{Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life by Melanie Shankle}

Y'ALL! The day has finally arrived! Church of the Small Things, is a real, tangible book that you can go right now to your local Barnes&Noble and PURCHASE! I could also do this, oh wait, no I cannot as I live in what some call "the armpit of America", and by 'some' I mean me, and by 'armpit' I mean lacks a Barnes&Noble, Target, ETC.ETC. I am truly typing all of that with a smile on my face! I have grown to like this place I now call Home! But, would really like-like it, if it had one or both of the aforementioned stores...Please!? 

Wow, already WAY off topic! 

I have been so excited and nervous all day, and I wanted nothing more than to spring up this morning and rush to my laptop and tell you all of the wonderful and amazing things about this book, but alas, I do not "Spring" nor do I "Rush" before 9am... 

So here are we are now! And it actually worked out so much better for YOU, my beloved reader, because I was able to listen to this brand sparkling new book on Audible, because I pre-ordered this bad boy on Audible before I found out I had been chosen for the Launch Team! So toBecause I love this woman! So, today, I was able to listen to these stories and to the words in her own voice, and it just made it that much more special! AND, I was finally able to read the Forward by Ree Drummond, yes! The Pioneer Woman herself, since my Advanced copy did not have it in there yet, and can we just talk about the praises for Melanie that she bestowed? And she is so right; when you read something of Melanie's, whether it be her blog, a book, or listening to her and Sophie's Podcast, you immediately feel as though you have found a friend! 

Melanie Shankle has a true gift for storytelling and connecting memories to everyone and to everyday life in a visceral way! I know I have posted three blogs already telling you in every adjective imaginable about how funny, real, and talented Melanie is, but this book. This book, y'all. It is so important! It runs the gamut of a life Of those little moments that we look back on and think, "Wow, that shaped who I am!" This life we have is such a treasure, and should be lived in the present. We miss out on so much of the real, while we chase the "perfect", when if we slowed down and looked around, we would realize just how blessed we truly are. This world is so uncertain, and can be so scary, but when you plant your feet in Faith, and let God guide you and show you the wonder that is hidden in the mundane, it gives you hope and it gives you freedom from worries. 

I have included the book trailer below, because it is SO GOOD, and it gets right the heart of this book! I have felt so blessed to have been on this Launch Team, and I am so excited that has taken me out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to talk so openly with y'all about an Author and Human Being, that has influenced and encouraged m, not only as a writer and blogger, but as a person and Christian. I am going to be doing a GIVEAWAY of this book later in the month, so please look for that, but in the meantime, go get you a copy right now, and if you are the winner, just pass it along! This is an absolute treasure! 

I love y'all! 
AMG

---