Got word this morning that my father and my stepmother were safe after Hurricane Sally directly hit their Alabama Gulf Coast location on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan hitting the same spot on the very same date, the 16th of September. Think about that for a minute, two hurricanes hitting the same spot sixteen years apart on the 16th of September. I'm sure we won't forget that date again.

When Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004, they evacuated to Atlanta and were staying with us. I remember clearly as we sat around the dinner table, and my husband prayed in faith that the water wouldn't enter their home. When they returned they found that the water went all the way up to the doors entering their home but did not go in. 

Last night, we prayed again for not only their house, but their safety, as they stayed home. Considering that Hurricane Sally looked to be going further west at first and that it was a lower category number, we weren't too worried for them. However, as we watched the news, our concerns grew, so we prayed again, in faith.  

Again, we learned from a text message, that the water got really close, but didn't enter their home. In fact, a foot of water came into their garage, at 4 a.m. but then receded around 6 a.m. and never gained full entry into the house. Thanking and praising God! 

However, several homes in their neighborhood had water come in, and one caught on fire and burned to the ground. My father reported that lots of trees were broken or down, and that he lost his beautiful grapefruit tree, that produced hundreds of the best tasting grapefruit this past December. He gave away all the plentiful fruit to family, friends and neighbors and loved hearing how much people enjoyed them. It literally was a giving tree, just a little different from Shel Silverstein's children's book version.

As soon as he told me about the grapefruit tree, I remembered that I felt prompted to save the seeds from all the grapefruit that he gave us in late December. That in turn reminded me of the conversation recorded in Luke 17, where the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

All I can say right now is we have an uprooted tree and seeds from its fruit that reminded me of a verse about having faith like a seed and a tree being uprooted. I'm just going to sit on that right now and ponder the lesson on faith, while being thankful.  

Update: Later, I mentioned to my husband about how it was strange how that tree produced the most fruit my father had ever seen it produce in all its years. In my spirit, I felt like that was significant. When ever it's our time to exit the stage and go home, I hope we have the greatest season of fruit to share with others before we depart. 

Sincerely, 

Excited and very honored to present The Little Boy Who Wouldn't Eat Cheesecake​ for its very first story time and book signing at FoxTale Book Shoppe this Saturday. I've heard so many wonderful things about the people who run FoxTale and had the privilage of meeting with them for Bonnie Clark's children's book launch, Catching Thoughts, which is a timely book on how to handle bad thoughts. 

Speaking of bad thoughts, 2020 has had its share, but just like in Bonnie's book, there are many other things to focus on and appreciate. For me, finally seeing this book published after so many years is a big, bright, colorful thought to hold onto and be thankful for, and having my first story time and book signing is another. If you can, support your local bookstores and authors. They appreciate it more than words can express! 

By the way, for those with concerns about safety, FoxTale did an excellent job of providing a safe environment at Bonnie's book launch, and I am sure safety will be a top priority at this event as well. Stay well and focus on the good things!
​

​With love,

Christina
Stay humble & be BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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When I first started taking acting classes, I not only learned about the methods of Strasberg, Adler and Meisner but also remember the great emphasis on finding one's inner child. I would now warn against some of those techniques, because there is a spiritual principle at work. However, I share that to show that many already realize there is a powerful need to reach the childlike part of ourselves. In reality, simply humbling ourselves is the truest way to becoming like a little child. 

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me," Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV)

Jesus also said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

Hope you find comfort in knowing that God gifted us all with an instinctive need to find shelter in Him at such a tender age, and no matter how old and tough you are now, you can still humble yourself as a little child and climb inside the fortress he has prepared.

Above, our youngest is looking at one of his favorite Bible stories, that of David and Goliath. While scholars think Moses may have authored Psalm 91, King David certainly held on to these words and was inspired to author many more. 

Child, I hope this encourages you to find the best fortress of all! 
​

​ With love,

Christina
Stay humble & be BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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Wanted to share a format I was not aware of until recently. It's called Readers Theater, and it is a great way to help children actively engage in a story. Dr. Valerie Harrison, author of The Great Fish, was the first person to introduce me to this type of book. Read this article from Scholastic on Readers Theater to learn more.

When I was a child, I struggled with reading but loved pretending. This type of book would have been a great way to introduce a script format to me at an early age and help me better engage with the characters and the story. Your child doesn't need to show an interest in the arts for this format to be helpful, motivating and exciting. Readers Theater offers a different type of reading experience that your child will learn from, remember and cherish.

​Watch the video below and read what Dr. Valerie has to say about The Great Fish and its Reader Theater format. 

​My name is Dr. Valerie Harrison, founder, and CEO of Educationally Yours, LLC. I would like to announce a new Bible Reading Series that contains Bible stories written in Readers Theater format for children ages 6-8 (Grades 1-3). Readers Theater is a performance-based text written in script or play format that is engaging, motivational, and can improve reading performance. The goal of the Bible Readers Theater is to motivate readers beyond the story in order to help them gain a better understanding of God’s character and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Each story is accompanied by a standards-based instructional guide and appropriate activities that can be used for Christian educational institutions, home schooling, and family devotions. The activities for this series are aligned with Common Core reading standards and can be utilized for instruction and enjoyment.

The first story in the Bible Reading Series is The Great Fish, by Dr. Valerie Harrison and Kim Rhodes. The Great Fish is the story of Jonah and the whale retold in Readers Theater format. Readers will relive this classic Bible story in a vivid expressive way as they read the part of Jonah, a reluctant prophet whose decision to disobey God’s command landed him in the belly of Ithy, the great fish. They will enjoy the character Ithy, servant of the Most High God, as he obeys God’s command to swallow Jonah whole. Learn how Jonah repents and follows God’s command to go to the city of Nineveh. And finally, readers will experience the power and majesty of the Almighty God as they read and discover how God demonstrates His overwhelming love and tender mercy to save the people of Nineveh and give Jonah a second chance. 
The Great Fish, published by Trilogy Publishing is available for purchase at Amazon.com, https://www.educationallyyoursllc.com/,  your local book, or call Trilogy Publishing at 1-800-473-5106.
 
Blessings,
Educationally Yours,

Dr. Valerie Harrison
Educationally Yours, LLC
High-Quality • Personalized • Professional 
Email: educationallyyoursllc@gmail.com
Website: educationallyyoursllc.com

Office/Fax: 678-691-7606

Change a teacher, change the world!

Pleased to announce that a story, close to eighty years in the making, is finally being released and shared with the world.
 
While World War II is changing the world in major ways, a young boy named Roger finds himself in a different kind of fight—a battle within himself—as he tries to muster up the courage to sample a bite of cheesecake. Yes, that’s right, cheesecake. You see, Roger can't understand how cheese, regularly eaten in his favorite grilled sandwiches, could possibly taste good in cake. He is quite disturbed that others not only find this oddity acceptable but also say it’s delicious.
​
The Little Boy Who Wouldn’t Eat Cheesecake inspires picky eaters and young readers, ages 4-9, to try new things and encourages conversation with older family members and friends about foods they didn't like in childhood (or, at least, thought they didn’t like) and what happened when they actually tried the foods for themselves.

​A timely book about a preconceived notion being challenged and overcome
before it’s too late.

Reviews

"Reading this story led us to a special conversation with our Poppa about the art of storytelling and enjoying his stories over and over again just as the characters in The Little Boy Who Wouldn't Eat Cheesecake. The way the author infused the lesson of trying new things before it's too late is beautifully written. You're sure to enjoy this delightful book!"

--Kid Explorer 
www.kidexplorer.com

"The Little Boy Who Wouldn't Eat Cheesecake is a delightful and colorful story set in the 1940's of a boy who detests the idea of eating cheesecake. He soon discovers it’s okay to try new things. As you read this whimsical tale you will immediately make connections with the characters. Perfect as a read aloud for young children during bedtime or can be treasured as a favorite reader for older children."
​
--Dr. Valerie Harrison,
author of The Great Fish
www.educationallyyoursllc.com

Check out what Arlene from Paperback Mom shared on her blog.

Ebook available now. Paperback and hardcover coming this July.

Would like to ask prayers for tomorrow's leap of faith launch. Felt God's leading, right before 2020,  that it was time to get my children's book ready to release. Keep in mind, it's been close to 14 years since I started writing it. And never, and I mean NEVER, would I have thought (leaning on my own understand) that it would be a good idea to launch during a global pandemic, hurting economy, painful injustices and nation wide rioting. BUT, it seems like I'm constantly learning that God's timing is not my own. Knowing this book was about so much more than cheesecake, that it was about a preconceived notion being challenged and overcome before it's too late, I feel God saying the timing is now, and I'm trusting that voice. Praying God uses this story beyond what I could imagine or think. Tomorrow we are officially launching the ebook version of The Little Boy Who Wouldn't Eat Cheesecake. Please consider covering this book in prayer, and If you would like be on that mailing list, please subscribe. Thank you so much.

Wanted to share something amazing that happened this week. On Wednesday (June 10th and this part is important) The Little Boy Who Wouldn’t Eat Cheesecake was uploaded to KDP, since they advise that it can take anywhere up to 72 hours to upload. Later that night, we noticed that it was already showing up on Amazon, but the ebook publication date shown was JUNE 9th which was a day earlier than when the files where submitted. I thought that was odd and stared at that date, then realized the significance -- June 9, 1989 is day my mother died, 31 years ago. ​

Now, what you probably don’t know is that I had written my first children’s book manuscript, right after she died, to help young children deal with the loss of a parent, since my brother was only six years old at the time. The story of that manuscript, in and of itself, is to me, almost tragic but with a painful lesson learned (and I know I shouldn’t leave it there, but will have to share that tale another time). Anyway, all that to say, I feel like that specific date showing up was a sweet reminder from God, that he knows our dreams and heartaches, and that He cares more than we ever imagined. I love the above picture. God’s word (Hebrews 12) says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and I know many of us have loved ones in that cloud, cheering us on.

Official Pub date for hardcover will be July 2nd in honor of my grandfather, M.G. Walker, Jr., who fought during World War II, the era in which the story takes place. The ebook launch will be Monday, June 15th, but you can order your ebook today. And if you enjoy reviewing children's books, your online review would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading and sharing in this journey.

​​In honor of those young men who fought for our country, I ask that we take time to think about where we are now as a nation. Please pray for the people of this country, our police force and President. Dealing with a global pandemic, a hurting economy, injustice and rioting, please realize we are all going through a difficult time and need to do what we can to help each other. Continued prayers for clear vision in 2020 to have wisdom and discernment and to fight the real enemy, not each other. ​

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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​​​​​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

Thoughts on this Pentecost Sunday evening. Two members of our church family spoke up in our morning Zoom meeting to honestly share their struggles and concerns as black men in our current society. I'm so glad they did and trusted us to listen. 

Mourn with those who mourn. After going back and watching the full video that shows the horrific treatment and homicide of George Floyd, I am further grieved and appalled by the cruel injustice. To my friends in the black community who are reeling with pain from this reopening of deep wounds, I am so, so very sorry. You should not have to live with this kind of fear in the back of your mind for you, your children and grandchildren. You should never feel that your beautiful lives don’t matter – EVER. And if (probably not if) anyone with white skin ever made you feel that way, whether intentional or not, I want to humbly apologize and ask your forgiveness. You are made in the image of the most high God and are to be treated with honor, respect and equality. Your perseverance and that of your ancestors is an encouragement to people worldwide, and as you press on to fight injustice, may you gain more support this time from those around you - especially from your brothers and sisters in Christ.

And to those that went into law enforcement to serve and protect the community, only to have those who wear the uniform bring distrust, I am sorry for how this has impacted you. And to all the men and women of color who wear the badge, I cannot imagine what walking that line of duty to your community and profession is like during times like these. The cold and callous manner of the disgraced officer, while Mr. Floyd begged for breath, and how the vocal concerns of bystanders were ignored is repulsive to watch, and so is the destruction that has followed. 

In our fallen state, we struggle and are overwhelmed with what seems like a daily barrage of bad news. Many are weary from worry, whether it be from the coronavirus to desperate financial concerns, and are tempted to focus on their own issues and survival. But please realize there are opportunities for humbling and healing all around us, and instead of escape or hiding from the uncomfortable issues, we need to love God and one another with a passion and ask the Holy Spirit, The Mighty Wind, to fill this place and heal our land. 

​​​​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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