The Habakkuk Story HOT OFF THE PRESS! BRAND NEW RELEASE

Karen & I are so excited about our new release, Did You Ever Wonder Where the Swaddling Clothes Came From?:  The Habakkuk Story.  This delightful story began 25 years ago when I was trying to comfort an 18 month old colicky daughter and innocently asked, "Do you know where the swaddling clothes came from in the manger"?  To my amazement she stopped crying and waited in anticipation of a story.  On the spur of the moment the story of Habakkuk, an undersized sheep dog with a big heart and special purpose in life, was born.  It was a hit with all our children as well as dozens of other children in preschools throughout our community.    Several years ago Karen persuaded me to put our popular story in writing.  Through her beautiful artistic illustrations, she has masterfully made the story come alive as she has captured the characters of the story.  There's the playful essence of Habakkuk, the dastardly Willie the Wolf, the pompous and rotund Shelly the sheep, the enigmatic Ms. Feedell Kloddeshopper, and of course, Mary and Joseph.    The Habakkuk Story will warm your hearts and capture the imaginations of your children as they discover 7 important life lessons or principles.  We've embedded the principles in the story and will be revealing them after the holiday season. In addition, Karen has added special little creatures in many of her illustrations that will hold your child's attention and peak their interest in the story.  These little creatures are placed in the pictures quite by design in order to enhance your child's ability to scan his/her visual field.  This ability is highly correlated with positive, creative problem solving and social skills.  You and your child will have fun trying to find the ants marching, crawling spiders and butterflies fluttering! To preorder your copy, Go to www.Simplesolutions4.com and be one of the first to own this timeless treasure. Orders are expected to ship 12/21/12.

Karen & I sincerely wish all of you the most peaceful of holidays and blessings to you and your families. Warmly, M. Russell Thomas, PhD

A Note of Thankfulness

On July 23^rd of this year, we wrote about our oldest son Jason and his wife, Becca (True Beauty and Real Super Heroes!).  Specifically, we wrote about the couple’s approach to dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer.  We wrote about their strength and refusal to be victimized by the dreaded words, “the lump is malignant”.  Jason and Becca taught us something about a deep, abiding sense of well-being at a time when many would simply cave under the temptation to accept self-pity.  If they weren’t already, they became our heroes.

Now, six months later we would like to update our readers on Becca’s health.  A couple of months ago the doctor uttered the words, “all the cancer cells are in remission”!  In the spirit of the 1 leper who returned to say thanks (see Luke 17:7…and one of them [leper], when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.), we stop, return to the Healer, and shout out, “Hallelujah!  Thank You, Jesus!” 

Until we talk again…