Check out the Miracles from Heaven Trailer

Celebrate the beauty of faith, hope and everyday miracles with the upcoming film, Miracles from Heaven. Starring Jennifer Garner, the movie is based on the book of the same name, which tells the true story of the Beam family as they encountered God's unfailing love and constant presence during an incredible journey from hardship to healing. The flick is theaters on Wednesday, March 16, and you can check out a trailer for it at MiraclesFromHeaven-Movie.com or get tickets at http://www.fandango.com/miraclesfromheaven_188397/movietimes

Just in time for the Easter Season the must see movie "God’s Not Dead 2"

The new movie “GOD’S NOT DEAD 2” will be in theaters on April 1st. It tells the story of Grace Wesley, a teacher who dares to put her faith first. The movie could be taken from today's headlines and it shows us all that with faith in God and determination, we can make anything happen. It's from the people that brought you the surprise blockbuster "God’s Not Dead" and features the music from the fabulous Newsboys. Check out the trailer and make sure you put "God’s Not Dead 2" on your must see list!!!
 

Grilled Beef Skewers

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Moore's Original Marinade
3 tbsp scallions minced
1 tbsp garlic minced
1 lb beek flank or sirloin steak
1-1/2 tbsp lemon juice
16 skewers

Instructions: 
Cut beef diagonally into thin ribbon strips one inch wide. 
Thread onto skewers, allowing 1-2 ribbons of beef per skewer.
In a small bowl, combine Moore's Marinade, scallions, lemon juice, lemon peel, and garlic.
Brush skewered meat generously with sauce mixture.
Grill 2-3 minutes on each side. 
For more grilling fun and expertise, check out MooresMarinade.com for sauces, marinades and delicious recipes Dad will love!

Read more: http://www.delilah.com/articles/recipes-445391/grilled-beef-skewers-13644075/#ixzz42GGCvbNw

Winter Squash Soup!

I made up a big batch of winter squash soup. The kids ATE IT UP! Quite literally! Soup is a fall and winter staple in my home, and I rarely use any recipe, pretty much "winging it" each time.  I make extra large batches to feed my brood and tend to throw in things I might have in the fridge or that just sound good to me. There are never any left-overs!

I wrote down the ingredients as I went along, and it makes enough for a small army - which is my thing every day, but might only be yours on a football Sunday, or other fall gathering.

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Winter Squash Soup

With black beans and chicken

serves 8-10 generously

Ingredients:
6 cups of winter squash (Butternut, Hubbard, Pumpkin, Acorn or any mixture of them all)
6 small or 3 large yellow onions
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 qrts of chicken broth
2 (15oz) cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
8oz of sour cream
1 pint of cream or half and half
Meat of one whole chicken (about 4 chicken breasts,) cooked and shredded

Directions:

Placed halved and de-seeded squash in shallow roasting pan; bake in oven at 375 degrees until tender-through. In the mean-time, chop onions and garlic and sauté in olive oil until onions are translucent. When squash is baked, scrape from shell into a food processor with sautéed onions and garlic. Process until it has a smooth consistency.

Place processed mixture into large stock pot with chicken broth, black beans and shredded chicken; bring to boil. Once boiling, add spices. Reduce to a simmer and add sour cream, stirring thoroughly.  Just before serving stir in cream or half and half. Garnish with minced chives if desired and a dash of paprika.  

Let me know if you try this, any alterations you make, and also if YOU have a favorite soup! Send your results and recipes to d@delilah.com  and don't forget to include a photo!

Read more: http://www.delilah.com/articles/recipes-445391/winter-squash-soup-14115326#ixzz42GEaAG9c

Valentine's Day Dinner & Dessert

Baked Greek Chicken

Ingredients:

6 Chicken breasts 

6 Roma tomatoes, chopped

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 cup Kalamatas, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 c feta crumbles

1 - 1 ½ fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Mix everything but the chicken. Taste and add ingredients if needed. Bake chicken at 350 for 35 minutes. Drain all chicken juices. Toss mix on top of chicken and place back in oven for 35 minutes. You can grill this too! Just skip the last 35 minutes of baking or place chicken and mix topping in a foil wrap back on the grill.

Valentine Dessert Kabobs

Ingredients:

Cubed banana

Strawberry

Cubed angel food cake or pound cake

Maraschino cherries

Cubed brownie

1 1/2 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

You can save time by picking up pre-made brownies and pound cake in your grocery store's baked goods section. Assemble the goodies on skewers, alternating them so like colors aren't next to each other. 

To make the chocolate fondue, melt the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a double boiler (a heat-safe bowl over gently boiling water on the stove), making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water, add a teaspoon of vanilla, and stir till glossy.

Elle & Coach | February Book Club

When you listen to my show you know I have a special love for children and animals, after all I have 13 children and I live on a farm.  What better than a memoir of love and one special animal for February? This month’s Book Club pick is a Mom’s memoir about is about a wonderful young girl, Elle and her amazing service dog Coach.  An endearing true story of a Type-A mom struggling to care for a daughter who has Type 1 diabetes– Elle & Coach highlights how patience, love, and courage … plus a very special service dog named Coach – conquers almost all.  

When her oldest daughter, eight-year-old Elle, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Stefany Shaheen confronted a terrifying new reality: without constant monitoring and treatment, Elle could face grim consequences, even death. Elle, a vibrant young girl who refuses to be limited by this disease, devoted herself to the fight to find a cure—a journey that brought her face-to-face with top scientists and doctors and all the way to the White House. Enter Coach a lovable yellow lab determined to make Elle’s life better.  Elle & Coach reminds us of the power of the human-animal connection, and the profound nature of a mother’s love for her daughter.  Ella & Coach is a must read for readers of all ages!!  

Find the book here http://bit.ly/E-Cbn or the author’s site: http://www.elleandcoach.com/buy/

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"Much more than a heartwarming story about a triumphant little girl and her amazing dog. It's a book about never giving up hope." – Michael J. Fox, Actor, Advocate

“Coach has shown Elle that diabetes is not a battle she has to manage alone but an opponent they can tackle together.” – People.com

"A must-read—not just for parents of children with chronic illnesses, but for any parent who's ever wished to make life easier for a child who is struggling with something daunting.  As the mom of a son who faced multiple surgeries during his childhood, I was deeply moved by Elle's experiences—and inspired by the beacon of hope that her service dog provides.  I have a feeling this book is going to change a lot of lives for the better." – Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of My Sister’s Keeper and Leaving Time

"About finding hope in the most unlikely of places.” - Modern Dog magazine

WATCH: National Zoo Panda Tian Tian Plays In The Blizzard

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(HOT 99.5) - There is one D.C. resident who is enjoying this weekend's historic blizzard. Panda Tian Tian at the National Zoo in Washington, DC didn't hold back his excitement. 

Touchdown Taco Pie

Ingredients:

Crushed tortilla chips
Bean dip
Chunky salsa
Ground meat, cooked and seasoned with taco spices.
Mexican shredded cheese
Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, corn, sour cream

Directions:

Bottom layer - Spread crushed tortilla chips on the bottom.

Next layer - Spread your bean dip over the chips as best as possible. It'll be messy and totally fine if it's not a perfect layer. My bean dip already had cheese, jalapeno, and sour cream in it -- some add-ins you might consider mixing into yours.

Next layer - Spread the chunky salsa over the bean dip. 

Next layer - Spread your taco beef over top, straight from the skillet so it's hot.

Top layer - Top with a healthy amount of Mexican shredded cheese.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Top with chopped lettuce, diced tomato, and a few heaps of sour cream to complete this fiesta.

 

Simple Resolutions

As we begin the new year, many of us will be making resolutions. Forget the cliche's of losing 50 pounds, becoming a work-out demon, or saving the world (in a single act.)

This year I resolve to do simple things, little changes on a daily basis that will have the effect of simplifying my life, relieving stress, and lead to a healthier me (mentally & physically.) 

Here's my list:

* Forgive - Continue to practice giving it over to God.

* Move more - With thought and purpose.

* Eat well - No dieting! Just good food, gratefully.

* Rest - Before I'm worn out.

* Rejoice - Find the joy, however slight, in every living moment.

Join me, please, in these simple little things we can all do to live life more fully, more healthfully, and more joyfully!  

Write to me here d@delilah.com and tell me what you are looking forward to, challenges you'll be overcoming (you WILL overcome!) and changes you hope to make.

Happy New Year! May 2016 be full, and rich, and blessed! 

 ~ Delilah

Strong and Kind | January Book Club

My January book club selection has something for every parent. 

The new book Strong and Kind: And Other Important Character Traits Your Child Needs to Succeed from Korie Robertson points out how teaching our children to have both good character and strength are the most important tools in guiding our children to their adult lives. Without being preachy or finger pointing Korie Robertson gives advice through example.  A quick and easy read Strong and Kind is a perfect book to get the New Year started off right!

Korie Robertson, New York Times bestselling author and mother of five – argues that developing good character in our children is the single most important thing we can do to help ensure they lead happy, healthy adult lives.  Robertson explores key traits and what they truly look like in action.  She shares hands-on ways for nurturing strength of character.  Written with her mother, Chrys Howard, and featuring stories and wisdom from her husband, Strong and Kind cuts through parenting manuals of today to rediscover, unfold, and embrace the enduring wisdom that has guided the best parents for centuries.  Korie shares principles—based on biblical wisdom and time-tested practices—that will help you parent your own one-of-a-kind child.

CLICK HERE to purchase Strong and Kind. 

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Reviews:

"Korie’s commentary on being an 'intentional parent' was insightful, and two of my favorite sections were 'Patience and Contentment' and 'The Value of Being Kind.' I am also glad that Korie included a section highlighting three fun games to play with your kids."  –Oak Tree Reviews 

"Reading Strong and Kind is like having a cup of coffee with Korie and Willie while listening to their wisdom from twenty years of parenting. The author didn’t fill it with boring facts or statistics. Nor did she come across as a Ms. Know It All in her advice. They came across a down home country folks just sharing their hearts on the matter of raising our kids to be upstanding citizens in this crazy world we’re living in." –TidbitsOfExperience.com 

"Ultimately, Strong and Kind, filled with real life stories from Korie and Willie’s parenting journey, is a straightforward, gently instructive call to not just be the best parents you can be, but also the best people you can be." –14-in-2014.com

 

A Recipe for Christmas Joy

I love to cook and bake and can and preserve.  I'm always looking for and trying new recipes - aren't you? 

Here's an old favorite of mine that as many times as I've attempted it, even though I'm sometimes a little heavy on some ingredients and sometimes a little short on others, it turns out perfectly every time. I've written it down for you and I do hope you'll try it and report your results back to me!

Christmas Joy

Prep time - minutes 

Serves a multitude

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Faith

1 tsp. Promise

1 tsp. Gratitude

1 cup (2 sticks) Belief

3/4 cup Wonder

3/4 cup Awe

1 tsp. Generosity

2 large scoops of Patience

2 cups Laughter 

The light of 1 North Star

Directions:

In a small bowl combine Faith, Promise and Gratitude. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together Belief, Wonder, Awe, Generosity & Patience until creamy. Gradually combine mixture of small bowl to large, stirring together evenly for a smooth consistency. Stir in Laughter, and at the last moment add in the light of the North Star.

Recipe will begin to rise immediately and will double in size every day. Begin serving as quickly as possible, multiple servings per day recommended for maximum benefit.  Excellent when accompanied with a slice of Glee and makes an elegant presentation along side a full goblet of Glory.

Keep for yourself and give as gifts to friends, neighbors and strangers.

Enjoy!

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To get more stories like this directly to your inbox, CLICK HERE

More Christmas Magic

This time in the form of a six-legged reindeer with an unusual name that lives in my youngest daughters magical imagination. I'm sharing a picture and a description of this beautiful creature in her own words: 

"Once upon a time there was a six-legged reindeer, named Popppop QA (you say it Pum Pum Pum) that Santa brought me for Christmas.  He had buttons on him that are red and green that you push to make him go and rock. It's what I asked Santa for. 

My reindeer has a ladder on it for me to climb up and a saddle that has a pad so my bumbum doesn't hurt when I ride him. His six legs help him walk faster. I am going to ride him up the hill and we are going to jump and fly in the air!

I am going to give Santa a present. It will be a really cool present that has sparkles and is going to be a pretty hat. I am going to make it. It will be easy because I'm going to copy his hat with the red thing and the white thing and the round thing, but I am going to put sparkles on it.

This is a picture of me riding my reindeer and I am wearing my red Santa Clause dress, but you can't see it because I only had a pen."

~ Delilah Jr. age 6

My wish for you is that these next several weeks are filled with simple, magical, perfect gifts and moments! That you aren't too busy to spend some quality time with people that it would mean the world to. That you are able to take a deep breath when you find yourself stretched beyond your capacity and remember that a babe wrapped in swaddling clothing has little to do with an iPad wrapped in sparkling paper.

Join me in the evenings on a local station or iHeart Radio and let me add some joy and levity to whatever it is that you must face after a long and tedious day.  I'll be here, playing your Christmas favorites, lending and ear, and giving advice where I think it might be helpful. 

Joyeux Noel my friends!  

~ Delilah

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To get more stories like this directly to your inbox, CLICK HERE

Also, don't forget to enter for the chance to win 1 of 12 stocking items filled with Delilah's favorite holiday items! CLICK HERE to enter today!

Pentatonix JOYFUL SOUND

You know I do love Pentatonix and they have just released their music video for “Joy To The World”.  

The track comes off the group’s deluxe edition of their platinum selling holiday album That's Christmas To Me in addition to 4 other brand new tracks. I wanted to share this amazing video with you this holiday season and be listening as they are one of my 12 Stocking of Christmas gifts this year.  

 

The Girl From the Train | December Book Club

The Girl From the Train is a wonderful selection for my December book club! 

The perfect book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire with a cup of hot tea!! Set during the harrowing, final moments of World War II and full of historical detail. Irma Joubert, international bestselling author offers a haunting and deeply human portrait of the ravages of war and the resilience of the human spirit. The Girl From the Train is a captivating story of redemption and hope and unexpected joy.  One you will want to share with your friends and book club.

The Girl From the Train is an extraordinary story of international scope and human triumph that comes to life through the bright eyes of a young, orphan girl named Gretl as she learns to navigate a world that has been laid waste by the cruelties of a war she cannot comprehend but must nevertheless endure.  As the daughter of a fallen German SS officer and a Jewish mother, Gretl struggles with these complex issues of identity and must adapt within a uniquely dangerous position in the war-torn world in which she lives. She must adjust her language, background, names, and religion in order to survive while grappling with the universally human emotions and changes of growing up into adulthood.

CLICK HERE to purchase The Girl from the Train

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Reviews:

"Readers will adore intrepid Gretl and strong Jakob in this story of war, redemption and Love" –Publishers Weekly

"Richly imagined and masterfully told, a love story so moving it will leave you breathless. And deeply satisfied."  -Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of To Win Her Favor and The Inheritance

"Joubert, masterfully crafts every scene with tenderness and hauntingly accurate detail. It’s  a stunning coming-of-age novel that packs emotion in a delicate weave of hope, faith-and the very best of love" -Kristy Cambron, author of The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin

"A fresh voice and a masterpiece I could not put down-one I will long remember." -Cathy Gohike, Christy Award winning author of Secrets She Kept and Saving Amelie

Christmas on the Equator

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I happen to know this because a big part of my heart remains in Ghana, where my charity, Point Hope, does good work bringing food, water, education, skills training, and medical resources to the people there. It’s also where I was blessed to meet five of my children.

This Christmas, the children in our Point Hope program would like to share a blessing with you. Below is a recipe for a special Ghanaian Christmas treat:

Bananas Ghana

8 bananas
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons apricot brandy (or use 3 more tablespoons of orange juice)
4 tablespoons shredded coconut and/or groundnuts (peanuts)
4 ounces sour cream, with 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut 8 medium bananas lengthwise and then in half.
Combine 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl. 
Coat banana pieces in cinnamon sugar. 
Place coated pieces cut side down in a 9 inch ovenproof dish. 
Mix orange juice and brandy together and pour over the bananas.
Bake 20 minutes, periodically basting the bananas with the juice.
Remove bananas from oven and sprinkle 4 tbsp coconut and/or peanuts on top.
Dish up and SERVE PIPING HOT!
Optional: Blend together 4 oz. sour cream and 1 tbsp brown sugar (sweetened sour cream), serve as garnish on side.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas, or as it would be said in just a few of the 100 languages spoken in Ghana: “Afehya Pa” (Akan); “Brunya Name” (Ewe); “Burinya Tami” (Siwu, the language spoken by not more than 100,000 people, including Point Hope Ghana’s National Director, Chris Amuzu-Addo).

May your Christmas be filled with deep thankfulness for each blessing you have! To learn how about how you can help build a village and a forever family home for these children, please visit PointHope.org.

A Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Many of us will, after hours on our feet preparing a giant meal, sit down with our family, our friends and a few stragglers, and gorge ourselves; on turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and fruit salad, bread rolls and jellied cranberry sauce. After a while we'll cut ourselves a generous slice of pumpkin pie and pile on the whipped cream.  I know this is what I'll do!  And I will feel blessed that I am able to do it. 

But a part of my heart will be with the families of France, and the families of Beirut, that ISIS destroyed hours before they struck Paris. It will be with t he families of the students slain recently in Africa. It will be with all of those who planned a "tomorrow" with a loved one whose seat at the table will be empty.

But, I will NOT allow these acts or the perpetrators of them to instill terror in my heart. I will NOT allow them to steal my joy. Nor should you.

When horrible things happen, and they always will, we MUST choose love. I am not saying, by any means, that we should turn a blind eye or pretend these things aren't happening. I am saying we MUST choose love. We must be the perpetrators of peace in our lives, in our homes, and in our hearts. It is the only way to overcome.

As you sit down to your meals, with food purchased by your hard-earned money, prepared with love, and served with joy and thankfulness, let there be peace in your heart.  Along with the traditions you have, perhaps of saying something that each of you are grateful for and giving thanks to Our Provider, may I suggest another prayer that is befitting for these times?

It's short, concise, and powerful. It is the way to peace; and it goes like this:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

Chocolate Eggnog Pie | Listener Favorite!

Several years ago a listener named Helen submitted a Chocolate Eggnog Pie recipe that became VERY popular. I shared the recipe on air one night during the holiday season and ever since then, I get requests for it year after year... 

So before I’m bombarded again THIS year, here it is!

Helen’s Chocolate Eggnog Pie

Ingredients:

CRUST:

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted

FILLING:

• 2 cups eggnog

• 6 oz (1 cup) chocolate chips

• 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. Combine crust ingredients. Press over bottom and upsides of an 8" cake pan; set aside.

2. Bring eggnog almost to simmering over low heat, stirring constantly.

3. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted.

4. Soften gelatin in milk; stir into eggnog mixture until thoroughly dissolved. Cool.

5. Fold in whipped cream when mixture begins to thicken.

6. Pour over graham cracker crust.

7. Cover and refrigerate until set.

8. To serve, cut into squares and garnish with additional whipped cream, if desired.

I’ve given this recipe to so many listeners over the years and they all rave about it. It’s one of those tried and true dishes sure to please!

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

Sandcastle Kings | November Book Club

The holidays are just around the corner and so many books are about religion and God.  In my November book club selection, Sandcastle Kings.  Rich Wilkerson uses powerful stories from the bible and relates them to everyday life and how we can truly find happiness in this very crazy world.  

The world seems to have figured out the formula for manufacturing material success, but when it comes to finding true, lasting happiness, we are as lost as ever. We yearn for more, or less, or something that's just different from what we have right now. Deep down we know there must be satisfaction for our longing. We just don't know where to find it.

In Sandcastle Kings, Rich Wilkerson uses four powerful stories from the seventh chapter of Luke to explain why spiritual fulfillment cannot be found in ourselves, in other people, in material things, or even in religion. Wilkerson wants you to understand that the only answer for your spiritual bankruptcy is Jesus and that until you turn to him you we may never experience the lasting peace and joy that we all hope and pray for.

CLICK HERE to purchase Sandcastle Kings.

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Rich Wilkerson makes religion cool. Especially for the millennial generation which is so busy living in a past-paced, tech-driven world that sometimes they forget to look up from their smartphones and be inspired.  And that's exactly what Rich does, he inspires us to always make time for faith, no matter how busy we are, and he does it in the most relatable, entertaining way. It's like having a best friend who can guide you through struggles, heartache and life's biggest worries. He constantly amazes me with his love of all people and his genuine desire to help us all.  He is the real deal. 

-Guiliana Rancic, Host of E! News, Fashion Police, and author of the New York Times Bestseller Going Off Script

Pastor Rich is one of those rare people who always lights up the room and makes everyone feel like a priority. His optimistic advice and his passion for the Word of God are contagious. He has had such a positive and enlightening influence on my family; we are so blessed to call him our Pastor and our friend.

- Kim Kardashian West

"Thank you, Rich, for revealing this truth that we are all sandcastle kings. This book is a powerful reminder that God is our one true source for solid ground. While material things crumble away, God's firm foundation remains! It's time for us to drop our shovels and allow Jesus to take over."

-Christine Caine, Founder A21 Campaign & Propel Women

"Growing up with Rich I knew he would impact people but I underestimated by how much. I witnessed him writing some of this book on a vacation when he sat down and couldn't type all his thoughts out fast enough. I knew he was on to something and after reading Sandcastle Kings, he delivered. I'm glad he gave up some of that trip to remind us about the importance of life's foundations. I'm forever changed."

-Jason Kennedy, E! News Co-Host

"Rich has a voice for this time and this generation. He writes and speaks with clarity and passion. If you long to know you're building your life on a foundation that will last-read this book!"

-Sheila Walsh

Ghost Boy | October Book Club

Written By: Martin Pistorius

They all thought he was gone. But he was alive and trapped inside his own body for ten years.

In January 1988 Martin Pistorius, aged twelve, fell inexplicably sick. First he lost his voice and stopped eating. Then he slept constantly and shunned human contact. Doctors were mystified. Within eighteen months he was mute and wheelchair-bound. Martin's parents were told an unknown degenerative disease left him with the mind of a baby and less than two years to live.

Martin was moved to care centers for severely disabled children. The stress and heartache shook his parents’ marriage and their family to the core. Their boy was gone. Or so they thought.

Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. In these pages, readers see a parent’s resilience, the consequences of misdiagnosis, abuse at the hands of cruel caretakers, and the unthinkable duration of Martin’s mental alertness betrayed by his lifeless body.

We also see a life reclaimed—a business created, a new love kindled—all from a wheelchair. Martin's emergence from his own darkness invites us to celebrate our own lives and fight for a better life for others.

Martin Pistorius was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1975.  At the age of twelve, an unknown illness left him wheelchair bound and unable to speak, and he spent fourteen years in institutions.  In 2001, he learned to communicate via computer, make friends and change his life.  In 2008 he met the love of his life, Joanna, and immigrated to the UK.  In 2009 they married, and in 2010 he started his own business.  He loves spending time with friends and, most of all, being with his wife.

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Interview reel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJpQvIf54nU
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"A deeply affecting and at times shocking book... The Diving Bell and The Butterfly but with a happy ending." - The Sunday Times

"Martin’s writing makes you feel what he feels. He vividly reminds us of all those little injustices we each experienced that help us to grow and be stronger because of them. He reminds us that we all can grow from life’s twists if we choose to do so. Most important, Martin Pistorius shows us that God really does not give us more than we can handle, but rather he gives us the opportunity to meet adversity head on and overcome it no matter what the challenge. Read Ghost Boy. It really is a “page turner” and you will be a better person for experiencing Martin Pistorius’ life." - Michael Hingson, New York Times best-selling author, Thunder Dog

"Ghost Boy is a book to open our minds and our hearts." - Sue Swenson, former US commissioner for developmental disabilities

"It's impossible to read this book without understanding just how much most of us take for granted." - John-Paul Flintoff, author, How To Change The World

Ahhhhhhhctober!

Cool misty mornings, red-ripe apples, falling-leaves, gushing rivers, restful critters, and kids firmly tucked into the school routine. Pickling spices, pressure canners, and rows of gleaming jars full of fruits and veggies on the counter. Fresh straw in the stalls, on the pea patch, and stacked on the porch as the perfect perch for Jack-O-Lanterns, pots of colorful mums, and a bushels of bumpy gourds. This is Ahhhhhctober to me, today, on my farm.

Once upon a time, it was slightly different. The mornings were drippy and the fog sometimes so thick, I couldn’t see more than a foot in front of me as I walked the familiar path to school. There were more coniferous trees than deciduous; not so many falling leaves as falling cones and needles. Critters would have been a rabbit, chinchilla, goldfish or irritable parakeet; the only type of pets my parents allowed in our house once we had moved into town.  Jack-O-Lanterns to be sure, but they were carved the night-before and molding by the day-after.  Gourds from my grandparents garden, yes, but no fancy displays. This was life in a small town on the Oregon Coast, which was already rain soaked and sodden by this time.

But we didn’t care; because it was also Birthday Month. Four of our six family members had opal-stone birthdays.  It was a month for celebration.  And cake. Lots of cake. Each person was celebrated on their own special day with their favorite. A box cake for Mom, made “lovingly” by her kids. Gingerbread for older brother, Matt. Chocolate with boiled fudge frosting for Dad, and yellow cake with chocolate icing for baby, Timbo. And then there was the big weekend gathering that included the grandparents bringing more sweets, treats, and gifts – for all! They felt so bad that my sis and I were left out of the wrapper-tearing party; they always included something for us.  That’s what grandparents do. It was a good month.

I think of this as the month of “settling.” We have stopped mourning the summer sun, gone before we were ready. The garden has slowed to a crawl from its non-stop over-productions.  Animals have had their babies and have calmed and quieted.  We wake and sleep to the rhythms of a now familiar routine that will take us into the winter months and beyond. There are so many differences and similarities between my life then and now. More animals, more kids, more work, but at the heart of each; family. 

Make yourself a soothing cup of tea, take a little trip in your mind back to the things you loved about this time as a child, then forward to what it means to you now.  Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Ahhhhhhctober.