A Shrub Not a Tree

<p>Inspired by the growth of her family and their journey through infertility adoption and foster care author Ashley Rae (Klinger) has introduced <strong>A Shrub Not a Tree </strong>as the first book in a special collection of children's books aimed at empowering and equipping families around the world to live <strong>purposeful</strong> <strong>intentional</strong> <strong>engaged</strong> and <strong>faith-filled</strong> lives.</p><p> </p><p>What started as a legacy project for her family transformed into a relatable message that families around the world can embrace and apply to the growth of their own families. The initial concept and inspiration for <strong>A Shrub Not a Tree </strong>grew through her (and her husband's) desire to understand as parents how to initiate conversations with their four adopted children that would help them understand their family's story and the circumstances that contribute to their family's dynamic. They also wanted to help their young children recognize that although their family may grow differently than some their family like every family is planted with a purpose and is equally important to God and His kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>Through the simple comparison of a shrub and a tree Ashley Rae developed the nontraditional <strong>Family Shrub</strong> as an alternative concept to the traditional <strong>Family Tree</strong> to celebrate the different ways that families grow to be. The concept of the <strong>Family Shrub</strong> and the <strong>shrub not a tree </strong>philosophy is not meant to chop down the <strong>Family Tree</strong>. Instead it's meant to provide <strong>all </strong>families with a way to embrace the <em>growth</em> and <em>intentional blessing</em> of <strong>their </strong>family and to help them recognize that their <em>inability</em> to add a leaf in what some consider the traditional way to a TREE doesn't define them as a FAMILY. Rather it's their<strong> </strong><em>ability</em> to achieve God's <strong>purpose</strong> for planting <strong>their</strong> family.</p><p> </p><p><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>Whether they've grown to be a shrub or a tree Ashley Rae guides families through a creative</span><strong style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)> two-step process</strong><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)> that demonstrates how families can work together </span><em style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>as a team</em><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)> to </span><strong style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>grow together</strong><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)> in their relationships with one another and to </span><strong style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>reach their maturity and full blooming potential </strong><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>as individuals and as families to achieve God's </span><strong style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>purpose </strong><span style=color: rgba(22 9 9 1)>for planting their family.</span></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>A Shrub Not a Tree </strong>features a <strong>two-part approach</strong> to provide children of all ages with a thought-provoking age-appropriate message that's easy to comprehend while also providing adults with additional insight and a deeper understanding of the message and overall mindset behind the concept of the <strong>Family Shrub</strong> and the <strong>shrub not a tree </strong>philosophy.</p><p><br></p>