Ridge - Flash: the homeless donkey who taught me about life, faith, and second chances

Stories that teach spiritual lessons, delight with humor, and make me lean in closer to Gods heart are my favorites! And this unlikely treasure of a book does just that. You will fall in love with Flash and the way Rachel Anne processes their story together.

L YSA T ER K EURST, New York Times bestselling author of The Best Yes and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

When I first heard that Rachel Ridge had written a book about her familys donkey, Flash, I had no idea what to expect. Nothing could have prepared me for such a delightful experience! I loved every page of Flash, and Rachel has such a gift for storytelling that you can absolutely picture each scene. This book made me laugh at Flashs antics and cry as I identified with the lessons he has taught her family about the way God loves us and sees us. This book will make you fall in love with our Savior all over again and, more than likely, make you hope you can have your own pet donkey someday.

M ELANIE S HANKLE, New York Times bestselling author of Sparkly Green Earrings and The Antelope in the Living Room

This book is a delight; its an honest, funny, and encouraging reminder of the creative, loving ways that God pursues us, teaches us, and changes us. Granted, I never expected that Id have so much in common with a donkey, but Flash has taught me more than I could have imagined. Youre going to love this book, and when you finish reading it, youre going to want to follow Flashs lead and run with horses.

S OPHIE H UDSON, author of Home Is Where My People Are and blogger at BooMama.net

Flash is a marvelous, wonderful, funny, touching, and illuminating book. The author makes the good donkey Flash come alive on the pages. I agree with Rachel that God uses all sorts of things from dogs to donkeys to teach us more about himself, and all we have to do is pay attention.

J IM K RAUS, bestselling author of The Dog That Talked to God

Charming, poignant, funny, honest Rachel Annes journey with Flash the donkey is pure reading pleasure as she shares her familys misadventures with their four-legged friend. She opens her heart to us as well, helping us learn memorable lessons about doing life with more meaning and purpose. Flash is delightfully different. I loved it!

L IZ C URTIS H IGGS, bestselling author of The Girls Still Got It

What a charming, endearing, numinous book and donkey! From the first chapter, you will immediately fall in love with Rachel Anne Ridge and her beloved Flash. By the last line, your eyes will be opened to seeing the ways God shows up and reveals Himself in the most unexpected and delightful ways.

L ISA W HELCHEL, actress and author of The Facts of Life and Friendship for Grown-Ups

I always stand amazed at Gods infinite creativity. When Rachel and Tom Ridge faced a financial crisis, I would have suggested a financial advisor or career counselor. God chose to send a homeless donkey. Flash used his considerable donkey charm to teach the family lessons about service, faithfulness, purpose, passion, and second chances. You will laugh (often) at the antics of Flash. You will be touched by the authenticity of Rachels writing and the depth of the lessons God revealed through an abandoned donkey with big ears and a bigger heart.

D AVE B URCHETT, author of Stay and When Bad Christians Happen to Good People

A kick-in-the-pants read! Flash is memoir plus heartwarming and sometimes stressful animal story, mixed together with spiritual truth, all tempered with humor at just the right spots. Though I live in the suburbs, this made me want to disobey my neighborhoods bylaws and get myself a donkey!

M ARY D E M UTH, author of The Wall around Your Heart

Rachel Ridge has a beautiful ability to take the common things of life (like words) and craft them in such a way that they flow like prose and poetry. Submerging yourself in Flash is to become lost in a beautiful gallery of her finest art. With each turn of the page, the master storyteller shares a glimpse of humor, revelation, and hope. Wed all like to have a friend like Flash, faithful and true. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever needed a true-blue friend, a second chance, or a fresh perspective.

J AN G REENWOOD, pastor of Gateway Women (Gateway Church) and author of Women at War

I believe that since Creation, God has used animals to teach us about ourselves and about our Creator if well pay attention. Rachel pays attention, and so will her readers as they delight in a quirky and lovable donkey, Flash.

D ANDI D ALEY M ACKALL, author of Winnie the Horse Gentler, Backyard Horses, and the Starlight Animal Rescue series

What in the world could a donkey teach me about life? Lots. Why? Because donkeys are simple creatures who live simple lives. Isnt simplicity exactly what so many people are seeking to find amid their busy and hectic existences? In the pages of this book, you will find in the life of Rachel Anne Ridge and in the life of her surprise pet donkey that simplicity is beautiful.

C HRYSTAL H URST, coauthor of Kingdom Woman

Reader, BEWARE! By the end of this book you will be searching for a donkey for your own personal growth! From now on, every time I see one of these marvelous creatures out in the field, I will think of Flash, and I am sure a smile or giggle will follow, for this burro of burden is laden with humor and wisdom. Rachel has dignified a lowly creature to the point that you think it almost necessary to fence in your yard, buy some hay, and wait for the lessons to begin.

T INA W ESSON, Survivor: The Australian Outback (Season Two) winner

I loved this whimsical, vulnerable, and simply profound book! Rachel tells how a broken, lost, and stubborn animal awakened her awareness of Gods voice in her life. Her story gives hope to anyone who has ever felt inadequate or unseen. She takes the simple and makes it shine to encourage the reader to look with a fresh perspective at the potential God puts in each of us.

P AIGE C. G REENE, director of Adult Events, LifeWay Christian Resources

Bravo to Rachel Ridge for this beautifully written book that so eloquently reminds us that our everyday happenings in life can be great lessons and blessings in disguise from our Maker even in the form of a donkey! Two things you will want when you turn the last page are a donkey in your yard and Rachel as one of your besties!

C INDY O WEN, Given Entertainment Group

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Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances

Copyright 2015 by Rachel Anne Ridge. All rights reserved.

Dust jacket photographs of donkey copyright Thomas Ridge. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of daisy copyright iava777/Dollarphotoclub. All rights reserved.

Weathered wood textures copyright DanaGarsonDesign. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all other artwork copyright Rachel Anne Ridge. All rights reserved.