UPDATE: For a reason unclear to us, Facebook and Instagram (same company) have taken down our effect. It might be due to "violence." This is strange, arbitrary, and we are not able to learn the specifics of why it has been taken down. Their house, their rules, and we accept that. But we are disappointed by this dumb decision. ---------------- Have you ever wondered if you are more of a Heather … [Read more...] about Which Green Ember Character Are You? | New Effect!
News from the Blog
It’s a Great Day to Disbelieve Lies and Ignore Prompts to Outrage
Today is a great day to ignore social media and traditional media prompts to hatred, envy, outrage, and despair. It's a good day to love real people we're in real community with and to try super hard to disbelieve the lies we tell ourselves about our story and the lies our families or tribes or idols demand we affirm. It’s a good day to turn to Jesus. It is also a good day for a cookie. … [Read more...] about It’s a Great Day to Disbelieve Lies and Ignore Prompts to Outrage
Don’t Stop at The Green Ember! Get The Follow-Up Book For FREE + GRAB a FREE Ember COLORING SHEET Here!)
Have you stopped reading after reaching the end of The Green Ember? Don’t! Ember Falls is a thrilling adventure field-tested by thousands of other families. There are nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon and they rate it 4.9 out of 5! Over 90% give it all five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am so grateful for the positive feedback! And always appreciate those who take the time to review! It helps so … [Read more...] about Don’t Stop at The Green Ember! Get The Follow-Up Book For FREE + GRAB a FREE Ember COLORING SHEET Here!)
What Are We Reading? What Are You Reading?
What book are you loving now?💚📚💚📚💚📚💚 We Smiths are traveling and having a great time. ✈️🚐🌄🏊♀️🙏🏽I asked each member of our family to tell me what they are reading (or listening to) on the trip. 👇🏽Gina/Mom: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness OrczySam/Dad: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Anne: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Josiah: The Weight of Glory by C. S. LewisMicah: As Brave as You by … [Read more...] about What Are We Reading? What Are You Reading?
My Place BESIDE You…
“My place beside you…” That’s the start of the sacred oath the characters recite in The Green Ember that resonated deeply with me when it first flowed from my fingers into the tale and has since moved so many readers. I don’t view my work as a platform to achieve “elite artist status” but as a magical-ordinary vocation where God has called me to be an ally in imagination to families who are … [Read more...] about My Place BESIDE You…
Be a Maker Not a Faker
Be a maker not a faker. We are bonkers over fake endeavors. Fake war. (Fortnite, Call of Duty etc.) Fake love. (You know what I’m talking about.) Fake public service/citizenship. (Social media fights.) Fake. Fake. Fake. No. Be a real human. And really make things. Don’t fake it till you make it. Make it. Then you don’t have to fake it. Make. Make better. Make more. Zach Franzen told me that … [Read more...] about Be a Maker Not a Faker
S. D. Smith and Dude Perfect
So, my kids are VERY big Dude Perfect fans. I mean, as much as I looked up to athletes or other stars as a kid, my kids adore Coby, Cory, Garrett, Cody, and Tyler. And it’s not just them. These guys are some of the most popular entertainers alive, with 13 BILLION views on their videos. No. Joke. We got tickets to see DP at Bristol Motor Speedway last Friday and surprised the … [Read more...] about S. D. Smith and Dude Perfect
Sam and Gina: 21 Years!
My Gina!I’m so grateful for these past 21 years of life together. TWO became ONE twenty-one years ago on this date in the year of our Lord, 2000. Thank you for marrying me, for sticking with me through the many dark days we’ve faced and for being the brightest part of the sunny ones. I love you. I will never leave you. Your Sam … [Read more...] about Sam and Gina: 21 Years!