Huge News: Kim Wrote a Children’s Book!

*This transcript was auto-generated*

Kim Gravel:

I want to write a book about the story of Jesus birth, but what if I did it in a little bit of a different way? I think that it's going to bless everybody that reads it to their children.

Zac Miller:

What advice would you give to someone who has the children's book idea, who's maybe a mother or grandmother and hasn't had the courage to publish it or really even write it? Like, what would you say to someone who is sitting on that children's book idea?

Kim Gravel:

Get ready for the Kim Gravel Show. Hey, y', all and welcome to the Kim Gravel Show. I am Kim Gravel, and I'm joined by my very amazing and handsome producer, Zac. Hey, Zac.

Zac Miller:

Hi, Kim. Thank you so much for that. Definitely not scripted introduction. That and compliments. I really appreciate it.

Kim Gravel:

It's been a while since we've held a new. Since we've taped a new episode, so I'm so glad we're back. I.

Zac Miller:

We're back, baby. I'm so glad we're back. Like, it's so good to see you. It's. When I don't see you, Kim, for a few weeks, I get sad.

Kim Gravel:

Well, listen, talk to my family and friends about that. They might not say the same thing, but thank you, Zac. I'm excited about this being our first show back because this week I have some really huge news. I have some. A passion project. I've been working on this kind of while I've been out because I've written a new children's book. Kim, did you know about this? I know I mentioned it to you.

Zac Miller:

You didn't tell me about. I found out about this, like, when you sent an email about about it to everybody.

Kim Gravel:

I did.

Zac Miller:

I did not. You did not say this is like a thing that I did not know anything about, Kim.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, I did. I. I did. I never saw it coming either because I've never thought I would be a children's book author. You know, I've written a book and it was wonderful and it was fun. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. But this has been a passion project for me. It is the story of Christmas called Maribel in the Manger.

Kim Gravel:

It's Maribel in the Manger. And I love this book because it's not what you expect. It's about the Christmas story about Jesus birth in a manger. There's no room for the inn. It's in Bethlehem. Of course, I live in Bethlehem, too. So I was just sitting here thinking to myself, I want to write a book about the story of Jesus's birth. But what if I did it in a little bit of a different way and before everybody starts freaking out? Okay.

Zac Miller:

Yeah. I could hear. I hear the pitchforks. People are sharpening their pitchforks. People are going, what?

Kim Gravel:

Yeah. In a different way.

Zac Miller:

No. Well, you don't get to mess with the story of Christmas, Kim.

Kim Gravel:

We don't. We don't. And I would never. But the friends around the Christmas story. So the book. You want me tell you what the book is about?

Zac Miller:

Yeah, tell me what the book is about. That's what we. I don't want to give it all away.

Kim Gravel:

I don't want to give it all away. But it's not.

Zac Miller:

Don't spoil it. Because the people have to buy it.

Kim Gravel:

But I know. And you got to buy it. You got to buy it for your grandchildren and your children. It's a pass down piece. It's a timeless story told in a very unique way. It's about five woodland friends. Okay. And it's called Maribel in the Manger.

Kim Gravel:

A Journey of five Faithful Friends. Now you've got to hear the names of the friends. I'm going to read a little bit of the book to you.

Zac Miller:

Okay, Read the book.

Kim Gravel:

I hear the names of the friends. So I don't know if you can see. Maybe. Maybe we'll put it up when you do the post and we can put their pictures up. So there's an owl. There's an owl and his name is Owl. Bert. O W L.

Kim Gravel:

But okay, Albert is. So take notes because. Because there is a little quiz you can take to figure out which one of these characters in this story you are. So. So we'll put the quiz in all of our notes.

Zac Miller:

Okay. I love that. Okay, get ready.

Kim Gravel:

We can send it out. Everybody. So text. Before we start.

Zac Miller:

Before we start. Yeah. Who am I? Like, you know me. Which character am I?

Kim Gravel:

I don't want to tell you yet. I want you to try to figure it out for yourself and then you definitely have to take the quiz. So there's a quiz after this? After this.

Zac Miller:

Oh, great.

Kim Gravel:

So Albert, you do you love a quiz, so I don't.

Zac Miller:

Giving the quiz for the record. No, I'm not gonna let you read it yet. I'm like, no, go ahead.

Kim Gravel:

You have to take the quiz.

Zac Miller:

I've interrupted you like four times now. All right, go ahead. I'm a really good producer. This is what they call good producing. You just. You just like keep. The host is trying to read something. Just keep interrupting.

Zac Miller:

That's what they teach you at producing school.

Kim Gravel:

Zac, I live with three men. I'm used to it. Here we go. So Albert the owl, so calm and so wise, put on his cloak and blinked his round eyes. And he's got those, like, really studious glasses. This is my favorite. Michael J. The Fox.

Kim Gravel:

Hit it. I'm so glad you get that. So glad it's not lost on you.

Zac Miller:

No.

Kim Gravel:

Michael J. The fox, quick as a dart. Button his jacket and ready to start. Harriet. H A R I E T T E the hare, with a twitch of her nose, waved both her ears and wiggled her toes. Abner the reindeer, with his antlers aloft polished his boots and was set to head off. But Maribel the mouse wasn't so sure what to do. She clutched her tight coat tightly in her tiny bonnet too.

Kim Gravel:

The forest is so dark I'm sure we'll trip and fall. How will we see a thing? We won't see much at all. And so this is a story of five friends who all are getting dressed and making a journey to the biggest birthday party ever.

Zac Miller:

Whose birthday is it, Kim?

Kim Gravel:

It's Jesus. Baby Jesus. And it goes on telling the story how Harriet is just. She's. She's the rabbit, how Michael J. The fox, how Abner and the owl all. And even Maribel, but she doesn't quite figure it out yet. They all have these gifts and talents, and all of those gifts and talents they use to get to the manger.

Kim Gravel:

Now, just out of curiosity, what do you think some of the gifts and talents are based on these characters? I'm. I'm. I'm curious to see what you think.

Zac Miller:

Oh, gosh, you're putting me on the spot. Okay, so. Well, I mean, I think the owl is probably like, the nerdy smart one, right? The wise. Wise. We could say wise.

Kim Gravel:

Yes.

Zac Miller:

Michael J.

Kim Gravel:

So what do you think he. What do you think the owl is providing everybody as they're making their journey?

Zac Miller:

Oh, Cam, this is like. This really is a quiz. Okay. What is the owl providing everybody? You realize that you're asking a Jew. This, right? Like, this is not the story of Christmas. Is a little bit outside my comfort zone?

Kim Gravel:

No, but think about it. We haven't even gotten to the story of Christmas. The owl is always the wise one, right? He's advising the journey and how they should go. And then Abner is lighting the way because he is the tall one. He can see. He's got the lantern. And then you have the fox. What is the fox? What does a little fox do? So you need to know this when you start reading this to your daughters.

Zac Miller:

Ooh. Well, okay. I mean, does it. Is it, like. Is the fox, like, a good actor.

Kim Gravel:

Now, little one? Don't worry, said the fox named Michael J. I have a gift to share as well. It's dependable night and day. My foxy instinct will take us far. It's reliable through and through. It will point us right in the right direction. So let's get going, my woodland crew. So do you see? Every single character has a gift.

Zac Miller:

Yep.

Kim Gravel:

Every single person on the planet has a special gift. And as the story goes, all these characters work together with their gift. But. But Maribel doesn't know what her gift is.

Zac Miller:

This is so. This, let me just say, like, of course this is written by you. This is so perfect for this idea, right? Of everyone was made for a reason. Everyone has a reason for being here. Everyone has a gift. Everyone has a calling.

Kim Gravel:

So was Jesus. So was the birth of Jesus. He had a gift. He had a calling. And they're going to the best birthday party ever. And Harriet, she laughed and said, hop, hop, hop. She was at the mouse's side. My special gift, she announced to all, is giving my friends a ride.

Kim Gravel:

So she puts Maribel on her back and hops her way through the forest to find the manger. And so Maribel goes through the whole story, and she's so concerned and she's so sad because she doesn't know what she brings. But what do mice and mouse mouses have? What did they do really well, especially in the dark?

Zac Miller:

What do they do really well? Smell and find. They find and see.

Kim Gravel:

They have great eyesight in the dark. So it is really, really dark outside. And Maribel spots the Bethlehem star and she guides them through the woodland forest to head to the manger. And she realizes I do have a gift. I do have something to share with the world to help my friends get to this biggest birthday party ever. And so, for me, the story is, of course, about Jesus's birth, but that story is the greatest story ever told. But I wanted to write something that showed five friends helping each other and working together with their gifts and talents that they were given by God to all work together to get to the ultimate gift, which was in that manger. And I'm telling you, I think that it's going to bless everybody that reads it to their children.

Kim Gravel:

And even. Even though you're Jewish, the message still stands. Your little girls have gifts and talents. Of course, Zac, you're most so talented. All of us have gifts and talents to bring to the world. And when we work together. Shows like this happen. Businesses are started, communities are built.

Zac Miller:

And my kids do have Christmas because my wife is Catholic. We do both. My wife's Catholic. We celebrate.

Kim Gravel:

Oh, she's gonna love this.

Zac Miller:

Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

Can I read the last page? Let me read the last page.

Zac Miller:

Yeah, read the last page they get.

Kim Gravel:

Look at this. Isn't this fantastic? Look at the artwork.

Zac Miller:

It is. I love the artwork.

Kim Gravel:

You're gonna love it.

Zac Miller:

I'm looking at the pictures on your website, too.

Kim Gravel:

Of course, you've got a couple of copies coming your way. When the babe awoke and smiled all five friends began to sing the shepherds and the wise men joined in in their joyful hymn Then smiling down on the scene as the night turned into mourn Happy birthday. Maribel cried we're so thankful you were born. Look at that. You have the wise men. You have baby Jesus. You have Mary and Joseph. You have all of the five woodland friends.

Kim Gravel:

And they all got there together.

Zac Miller:

Yep.

Kim Gravel:

And can I tell you, Zac, I'm gonna get emotional because this is one of the most fulfilling, fun, I think, legacy projects I have ever done.

Zac Miller:

That's so cool. And this was really personal. I think the thing that's interesting to me is, like, you didn't have to bring me and a bunch of other people. And, like, I think this really came. It seems to me like this really came from you, like you did. You just kind of. You kind of went off by yourself and did this, which is really cool.

Kim Gravel:

I did. I did, and I loved it. And a beautiful artist. I want to give her credit. She's so great. And she's in the back of the book. Amanda Lynx, she's so beautiful. She captured the story beautifully.

Kim Gravel:

And the great thing about this is we have a ornament set that's going with this, too. So there's only 3,000. It's going to be available on QVC. They might be gone by the time this airs. They might be sold out. But I will tell you, this is. The book is available on my website. You know, Kim Gravel dot com.

Kim Gravel:

You can get it at Maribel and the manger dot com go to all my social media. But I tell you, it's the. It's the story that keeps on giving. Because this is the thing. Jesus is the reason for the season, but what's our reason for being? I think that's a big question we all have, even from when we're really, really little. You know, why are we here and what are we here for? And so this. This story really, really explains how Everybody has a gift and shows it in a way that is authentic and beautiful. Even the little woodland animals have their gift that they bring.

Kim Gravel:

So it's the wise men brings gifts and so do these little woodland creatures. They all have gifts to give. You know what, I wonder why we, we forget that. I wonder what age that happens. Like, you know, I bet if you talk to your girls, they were like, oh yeah, I'm good at this, I'm pretty. You know, they have no problem.

Zac Miller:

We just did a poster about my kindergartner and she, she had to make a poster all about herself and just no hesitation, she, she just like, you know, things I like about me. And she's like saying stuff. And I was like, man, you know, this is the kind of thing that if you asked me this, I would hesitate, I would pause, I would think about it, I would hesitate. But when you're five, you're just like, yeah, I'm friendly and I'm kind and I'm nice and I, you know, all the things.

Kim Gravel:

Well, you know, I didn't set out to write a book that would be, you know, I did it cause of the love of my heart and it was a passion project for me. But I just remember all the stories that I used to read my kids. The Goodnight book. Have you ever read the Goodnight? Yeah, like all the let's talk about.

Zac Miller:

Your favorite kids books actually, because I would love to know and I think everyone's always looking for recommendations for kids books for grandchildren or their children or whoever, right?

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, definitely. Barabelle in the Manger, especially this time of year.

Zac Miller:

Of course.

Kim Gravel:

And I'm already working on it. I'm already working on another one for spring with these five friends. Yeah, I mean the Goodnight book, I remember it so well. I would read it over and over to both of my kids. I still have the book and it's worn out. And even the other day, Blanton goes, mom, do you still have the Goodnight book? I said, I do. He goes, don't ever throw that away. I said, oh, I would never.

Kim Gravel:

That's a pass down thing, right? So I'm going to pass that down to my kids when they have kids. So, you know, it's. These kind of things can last forever. And when I say the greatest story ever told, I mean it is one that's probably told more. The birth of Jesus at this time of year as we are heading into the holiday season. I mean, Zac, do you realize, like Halloween's a couple of weeks away. We're gonna be in Thanksgiving and we're full on. You know, I'm pulling out every tree I got right now.

Kim Gravel:

I mean, I've put up 11 trees.

Zac Miller:

I forgot. Wait, have you already put up the Christmas trees already?

Kim Gravel:

Not yet, but I've pulled them out. Do you know what I'm saying? They're out. They're assembled. They're not in the home yet, and they're not being decorated. But, you know, we're gearing up.

Zac Miller:

Okay, wait. I have a question, because I know that you're. I'm sure. Okay. Knowing you and knowing your family, I'm sure your mom is anti Halloween. It's my guess, no.

Kim Gravel:

Well, believe it or not, no. There's no skeletons. We don't decorate like that.

Zac Miller:

But we all do. Trick or treat. That was my question is, do you decorate for Halloween?

Kim Gravel:

No, we don't decorate for Halloween, but we do trick or treat. And she has. We have about a hundred kids come by every trick. So we all go, and we all sit on the lawn and pass out candy. She will have a pumpkin full of candy. So she will kill them with sugar, but she won't put out a scary pumpkin.

Zac Miller:

Okay, got it, got it, got it. Yeah. Priority. Look, at least she's not the monster who's like, here are some carrot sticks. Because, like that, no one. No one wants to be that person.

Kim Gravel:

Now. We used to give out full candy bars, but we don't do that anymore because we have. There's a lot of kids that come through, so we can't do that anymore.

Zac Miller:

So we get the reputation. And those are exp. Even the candy now, when they're. The little fun size ones are crazy expensive.

Kim Gravel:

It's crazy. They do give good candy.

Zac Miller:

A few blocks from where we live is sort of the neighborhood in Sacramento that's known as one of the best trick or treating neighborhoods. And we have friends whose. Their folks live there. And they were like. We go through 800 pieces of candy minimum. Like, it's. They're like, we're spending. Yeah, they're spending, you know, hundreds.

Zac Miller:

A couple hundred bucks on candy.

Kim Gravel:

No, my parents. I think it's. My parents are way over, like, 2,000, 3,000 pieces of candy. Yeah. They give out three apiece now.

Zac Miller:

That's amazing.

Kim Gravel:

And you know what? The kids come. The parents dress up, and the teens come. Like, everybody's got the bag out.

Zac Miller:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah.

Zac Miller:

And there's no, like, oh, you're too old for this, or you're not.

Kim Gravel:

No, we don't do that. And my kids, Blanton and Bo drive My nephew. And then they bring all their teenage friends, and they all take the golf cart and drive all over the neighborhood with my nephew.

Zac Miller:

I mean, it's tooled around. A golf cart. Okay, got it.

Kim Gravel:

I will tell you this. My mother's chili. I wait for it every year, her. And that in that cornbread. Should I put that chili recipe in this episode? I might need to.

Zac Miller:

You said chili. I thought you said jelly. Like. Like a brain jelly mold. Like it's, you know.

Kim Gravel:

No, just the best chili with Fritos.

Zac Miller:

Oh, the saltiness of Fritos is perfect for a chili. Yeah. Do you. Do you put them in the chili? Do you crush them up and put them inside?

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, I don't crush. I just do the scoops and I stick them in there and let them get a little soft.

Zac Miller:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

And then cornbread.

Zac Miller:

We should start selling that. Like, that's that. Yeah, I think that's the play.

Kim Gravel:

I see a new book coming. I see a new book coming.

Zac Miller:

Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

Right.

Zac Miller:

Yeah. It's a cookbook. It turns out it's a cookbook. Okay, I. I have some questions. I have some questions about the book. Can I ask you some questions about. About Mirabel in the major?

Kim Gravel:

Look at her. Isn't she the cutest?

Zac Miller:

Oh, that is cute.

Kim Gravel:

But there is a quiz you can take. There's a quiz you can take to find out what character you are. Oh, gosh. Do you know what character you are?

Zac Miller:

I'm scared to take it. No, I don't know what character I am.

Kim Gravel:

Zac, for real?

Zac Miller:

The owl?

Kim Gravel:

Your Owlbert? Come on.

Zac Miller:

Okay. All right. All right. Well, now I forgot my question for you. Kim. Oh, no. Okay, so here's what I want to know. Here's what I want to know.

Zac Miller:

So your writing process. So how did you, like. What made you actually decide to do this? Because I know how hard. Hard's may be the wrong word. I know how challenging. Your first book. So collecting confidence, which is.

Kim Gravel:

You can say hard.

Zac Miller:

I was gonna say real book. Obviously, this is also a real book, just not your memoir. Was. And I just, like, I didn't expect you to want to keep writing books, you know? So what made you. What made you want to take this on and then just kind of do it?

Kim Gravel:

Well, you know, for me, I've always been. I was mentored as a young girl. I remember being six or seven, because I talk about in the book that I had these two Nancy's in my life. One was a painter, an artist, and the other, Nancy, was a seamstress. And I would Sit with the first Nancy, I was like 7 or 8. And then when I was at 15 or 16 with the other Nancy, and I would just watch them do their art. They would pour into my life, encourage me in my gifts and talents. I would watch them really, really excel in their gifts and talents.

Kim Gravel:

And so I've always been a person to pay it forward, but you know, with a younger generation. And so I truly believe that, not to quote Whitney Houston, may she rest in peace, I truly believe the children are our future in the, the, the early. The earlier we can get them to understand that they have gifts and callings, they are created for purpose, and the better off the world is going to be. I mean, we live in a world that compares. And I got to do this and so. And so is doing that. And so. And as adults, I think we understand the concept that we all have gifts and talents, but we don't operate from that point of reference.

Kim Gravel:

And so I wanted to really tell the Christmas story, of course, because you know, my heart and my faith, but do it in a way that we all, all the friends are working together with their gifts and talents to go meet him and see. To me, that is faith. I always say. I wrote a song a while back, Amy and I did, and there's a line in it that says, share the gospel with your hands. Because a lot of people talk, but very few people show in, you know, what the true gospel is. And if it's our job as believers to point people and lead people and guide people to Jesus, how you're going to do that is with your gifts and talents that he's given you and then that community of people work together to touch even more people. And so to me, that is what the church is to me, that is what my faith is to me.

Zac Miller:

Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

Is you've got to share it and you've got to live out your purpose. So that points people to the greatest story ever told, which is Jesus. And that's. So for me it was the message, but it was bigger than just saying the message of Jesus being born. It's kind of like the why he was born.

Zac Miller:

Right. And it's your. I think the amazing thing about. Is for me, when I think about religion more generally and the Bible and the story of Jesus and you know, take it's helpful is. And you can also put it will mean something different to different people. Right. I could ask 10 different, you know, very devout Christians what their takeaway from the story of Jesus is. And I bet I would get 10 different answers.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, to some extent.

Zac Miller:

I mean, not vastly different, but.

Kim Gravel:

Well, no, I hear what you're saying, but the story has been told so many times, so many different ways, so many. This is. This is. This was an interesting take because I truly believe true friends help each other find the true meaning of life.

Zac Miller:

And we've talked about the power of friendship on the show before and how having a friend with you makes your life better, and it makes you better at doing what you're doing.

Kim Gravel:

And, yeah, everything is. You can't do. It's better together. I'm not kidding you. It really is. Now, make sure you get the right kind of people. But if you are living out your life's purpose, the right people will come along. I just want everybody to read it and be encouraged.

Kim Gravel:

And it's a passion project for me. I think you're gonna enjoy it. I know your kiddos will. The grandkids will. Zac, your kids are gonna love it. The characters are precious. Just go to maribelinthemanger.com and check it out and let me know what you think. Oh, and we gotta put the quiz in there, Zac.

Zac Miller:

Yeah, we're gonna put the quiz. So the quiz will be in the show notes of this episode. So if you're on a platform that has notes with it, like, check them out.

Kim Gravel:

Guess who I was.

Zac Miller:

Oh, gosh. You're definitely not Mirabel.

Kim Gravel:

You're.

Zac Miller:

I feel like. Were you.

Kim Gravel:

Just go for it.

Zac Miller:

Were you the Fox? Are you the Fox?

Kim Gravel:

Michael J. I was Michael J.

Zac Miller:

Okay. Michael J. The Fox.

Kim Gravel:

Michael J. Is that.

Zac Miller:

Don't sue us.

Kim Gravel:

Can we just have a pause moment for that? Michael J. Fox. I hope he. I hope he gets this message about this. Isn't that fantastic? Fox's name. I said Michael J.

Zac Miller:

I mean, because you also could have gone. Jamie. You could have gone, Jamie, the Fox could have gone. Jamie could have gone. Are there any other. There's got to be some other famous Foxes out there. Okay. Okay, so wait.

Zac Miller:

So speaking of friends. So speaking of friends, I wrote this question when I was thinking about this and prepping this episode. Who was the first person you told about this? Like, who?

Kim Gravel:

Who?

Zac Miller:

And like, what. How. How did they react? Was it Amy? Was it Travis?

Kim Gravel:

Was Amy okay? It was Amy. And she was like, what did Amy. Okay. She just. Like, she was just. Honestly, she was like this. You're gonna do one more thing.

Zac Miller:

Amy. Amy is, like, gonna just. Yes. And you. But also. Yeah. Be worried that you're overextending. Yeah, right.

Kim Gravel:

But Amy is Maribel. No. Hands down, she Is Maribel. She took the quiz. She's Maribel. I can't wait for all of y' all to take the quiz.

Zac Miller:

Oh, that's so funny. Okay, wait. So, okay, what age is this for? That was my other question. What. What's the. What's the right age?

Kim Gravel:

Anywhere from 2 to 3 on up. It's timeless.

Zac Miller:

Like, this is truly a passion project. And I'm pretty sure you self published, right? And I think that's like in this day and age, like, I think that's so smart, frankly. And I think that.

Kim Gravel:

Well, I had to self publish because we couldn't get it out in time.

Zac Miller:

Oh, you wanted to get out.

Kim Gravel:

I mean, it was just. I just wanted it to make it for this holiday season. And it's. Here it is launched. You can get it right now on maribellinthemanger.com and we're, we have an ornament set that's going to be with it at qvc. So it's, it's a. It's. It's.

Kim Gravel:

Comes with the ornaments, the little, the five character ornaments. They're so cute. So.

Zac Miller:

Oh, that's cute.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, but.

Zac Miller:

So you can buy it on. So you can buy the book on QVC too, as well. Or QVC as well.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, yeah, with the ornament set, for sure.

Zac Miller:

Cool. Okay. That's awesome.

Kim Gravel:

And you can.

Zac Miller:

Oh, that's really cool.

Kim Gravel:

And then you can. Yeah. So you got to check it out. Check it out. Maribel in the manger. So there's no telling where Michael J. Abner, Harriet, Albert and Maribel is going to end up. They have a lot of adventures together as friends.

Zac Miller:

Okay, I have one last question for you, because I was thinking about this too, is I think children's books are one of those things. I think every parent at some point has this thought, like, I want to write a children's book. I think I could write a children's book. I think it sounds like fun.

Kim Gravel:

Or.

Zac Miller:

What advice would you give to someone who has the children's book idea, who's maybe a mother or grandmother and hasn't had the courage to publish it or really even write it? What would you say to someone who is sitting on that children's book idea?

Kim Gravel:

Just start writing. Just do it. Like, I knew what I wanted the message of this to be, and I just sat down and I just started writing. And honestly, it poured out of me. It was the easiest thing I've ever done and the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. So, you know, you know, if there's something in you that's, that's, that needs to be birthed. No pun intended. That you just have to move forward and do it.

Kim Gravel:

Just take that first step and watch it come to life. And as Michael Jeff in the book, I'm your friend, I'm going to say, I'm going to tell you what Michael J said to, to Maribel. Hold on, let me find it, let me find it.

Zac Miller:

Here we go.

Kim Gravel:

He said, my foxy instinct will take us far. Reliable through and through it will point in the right direction. So let's go, my woodland crew. Get on it, baby. Go for it. Don't wait, okay, don't wait. Write the book.

Zac Miller:

I love the rhymes too. Can we talk about was it hard to rhyme? I feel like it's so hard to rhyme.

Kim Gravel:

I love. It's hard to rhyme, but I love it like, but you know, I talk in sound bites anyway. You know me, I'm always thinking, yeah, that's true. I love this. Let me just say it says, let's go closer, said Michael J. Of course he did. Michael J's always pushing the envelope. Let's go farther, let's get better.

Kim Gravel:

I want to see the king. So the friends crept into the stable, but Maribel couldn't see a thing. Everyone was bigger. She was too tiny. And she, as she had said, but don't cry, she told herself, trust in your friends instead.

Zac Miller:

You've got friendship, you've got rhymes. Got it all, got it all.

Kim Gravel:

Maribel in the manger. Go check it out. Get it, get it, get it. And also, Zac, I want to, I want to do a shameless plug about a friend of mine's Bible guide. They're so amazing. So if you're looking for, if all my adult friends out there who's like, I'm gonna get the Maribel in the manger, but you need a little encouragement. I want you to visit BibleLifeGuides.com and just. I'm featured on the homepage because I have written a Bible guide.

Kim Gravel:

It's a 21 day guide about forgiveness. And I'm just going to take a little moment here to speak to this because forgiveness is so important. Not just for you, not just for the person that you're forgiving, but for yourself too. And I have recently had to walk through some struggles with forgiveness. And it was so weird because it was all the time the Charlie Kirk thing happened, which was so sad. And, and his wife, I think I saw on TikTok or something, she said, I forgive the young man that did that to her husband. And I thought, wow, what courage there. But it challenged me to really think about things that I was not forgiving in my own heart towards other people.

Kim Gravel:

So when my friend approached me with the Bible lifeguides, I decided to write my guide as about forgiveness. So go check it out. If you go to thebiblelifeguides.com, pull up the homepage. I'm right on the homepage. Click through. Follow along for 21 days about forgiveness, there is a nominal charge for it, Zac. We are giving all proceeds, my proceeds, to the Atlanta Mission here to feed the hungry, especially this time of year. So go to BibleLifeGuides.com, check it out and be encouraged and let us know what you think about Maribel in the manger and the Bible life guides.

Kim Gravel:

And y'. All. Tis the reason for the season. We are heading into the holidays.

Zac Miller:

We are. We're here. We're here.

Kim Gravel:

All right.

Zac Miller:

But first, we're doing. First, we're doing a lot of candy for thousands of pieces of candy for.

Kim Gravel:

Let's be clear. We're gonna get to the manger, but we got to go through all the other holidays first. You know, I don't miss a holiday. I don't ever miss a meal, a holiday meal either. So here we go. It's October. We are heading into the holiday season. I want you to be encouraged and be blessed.

Kim Gravel:

Mm. God is good and so are you. We love you.

Kim Gravel:

Zac Miller is the Executive Producer of the Kim Gravel Show. His production company is Uncommon Audio. Our Producer is Kathleen Grant, the Brunette Exec. Production help from Emily Bredin and Sara Noto. Our cover art is designed by Sanaz Huber at Memarian Creative. Our show is edited by Mike Kligerman. Our guest intros are performed by Roxy Reese. Our guest booking is done by Central Talent Booking. Our ads are furnished by True Native Media. And y'all, I want to give a big huge thank you to the entire team at QVC+ and a special thank you to our audience for making this community so strong. If you are still listening then you must have liked a few episodes along the way. So tell somebody about it. Tell somebody about this show and join our mailing list at kimgravelshow.com. I cannot do this show without you and so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. I hope you gain a little bit of encouragement, light and love love from watching and listening to The Kim Gravel Show. I love you all so much. Till next time. Bye.