Kelly Johnson

Adaptive social protection (ASP) helps build the resilience of poor and vulnerable households by supporting their capacity to prepare for, cope with, and adapt to large covariate shocks. This book outlines a framework to help guide the design and implementation of ASP.

The story follows Gina the giraffe as she discovers a hidden vineyard nestled between rocky hills on the savanna. Curious and enchanted by the vibrant clusters of grapes hanging from the vines, she meets Benny, a lively bunny who tends the vineyard. Together, they explore the beauty and joy of the vineyard, sharing the sweetness of the grapes and the gentle care needed to harvest them properly. Their new friendship blossoms amid the peaceful rhythm of nature, setting the stage for a heartwarming adventure centered on kindness, respect, and community. As Gina learns the art of grape picking from Benny, she discovers that tending the vineyard is about more than just harvesting fruit-it's about nurturing the vines with care and respect, much like a true friendship. The two friends work side by side, filling their baskets with colorful grapes while enjoying the calm and beauty of the vineyard. This beginning chapter hints at a larger journey where animals from across the valley will come together, united by the vineyard's magic and the bonds of friendship sparked by Gina and Benny's joyful discovery.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV) God has made us brave, not fearful beings. In a forty-day devotional format, author and blogger Kelly Johnson invites you to consider a new way of thinking about what it means to be brave and challenges you to seek a greater intimacy with God and the people God has placed in your life. Through Scripture, stories, prayers, and thought-provoking questions, you will recognize the seeds of divinely inspired bravery and learn the strength found in community. Using letters of the word brave as a guide, Being Brave highlights what God's Word has to say about the characteristics of bravery: Bold, Resilient, Authentic, Vulnerable, and Engaged and Empowered by the Spirit. Banish the fear that holds you back. You are a brave soldier

In Chapter 1: Welcome to Lemur Island, readers are transported to a lush, vibrant world teeming with life, where lemurs of all kinds thrive in harmony across jungle canopies, sunlit clearings, and mossy forest floors. Each lemur species-tiny mouse lemurs, leaping sifakas, regal ring-tailed lemurs-adds its own rhythm to the island's living symphony. Among them is a young, spirited lemur named Lila, whose endless curiosity and boundless energy drive her to explore far beyond the familiar paths of her home. Though her friends and family worry, Lila is drawn by dreams of discovery and the unknown, spending her days collecting treasures, chasing secret streams, and gazing out from her favorite cliff, wondering what lies beyond the ocean's sparkling horizon. Lila's mornings begin with the music of the forest-chirping birds, rustling leaves, and croaking frogs-as she journeys deeper into the jungle in search of new adventures. Though her heart belongs to Lemur Island, she feels the pull of something more-mysteries hidden in the shadows, stories waiting in the breeze, and friendships not yet formed. Guided by hope and imagination, she sets out once more with a flower tucked behind her ear and a satchel full of memories, ready to follow her instincts wherever they lead. As the chapter closes, a sense of wonder fills the air, hinting that Lila's biggest adventure is just about to begin.

Goldie, a bright and curious goldfish living in a small glass bowl by the windowsill, dreams of joining the children she watches every day and experiencing the excitement of school and friendship. Though confined to her tiny watery world, she imagines adventures beyond the glass, filled with learning and new friends. Encouraged by Mia, the kind girl who cares for her, Goldie's world begins to expand when Mia moves her into a larger tank filled with plants and hiding spots, sparking Goldie's hope for the adventures she's always dreamed of. In the next chapter, Mia creates a special school pond in her backyard to give Goldie a real place to meet friends and explore. As the pond fills with fresh water and new aquatic companions arrive-like a speedy shrimp, a bubbly frog, and a wise old turtle-Goldie's excitement grows. No longer alone in her glass bowl, she embraces her new community with joy, ready to learn, play, and share wonderful adventures in her magical new school pond.

Nibbles, an unusually clever and hopeful rat living in a barn, dreams of a magical castle made entirely of cheese. Unlike his skeptical friends, he imagines a wondrous place with towering walls of Gouda, creamy Camembert rooms, and bridges of string cheese. Despite their doubts, Nibbles' determination to find this Cheese Castle sparks a flicker of hope and adventure among his friends, inspiring them to believe in possibilities beyond their everyday world. As evening falls, Nibbles drifts into a vivid dream filled with joyous feasts, secret passages, and thrilling mysteries inside the cheese castle. With his heart full of excitement and courage, he resolves that tomorrow will mark the beginning of a grand adventure-not just a search for cheese, but a journey of friendship, discovery, and the power of dreaming big.

Archie the Armadillo wakes on a bright, golden morning with a flutter of excitement and nerves-it's his very first day at Critter Creek Elementary's art class. From his cozy burrow beneath the leafy canopy, he imagines a world of colors, paint, and new friends, though he's never held a paintbrush before. Art, for Archie, had always been swirls and shapes drawn in soft dirt after rain, little pictures that vanished but left joy in their wake. With his tiny backpack, a homemade brush from his mom, and a peanut-butter acorn muffin for courage, he sets off toward the red-painted schoolhouse, where he meets Bella the cheerful bunny. Together, they walk into a classroom that bursts with color, warmth, and the welcoming smile of Miss Brushwell, a kind porcupine teacher who promises that in her class, there are no mistakes-only discoveries. As Archie settles in alongside new classmates-Tina the Turtle, Miles the Mouse, and Bruno the Bat-he feels the nervous energy in his chest shift into a spark of hope. Miss Brushwell's words make him see his blank sheet of paper not as something to fear, but as an open field for imagination. Surrounded by brushes, colors, and friendly faces, Archie realizes that art isn't about being perfect-it's about exploring, expressing, and sharing pieces of himself with the world. With his claws resting gently on the paper, he's ready to begin a journey where every stroke is an adventure, and every discovery brings him closer to the confidence he's been searching for.

In Morning on the Pier, the story follows Percy the Parrot, a vibrant and watchful guardian of a quiet seaside town just as it begins to stir with life. As dawn breaks, Percy awakens high atop a fishing boat's mast, his brilliantly colored feathers catching the early sunlight. From his lofty perch, he surveys the sleepy harbor below, soaking in the comforting sights and sounds of the awakening world-the lapping waves, the cry of gulls, the scent of sea mist and fresh bread. Percy is no ordinary bird; he's the heart and soul of the pier, a cheerful sentinel who greets each new day with purpose and pride, eager to protect and connect with the people, animals, and rhythms of his home. Throughout the morning, Percy watches as fishermen haul in their catch, shopkeepers open their stalls, and families begin their day by the sea. He calls out playful greetings to familiar faces like Mr. Finley the fisherman and Mrs. Lopez the baker, all while keeping a sharp eye on the ocean's horizon for signs of change or adventure. Children cheer as Percy performs aerial loops, while elderly townsfolk tip their hats in fond recognition. The pier, with its chorus of laughter, creaking wood, and rolling waves, is a tapestry of life-and Percy is woven into every thread. His heart swells with joy knowing he has found his place in the world, not as a wanderer or adventurer, but as a beloved guardian of the town's peaceful mornings and everyday magic.

In the mystical mountain village of Windspire, life hums in harmony with nature, shaped by generations of tradition, elemental magic, and stories whispered on the breeze. Nestled beneath the towering Cloudreach Mountains, the villagers live closely with the land, crafting windchimes, harvesting honey from rare skybees, and honoring the sacred rhythms of sky and stone. Among them is Talia, a young woman whose magic is fading but whose spirit remains unbroken. She clings to a fragment of hope and a prophecy that speaks of the Eye of the Tempest-a legendary place of raw elemental power where magic might be restored. As she sets off on a perilous journey atop the back of a mighty Sky Serpent, the winds of destiny stir, and the ancient stories seem to come alive. But darkness stalks her path. The Shadow Veil-an ancient, feared order cloaked in nightmare and silence-emerges from the forest, threatening all that Windspire holds dear. As the villagers retreat in fear, Talia and her companion Kai stand firm, facing the encroaching shadows with resolve and courage. Their journey becomes not only a quest to reignite Talia's dwindling power but also a test of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming danger. With the Eye of the Tempest drawing near and the wind howling with warnings of what's to come, Talia must choose whether to cling to the fragile remnants of who she was-or rise as the force the sky itself may have been waiting for.