A Launch Week Full of Stories

There are some weeks that leave you tired, and then there are weeks that leave you grateful.

Last week was both.

A week and a half ago on Tuesday, we officially launched Made to Fly Free. After over a year of writing, editing, illustrating, proofing, and preparing, seeing stacks of finished books ready to ship felt both exciting and a little surreal.

Then just a few days later, our family packed up tables, books, handmade items (and plenty of snacks), and headed to the Gather & Grow Farm and Family Fair.

By the time the weekend was over, I found myself reflecting on much more than book sales or vendor booths.

I kept thinking about stories.

More Than a Vendor Table

One of the greatest gifts of the weekend was the conversations.

Many families stopped by simply to browse while others lingered.

Some shared concerns about the messages children are being exposed to today. Others talked about their desire to fill their homes with wholesome books that reflect truth, beauty, and goodness.

And several people quietly shared something else.

A dream.

More than once, someone leaned in and told me about a children's book idea they've carried in their heart for years.

Some shared about notebooks full of ideas. Others had nearly completed manuscripts. A few were simply wondering if they could actually do it.

Every conversation reminded me why Pathfinder Press exists in the first place:

A Family Project from Start to Finish

One thing that made the fair especially meaningful was that it truly reflected our whole family.

While I brought copies of my new book, the kids brought creations of their own.

Faith illustrated two stickers that we turned into products for the fair. Hope helped transform those illustrations into digital designs and created an additional sticker of her own, as well as the sticker we gave away with our Pathfinder mark.

Gracyn spent time building rustic wooden bookends.

Noelle and Lily helped create magnetic bookmarks and spent hours needle-felting an assortment of adorable robins inspired by Made to Fly Free.

Watching each child contribute their unique gifts was one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

The fair wasn't simply about selling products. It was about creating something together.

Small Beginnings Matter

As I looked around our booth, I couldn't help but smile at the variety of things on display.

A newly launched picture book.
Picture books from years past.
Handmade bookmarks.
Wooden bookends.
Stickers.
Needle-felted birds.

None of it looked particularly impressive by worldly standards, but it felt meaningful.

Every item represented time, effort, creativity, and a willingness to offer our gifts to others.

So often we wait until something feels bigger, more polished, or more professional before we're willing to share it.

But many worthwhile things begin in small ways.

A story starts as an idea, a business starts as a dream, and a book begins with a blank page.

Throughout the weekend, our friend Becca kept reminding us of a simple truth from Zechariah 4:10:

"Do not despise the day of small beginnings."

Those words deeply resonated with me.

As I looked around our booth, I saw plenty of small beginnings. A newly launched book. Handmade creations from our children. Conversations with families we had never met before. Seeds being planted that may take years to grow.

In our own strength, it can all seem impossible.

When I think about the dream God has placed on our hearts through Pathfinder Press—to help families tell their stories—I can quickly become overwhelmed by everything I don't know and every step I can't yet see.

But I remind myself that God isn't asking us to see the whole path. He's simply asking us to take the next faithful step.

And if God is truly calling us forward, then I trust He will provide exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.

For now, faithfulness looks like showing up, offering our gifts, and trusting Him with the rest.

Looking Ahead

As we all packed up the booth at the end of the weekend, my heart felt full.

Not because everything was perfect, and certainly not because we have everything figured out.

What filled me with joy is that I saw glimpses of what God may be building through Pathfinder Press.

I saw families who care deeply about what shapes the hearts of their children.

I met people carrying stories that deserve to be told.

And I was reminded that sometimes the next step is simply showing up and being faithful with what God has already placed in our hands.

If we met at the Gather & Grow Farm and Family Fair, thank you for stopping by and sharing a piece of your story with us.

And if you're carrying a story of your own, consider this your encouragement to take the next small step.

You never know what God might do with it.

I'd love to hear from you in the comments: What small beginning are you learning to embrace in this season?