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It's Book Launch Day - Walking With Henry arrives today!

 

 

Walking with Henry arrives in bookstores and mailboxes today!

I am beyond excited to launch this book into the world, and I want to thank you all for helping it make a splash today.

Your pre-orders have put this little book about rediscovering faith and prayer into top spots for new releases on Amazon!

For new books, the first week "out" is everything. Book sellers and buyers look at the lists of books that are doing well and make their decisions on placement in stores and quantities to stock. I never knew anything about this before becoming an author! I never realized just how much those first purchases meant.

I've never been one to worry about numbers. I don't ever write thinking about making any kind of charts.

I only write from my heart and let the chips fall where they may.

Walking With Henry is that kind of book. It's about finding myself in the midst of questions, doubts, and honest wrestling with my faith...and what that looked like as I learned to walk with a little donkey by my side.

 

The reviews on Goodreads have warmed my heart. You can pop over there and read what early readers of the book are saying. It's made me realize that I am not alone, and that this world needs people to are willing to lay it all out there and let others see what real-life faith journeys look like.

 

A faith journey is not always pretty.

But there are real pockets of joy and hope along the way that propel us forward into peace and deeper faith. I hope that's what my story communicates.

 

What I learned during this pathway through my questions, is that God loves each of us dearly. He is not fazed by anything we throw at Him, and He will never condemn us for asking gut-level questions of Him or any of the things we believe.

Some of our old beliefs and practices can be left by the wayside as we make room for a God that is bigger and better than we ever imagined. His infinite care and grace for us draws us upward and inward--and allows us to live in freedom and compassion for everyone around us.

 

 

If you have not yet purchased your copy of Walking with Henry, would you do me a favor and do so today?

 

Maybe it will sit on your shelf until you have the time to read it, but it would mean the world to me if you'd take the time to order it now.

And when you do read the book, I hope you'll find a comfy chair with a cozy blanket, pour yourself some tea...and settle in for a journey with me. I'm convinced that you'll not only fall in love with darling little Henry as our companion, but you'll also rediscover God's love and find that your own faith can once again bloom.

 

 

So, thank you, thank you, thank you, my dear blog readers! You have made this book launch possible, and you're helping to bring this little book into the world with a Hee-Haw and a splash!

With deep love and appreciation,

Rachel (and Henry)

 

Celebrate World Animal Day with 50% Off + Gift

Happy World Animal Day!

Today is the perfect day to hug your furry (or feathered) friends.

Our pets, and all of God's creatures, are such a source of joy and delight, aren't they? Over the past tragic days especially, I've experienced a sense of calm and peace when I've been outside with my donkeys....and it's made me appreciate the gift that they are to me.

I know you probably feel the same way about your animals. It's hard to explain, but they just make life feel better, softer somehow.

My publisher wants to help us celebrate World Animal Day by offering my Flash books, and my friend Dave Burchett's dog-themed books, for 50% off today!

 

I love half off!

Just go to Tyndale World Animal Day Special to get the discount.

This might be a great time to stock up on books to give, or to keep for your own pleasure!

As an added gift, I've created a mixed media art piece that you can download and print.

 

 

This piece was inspired by the adorable birds that frequent my back yard. I absolutely love to watch them - and they remind me of God's infinite creativity in our beautiful world. The tiny chickadees are among my favorites.

You'll find the link to the download at the Tyndale page.

You will also be entered to win an exclusive signed canvas print of this art.

After you order the books at the Tyndale site, just follow the link to my special page and leave your email address in order to be entered and to receive your printable art. Super easy.

Celebrate your animals today....and give them a special hug from me, Flash, and Henry.

 

 

What I'm Working On

On Friday I posted a photo of my little office- the room I'm spending most of my life in right now.

 

You see, I'm working on another book! Yep, it's true.

What is this book about, you ask?

Well, it's a book about finding new purpose as you work through the uncertainties of transitioning from one season of life into another (remember I've gone from being a busy mom to an empty-nester).

It's about experiencing the pain of failure and disappointment, and discovering that these things make a way for a deeper, more joyful spiritual life.

It's got donkeys, and funny stories, and some deeply personal things that I've never shared before.

I've cried my eyes out, and laughed myself silly....and I've also done plenty of beating my head against the keyboard trying to get this book written.

Just for fun, here is a photo of my "idea" wall - color-coded post-it notes with words or phrases to jog my memory or keep me focused. I find that I need a big visual board to help me see the direction I'm supposed to go.

 

 

Did I mention the book has donkeys?

Well of course there is Flash, and his little friend Henry. They are my walking companions and sounding boards. Without them, I wouldn't have a story to tell.

These guys make me laugh, and they make me ponder some of the big questions in life. They help me remember Bible stories and prayer and all kinds of good stuff.

I will be writing all summer long, so if I have a far-away look in my eyes or you don't hear from me for days on end, you now know the reason why.

If you feel so inclined to pray for me, I would really love that. I so want to tell a good story, one that will capture my readers and inspire them to see their own circumstances in a new light, and I need God's help to do it.

Thank you to all of you dear people who keep buying and sharing my first book. You inspire me with your comments, emails and Amazon reviews!

I'm thinking of you every single day as I write.

 

Flash the Donkey

Meet Flash and me, and support a great cause!

Hey, whatcha doin' on Saturday?

Why not come and meet up with me!

 

 

If you're in the Dallas area, I'll be at my favorite place, Paws for Reflection Ranch on March 18 from 10-2.

 

I'll have Flash (and Henry) with me, and we will be signing books and supporting the Ranch Riders. Ranch Riders are participants in the therapeutic riding programs, and this event is an opportunity for them to demonstrate their skills, celebrate their accomplishments, and enjoy a fun day at the ranch with family, friends and guests!

 

 

Paws for Reflection Ranch is owned by Melode and Stan Serenet. This amazing couple puts their heart and soul into helping people from all walks of life through animal-assisted therapies, education and recreation. 

It is important work, beautiful work.

With their professional staff and a lot of special animals, every single individual who comes here has positive experiences that help them in their daily lives.

When you visit, you'll see not only the horses, but you'll also find goats, pot-bellied pigs, mini-horses, dogs, and a bunch of little furry friends in the petting barn. I hear there is even a new mini donkey on the farm!

Melode and Stan Serenet - Paws for Reflection Ranch

 

It will be a day of fun, food, activities, and animals - all for a great cause.

 

I'll have plenty of copies of both Flash, and Flash Makes New Friends for you to purchase, and best of all you'll be able to kiss Flash and Henry on the nose! It will be great to see you there! 

That time I was on Daystar with Marcus and Joni

Two weeks ago, I was invited to be on Daystar's Marcus and Joni show. I posted photos on Facebook and Twitter...and then sort of forgot that my dear BLOG READERS might want to see some highlights. 

 Sometimes, I wonder about my mental faculties. Well...

 

It was a THRILL to be on the show, and I'm sorry I held out on you.

You can find a link to the complete show here. My segment starts at about 15:30.

Rachel Ridge's appearance on Daystar

 

 

It was a good hair day, carefully planned as to when I shampooed (this was Day Two after washing) so as to have the least amount of pouf.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS, PEOPLE!

 

 

The real star of the show was this guy, Flash. Seeing his adorable face on the book in Marcus's hands made me pinch myself. This is crazy, folks.

 

 

Next time I get my picture taken with famous people, I'll do the hand-on-my-hip-sorority pose so my large sweater poncho doesn't make me look extra wide. 

That's a BIG note to self.

 

 

One of the most fun parts of the whole experience was that Flash and Henry watched, live, from the barn.

My dauntless husband Tom dragged the TV out there so they could see it.

Then Tom sent photos to the producer, who in turn put them up on the screen...so they even made the broadcast!

 

 

I'm talkin' about ya, Flashy!

 

 

 

Hey, now...that's a sharp lookin' donkey!

 

 

Flash, Marcus Lamb is discussing your life lessons! That's pretty cool!

 

 

Of course, now that it's all over, I think of all the things I should have said.

Oh, how I wish I'd mentioned the specific things I learned from Flash: facing my fears, letting go of the past, finding my passion, and making the most of each day, to name a few. 

 

And I wish I'd said:

Flash taught me that slow and steady steps are the things that make pathways for grace.

It's in those daily small, methodical efforts that the real miracles take place.

Most times, it feels like plodding.

After all, showing up day after day, is hard.

But donkeys, and people like us, aren't afraid of hard things.

We just keep walking.

We just keep working.

We just keep serving, even when nobody sees.

And that's when we experience true grace.

 

Thank you, Flash.

And thank you, God, for still speaking through donkeys.

 

 

 

 

Thank YOU!

I had so many book orders last week, that I'm extending the sale through this week.

Autographed books are only $16.00!

They make great gifts, and I hope you'll take advantage and order several for Christmas.

This is awesome: My largest single order to date is FOURTEEN books! That customer got all his Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop!

Anyone want to top it?? :)

A Special Christmas Sale!

 

A Christmas gift that will capture your heart.

 

When a stray donkey wandered into my life, I had no idea that I was about to learn some of life's greatest lessons. What could a long-eared, buck-toothed, braying animal possibly teach me, after all?

Turns out, plenty. Things like:

How knowing who I belong to changes everything

Where to find refuge in life's storms

How to conquer fear

How to find my passion

How persistence makes a way for grace

How to live honestly and authentically

Where to find abundance, even when you're in the middle of drought

What I'm made for - serving others in love

How to embrace change

How to make things right with others

And most importantly, I learned that my journey is not about fixing my problems, but it's about something else entirely.

 

Along the way, I learned the power of laughter...and it's one of the things I enjoy hearing most from people who have read the book: they've laughed the whole way through.

 

I've been overwhelmed by the many people who have emailed me to tell me that they are buying the book for friends. Oh my goodness, that makes me feel so happy. If you've been thinking of purchasing a copy for yourself or a friend, I want to make it easy!

 

This week, you can get signed copies of Flash for 20% off, when you buy them in my store.

That's like getting a FREE BOOK for every five that you purchase! 

 

 

Books are signed by both Flash and me. To order, simply go to RachelAnneRidge.com/store.

As a bonus, I'm offering a flat shipping rate ($3.00 per order, plus $1.00 per book). Yippee!

This offer is only good through Friday, December 4, and only while my supplies last.

 

If you're looking for the perfect gift for several people on your list, I hope you'll consider this book.

It's from my heart to yours, and it's wrapped in a long-eared package that is sure to make readers feel encouraged and loved.

 

Please let me know any personalization you might like in the "Order Notes" when you check out. I'd love to make it special!

Click here to order.

 

Thank you so much for supporting the message of the book, and this blog, which is: sometimes your answers arrive in unlikely packages.

Meet Me in Person, Or Just See Me On TV! No, Really.

Life is about to get a whole lot of crazy, what with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Black Friday, Parties, Shopping and Decorating. Whew!

BUT BEFORE ALL THAT GETS UNDERWAY.....

I want to invite you to two events on the same day! You can even stay in your jammies for one of them, so it doesn't get much better than that!

 

On Tuesday, November 24, I will be a guest on the Marcus and Joni show on Daystar!

 

The show airs live at 12pm EST, (which is 11am Dallas time (CST).)

 

I hope you'll tune in to see me talk about how interruptions (mine had long ears and a loud bray) might be the very things God uses to get our attention. Knowing you're watching will help me STAY CALM, because I'll imagine y'all in your bathrobes, holding coffee cups, cheering for me. I hope to postpone my hyperventilating until AFTER the show.

 

Later that same day, we'll have a chance to meet each other IN PERSON at a book signing at the Barnes & Noble at Firewheel in Garland.

 

This event is at 6:30 pm, so come on in and get your book signed and take a selfie with with me!! Let's have a latte from the Starbucks together. 

You can also get a hoof stamp in your book. :)

 

 

Hey, do you notice the new book cover on that graphic above? It has the Publishers Weekly Review on the front! Our little Flashy has moseyed his way into a THIRD PRINTING...which means that people are buying the book and recommending it to their friends. I can't tell you how thrilled I am about that. Whaaat?

 

So, mark your calendars!

Tuesday, November 24:

11am CST for the Daystar appearance,

and

6:30 pm at the Firewheel Barnes & Noble store.

 

See you there!

 

PS I'm very excited for the upcoming Christmas season, because I think Flash is going to make a great gift for people to give. If you are looking for a book that is heartwarming and funny–with a thread of faith running through it–then this is the book for you, if I do say so myself.

It's not just for the "animal lovers," but for anyone who is likes a true story that makes ya feel good. I can't tell you how many people have told me "I bought five to give away!" That's pretty cool. And this is a chance to get your copies signed....bring your own, or purchase in-store.

 

When You're Worried That There Won't Be Enough of What You Need

  

 

The late summer sun has scorched the pasture, leaving it barren and dry. Oh, it still has scraggly weeds and thistles, but the grass that Flash and Henry need for daily sustenance is long gone. 

This is the time of year that we have to supplement the donkeys' diet with hay.

A section of hay for each, morning and night.

And hay brings out the best, and the worst, in these two.

Henry was adopted to be a companion for Flash last year, and really...he's been just great. He was found wandering the countryside with a group of about 20 stray donkeys in Henderson County, TX. Logged in as "Henderson #10," it seemed fitting to name him Henderson–Henry for short.

 

Now, I don't know Henry's past, but I can tell a lot about it from the way he acts when the hay comes out.

 

You see, Henry wants ALL of it.

 

He wants his pile, and he wants Flash's pile.

Henry doesn't want Flash to get any of the hay.

He'll run back and forth between the two servings, kicking, biting and bucking to keep it all to himself.

In response, Flash lays his ears back, and tries first to get at one pile, then the other. He grunts his displeasure at the little donkey who is bound and determined to keep him from it.

Henry is so intent on keeping Flash away from the hay that he can't even enjoy it himself.

 

It's a classic move by someone who has known scarcity.

 

When you're not sure when, or if, you'll get to eat again, you try to hoard what you have against the possibility of going without.

"Henry, Henry!" I call to him. "There's plenty for both of you!"

I set more out, more than they can eat in one feeding.

Finally, Henry chooses the biggest mound of hay and begins to eat. He moves his backside toward Flash in a defensive posture to guard his portion.

 

 

Flash hangs back, then approaches his hay with eyes on Henry. Ears up, alert. Somehow he knows that Henry's still got a few tender spots left inside that haven't healed yet. He lets Henry settle in to eating before he starts to nibble from the far side of his pile.

 

 

Henry has a scarcity mindset.

 

He is always afraid that there won't be enough.

He's afraid that if he doesn't fight for his share, he won't get any at all.

He's afraid that if he lets Flash get hay, then he might go hungry.

Henry would rather do without, by running back and forth to keep Flash away, than run the risk of Flash eating into his portion.

He is so busy keeping Flash out that he can't enjoy the bounty before him.

Poor Henry.

 

A scarcity mindset keeps him from experiencing the abundance all around him.

 

You know what? I see myself in him. Maybe you can see yourself, too.

 

I see the ways that we hoard blessings, rather than risk giving away too much.

I see how we withhold love, just in case there won't be enough to go around.

I see how we can't be generous with our ideas, our resources, or our time, because we fear others might get ahead of us in the race for significance or importance.

We can't enjoy the abundance because we're worried that someone else is getting more than their "fair share."

 

A scarcity mindset keeps us from experiencing the abundance all around us.

It keeps us locked in a defensive posture, afraid to open up to others.

It keeps us from living freely in grace. 

 

It takes a week of consistently setting out more hay than they can possibly eat, before Henry figures out that there will always be enough.

After several days of receiving generous portions, he is actually able to relax. He can leave leftover mounds of hay, open for anyone to take. He comes back to snack when he feels like it. He takes a nap, and lets his guard down.

 

He even lets Flash eat from his pile.

 

 

Henry is learning that there is always enough.

 

It's simple, really.

It's adopting a mindset of abundance that makes all the difference. Abundance believes:

The more we give, the more we receive.

The more we allow others partake of the goodness around us, the more we can enjoy it, too.

The less we try to protect "what is ours" the less we need "what is ours" to find significance.

The less we worry about others getting more than their "fair share," the more freedom we'll feel to live generously, openly.

 

Listen. Can I share this with you?

 

There is enough for you, my friend.

 

There is enough grace for today. More than you can possibly use up.

 

You can lavish it on everyone around you, slop it all over the place and give it away....and there will still be enough.

You don't have to worry about what anyone else is receiving. You don't have to compare. You don't have to protect what's yours.

Simply receive the abundance set before you, and let others do the same.

There is freedom in that. There is generosity, and life. 

And there is joy.

Always enough joy.

 

With love,

Rachel 

 

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 

 

Flash (the book)

I'm on The Sorta Awesome Podcast Today!

 

I have the fun pleasure of being the guest co-host on the Sorta Awesome Podcast with Megan Tietz this week!

 

You might know Megan from her former (very popular) blog, Sorta Crunchy, and her book, Spirit-Led Parenting - From Fear to Freedom in Baby's First Year.

 

Megan and I have been online friends for years, but this the first time we've had the chance to sit down and chat. We talked about everything from cold-brew coffee, to parenting adolescents and teens, to finding wisdom in unexpected places. She is delightful, y'all!

 

Listen Here - Podcast

 

I'm a regular listener to Sorta Awesome - I use my laundry-folding/dish-washing time to catch up with Megan and her co-hosts. There's always something great going on with these gals!

Sidenote: one of the things I've been learning from the podcast is about the Myers-Briggs personalities (ENFP, anyone? Or INFP? I still don't know), which Megan is pretty much an expert in. Fascinating! Scroll through the archives and you can find plenty on that, including this one here.

 

Hop on over to take a listen! Of course, Flash is one of our topics, and it was fun to share one of my favorite stories from the book.

 

Talking with Megan reminded me again how God uses the ordinary moments in our lives to reach out to us, interact with us, and show us His love.

 

 

See you there!

Flat Flash Winner and a Thought About Texas Rain

If you are in need of a smile today, head on over to Flash's Facebook page, where you'll see everyone's Flat Flash adventures. I had so much fun checking Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the hashtag #FlatFlash and seeing photos popping up this past week.

Our winner of the Flat Flash Contest is Becca McNew! I chose her for the variety of Becca's family adventures with Flash, which included the clever parental move of using Flash to help get her son to eat carrots. ("Flash eats carrots!") It may or may not have been successful....

I love the way Becca made Flash's ears into a hat.

 

Flash in a jar? Well, why not?

 

 

Flat Flash, meet Painted Flash.

 

Is there a carrot flavored Sonic Slush? No? Let me speak to management about that.

You can find the rest of Becca's photos on Instagram - @thenewb3c or search #FlatFlash.

 

Congrats, Becca! You'll receive the $50.00 gift card, the canvas print, and a signed book!

 

 

You may have heard about the flooding in Texas on the news. This is our driveway - it's underwater. This part of our driveway goes across a dam, and the pond is over the top, as you can see.

 

I heard a quote in church on Sunday: "A huge drought can only be brought to an end by a huge rain." That sentence has stuck in my mind, and I'll be sharing more on that this week.