Daughters by Design

Daughters by Design
by Paula Jarot
hardback; 201 pages
2010

I first read Daughters by Design as a printed out manuscript with a pen in hand, in a hotel room in Laos while we were there for a high-school soccer tournament for Isaiah.  Paula Jarot, a talented teacher and good friend, taught Isaiah in elementary school and when she and Paul came to Russell and I asking for prayer over a big decision, I selfishly told her I would not pray if it meant they would leave Thailand.  She assured me that that was not the case, and so began the praying for what became an incredible gift from God, not just for their family, but for the whole community. 

As I re-read Daughters by Design, a decade later, again I'm so thankful for all God put into place as trust increased and prayer was answered.  This true story of the adoption of two Cambodian girls is sure to inspire.  Paula shares fears, hopes, trust, love and dedicated walking by faith as she and Paul say "yes" to God's leading each step of the way.  The journey did not end with adoption for they continue to live by faith, raising and giving guidance to two beautiful young ladies.  The cross-cultural experiences shared by Paula give a keen insight into the lives of those in Cambodia, a country filled with great hurt, yet filled with people of great strength.  Sivy and Sopeak are two of these.  They with tensity for life, did not give up when life was hard in Cambodia or when the challenges of learning English at a school much different from what they could ever picture became their reality. If you would like an heart-felt story of a journey with God, this book is one I would recommend.  Thank you Paula for your dedicated life, for your godly example, and for your willingness to share your experiences with others through your story.  Chapter 24 is especially good.

Goodnight Houston

Goodnight Houston
by Jennifer and Kyle Solak
Illustrated by Paul Dolan
30 page picture book


Goodnight Houston, a delightfully illustrated children's book was our gift from Sophie this Christmas (2013).  I love it! Written by two parents and dedicated to their sons, the rhyming pages share many of the good aspects of living life in Houston.  It was a joy to think back on all of what we have experienced since we have moved to Houston as H-town becomes home to us.  Sophie's enthusiasm for the city remains contagious and I look forward to further explores and contributions for our family in this great city.
Thank you Sophie for such a thoughtful gift.

Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young
382 pages
2004

I had never heard of the unique daily devotional Jesus Calling until a friend gave me a leather copy for Christmas 2012.  I began reading it the first day of January 2013 and it took me about a month to get used to the point of view of Jesus talking to me, as the reader, in each of the daily entries.  For a while I was reading out of discipline and I did not write in the book, as i did not know if i would really like it and maybe if not i might pass it along.  Somewhere in the year, it happened where I so looked forward to each of the days readings and as my prayer time with Jesus increased over the areas He was addressing through scripture, I knew it would be a journal I would read again and again.

This year as I read I underline the bits that are personal to me, and like last year I look the recorded scripture verses up in my Bible for further context, but this year I underline them in my NLT with purple and excited to see all the places where Jesus really cares for me!   Through the year, I have heard of more and more ladies share with me how this book has affected them for good too (some even have it on their i-phone).  I fully recommend it and so thankful for having my own copy and will not be giving this one away, but may purchase other ones to give as gifts.  :)  Thank you Sarah Young for being still to hear from Jesus and I pray for  that desire to grow within me as well.  Thank You Jesus for Your Presence, Your wisdom and Your continual loving care.

The Whale Rider

The Whale Rider
by: Witi Ihimaera
152 pages hardback
1987

Written primarily from the view point of a loving uncle, this Maori "fable" is an interesting account of the life of an eight-year-old girl.  Had Kahu been a first-born son, there would be a different story to tell.  But this little girl persevered in spite of receiving any affection from the great-grandfather that she adored, and in the end, she saved the day.  Intersperse in the story are Maori phrases (often the explanation immediately following) so like the other books I have read about New Zealand, the use of additional language give a rich texture to the reading experience.  There are very poetic chapters about whales and their lives which also provides variety to what would be a very straight-forward story plot.  The characters are consistent and likable (even the grumpy grandparents) and easy to picture in the ways in which they interacted with one another. 
Tribal history and the desire to preserve it played a role in the novel.  Perhaps the bits I liked best was the uncle's travels to Australia and on to Papua New Guinea and the discoveries he made about himself while he was away.  When he returned home he was glad to be back and had a deeper appreciation for all that he had left. 
This is a quick and enjoyable read that makes me happy for family and the value of community. Oh, and the novel was made into a movie, but i have not seen it.

Crazy Love

Crazy Love
by Francis Chan
paperback, 187 pages
2008

I have heard about this book for a while, in fact, a house church, different from ours, chose to study it together when we lived in Thailand during our 2009-2011 time.  One of our kiddos left it in the closet when they went back to college so I decided to give it a read.

The good of the book: it is so practically familiar.  The bad of the book: is is so practically familiar.  Francis Chan is a public speaker as a pastor, a conference guest, and although I have only heard him once (on the video he recommends his readers to watch in the opening chapters of his book), I feel that he does a great job in verbally holding the attention of his audience and effectively communicating his views.

The book is broken down into 10 readable chapters and is devotional as well as seeks to inspire Christians to put to action their faith due to God's great love through Jesus.  Filled with Biblical quotes, quotes from heroes of the faith, and glimpses of lives lived well, Francis Chan combines these with his own personal convictions to convey what really following Jesus could lead to.  I like a quote he shares at the end of the book by Annie Dillard, "How we live our days... is how we live our lives" (pg 165).

This book is a wake-up call.  And when we wake up to the goodness of Jesus we can not help but want more of Him and be more like Him and this will change our thinking and our actions for good.  Crazy Love is about both individual revival as well as the renewal needed within the church universal.  We do not need to remain lukewarm.  Abundant life is available, just like Jesus says, to all who trust in Him.  Here is a somewhat radical idea to ponder tucked away on in a paragraph on page 166: "I urge you to consider and actually live as though each person you come into contact with is Christ."

In the last pages there is a brief interview that gives further insight into Francis Chan concerning the book, the church and life. Even if you do not read the book, (which I would recommend for not yet Christians, for new believers and for those mature in their faith, and I think it would be beneficial to read with a friend or in a group), then take a few minutes to read the interview.  It was worth my time to consider what seem to be well thought through replies to good questions.

My Little Afternoon Tea Book

 My Little Afternoon Tea Book
More than 80 Irresistible Recipes
editor: Liz Malcolm
2012
255 pages, hardback

The recipes in this cookbook are each beautifully illustrated and look delicious.  I like how it is set up for bakers in several different countries by the way the ingredients are measured by weight (both grams and ounces) and by cups.
I have already tested one recipe (Chocolate Mud Biscuits on page 171) and the results have been wonderful!  A great gift to receive, a great gift to give.  Thank you Joy...fun baking with you!  If you would like the recipe for the Chocolate Mud Biscuits please go to http://minickmenus.blogspot.com/ 

The Bone People

The Bone People
by Keri Hulme
1983
450 pages, paperback

The Bone People is the third book now that I have read about New Zealand.  As the first two books were more about New Zealand facts, I was ready for a novel that combined facts along with a story that I found hard to put down.  This is a griping novel that is meant to be read slowly, in my opinion, slowly enough to take the time to look up the Maori meanings to words and phrases in the glossary at the back of the book. 
Kere Hulme does an incredible job of character development, bringing to life on the page, three people whose lives intersect to form a type of a family.  Abuse is a major theme throughout the story and because of this, I was unsure if I would be able to read it, but it was also filled with devoted love, a fascinating description of the New Zealand wild country, birds, trees, sea-life, food, and a wide range of language (poetic imagery, profanity, slang, and Maori). 
Kerewin, the main character, is a poet, artist and somewhat of a hermit.  She is intellectual, brave and drinks way more than is healthy.  She is a pale-skinned Maori, very independent, quick-witted, and gets great pleasure from playing the guitar.  Her home is a tower by the sea. 
Joe, a Maori with dark skin, is a young widow, works in a factory, rides a motorcycle and spends lots of time in the local pub.  His extended family live near-by and they are woven into the story just enough to provide more texture.
A young boy named Simon brings Joe and Kerewin together.  Simon is a sole survivor of a boating accident, has golden-white hair, green eyes, a small frame and is mute.  Joe becomes his foster father and devotes his life to caring for Simon's many unique needs yet disciplines Simon far beyond what is good. 
The book is not an easy read for many reasons; the punctuation is challenging, the use of Maori words add depth yet makes one need to concentrate more on the flow of story, thoughts are recorded as if they were conversation, poetry is intertwined, and the Maori belief of the spiritual realm shows up at various times. So the reader really needs to stay committed to keeping everything straight. 
However, I really liked the book (it was winner of 1885 Booker Prize). I did find the ending to be a bit too abrupt.  I would have liked a few more of the novel's questions answered more fully.  I'm not sure who to recommend this book to.  It gave me plenty to think though concerning how people think, respond and interact to each other, to crisis, to loneliness, to life, to death.  A friend from the Grove loaned me her copy of The Bone People and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read it, especially after time in New Zealand.  Thanks Leanne!