Chandel,
From Postables, With Love.
* Italics are from readers*
Grab a cup of coffee and start your journey at the corner of Alameda & Downing. It is, on the surface, all things “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”---but it is so much more than that. This labor of love began on a keyboard in Ohio a little over 2 years ago. Over the course of those 2 years, we have been privileged to read 499 posts, welcome to the 500th post!
I (Amy) am honored to have the opportunity to attempt to articulate what this blog means to us. This is the ultimate “Living Letter” written by readers in a way of saying Thank You for the dedication, hard work and hours of preparation required to write the A&D Blog. We know it’s an answer to a call, and are grateful that call was answered. Because of that obedience, we are connected in ways we never thought possible. Secondary to those connections, we have valuable insight into our favorite Hallmark Product.
We are the POstable nation, and the AD blog has connected people from all over the world, creating “cousins” that are family, and communicate daily about all things SSD---and so much more. At any given point, one can find a message from a cousin in their Twitter mailbox, their phone and even their actual mailbox! These beautiful friendships have grown deep, and will continue to grow for years to come. These friendships give hope, joy, perspective and support. While few of us have met, the blog makes some feel that they have a group of friends out there who are ready for action whenever the AD Blog or SSD are mentioned. I can still remember the invitation to join the AD blog in 2015, so I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to witness it’s development into a must read blog. The AD Blog is a glorious think tank for SSD fans everywhere…I find myself getting lost in its pages and her eloquent words for hours. AD Blog is unlike any other fan site online. Just like SSD is unlike any other show. Both are dedicated to a higher purpose than mere entertainment, and both provide hope and joy to those who find them. |
A Hope & A Future
Others found out about the blog on social media, and though they went looking for information on the show, they found God in the words residing at the corner of Alameda & Downing. God uses these words to speak truth and sent me searching for more truth in His word, and helping me reconnect with the only One that could help with the emptiness in my heart. The blog takes us deeper into questions we all have; and it seems the answers are in the blog either through analysis of an episode of through Biblical truths.
Armed with insights from the blog, SSD changes from a cute movie to a story of God’s interactions with us and our responses to Him. Others, though they are not religious enjoy the blog for different reasons, analysis of characters and behind the scenes information. The blog will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and will make you think deeply about things you didn’t even know was hiding in your heart. It is more than a place to go for all things “Signed, Sealed, Delivered." It is faith inspiring, delightful, entertaining, thought provoking and sincere. The blog, along with SSD, inspires us to become better people, and encourages us to look forward to our lives with hope. It us teaches to “hand it over” to God. |
Living Letters
The Series
House Rules This was one of the first series and certainly had it’s powerful moments. One such posting was House Rules: The Real Risk. This blog addressed the power to change our situations should we desire.“It was always there within your power. You just had to risk it all in order to find yourself.” The blog encouraged us to find the courage to change and when we find such change, we are closer and closer to peace we all desperately seek. It was a powerful series, written in 2015—one of the first to inspire us to dig deep and suddenly our thoughts were no longer about Oliver and Shane, but ourselves, and how we could find the courage to take the risk of finding ourselves-and in doing that we could also find Peace, real Peace. |
This blog helps us begin to see Shane and the deconstruction of the wall she built around her heart. The blog powerfully digs into “walking by faith and not by sight." Shane, in her desperate attempt to find Oliver visits both Papa O’Toole’s house as well as the chapel. What did she find?
“Shane went to his father’s house to look for him.
Shane went to His Father’s house and actually found Him.”
Powerfully, the blog helps us see Shane breaking down and beginning to “believe”-
“Somewhere between the two statements is a transition from ‘seen’ to ‘unseen’ where Shane begins to ‘walk by faith and not by sight’ (2 Cor 5:7) and where Joe’s house and the chapel stand on either end as visual proof of the transition not only in Shane, but in Oliver too.”
For readers, we too began to address our doubts and wondered if we, too, would seek God as diligently as Shane did when Oliver was missing. The difference between many of us and Shane is that many of us already believe, but somewhere along the way, life beat us enough to take that faith away from us. This post was a powerful reminder of our Father, and the faith that brings us to Him in the first place. |
“This series brought me to tears.”
This series, written after Lost Without You, was one of the first series to bring a collective silence across POstable nation. Each day, readers were left with much to digest after reading this well written series. It was inspiring, and was born after much thought, research and prayer. Every reader was left thinking about the wilderness’ in their own lives---and to many that meant digging deep into painful parts of our lives. This, no doubt, left many of us in sad places for a little while, but in the end, we gained from the work that was finding our way out of our own wilderness.
The Enemy At The Gate
This more recent series addressed a subject that many of us will not discuss. Each day, the blog helped us understand our enemy and, again, SSD became way more than a TV show, but an opportunity to walk, with our cousins, in truths—hard truths. It was brave, it was powerful and it was effective. It is still fresh in the minds of readers and no doubt the topic of many conversations between each other and with family members. This series and its truths will live a long time after we are all gone. That is what real truth does.
Everything Else
The One-Liners “Trust The Timing” This line, embodied by many, is highlighted very well in the blog. There are many stories of how this truth has helped them through difficult times in their lives. Phrases like “Trust The Timing” are often moments buried in one of the movies, and when we first hear them it causes pause, but then we forget about them--until we read about it in the blog. SSD is packed with truths that both encourages us and serves as balm for hurting hearts. The blog digs deeper into the words of Martha Williamson, and that phrase we heard and forgot, is suddenly in the forefront of our minds. We are forced to look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we believe or if we if we want to continue to walk through life aimlessly with no compass and no protection or provision. |
Many of us watch the movies and find ourselves rewinding just to listen to the music again. Want to know the name of that beautiful score on your favorite SSD movie? Have no fear the AD blog has you covered. Want it on your phone so you can create a playlist? The AD blog is the place for you. Many found the AD blog because they were searching for the name of a song on one of the episodes. The blog beautifully covers music, and I have been introduced to music I never knew existed, like Keb' Mo'.
The Wardrobe
There is often much conversation in POstable world about the wardrobe of the movies. Most notably are Shane and Rita’s dresses. Not to forget Oliver’s suits and probably the ONLY division among POstables. There is Team Plaid and Team, um, no. The AD blog has you covered on all things wardrobe including Shane’s signature necklace.
The Author Well, here we are at the end of the 500th post, which, for the most part, are words of fans sent to me. I am sure Chandel had no idea that she would reach people, literally, all over the world. I am sure she could never know the friendships that would be formed, prayer partners that would be created and a deeper love and appreciation for the Lord would occur. To say “Thank You” seems inadequate. We hope that the words of your readers, inadequately documented here, will at least give you a small understanding of how much we appreciate you; we love you and we would, literally, be lost without you. |
We, the original 4 Postables, cannot thank Chandel enough for her tireless commitment to our show. Everyone involved with making Signed, Sealed, and Delivered knows and appreciates what an incredible job Chandel does to promote the show and keep our fans updated and intrigued! My personal favorite is “Living Letters." I am always so humbled and awed by how our show has touched the lives of our viewers. Thank you, Chandel, much love and congrats on your 500th post!!!! -Kristin Booth
The Living Letters series continues as long as there are stories (or even praise reports) to share---I'm always looking for submissions. If you would like to contribute something about how Signed, Sealed, Delivered has impacted your life (or even your wardrobe) that you'd be willing to share here on A&D, feel free to email me. Keep the good going and submit yours today!