Hope Heals

Hope Heals  

Written By: Katherine and Jay Wolf

Book Overview:

When all seems lost, where can hope be found?

Katherine and Jay married right after college and sought adventure far from home in Los Angeles, CA. As they pursued their dreams, they planted their lives in the city and in their church community. Their son, James, came along unexpectedly in the fall of 2007, and just 6 months later, everything changed in a moment for this young family.

On April 21, 2008, as James slept in the other room, Katherine collapsed, suffering a massive brain stem stroke without warning. Miraculously, Jay came home in time and called for help. Katherine was immediately rushed into micro-brain surgery, though her chance of survival was slim. As the sun rose the next morning, the surgeon proclaimed that Katherine had survived the removal of part of her brain, though her future recovery was completely uncertain. Yet in that moment, there was a spark of hope. Through 40 days on life support in the ICU and nearly 2 years in full-time brain rehab, that spark of hope was fanned into flame.

Defying every prognosis, with grit and grace, Katherine and Jay, side by side, struggled to regain a life for Katherine as she re-learned to talk and eat and walk. Returning home with a severely disabled body but a completely renewed purpose, they committed to celebrate this gift of a second chance by embracing life fully, even though that life looked very different than they could have ever imagined. In the midst of continuing hardships and struggles, both in body and mind, Katherine and Jay found what we all long to find...hope, hope that heals the most broken place, our souls.

An excruciating yet beautiful road to recovery has led the Wolf family to their new normal, in which almost every moment of life is marked with the scars of that fateful April day in 2008. Now, eight years later, Katherine and Jay are stewarding their story of suffering, restoration, and Christ-centered hope in this broken world through their ministry Hope Heals.

My thoughts:

I don't know where to begin with my review of this book.  I was so blessed by this story.  I can honestly say that this story of hope might not have been so moving to me had I come across it a year ago.  Its funny how the trials we face and the storms we weather draw us to things and people that we might have overlooked.  My father suffered a severe ischemic stroke on November 21, 2015.  It seems the list of things we were told he would never do was longer than the list of things they were hoping he would do.  It was very discouraging. It has not been an easy road to walk but has shown all of us who have walked with him, a thing or two about life.  We have a greater appreciation for the 'little things' that people take for granted. One thing that Katherine said in this book that really gave me a different point of view was about miracles.  She talked about people saying that she was such a miracle but yet from her perspective this miracle didn't feel so great. That has given me a different perspective because I know many times we have told my dad that he is a miracle, but I never stopped to think about what that 'miracle' looked like to him.  Or the fact that it meant he was unable to live normally. There is another time in the book where she says, "I can give God the glory and it can still hurt."  I can see where that could be applied to difficult times in life, not just from healing from a stroke. At one point her husband talks about reading through the book of Job and how he saw his wifes name in that story. He talked about his new connection with this book of the bible. I love this quote that follows, "I considered the reality that sometimes suffering comes because of the decisions we make; sometimes it comes as a way for God to gauge His place in our hearts; and sometimes it comes simply as a by-product of living in a world that is in a state of falling apart. Yet no matter the origin of the suffering, God's presence remains the same. He finds us in our hurts, if we want to be found. His power to filter the worst that life has to offer, with goodness remaining, is our great hope." I feel like I could just quote this entire book and talk about how it applies to multiple different struggles we face in life.  I highly recommend this book.  If you know or love someone who has survived a stroke or if you simply need to be reminded of the power of hope, this story is truly inspiring and you won't be disappointed. 
I randomly went out on a limb and decided to fill out the contact us form on the Hope Heals ministry page, to thank her for sharing her story and tell her about my dad... and I was overwhelmed with kindness and hope from the reply that I received.  I was tickled pink to get a response from the author!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ESV Family Devotional Bible

ESV Family Devotional Bible 

Overview:

The ESV Family Devotional Bible was deisgned to help families read and apply God's Word together.

This full-color edition features the complete ESV Bible text interspersed with engaging illustrations and gospel-centered devotions related to key Bible stories - guiding families through the entirety of God's Word over the course of a year. Each devotion also includes discussion questions and suggestions for additional reading, helping families develop a habit of reading the Bible together and applying its truth to all of life. 

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading through this bible and sharing some of the devotionals with my boys.  We have two boys, one is almost 9 and one is 5.  I felt like this was a perfect bible family devotional because it was perfect for both boys, they both got something out of it.  In the past we have read devotionals as a family and I have found that if they were engaging and the 9 year old was learning from it, then it was a little above the 5 year olds head.  With this bible we can read the bible, and the devotionals are perfectly placed throughout so that it keeps the attention of our 5 year old while also engaging our 9 year old.  They have asked to go through it completely as part of their bedtime routine!  I would definitely recommend this bible.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the products mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

None Like Him

None Like Him

Written By: Jen Wilkin

Overview

God is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, sovereign, infinite, and incomprehensible.
We're not.
And that's a good thing.
Our limitations are by design. We were never meant to be God. But at the root of every sin is our rebellious desire to possess attributes that belong to God alone.
Calling us to embrace our limits as a means of glorifying God's limitless power, Jen Wilkin invites us to celebrate the freedom that comes when we rest in letting God be God.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book.  I felt that the author did a good job of drawing us into the story and the points that she was trying to make.  I feel that she was relating to us and the thoughts that have all crossed our mind at one time or another. Some of the perspectives seemed weird at first, but I think that is what made it captivating, I wanted to keep reading to see where she took it.  I love the layout of the book and the book.  The chapters were not too long.  I enjoyed the specific verses for meditation and questions for reflection at the end of each chapter.  This would be a great book to read individually like I did and allow for some deeper thinking and reflecting and prayers, however, I think it would be great in a ladies group.  I will recommend it to my women's bible study group as summer reading.  It is nice to have a book that allows for deeper study, without being a full fledged bible study with a lot of homework.  I strongly feel that it is about quality not quantity and this book certainly proves that point well!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

How to Live in Fear

How to Live in Fear

Mastering the Art of Freaking Out

Written By Lance Hahn

Book Description

Find freedom in an age of anxiety.

Let’s face it: we are afraid. Our world is riddled with fear-inducing headlines, financial meltdowns, family crises, and phobias of every stripe. No wonder the New York Times now reports one in ten Americans is now taking antidepressant or anxiety medication. So how do we cope or even succeed in a world spinning out of control? As someone who has battled panic attacks and anxiety most of his life, Lance Hahn can relate.

In How to Live in Fear, Lance tackles the pervasive problem of fear and panic head-on by inviting readers into his world. In this genuine and practical book, he invites readers into the life of a pastor living with anxiety disorder. Through humorous personal stories—like losing it on an airplane or collapsing onstage as he is about to preach—Lance will win over readers with his transparency. He will also share the remedies that have helped him recover and overcome throughout the years.

How to Live in Fear is a public intervention of sorts. We need to talk about this issue, especially the church-at-large. Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorders, and the church has done little to make them feel normal. Many Christians now take medication privately but keep it a secret under the shame of being viewed as a failure. Lance willingly bares his soul in order to get the conversation started. He firmly believes the church should not only recognize the issue, but also help believers reconcile the guilt of being a Christian while dealing with dread and anxiety

Filled with practical tips and advice, and full of relevant scriptures, How to Live in Fear gives readers the tools to relax in the face of fear—real or imagined. Lance will show readers that while he may still encounter bouts of panic, he has never let his disorder stop him from living a full life.

My Thoughts

Being somebody who struggles with these things,I was very intrigued by this book.  I requested it during a moment when I was feeling particularly frustrated and it arrived so quick.  Lance is very open in his book and goes into detail about the struggles he has faced, where he was, what he was doing and how it impacted his life.  It was nice for me to be able to hear about how somebody else struggles, it made me feel not so alone in my own struggles. I like the fact that he pulled a lot of scripture into the book.  It was just scripture to encourage and tell us to keep going, but scripture examples of how others struggled.  The book was separated into three main parts: Living in Fear: My Story, Living in Fear: Our Journey, Living in Fear: The Journey with our Father.  Lance asked some of the same questions I do, "why me Lord."  He felt some of the same feelings I have and described it in such a similar way, "the darkest hours(s)."  This book held my attention right to the very last page.  My husband and I read it together, it served a two fold purpose, I could relate to what he was saying as I live with similar struggles, while at the same time giving my husband a glimpse into the struggle.  The book ends with practical ways to "master the art of freaking out."  It is very encouraging and even includes a great prayer for times when we simply can't find the words our self.  If you suffer from anxiety or panic or if you love somebody who does, this would be a great book to read.

8 Simple Tools....

8 simple tools for raising great kids

Dr. Todd Cartmell

foreword by Jill Savage

Overview

"I love my child, but parenting is hard."

Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there. Let child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walk you through the nuts and bolts of healthy, effective parenting.

Using examples from his home and 20 years of professional practice, Todd gives eight essential and practical tools to help you:

                                         Maintain a healthy relationship with your child
                                         Develop a nurturing home culture
                                         Correct behavior in lasting ways

Well if you are looking for a short, but enlightening read that is also enjoyable - this is the book for you!  I must say it feels good to tell you all that I just completed a book with 39 chapters, in less than a few months!  Ok so there are only about 190 pages in the book but I think it sounds pretty cool to say, "I just finished reading a book that was 39 chapters!" This book went into great detail on eight main topics.  Some of the topics included listening, encouraging and leading. I like the way the layout of the book and the insight to be gained in each section.  I also liked the fact that they gave you tips at the end of each section - so for the section on listening, each chapter ended with listening tips that you could try with your children.  It also provided a few deeper questions for you to consider, if you wanted to take it to another level. Being that I am keeping up with household responsibilities and spending time with my husband and boys, I really liked the fact that these chapters and sections were short enough to read through without losing your train of thought or getting interrupted in the process. I know I have room for improvement when it comes to raising my boys and this book gave me a lot to think about!

Under The Sea Holy BIble

Book Overview:

The Under the Sea Holy Bible, NIrV is a perfect gift for children ages 6 to 10. Themes of underwater fun and sparkling fish grace the interior of this wonderful children’s Bible. The outside is covered in foil and sparkle. The interior has color inserts featuring whimsical underwater scenes with themes of God’s care and love for each of us and all of creation.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed reading through some of my favorite bible passages in this bible.  I also enjoyed sharing this with my two boys who are five and eight.  They liked the color inserts within the pages of the bible. I would recommend this book to younger children - the cover is beautiful and definitely would grab their attention, and of course whats beyond the cover is what makes it so golden.  I felt like there was a good balance between the sea life without it taking attention away from the bible. My favorite insert was the love passage for kids...based on 1 Corinthians 13, it is a picture of two whales and it breaks the verse down to their level without taking from it!  

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Flyby promotions.

This is Awkward

This Is Awkward  

Written By: Sammy Rhodes

Don’t waste your awkwardness.

The most difficult subjects in our lives are also the ones that we find most uncomfortable to talk about: divorce, body image, sexuality, pornography, or depression. Our awkward silence reveals the gap that exists between what we are and what we know we should be. But God loves those awkward moments, Sammy Rhodes argues, because they are precisely where we find connection with God and one another.

In This Is Awkward, Rhodes talks directly, honestly, hilariously about the most painfully uncomfortable subjects in our lives. In chapters like “Parents Are a Gift (You Can’t Return Them)” and “The Porn in My Side,” he boldly goes where most of us fear to tread, revealing that we can be liberated by the embrace of a God who knows the most shameful things about us and loves us all the same. Because nothing is too awkward for God.

My Thoughts:

This was a good read. Some parts were harder to get into than others. One thing I did like about this book is that you could pick it up and read any chapter. The chapters don't necessarily build on each other. After looking at the table of contents, I will admit I skipped right to the topics that seemed to relate to me on a personal level. After that I went back and started at the beginning. It was hard to get into because each chapter seems to start with him telling you about how difficult it is to write. Once you get to the writing of the topic of that chapter, its good. However, with most chapters starting that way I could see where it would be difficult to want to keep reading. Overall I would say this was a good read, just took a little longer because it didn't quite capture my attention like some other books do, but it did tackle subjects that you don't usually hear much about.

Brooks Challenge Mile 2016

Where has the time gone?  

I haven't blogged in what feels like forever.

Today was an amazing day so I figured I would share some thoughts with you all.

Today, 113 days after my dad's stroke, a stroke that doctors said would render my dad unable to walk or talk....yes, 113 days since THAT stroke, my dad signed up and completed the Brooks Challenge Mile. He walked it.  He walked it on his own, well with a bunch of us walking with him.  He walked it without any type of external devices.  This was the 6th year that Brooks has hosted the challenge mile as part of the festivities surrounding the Gate River Run.  I was browsing the Brooks facebook page one evening a few weeks ago when I ended up on the website and reading about the challenge mile...I started messaging my brother and sisters and mom and asked them what they had planned for March 12th....they were all a bit baffled but said nothing....I told them I would come over the following day to tell them my idea.  I thought it might have been pushing it, signing my dad up and doing this such a short time period after his stroke.  He agreed so we went for it!  

Finally March 12th arrived...and we had to wake up way too early, and get signed in and to the event....then wait for what seemed like forever for it to actually start, but once it started, I felt for that one mile stretch that I wasn't part of this world.  At least not in the sense of ready, set, go....win, win, win.  I like the way the Brooks Rehabilitation Challenge Mile described it so I will tell you there purpose behind it...."The Challenge Mile is not meant to be a competitive race, but rather a way for people of all ages and abilities to celebrate their personal accomplishments. " This is not a race, this is not about who finishes first, this is not about personal achievements, this is not about the medal, this is not about personal gain, this is all about celebrating the accomplishments that so many people take for granted.  It was very overwhelming to me to see so many different people in so many different places in their life but all, in one way or another tied to Brooks... some still in the Brooks Rehabilitation hospital, some like my dad who have gotten out and are still working hard in therapy, others who are seasoned pros at being differently-abled. 

I saw determination. From the little guy who looked to be no older than 2 or 3 to the elderly gentleman who had to stop every few feet to take a break to the middle aged man who pushed forward and each step was challenging to the middle aged guy with no hands and wheelchair bound who completed that mile in less than 30 minutes to the woman who was pushed by her family to the woman who was relearning how to walk. I noticed that determination looks very similar no matter the age of the man who possesses it. 

I saw amazing love.  I saw unconditional love. I saw unfailing love. I saw people who love beyond what the world can see.  I saw people who loved beyond the way the world defines the intense feeling of deep affection.  I saw generational love. At one point I was behind what looked to be a grandmother, mother and daughter. I loved watching the way they each held on to the one they loved and walked with her every step of the way.  

I saw smiles.  I saw tears. I saw joy and heartache, and struggle and success all in one mile. 

I heard loved ones encouraging the people they were walking with.  I heard wives telling their husbands to just keep going, that they could do it.  I heard a care giver telling a young man to take just one more step.  I heard a lot of clapping and cheering coming from the people who were near the back of the crowd as those who had made the turn and were already heading for the finish.  

In one mile, I was reminded of just how much love there is among family. Most of the people participating in this challenge mile did so with the assistance or care of loved ones who were walking with them every step of the way.  I saw how Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital encouraged my dad when he was going there and as the volunteer in charge on our bus said, "You are part of the Brooks family now, welcome to the family!"  We had an amazing volunteer leader....she has been in my life since 9th grade!  She took some of these pictures I am using on this blog with my camera, and tonight she shared this with us that just seemed so fitting - "Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck, illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without the small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight flat road to nowhere. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can."

Being somebody who struggled with physical issues in high school, I longed for a place to fit in.  I wanted to run track and play basketball. I wanted the medals and trophies, as some kind of accomplishment to look back on.... but my joints didn't allow me to compete with peers that were my age.  I can't tell you how amazing it is that this Challenge Mile exists, and that within that mile, you fit in, no matter what you are dealing with or have been dealing with, no matter if you can walk or run or be pushed, you belong. Age doesn't matter, height doesn't matter, how fast you are or how slow you are doesn't matter. At some point we come to realize that what can be recorded on paper or preserved in a medal or trophy, fails in comparison to what our heart learns from walking this difficult road of not fitting in...but hey - I finally got a medal!

 I was so happy to see my dads physical therapist from when he was at Brooks Hospital come and see him.  My dads face definitely lit up when he saw Michael and Vince!  I love the way they see my dad and are genuinely happy with how well he is doing. 

I really like this picture of us walking.  Its a great representation for me about what life should be like.  We should walk beside each other no matter how difficult the terrain we are to traverse. We are not guaranteed any day or hour or moment with those we love.  I will never forget the knock on my door the morning of Saturday, November 21st, 2015 ....my sister just said, "something happened to dad, the ambulance just left with him."  I remember sobbing in my husbands arms and just saying that I didn't want him to die.  I love my dad so much, we connect --and we understood each other and our relationship had really grown a lot in the months leading up to his stroke.  I get sad when I think about the things I miss from before.  I get sad when I think that he will never be how he used to be.  But then I look at this picture, everything looks so 'normal' if you didn't know our story.  I will always walk beside him, encourage him, offer some water when he needs it, a snack, a ride to see his brother....because when its all said and done - people remember you being there for them.  They remember you walking beside them when their reality sucks.  

#WeAreBrooks