a Shrub Not Tree: The FAMILY We've Grown to Be

Inspired by the growth of her family and their journey through infertility, adoption, and foster care, author Ashley Rae (Klinger) has introduced as the first book in a special collection of children's books aimed at empowering and equipping families around the world to live , , and lives. What started as a "legacy project" for her family transformed into a relatable message that families around the world can embrace and apply to the growth of their own families. The initial concept and inspiration for grew through her (and her husband's) desire to understand, as parents, how to initiate conversations with their four adopted children that would help them understand their family's story and the circumstances that contribute to their family's dynamic. They also wanted to help their young children recognize that although their family may grow differently than some, their family, like every family, is planted with a purpose and is equally important to God and His kingdom. Through the simple comparison of a shrub and a tree, Ashley Rae developed the nontraditional as an alternative concept to the traditional to celebrate the different ways that families grow to be. The concept of the and the philosophy is not meant to chop down the . Instead, it's meant to provide families with a way to embrace the and of family, and to help them recognize that their to add a leaf in what some consider the "traditional way" to a TREE, doesn't define them as a FAMILY. Rather, it's their to achieve God's for planting family. Whether they've grown to be a shrub or a tree, Ashley Rae guides families through a creative that demonstrates how families can work together to in their relationships with one another and to as individuals and as families, to achieve God's for planting their family. In step one, she helps readers understand the importance of recognizing how to in order to in their relationships with one another - and with God. To do so, she demonstrates how to replace with positivity by goodness in their relationships. In step two, she helps readers understand the importance of recognizing how to as individuals and as families. To do so, she demonstrates how to recognize and their God-granted in the most appropriate and effective ways in order to be in their efforts to glorify God. features a to provide children of all ages with a thought-provoking, age-appropriate message that's easy to comprehend, while also providing adults with additional insight and a deeper understanding of the message and overall mindset behind the concept of the philosophy. "Whether our families grow to be more of a shrub or more of a tree, we are all a part of God's kingdom and His one big family!" ~ Ashley Rae