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Mouse's Christmas Gift

Cover reveal — MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT – my debut picture book coming October 2, 2018

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Tonight I am happy to reveal to you the cover of my debut picture book entitled Mouse’s Christmas Gift, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, which is releasing October 2, 2018. I am beyond excited for this little story to reach the shelves! I thank God for allowing this book to be published. To Him be all glory and praise!  Here it is…

I also am so humbled to be teamed with Dow Phumiruk. She is an amazing artist and has done a beautiful job with the illustrations. You can visit her website at this link:
Book Review and Author Interviews

Book review of GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

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Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different mommy and child “animal” while highlighting characteristics about mommies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of “Mommy” found in the pages of the book:
–she cuddles
–she sings
–she feeds
–she takes good care of me
–she combs my hair
–she shares so much love
–she teaches me
–she is the leader
–she watches out for me
–she helps me
–she is patient, kind, sweet
–she shares lovely treats
–she loves
–she is kind and lots of fun
The animals:

–sparrow
–monkey
–dolphin
–deer
–owl
–snail
–squirrel
–hamster
 The last page shows a human child and mommy and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, “every good and perfect gift is from God.”  (Mommy is God’s gift to the child)
Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals’ natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own mommy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the Mommy owl teaches her child to soar over trees and rooftops in the night.  
Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!

Buy book on Amazon

About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children’s book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children’s ministry.


My Faith

Five Minute Friday — RELEASE

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Making a simple list today:

Things to release into God’s capable hands:

  • Fear
  • Worry
  • Doubt
  • Resentment
  • Bitterness
  • Anger
  • Problems I’m trying to solve on my own
  • Answers I’m waiting for (that are taking way too long)

I’m reminding myself that my joy does not depend on my circumstances, 

but rather…

It comes from choosing to live daily in God’s presence.

So, I’m loading up this hot air balloon with “my list” and releasing it up to God.

Time to walk by faith and not by sight!  Pretty sure the rest will fall into place.


**P.S.  How about your hot air balloon? What do you need to release to God today?

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

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Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different daddy and child “animal” while highlighting characteristics about daddies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of “Daddy” found in the pages of the book:
–he teaches
–he’s super-duper nice
–being carried on Dad’s shoulders
–shows me how
–he’s my favorite guy
–taken good care of me
–we play together
–strong, handsome, big, tall, smart, funny
–we cuddle
–helps me when I wobble
–we hang around together
The animals:

–polar bear
–skunk
–giraffe
–octopus
–lion
–flamingo
–bat 
–elephant
 The last page shows a human child and father and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, “every good and perfect gift is from God.”  (Daddy is God’s gift to the child)
Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals’ natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own daddy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the flamingo daddy helps the child flamingo not to wobble on one leg.  Another favorite was the skunk daddy showing the child how to make a stink. It made me smile and laugh.  
Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!
About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children’s book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children’s ministry.
Author life, My Faith

Five Minute Friday – ROUTINE

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Is ROUTINE a positive or a negative?

I love my MORNING ROUTINE
  • 5:30 alarm goes off–
  • I “rest” a bit more, then shuffle down to make my coffee.
  • That Keurig I was sure I didn’t need is probably the item I use most in my kitchen. (Thanks, Doug!)
  • Cup of coffee under the covers while I “think/pray” then off to wake up the kids, take a shower, and rush off to work. 

That’s what I do. Monday through Friday.
Day after day after day.
Then there is WORK ROUTINE
Classroom routines are a must.  You know, the “ways” that you do things so students know that you are organized and what to expect. 
  • I have a “greeting”
  • I have the “sonrisa de hoy”  (a daily meme)
  • I have the “daily conversation questions” (most days)
  • I have a way I stamp homework, and a system of points for completion and partial credit.  
  • Homework always “counts.”
  • I have an agenda I keep on the Canvas Calendar.

The list goes on…
But in the classroom, I don’t want to get so “routine” that my students dread coming to class.
So I work hard to be creative, trying to keep it fresh–doing different things, in different ways, appealing to different learning styles. I incorporate technology and student choice.  I connect content with culture. I give comprehensible input…. You get the picture…
So enough about teaching!

Can a ROUTINE be negative? 
I think it can. If my life is in such a pattern or box that I never glance around to see what others are going through, then that is a problem or at the very least a red flag.  I never want my routine to keep me from seeing people the way Jesus sees them. And I especially do not want to miss opportunities to be light and life to those who are hurting and in need of someone who cares.
The bottom line–
I want to say yes to routine to prevent chaos, 
but I want to be willing to
drop my routine when God places a person or task along my path for a reason.

What about you?