Sarah Sundin
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing one of our new CAN members, Christi Grace. Christi has a fun and fascinating career as a pet sitter—and she’s collected her stories into a book. Who wouldn’t want to read that?
Welcome, Christi! Please tell us about your book, My Hair-Raising and Heartwarming Adventures as a Pet Sitter (A Life of Fun, Fur, and Faith).
Author Christi Grace
The book is a collection of stories about the animals I cared for over a 12-year period as a professional pet sitter. The book reads as a devotional and each one reflects the spiritual truths God taught me personally through my encounters with the animals and their owners.
What a fun idea! Why did you write this book?
I left the corporate world and an incredibly stressful job, and I started a pet sitting business. I have always been a huge animal lover, so it was the perfect job! I learned so much about God and myself while I was doing something I genuinely loved. It turned into a ministry, and God did so many amazing things through it. I wanted to share those stories in hopes that others would be touched and see that God can work though His beautiful animal creation in amazing ways.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
That God can use anything to reveal His love to us—even a bully of a rooster!
My Hair-Raising and Heartwarming Adventures As A Pet Sitter by Christi Grace
Oh my! That sounds like quite a story. So, what was your greatest challenge in writing this book?
I really thought I would have a hard time remembering important details, because all the stories are true. I wanted to make sure everything was authentic and accurate. But it was so amazing how small, but important details came right back to me as I was writing. I know it was God that brought those memories right back as I needed them.
I love that! What was the hardest part to write?
Some of the stories might seem a little sad, but because they are true stories, the sadder details needed to be included. I cried as I wrote the stories because I remembered exactly how I felt at those moments in time. It was difficult to go back to some of those places again. I think that helped me bring the reader to the same emotional place I was at the time. It’s important to me to help the reader feel what I feel in my writing.
I’m sure your readers really appreciate your honesty and openness. Why do you love writing?
I remember loving to write back when I was a very, young child. I was so shy growing up, and writing was a way to say things on paper I would never say out loud. My teachers always encouraged me to keep writing, and that was such a blessing to me. That encouragement is probably the reason I continued to write into adulthood.
What wonderful teachers! When did you first recognize God’s call to write for Him?
I honestly was never sure of a calling to write. I would write stories and articles and then just save them on my computer. I rarely let anyone else read them because I didn’t think they were good enough. But those I did share my writing with pushed and pushed me to get my stories out there. So, I did. The next thing I knew I was getting articles published in magazines and then an offer to publish a book. I think that kind of made me realize God had a hand in it!
What ministries are you involved in, and why?
Currently, my husband and I are involved in a ministry that reaches out to Jewish people and tells them about the true Messiah in Jesus (Yeshua). We have been involved in the ministry for almost seven years. It has been the most amazing journey for both of us.
Do you have pets and do they inspire your writing or hinder it?
Of course, I have pets! No surprise there, I’m sure. I have dogs, chickens, and up until this past February I had three horses. My horses passed away this past January and February. It has been such a hard loss. But every day I spend with my animals is such a blessing from God. They keep me laughing, and there’s always a lesson God teaches me through them. They truly enrich my writing and my life.
Everyone struggles with time management in our 24/7 world. How do you stay disciplined and meet your deadlines?
I’m actually quite disciplined. So, it really isn’t too much of a challenge to meet deadlines. My biggest challenge with time management is I get distracted with my animals wanting my attention. I have a hard time turning them down!
What’s your favorite bookstore—and why?
I don’t know if I have a favorite bookstore. I love them all. But, up until a couple years ago there was a little bookstore called Scotts Books, which was owned by an elderly lady in my neighborhood. I loved the smell of that store because it reminded me of an old library I used to visit as a kid. It just smelled like “books.” I think most book lovers will understand what I mean by that! That smell always takes me back to when I was a young child and would go to the library with my grandmother.
Sounds delightful. What’s next for you, Christi? Please tell us about your next project.
I am really praying right now about a book I would like to write. Friends have encouraged me to do it, but I want to make sure it is something the Lord has called me to do. So, more to come on that!!
We’re looking forward to hearing what comes next for you!
To learn more about Christi and her books, please find her on Instagram at @thefurrysideoffaith.
Writing for Him,
Sarah Sundin
