What's the book about?

Ollie

Today I wanted to take a minute and tell you a little more about Ollie. If you’re new to this blog or don’t follow me on social media, Ollie is the main character of my latest children’s book, The Forgotten Ornament. This sweet little gingerbread man ornament is trying to get on his family’s beloved Christmas tree. He’s been stuck at the bottom of the ornament box for many, many years and thinks this might be his last shot at making the tree. The story goes on to tell of him trying to get to the top of the box and the other ornaments he encounters along the way. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the ending but just know that it’s a story of hope. And I feel like we could all use a little more hope these days.

When I wrote Rooster’s Balloon, every time I signed it I would write Jeremiah 29:11 under my signature.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Little Rooster’s story was one of hope. God had a plan for her life and her story.

When I sign The Forgotten Ornament, I write Proverbs 13:12 under my signature.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Ollie has hope that he will make it on the Christmas tree because somewhere deep inside he knows that he is loved and worthy.

I love hope. It’s my absolute favorite. And the only reason I have it is because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. He came to live the life I couldn’t live and die the death I deserved. And just when it couldn’t get much bleaker, He rose from the dead to show the world He was the actual Son of God who could not be held by death. He overcame our sin to  prove He was/is the only One who can save us. And He did all these things because of His deep-rooted love for me. For us. For everyone who believes. And dangit, if that doesn’t fill me to the brim with hope. Hope that God uses people to do good things. Hope that even though Americans are a little shaky at best right now, it’s going to be ok. Hope that God has used leaders and authorities from the beginning of time to carry out His plan. It may not be the way we would choose but His ways are not our ways.

As long as I write, hope will always be a theme. So if you need a little more hope in your life or just a sweet read for your kiddos, this book is a must for your library. Every kid needs to know they are loved just the way they are and Ollie is a wonderful example of that. It’s got a great message for your little one and it might just have a message for you too. Just click the SHOP tab at the top of this page to buy one…or 100. I’m fine with either. 200? Ok, you’ve twisted my arm.

-Courtney

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