When a Story and a Calling Converge (It's Book Launch Day!)

Today is a big day — a culmination of sorts.

A story many years in the making. Many drafts and edits and prayers.

A story that didn't fit in the world of traditional publishing. (They say people don't buy books about childhood sexual abuse.)

But the dream was alive and bigger than any of us could imagine.

It's a story, in some ways, I wish was closer to my own. A girl with a wild imagination and a conversation with her father that prepares her for when a seemingly innocent interaction crosses a boundary.

The children's book is just the beginning. And hopefully, it serves as a catalyst for a conversation you begin with your kids about saying no, body boundaries, and what to do in a situation that feels inappropriate or uncomfortable.

Beautifully illustrated by Josh Manges, Rise and Shine: A Tool for the Prevention of Childhood Sexual Abuse, helps you to begin the conversation. Discussion questions guide your words and help you and your child apply what they have learned.

Four years ago we made the illustrated book into a video so parents could watch it for free with their children.

Today, the paperback version of Rise and Shine is available for purchase on amazon.com!

We celebrate the dream becoming a reality. But more than that, we are more than grateful that the book now has the opportunity to reach more people.

And if the message of the book and the Rise and Shine Movement can help families and protect children, we are humbly thankful.

You can help us protect children by sharing the Rise and Shine Movement message with people you know. Let them know about the book, write a review, share about us on social media.

We are in this together! Thank you for your support!

How Moms Can Make a Difference

We cannot underestimate the power of awareness. Remember a time when you learned something new — how that knowledge may have opened doors and empowered your thinking.

Childhood sexual abuse is an epidemic that creeps in the darkness. Talking about it brings it to the light.

Rise and Shine Movement wanted to make a difference this April in honor of Child Abuse Awareness month. We came in contact with a local organization called the Philadelphia Children's Alliance, who serve children who have disclosed childhood sexual abuse.

Each month PCA interviews approximately 150 sexually abused children. 150 each month!

But how could we help?

Before an interview, each child is allowed to choose a stuffed animal to hold (and keep) during the difficult interview process.

So Rise and Shine Movement decided to sponsor a teddy bear drive during the month of April to collect stuffed animals for these sweet kids. Hopefully, our donations can offer a little bit of comfort during a confusing, painful time.

Will you help us?

The first thing you can do is donate. Ask an organization, school, or sports club you know to collect a donation! We already have a church, a soccer club, an elementary school, and several MOPS groups participating in the drive with us.

Or get a few of your friends in on it with you.

Second, help spread awareness by sharing on social media about the #GreatTeddyBearDrive. Let people know about April's Child Abuse Awareness month and what we're doing at Rise and Shine Movement to help adults talk to their kids about sexual abuse prevention.

On behalf of the children who have experienced a horror no one should, thank you for making a difference!

For donation guidelines and locations, please visit our #GreatTeddyBearDrive webpage.

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Upload a selfie or a picture of your group with your bear donations to social media.

Add one of these tweets/captions or make up your own!

• I donated a bear to the #GreatTeddyBearDrive. Will you? RiseAndShineMovement.org #CSAHope (tweet this with your selfie)

• I'm making a difference in the life of a child abuse victim! #GreatTeddyBearDrive #CSAHope http://ow.ly/uu4Ve (tweet this with your selfie)