Have a love-ly day.
Tieton River Nature Trail, Central Washington
Ready for spring in the Yakima Valley.
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!
Hoar frost in the Yakima Valley
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!
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Assisi, Italy
Little Naches River area, WA state
Love, Laughter, and Life 