Special Friends of CFU – Kerri Blache

By Susan Lyon

This month we're sharing the ministry of a special friend and CFU supporter, Kerri Blache. Kerri has not only been very instrumental in helping our Cinematic Jesus project endeavors, but she has just published a children's book, and is planning a book series called, "The Journeys of Little Vianne." We all agree that there should be more wholesome reading material for our young children, so we are pleased to feature Kerri and her lovely story, and certainly wish her well in her endeavors as an aspiring children's author.

Kerri writes: Little Vianne is the protagonist in a children’s book series planned and created from my previous tea business, Vianne’s Tea House, owned and operated by my husband & me for 13 years – now online only. Little Vianne was always a part of the spiel while touring customers and their children around the internationally styled rooms of the former Tea House and the lovely butterfly gardens. Her adventures included flitting around the world participating in diverse tea cultures as the story goes.

As a third generation Urantian, I always knew I wanted to tell the real Christmas story through the eyes of Vianne – a butterfly, like a fly on the wall. During a third bout with covid, LITTLE VIANNE DISCOVERS CHRISTMAS was born! Personally, I am thrilled to see a child reading the book and learning the real birth date and story of how Joseph and Mary met! I hope it gets them thinking. I wish they met over a cup of tea lol, but it seems all it took was a refreshing cup of water. And, I am a purest when it comes to re-telling The Urantia Book stories.

The name comes from my mother – Vianne. She was a kind, loving and special person. I watched her journey in searching for spiritual truth – attending various churches, as she was not satisfied with Catholicism. Her mother, relatives and including Uncle Tony Tamburello (opera singer in NYC) had found the UB and shared it with her after she suffered a miscarriage. The Urantia papers comforted mom and her heart began to heal. A short time later, my dad became curious and together they hosted a Study Group that continued for thirty years. My dad morphed into a better version of himself – “Lovin’ Lenny” became his nickname! They have since graduated to the mansion worlds.

Although, I am delighted to have completed LITTLE VIANNE DISCOVERS CHRISTMAS, it has room for improvement – for example the illustrator I chose years ago “no longer does children’s books”. After searching unsuccessfully for a new illustrator, I began to draw and loved it! Honestly, I was trying to meet my own deadline – to bring a mock up copy to IC23. I feel it is a work in progress.

The Little Vianne’s series has many books planned and it certainly will not take another quarantine!