Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Delight me to see how your Christ plays in ten thousand places…to the Father through the features of men’s faces. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all; I ask only to share the wonder of it all.
Joshua Abraham Heschel
This season always brings about a lot of reflection. The words to this prayer sum up my request and lived experience, especially when I think about the past few months. This past Saturday gave me another marvelous thing to think about in wonder.
Saturday, November 19, Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc. hosted a reveal and book signing for my debut book, Love Your Jiggle: The Girl’s Guide To Being Marvelous, an inspirational book for girls ages 11-17. You’re probably thinking, how can a book for an 11-year-old apply to a girl who is 17 years-old, right?
It’s simple. The book is a guide to girls that focuses on friendships, body image, relationships, and decisions that take risks. Topics that every girl goes through, regardless of age and messages every girl needs to hear.
And I’m not just saying that because I wrote it. My dear friend, NY Times best-selling author, Rosalind Wiseman, read the book and wrote the forward for Love Your Jiggle: The Girl’s Guide To Being Marvelous. To parents, she says:
You both need a guide. Someone who can get her to focus on what’s really important to her, find her passions, and help her think through the very important questions. You have found that guide.
This book has been a dream for a long time. Even though the book signing wasn’t a surprise, my publisher, cousinsister (my cousin who is more like a sister) and my BFF/LS, kept most of the details under wraps. So much so, that when I walked in the room, I was truly overwhelmed with JOY! 
Let me be honest, the past few months have not been easy. There has been loss, pain, and a lot of uncertainty. However, there has also been a lot of laughter, new adventures, and evidence that dreams can come true. All of this makes up my thanksgiving.
In my experience, thanksgiving is not a date on the calendar. Thanksgiving is the feeling, the wisdom or the place we occupy, as long as we look for the opportunities to give thanks. And we take advantage of those opportunities.
“Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all; I ask only to share the wonder of it all.”
What a strong and powerful request. The great truth about the request is that if we look for the marvelous things, we know, without any doubt, that the request has been granted. Over and over again.
Me with my brother, sister-in-love, & parents
Action: Take time to reflect on what you consider the marvelous things.
Action: View more pictures from the book signing and reception here
Action: If you’d like to purchase Love Your Jiggle: The Girl’s Guide To Being Marvelous, you can purchase it here. I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially from your marvelous girl!
With Gratitude,
Shanterra 🙂
Marvelous University 