True Friendship

Thank you for a wonderful book launch! We could not have done it without you!  We know many little girls received the books in their Easter baskets this weekend.  We are just giddy thinking about it!

Friends, you have been so supportive and kind during this launch of our new book, A Royal Easter Story! Jackie and I are so thankful!

When we look to friendship in the Bible and around us, we see those who hold each other up.  Friends are ones who think the best of the other person and strive to make them successful in all they do.  Friends are the ones who make it clear they care about you and accept you for who you are.

Looking back over the last couple months, it has been a wild ride full of princess fun. We have spoken to hundreds of moms on what it means to make the King in your home feel like he has come home to his castle.  We have manned booths across the country sharing our Princess Parables tools and meeting so many of you at conferences.  We threw a wonderful princess dress, Easter basket and books giveaway with almost 1,000 entries! 

Most of all, so many of you have shared your love of the Princess Parables with your family and friends! Some of you have even found time to give us a good review. You trust us, believe in us and care enough to recommend us, and for that we are truly grateful!

Stories have flooded in over the years of what a difference our books have made in your families' lives.  This has kept us going and helped us to stay strong in the vision we feel God has given us. 

Here are a few stories: We have had moms tell us their husbands would never read God's word, but when their daughter asks him to read a Princess Parables book, he will gladly. We believe God's word does not come back void. We have had dads let us know they can't read one of our books without crying at the end. Some families have decided to not do Disney in their homes and our books have given a different option. We have had girls have Princess Joy birthday parties and give their gifts to Samaritans Purse or the Ronald McDonald house.  We have heard of many Princess Parables Clubs and Princess Teas where girls learn character qualities and biblical lessons.  And most of all, we have just enjoyed watching little girls come to our booth and let us know how much they love our princesses!

As we wrap up this weekend in Cincinnati at a convention, we are in awe of all that God has done.  He has been faithful and with us this entire journey.  Thank you for your friendship and support!  You have blessed us!

We will be launching a new book in the fall, A Royal Christmas to Remember, and pre-orders will begin on July 13, 2016.   We will be doing giveaways and more fun things then! If you would like to be part of the Princess Promoters Insiders Group on Facebook, we would love to have you join our friends there!

~Jeanna Young

When Jeanna is not writing, speaking, event planning, or homeschooling, she can be found scrapbooking her life, redecorating her home, loving on her husband, planning fun events for her kids or eating healthy to stay cancer-free!

Investing in Kids

I am not a “kid” person.  Or so I thought . . .

Growing up, I wasn’t the person all the little kids flocked to.  Babysitting was not my favorite job, and I thought I could spend my time better elsewhere.  As a young adult, I vowed never to have children because I was not the right person for the job.

Then I met Christ in my 20’s and He transformed my mind, my heart and my soul.

I learned from God’s word children are a blessing from the Lord.  He loved children in scripture and He said, “Let the little ones come to me . . . the Kingdom of the Lord belongs to them”.  (Luke 18:16)  He changed my worldview and my beliefs that had been shaped by culture.

Now, I am (happily) a mom or four wonderful children who I love deeply. I write princess books on character for the next generation.  I homeschool my kids. I love to be with them.  I would still consider myself not a “kid” person.  Playing games with my kids on the floor and coming up with imaginary roles to play has always been a stretch for me.  I would rather teach the kids how to fold laundry or read a book.  For my own kids’ sake, though, I have learned to do these things.

But when it comes to their friends?  I am the mommy who sets up the play dates, but doesn’t invest in the lives of my kids’ friends.  Until recently . . .

At the beginning of this year, we started our Princess Parables Club.  We took each of the books in the series and created a fun day around it for my daughter and her friends.  Teaching, snacks, reading, crafts and playing.  I was doing this both for my daughter and also because I had felt God tug on my heart to do this. But it was something out of my comfort zone.

We just finished up our last meeting with a Princess Parables tea.  Our table was set with fine china.  Tasty goodies baked to perfection for our feast.  The girls each came dressed “fancy” with smiles on their faces.  We learned a little bit about manners and etiquette.  We read Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten with a character lesson.  Each girl received a bracelet with charms representing all the different lessons for the weeks we had “Club”.

While these moments are remembered as priceless, I have to say my connection with each of the girls was the greatest treasure to me.  Because of the time spent with them, I felt bonded to these sweet “princesses”.  Each with their own personality and gifts.  I poured in time, love and energy to each one.

I received the greatest gift – their friendship.  Now when I see any of the girls, they are quick to come give me a high-five.  They smile and talk to me as if I am one of their peers – not just their friend’s mom. I am able to be in a place of influence in their lives.  As I continue to pour into some of their lives in the future, who knows where that may lead?  God does, and He has plans for each of these children.

Can I encourage you moms?  As you begin to think about the new school year, ask yourself, “How can be in a place of influence with my kids’ friends?”  Start a group after school in your home.  You won’t be sorry!  I thought I was blessing them, but in the end, they were the ones blessing me!