ALL THINGS NEW

New . . . what a wonderful word, full of the promise of things to come. When I think of this word, several exciting things come to mind.

First has to be my new grandchild. Isn’t he cute? 

Only a month old tomorrow, Liam has crept into our hearts and we are enjoying many wonderful moments and new experiences with him. There are so many things I love about this new little life—his baby smell as he snuggles into my neck; when he wraps his tiny little hand around my finger and holds on tight; his little moans and groans as he sleeps in my arms; and I just cannot look into his sweet little face enough. I’m truly honored to be his grandma and excited to have the privilege of watching him grow and be an influence in his life.

No, it's not the cover art for my new novelette,
but Blueberry Eve, set in Finland will be coming soon with love
(that's hubby and I in Helsinki).

Second exciting thing is the new publishing contract I’ve just signed with Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing) for my novelette, Blueberry Eve, set in Finland. Being my first publishing contract, a whole new world is opening for me in the writing game. There’s a whole lot ahead for me to learn—from contracts, to official documents, to cover art, to first edits, second edits, royalties, marketing… Many of you have been there, and can relate to all the newness of that first contract.

The cottage I modelled my storyworld on for Blueberry Eve.

Fruit market in Helsinki.
I wrote a scene in Blueberry Eve where my hero and heroine,
Adam and Eveliina, visit this market.

Thirdly, I find myself thinking about the new country my son and his wife will be moving to later this month. Hopefully we will get to visit them in Budapest, Hungary, at the end of this year and then on to Finland where we’ll celebrate our first white Christmas at temperatures that will be entirely new for this South African. And I’m sure from that experience a new Eastern European novel will emerge too.

Budapest

My son and his wife, Kyle and Tiia, in Budapest in 2011,
the Danube River behind them.

But the final, most important thing that comes to mind are the words of our Lord Jesus when He said, “I am making all things new.” He is coming soon, and he’s going to create for us a new heaven and a new earth. 

Today is the start of a new year. What new things will 2014 hold in store for you? A new home? New country? Perhaps a new baby in the family? A new novel? New publishing contract?

Maybe we’ll even get to see a whole new world?

Wishing you all, our readers and writers, a blessed and prosperous 2014.

Marion Ueckermann’s passion for writing was sparked in 2001 when she moved to Ireland with her husband and two sons. Since then she has published devotional articles and stories in Winners (2009), The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter (published August 2011 by Tyndale House Publishers) and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miraculous Messages from Heaven (published 15 October 2013). She has just signed a publishing contract with Pelican Group Publishers (White Rose Publishing) for Blueberry Eve. Marion blogs for International Christian Fiction Writers and belongs to Christian Writers of South Africa and American Christian Fiction Writers. She now lives in Pretoria East, South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.