**Welcome to my Glorygram and to my table! Pull up a chair and join me for a plate of flavorful lumpia, which are Filipino egg rolls, with dipping sauce. Each week I write this letter as an arrow pointing you back to God's glory and the ways He is working in our world. I use this space to get to know you better so please introduce yourself and share your stories in the comments too!
There was a long pause in the music, and Zandro waved for Kailani to come onstage. It was finally her turn. The word clumsy echoed in her head, but she held her breath and began to hop between the poles.
In-in-out. In-in-spin. Her feet skipped like she was jumping rope.
She was doing it. She was really doing it!
Kailani twirled.
Zandro answered with a shoulder-shake move.
Imelda joined in with some fancy footwork.
They were all dancing together.
-excerpted from Kailani’s Gift, my new children’s book published by Waterbrook Multnomah Kids (Penguin Random House)
The sound of harp notes and snare drum danced through the air like birds fluttering their wings on a balmy spring day. The aroma of mango sweet bread, pancit and fried lumpia wafted through the crowd. The bamboo poles clicked together with the rhythm out-out-in as the tinikling dancer hopped in an out. More than 75 kids, parents, grandparents, and teachers gathered yesterday at Petunia’s Place Bookstore in Fresno, California for the launch of my new kids book, Kailani’s Gift.
This little book was originally written as a sequel to my book Cora Cooks Pancit, which was published 15 years ago. Through the years, I tried to find a publishing home for the second book, but received lots of nice rejections.
Then more than a decade later, I signed a two-book contract with Waterbrook & Multnomah Kids. They wanted to publish my Chasing God’s Glory and Kailani’s Gift. I reframed the original story with a new little girl, but with the same nod to Filipino-American culture and still including the traditional Filipino dance, the tinikling.
Kailani’s Gift is a celebration of family, Filipino heritage, and dance that showcases the value of patience, perseverance, and blessing others with your gifts and talents. As Kailani watches her siblings practice a traditional Filipino dance for their grandparents' anniversary party, she longs to join them. But keeping up with the rhythm and hopping in time with the beats of the tinikling is much harder than Kailani imagined! With Daddy's help, Kailani practices the motions of the dance step by step. But will she be able to learn the tinikling in time to surprise her Lolo and Lola?
I was thrilled when my publisher also offered a contract to award-winning illustrator Lynnor Bontigao. I’ve admired Lynnor’s work from afar and love how her illustrations are colorful, imaginative, and true to her own Filipino-American heritage. Lynnor was a big fan of my first book, Cora Cooks Pancit, and it’s been a delight to partner with her on this project. She grew up in the Philippines and now lives in New Jersey.
What a sweet joy to celebrate the book on Independent Bookstore Day at my favorite local bookstore, where I brought my daughters as they were growing up! We frequented Petunia’s Place for storytimes and special events with authors like Jan Brett and Margarita Engle. I relished being back in that nostalgic little store as a featured author!
The making of this book took perseverance. Lots of times on the journey I doubted my own abilities as a writer. I faced discouragement and imposter syndrome in a publishing environment that was not always welcoming of books about kids from diverse backgrounds.
In many ways, I was formed as a writer just as Kailani’s Gift was being formed with an extended gestation into a book. The journey was much longer than I expected but that also made the celebration sweeter.
I believe that marking the moment matters, and celebrating small beginnings, long journeys and big wins is important. This helps us to stay present and awake to the work God is doing in our lives.
Remembrance is an important theme throughout the Bible. I think about how the Israelites back then and even Jews today take time for many feasts and days of remembrance.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites remember God’s faithfulness at many key crossroads. Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, there is a call to remember the words and deeds of God. Deuteronomy 16:1-8 describes the Festival of Passover. The exodus and deliverance of Israel by God from Egypt is central to this remembering.
Purim is a joyous celebration of Esther's act of faithfulness in the Bible. Special foods are given to the poor, the Book of Esther is read, and the children twirl noisemakers. A special festive meal is served up for the community to enjoy.
On Friday, I attended a memorial for my friend’s husband who died of a massive heart attack, leaving behind his beautiful wife, four kids and a wealth of grandkids. I sat in a packed church as many gathered to remember Henry’s life. This, too, was the marking of the moment and a lifetime. We feasted on tri-tip, pilaf, and special desserts and passed the mic to remember Henry and all of his antics. Although it was a time of deep mourning, it was also a time of celebrating the humor, dedication, hard work, and faith of a man who lived a robust life and influenced others.
Friend, is there a breakthrough in your life, a sweet victory, the passing of a loved one, or a milestone that needs to be celebrated in your family? Slow down. Make space to mark the moment, share a meal, dance or share stories around the table. It’s worth taking time to savor.
And while you’re at it, share in the comments about something you are marking and celebrating in this season. I’d love to hear about it.
Glory recommendations
Each week I like to share links to some of my own work or resources that are inspiring me and my family to chase after God’s glory! Here are five for you to check out this week:
In case you missed my launch parties for Kailani’s Gift, here is a recording of the live broadcast I did on launch day with my illustrator Lynnor Bontigao and Editor Bunmi Ishola. It was so fun to tell the back story of the making of this book. If you have a copy of the book, help me multiply the message by leaving a quick Amazon review.
This week I got to be on the Collide Kids podcast with Christen Clark. The Collide Kids Podcast is a show for kids and families where fun and faith collide! Guests include authors, athletes, Christian musicians, community helpers, comedians and more. Their goal for every episode is to help kids discover they are loved by God! In this episode, host Christen Clark chat about determination and perseverance. This kid-focused episode includes stories and anecdotes from my childhood, offering listeners a glimpse into the family experiences and cultural cuisine that shaped me!
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This week I had a meaningful conversation with my friend and fellow writer Marie Chan on the Redbud Hyphen podcast. This conversation includes:
The journey of perseverance to publish this book - it took more than ten years!
The theme of practicing our gifts in Kailani’s Gift and how I’ve learned to apply this to my faith and writing life
Teasers of the book as I read and shared more about the story and the intentionality in the illustrations created by Lynnor Bontigao
Tips for aspiring writers of color to mine their childhood memories and include those in their own work
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