• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Elizabeth Van Tassel

Teens & Tweens

  • Whispers of Legend
  • Emissaries Fan Club

Blog

  • Thorn and Vine
    • - Book Reviews and Interviews
    • - Life 101
    • - Beautiful Life
    • - Life Stories

For Parents, Teachers, and Librarians

  • Speaking
  • Resilience
  • Starting Over
  • Resilient Authors Project
  • Resources and Links

About

  • About Elizabeth
  • Writing
  • Press Kit
  • Contact

Shop

  • Products
    • - Resilient Authors Project
    • - The Bridge
    • - Seven Steps
  • Teens & Tweens
    • Whispers of Legend
    • Emissaries Fan Club
  • Thorn and Vine Blog
    • Book Reviews and Videos
    • Life 101
    • A Beautiful Life
    • Life Stories
  • For Parents, Teachers and Librarians
    • Speaking
    • Resilience
    • Starting Over
    • Resilient Authors Project
    • Resources and Links
  • About
    • About Elizabeth
    • Writing
    • Press Kit
    • Contact Elizabeth
  • Products
    • Resilient Authors Project
    • The Bridge
    • Seven Steps
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Lily pads and lake heights with author Elizabeth Van Tassel

Heart Moments at Nymph Lake

Dec 18, 2019

A few years ago, I took my children to see long-time friends in Colorado for a summer visit. It was wonderful getting to walk in the mountains that feel like old friends in the Estes Park area. When I was just out of college, I mentored a group of high school girls through Cru (then called Student Venture) and we fundraised and were able to come to camp at YMCA of the Rockies in that area. So, I have walked those paths several times over the years. Getting to take my children to that special place with dear friends was… 

Read More
Author Elizabeth Van Tassel in front of the Millenium Falcon from Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland

Story comes to life at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

Jun 23, 2019

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland When I was a tween the original Star Wars debuted and we stood in line in the hot sun for two hours to see it opening weekend, then stayed for three showings with my father and brother. It was so magical. I remember my younger brother playing with the action figures under the Christmas tree. We were all drawn into the story. As a college student, I competed nationally one summer for a marketing/public relations internship with Lucasfilm and got to see the amazing ranch in my hometown of Marin, California. It was thrilling…. 

Read More
Fantastic reading ideas for middle graders - clean reads, no romance, just great adventures with writer and resilience expert Elizabeth Van Tassel

Great Adventurous Reads For Middle Grade – 2017

Dec 19, 2017

Great adventurous holiday reads for stocking stuffers! Recently I was walking out of a school and I overheard some moms lamenting the fact that there’s “so little good fiction for middle grade.” I’ll bet my eyes bugged out a bit since I write upper middle grade fantasy and love to read super adventures. “All my son will read is about underpants or gross comedy.” They’re really missing out. Since I know of some wonderful books, and great authors, and perhaps you’re looking for a fun book to read or recommend to a friend who’s a tween or teen, here’s some… 

Read More
Two great devotionals with resilience expert Elizabeth Van Tassel, two books on snowy background.

Tools In Your Holiday Toolbox: Devotionals

Dec 5, 2017

Practical suggestions for placing stress and loss on the back burner, and remembering the reason you’re celebrating with great devotionals to help. If you’re like me you’re yearning to give friends something with a deeper meaning, that can actually touch their lives in a special way. I’ve got two special devotionals to recommend that can help with that desire. Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women Written by Author Lindsay Franklin and illustrated by Micah Kandros, and published by Zondervan, Adored meets teen girls in that moment where real life brings scratches and bumps—in short, breakfast-portion meaningful thoughts that come into… 

Read More
Two boys with ice cream visiting Whit's End at Focus on the Family with Elizabeth Van Tassel

Tour Whit’s End at Focus on the Family!

Feb 16, 2017

Tour Whit’s End at Focus on the Family’s Headquarters! Our family takes lots of road trips and we’ve been grateful over the years for fun entertainment with Adventures in Odyssey, both their videos and especially their audio programs. This summer, we got to tour the headquarters in Colorado Springs at Focus on the Family and see Whit’s End, where many of the stories come to life.     From pretending we’re spies to learning wholesome lessons while being entertained, it’s been a great resource for long drives or a fun break. The games, puppets, and activities were perfect for my… 

Read More

10 Ways To Help A Family This Holiday

Dec 15, 2016

Do you know a family going through a rough patch? Perhaps they’ve just had tough news about health issues or a significant loss through natural disaster or other ways. With all of the recent fires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and seeing some friends recovering from hurricanes in other parts of the country, I yearn to help. Sometimes it’s easy to send a quick prayer up and then get on with life. The echoes of our own weary years as wildfire survivors who lost everything still keep me tender when I hear of another family that may need extra kindness. But what… 

Read More

Seven Steps to a Resilient Christmas

Nov 30, 2016

Have you ever wondered if your holiday could be more about gathering and connecting rather than collecting stuff? I’ve got seven of my favorite tips to share with you below to bring a sense of hope and refreshment to you during the holidays this year. Discuss what kind of holiday you want to have as a whole family. Plan a special dinner or coffee outing to bring a notepad and brainstorm this all together. Should you get out all the decorations or are there too many commitments right now? What memories mean the most for each of you in past… 

Read More

The Hidden Hearts

Apr 9, 2016

On a wonderful vacation recently I started seeing things. No, really. First, after swimming with the turtles, I was resting and taking photos when I felt one in particular might be special. Get it this direction, a little voice whispered. After I peeked at the frame, I saw why. As you gaze into the pool of water as it reflects the sky, you’ll see a shape. A heart. And its twin smiled at me through the windswept clouds as a slight drizzle began. Two hearts. The next day, on a boat tour around the island, a lush landscape came into… 

Read More

How is your Valentine’s Day Grace?

Feb 11, 2016

I have this wise, old character in my story I can’t wait for you to meet. He knows just what to say and do in sticky circumstances, and always has wisdom when I need it. I find myself wishing he was here in our world this week. The big “love” holiday is upon us, yet I’m a bit shattered. Not because of unkindness of others or some life event, but I’m walking through the death of a dear friend who faced her cancer battle like a strong warrior-princess. And a friend’s home burned down. And more deaths or lives are… 

Read More

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dec 24, 2015

This time of year is filled with highs and lows, isn’t it? One moment it’s a play with little ones singing their hearts out on stage. The next, there’s something broken in the house that needs fixing urgently. That sound of water running, and no one’s in the shower. Not good! Then my heart is with sick friends in hospital and ones far away. There’s missing loved ones you’re apart from. And sometimes difficult moments with others whose words jar and barb rather than heal. Sickness seems inevitable, and a rush of memories from wonderful times and rough ones all… 

Read More
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Next »

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Warriors Against The Storm Anthology
  • Dust Blog Tour Stop #12 and Interview
  • A Walk In The Garden With An Author’s Eye

Categories

  • A Beautiful Life
  • A Great Story
  • All
  • Book Reviews and Videos
  • Deaf Talent
  • Disney
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • For Wildfire Victims
  • Gem tours
  • Gems
  • giveaways
  • Guest Blogs
  • Holidays
  • Hope
  • Kids
  • Let Resilience Arise
  • Life 101
  • Life Improvement
  • Life Stories
  • Lockout Series
  • Mentors I've never met
  • New Beginnings Series
  • Podcasts
  • Resilient Parenting
  • Right Turns
  • School events
  • Stress Knock-Out Series
  • Stress Management
  • Teens & Tweens
  • The Beauty Quest
  • Thorn & Vine Blog
  • Tributes
  • Uncategorized
  • Unexpected heroes
  • Writer's Conferences
  • Writing
  • Writing Tips

Archives

Recent Comments

  • Beth K Vogt on Safe In His Embrace with Author Darlene Turner
  • Carol Lauder on Safe In His Embrace with Author Darlene Turner
  • Susan Snodgrass on Safe In His Embrace with Author Darlene Turner
  • Elizabeth Van Tassel on Dust Blog Tour Stop #12 and Interview
  • Stephanie@Fairday's Blog on Dust Blog Tour Stop #12 and Interview

Subscribe to my blog

Your information will never be shared with any third party.

Top Categories

LinkedInTumblrYouTube Channel

Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth Van Tassel   ·   Website by Stormhill Media

Copyright © 2023 · Monochrome Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Teens & Tweens
  • Thorn and Vine Blog
  • For Parents, Teachers and Librarians
  • About
  • Products