the important parts of life. 

At that moment, on that mountain, she became stronger and her spirit soared.

     

The Tides

The second full day they spent in Bar Harbor promised cool temps and a chance of drizzle. While Kate and Adam didn't mind hiking in that kind of weather (After all, a bad day of hiking is better than a good day at work, right?) they were certain the Chloe and Madeline would have been pretty miserable the entire time. Since the forecast showed improving conditions in the days ahead, Kate and Adam decided to forgo one day in the wilderness and spend the day in town instead, visiting the gift shops and boutiques.

The town was busy but not crowded on this early June day as Kate, Adam, Chloe, and Madeline made their way in and out of dozens of stores specializing in everything from outdoor apparel and equipment to Bar Harbor labeled sweatshirts and gifts to merchandise for your pets. They sampled lobster-flavored ice cream (and then got a different flavor to enjoy) and spent far too long in the bookstore.     

By early afternoon, the family of four and wandered their way down to the waterfront.

"Hey, the rangers at the Visitor Center yesterday said the tide would be well on its way out by now. Let's go check out the land bridge just up ahead," Adam suggested, after seeing the sign, and they all agreed it sounded cool.

When they got there, "cool" was an understatement. Magnificent seemed more appropriate.

"Wow," Kate breathed, taking in the sight. At one-thirty in the afternoon, the water had parted just enough for people to cross to the tiny island on the other side. Along the short walk, Chloe and Madeline searched the residual pools for sea creatures and shells. Kate picked up an ordinary pebble, still damp from the departing water. The flat, smooth, and heavy stone reminded her of the faith David showed when he faced Goliath, and even though she knew you aren't supposed to take anything from the natural environment, she slipped the pebble into her pocket, just a simple memento for whenever life's different Goliaths may rise up.

 On the other side of the land bridge, the rocky shore gave way to lush, green trees and plants. Kate, Adam and the girls followed the short trail through a field of wildflowers, up a rocky incline, and finally stopped on the island lookout. Kate must have taken a dozen photos of the view of the Maine coast and the Atlantic Ocean beyond that. This was a view, and a time spent with her family, she never wanted to forget. 

Upon reaching the shores of the mainland once again, Kate glanced back. The tide had gone out even further. Now enough land was exposed, trucks could actually drive out to Bar Island! Kate grabbed Adam's hand. He was her anchor, her support and help through all kinds of weather. He was there for her when her beloved Grandpa Clayton died. He taught her how to love again. She gazed up at him, her eyes brimming with affection.

"It's kind of like life, isn't it? Some days are low tide where it's easy to get from point A to point B. Some days are high tide where it seems you have to struggle to stay afloat."

Adam leaned down and kissed Kate on the bridge of her nose. "Sure, but it's all about perspective. Low tide is for enjoying. High tide is for growing."

There was so much truth in his words. And right now, Kate enjoyed everything about her life, but she knew just like how in a few hours, the tide would return and this magical bridge would once again be under water, she would have a difficult day here and there . . . until it was time for the tide to go out again.

The Loop Road

Light filtered through their hotel window earlier than Kate was used to in Harvest Bay. She cracked an eye but, feeling the weariness of spending many long hours in the vehicle, she rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head.

"Are you awake?" Adam murmured. He was accustomed to waking up early, even on summer break, because of facilitating early morning football practices. Kate, on the other hand, wanted no part of being awake before half-past five on her first week of vacation.

"No," came her muffled response.

Adam chuckled. "Okay, but there's a National Park nearby just waiting for us to explore."

"Not before 5:30." Her grumbling response only awakened her more, and soon she and Adam tiptoed to the hotel lobby for breakfast while the girls continued to sleep in.

The forecast indicated the day would be cloudy and cool, not unusual for the first part of June in Maine. Adam and Kate decided over their continental breakfast that it would be a good day to take a drive on Park Loop Road and become familiar with the lay of the land.

By eight o'clock, the family of four had loaded back up into the Expedition and began the short drive to Acadia National Park. They stopped briefly at the Visitor Center, where Adam and Kate gained valuable information from a park ranger regarding family-friendly hikes and other points of interest, as well as the times for the tides, sunrise, and sunset. Adam grabbed a few maps of the park, Kate bought a couple souvenirs, and they climbed back into their vehicle ready for the day's adventures.

There were many, many pull-offs along Park Loop Road where tourists could get out and take in the stunning scenery, and Kate and Adam took advantage of a handful of them. Even with the cloudy weather, the landscape seemed magical to Kate. The rugged beauty - the contrast between lush, green plants and jagged rocks, mountains and valleys, calm lakes and the wild Atlantic Ocean - took her breath away. It never became monotonous. Every turn they took on Park Loop Road, there was something new to see.

Around one of those turns was a sign for Sand Beach. Even though the weather was definitely not ideal for swimming, and they didn't bring their bathing suits, they decided to make the stop and check it out. Sand Beach was a little, inconspicuous gem, hidden between the rocky landscape on both sides. Kate had to walk to the water's edge, bend down, and touch the ocean. Chloe and Madeline each drew their name and the year in the sand while Kate snapped pictures of them. All four of them cautiously climbed on the slippery rocks off to the side of the beach, searching the tide pools for little sea creatures. Before they left, Adam spotted and pointed out a small pod of dolphins just offshore splashing and playing in the frigid water. It was the perfect way to end the experience at Sand Beach.

Not far down Park Loop Road, Adam pulled off again. The park ranger at the visitor center had suggested seeing Thunder Hole.
The conditions at that particular moment weren't right for the "big show" - a thunderous clap of water hitting the narrow cave-like hole in the rocks gouged out by many years of erosion, followed by an extreme spray of the water onto the observation deck - but it was still an amazing sight. Kate and Adam learned that the right time to visit to experience the boom and spray was about 2 hours before high tide and on a day when the ocean waves weren't too calm.

After a quick bite for lunch, Adam and Kate decided to drive up to the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, Cadillac Mountain. It turned out there was a right time to visit the mountain, too. On such a chilly, cloudy afternoon, standing on Cadillac Mountain was downright cold and the winds were brutal. Kate pulled on a winter hat and gloves she had thought to pack just in case she got cold, as reviews had warned of chilly temperatures at the beginning of June. Standing on top of Cadillac Mountain, the wind literally took her breath away, but the views warmed her heart. Kate struggled for words to describe the way this beautiful sight made her feel, but when Adam came up behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her, and Madeline and Chole stood nearby happily snapping pictures on their phones, only one word came to her mind: perfect.

Road Trip to Acadia

Kate Sullivan woke before her alarm. Although 14-year-old Madeline and 16-year-old Chloe were less enthusiastic, Kate couldn't wait for their road trip to Maine. Adam worked long hours, especially during football season, but this year he promised to take the first week in June off for a family vacation. She dumped the tray full of ice from their freezer on top of the bottles of pop and water in the cooler and slung the tote bag of snacks over her shoulder.

"Let's go!" she called out through the house that had been in her family for generations. Sometimes she could still see her Grandpa Clayton on the front porch swing with his arm around her grandma. Hurried footsteps drummed through the house as both girls rushed past her and into the attached garage to claim their seats in the family's Expedition. Adam was just behind them, snatching an apple off the counter and taking a bite before flashing Kate a smile and grabbing the cooler by the handle.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be trapped in a vehicle with two teenage girls for fifteen plus hours?" He wrapped the arm with the apple-occupied hand around her waist and kissed first her lips and then her nose.

The sweet scent of a Honeycrisp filled her lungs and she licked the lingering juice from her lips. Kate grinned up at him when he pulled back. After six years of marriage, he still knew how to make her insides all gooey. More importantly, he still tried. They glanced through the screen door into the garage where the girls were waiting in the back seat, faking gagging at their parents' display of affection. She giggled. "You know, they might be wondering the same thing about us."

"That's true. At the very least, it'll be interesting, if not entertaining. Lead the way, copilot. Lead the way."

Kate headed to the packed up vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat while Adam slid the cooler behind his seat and then took his place behind the wheel. Adam backed out of the driveway, closed the garage door, and they were on their way.

Within just a couple hours, they were out of Ohio and not long after that the landscape began to change. From the time Kate was little and went on vacations with her dad, mom, and sister, Elizabeth, she recognized the valuable time spent in such close quarters with her family, singing to the radio, playing traveling games, and just talking. Kate's eyes grew misty as she clutched her pointer and middle fingers, the number years before Chloe graduated and went off to college. Truthfully, it was never far from her mind. Madeline would fly the nest a few years after that. These were the days to make memories.


They stopped for the night at a campground in New York and then continued on up the East Coast the following day. They reached Maine by late morning and Mt. Desert Island, where Acadia National Park is located, by early evening. After checking into their hotel in the quaint touristy town of Bar Harbor, they had some dinner and rested. The next day was sure to be an adventure . . .

Time for a Change

This is my first blog post, my first attempt at writing anything, as J.L. Riffle. "Why the change, Jen?" you may be asking. Well, I don't know exactly, but I know it's time.

I don't know a lot about a lot, but I do know one thing with 100% certainty: change is a part of life. Often it's the hardest part of life, but sometimes it's a breath of fresh air. Like, for example, that first warm spring breeze after the deep freeze of winter. That's one of my favorite changes, topped only by the crisp, woodsy scent of fall after a scorcher of a summer. You know what I'm talking about, right?

Jen Stephens was my name when I didn't like who I was. No, that's not correct. I didn't KNOW who I was. I was married. I had two great kids. I was a teacher and I had a fun hobby as a writer. But who was I? Sadly, I had to go through a valley to figure it out, and unfortunately so did people I care about, but the thing I learned about valleys is they can be a moment of rest and relief if you let them. No, you don't have a mountaintop view. Yes, there are long, dark shadows. Yes, there is loneliness, and often confusion, as well as the utter desperation, but when you scream out, "WHO AM I AND WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WORLD???" and you hear your own voice echoing back to you, it's kind of a bit of a revelation.

I am ME! And I have a voice! I have a big heart and consequently a lot of feelings, which isn't always a great thing, but it allows me to connect with people on a personal level. I've been through hardships, I've caused some hardships, but now I feel like I understand myself and my unique place in this great big world a little better. It's time.

When I was young, I think I mentioned this in my previous blog post a few months ago, my dad and stepmom would take my sister and me on vacations, usually into the Great Smoky Mountains and often on a hike or two. Over Christmas break when we would visit, I remember going cross country skiing on trails in the Michigan woods. I didn't know it then, but an intense passion for nature and hiking was being instilled in me.

Fast forward about 25-30 years. I was a newly divorced single mom with another failed relationship under my belt (talk about a slam to your self-worth), and a friend, whom I met through his daughter and one of my students, suggested that I "get out of the house." He took me on the first hike I'd been on in years and years. It felt nice. A few months later, we decided to try having a relationship. Truthfully, there wasn't much trying involved. Some, yes, but this relationship was as much a breath of fresh air - and as NEEDED - as that hike. Yes, I needed this relationship to open my eyes and see what a good relationship looked and felt like. It was time. I was ready. And four years, and MANY hikes later, I am so blessed to call Brian my husband and my hiking partner for life.

"Why are you telling us all this, Jen?" you may be asking. Well, because it's time. And it's not anything most of you don't already know. I'm a pretty open book. I'm not opposed to sharing my struggles as well as my triumphs because I know I'm not a phenomenon. I know there are individuals who are experiencing the same things, and while they don't want to hear, "I know what you're going through, and everything will be alright," they also don't want to feel alone. You are never alone. And I am living and breathing proof that as long as you keep putting your feet on the floor each morning, God's not done with you yet. Grieve the chapter you just finished for as long as you need to, and then turn the page and start writing a new one.

I'm also telling you this because it is time to take Harvest Bay outdoors. My brilliant and supportive husband has encouraged me to write about what I love - nature and hiking, traveling and camping. So, I'm in the process of beginning book #1 of the Harvest Bay Outdoors series. It will likely take me some time as I am also working on completing my Masters of Education in Reading this year, but the process has begun. The working title ("working" means it IS subject to change) is Wilderness Experience and it will feature Kennedy, the sister of Adam and Owen, for those of you who have read The Heart's Journey Home and The Heart's Lullaby.

I will also be working on turning this blog into a travel blog of sorts written in the viewpoints of some of my characters. (That was my husband's idea!) It's taken me some time to wrap my brain around this idea, but now that I have, I think it will be FUN! I hope you will think so, too. I also hope it gives you the inspiration to get outdoors and experience nature with the ones you love. In my opinion, it's my favorite way to get quality time with my husband and girls, and quality time is the best gift to can give a person - it's priceless, it can't be taken back, and it comes in one size fits all. Lots of happy memories have been made on the trail!

On that note, happy belated Thanksgiving! I hope this holiday season is the most memorable yet!

To Everything There is a Season

The thing about seasons is they never last long. Some may SEEM to last F-O-R-E-V-E-R (for me this would be winter) while some SEEM to be over in the blink of an eye (for me this would definitely be summer), but in reality they all last about 4-ish months. Similarly, life's seasons come and go. Some don't even last 4 months, some last years and years.

My third book, The Heart's Hostage, took a long time to write and finally was released last summer (June 2016). Since then, I've taken some time off while teaching and pursuing my Masters of Education in Reading.

Also, during this time period, I've rediscovered a passion of mine - hiking! It's a passion that was instilled a long time ago on vacations with my dad. Even as a child, I understood the value of walking with my family in nature and making precious memories by just slowing down and taking in God's beautiful creation. There is so much in this country and world to experience! It's exciting!!!

But there is indeed a time to write. And I have become inspired again. I'm hoping to continue the Harvest Bay Series, but I'm also intending to returning to this blog in a different way than before. With my husband's encouragement, I'm planning on revamping this site into a TRAVEL BLOG and sharing the many adventures my husband and I and the rest of our family enjoy together, as well as including updates about my writing.

That's it for now. Forgive any grammatical errors. I'm actually writing this blog post on my phone from inside my hammock. I hope you are as excited about this new endeavor as I am. The bottom line is life is short. We all know that. But I think some of us don't know how to live. We as a society are tied to our jobs and our other commitments. I will be the first to admit I am. It's part of being an adult! But I'm trying to learn how to really live each and every day. This is a start. It's a journey. It's an adventure. Until next time, friends . . .

Who Are You???

I am Jennifer Lynn (Dominick) Stephens, born May 26, 19somethingsomething ;o). My parents divorced when I was a baby, both remarried and I can say I have 4 great parents. I have 3 sisters who are my best friends. I am a single mom of the 2 most beautiful girls on the planet. I have the best, most supportive friends anyone could ever ask for. But who am I??? I am a writer. I have to write like I have to breathe. It is in my soul. I am a teacher. I love working with children and helping them to reach goals they didn't believe they could. I am a student, trying out a new scary path in my life. I am a runner. I love pushing my body to its limit, getting faster and stronger day by day. I am a dancer, feeling the rhythm of music and allowing myself to be led in a beautiful movement to it. I am a true country girl. I like to be barefoot and pick tomatoes from my garden. I am a lover of good food and coffee ... thus the passion for being physically active. I have an adventurous spirit and I love to laugh. Laughing to the point of tears is one of my favorite things in the world. Is there a better feeling than that??? I am an encourager. I hope and I dream and I believe and I try my best to share that hope with others. Keep moving on this life journey and I promise I will walk with you the whole way. You'll never be alone. But who am I??? Does all this DEFINE me? All of these are little pieces to the puzzle of who I am. I'm not just one of these alone - I'm not just a daughter or sister or mother or friend - but a beautiful combination of everything I just mentioned and more. When it all comes together, the big finished picture, the answer is clear. Who am I? I am Jennifer Lynn (Dominick) Stephens, daughter of the King of kings, a child of the Most High God, a follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. THAT'S who I am! I'm a princess and a servant all rolled into one. *shrug* It's as simple and as complicated as that. But I think it's the most satisfying way to live. It adds purpose and meaning to everything I do, to all those little puzzle pieces that make up this crazy girl. And that is pretty cool! So, now tell me ... who are you???

Compass

Been writing. Been teaching. Been going back to school. Been the best mama I know how to be to the 2 greatest kids on the planet. Been trying to find my way in this new phase in my life. And I had this thought:

The heart truly is a compass. Follow it and it'll lead you to happiness and to where you belong - HOME. Choose not to follow it, to do things your own way, and you will find yourself lost and alone.

Want to know why I believe this is? Because I believe what the Word says that God created us in His image. Because our heart is God's heart, our "compass" is always pointing us to our eternal home and down a path that will lead us there. Any other path will make us lost, confused, and miserable. That's just my simple-minded way of looking at things.

I'm gonna leave you with the lyrics to a song that I love by Lady Antebellum and a promise that next time, I'm going to post my simple-minded way of looking at something else I love - dancing. In the meantime, friends, follow your compass. :o)

 "Yeah it's been a bumpy road

Roller coasters
High and low
Fill the tank and drive the car
Pedal fast, pedal hard
You won't have to go that far

You wanna give up 'cause it's dark
We're really not that far apart

So let your heart, sweetheart,
Be your compass when you're lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it's all said and done
You can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone 

Never be alone oh oh oh
Never be alone oh oh oh

Forgot directions on your way
Don't close your eyes don't be afraid
We might be crazy late at night I can't wait til you arrive
Follow stars you'll be alright

You wanna give up 'cause it's dark
We're really not that far apart

So let your heart, sweetheart,
Be your compass when you're lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it's all said and done
You can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone 

Never be alone oh oh oh
Never be alone oh oh oh

You wanna give up 'cause it's dark
We're really not that far apart

So let your heart, sweetheart
Be your compass when you're lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it's all said and done
You can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone 

Never be alone oh oh oh
Never be alone oh oh oh

When it's all said and done
You can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone" 

Running the Race

I'm a runner. Not really, but I like to think I am. A friend of mine says we are "casual joggers". I enjoy running. I LOVE how I feel after a run. It's my cardio exercise of choice. Do I make it a priority? Well, no. Especially not at this time of the year. Would I like to make it a priority? Sure! . . . As long as it fit into my schedule.

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!" 

As a Christian: If I go back up into that first paragraph and replace "runner" with Christian, there were times when it'd probably still be a true statement. Oh, sure, I've had seasons where I wanted to eat, breathe, and sleep everything Christ. I couldn't get enough. And then I've had seasons, recently as a matter of fact, where "life" took priority. Jesus just didn't fit into my schedule as a single mom working 2 jobs just to make ends meet. I just didn't have time to spend in the Word. The Word didn't pay my rent, did it? I didn't have time for more than a quick "get us home safe" prayer while driving on snow covered roads. Prayer didn't get the laundry and dishes done, supper on the table, and the girls each to their separate basketball practices, right??? Ever been there??? 

Was I "running to win", as the Scripture says? Nope. Even though I'm active in my church and am a Christian Women's Fiction author, it just wasn't my priority. If it fit into my schedule, perfect! Otherwise, I just didn't have time. Ugh! I wish I could describe how much I HATED just typing those words! But I'm being reminded little by little, step by step, day by day, with the help of some remarkable people, that life is a race. Everyone is running it, but not all in the same way. We can choose to run it one of two ways: we can focus on the race itself (our relationships, our job, our health, our money and possessions, our habits and hobbies) . . . or we can focus on the FINISH LINE. 

What's wrong with focusing a lil bit on "the race"? Races are exciting and energized. They are a fun and rewarding event to be a part of. I get that. But, THEY END. They all come to an end eventually. Relationships may come and go. You may wake up one day and find you are unemployed or get a bad report from your doctor. The one thing that will never, ever end is Jesus' love for us and His gift to us of everlasting life. THAT, my friends, is the finish line and I promise if we keep our sights there, everything else will fall into place. 

As a mother: So how do I apply this as a mom of 2 preteen daughters? With all the running I do taking them to practices and games, I FEEL like I'm in a race! Haha! And let me tell you, some days (typically mornings - just imagine 3 girls sharing 1 bathroom. Oh, Lordy, if my walls could talk!) I really fight the urge to quit this leg of the race altogether. Have you ever seen the YouTube video of the Olympic runner who pulled a hamstring during a race? Even though he was in excruciating pain he got up and tried to keep going. HE HAD TO FINISH THE RACE. Who do you suppose came out to the track to help him hobble the rest of the way? That's right. His dad. 

I helped bring 2 beautiful girls into this race. They are brilliant and determined and bursting with all kinds of potential. And they can change the world if they so desire. (I'm only slightly biased. ;o) ) And just like that father was there to help his son, and my father in Heaven never, ever leaves me, I will always be there to help them "run to win". Here's the bonus: just like the act of running while in the race helps make your body stronger, guiding and helping and spending time with the very little people I helped bring into this race makes me a stronger woman. I can't quit on those 2 beautiful girls. As crazy as they make me, they are my whole world and they are making me better every day just by getting to be their mama.  

As a teacher: This is just a little bit different because your students are not your own children and you typically have a classroom full that changes every year. They all have their individual needs and learning abilities. A teacher cannot give up trying to reach each one of her students. Some days it seems impossible. Believe me, I know. But every day that you care about another person's child, every day you keep him safe, every day you give her a little hug and tell her you're proud of her, is a day you've "run to win". And it has been my experience, similarly to my own girls, that by the end of the school year, I've learned and grown just as much from my students as they have from me. Teach them the race route. Encourage them to try their best and stay focused. And then let them take off! But be right there if they need you. I'm always amazed at what my students can do, usually going above and beyond my expectations. It's a pretty cool thing! 

As a writer: Some days the story is just not coming to me. Like when you try to run and your legs feel like cement? It's like that. Some days it's great and my fingers are flying over the keyboard . . . and then comes the editing process and I realize what I thought was just genius work needs to get scratched. For me it's a long, learning process. Very much like a marathon. And very often I'd like to take a little break. Sometimes I have to because of work or the girls or any other "life" event. The key is to get right back in the race and to push just a lil bit harder. As a writer, I have to stay focused on the big picture, the finish line. And not just typing the imaginary "The End". As a Christian Women's Fiction author, I have to remember Who is the real Author of this story and Whose story I'm telling. Nothing I write is about me or anything I want. It is all about the big picture. The FINISH LINE. 

And this time I'm in it to win it!  

Hostage

According to Dictionary.com, the word hostage means: "a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of certain conditions or terms, promises, etc., by another." (Emphasis added.)

Have you ever been in a relationship of any kind - romantic, friendship, work, etc. - where your needs are not being met, but you feel trapped because your heart keeps you there? Your promises and obligations keep you there. The Heart's Hostage follows a married couple, neither one meeting the other's needs, both secretly longing for freedom but trapped by their vow to each other. Eventually, they individually come to the conclusion that the freedom they desire isn't the freedom they NEED. But will they reach this understanding too late???

I will periodically post snippets of The Heart's Hostage here, as I've done with my previous books. I hope you are as excited about this "baby" as I am. This book is so important to me for many reasons. I only pray I'm telling the story well enough to touch the hearts of my readers and cause some hope and healing to occur in whatever situation you may be facing. I know one thing about relationships of any kind: they are hard and everyone has some sort of baggage, unresolved past hurts, barriers to break down. There are ups and downs and more ups, twists and turns, and every now and then a loop-the-loop. Kinda like a roller coaster (and everyone knows roller coasters make me sick, which would most definitely explain my current situation). That's just how life goes, right? I'm not for sure on this, there's so much I still need to learn, but I think that when two people figure out how to enjoy the ride - celebrate each other's similarities, appreciate each other's differences, support each other's dreams, and communicate each other's needs - that roller coaster will be the most fulfilling, biggest thrill of their lives.

I'm a mama, a teacher, a writer, and, most of all, a Christian. I'm most certainly NOT perfect at ANY of those. Lordy, have I screwed up a time or two, but I believe if I try every day to walk closer to Christ (cause some days I'm way far away) I'll do pretty okay at everything else. Will you walk with me??? My plan is to choose a Scripture passage that speaks to me on a personal level and then relate it to my role as a mama, a teacher, and a writer. That's my plan, and those who know me know I love to have a plan 100% as much as I hate roller coasters. I'd also love to know you're walking beside me on this faith journey. Where ever you are in life, please remember, we "can do everything through Christ, who gives (us) strength." ~Philippians 4:13. And we can do it together!

So until next time, dear friends, enjoy the ride!          

Roots and Wings, Hope and Healing

I had an epiphany moment just a little bit ago. It's a pretty neat little story, I think, and I wanted to share it with you with the hopes that it'll touch your heart. Maybe you'll get something out of it. Maybe it'll just be an entertaining story for you. Of course there's always the possibility that you'll think it was a waste of your time. If you want to take the chance, read on . . .

The girls and I are spending our spring break with my step-mom in East Tennessee, one of our favorite places in the whole world. For me, it's a very spiritual place. Something about it centers me, brings me back to who I am. While the majority of my roots are in Ohio, a line stretches all the way to this area of the world. My dad and step-mom would bring us on vacations to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for as long as I can remember and they built their home just east of the famous vacation spot about 20 years ago. So part of who I am at heart is right here in the Smoky Mountains.

This morning was a beautiful, brisk morning, bright and sunny, about 40 degrees. So I decided to take a run/walk to clear my head, get back to who I am, and just breathe. As I was running along, a song by Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway, came on my ipod. The words of the chorus are:

"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway."

Fitting song, given my recent circumstances. Listening to the song, I drifted back to the last time I took that same walk with my dad. My dad. My hero. I tried to remember what we talked about and couldn't. It wasn't important. What was important was BEING WITH HIM. I wondered what he would say to me if we were walking together now. Would he be proud that I'm a teacher and published author? Would he understand that I'm now a single mother? Just like Forrest Gump's mama, he always knew what to say to make things make sense. 

Nearing the end of our together walk all those years ago, I said to him, "Race ya up the hill!" Of course, he took the challenge. And he beat me! But when we got to the top of the hill, he pointed and said, "Look." And there was a Bald Eagle soaring right above us! It was beautiful and majestic. THat was one of the few perfect moments of my life. The memory has faded some - it's probably been 14 years - but I'll never forget that moment as long as I live. And today healing occurred as I shared that memory with my step-mom's new husband as we walked up that same hill together.

That's when I realized the complexity and yet at the same time the simplicity of the twists and turns of life. You never know what to expect, but one thing you can count on is life moves on. There IS life after death. There IS healing after heartache. There can be beautiful relationships after a broken marriage. And there is ALWAYS hope. Always. 

Life . . . It's a Complicated Thing

So much has happened in my life since I last posted, both positive and what I'm determined to one day make positive. This blog designed to keep you up-to-date on my writing and to inspire you to live your best life while pursuing your life's passion. However, my personal life affects my writing. My personal life has threatened my faith walk, but I fought hard for my faith. My personal life has tried to affect my dreams and life's passions, but dreams are dreams and, while they are often pushed to the side and sometimes flicker, they are never really extinguished.

In 36 1/2 years, there's a few things I've learned about life (most of which has occurred in the last year and a half). First is that I have SO much left to learn!

I've also learned that everything, EVERYTHING, changes so be ready for it. And change doesn't have to be a bad thing. View it as an adventure. View it as an opportunity. But the more we dig our heels in and resist it, the harder it will be to accept it and adjust.

I've learned that being lonely single is okay. Being lonely married is not. And I've learned that being a single mother is NOT for wimps. I've also learned that just 15 minutes of family Scripture reading/devotion and prayer can be a lifesaver . . . in more ways than one.

I've learned to admit when I'm wrong. And I have done so much wrong - as a now ex-wife, as a mother, as a daughter, sister, friend, woman, and Christian. I won't make excuses for myself. I. Am. A. Sinner. I'm selfish and impatient and can be moody. And I thank God for His daily grace and mercy. But I've done a few things right, too, and I feel like I'm getting even better every day.  

I've learned to speak up when someone hurts me, rather than hold it inside and let it affect my self worth. I am valuable because God made me and, though I have made mistakes, He doesn't EVER make mistakes. God NEVER made us to be a door mat to be walked on. He made us to be appreciated as a masterpiece.

I've learned the VALUE of RELATIONSHIPS. I once thought relationships were just there, automatic. You are born, you have a mother, you have a relationship, right??? Well, my relationship with my mother has grown exponentially in the last year and a half and I'm using that experience to build a better, more beautiful relationship with both of my amazing daughters. My sister, Julie, is one of my two best friends in the whole wide world because we spend time together, laughing, talking, and nurturing a relationship that is important to both of us. I have made the most beautiful of friendships and I've lost some that I thought would last a lifetime. Relationships are precious gifts from God and like a beautiful flower, they can only grow and flourish if BOTH people involved spend time taking care of them. Otherwise, they will wither and die. I've experienced both scenerios. And our relationship with the Lord is no different.

I've learned the POWER of the MIND. This has been huge for me. Many times I have given into negative thinking. It is so easy to get into a pit of mental despair, playing the victim role, because when you think about it we all have problems or difficult situations to some degree. We ALL have baggage. Everyone's been hurt, self esteem's been shot down. It really takes strength and determination to stay positive, to look on the bright side, to see the Romans 8:28 promise especially when facing undesireable situations. Confession: sometimes I WANT to be weak, crawl into a hole (a.k.a. under the covers of my bed), and have my own little pity party. Sometimes I WANT to say, "I can't do this. I'm TIRED, completely worn out, and I don't want to even try anymore." And I have done that a time or two. But who does it benefit??? No one. Positive thinking makes me feel better, stronger, happier. Positive thinking draws me closer to the Lord and the people I love the most. I have trained my brain to stay on the positive track, to say, "I don't know if I can do this, but I'm gonna try!" But I've also learned that in those few weak, vulnerable moments, 6 words spoken by someone who truly cares can have a powerful impact on the mind, as well as the soul: I UNDERSTAND AND I AM HERE.

Oh, I've learned a few more things which I'm sure I'll blog about in the weeks and months to come. For now, I'll leave you with a poem I wrote recently. I titled it Psalm 151 (because the last Psalm in the Bible is 150) and it is about this complicated thing called life.

Psalm 151
   

The highway stretched out in front of me

Long and lonely

No exits but only

Straight ahead as far as I could see 

I kept moving, running, sometimes crawling

Always a smile

With every mile

But inside my spirit was bawling 

I stopped for a second to take a look back

Not wishing or hoping

Just merely coping

And fully understanding what lacked 

Appreciating the rough roads and every pot hole

Each helped mold me

Into what He told me

He saw when He looked into my soul 

He saw past my faults, my insecurities, and my doubts

He saw my heart

My biggest part

And He showed me what my life was about 

So now the road is still long, but my story is new

One of faith, hope, and love

And a strength from above

And a Savior who walked a hill, too.

 

~J. Stephens 

Meet Amy Beauregard

Have you ever experienced an interview with a character before??? Well, last year one of my favorite characters to date, Amy Beauregard, stopped by for a quick interview. With the release of The Heart's Lullaby less than 2 months away, I thought I'd repost her interview so you can begin to get to know this amazing "friend" of mine. In the weeks to come, I have a feeling we'll be having visits from other "friends" from this story so keep checking back!

And now without further hesitation, it's my honor to introduce you to AMY BEAUREGARD, a new face in Harvest Bay.

Welcome, Amy! Tell us a little about yourself.

Okay. Well, what do you want to know?

Let's start with where you're from. I mentioned that you're new to Harvest Bay. So where do you call "home" and why did you come to Harvest Bay?

I grew up on an orange farm in Southwestern Florida, but it hasn't been my "home" since my dad died when I was twelve. My mother left when I was really little so all I had left was my grandparents. They did the best they could but I left as soon as I turned eighteen.

Is that when you came to Harvest Bay?

No. I spent a year and a half basically being a beach bum. Then I got pregnant and realized that a great tan and surfing all day wouldn't support my kid so I became a medic in the United States Army. After serving for 10 years, including 2 tours in Iraq, I got out for good and came to Harvest Bay so my son, Dominick, could meet and develop a relationship with his father.

Are you going to tell us who Dominick's father is?

I'm sorry. That's confidential . . . for now.

Okay, then, tell us about Dominick. (Great name, by the way.)

Dominick is an amazing kid. He was born early and there were some complications which resulted in him becoming deaf. He’s really smart though and he loves any game with a ball.

So does that mean you know sign language?

Unfortunately, no. I was gone too much to learn it, but I'm slowly picking it up. My grandma, who was Dominick's guardian while I was stationed in other states and over seas, learned it with him. And his new stepmom is fluent in sign language. What else do you want to know?

Uh, well, since you are a veteran, tell us what the 4th of July means to you.

I thought you might ask this. *Sigh* Since I've just recently left the military I'm presently recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and according to my psychiatrist I'm doing really well, but at this point fireworks are really bad. The noise and the sudden flashes of light -- they take me back to places I don't want to be. That said, I love this country. I've been stationed in other countries so I know first hand there are none better than the United States of America. I hate that so many, including my closest friend, have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, but I'm proud. Period.

I think I speak for all my readers when I say thank you for your service and I'm really sorry you experienced such loss.

*silence*

Moving on . . . so, Amy, what do you think the future holds for you and Dominick in Harvest Bay?

Hmm. I'm not sure. I've really felt "at home" here and made some really great friends--

 

Like who???

I'm sorry. That's confidential.

Right. Sorry. Please continue.

I've been advised by one of my, ahem, "friends" to open my heart to the possibilities and I'm just trying to do that. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the future holds.

One last question for today: the books in this series that you have become a part of are of strong Christian values and themes. Can you tell us where you are on your faith walk?

Well, as you can imagine, after losing my dad the way I did . . .

Which is how???

I'm sorry. That's confidential.

Right. Sorry. Please continue.

And then experiencing the, for lack of a better word, ugliness of war, I'm not at a very good place right now. But, as I said before, I'm trying to open my heart to the possibilities. And another friend told me to try seeing with my heart instead of my eyes. That one's a little trickier, but I'm working on it.

Well, Amy, thank you for stopping by today and giving my readers a little peek into your life. I want to wish you a happy 4th of July and, again, thank you for serving our country.

Yep. Now, if you'll excuse me, Angel's waiting.

And who exactly is Angel?

*Calling over shoulder* Sorry. It's . . .

I know. Confidential.