The quiet joy of a flower discovered in Siena, Italy.
My Tender Heart Prayer Book
Written by Laura Sassi
Illustrated by Sandra Eide
Paraclete Press, 2023
Thanks to Susanna Hill and her blog, Picture Book Builders, I was introduced to Laura Sassi’s new book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book. Thank you, Susanna and Laura, for sending me a copy of this beautiful book!
My Tender Heart Prayer Book is a beautifully illustrated board book. Which means it is sturdy enough to last through repeated readings, accidental food and drink spills, trips in the car, and the myriad of other life experiences of a book living with a child.
This book is filled with easy to read one page prayer prompts. The prayers are all related to things that naturally occur throughout the day of a young child. A title on each page lets the adult reader know the theme of the prayer. Next, the Bible verse(s) is listed. This is followed by a short rhyming prayer, perfect for young children. To finish each page, Laura has included a Heart Moment. This idea is a way for the reader to personally connect with the prayer theme. Some of the Heart Moments include encouraging a child to think of his or her favorite breakfast food and thank Jesus for each one, asking how a child can show love to their family that day, and naming ways God loves them.
My Tender Heart Prayer Book is just right.
Congratulations, Laura and Sandra!
winter! there you are,
dancing in, fancy free . . . wood
is wearing snow clothes
snow clothes by Angie Quantrell
Winter, Yakima Valley
deep freeze encrusted
window seat blocked, but sun! blue
escapes winter’s grasp
winter’s grasp by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley, 2024
Hoar frost in the Yakima Valley
only on my desk
are you allowed; come spring, no!
be gone garden snails
allowed by Angie Quantrell
tiny metal snail from Florence, Italy
Can you believe the beauty of Assisi, Italy? It is FULL of meandering lanes, ancient looking buildings, tiny niches, cats, flowers, tiny gardens, and wonders around every corner. Even though I was sick with what I thought a head cold, it was a joy to wander and discover all to be seen in the short time we had there.
My word for 2023 was JOY. I didn’t think about trying to find Bible verses about joy until part way through the year, and then it became a challenge. And it has been my JOY to share them here.
Today is the last day before I switch to a new word for 2024, but I hope what I thought about as I considered JOY will carry on in my life for the next many years.
Do you choose a word of the year? What was your word for 2023? Do you have a new one for 2024? I’m 99% sure of my word for the new year, but I think it will be much more challenging to stick with it when I choose Bible verses or passages for my Sunday post.
Happy New Year, friends!
i often wonder
why the couch looks like this-yikes-
playtime strikes again
playtime by Angie Quantrell
inspiration: Monet, destroyer of couch and assorted other household locations
I woke up one morning composing this haiku in my head. I was literally playing with words and counting out lines while I was in that between fully asleep and fully awake stage. That’s never happened before. I grabbed for my phone to take notes before my eyes were even fully open. LOL. My honey thought something was wrong, I grabbed the phone so fast.
Have you ever sleep-dreamed a poem or story idea?
Monet would like to know. And wonders if you have a couch she can destroy, or at the least, rearrange.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you! The Quantrells, Bachmeiers, and Aucutts (I couldn’t fit all the names on the picture).
The Quantrells, plus the Ginger. Who views herself as a Quantrell. 🙂
The Bachmeiers and Aucutts, plus two 4-legged family members, Bear and puppy Timber.
Next year, I will try and remember to take a tripod so everyone can be in the same photo.
Wishing you and yours a blessed and joy-filled Christmas and a happy new year!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
xoxo
Love, Laughter, and Life 