Books in the Heroes by Design series

Sela has been best friends with Emily and Zach as long as she can remember. Losing her dog is the most traumatic thing Sela has ever dealt with and her first real test of faith. Then Emily's mother dies. The friendship is tested when Emily decides she no longer needs God or friends who do. In a moment of frustration, Sela petitions her Guardian Angel to help her by intervening on Emily's behalf. The petition is heard and God grants a redirection. He sends Victorious and Glorious to Roosevelt Middle School and gives them permission to interact with no one's knowledge that they are angels. Victor and Gloria Way, the new twins, weave their way into the lives and activities of the students. They provide subtle and not so subtle fun and enlightenment. They make it clear to Mara, Sela's former friend turned bully and her group that they will make their own choices in friends. They encourage the students to embrace their differences and learn to work out the small things. Sela and Zach's youth group have a hayride and barbecue and Zach makes Sela see that she is pushing Emily away. Emily accepts Zach's invitation after he promises that no one will pressure her. Sela has to accept that sometimes God tells us to step back and give Him control. Victor survives his first, date, and successfully directs Mara's attention to another boy. The hayride helps to heal some old wounds and open the opportunity to rebuild friendships Emily and her father meet with the youth minister and Pastor. They help them to understand that being angry with God is natural when dealing with the death of a loved one. Pastor Rick shares his experience in dealing with the loss of his brother. He points out that all of the people of great faith in scripture suffered loss and struggle. They move toward becoming a family again and rebuilding their faith in each other and God. Mara gets the lead in the school and is bullied by another group in the school. She discovers how it feels to be put down by her peers and the group agrees to work together to find a solution to include, Heidi, the girl who is used to always getting the lead and is behind the attacks on Mara. They each share what they know about Heidi and Mara remembers that Heidi prides herself on her ability to redesign clothing. Sela gets excited and decides that Heidi would be a perfect designer for the play. The play serves as a catalyst for all of the students to work together and embrace their differences. God reveals to the Angels that their current mission is finished but to expect more to come. He allows the Way twins to finish the play before returning. Each character in the play speaks to some issue; diversity, compassion, acceptance, pride, entitlement, and genuine love. Sela is overwhelmed with emotion and so happy to see so much accomplished by everyone working together. She has discovered that although she loved having the twins there to help, most of the changes have come about by taking responsibility for her own judgments and actions and finding the Hero that is in each of us.

Sela and her friends are beginning ninth grade. Sela knows that being able to converse with her guardian angel and having Gloria and Victor (mentoring angels), is a blessing but also a great responsibility. God is entrusting her with getting His plan for TNT, (Teens for a New Tomorrow), in place will be a daunting task.The girls and Zach are excited to start their freshman year. They take pictures and goof around until they are standing in front of Roosevelt High School, and then the reality sets in. The first big set-back occurs when no one signs up for the group. Sela is disappointed and discouraged. She is challenged by an older girl and called an idealist. Then Zach hits the jackpot when he meets Chandra. Chandra is a member of the Poetry Club and interested in partnering with TNT. The poetry is usually about social, and environmental themes. The poetry draws people to the group and they decide to have a debate about global warming. During the debate a group of kids harass Zach and Chandra and challenge them to act and not just talk. Mrs. Carson, their sponsor, restores order and Zach and Sela invite the students to join TNT and contribute to the platform. The students leave and Sela notices that the ringleader is the girl that hassled her at the sign-up table.Emily is battling her own things during this time. Her father is getting re-married and Emily''s world is changing. She likes Angela and her children but while Sophie is loving and excited about a new sister Colin is not. Emily can see some of the same behaviors in Colin that she exhibited when her mother died. She wants to help but he keeps pushing her away.Zach is working on a program for mental health as part of their monthly focus for TNT. His father is bi-polar and after Emily encourages him, he asks his dad to help with the round-table discussion. His father is positive and thinks they should both contribute to the activity.A new member suggests that TNT team up with the special needs class to hi-light differences and acceptance. They have a Halloween Party for the class and develop a program called, Be Kind and Include. Allen, a student with Down Syndrome, becomes the face of the program. He teaches all of them the meaning of true acceptance because accepts differences with true love and compassion.Sela''s locker has been trashed and someone called the school and reported that TNT had a religious agenda. Mrs. Carson is supportive and Sela is encouraged to move on. Then she finds out that her father has a health issue. The stress is mounting and Sela has to call on her mentors, Victor and Gloria, for support. They inhabit her dog Halo and Emily''s dog Cupid. They help the girls work out a plan to find ways to get the word out about TNT. Chad is extra helpful and making it clear that he likes Sela. Sela is both flustered and excited. Chad asks her to save him a dance for the activity after his basketball game. Sela feels nervous and excited. The bullying from the older student comes to a head just when TNT is taking off. They have been asked to visit another district and are working on a program when Sela is given notice that a parent has complained to the school board. The board suspends TNT until they can have a review. It gives Sela a chance to go with her parents for some of the tests for her dad and she prays that everything will work out. Zach organizes the information for the review and just before everything totally unravels Sela''s dad is given a diagnosis. He has Lupus and Sela feels relieved that it is not cancer. She finds that all the other things do not seem quite so important and is able to ''Let go and let God''. She has finally learned patience. TNT is re-instated and finds new life and they find new insight in understanding how dysfunctional families can impact a life.