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Hi Reader,

In our home, the new year snuck in amidst a flurry of family, food and reunion. We are two weeks in, and I am finally getting a chance to reflect—This is the year my book finally comes out!

This has been one of the most challenging things I have ever done but I am grateful I pushed through. We are two months out from the release date, and I wanted to share with you three things I valued in the process:

• It is okay to shed tears while looking back. There were many days I cried through my writing, whether from the pain of a moment lost, or the joy of a grace restored. God used the writing of this story to heal parts of my heart. He has graciously allowed me to see glimpses of good from that. My prayer for my readers is that the conversations of migration, community and home that will unfold from the pages of this book will bring healing and restoration to them as well.
• God cares about our stories because He is the Author. It is amazing how many voices of doubt screamed (and still echo) in my head throughout the writing process. I thought, there is nothing new under the sun…why bother? For me, writing this book was a call to obedience. The market for books and stories may feel saturated, but God does not see our stories as "nothing new” He is faithfully and carefully working in the details of our lives to bring us home to Him.
• Community is a gift. We often tell our kids “Your family is your first community.” I love the pure intention and wisdom of God’s design in that statement. The reality of our broken world has marred that experience for many, however by God’s grace, our brokenness affords opportunity for growth. Family is the training ground where we can practice the virtues of love, humility, forgiveness, kindness, patience, service, compassion and more. I praise God for the broken people in my broken life. They have been my cheerleaders in this process.

I’m grateful for you as well! Thank you for your support toward my book launch. We have a date! My book will launch on March 11th and will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major platforms. I can’t wait to share more of this adventure with you!

If you haven't done so already, please go to my website to subscribe to my newsletters, and encourage others to do the same so they can get snippets and updates as we get close to the big launch.

I would love to hear from you! What have you been reflecting on for the New Year?

Candace Leon Author & Speaker

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