Romance or drama? It looks like the writers are poised to deliver both in season 11. While reading this, I was reminded of what Elizabeth Stewart said about the theme of season 10 being "the character's discovering their true selves" and I hope that continues.
Totally-- I think the best stories have both plus some mystery if I'm honest. I like trying to figure some things out along the way. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan and I'm geeking out on that murder board Rosemary is looking at. I've been thinking a lot about this idea of discovering our true selves-- reading a great book by Sue Monk Kidd about it. Might see if some might want to do as a book club in the off season. I hope it continues too-- in real life and on screen, I'm thinking this is a life long process. I've also read about this as being a real thing in the middle of our lives. They talk about not as much as a crisis but a "midwiving" and rebirth. I find that fascinating and interesting. Elizabeth isn't young and single. She's been married and had a child. Rebirth I think could fit S11 too maybe. Thanks for commenting and for interacting with others too. It's my favorite part of blogging.
Thanks! Felt like perfect timing with Hallmark releasing their promo. I feel spoiled with all these official photos and videos, then all the amazing content people are creating. These fans are truly the best!
Cara, I’m so pleased you are blogging about WCTH again. I joined the online conversation in s8. Even had a WCTH specific handle for X/Twitter. We actually interacted from time to time, but I couldn’t even tell you what my handle was because I left it behind about a week after the finale. I feel like we talked about the book “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller and the hero’s journey in stories… anyway I digress. It wasn’t anything I would expect you to remember. Ha! What you have described above is spot on with how I felt about the show and especially after s8. I loved the deep emotional connection and tension we saw between N&E. The story of the man who altered the course of his life to move his niece to HV to protect the widow and young son of the man that took his place on a mission… and ends up falling in love with her despite his best efforts. The story of the widow who battles and overcomes fear to fall in love with the man who came to HV with his niece to protect her and her son because he felt it was his duty and of course happens to be the Mountie her husband replaced. Those are the stories I was so sad weren’t going to be explored. I honestly never believed we would be back here with the possibility to see these stories told. I was so happy by this possibility that I actually created some videos to document their complex story and relationship. One is about 15 mins… I know that is incredibly long, but I could have used another 5 mins but couldn’t due to constraints on IG/YT. If you get bored and would like to relive some of those moments I’m dropping the link here. It’s titled “Steadfast” on YT if you’d like to watch it. Again, so glad you are posting again! God bless. Lauren
Lauren!!!! I actually got goose bumps reading this. I'm going to totally "fan girl" all over you. First I do remember talking to you about Donald Miller and StoryBrand and enjoying that so much. Second- someone just recently shared one of your videos on X and I binged them all. Since then, no lie, I watch at least one a day, sometimes more. I promise I'm not making this up. I wondered who in the world LaurenLikesSalt was- and it's you! I feel like your videos are what I try so hard to do in writing-- weaving and overlapping things to show patterns and a clear theme. To encourage people. You are incredibly gifted-- you're telling a visual story and it is just right! I care a lot about pacing with music and visual scenes-- just because I can get a little overwhelmed and I want to be able to settle in and enjoy-- be taken on a journey and you end with just the right amount of text on a dark screen plus scripture. I like the shorter ones too! I love that Steadfast is that long-- sometimes I play it while getting ready in the morning! I wish I had thought to attach it to my blog-- the link. It's a perfect match. OK-- maybe we can do a Town Hall or a podcast where you talk about how and why you create these. Would you be game? I'm technically challenged at times but I'm trying to bold and stretch and try new things this season just like Elizabeth. Ha! Talk soon!
Oh girl! I totally laughed out loud reading about your “fan girl” moment. Let’s just agree to a mutual “fan girl” moment here. Ha! You are so gifted and do just a beautiful job with your words. I mean it when I say I’m so glad you are writing again, truly. Oh… I’m so honored that you’d take the time to watch my videos, let alone multiple times. I really appreciate your kind words about them. What you say so well with words about this story, I tried to express in my own way through those complication videos. My hope was to document this very complex, interwoven story of these two broken people with what we saw on screen. It has been there all along and these beautiful performances by Kevin and Erin made us care so much about these characters. Secondly, my goal has been to encourage people reminding them they aren’t alone, especially on the topic of fear. Such a real struggle we all deal with. I suppose I’d be game to try something like that. I have various levels of technical abilities depending on the topic, but I’ve never tried a podcast. Let’s just say I had a harder time posting my videos to IG/YT then using the actual video editing software. Ha! Take care and have a blessed week. Lauren
Love your post and your insight! Thanks for being a children’s pastor. I’m a pastor myself. A little over two years ago, my wife went to heaven. It’s left me grieving and hazy. But when all is said and done, we are moving forward. I watch for the love story. I miss that with my wife. I can feel the struggle that Elizabeth has felt. I think Lucas is a good man and he’s going to help Hope Valley but I think he caused her to go back to her Hamilton days. She left there to grow and do things for herself. Then she met Jack. Their relationship wasn’t easy but they worked through it. We saw her fears with Jacks job and it almost separated them. But they got through it. What’s hard is he survived the fighting up north and was killed in a training mission. I think that’s why I like Nathan for her. He won’t try to change her and really hasn’t seen much of her Hamilton upbringing. He wants her to stay there and be in Hope Valley. But most of all, I think he wants to help her love again and face her fears. I think there will be some roadblocks but they will overcome! Some like tension! Some like a love story! Some like both and none are wrong. But I see the scriptures in this. I see 1 Cor 13. Nathan’s love is patient and kind. He doesn’t seek his own. Love always overcomes fear and this will happen!
Well Terry-- you've left me in a puddle and made my day. This is the type of sharing I think this show and community can have-- to be real and to connect to our actual lives and faith. What part of the country are you a pastor? How long have you been a pastor?
I'm so sorry about your wife. What a loss. I know it can't compare but we lost my mother-in-love four years ago. We were close and she lived just 20 minutes away. My father in law and the rest of us have grieved hard. I have a theory that we know how well we were loved by how deeply we grieve the loss, even if we trust they are with God now. It sounds like you loved each other well- through ups and downs. A lifetime love. I'm so glad the show has the potential to help with the type of love stories it shares. I've been rewatching S1 very slowly and it's been amazing how many times I've gotten choked up about some of the bigger truths. I could feel God encouraging me- He can use this show. I actually watch for and love both things-- the tension and the love story too. I actually just think the best ones go hand in hand (pun intended). Because that's real life. I agree about Nathan and 1 Cor 13- spot on! And Lauren who comments here-- has several amazing music videos with Scripture references. You'd love her Steadfast one that she linked to. Please come back and share more here.
You are so kind. Thank you. We are in Florida, on the east coast between Daytona and Cocoa. We moved back here to plant a new work and then my wife died of complications from Covid two years ago. We had been married for 33 years. Its been really tough. It really ministers to me what you had to say about grief. Yes, the deeper we love the harder we grieve. People don't understand until they've lost their soul mate. You feel like a part of you has been amputated. But through all this, all I can say is God has a plan for us that's bigger than us. He knows the beginning and the end because that's Who He is. I'm a non denominational pastor and a missionary. I also work so I cant travel like I want. Gods will be done. I am planning on planting a work here soon. I've just needed to get to a place where I could do it without her. Maybe you could keep it in your prayers. What this show has meant to me is something that not too many understand. I can relate with Elizabeth. I feel her fear and know that its a struggle. Yes Gods love is the remedy for fear. We all have to walk in that truth and I believe Elizabeth is about to get there. I've been commenting on a lot of Hearties posts about what I think is going to happen even after some photos and previews have come out. Right now, it all looks warm and fuzzy. She and Nathan are making great strides, but I believe she will slam on the brakes and have to deal with that fear head on. Maybe the pastor will help her or maybe Rosemary or Bill or even a combination of all of them, but she's gonna need someone to help her. After all is said and done, it may be Nathan. His love has been steadfast and patient. What a superb man of honor. Maybe even Lucas will have some input in the matter. I also have been going back and watching the early seasons, especially season 1. I love that season for so many reasons. Elizabeth has been in love with two Mounties. They've been tough relationships, just like life is. Lucas wasn't tough and lacked depth. This season will get us emotionally. I'm convinced there is some hard things coming for Elizabeth and Nathan. But I'm convinced at the end of this season, in true Hallmark fashion, there will be a blowup, a make up and a kiss that rocks the Hallmark universe. I agree that we need more people like us that are willing to talk about real life on these posts. I would love to be involved because I don't see too many men that are willing to talk about their feelings. Many say that's the reason why men can grieve worse than women. Appreciate you and your heart!
You said this perfectly! This is the same sentiment I felt with Lucas’ character. If I was going to be relatively “okay” with the choice in Season 8, then show me a strong character filled with complexities, growth, and challenges. Unfortunately, the writers failed Lucas’ character in Seasons 8&9. I’m very excited to see where Season 11 takes him and I’m curious to see if his past catches up with him in his role as Governor.
Hey Kaycee! I'm wondering same. Is it a new enemy he's facing or an old one?? In two interviews I think there was hints that it was someone from his past and I'm practically rubbing my hands together if that was true. He had so many intriguing threads in the beginning that could be explored. Thanks for posting-- helps make time go quicker 'til the premier!
Romance or drama? It looks like the writers are poised to deliver both in season 11. While reading this, I was reminded of what Elizabeth Stewart said about the theme of season 10 being "the character's discovering their true selves" and I hope that continues.
Totally-- I think the best stories have both plus some mystery if I'm honest. I like trying to figure some things out along the way. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan and I'm geeking out on that murder board Rosemary is looking at. I've been thinking a lot about this idea of discovering our true selves-- reading a great book by Sue Monk Kidd about it. Might see if some might want to do as a book club in the off season. I hope it continues too-- in real life and on screen, I'm thinking this is a life long process. I've also read about this as being a real thing in the middle of our lives. They talk about not as much as a crisis but a "midwiving" and rebirth. I find that fascinating and interesting. Elizabeth isn't young and single. She's been married and had a child. Rebirth I think could fit S11 too maybe. Thanks for commenting and for interacting with others too. It's my favorite part of blogging.
You hit the nail on the head!
Thanks! Felt like perfect timing with Hallmark releasing their promo. I feel spoiled with all these official photos and videos, then all the amazing content people are creating. These fans are truly the best!
Cara, I’m so pleased you are blogging about WCTH again. I joined the online conversation in s8. Even had a WCTH specific handle for X/Twitter. We actually interacted from time to time, but I couldn’t even tell you what my handle was because I left it behind about a week after the finale. I feel like we talked about the book “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller and the hero’s journey in stories… anyway I digress. It wasn’t anything I would expect you to remember. Ha! What you have described above is spot on with how I felt about the show and especially after s8. I loved the deep emotional connection and tension we saw between N&E. The story of the man who altered the course of his life to move his niece to HV to protect the widow and young son of the man that took his place on a mission… and ends up falling in love with her despite his best efforts. The story of the widow who battles and overcomes fear to fall in love with the man who came to HV with his niece to protect her and her son because he felt it was his duty and of course happens to be the Mountie her husband replaced. Those are the stories I was so sad weren’t going to be explored. I honestly never believed we would be back here with the possibility to see these stories told. I was so happy by this possibility that I actually created some videos to document their complex story and relationship. One is about 15 mins… I know that is incredibly long, but I could have used another 5 mins but couldn’t due to constraints on IG/YT. If you get bored and would like to relive some of those moments I’m dropping the link here. It’s titled “Steadfast” on YT if you’d like to watch it. Again, so glad you are posting again! God bless. Lauren
https://youtu.be/hTlou6FnMuU?feature=shared
Lauren!!!! I actually got goose bumps reading this. I'm going to totally "fan girl" all over you. First I do remember talking to you about Donald Miller and StoryBrand and enjoying that so much. Second- someone just recently shared one of your videos on X and I binged them all. Since then, no lie, I watch at least one a day, sometimes more. I promise I'm not making this up. I wondered who in the world LaurenLikesSalt was- and it's you! I feel like your videos are what I try so hard to do in writing-- weaving and overlapping things to show patterns and a clear theme. To encourage people. You are incredibly gifted-- you're telling a visual story and it is just right! I care a lot about pacing with music and visual scenes-- just because I can get a little overwhelmed and I want to be able to settle in and enjoy-- be taken on a journey and you end with just the right amount of text on a dark screen plus scripture. I like the shorter ones too! I love that Steadfast is that long-- sometimes I play it while getting ready in the morning! I wish I had thought to attach it to my blog-- the link. It's a perfect match. OK-- maybe we can do a Town Hall or a podcast where you talk about how and why you create these. Would you be game? I'm technically challenged at times but I'm trying to bold and stretch and try new things this season just like Elizabeth. Ha! Talk soon!
Oh girl! I totally laughed out loud reading about your “fan girl” moment. Let’s just agree to a mutual “fan girl” moment here. Ha! You are so gifted and do just a beautiful job with your words. I mean it when I say I’m so glad you are writing again, truly. Oh… I’m so honored that you’d take the time to watch my videos, let alone multiple times. I really appreciate your kind words about them. What you say so well with words about this story, I tried to express in my own way through those complication videos. My hope was to document this very complex, interwoven story of these two broken people with what we saw on screen. It has been there all along and these beautiful performances by Kevin and Erin made us care so much about these characters. Secondly, my goal has been to encourage people reminding them they aren’t alone, especially on the topic of fear. Such a real struggle we all deal with. I suppose I’d be game to try something like that. I have various levels of technical abilities depending on the topic, but I’ve never tried a podcast. Let’s just say I had a harder time posting my videos to IG/YT then using the actual video editing software. Ha! Take care and have a blessed week. Lauren
Love your post and your insight! Thanks for being a children’s pastor. I’m a pastor myself. A little over two years ago, my wife went to heaven. It’s left me grieving and hazy. But when all is said and done, we are moving forward. I watch for the love story. I miss that with my wife. I can feel the struggle that Elizabeth has felt. I think Lucas is a good man and he’s going to help Hope Valley but I think he caused her to go back to her Hamilton days. She left there to grow and do things for herself. Then she met Jack. Their relationship wasn’t easy but they worked through it. We saw her fears with Jacks job and it almost separated them. But they got through it. What’s hard is he survived the fighting up north and was killed in a training mission. I think that’s why I like Nathan for her. He won’t try to change her and really hasn’t seen much of her Hamilton upbringing. He wants her to stay there and be in Hope Valley. But most of all, I think he wants to help her love again and face her fears. I think there will be some roadblocks but they will overcome! Some like tension! Some like a love story! Some like both and none are wrong. But I see the scriptures in this. I see 1 Cor 13. Nathan’s love is patient and kind. He doesn’t seek his own. Love always overcomes fear and this will happen!
Well Terry-- you've left me in a puddle and made my day. This is the type of sharing I think this show and community can have-- to be real and to connect to our actual lives and faith. What part of the country are you a pastor? How long have you been a pastor?
I'm so sorry about your wife. What a loss. I know it can't compare but we lost my mother-in-love four years ago. We were close and she lived just 20 minutes away. My father in law and the rest of us have grieved hard. I have a theory that we know how well we were loved by how deeply we grieve the loss, even if we trust they are with God now. It sounds like you loved each other well- through ups and downs. A lifetime love. I'm so glad the show has the potential to help with the type of love stories it shares. I've been rewatching S1 very slowly and it's been amazing how many times I've gotten choked up about some of the bigger truths. I could feel God encouraging me- He can use this show. I actually watch for and love both things-- the tension and the love story too. I actually just think the best ones go hand in hand (pun intended). Because that's real life. I agree about Nathan and 1 Cor 13- spot on! And Lauren who comments here-- has several amazing music videos with Scripture references. You'd love her Steadfast one that she linked to. Please come back and share more here.
You are so kind. Thank you. We are in Florida, on the east coast between Daytona and Cocoa. We moved back here to plant a new work and then my wife died of complications from Covid two years ago. We had been married for 33 years. Its been really tough. It really ministers to me what you had to say about grief. Yes, the deeper we love the harder we grieve. People don't understand until they've lost their soul mate. You feel like a part of you has been amputated. But through all this, all I can say is God has a plan for us that's bigger than us. He knows the beginning and the end because that's Who He is. I'm a non denominational pastor and a missionary. I also work so I cant travel like I want. Gods will be done. I am planning on planting a work here soon. I've just needed to get to a place where I could do it without her. Maybe you could keep it in your prayers. What this show has meant to me is something that not too many understand. I can relate with Elizabeth. I feel her fear and know that its a struggle. Yes Gods love is the remedy for fear. We all have to walk in that truth and I believe Elizabeth is about to get there. I've been commenting on a lot of Hearties posts about what I think is going to happen even after some photos and previews have come out. Right now, it all looks warm and fuzzy. She and Nathan are making great strides, but I believe she will slam on the brakes and have to deal with that fear head on. Maybe the pastor will help her or maybe Rosemary or Bill or even a combination of all of them, but she's gonna need someone to help her. After all is said and done, it may be Nathan. His love has been steadfast and patient. What a superb man of honor. Maybe even Lucas will have some input in the matter. I also have been going back and watching the early seasons, especially season 1. I love that season for so many reasons. Elizabeth has been in love with two Mounties. They've been tough relationships, just like life is. Lucas wasn't tough and lacked depth. This season will get us emotionally. I'm convinced there is some hard things coming for Elizabeth and Nathan. But I'm convinced at the end of this season, in true Hallmark fashion, there will be a blowup, a make up and a kiss that rocks the Hallmark universe. I agree that we need more people like us that are willing to talk about real life on these posts. I would love to be involved because I don't see too many men that are willing to talk about their feelings. Many say that's the reason why men can grieve worse than women. Appreciate you and your heart!
Well said, Terry!
Thank you Brian
You said this perfectly! This is the same sentiment I felt with Lucas’ character. If I was going to be relatively “okay” with the choice in Season 8, then show me a strong character filled with complexities, growth, and challenges. Unfortunately, the writers failed Lucas’ character in Seasons 8&9. I’m very excited to see where Season 11 takes him and I’m curious to see if his past catches up with him in his role as Governor.
Hey Kaycee! I'm wondering same. Is it a new enemy he's facing or an old one?? In two interviews I think there was hints that it was someone from his past and I'm practically rubbing my hands together if that was true. He had so many intriguing threads in the beginning that could be explored. Thanks for posting-- helps make time go quicker 'til the premier!