interview
🔗 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/poeticmonthly/2010/09/01/poetic-monthly-radio-show--interview-rachel-stolle
Rachel Jeanette Hall Stolle was born and raised in a little town called Jefferson, in North East Texas. As soon as she was born, God never left her side. He guided her through economic hardships, sexual abuse by a distant family member, an attempted kidnapping turned carjacking, and years of spiritual warfare.
Today Rachel is a 29 year old Baylor University graduate, teacher, poetic monthly staff writer, cake decorator, and stay-at-home mom in Waco, Texas. As she looks back at her childhood with great appreciation and respect for the unending love of her Heavenly Father, her relationship with God grows even stronger.
Rachel's first children's picture book is set to be released September 12, 2010. "Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?" is the first in a series of Christian picture stories for children designed to help parents integrate God and scriptures into the everyday explanations they give their children, while honoring the life of Louise Ritchie
Future titles will include "Tell Me About Easter, Aunt Lou.", "Why Do Our Loved Ones Die, Aunt Lou?", and "Why Did Jesus Get Fishermen For Helpers, Aunt Lou?"
<p><font color="#000000" face="verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><span style="line-height:normal;">An Amazon #1 bestseller with 50+ glowing reviews. </span></font></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:normal;">Available in Kindle and print.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:normal;">From the very start of her faith autobiography, ‘She Does Not Fear the Snow’, author Bobbie Ann Cole reaches out across the page and endears herself to her reader. You will very quickly feel that you know her, and will be richer for the knowledge. </span></p><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:normal;height:auto;"><div>She comes to Israel, seeking meaning and purpose for her life, following breast cancer and the demise of her long-standing marriage. There, God claims her and lays a trail of miracles that lead her from her native England to a new husband of faith in Atlantic Canada. <br />Though she is upfront about her ending, you’ll find yourself longing to learn the next step in her discovery of new love and deeper faith journey. This is one of those books you just can’t put down. Potentially, you’ll be following the twists and turns of her journey into the wee small hours. <br />‘A mysterious rug with a life-changing message, a Ruth-type love story, fascinating interactions with other believers, poetic descriptions of landscapes many native Canadians take for granted—and a message of God’s love and salvation,’ writes critic Margaret Welwood. ‘Bobbie Ann Cole’s story is a little too strange and untidy to be fiction. As a true story, it will leave you satisfied, yet wanting to know more.’ <br />‘Often times, life will take us to the end of our rope, leaving us helpless and at our wit’s end. Yet, even in such dire situations, our God is not helpless. He will bring in plentiful harvest – a harvest of renewal, hope, joy and happiness in our life,’ says Khamneithang Vaiphei. ‘She Does Not Fear the Snow is an incredible testimony that will have a profound impact on you.’ <br />If mystery, romance, women’s faith issues, the Jewish roots of Christianity, Christian living or outreach appeal to you, you will find much to enjoy.</div><div> </div></div>
Rachel Jeanette Stolle credits her earliest foundations in Christianity to a wonderful woman named Louise Ritchie. Aunt Lou, as everyone knew her, was a caring, Godly woman who devoted her life to service and the Lord. Louise passed away in September of 2009, she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. “Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?” aims to help children who have experienced hardships or trauma in their lives to understand that God is by their side.
<div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><font size="5"><font color="#3333ff"><font face="Cambria"><em>Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou</em> is a valuable book.<span> </span>Not only is it charmingly illustrated, but it also gently and clearly helps children confront the incredibly difficult issues of free will and theodicy (why bad things can happen to innocent people) and where God might be in the suffering.<span> </span>These are tough topics even for adults to handle in healthy ways, but in this rare book, the author Rachel Hall Stolle writes with compassion and empathy, leading children to understand that most crucial of points, that when bad things happen in their world, God is with them in their pain.</font><br /><font face="Cambria"> </font><br /><font face="Cambria"><em>Dr. Joy Jordan-Lake is a professor and the author of five books, the latest of which is a novel,</em> Blue Hole Back Home.<br /><span><a href="http://www.joyjordanlake.com/"><font color="#009900">http://www.joyjordanlake.com/</font></a></span></font></font></font></div><font color="#009900"></font> <div> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"><font color="#009900"></font></div><font color="#009900"></font> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;"><font size="7">Book Review by Nan Holmes</font></h2><span style="float:left;"><a><img style="padding-bottom:3px;border-right-width:1px;margin:5px 10px 10px 0px;padding-left:3px;padding-right:3px;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-left-width:1px;padding-top:3px;" class="galleryImageBorder" alt="Picture" src="/uploads/4/8/2/9/4829096/7193653.jpg" /></a> </span> <div style="text-align:center;margin-top:-10px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:90%;"></div> <div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font color="#3366ff" size="4">When young children experience trauma, it is very important to acknowledge that trauma and help a come to a place where they feel safe again.<span> </span>“Why did This Happen to me, Aunt Lou?” is written in a way that opens the door for dialogue and healing to begin, from a Christian faith perspective.<span> </span>Beautifully illustrated, it offers hope and encouragement for children who need a message of unconditional love.<span> </span>This is crucial in helping a child understand that they did not do something “wrong,” but rather, are cherished by God.<span> </span>It is the message that so many children never hear and as a result, grow to be adults with a wide variety of mental health challenges.<span> </span>One thing known today is that we must help children because they cannot help themselves. This book may be one thing that offers a “life ring” to a wounded child.<br /><br /><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;"><font face="Calibri">Nan Holmes, Waco, Texas</font></span><br /><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;"><font face="Calibri">Talitha Koum Institute</font></span><br /><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;"><font face="Calibri">http://www.talithakoum.org/</font></span>child </font></font></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;" /><div> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div> <hr style="border-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;border-left:0pt;background-color:#777777;margin:0px auto;width:100%;height:1px;color:#777777;border-top:0pt;border-right:0pt;" /><div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;"><font size="6">Charlana Martin of Poetic Monthly Magazine</font></h2><span style="float:left;"><a href="http://www.poetstage.com/poeticmonthly.htm"><img style="padding-bottom:3px;border-right-width:1px;margin:5px 10px 10px 0px;padding-left:3px;padding-right:3px;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-left-width:1px;padding-top:3px;" class="galleryImageBorder" alt="Picture" src="/uploads/4/8/2/9/4829096/5166917.jpg" /></a> </span> <div style="text-align:center;margin-top:-10px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:90%;"></div> <div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><font size="6">A beautiful children’s Christian based story broad enough to deal with any crisis a child may endure. Typically, after a crisis we question why did this happen? Aunt Lou, is a loving character that explains in depth why sometimes bad things happen to good people, even children. I love the fact the author took the time to explain “free will” and how God gives us all the opportunity to choose. Even in our wrong decisions, God will forgive us and He loves and cares for each of us. The author does an excellent job of displaying scriptures to support the story. The illustrations are colorful and include children of all races. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would love to see a possible series develop with the character Aunt Lou. Great book, I would highly recommend it!</font><br /><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Verdana, 'sans-serif';font-size:12pt;"></span> </div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;" /><div> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div> <hr style="border-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;border-left:0pt;background-color:#777777;margin:0px auto;width:100%;height:1px;color:#777777;border-top:0pt;border-right:0pt;" /><div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;"><font size="7">Book Review by Ashley Thrasher Harrell</font></h2><span style="float:left;"><a><img style="padding-bottom:3px;border-right-width:1px;margin:5px 10px 10px 0px;padding-left:3px;padding-right:3px;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-left-width:1px;padding-top:3px;" class="galleryImageBorder" alt="Picture" src="/uploads/4/8/2/9/4829096/6866193.jpg" /></a> </span> <div style="text-align:center;margin-top:-10px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:90%;"></div> <div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><font size="6">What an excellent children's book that explains <span class="yshortcuts"><font color="#366388">God's amazing love</font></span> for each of us. I love how the story addresses the fact that God loves us unconditionally and gives us all a free will, but most of all that God wants to be most important in our lives. God wants us to know how much He loves us and that Jesus died for all of our sins and all the bad things that happen to us. It also tells about people using their free will for evil. Evil is not in God's design and God's heart breaks for us when evil things do happen to us. Even though these evil things may happen God is with us and loves us so much. It explains sin and evil and God's love in such a matter of fact way that adults and children can understand and relate to. Great read for all ages. What a great reminder of our Father in Heaven's grace, mercy and <span style="border-bottom:#366388 2px dotted;" class="yshortcuts"><font color="#366388">unconditional love</font></span>.<br />Ashley Harrell<br />RCC Prescool Teacher <br />Stay-at-home mom</font></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;" /><div> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div> <hr style="border-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;border-left:0pt;background-color:#777777;margin:0px auto;width:100%;height:1px;color:#777777;border-top:0pt;border-right:0pt;" /><div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;"><font size="7">Book Review by Megan Naomi Hall</font></h2><span style="float:left;"><a></a> </span> <div style="text-align:center;margin-top:-10px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:90%;"></div> <div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">For many families there comes a time when the questions that children pose can seem completely unanswerable.<span> </span>For families that have endured tragedy, loss, or some form of abuse the book written by Rachel J. Stolle can help parents answer some of the painful questions and give the child hope and love through the grace of God.<span> </span>Honestly, one hopes that the need for this book will never arise but for those who have the need this book fills a void that has long been empty and ignored due to the almost painful nature of the topic.<span> </span>This book answers the call to aid the lost and hurt children of the world and answer the question of why did this happen to me.<br />Megan Hall<br />LSU Alumni<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/MegNH32?ref=ts"><font color="#009900">http://www.facebook.com/#!/MegNH32?ref=ts</font></a></font></div><font color="#009900"></font> <div> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"><font color="#009900"></font></div><font color="#009900"></font> <div style="width:100%;height:20px;"></div></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;"><font size="7">Book Review by Alexis Harrell</font></h2> <div style="text-align:left;" class="paragraph editable-text"><font size="6">The thing I love about this book is it tells a story about a personal situation that affects many people. The great thing about this story though is it also explains how much God loves and cares for each one of us, even in bad situations. Our <span style="border-bottom:medium none;background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts"><font color="#366388">Father in Heaven</font></span> is always with us. God's love for us is amazing. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was wonderful and I recommend it to everyone.<br />Alexis Harrell, 11- Waco, Texas</font></div> <h2 style="text-align:left;">Writing to be Read</h2><span style="float:left;"><a></a> </span> <div style="text-align:center;margin-top:-10px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:90%;"></div> <div style="text-align:center;" class="paragraph editable-text"><a style="color:#0088cc;" href="http://kayelynnebooth.wordpress.com/author/kayelynnebooth/"></a><a style="color:#0088cc;" href="http://kayelynnebooth.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/why-did-this-happen-to-me-aunt-lou-inspires-and-delights/"><font color="#3366ff" size="5">"Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?" Inspires and Delights</font></a><br /><font color="#3366ff" size="5"><br /> <a href="http://kayelynnebooth.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/why-did-this-happen-to-me-aunt-lou-inspires-and-delights/"><font color="#009900">http://kayelynnebooth.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/why-did-this-happen-to-me-aunt-lou-inspires-and-delights/</font></a><br /><em>Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?</em> ,by Rachel Jeanette Hall Stolle is a beau tifully illustrated children’s book, that deals with a difficult question that we all ask at one time or another. Who hasn’t wondered why bad things happen to them? Why some people just seem to be downright mean? Although this book doesn’t provide a clear cut answer to a question that really has no answer, it does discuss how we can turn to God for comfort and strength, through the voice of Aunt Lou, a character based on a special person in Rachel’s life, Louise Ritchie. The book is written in language and manner that is easily understandable by children big and small, and the author’s faith shines through clearly. It is a wonderfully inspiring book that applies to everyone, not just children. It includes helpful <span class="yshortcuts">Bible verses</span> for reference, and delightful illustrations that were created with the author’s own hand, provide a wonderful lesson in faith.</font><br /></div>