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Giving Thanks for These Wee Ones

(Warning: Photo Overload)

(But I'm not very sorry, because I have some catching up to do.)

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, the quiet holiday that gets squeezed between the revelry of Halloween and the frenzy of Christmas, is my favorite day of the year.

Humble, perhaps a little shy, this day is sometimes mistaken for Turkey Day, or Football Day; two misnomers which Thanksgiving, in typical self-deprecating style, says, "Well, we do eat turkey, and we do watch football. I can see how that could happen."

You've got to respect a day that doesn't light itself up with fireworks and yell, "LOOK AT ME!" He simply lets his name speak for itself.

 

On Thanksgiving, there are no gifts to wrap, no parties to attend, no concerts, yard decorations or long lines in department stores. Yes, there is a lot of cooking involved, but that means food, which means that people I love will be gathering together to eat it.

 

Most of all, this unassuming day brings with it an occasion to count blessings. To see silver linings. To recount the things we are grateful for. Even during my bleakest years, the ones I lost babies in, or the ones that money was tight, or the ones that loved ones were gone, there has always been something for which to offer my thanks.

This year, I am most thankful for two little girls that have graced my life.

 

Heidi Joy was born in August and I am just smitten with her.

 

And Ivy Grace is now 18 months old, and charms us every single day with new words and new abilities.

 

My little Company Girls:

  

 

 

I guess I AM trying to catch y'all up on the photos with one blog post.

 

My heart is full, and I am grateful. This has been a good year, and I wish I could have glimpsed it during the ones that were tough. But I'm learning that Thanksgiving isn't just one day on a calendar, but it's an attitude that finds blessings and silver linings every day of the year. It's a heart that looks to the One who is faithful, who promises to be with us always, and who never, ever forgets His own.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, my sweet friends! I am thankful for each of you.

Rachel

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

 

 

Flash Gets His Book Cover! Check It Out!

 

 

Flash - Coming May 2015 from Tyndale Momentum

 

You guys!

I got a happy little email this week, with my book cover artwork inside!

The cover is done!

It's ready! 

It's so CUTE!

You can't see me right now, but I'm actually jumping up and down and hyperventilating with excitement.

Flash. My crazy, silly donkey. On a book cover.

Let's all join hands and jump up and down together! Eeeee! I'm so full of love for all you dear blog friends who have been with me on this journey. This is "one more leg" that's complete, and it feels amazing. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for being with me, for enduring my long silences, for holding my hand, and for being giddy with me.

Flash is OUR donkey...and we're doing it together. Happy sigh.

So, you ask, what happens next?

Well, next I tell you that Flash's website (and my "Author" website) is being updated. I'd love for your to pop over and take a sneak peek!

First, let's visit Flash's page, where you can sign up to be part of his book launch, y'all! (Then I'll tell you about when Flash's book will be available.)

Let's go!  FlashTheDonkey.com

 

I'll wait for you to come on back......(elevator music, please)

 

OK, now that you're back,

Did you notice the big sign about the Launch Team? The one that took you

HERE?

 

 

 

Be honest now.

Haven't you secretly wished you could take part in a Flash Mob? Well, now you can. I'm going to take a limited number of people to be part of Flash's Official Team that will help me spread the word about the book. Team members will receive a free copy of the book, in exchange for things like a book review, a blog post and social media activity. You'll also receive special artwork from me, and will have a chance to chat with Flash himself! I'll let you more details as we get closer to the release, but if you want to participate, please sign up on Flash's website. 

I know this is going to be a fun ride, and I want you to join me!

 

 

Now everyone wants to know, WHEN IS THIS BOOK COMING OUT, right? Here it is:

 

May 1, 2015

 

Flash

{The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith and Second Chances}

Will be available at retailers like Barnes & Noble, Family Christian Books, Mardel, and Target, as well as Amazon and online stores.

 

 

 

Available for Preorder

 

Flash is a book that I think people will want to share with their friends. It's not *simply* an animal story, but it's a story of finding lost dreams, learning the power of friendship, and remembering that life's interruptions might just be God's way of reminding you just how much He cares for you.

 

I believe this little donkey can change the world.

What do YOU think?

 

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P.S. If you go to the Home Page, you'll see the beginnings of my new, official author website. More to come....