CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Sabrina Wayson
You’re Beautiful (Timeless Thursday)
Julie Arduini
You’re Beautiful is the first of three books in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series that I wrote with my teen daughter, Hannah. She had the idea after going through a hard time in middle school, and she wanted to encourage girls before similar things happened to them. We realized that women struggle with believing lies about themselves as much as girls and teens do. The series is for females for all ages revolving around a mentoring ministry in Youngstown, Ohio. The middle school character and the adult mentor from each book both have their own story but believe the same lie about themselves.
You’re Beautiful highlights Hayley Atkinson and Sabrina Wayson’s story. Sabrina is a recent college graduate with a unique upbringing. It’s my pleasure to introduce Sabrina through her character interview.
THE INTERVIEW:
JULIE: Sabrina, you seem to have a passion to encourage girls. Where do you think it comes from?
SABRINA: Great question. I think it’s from the home I grew up in. My biological parents were not able to take care of me, so my uncle and aunt invited me to stay with them. They are my parents as far as I’m concerned, and they are the pastors at our church. Aunt Cheri’s a natural at reaching out and encouraging others, and it was her idea to start the Linked mentoring ministry. I jumped at the opportunity.
JULIE: How do you balance everything? You recently graduated from college, work at a coffee shop, serve with Linked.
SABRINA: A lot of caffeine! I also try to stay organized, and I have a lot of reminders on my phone, including texting the others in Linked so they know I’m praying for them.
JULIE: Tell me about Linked. What are the girls like?
SABRINA: So much fun. I don’t know why adults don’t want to be around teens. The girls are hilarious, and they just want to be loved and needed. Even the ones who aren’t always pleasant, I know at their core they also have a desire to be loved. It’s the least I can do to show them Christ and remind them there will be no regrets if they make Him number one in their lives.
JULIE: How often do you see your biological father?
SABRINA: That’s a work in progress. He has a lot of issues to work through, and I think he’s doing his best. I’m very thankful for Uncle Chet and Aunt Cheri. They keep my focus on Christ as we all navigate these waters.
JULIE: Are you spontaneous at all?
SABRINA: I can be. One thing I did after graduation was I went to the mall and got my nose pierced. I’m sure a few people at church weren’t happy, and my bio dad made a comment I haven’t forgotten, but it was fun.
JULIE: What’s next for you?
SABRINA: A job in my field. Growing my relationship with everyone at Linked. The rest I’m not sure about, but I know God’s in it all.
JULIE: You’re invited to check out You’re Beautiful and get to know Sabrina and Hayley. You’re Amazing has been released, and Jazmin and Lena have a powerful message to share. If you enjoy any of my books, please leave a review. It means so much!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Hayley Atkinson withdraws from her friends and new opportunities with the new mentoring group, Linked, after she is told a lie that she believes is true about herself. Sabrina Wayson is a mentor in Linked who feels she can’t help encourage girls because she’s struggling as much as they are. Can they surrender the lies and find freedom?
Purchase: eBook: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Beautiful-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin-ebook/dp/B078VK3JJB
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her latest release, YOU’RE AMAZING, is a book for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 2 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities.
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About Julie's Giveaway:
I’d love to give away a copy of You’re Beautiful. Leave a comment below with your name and email, and I’ll choose a random winner. US winner can choose print or eBook. The international winner automatically wins an eBook. Giveaway runs for one week, ending next Thursday, March 7 at MIDNIGHT, CST. Winner will be drawn on Friday, March 8 and notified via email.
Thanks, Peg, for letting me return to talk about You're Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome. Glad to have you here.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! I would love to win it for my daughter and her two middle school girls. Middle school is really hard, especially on girls raised in Christian homes - so few are it seems. I hope I win a print copy.
ReplyDeleteHi, Bonnie, thanks for dropping in. I know some of your family's story and I believe this would be a great story for your girls. You're entered in the drawing.
DeleteWe have a winner! Congratulations, BONNIE ENGSTROM! Thanks for joining us here.
ReplyDelete