Engaging Stories with Animal Heroes!

I love family reading times, don’t you? In our current culture, it’s a great way to help build families by instilling good values in our kids. I was excited when I met author Shirley Raye Redmond because she’s writing books that do that.

Are you looking for a great book for your family reading time or to give to another family for theirs? One that will inspire you and your kids? Brave Animal Stories for Kids was recently released. It’s an engaging and entertaining book featuring real-life animal heroes. Even though it’s written for kids—I loved it!

You’ll meet Sherlock, a cocker spaniel who is a real-life dog detective in London, England; Snowman, a plow horse who was destined to slaughter until he was rescued and became a famous horse in jumping competitions; Wojtek a brown bear who, during a battle in WWII, stood upright and carried ammunition and cannon shells to the fighting soldiers; and 47 more intriguing stories. You can find out more by clicking on: https://ShirleyRayeRedmond.com/

Meet the Author

I asked Shirley to share some tidbits of her life with us so that you can “meet” her too. Here they are:

Why do you write for kids?

The Lord has blessed us with a remarkable world to live in, and I want to open children’s eyes to that. I’ve written over two dozen books for young people. Some have been published by Random House and Simon & Schuster. Patriots in Petticoats: Heroines of the American Revolution won was named one of the best children’s books of 2005 by the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God (Harvest House) won the 2021 Christianity Today Book Award in the Children & Youth category.

When you were a child, how did you answer when asked what you were going to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer from the time I was 12—after reading LITTLE WOMEN. I identified with Jo March. I never veered from that choice and had my first published piece in the local newspaper when I was only 16.

What is a little known fact about you?

I’ve written a Nancy Drew mystery under the pseudonym of Carolyn Keene! Many people don’t realize there never was a Carolyn Keene—all the Nancy Drew mysteries have been written by freelance writers! I was an avid Nancy Drew fan when I was a girl, so my agent and I were quite thrilled when I was given this opportunity.

What are your favorite things in life?

Too many to mention, but I do love beaches and I enjoy birdwatching. And I love reading.

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I’m thrilled that authors are writing books to help us build our families! She also writes books for adults. To find out more about Shirley’s books you can go to her website at: https://ShirleyRayeRedmond.com/

May all your trails be blessed!

Rebecca

Take a Moment–for a First Christmas

Between the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, baking, pageants, and family gatherings, often times we forget that there are people who hope they emotionally make it through the holiday. So, I’m urging all of us (me too) to take a moment and give a gift of kindness and tenderness to those who may be experiencing a First Christmas.

Perhaps it’s a first because a family is new to the area. Or maybe it’s a First Christmas after kids left home and they won’t be able to make it. Maybe it’s the first after the loss of their job or even a divorce. Or the First Christmas after the death of a spouse or child.

Whatever the reason, we can be compassionate and share a little kindness to help them through their First Christmas. It’ll only take a moment.

Think of someone who has gone through a crisis this last year. Here are a couple ways to reach out to them:

• Pray for them & drop them a note or an email to let them know.
• Give them a call and pray with them.
• Drop by a plate a cookies and give them a hug.
• Invite them out to lunch.
• Or even invite them to your Christmas dinner so they aren’t alone.
• Let them know that they aren’t forgotten and that you care.

Above all, let’s share Christ’s Joy through our compassion for others this Christmas,

Blessings,

Rebecca

Day 7: Day 7~7 Free Books (see official rules below)

Question: What is the meaning of my horse SkySong’s name?

Day 6: 7 Days~7 Free Books (see official rules below)

Question: Which one of my dogs taught my horse SkySong to scratch its belly?

Day 5: 7 Days~7 Free Books

Question: To whom did I dedicate my book Great Horse Stories: Wisdom and Humor from Our Majestic Friends?

Day 4: 7 Days~7 Books (see official rules below)

Question: What’s the name of my all-time favorite dream horse?

Day 3: 7 Days~7 Free Books (see official rules below)

Question: When a mule foal got kicked in the head by another horse, the impact broke her jaw. I placed her in the back of the car to take her to the vet. During the hour-long drive, I kept my right hand behind the seat on her chest. When she quit breathing, I’d quickly pull over and give her CPR. What’s her name? And yes, by God’s grace, she lived to be in her 30’s!! Can you see the lump on her nose?

Day 2: 7 Days~7 Free Books (see official rules below)

Congratulations to the Winner from Day 1, S. Smith!

Question: What is the name of the mule I talked to while she was in her mother’s womb–and as soon as she heard my voice, she’d squirm around and kick?

In this picture she’s full grown, saying “Thank you” for the grain I gave her. Can you see it stuck to her teeth?

Join the 10-Year Celebration of Great Horse Stories For Girls!

Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Great Horse Stories for Girls first came out? It feels like just yesterday I was writing these stories, hoping they’d speak to the hearts of girls who love horses and Jesus as much as I do.

Summer is the perfect time to curl up with a good book-whether you’re stretched out in the grass, perched on a hay bale, or unwinding after a long trail ride. These stories were written to feel like conversations around a campfire—sharing moments of wonder, lessons learned along the way, and glimpses of how God shows up in everyday life.

If you’ve read the book, thank you for riding along. Perhaps you’re looking for a meaningful summer read to share with a daughter, granddaughter, or special young girl in your life, this might be just the thing. If you’re just discovering it now, welcome. There’s room for you around my campfire.

Be sure to click on the short video below! (For a larger version, here’s a YouTube link: https://youtube.com/shorts/MTEVCa5fG0s?feature=share

Happy New Year 2025!

As usual, nothing normal happened at my home in 2024, but who wants normal?

Winter: brought a snowstorm with-30°F temperatures. Brrr.

Spring: unfolded with warm sunny days for landscaping. But then the war started. The Colombian ground squirrels discovered my strawberry patch. Out of 18 mature plants I barely got a handful of strawberries. Hrumph!

In May, on a whim, I decided to visit my boss’s manufacturing plants in Washington and Oregon. I planned the trip in a couple hours then packed my bags. In the next 4 days, the adventurous me drove 1500 miles through the Columbia River Gorge and the farmland of the Pacific Northwest. What an amazing country we live in. I relish the freedom to be able to “just up and do it” with no government approvals needed and no passports required. Thank You, God, and thank you veterans for keeping the USA free. At every stop along the way, I met incredible people.

Summer: I received a frantic call from one of the neighbors saying that she had what looked like a rattlesnake close to her dog kennels! It was a big snake, probably all of five feet long, but it didn’t have any rattles nor the arrow-shaped head. Instead, it was a bull snake, a constrictor.

Bull snakes eat Colombian ground squirrels. So, my neighbor and I corralled the snake in a cardboard box and relocated him to my yard. That’s when you know you have a real friend, a true sister, one who will capture a five-foot snake to help you win the war.

Fall: I met my friend Dena in Butte, Montana at the World Museum of Mining where we went 100 feet underground into the Orphan Girl Mine. I’ve never thought of Butte as a place to vacation—but I’ll be going back. The history of the 1800’s is captivating.

Before Thanksgiving: I got a text from someone I thought I knew. As soon as I replied, my Facebook account was cloned. I didn’t know that was possible. I caught on when he asked for the name of a store close by. I texted him that I was praying for him (I did). Our conversation ended with me sharing the link to the Montana state penitentiary inmate’s craft store. I told him that if he continues along his career path, it might come in handy. LOL.

Christmas: You might be wondering what was in that huge Christmas package? My brother and sister-in-law gave me a beautiful sauerkraut crock, I’ve already got a batch going. Don’t be surprised if you get sauerkraut for Christmas next year!

Today: a few inches of fluffy snow floated down. I love the four seasons. And I loved reading all your Christmas letters. Most of all, I love all of you, my friends.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

May God’s presence fill your hearts and homes with His love,

Rebecca

Feeling Discouraged? Insignificant?

The last few days have been horrific. My heart is broken for the victimized families and for our fragmented nation. Is it too late for our flag to boldly wave over these United States? Do you ever wonder what can one person do to make a difference? Do you ever feel like you are too insignificant to create change?

That’s not what God thinks about you and me. He created us to live in this time and to bring the life of His word into this dark world. He appointed us to live now—to make a difference for Him.

Acts 17:26 NAS says, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.”

According to this, God planned you, whether your parents panned you or not. You are not living now by mistake. Nor are you living in this nation by mistake–but instead by a divine plan.

You are important to God, the King of Kings Who created you to live at this very moment in time. He has a plan and purpose for your life.

United–we can be world changers.

You are loved!

Happy New Year 2024!

I’d hoped to get a Christmas letter out, but on December 13^th my computer said to me…forget it. For real. I’m just now getting back up and running.

During the time my computer was down, I was so tempted to impersonate the Grinch. After all—it was a couple weeks before Christmas and I had so much to do! I didn’t even have access to anyone’s address so I could mail cards.

But a few days before Christmas I breathed a sigh of relief and submitted to a peaceful Christmas. LOL.

That only happened after I recounted God’s blessings:

• I was so blessed that as I tried to fix the computer issues, I didn’t worry about a missile dropping on my home, like what happens in Israel on a regular basis.
• Nor did I have to worry about being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
• My refrigerator was so jam-packed with food that I couldn’t squeeze in another thing; unlike most of the world where folks can’t find a crumb to eat.
• When the house got below 75 degrees, I’d grab a log off the tall stack of wood on my porch. The blessings? First, my friends helped me stack firewood and secondly, the wood itself. So many people in the world are unable to heat their homes.
• Willow would sleep with her head on my feet. Oh, the loyalty of a German shepherd warms my heart!
• Of course, when I’d step on the porch to get wood, my horse and mule let me know that they needed a bucket of grain.
• My brother and sister-in-love hosted the Christmas feast and friends joined us.
• New Year’s Eve I sat in my prayer chair, Bible in hand, praying for our nation, Israel, and for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ who are being persecuted and martyred around the globe. Those prayers continue daily. Will you join me in that?

I’ve got a feeling that 2024 is going to be the best year ever!

May the peace of God’s blessings fill your homes in ’24,

Rebecca