Tough Times: I’ve been a rotten blogger lately, and I apologize. Personally, it’s been a rough few months. Our one-year-old granddaughter, Harper, has been in the hospital, fighting infant leukemia since October, with intense chemotherapy 28 days a month. Meanwhile, our special needs, delightful daughter Katy, who will always live with us, is waiting on a kidney transplant. Not sure how people get through these things without God, who is our only hope and peace.
Books: I’m so grateful I get to write them. I can disappear into a world without hospitals, office visits, worries, or bills–and write. These are my three new books that release tomorrow, and they have rescued me all year as I dug deeper into the Psalms, keeping each rhyming, fun, kid-friendly version as close as I could to the actual lines and heart of the real Psalms.
PSALMS FOR LITTLE HEARTS contains 25 psalms. The first one is Psalm 4, and my favorite line has always been: “Let your face smile on us, LORD.” So, here’s a bit of “God Smiles at Me”: There’s a kid who calls me names,/Leaves me out of fun and games./ I’m the one that big kid blames./ Lord, are you smiling at me? Then later: But I’ll come to you in prayer./ Nice to know you’re always there./ Great to feel your loving care/ And know you are smiling at me. It ends: Feel that laughter in the rain?/ See my moon-striped windowpane?/ In the distance . . . hear that train?/ And you’re still smiling at me.
I don’t usually do this, but this hasn’t been a usual season of life. Will you please pray for sweet little Harper, and for Katy too? Thanks so much! Dandi
Tags: children's books, Psalms, writing
Dandi's Blog 
March 5, 2019 at 12:16 pm |
Awe, I’m still praying for you!!! I have a new little cousin named Joy and I could get one of these for her!
March 5, 2019 at 12:51 pm |
Maria, thanks so much for those prayers! I’ll bet that little cousin is bringing much “Joy” with her too!
March 5, 2019 at 10:19 pm |
Your books have inspired me so much over the years, that I felt I needed to inspire you, in the little way that I can.
I know it’s hard now, but I am sure something amazing will come out of this season (doesn’t it always?). God will write a story that is beautiful, no matter what the outcome is, and I bet He will use you and your writing skills to write a story that will inspire more people in that situation. Not a thing in this would is for nothing. I love music, and I could probably think of 10,000 songs that could inspire you in this situation, but one came to mind almost immediately. Where Were You by Francesca Battistelli. It is an amazing song, and it makes you want to cry out to God while it is playing, but it does one thing(if not more): it reminds us that we are not alone. He carrries is through every situation, even in situations that we feel like we can’t go a single step further. He reminds us to never give up. He will make a miracle, big or small. Just don’t give up. Hope is coming. Don’t give up.
I will be praying for your family that a miracle will be given to you all.
March 6, 2019 at 9:38 am |
Jennifer, you’ve encouraged me more than you’ll ever know. First, it humbles me to think God has used my books to inspire you. And now God is using you to help me hang on to the hope that’s always here in Christ. Thank you, thank you, my friend, for this–and for your prayers.
March 13, 2019 at 6:17 pm |
Absolutely I’ll pray for your family. Lord, hold the Daley family in the palm of your mighty loving hands. We know you care for us and we trust you with everything. We can do nothing without you. We love you, Your daughter in Christ.
March 13, 2019 at 6:59 pm |
Beautiful prayer! It reminds me of Lizzy from Winnie The Horse Gentler (my favorite book series. It’s been my favorite since I was 10, and still is to this day 🙂 ) I’d like to mirror your prayer, so that we pray this both together!
March 14, 2019 at 9:24 am
You’re the best, Jennifer! Thanks!
March 14, 2019 at 9:24 am |
Kayleen, thank you so much for your prayers–means the world.
March 17, 2019 at 9:40 am |
Kayleen, I thought I’d replied to thank you for your sweet prayers, but I don’t see the response. So, in case cyberspace stole that thank-you, I’m sending you another. Thanks for your love and prayers, sister!
May 22, 2019 at 2:32 pm |
Dandi~ You and your family are in my prayers! It’s been over 2 months since your blog post, and hoping there’s positive news on Harper and Katy. Remember – God’s got this!
May 23, 2019 at 10:40 am |
Lynda, thanks so much for this and for your prayers! 2 months?!! Yikes. I’ve thought of blogging nearly every day, but “life” keeps getting in the way. Let’s pray I can, at least, squeeze in a blog. Sorry about that.
May 23, 2019 at 3:37 pm |
Dandi~ I so understand about life getting in the way! I should have clarified that it has been over 2 months since I’ve checked your blog, (not when you’ve been able to post), as in March I got a new right knee that’s resulted in many appointments, PT, etc. That has pushed writing down on my priority list for a while. Life happens, right?
Take care.