Today, I’m thrilled to be a part of the SONG OF THE SEASONS Insta Hop and Blog Tour. At this stop, author Glenys Nellist shares five fun facts about her new book from ParacletePress. Presented in sturdy hardcover with joyful text and colorful illustrations that capture the essence of each season, SONG OF THE SEASONS is a lovely addition to Glenys’ robust shelf of faith-based books for children.
Here’s an excerpt official blurb:
From bestselling author Glenys Nellist comes a rhyming, whimsical, faith-building journey through the four seasons — for early readers who love nature and wonder and the beginnings of all things. Based on Psalm 98 and written in flowing rhyme, Song of the Seasons explores the idea that all nature sings praise to an Almighty Creator.
Get a preview with the book trailer, then enjoy Glenys’ thoughts as she shares five fun facts about Song of the Seasons.
Five Fun Facts about Song of the Seasons
by
Glenys Nellist
Fun Fact #1: The Book Originally Had a Different Title…
As a nature lover, acorn collector and tree hugger, I have always been inspired by Psalm 98 and the idea that perhaps all creation sings a brand-new song to God. I wondered, what would it sound like if the trees and the mountains and the oceans could sing praises to their creator? I remember sitting down, pen in hand, prayer in heart, to write Creation’s Song, a rhyming, lyrical ode that explored this idea. But when I met with my editor, she thought something might be missing. At first, I wasn’t sure she was right, but like all good editors, she pushed me to be the best writer I could be. In the creative process of reworking, I decided, instead, to encompass all the four seasons, and to explore how spring, summer, autumn and winter might sing to God. Thus, Song of the Seasons was born.
Fun Fact #2: Song of the Seasons is a Circle Book
Several years ago, I was reading another of my books, The Wonder That is You, to a group of kindergarteners. When I reached the end, one of them exclaimed, “it’s a circle book … it ends the same way as it begins!” Up to that point, I had never heard that term before. Song of the Seasons is also a circle book, which I think is really appropriate, considering the fact that the four seasons are cyclical. It begins and ends in this way:
The earth sings God a brand-new song,
From grass to mountain peak,
And if you pause and close your eyes
You’ll hear the seasons speak.
Fun Fact #3: Something Surprising About the Illustrator…
As a traditionally published author, I don’t get to choose who will illustrate my books. That is the publisher’s job. How thrilled I was, then, to discover that Paraclete Press had chosen C. B. Canga to illustrate Song of the Seasons. If you take a look at the stunning scenes and colors used in its pages, you would never, ever guess that he has not experienced spring or summer or fall or winter in the same way as me! I live in Michigan, where all four seasons are diversely represented. C B Canga lives in California, where the climate is marked by two seasons: wet and dry. I do not know, then, how he depicted fall or winter so brilliantly, but I’m so glad he did!
Fun Fact #4: The Cornfield is a Real Place
A few years ago, when we lived on a small lake, I would ride my bike to a cornfield. It was always still and quiet. I would get off my bike and just listen to the birds and watch the sun peeping through the corn stalks. It was a place where I felt close to God. I took this picture, never realizing that one day, I would be able to include this special place in a book.
Fun Fact #5: Free Resources!
Since I was a teacher before becoming an author, I love to create resources to accompany my titles. For Song of the Seasons, I’ve written a five-day Creation curriculum that can be used for VBS or summer camps, a Parent Resource Pack and instructions for an immersive StoryWalk. All three resources are available as FREE downloads to anyone who orders the book. Just enter your order details at songoftheseasonsbook.com
Today I’m delighted to have Christian children’s author Nancy Tupper Ling as my guest with five tips for getting the most out of her new book One Perfect Plan: The Bible’s Big Story in Tiny Poems (Waterbrook, October, 2023). With vivid illustrations by Alina Chau and spot on rhyme from Nancy, this book does an amazing of capturing the essence of God’s sweeping story of love and redemption in picture book format. My verdict? It would make a wonderful addition to any home or church library. And now, without further, ado, here’s Nancy with five book-expanding tips.
5 TIPS FOR ONE PERFECT PLAN
with Guest Author Nancy Tupper Ling
It’s hard to believe, but the first spark of an idea for my picture book, One Perfect Plan: The Bible’s Big Story in Tiny Poems, began back in 2007. It happened during an Easter service. I began to think about how our faith revolves around one resurrection—one stone being rolled away, one tomb being empty. I wrote the first poem, then another. Soon I was including lots of significant “ONEs” throughout the Bible. Soon I was writing other “one” poems about how a single event or person or plan made a world of difference in God’s book. Certainly, my hope in telling these stories through short poems was that families could explore the Bible and its overarching themes in one sitting.
That said, here are FIVE TIPS to help young readers discover even more when reading One Perfect Plan.
TIP #1: SEEK, AND YOU SHALL FIND: While you read One Perfect Plan, you can try to spot these objects in the book: dolphins, Little Dipper constellation, a rainbow, pyramids, a sling, jeweled bracelets, two angels, pita bread (yum!), a well, a donkey, bluebirds, and a crown. How many can you find? You can find more activities here, especially if you’d like to color one bookmark or two, and share with your friends.
TIP #2: A POEM BY YOU, TOO!: I decided to write these beloved stories through short poems. What began as couplets (two lines each), changed into three-line poems in many cases so that they would fit nicely onto the page. Wouldn’t it be fun to try to write your own poems about a few Bible characters that you love? You could try rhyming couplets, too. Or write two line without rhyming, but use simile and metaphor. Maybe you can think about Heaven, and then write a few words for each of your senses. What do you imagine Heaven will look like, smell like, taste like, sound like, and feel like? Incorporate all those words into a “List Poem,” called “Heaven Is . . ..” With an adult’s help, you could search the Scriptures to see how Heaven is described in the Bible. I would love to see your poems when you’ve finished.
TIP #3: SIGN IT: Over the years, I’ve tried to learn some American Sign Language. Even now at dinner with my husband, we sometimes practice a word or two. We’re really not very good, but I hope we’re at least stretching our memory and skills. I was amazed when I saw that one family had not only read my book, but the mother uploaded a video of her son signing the words from the first page that reads:
One word— then light breaks into darkness; the sky, the seas, and life—how wondrous!
TIP #4: WHO’S LEFT OUT: Of course, I couldn’t include all of the Bible stories in this tiny collection. I selected several to highlight, but there are so many more. I also wanted to make sure to include those amazing women whom God loved as well. When you finish the reading the book, you could ask one another which people were missing? Do you love the story of Sampson and Delilah? Was there a miracle that Jesus performed that you couldn’t find? You might be surprised how much you know about the Bible when you discover which stories were left out.
TIP #5: BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE: In no way did I intend for my wee picture book to replace the original Word of God. It is meant to be a child’s introduction to the themes and stories of the Bible, such as God’s love for humankind; the gift of Jesus to us; and our redemption. On each page, there is a reference to the verse/s in the Bible. Along with this, the YouVersion Bible app has a “5-Day Reading Plan for Kids” to use with One Perfect Plan. So dive in and dive deep, to discover how fast God’s love is for us.
If you think of any other activities to do with One Perfect Plan, please send them my way. I would love to hear how you incorporate poetry and the Bible in your life every day.
About Nancy Tupper Ling:
Nancy Tupper Ling is the winner of the prestigious Writer’s Digest Grand Prize and the Pat Parnell Poetry Award. She draws her inspiration from the multicultural background of her family and the interwoven fabric of familial culture which is, on the surface, seemingly everyday. She is the author of numerous books for children and adults, including the upcomingONE PERFECT PLAN: The Bible’s Big Story in Tiny Poems (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing/Penguin); FOR EVERY LITTLE THING (Eerdmans); THE STORY I’LL TELL (Lee & Low Books); FAMILY CELE- BRATIONS (Andrews McMeel); DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Chronicle Books) and more. She is also the founder of Fine Line Poets.
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Do you like to read book dedications? They are typically found on the page just before or just after the title page. It’s something I like to do for every book I read because dedications often provide a window into the heart of the author or illustrator. That is especially the case for the book I’m sharing today.
GOD, I FEEL SCARED (Zonderkidz, 2023) is the second in a series written by Michelle Nietert, LPC-S and Tama Fortner and illustrated by Nomar Perez. Like their first collaboration GOD, I FEEL SAD, this book is a kid-friendly exploration of feelings and how kids can work through those emotions in a healthy, God-centered way.
Here’s the blurb from the back cover:
“Kids have big feelings, but none of their feelings are too big for God. Through kid-friendly text and bright illustrations, children can safely explore what it means to feel scared, discover healthy ways to process their emotions, and learn that feeling scared is something they can face, especially with the help of God and those around them.”
I’m a big fan of GOD, I FEEL SCARED and was so touched by what each wrote in their dedications that I reached out to see if they’d be willing to share the back story behind the dedications. And what was the answer? Yes!
So now, without further fuss, here’s author Tama Fortner with the story behind the dedications. Take it away, Tama!
The Stories Behind the Stories: God, I Feel Scared
By Tama Fortner
They say there’s a little bit of every author’s story tucked into the books they write. And for picture books, I would add there’s a bit of the illustrator shining through too.
But I’ll let you in on a little secret: if you want a glimpse of the stories behind the stories, take a peek at the dedications. They’re easy to miss. In God, I Feel Scared, they’re tucked away on the copyright page. But those few little words reveal a lot about Michelle, Nomar, and me.
Here’s an excerpt from Michelle’s dedication:
To Tama, my co-author and now friend. I’m so glad you found that email in your spam folder.
Yes, you read that right! This is the story of how Michelle and I first met—when her email landed in my spam folder and stayed there for weeks before I found it. To me, it’s beautiful proof of how God uses all things for the good of His people. Even “junk” emails.
Now, check out Nomar’s dedication:
To God, for allowing me to use my talents and skills to bring this timely message to light and make a difference in the lives of those who have put their trust in Him.
Without a doubt, Nomar will tell you, it is God who has ordered his steps and enabled him to write and illustrate stories that contribute to God’s kingdom. He is beyond grateful to be able to use his gifts to point littles ones (and their bigs) to the Lord.
And my own dedication? It’s a simple one:
To the One who brightens the darkness around me (Psalm 18:28).
I stumbled across this verse a few years ago while working on another picture book, God Is Always Good. And it’s been tucked away in my heart ever since. Because there’s just so much darkness in this world, isn’t there? So many things to worry about and to fear.
But God.
Two of the best words ever, right? God shines the light of His love into my life and chases away that darkness. And more than that, He helps me to shine, to reflect His light through the books I am so blessed to write. I can’t imagine walking through this world’s darkness without His light and love to guide my way—and I thank God that I never have to.
And neither do you.
Much love,
Tama
TAMA FORTNER is an ECPA award-winning author with more than sixty titles to her credit, including Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays. Tama has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for all ages. But her greatest accomplishments happen in a happy little home on the outskirts of Nashville, where she lives with her family and a feisty little pup who is convinced he’s people too. To learn more, visit www.TamaFortner.com.
MICHELLE NIETERT has been a licensed professional counselor for over 25 years and the coauthor of the award-winning book Loved and Cherished: 100 Devotions for Girls, along with God, I Feel Sad, Managing Your Emojis, and Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life, as well as the soon to be released God, I Feel Scared. To learn more about Michelle, visit www.MichelleNietert.com.
NOMAR PEREZ was born on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, in the city of Ponce, and moved with his parents and five siblings to Ohio when he was ten. Nomar is heavily influenced by all types of media, especially animation, puppetry, and computer art. He studied computer animation and painting and has illustrated numerous children’s board books and school publishing books. He is the author-illustrator of Coqui in the City. Learn more at www.NomarPerez.com.
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Join me in welcoming talented picture book author, Amy Houts, whose newest faith-based picture book, GOD’S EARTH IS SOMETHING TO FIGHT FOR (Bushel & Peck Books), releases this September. Beautifully illustrated by Kris Smolskaya and infused with Biblical references, this picture book effectively brings the concept of taking care of God’ earth (as He commanded us to do in Genesis) to the level a child can grasp. It’s an engaging and through-provoking call to action. After previewing it (thank you, Amy!) I couldn’t help but ask Amy what inspired her to write it. Here is her answer. Enjoy!
What Inspired Me to Write a Picture Book About God’s Call to Take Care of the Earth?
By Amy Houts
When Laura invited me to write a guest post on her blog, I thought about what inspired me to write God’s Earth is Something to Fight For. My picture book combines science and faith. I’ve narrowed down my inspiration to three facets of my life.
Because my husband taught seventh grade science, we often read and discuss science topics. One important topic is the weather and changes in the climate. As the years went by, we observed more severe storms. People, especially the most vulnerable, were tragically affected.
I am the type of person who loves to conserve. I even wrote a cookbook to reduce food waste. I work to get the very last bit of applesauce out of the jar. I wear clothes for many years. I reuse, repurpose, or recycle what I can. I save vegetable scraps, compost for the garden. But while what we do is something, I wanted to do more.
Most importantly, we have three grandchildren. I wonder, what type of world will they grow up in? What type of world are we going to leave them? Would they want to bring children into that world?
And so, like a line in the book, I asked, what can I do? What is God leading me to do? The answer was, as I writer, I can write about it. I started writing God’s Earth is Something to Fight For about five years ago. My editor from Beaming Books tweeted she was interested in publishing a book featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg. So, I started doing research, but I found it hard to bring what I wanted to say down to a young child’s level. So I put it away. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the changing climate.
After I reread a childhood favorite, A Friend is Someone Who Likes You, I thought of the title, The Earth is Something to Fight For. I developed a picture book manuscript that included some of the rhythms of the Friend book. But an editor told me the market was glutted with books on climate change. So I mentioned the idea of showing climate change through a faith perspective. The editor said, “That hasn’t been done!”
Writing this book through the lens of my faith has made it even more precious to me. I hope it will change hearts and minds to take care of Earth, the world and the people God created. It’s been quite a journey. I love the illustrations by Kris Smolskaya. I’m so thankful Bushel & Peck Books believed in this book.
About Amy: Amy is the author of over 100 books for children featuring early learning concepts. She writes for both faith-based and mainstream publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books) and The Giant Book of Bible Fingerplays for Preschoolers (Group Publishing). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics, 2020. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers for Highlights Press were released in 2020.
My new book, MY TENDER HEART BIBLE, released a week and a half ago and, in celebration I have FOUR fun things to share today – including a GIVEAWAY! I hope you will grab a cup of coffee or tea and check them out.
First, on Tuesday, I was delighted to be hosted by Paraclete Press for a special TENDER HEART-themed Valentine’s Day story time which included a chat with host Rachel McKendree, a reading of three of my favorites from the collection, a Q&A and a sneak peek at my next TENDER HEART book which will be out in the fall. You can enjoy that here:
Second, in case you missed my interview over at Terrie Hellard-Brown’s “Books That Spark” podcast, here’s the link for that plus a snap-shot quote which really shows my heart in writing this new book.
Third, yesterday I was honored to be guest blogger over at Darlene Beck Jacobson’s blog on a topic close to my heart — sharing God’s Word with little ones in RHYME! (PLUS, Darlene is giving away one SIGNED copy of my newest release: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. (This is the giveaway I mentioned above!) Find all the details here.
Finally, be sure to check out Sally Matheny’s review of MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. Her reviews are always so thoughtful. While you are there, I hope you will enjoy exploring her many other reviews as well.
Check back in next week for more fun bookish things! Happy Weekend, all! (And if you aren’t following my blog yet and want to, I’d love that! Buttons to do so are in the sidebar and footer.
Today I’m pleased to have children’s author Claire Annette Noland here to share five fun facts about her newest book, RAVEN’S GIFT: A FEATHERED FLIGHT OF FAITH, published byBless This Press, an imprint of Little Press Publishing.
Here’s the official blurb from the publisher’s website:
Raven is bored. Nothing ever happens in the fields around Bethlehem until one night, a dazzling star appears. Angels gather and sing “Baby Jesus is born!” Now Raven has a mission. He will fly and take the message to the other birds who are thrilled to take gifts to baby Jesus. But Raven wonders, what gift can he bring?
Based on an old legend, birds of the Bible celebrate the birth of the Savior in this tale of determination, perseverance, and faith.
I was delighted to get a sneak peek at the digital ARC for this book which released just five days ago. Written by Claire Annette Noland with colorful illustrations by Desirée Cordón, RAVEN’S GIFT is an engaging addition to the Christmas picture book cannon. The story flows beautifully from spread to spread and children will empathize with Raven’s growing concern about what HIS gift will be. Without spoiling the ending, let me justsay that Raven’s gift is perfect – and one that young and old should be remembering to give. Well done!I think this book would make a wonderful addition to a your home, church, school, or town library. And now enjoy Claire’s five fun facts.
Five Fun Facts about
RAVEN’S GIFT: A Feathered Flight of Faith
by Claire Annette Noland
Fun Fact #1:Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith is a retold legend about birds taking gifts to baby Jesus in the manger. I first came across the legend in a collection of Christmas stories, poems, and songs called Take Joy collected and illustrated by Tasha Tudor, one of my favorite author-illustrators. I loved the tale of a raven who hears the angels announce the Savior’s birth and sets off to tell the other birds.
Fun Fact #2: I enjoyed researching birds in the Bible as I chose which birds would be characters in my story. Originally, I included ten birds but the story was too long so I had to take out some. The backmatter includes the biblical references for each bird.
Fun Fact #3: I wrote Raven’s Gift ten years ago! I received many rejections and at one point thought about self publishing. Finally, it was picked up by a publisher who held it for four years and then went out of business. Sigh. In the meantime, I went on to write magazine stories, easy readers for the educational market, and work-for-hire for a large regional children’s hospital system. My first trade book, Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win was published by Cardinal Rule Press in 2020. Michele McAvoy, One of my fellow CRP authors, began her own publishing company called Little Press Publishing. I saw that she had plans for an imprint called Bless This Press and am thrilled that she chose to publish Raven’s Gift as the first book in this imprint.
Fun Fact #4: I originally wrote the main character as an old, tired, cranky raven but revised when Michele suggested that children would relate more to a young raven. Now the story features Raven who is bored because nothing ever happens in his neighborhood.
Fun Fact #5: I love the book’s message that the greatest gift of all is sharing the good news!
Author bio: Claire Annette Noland is an author of easy readers, board books, and picture books for young children. Her career has centered around children and books as a children’s librarian, reading specialist, author, and mom. Her life’s goal is to encourage kids to be excited about reading and learning.
Claire lives with her husband and large poodle-mix, Mr. Ernie, in a book-filled home in central California. She finds inspiration for the stories she writes from the children in her life. When not writing, Claire can be found stocking her little free library, playing bocce ball on the beach. and taking field trips using kid-lit as her travel guide.
[Note: Thank you to the Claire for the opportunity to preview the digital ARC which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
How did I ever take the leap from repainting and reorganizing my kitchen to books? And what on earth could scrubby brushes and cheese grates and colorful utensils have to do with fostering a love of reading with your children? Something, I promise. Find out in my post today over at Read, Discuss, Do!
Created by founder and picture book author Rebecca J. Gomez, Read, Discuss, Do! exists to help you extend the magic of story time beyond the last page by following three simple steps:
Read a book.
Talk about the book.
Do a simple activity inspired by the book.
And now I hope you’ll head on over to read the post. (And how do you like my newly spruced up kitchen?)
Today I’m delighted to have children’s author and music teacher Janna Matthies here to share five fun facts about her newest book HERE WE COME!, published by Beach Lane Books and illustrated by Christine Davinier. Here’s the official teaser from the publisher’s website:
Join a cast of friends, human and animal alike, as they embark on a musical read-aloud adventure in this upbeat, joyful picture book.
A boy sets off with his flute and his stuffed bear and a rum-pum-pum. As they make their way through the town and the woods, they ask, “Wanna come?” Soon, kids and creatures join in the fun one by one, playing instruments, singing, and dancing to the catchy tune.
But will a storm bring their fun-filled musical parade to an end?
I was delighted to receive a review copy of this book which has universal appeal for anyone who has ever tapped a beat with their feet or sung in the shower or out in the beautiful outdoors. It certainly brought back beautiful memories from my own childhood as well as my children’s of making music in creative and impromptu ways by clapping, stomping, tapping, humming, and singing at the top of our lungs.For all these reasons, I think it would make a wonderful addition to a home or school or town library. And now, enjoy Janna’s five fun facts. And remember to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.
HERE WE COME! Five Fun Facts
by Janna Matthies
#1: HERE WE COME! is a moonlit, musical adventure. But when I wrote the story, I envisioned it taking place during the day with only human children. The illustrator, Christine Davenier, took the story to the next level by setting the scene after bedtime and bringing in both kids and animals. Don’t you love the jolly bear with the violin, and the pair of clapping hedgehogs? Like any excellent picture book, the telling of this story was shared 50/50 between author and illustrator. I couldn’t be more thrilled by the nighttime blues and violets, and the whimsical charm of all the characters as they gather for a joyous march!
#2: I’d fit right into this musical parade. I have always been drawn to music-making, starting piano lessons at the age of four, violin at eight, singing in high school, and picking up guitar as an adult. In fact, when I’m not writing books for kids, I teach music to PreK and kindergartners at an elementary school. So every week you can find me singing, dancing and playing guitar and percussion instruments of all kinds with kids. Speaking of guitar, that’s what I had in mind when I wrote the line “a pick and a strum”. But if you look closely at the strumming dog in this story, his instrument is small has four tuning pegs (instead of six like a guitar)—it’s a ukulele!
#3: One of the most fun things about writing this book was finding just the right words that rhyme with “come”. The story began with a line that popped into my head: “Here we come with a rum-pum-pum…wanna come?”. I immediately knew I wanted to continue the tale by adding more musical sounds, and that each new phrase needed to end in a rhyme with “come”. So I brainstormed a long list and was able to use most of them. At the very end, I almost used the phrase “Anyone for a plum?” but decided “Some yum for the tum?” was more open-ended and fun. Can you think of any other words rhyming with “come” that I didn’t use?
#4: Something else I love about Christine Davenier’s illustrations is the path the characters follow from village, through forest and into the countryside. Christine is from France, and you might notice a European flair to her scenes. At the same time, this setting takes me back to my own childhood in suburban Ohio. A wooded creek ran through my neighborhood, and my best friend Elizabeth and I often tromped through while singing and imagining stories and poems. Do you have a favorite outdoor place? What stories can you imagine taking place there?
#5: While this book features instruments like a whistle/recorder, ukulele, violin/fiddle, and drum, the story is about making music any way you like! Music can be made with the voice, on real or homemade instruments (think beads in a plastic bottle, or rubber bands across a box), or simply with sounds that occur in daily life or nature—like dripping rain, stomping feet, the honking of car horns. Rhythm and melody are everywhere, and everyone is invited! WANNA COME? How do you like to make music?
BIO: Janna Matthies is a picture book author and early-elementary music teacher in Indianapolis. Her books include HERE WE COME! (Beach Lane Books/S&S); GOD’S ALWAYS LOVING YOU (WorthyKids); TWO IS ENOUGH (Running Press Kids), THE GOODBYE CANCER GARDEN (Albert Whitman) and others. When she’s not read, writing or making music, Janna enjoys gardening, walking her dog, and spending time with her husband and three mostly-grown kids.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a copy of HERE WE COME! (Beach Lane, 2022) follow this blog and comment below with your favorite fact from today’s post. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Janna, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Thursday, 3/31/22 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be announced the next day!
[Note: Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy at the book which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Happy Friday, friends. I have two fun items to share today in this little BUNNY FINDS EASTER Bunny Hop round up.
First, yesterday I picked up the framed piece (pictured above) from The Artist Framer, a gem of a local frame shop in my neck of the woods. Stefanie has framed spreads from each of my six children’s books and those framed illustrations now hang in my foyer. This one is a little different however. It was Stefanie’s idea to include both the cover and an interior spread from my new board book! So sweet. What do you think?
Second, the BUNNY FINDS EASTER “Bunny Hop”, as I am calling it, continues this week with a stop at author Darlene Beck Jacobson’s blog where I am answering her question: “How did you come to tell the story in such a simple and wonderful way?” (Thank you, Darlene!) She’s also running a giveaway for one free copy of the book so hop on over. I’ll make it easy for you. Here’s the link:
And be sure to download out the free printable activity kit that goes with book- perfect for extending the book fun with coloring pages, a maze and more!
One morning this fall, in anticipation of Christmas, I prayed that God would use my Christmas picture book GOODNIGHT, MANGER to bless others and point them to Him in a special way. I made a list of possibilities: preschool visits, a Christmas Women’s program, a virtual story time. These were all things I had done in the past. But God… Don’t you love that phrase? God had something bigger in mind and He placed that idea in the heart of a woman named Jessika Sanders, founder of Praying through Ministries. The idea was to bless families who found themselves with little ones in the NICU and PICU over Christmas with a copy of GOODNIGHT, MANGER.
Following God’s prompting, Jessika reached out to me. Sensing this might be God’s special plan, I said yes, and that I wanted to write notes of encouragement to accompany each book given because my precious son, now 21, had once been a baby in the NICU as well. Then, wow, with the help of generous souls across the country who donated the books, God grew that blessing to an amazing 771 books given to families in multiple NICUs and PICUs across sixteen states. We were even in the news.
And now I have a special treat you – an interview with Praying Through Ministries’ founder and president, Jessika Sanders. The story of how her ministry came to be is amazing and I know you will be blessed. So, grab a cup of coffee and join us as we chat with my questions in bold.
Thank you for joining me here, today, Jessika. Like me you are a NICU mama. Can you tell us a little bit about that story and how it led you to start this ministry?
Absolutely. Unlike the vast majority of NICU moms, my son was not born premature. He was born at exactly 42-weeks. Like I had with my second child, I went a very natural route with my pregnancy. I had the same midwife and opted out of all ultrasounds. I had my third natural birth, and my second at-home water birth. Nothing seemed all that out of the ordinary other than my belly shrinking in size the last month, but I attributed it to my son dropping and my getting ready to deliver.
When our son arrived, the rush of hormones had my head in the clouds. I didn’t realize anything was wrong until they weighed Ezra and a few words broke the heavy silence in the room while simultaneously breaking our hearts. “4 lbs 14 oz.” I could almost feel my heart drop. Something was wrong. I looked across the room at my husband and saw the fear and anguish on his face.
To give you some background, I had experienced a lot of spiritual warfare during my 3rd trimester. I couldn’t get rid of a nagging feeling that something was wrong. It wasn’t Godly intuition but rather the voice of the enemy. I know this because it instilled fear, a fear that threatened to consume me. Down Syndrome. Genetic defects. Death. Still birth. Critically ill. I remember fighting with scripture. Each time a negative thought would come to mind, I would take it captive and speak truth over myself and the baby growing in my womb. Fearfully and wonderfully made. Chosen. His. A purpose and a plan. Just three weeks before my son’s arrival, I had a really powerful encounter with God, one in which I heard His voice so clear it felt almost audible. His directions were simple—read through the book of Psalms, circle the passages He told me to circle, and faithfully pray them until He told me to stop. When I gave birth to my son I assumed the battle was over, but when we learned of his extremely low birth weight, I knew that was far from the truth. Thirty-six hours after he was born, we called an ambulance when he seized in our arms and so began the beginning of our 37-day NICU stay.
I’ll never forget the complex range of emotions I experienced while in the NICU with Ezra. Fear. Shock. Worry. Guilt. Uncertainty. Helplessness. I remember my sole and utter dependence on the Lord and crying out to Him in wordless groans. I wanted to pray continuously but I felt frozen, paralyzed by my circumstances. I sang worship songs and I prayed God’s Word back to Him—literally reading those verses He had me circle a month previously.
And one day, as I looked around me in the hospital lounge, at the front desk, and through the corridors and into the rooms of others—I was met with pained, worried faces. My heart ached with these women and men, but as my eyes met theirs, I managed a meek smile that I hoped would warm their hearts and show them I saw them and I understood. As I rested in God’s shelter, my pain seemed to diminish. But as mine lessened, I became heightened to the pain of those around me. I wondered to myself “How does anyone do this without Jesus?” This is when our NICU stay began to change course. Suited up in His Word and forever clinging to His character and His promises, I began to reach out to help those around me. I began talking with mothers at the sign-in desk, in the lounge, and in the Ronald McDonald House. I asked about their babies and how I could pray for them. I wrote down their names and their requests. I see now that this was the beginning of Praying Through ministries. God was slowly preparing me for what was to come.
Oh, Jessika, what an amazing story of God’s love sustaining you and your family through one of life’s most difficult situations and then, wow, God’s love flowing through you to others. I’m glad that each step of the way you listened to God’s promptings and what a precious reminder to us all of the comfort and power in that.
What are some of the ways your ministry reaches out to and blesses families journeying through the NICU, PICU and child loss?
The mission of Praying Through ministries is to equip and embolden men, women, and children with Biblical hope and encouragement as they journey through the difficult seasons of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Pediatric ICU, and Child loss. We provide Biblical support through our Christ-centered online communities (Facebook), through virtual events, and through outreach care packages.
While the obvious way we bless families is through our outreach care packages filled with personalized notes, artistic keepsakes, and carefully curated books, we are often told just how much our online communities mean to our members. It’s not uncommon for us to hear things like, “When I felt too paralyzed to pray, the Prayer Team and group members lifted me in prayer and provided words that I could pray myself.” I know that this especially blesses my heart because in addition to God doing this very thing for me with His Word, I also had one friend in particular who would periodically send me written prayers, too. Our communities are God-honoring groups where true friendships are cultivated. There is no condemnation, just a supportive group of individuals helping each other to keep their eyes fixed on Christ—even through trials and suffering.
Our ministry is also in the process of creating virtual resources and events to reach the families we serve. Because our outreach care packages are shipped within the United States, and we have members in Canada, England, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia, virtual resources and events will allow us to bless families regardless of their country of residence. Our first virtual event was actually our “Christmas in the NICU” Live Author Reading with you, Laura!
Everything your ministry is doing amazing and so honored and humbled to have been chosen to participate in that with you. It made my Christmas… that and all the notes and books we were able to send thanks to the donations of so many.
And I’ve been delighted to discover that you are also a writer. How does that fit in with your mission?
Yes, I am. I remember prior to Ezra, I felt like God had already given me plenty to write about what with a broken childhood, the divorce that led me to my salvation, and forgiveness. But when I was carrying Ezra, I just had this feeling that God was about to give me even more material. I never would have dreamed it would have been NICU and PICU stays with multiple close calls of almost losing him, yet that’s where He called us. With regard to how I feel my writing will fit in with our ministry’s mission, I believe there are real holes and felt needs within the audience our ministry serves. I am believing God will use me to create much-needed, faith-based resources for NICU families and resources specifically for bereaved fathers.
And those will be a blessing. I can’t wait to see where God takes you on that front. Finally, I know many of my readers will be moved by your ministry. How can they be involved?
Thank you so much for asking, Laura. Our ministry is fully funded by the generous donations of others. We are always in need of financial donations for the daily running of our ministry—fees for our website, communication platforms, and for creating marketing materials found in our care packages. We also always humbly accept any of the items from our Amazon Wish List. These are the books that make up our care packages. Generous donors can purchase them and have them sent to us directly—doing so helps cut out the turnaround time for packages to get sent out in a timely manner. To get involved in either of these ways, you can visit our the “Support Us” tab of our website.
For anyone who has experienced the NICU, PICU, or Child Loss—no matter how long ago it may have been, there is always room and an invitation for you to serve within the ministry. We can never have too many Prayer Team members for our online, Christ-centered communities on Facebook. We are also looking to fill a few of our Board Member positions for those who have experience with accounting, social media, and marketing. To learn more about these opportunities you can visit our website under the “About Us” tab.
And lastly, you can be involved by helping us be known! We would love for you to share our ministry with others. Whether it be sharing one on one with someone who is being impacted by the NICU, PICU, or Child Loss or sharing collaborative opportunities with your church team or local hospital, we would greatly appreciate your efforts to share our ministry within your sphere.
Laura, I cannot thank you enough for your love offering with our first annual “Christmas in the NICU” Book Drive. With your compassion and care, you have set the bar extremely high. It was an absolute honor to work alongside you and your precious group of friends to pull off such an incredible event. I look forward to seeing what God does next year!
Amen! Thank you, Lord, for using us to serve others this special way. And thank you, Jessika, for following God’s call. You are an inspiration to all.
Laura Sassi Tales 