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A Donkey Has His Day

This donkey had his day!

 

 

Saturday's Book Release Party was a smashing success.

Especially considering how close it came to being cancelled, on account of weather.

North Texas has experienced days and days of severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, flooding, and tornado outbreaks. The forecasters called for Saturday to be the worst yet. But the "show must go on," as they say...and so we plowed ahead with our plans, saying a prayer and keeping our fingers crossed.

First up: Flash and Henry loaded up into the trailer like CHAMPS! I was so proud! You have no idea what a big accomplishment this was. Donkeys, trailers.....um. yeah.

We brought them over to Paws for Reflection Ranch, who graciously hosted the party. And what an incredible job they did! Stan and Melode, the owners and directors of this animal therapy facility are absolutely wonderful. Their hearts for helping people - veterans, special needs kids, kids with challenges - is so evident and real. I can't say enough about them. If you are in the DFW area, you owe it to yourself to come and visit.

 

Except for a couple of brief showers, the storms went around us all afternoon. I loved seeing friends, family, blog readers, donkey lovers, and Flash fans! Signing books was so fun, particularly getting to stamp an exact replica of Flash's hoof on the page next to my signature!

Flash (along with Henry) met the public with grace and charm, taking all the attention in stride. 

 

(This is Margaret, who volunteers at Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. She helped us with Henry's adoption!)

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us. Sarah Atkinson, my acquisition editor at Tyndale Momentum, along with Bonne Steffen and Anisa Baker (my editors) came all the way from Chicago for the event, as well as Ruth Samsel, my agent from Connecticut.

We could not have felt more honored.

It was a great way to "kick off" bringing Flash to the world!

And thank you to all who are buying the book and sharing it with their friends, family, and book clubs! It means the world to me to know that you're reading it and enjoying it enough to pass it along to others.

 

Question of the day: if you have read (or are reading) Flash, what is your favorite chapter so far?

  Available now!

World Donkey Day

Happy World Donkey Day, Everyone!

I know y'all have lots of activities planned for this holiday, right? Parties, games, celebrations....the usual fare.

 

Today, I'm celebrating the day by supporting Samaritan's Purse, who provides donkeys and other livestock to impoverished families around the world! What an awesome organization!

 

 

I love the story of the women of the Mabamani village in Kenya, who were provided with two donkeys.

“We thank Samaritan’s Purse for the assistance we have received,” said their chairwoman, Mama Mlong. “As women, we used to walk for long distances to fetch water and firewood, taking all our time and energy. Now with the help of the donkeys, we are able to get water quickly, and we have enough to use for cooking and bathing. The general hygiene in our homes has drastically improved.”

 

 

The impact of two donkeys on one village goes far beyond the physical. Not only are the women able to provide for their families, they are also touched by the gospel. Lives are transformed.

 

We thought it would only be fitting for Flash to sponsor a donkey through Samaritan's Purse. Did you know that, for a gift of 350.00, a donkey can be purchased and given to a family? You can even give a small donation that can be combined with other small donations...to add up to a life-changing gift of a donkey.

 

If you would like to celebrate World Donkey Day with Flash, why not help him support the amazing work of Samaritan's Purse through a livestock gift?

To donate, click here: Animals and Livestock 

 

Flash says, "THANK YOU!"

 

PS Check out this great blog post from Flash's friend, Peggy, who makes Flash the official honoree of World Donkey Day.

 

Available Now!

What a Week

No Book Launch Week would be complete without a list of snafu's.

 

Here's mine:

 

• Both AC units went out.
• One AC unit leaked all over the floor, causing us to have to rip up the wood floor in the bathroom, pantry and kitchen.
• Clothes dryer is out.
• Severe thunderstorms expected all week...the pond may overflow and top the dam, which means our driveway might be underwater by Saturday.
• Internet issues (country living at its finest)
• My computer only operates in "safe mode"

 

Other than that, it's been a smooth week! Gotta keep a sense of humor in the midst of it all, right?

 

Looking forward to World Donkey Day tomorrow, how about you??

 

And don't forget! YOU'RE INVITED!!!!

 

Win a Trip for Two to Meet Flash and Me!

I still can't believe this, y'all.

My publisher, Tyndale Momentum, is sponsoring a trip for two lucky people to come and meet Flash and me in REAL LIFE!

 

Imagine! You and a companion....and Flash and me! We can hang out in the barn, and you can pet him and talk to him, while he charms you with his wit and dashing good looks!

 

Here's the skinny:

 

Tonight, at 7 PM CST, Priscilla Shirer and I will be broadcasting a video (a webcast, if you will) that we recorded recently. We introduce Flash and talk about how he is the perfect illustration for how God uses interruptions and everyday moments to get our attention. We have a lot of fun, and Flash is his entertaining self, as usual.

Now, for a chance to win the trip, you'll need to register for this free webcast.

1. Simply go to FlashtheDonkey.com and click on the banner.

2. Fill out the little form, and then

3. Share the webcast on social media. (2x)

Later this evening, you'll just go to FlashThe Donkey.com and click on the webcast banner again. It will take you to the page where the video will play. You may want to hit "refresh" on that page at 7pm so the session will load.

 

Here are some tweets you can grab!

Free webcast with @PriscillaShirer & @RachelAnneRidge 5/5-7CST bit.ly/1Ev3z6w #FlashTheDonkey

Watch #FlashTheDonkey teach life lessons to @PriscillaShirer and @RachelAnneRidge bit.ly/1Ev3z6w

Free Webcast with @PriscillaShirer “Finding God in Everyday Moments” 5/5-7CST bit.ly/1Ev3z6w #FlashTheDonkey

I registered! bit.ly/1Ev3z6w #FlashTheDonkey

See you tonight!!

 

Rachel

 

Flash! The Book Launch Day is Here!

I've had May 1 circled on my calendar for months. It was so far away when I first got a contract to write Flash!

But now, the day has arrived! And Flash *should technically* be on shelves around the country today!

 

 15 Second Video of Rachel and Flash It's Here! 

 

Don't call me, I'll be visiting ALL the bookstores personally, just to check! And I'll be sure to turn the cover so Flash is facing OUT!

"So how does it feel?" everyone is asking me.

Well....it feels surreal and wonderful, and just a little like I might need a paper bag to breathe into. Excuse me while I put my head down for a minute, everything got blurry just now.

 

Some amazing things have happened already:

 

Publishers Weekly gave Flash a starred review, AND named it in the Top Ten Best Best Summer Reads.

 

Whaaat? It's an incredible honor to be on this list. I really can't believe I'm seeing Flash's face right there in the #8 spot. Flash you're so adorable!

But, to me the best part is the fact that real people are reading it. People are laughing with me at my entertaining stories, and they are crying with me through my tough spots.

People are already sharing Flash with their friends and loved ones.

And that means the world to me.

 

On this spectacular May 1st, would you celebrate with me?

 

 

Would you cheer for all the middle-aged women with dusty dreams, who give it one more try?

Would you give a "Woo Hoo!" for all the heartaches that are worked through, the rough patches that give way, and the relationships that are mended along the way?

 

Would you say "Hooray!" for people who encourage others, who believe the best, and who are always there for you?

 

Would you give thanks for all the times you didn't think you'd make it...and then you did?

 

Today, I'm celebrating the book release, and I'm celebrating all the people around me who have helped make it possible. My husband and kids, my team at Tyndale, and you: my wonderful, beautiful blog readers.

Thank you. It's a huge team effort, and we made it to this day.

 

There is still a long way to go.

Now, it's all about getting the word out.

 

If you would like to help, here are some ways you can do it!

 

1. Well, buy the book of course! If just each person in the U.S. would buy it, that would be like, 300,000,000 copies! Dusting off my dreams has gotten out of control, obviously.

 

2. Share the book! So many readers have already said they are gifting copies to their special people. I LOVE THAT SO MUCH!  Get one to keep and one to give.

 

3. Spread the word! Don't hide his little donkey-light under a bushel! Let others know about FlashTheDonkey.com.  Share his book trailer, follow Flash on Twitter and Facebook. Hey, bray in public for no particular reason! Why not?

 

4. Ask for Flash. Request that your local bookstore carry it! Support the brick-and-mortar book businesses.

 

5. Sign up for the webcast, with Priscilla Shirer and Me, which will air on May 5 at 7PM CST. It's all about finding God in our everyday moments, and also you'll get some free gifts, PLUS a chance to meet Flash and me in person!!

 

So, how about I give away a signed book?? I'm giving TWO copies away over at Priscilla Shirer's blog, Going Beyond today!

Pop over there and say hello - and leave a comment there for your chance to win one! I simply can't wait for you to read it!

 

Hugs and confetti all around!!!