Leap of Faith to host two children's authors
Nov. 22—LENOIR — A Christian bookstore is hosting a book signing event for two local authors this weekend.
Leap of Faith Christian Bookstore, located at 202 Harper Ave. in Lenoir, will host a book signing by two children's authors on Saturday, Nov. 26th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Both authors will also read aloud from their books to the children.
"We've received a tremendous amount of support from the community over the years," said Robin Minton, owner of the bookstore. "The event this weekend is a way for us to support two very talented local authors and also to give back to the community."
Melody P. Foster, author of "A Monkey for Theo," is the general manager at Ebenezer Attic in Hudson, a subset of Ebenezer Children's Home, and a licensed minister at Piedmont Advent Conference. She is also a licensed clinical mental health counselor.
"My ministry has been with children for quite a number of years," said Foster. "Thus the Attic was opened, and we use it to help raise funds for the campus we're building here in Hudson."
To learn more, visit www.ebenezerfamily.org.
In "A Monkey for Theo," first-grader Theo has worked hard to complete all his chores to earn enough points to get a trip to the zoo. He falls in love with the orangutans and gets a surprise before he leaves the zoo.
"The book is meant to help children in foster care have a book that has children in there who are not all the same looking," Foster said. "In this particular book, we have a brown little boy, Theo, with a little sister with blond hair and blue eyes."
Foster is thrilled to have the opportunity to read her book to children this weekend, as well as bring awareness to Ebenezer Children's Home and Attic.
"It's very exciting and joyful," she said. "The whole situation brings hope to the community and to these children to be able to see families that look like theirs in print. It helps them feel normalized and included."
Foster is currently writing her second children's book.
Karen Ruhl is an author, writer, and writing coach, as well as the publisher of "Faith on Every Corner Magazine."
"Five years ago, my husband and I were in the mountains singing and praising Jesus," she said. "It was so beautiful ... we started feeling like [God] was downloading ideas to us. During that trip, we knew we were supposed to write a free, online magazine. It's a ministry."
Visit www.faithoneverycorner.com to find out more about the magazine.
Ruhl wrote "A Tree For Chris," a true story about when her son was 3 years old and wanted to pick out his very own Christmas tree.
"As we walked around the tree lot, he kept saying, 'No, that's not for me,' " Ruhl recalled. "Then he yells out, 'I've got it!' I walk over to him, and the tree is as tall as he is."
Ruhl brought the tree home, and her son insisted it be put on the floor. As he was decorating the tiny tree with ornaments, he reached into a box and pulled out the angel tree-topper that has been in Ruhl's family for many years.
"He was so excited. He said, 'This is why I want this tree, Mom!' " said Ruhl. "He was so tickled."
Ruhl has another book coming out in December, "Scooter and the Blanket-Snatcher."
"I like both of these books because they're based on true experiences with Karen's son and Melody's grandchildren," said Minton.
Minton asks that parents and guardians register their children for this event. Each child will receive a gift bag as well as the chance to win other prizes.
Leap of Faith Christian Bookstore will donate $5 for each book sold to the Ebenezer Children's Home.
Leap of Faith carries a variety of different items, such as Bibles (and free engravings on any Bible purchased there), church supplies, devotionals, gifts, cards, and music.
For more information on this event, please contact Leap of Faith Bookstore at 828-758-0777 or follow Leap of Faith on Facebook.
