Hope in the Storm – August: The Sketchbook Secret

 Here is the August entry for Hope in the Storm – A Maple Lane Mystery, weaving in fresh starts, campus changes, and the healing power of creativity:

Hope in the Storm – August: The Sketchbook Secret

Late summer in Maplewood came with an odd hush—too early for fall, too late for true summer buzz. But at Maplewood University, preparations for the new school year stirred the quiet air like a coming breeze. Marcus Davis, now head of Events and Maintenance, had been tasked with an ambitious project: revitalizing the old conservatory space on campus.

That’s when the university’s new Dean of Student Culture floated an unexpected idea—turn the abandoned greenhouse into an Art Café, a place where students could sip, sketch, and reset. But Marcus had one condition before saying yes: his sister Tori Rae Davis would design and manage it.

Tori wasn’t so sure. She was still juggling her work at the Rec Center and part-time design shifts at the Maplewood Gazette. The idea of launching something new—and something public—terrified her. Especially since it brought back memories of the art classes she gave up after caring for their father, Henry.

As the Davis siblings worked through the plans, a sudden late summer storm hit town hard—ripping through the greenhouse’s roof and flooding the basement level. It looked like the project might be scrapped.

But tucked in the soggy mess, Tori discovered an old university sketchbook collection—dozens of journals left behind by students over the decades. Each one filled with unfiltered thoughts, rough doodles, poetry fragments, and stories of students who had also struggled to find their place.

The journals gave her courage. She realized the café wasn’t just a campus perk—it could be a haven.

With the help of students, faculty, and some well-timed volunteer hours from Owen and Aimee, the space began to transform. A “Before the Bell” soft opening in late August featured student work, vintage sketchbooks, and a special blend of coffee named “Fresh Start.”

Scripture Reflection:

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

Journal Prompt:

What’s a project or passion you’ve put off because of fear, grief, or change? How might God be inviting you to start again in a new way?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hope in Bloom - Restoration of the broken pieces of life

Image
  That’s a beautiful and deeply meaningful vision— Hope in Bloom: Living Everyday with a God-Focused Heart   is a title full of gentle strength and promise. Let’s shape Ellie and Reid’s story into a scene that also works as a devotional reflection—something with heart, scripture, and a soft teaching moment through story. Devotional Story Draft – “The Garden Wall” Inspired by: Hope in the Storm – May: The Garden of Her Heart Theme: Restoration through Community Scripture: Isaiah 58:12 (NIV) "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." Scene: Ellie hadn’t cried when the wind knocked down the memorial wall. Not when she found the shattered terracotta pots, the wind-tossed ribbons, or the hand-written notes soaked and torn in the grass. She had blinked hard, clenched her jaw, and swept it all into a box. It was supposed to be a quiet way for people to grieve...
Read more

A Quiet Assurance - Context and Devotional on 1 John 3:19-21

  That's a powerful and comforting verse! To understand 1 John 3:20, it's helpful to look at the verses surrounding it and the overall themes of the letter. Here's some context: Immediate Context (1 John 3:19-21): Verse 19: "This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence." This verse sets the stage. John is talking about how believers can have assurance of their faith and peace with God. He's emphasizing the importance of action and love as evidence of genuine faith. Verse 21: "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." This verse presents a contrasting scenario. When our conscience is clear, we have boldness and confidence in our relationship with God. Connecting Verse 20: Verse 20 comes in the middle of this discussion about assurance and a clear conscience. It addresses the times when our hearts do condemn us. This could be due to: Genuine conviction o...
Read more

Hills & Valleys - expanded to a 6 week study

Image
Below is an expanded version of  "Hills & Valleys: Learning to Look to Jesus during Life’s Emotional Highs & Lows" prompt journal Bible study, with deeper weekly themes, discussion/reflection questions, and devotional thoughts for a richer group or personal study experience. You could easily use this for a 6-week church group, small group, or solo journal journey. 🌄 Hills & Valleys A 6-Week Prompt Journal Bible Study Learning to Look to Jesus during Life’s Emotional Highs & Lows ✨ How to Use This Study: Each week offers a devotional theme, Scripture focus, journal prompt, reflection questions, and practical application. You can use this alone, with a friend, or in a group. Set aside quiet time each week to invite God into your peak and valley places—and learn to see His steady presence in both. 📖 Week 1: The God of the Mountains and the Valleys Read: 1 Kings 20:28, Psalm 121:1-2 Devotional Thought: The same God who shows His glory on the moun...
Read more