A Christmas Blessing

Dear Readers, you know what kind of year this has been in the United States. It's been rife with emotional ups and downs, with health challenges, with fear, and with courage, with rebellion and obedience, and with social and political unrest.

My heart and spirit grow weary more easily now, especially as Christmas draws closer. So many plans and traditions have been canceled. There are no craft fairs this year, no Lutefisk dinner, no Christmas tea with the ladies at Sons of Norway, and no opportunity to attend the German Christmas Market or the St. Lucia Day celebration in Denver.

When I'm troubled, I tend to clean. Yesterday I rummaged through my nightstand, stacking papers in the shred or throw-away piles, and I found a book that I suspect is going to be a blessing during this December. A very dear friend of mine gave me a copy of When God Calls the Heart at Christmas by Brian Bird & Michelle Cox, a series of devotions from Hope Valley, based on the Hallmark television program When Calls the Heart.

I actually stopped watching this show maybe 2 or 3 years ago for various reasons, but my friend gifted me this little book in Christmas 2018 and I just never got around to reading it, the fate of many books, unfortunately. That is until my cleaning frenzy unearthed it from the depths of my nightstand.

When God Calls the Heart at Christmas has devotions for the 25 days of December leading up to and including Christmas. What are the chances that I would find this book on December 1st? That's what I like to call a Godthing. Instead of simply putting it aside because I don't watch the show anymore, I decided to sit down and spend time reading the devotion for December 1st.

There's nothing quite like being whacked over the head with profound truths that are relevant to how I'm feeling emotionally and to what the world is currently going through with Covid. It was called What is Your Unexpected Storm? and reminded me that that troubled times "can prove difficult, but they can also be blessings in disguise because they cause us to lean on God in ways we wouldn't otherwise." 

Even the prayer was pinpoint accurate, beginning with Dear Lord, I don't like disappointments and difficult circumstances - especially at Christmas. Even though my heart is heavy, remind me of why we celebrate this time each year, of the joy of your amazing gift of ultimate love and redemption for the world.

This little book is truly blessing my heart. I even dragged out my journal so that I could journal out my responses to the two questions asked in each daily devotion. 

I guess what I'm saying is that even though Christmas looks different this year, God is still faithful. And he still works in providential ways. Like my finding this book and the very first devotion being so timely. That's providence.

Maybe I'll even watch When Call the Heart again after being so deeply touched by this little devotional. Thanks, Brian and Michelle, so very much, for this Christmas blessing.

Merry Christmas,

Carissa

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Pastor Frank Hogan: Why he took the "heart" from When Calls the Heart when he left

I find myself being very suspicious now, about Mark Humphrey's elimination from When Calls the Heart in the role of Pastor Frank Hogan. Now that my trust in Lori Loughlin (should any of us have trusted her to begin with?) is gone, I'm starting to feel that it was her idea to get rid of him.

I remember when she put out the call to "Save Pastor Frank," long after the decision had already been made to release him from the show. She would have known his contract wasn't being renewed, so why even bother asking the fans to fight for him? Except to give the impression that his going wasn't her idea and that she was upset that he wasn't staying.

We all know that Lori Loughlin wanted Abigail to be a strong, independent, single female. Just like almost every other woman in Hope Valley. I guess the logical thing then would be to get rid of one of the men who had "set his cap" for her, so to speak. I dislike thinking that she might have had even more devious intentions about removing the faith element from the show, but it's always possible that was her motivator too.

Keep in mind, I have no proof. This is just my theory, but right now, it sounds good to me.

I haven't watched When Calls the Heart this last season. 

Some might dislike me for jumping ship at the end of season 5, but I just can't continue. Some of it is probably due to Daniel Lissing leaving. You can't have your romantic lead die off like that and expect all of the fans to stay faithful. So by the time the Lori Loughlin debacle hit the news, I was already long gone. While I felt for the fans of the show and was horrified at her behavior, I wasn't invested in When Call the Heart anymore.

Why, you might ask?'

Because when Pastor Frank left so too did my love of Hope Valley.

Yes, all right, I liked Abigail and Frank more than Abigail and Bill, but that was never my main reason for liking the character. Frank was so much more than just a love interest for Abigail. He was the spiritual leader of the town. Without a pastor, that building Jack put together is just a school, not a church with a school in it during the week. 

I got tired. Tired of pretending that it was okay for there to be a church with no pastor and no Sunday service. Tired of pretending that I was okay with Pastor Frank leaving when his departure was so full of unanswered questions. Tired of feeling like the producers were avoiding giving us straight answers. 

I read Janette Oke's books growing up and they left a lasting impression on me. But there is so little of her books and her faith left in When Calls the Heart that, in a way, I'm distraught that the show is still running. We were promised a replacement pastor when Frank left. Where is he? I may not be watching the show this season, but I've kept up with the news about it and I know that church stands empty on Sunday.

Why? Why do I have to pretend that it's perfectly fine for a Christian television show to have all vestiges of its faith stripped away until all you're left with is a "clean" production?

I will always miss Pastor Frank. I miss his wisdom. I miss his experience. And I miss his redemption arc that made him feel so real and genuine. Christians aren't perfect. That's never the message of Jesus. Who does he approach? The hurting, the broken, and those desperate for a new way of life. That was Pastor Frank, a man with a past who had a hope for the future because of his faith in God.

Could When Calls the Heart eventually incorporate a new pastor? Maybe. But I'm not holding my breath anymore. After almost 2 seasons without one, I just don't have enough faith anymore. I'd rather watch a secular program that at least is honest with me about its motivations then one that pretends to be Christian but whose faith is such a thin veneer I can pass my hand right through.

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3 Reasons why When Calls the Heart needs Pastor Frank

Photo Credit: Hallmark Channel
While I haven't been a Heartie since the very very beginning, I did join in season 2 because one of my very dear friends urged me to try When Calls the Heart. I loved the 1st season, and while I haven't always agreed with every choice made concerning the direction of the show, I've been loyal for the past 4 years, loyal enough that I attended the HFR2 with that same good friend. 
I got to meet Mark Humphrey at the HFR2 and listen to him speak and share his heart about how strongly he connected with the character of Pastor Frank because of circumstances in his own past. I saw a genuine, charismatic man who glowed in the light of When Calls the Heart and let that light shine into the show itself. Hearties like myself relate to Pastor Frank because Mark Humphrey made him so relatable. 
Do you remember this interview Connie Wang held with Mark in 2015 on Parade? 
He describes Pastor Frank as a, "a genuine, honest, good man who has dedicated himself to God's work. He's been through a lot of turmoil in his rough past and found salvation."
Wow. I mean, WOW!
There's something precious about a pastor who found his way to God after running away from Him for so long.
Which begs the question of why? Why has Pastor Frank been written off When Calls the Heart? 
The writers and producers of When Calls the Heart have always made themselves accessible to the Hearties, which is an amazing gift, first of all. And second of all, bolsters my hope that someone may actually give Pastor Frank fans such as myself a straight answer. From all I've heard, Mark Humphrey is a great guy and was willing to continue with the show. 
What happened and can it be undone?

3 Reasons why When Calls the Heart needs Pastor Frank:

1)  Without a pastor, the church is just a schoolroom. Pastor Frank shepherded the flock in Hope Valley and without him, they have no spiritual leader. That building was intended to be a church and a school, but in the 5th season, it's been just a school. Hope Valley needs Frank to grow the faith of the Hope Valley citizens on a personal level.
2)  There's not enough leading men in When Calls the Heart to begin with and then we lose 2 men in the same season. 
3)  Abigail deserves another happy ending. And Frank is the best man we've met so far who can give her that with gentility, grace, and faith. Especially now that Bill Avery and AJ have such a tangible and fiery "thing" going on (LOVE her btw).

The crux of my opinion really is that I want to see more Christian faith, not less. I'm in the middle of rewatching When Calls the Heart's 1st season, and the Christian faith is abundant, authentic, and loving.
Please, bring Pastor Frank back to Hope Valley. We need him.
Blessings to my fellow Hearties, the cast and crew of our favorite show, Papa Heartie, and those at Hallmark.

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On Daniel Lissing leaving "When Calls the Heart"

photo credit: Hallmark Channel

In the words of Dan Lissing, It's going to be alright."
Grieving the death of Mountie Jack is normal. 
Shedding tears and feeling your heart break is normal.
When Calls the Heart is a unique experience with a unique fanbase because the fans, the cast, and the crew feel like family. So I get it. I loved Mountie Jack too, and Lori Loughlin is right in saying that the only way Jack would leave Elizabeth is through death. 
And because the Hearties and the cast of When Calls the Heart are such an amazing family, I hope that we'll pull together during this transition instead of fracturing. 
This is Dan's decision to leave.
We don't know why other than it's a personal reason. And that's okay too. There's always been a mutual respect between the cast and the Hearties and now, more than any other time, we need to be disciplined enough to see that we, as Hearties, continue extending that respect to everyone involved in the show. 
This isn't anyone's fault and it's not a decision born out of spite and malicious intent. Just as we do for friends and family, we need to extend grace to When Calls the Heart.
I'm not saying we need to stop being disappointed or stop grieving Jack's loss. We all have very genuine reasons for feeling the way we do. But after 5 wonderful years, let's give the show another chance and continue looking forward with hope towards its future.
We will all miss Dan. He was an integral part of Hope Valley and his leaving is a tremendous loss. But let's send him off in true Heartie fashion with all our love and affection so he can look back with nothing but good memories of the Hearties an his time on When Calls the Heart.
As one final note, let us also remember to be kind to one another. Arguing over whether to stay with or leave the show serves no purpose. All it does is divide us in a negative way. If any of us feel called to move on to a different fandom, let us do so with dignity and grace. And for those of us staying, may we enter into an excitement and anticipation for season 6.
Blessings to all the Hearties, the cast, and the crew, and especially to Papa Heartie whose love for the show and the fans has always been so self-evident.

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Purity at the Heart of Things (When Calls the Heart)

 Written for the Period Drama Challenge hosted by Laurie over at Old-Fashioned Charm.

What happened to purity? What happened to shows like Touched by an Angel, Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and a myriad of other family-friendly shows that used to fill night-time viewing hours? Even Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman had a fairly wholesome atmosphere, despite the steam rising between Dr. Mike and Sully.

Ads for tv programs like Quantico, How to Get Away with Murder, and Scandal run rampant every time I turn on the tv, it seems. And every time I see an ad for the next episode of almost any show, one thing is always the same . . . sex. ALWAYS. It doesn't matter what show we're talking about or what episode it is. Even Castle, a show I used to love, has its fair share of sex scenes. There might not be outright nudity, but it's close enough and definitely enough that your imagination can fill in any blanks.

This is television as we know it today.

Except for one small, shining light, a beacon of hope known as When Calls the Heart.

Lori Loughlin as Abigail Stanton, Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher, and Daniel Lissing as Jack Thornton

Have you heard of it? I should hope so because the name is getting out there! Yes, it runs on the Hallmark channel, but don't just dismiss it because you don't watch Hallmark. I've heard people won't watch WCTH just because of that fact, which means you're really missing out on a show that almost makes me believe we could someday have family television back again.

I'm throwing this in now so I don't forget . . . When Calls the Heart runs on Hallmark on Sundays at 8/7!

It is set in 1910, right smack dab in the middle of the Edwardian era. Young Elizabeth Thatcher, wealthy socialite decides it is her calling to become a teacher in a small town known as Coal Valley, deep in the heart of western Canada. She wants her life to make a difference, but she never imagined that she would fall so deeply in love with the people of Coal Valley. And that she would find such a dear friend in Abigail Stanton who lost her husband and son in a recent coal mining disaster. Or that the flicker of possibility might burn when she meets the local constable, Mountie Jack Thornton. In Coal Valley, she finds a home.

Kavan Smith as Lee Coulter (SIGHS) and Pascale Hutton as Rosemary LeVeaux

And as time progresses, Elizabeth realizes just how much she needs Coal Valley. The second season finds the series in a turn-around, with the coal mine closing down and a charming businessman named Lee Coulter deciding he wants to set up housekeeping and build a sawmill, taking influential power from Henry Gowan who had run the coal mine and risked the lives of his miners. An old flame from Jack Thornton's life, Rosemary LeVeaux even makes an entrance, trying to snatch Jack's heart from Elizabeth, only to find herself possibly falling for Lee instead, a much better match for such a determined and forthright woman. And now the town, once known as Coal Valley, is Hope Valley, a much better name and so well-suited to the group of people determined to thrive and care for each other.

Mark Humphrey as Frank Hogan and Lori Loughlin as Abigail Stanton (❤ them so much!)

The third season has just gotten under way, heading into a redemption arc when the rumor mill starts grinding about the past of Hope Valley's pastor, Frank Hogan, a diamond in the rough who arrived in Hope Valley in the 2nd season. Abigail Stanton, after a distrustful relationship with Bill Avery of the mounted police, has just begun trusting again and finds her interest in Frank to be more than platonic. Now she decides if she is willing to stand by him and trust his story or step aside and let the chips fall where they may. And Rosemary, a woman accustomed to getting what she wants, is discovering that what she wants is Lee, more than she ever imagined possible.

One of the best things about When Calls the Heart is that Jack and Elizabeth do not carry the whole story on their own. This show is reminiscent of Road to Avonlea where you had so many delightful characters who you loved in their own right. Each one was individualistic and special, adding to the story in a meaningful way, growing the society through their presence. It is the same with When Calls the Heart. I love Lee and Rosemary so much this season that it makes my heart hurt. And watching Frank and Abigail together, feeling their way along, is so beautiful. Jack and Elizabeth are precious because they have the issue of their different upbringings to work through and you just cheer for them so hard, wanting desperately for their relationship to be a success.

Daniel Lissing as Jack Thornton and Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher (ADORABLE)

And all of this is accomplished without sex. You never have to worry when you sit down to watch an episode of When Calls the Heart what you might see. You never have to hide the eyes of your little ones or cover their ears. This show is wholesome, family-friendly goodness in every respect. I will say that the second season did deviate from the established norm of the show, putting Elizabeth back in her home town of Hamilton and trying to contend with Downton Abbey in style and flair, but the 3rd season is a return to Hope Valley, to the people and places that I grew to love in the first season. The season that won my heart.

If you're like me, tired of tv programs dragging down your purity, give When Calls the Heart a try! If we, as a society, as a family of believers, want quality television programming for the family, then we have to do our part by watching what's out there. When Calls the Heart fills a little hole in my spirit that I didn't even realize was there until one of my dearest friends, Lynn, introduced me to Hope Valley and all of its delightful inhabitants.

And let me whisper a little secret in your ear. There's a Facebook Group called Fans of Hallmark's When Calls the Heart. Oh my gosh, this group is amazing! If you give the show a try and like it then I encourage to take your love a step further.

Become a Heartie!

Because that's what we're called, Hearties, and this group is a total and complete GODthing! We are now over 32,000 strong and that's just the US Hearties on FB. There are groups for fans who are all over the world!

And the best thing? You can get involved. Every couple of months, I go to a Colorado Hearties lunch with a lovely group of ladies who I just ADORE. We sit, we talk about WCTH, we eat, and we love on each other as sisters in Christ. It's the best thing ever!

This show really is of God. It's also of Janette Oke, Brian Bird and Michael Landon Jr., but it is definitely God working through them and their vision. When Calls the Heart is something entirely unique, entirely special, and unlike anything the Hallmark channel has ever seen. We're trending, folks! Get in on the action! Try a little purity of heart and see how you feel! I just bet you'll bubble over with so much joy you won't know where to put it!

And now you know why I've taken to using ❤ in my posts lately. It's a reminder to myself to love and share about When Calls the Heart. Because it's time to make a difference and what better way to do that than through a show whose message is about hope, faith, love, and redemption!? ❤

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