Red Butterfly

There are some stories that are SO tender that you finish them and want to pick it up and start over.  That is what A. L. Sonnichensen's Red Butterfly was to me.  It is a very touching story of Kara - a baby abandoned at birth and taken in by an american woman living in China.  What we find out a ways into the story is that Kara's "mama" is not legally in China and Kara has never been officially adopted.  Kara is immediately taken away, at age 11, and sent to an orphanage to start over with her life.  Her emotions are tender and raw and her anger and hurt is real.  When another family, from Florida, is chosen to be her new family, Kara doesn't desire to be a part of their family and her confusion and frustration are so real that I ached right along with her.  The novel is told in prose and I loved literally EVERYTHING about it - tender, touching and oh so wonderful!

 

The Language of Flowers

Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers is simply MAGNIFICENT!  I loved everything about this book - the  characters are strong and well-developed and the storyline is powerful.  The story begins on page one and never lets you go until the very end.  NOW, the subject matter is very difficult - there is nothing easy about reading about a child that is bounced around through the foster system and how hardened she becomes, but it is one of the richest books I have read in a long time!  Victoria's story is one that will break your heart - I kept wanting the best for her - but she just keeps sabotaging herself with her wrong choices.  I felt for her - I wanted to help her.  But what broke my heart the most is that MANY children live this life - and seeing what may become of them as they age out of the system just is so hard to read.  I highly recommend this book - as hard as the story is to read.  I emailed my friend just as I was 20 pages from the end and told her thanks for recommending it to me to read, but that the last 20 pages were bittersweet - I needed a break from her very hard story, but I did not want any of it to end!!

The Grace Effect

When I first started reading the prologue for this book, The Grace Effect, I thought, "I am going to give this one to my husband - I think it's too deep for me!" But as I got into Chapter 1, I knew I was going to LOVE this book and I didn't put it down (well almost anyway) until I was DONE! It is an exceptional book - it is, at it's core, a wonderful adoption story - the author, Larry Alex Taunton's, story of travelling to the Ukraine and their roller coaster ride to get their 10 year old daughter, Sasha. But interwoven throughout that story, is the story of Taunton's challenge in life - to get people to see that the world IS a better place with Christianity and Christ - How Grace makes life palatable. Taunton travels the world sharing and debating this truth - how we all need Grace. But woven in Sasha's adoption story, this truth is all the more seen and recognized through the life of this little girl.

Visit the Author's Website - Fixed Point

Or the Facebook Page or Twitter.

I think you all will WANT to read this book as well - SO - I have a giveaway for you!!! You can leave a comment here and you are entered to receive your own copy! Just leave a comment by Tuesday, Nov. 22 and you are entered!! IF you want additional entries, Tweet, Blog, or Facebook this giveaway and then come back and, in separate comments, tell me you did so!!

Here is what the publisher had to say about this book:

Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues? Not much, according to the secular Left. The world, they say, would be a better place without it.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace. We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity—cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of “the grace effect.” Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services 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.”

Kisses From Katie

I am an avid book lover and reader - that is a "Bibliophile" for you that like big words!!! :) So I read a lot - and I enjoy many different types of books. BUT this one hooked me and has given me food to mull around in my mind for days - even after I have finished. It is the story of Katie Davis and her choice to move to Uganda after high school - leave her family, her friends, her youth, her home in Tennessee, and her boyfriend and live in Uganda and just be "Jesus" to all around her. She is amazing in my mind - but she would not want me to say that - she is humble and she spills her life story in her book, Kisses From Katie. While she is in Uganda, Katie adopts (yes, she is a single mom under 20 years old) 14 (yep, you read that right too!!) dear Ugandan children. They become her new family and her triumphs and trials will totally encourage you. I do not want you to miss her story - she is being used mightily in Uganda and around the world with her ministry, Amazima, that feeds and sends hundreds of children to school while teaching them about Jesus. You DO need to read the book -but also follow her story on her blog - Kisses from Katie.

Reclaiming Lily

This is a book that really caught my attention - China adoption, older child adoption, finding birth family later in life - yep, Lacy had me from page one!! Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy is a book that captivates. It is authentic - even the whole adoption story - we can say from experience that it follows truth. But Lily's story was also moving for me - just a scenario of what adopted children might face as they get older (not much different than our biological children on some levels) - but those deep-seated thoughts of their birth families - it all just made for a wonderful novel for me. The story is tender - and not one that you figure out in 10 pages (my big beef with christian fiction)! It is the deeply moving story of Kai, trying to locate her biological sister, Lily, in the United States. Kai is not involved in the medical profession and feels it is her duty to find her sister and tell her of a life-threatening disease that their birth mother died from. It is the story of an adoptive family that must decide if this is good timing for their daughter - and then it is the story of Lily (Joy, as her adoptive family calls her) and all that she goes through in finding out more of her story. Truly a novel full of passion and authenticity.

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily, with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi


• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

Here is what the publisher says about the book:

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Ft. Worth hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer--or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

About Patti:

Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University with a BS in education and completed master's-level courses in English at Indiana State University. She taught at Heartland Community College until May 2006, when she resigned to pursue her passion of writing. The author of three previous novels, Patti is the mother of two grown children and lives with her husband in Normal, Illinois.

For more about Patti and her other books, visit her website at www.pattilacy.com.

**I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Lifesong in Zambia

Brush to Berries from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

"Simply giving this person money is treating the symptoms rather than the underlying disease and will enable him to continue with his lack of self-discipline... a better solution would be to develop a relationship that says, we are here to walk with you and to help you use your gifts and abilities to avoid being in this situation in the future'" (An excerpt from the book, When Helping Hurts)

Lifesong is serving the people of Zambia... the orphaned, the at-risk, and the poor... by utilizing the land that is, like the people, so full of potential. Lifesong farms-Zambia reaped its first strawberry harvest in June, and local grocers have been purchasing the berries. With additional acres to farm, we are hoping to process some of the berries and begin marketing Lifesong Farms Strawberry Jam.

By harvesting fruit, we are able to serve more orphans by providing the gift of a job at Lifesong's gardens and self worth to an orphan's caregiver. We are also able to provide future employment for our kids as they transition into adult living, develop a system to raise funds to help cover operational costs, and develop expertise that can be replicated in multiple countries where Lifesong serves. Most of all, we are seeking to glorify Jesus as we teach others how He walked.

**GIVEAWAY:

1st PRIZE: Lifesong is giving away a 1-night hotel stay for the LIVE ORPHAN SUNDAY event in Kansas City!!! Let me just tell you, this event will be FABULOUS!!!

2nd PRIZE: Lifesong is giving away FREE Gobena Coffee for 1 year - 2 lbs per month shipped straight to your home.

HOW do you enter? Well, I'm glad you asked! There are several ways to enter. PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT ON THIS LIFESONG POSTING FOR EACH ENTRY, including your email address so Lifesong is able to contact you!!!

1. Share how the Lord is working in and through your adoption/orphan care ministry (1 entry)

2. Re-post this Zambia blog posting on YOUR blog to share what the Lord has been doing at Lifesong Zambia (1 entry)

3. Tell about an Orphan Sunday event you had or attended in the past (1 entry)

4. Tell your plans for THIS YEAR's Orphan Sunday on Nov. 6th (1 entry)

5. Re-post this on your facebook wall (1 entry)

6. Re-post this on your twitter page (1 entry)

7. Post on YOUR blogs, facebook, or twitter and tell Lifesong that I sent you (1 entry)

8. Tell what you think about the 'Brush to Berries' video - what moved you, what stood out to you, what are you excited about? (1 entry)

9. Become a fan of Lifesong on facebook here (1 entry)

10. Send an email to info AT lifesongfororphans DOT org asking to receive our monthly updates (1 entry)

PLEASE leave a separate comment on Lifesong's post for EACH entry, including your email address so they are able to contact you!

***Giveaway starts immediately and ends at midnight on Monday, October 3rd.

Love You More

Books that have anything to do with adoption call my name. I just love to read what others have to say about adoption and how it has worked for their family. So Jennifer Grant's book, Love You More, totally grabbed me. And it did not disappoint - Grant is honest and intuitive. She shares from her heart and does not sugar-coat either the process of adoption or life after adoption. I was smiling along at things that had been said to us as well or things we had experienced in our adoptions, but there were also points where I was empathizing with how Grant felt or reading how her Guatemalan adoption differed from our experiences. I learned a lot, I was reminded of much, and now am going to re-read it! I guarantee you will come away with something to chew on -

There is one quote in the book that I have shared with others already and it is making quite an impact:

"I read once that the best predictor of happiness in families who have adopted children is the parents' certainty that their children are meant to be theirs. Such parents are not just trying to be nice. They are not trying to work off a debt of guilt to the world's poor because they drive a Lexus or own a lake house. They are not trying to be faithful to their religion. Sure, one or more more of those things may also motivate or encourage them at various points in the process, but guilt and pity are not the primary reasons they want to adopt. No, these parents know, in some deep, spiritual, and authentic sense, that this is the way their family was meant to be created."

*I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes.

Sweet Moon Baby

You can tell that this author, Karen Henry Clark, has been through the adoption journey herself. Sweet Moon Baby is a wonderful adoption story. Clark bases this story on her journey to adopt her daughter. It takes the process of an adoption from China, and puts it in a fairytale or folk tale form. I think it is a wonderful way to approach talking to little ones about adoption - I would gear it for ages 3-5. You can certainly read it to older children - and I would encourage it - but older ones are going to necessitate more answers, I am sure, so be prepared as a parent. In the story, when the parents in China decide that they can not care for their little one, they place her in a basket and pray the moon will watch over her. It is told innocently, but I can see it creating those tough questions in our older children! However, it is a tender way to approach a topic that can be hard to discuss with our children - I thank Clark for coming up with such a wonderful tool for adoptive parents, or any parent for that matter. Patrice Barton, the illustrator, is fabulous! Her illustrations are tender and dreamy and lend that "fairytale" feel. They are perfect for this peaceful tale.

Helping Honduras

Honduras Blitz from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

What if every time you gave a dollar to orphans it became one more?

One more dollar towards food, education, shelter?

One more dollar towards sharing the Gospel and providing Biblical mentorship?

One more dollar towards changing the life of a child?

I love to use this platform to advocate for those in need... and thanks to a generous donor every dollar given to Lifesong Honduras will be matched… up to $120,000! We praise the Lord for this amazing gift and invite you to be a part of it.

Over the next 10 days we are teaming with Lifesong and are hoping for 100 1-year commitments of $30 a month. Just think, for about $1 a day a life in Honduras can be forever changed.

Partnering with Tree of Life Missions in Honduras, Lifesong for Orphans is able to work toward providing hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless and healing to the hurting. TOLM reaches kids through a program called Plan Escalon. (Escalon is translated "escalator" and is used to describe the children's escalator out of poverty/brokenness.)
Through this program we strive toward:

• Providing an education to the poorest of youth


• Providing food to the poorest of youth


• Providing vocational training & micro-business opportunities


• Providing free medical and dental clinics to those in need


• Training young people to give back to their communities


• Reaching people in the jungles of the Mosquito Coast

Stay tuned for stories, personal testimonies, and fun ways to spread awareness and instill a heart of giving in your kids!

Our goal is:

Will you help us? 100 commitments in ten days is no small feat, but with God it is possible. We have seen Him move mightily in His people to serve orphans and we pray that this ten weeks will be a testimony of that! Together we can make a difference in the lives of these kids! Together we can do more to bring joy and purpose to orphans!

Contact Lifesong at info@lifesongfororphans.org to make your commitment AND be sure to tell them that we sent you from our blog!

Hear personal stories & follow the progress on our blog all this week!

Check back often to hear personal stories and get updates on the progress. Please join us in prayer as we ask the Lord to raise up 100 commitments!

Tortilla Tuesday!!

Tortilla Tuesday!!
(Sponsored by Lifesong for Orphans)

Next Monday we will be kicking off an exciting 10 day blog-a-thon to spread the word about what's going on at Lifesong Honduras. We will be sharing personal testimonies from changed lives, peeking into everyday Honduran life, and giving some tools to spread awareness in your families.
One of these tools is a little something we like to call (da-daDAAA!):

Tuesday, March 29th we will be dedicating 1 meal to eat what the children in Honduras eat on a daily basis... and we want you to be a part of it! We will also provide some great topical questions and discussion guides for you to share with your kids on what life is like for children in another culture.

Would YOU join us?

We'll share more as we get closer to the 29th, so mark your calendars, get your camera ready and head to the store to get tortillas, rice, and beans for the whole family!

Red in the Flower Bed

If there is one type of book I am ALWAYS on the lookout for - it is books on adoption for children. SO, when I was contacted by Tribute Books about Red in the Flower Bed by Andra Nepa - I was over-the-top-excited! Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter so she KNOWS what adoption involves and what it can mean to our little ones that we bring into our homes. That is why I am so excited about this book - the theme of adoption all wrapped around a little seed that grows. The analogy is wonderful! I love how the seed becomes a flower and blends into the rainbow in the flower garden. I can't wait to share this one with my daughters - it is perfect!


*I was provided an online link for review purposes by Tribute Books.

The Red Thread

How often do you come across a book that you can totally relate to?? I find, not very often, but The Red Thread, by Ann Hood perfectly captures the heart of a Chinese adoption. I could relate to every aspect of it - meeting our travel group, hearing their stories, travelling to get our little ones - it was all so real to me. And I LOVED how interwoven between all of that is the story of how each of the little Chinese girls is brought to an orphanage and given up for adoption. It is a heart-wrenching book - but one I am SO glad I read. It was real to me - a story I shook my head "yes" to as I was reading.

I will add that some of the sadness behind each family's story is brought out - it is real, but it is also raw - including some scenes that were a bit too graphic for me - that is just my disclaimer thrown in there - I try to be honest on my blog and I don't want to recommend something whole-heartedly that might offend some. I didn't think some of the scenes were necessary, but I also know that is what sells - sadly enough!

Lucky Baby

Meredith Efken has written, Lucky Baby, a tender story of Chinese adoption. This was an especially tough one for me to read as it tells the story of two little girls that form a very close bond in the orphanage in China and are torn apart when one of them is adopted. The story hits on some very powerful aspects of adoption - feelings that adoptive parents, adopted children, and even foster parents face in the world of adoption. It also gives insight into the "older child" adoption which seems to be not as prevalent in fiction. The story was wonderfully-written, compelling, and yet hard to turn the pages sometimes. The story was so real that it hurt to read at points. You can tell that Efken is an adoptive mom that feels strongly about adoption and knows her information regarding adoption. Truly a great read.

Secret Daughter

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somay Gowda had a theme that touched right where I am as an adoptive mom. This story was told from a birthmom's perspective, an adoptive mom's perspective, AND an adoptive daughter's perspective. The stories run together and form one complete life journey. It provided great culture and insights on India, as well as many insights into adoption. It was well-written and kept me going all the way to the end - I highly recommend it - whether you've adopted or not - there is something in this one for everyone.

Gateway

Just finished Sharon Shinn's latest book, Gateway and what does it make me want to do?? FIND MORE!! I had never heard of her before and now I am off to order more of her titles for our library! This book was such a treat! Not only did I love the whole idea of the main character being a girl adopted from China - but it was a thrilling ride through time travel that kept me excited to turn pages. I was totally wrapped up in Daiyu's story and the romantic storyline with Kalen - in a world where she can't stay. Yep, you will enjoy it - pick it up and enjoy the ride! (It is a Young Adult book but that doesn't stop me!!!)

Motherbridge of Love

We have found a book that we just LOVE. Barefoot Book's Motherbridge of Love is just superb!! As an adoptive mom, I am always on the lookout for these types of books that give my daughter a reason to smile that she's adopted. GO check it out by clicking on the title - it will take you to my Barefoot Books site and we get a portion of the credit from your purchase. You will NOT be disappointed - it is a book that we read over and over. The illustrations are WONDERFUL and add so much to the asian flair. We LOVE it!!

The Great Call of China

Cynthea Liu has written The Great Call of China. This is in her S.A.S.S. Series (Students Across the Seven Seas). They do not necessarily tie together but they are all about teen girls traveling the world with the S.A.S.S. program. I enjoyed this title - it is about an adopted teen, Cece, that has an opportunity to go back to her homeland, China, for an anthropology program during her summer break. I guess this really hit home to me having a daughter from China - it made me put myself in her shoes, as an adoptive child, and feelings she may have as a teen. It is definitely geared to teens - as adult, it wasn't "deep" enough for my tastes - but I think teens will enjoy it - and I am thrilled to find a book that is even pointed toward adopted girls - a rare find indeed!

Ten Days and Nine Nights

Ok, so I'm bawling over here - maybe because this momma's heart is raw right now - but after 3 years of waiting and knowing our daughter is now OURS - I am ready for her to come home. So, when I read this book tonight at the library - I was just a bawling. Chloe's going to LOVE it!! As we are all waiting for our little one to come home! And that is exactly what the little girl in this story is doing too - counting down the DAYS and NIGHTS until her little sister, also adopted, comes home to be with them. You are going to love it - SUCH a beautiful book!! Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story by Yumi Heo. (It's one of those books that we can't just leave at the library - we are GOING to have to buy this one for home!)

Silent Tears

Kay Bratt's Silent Tears is a book I had read about all over adoption web rings - so I thought I had better read it - now, I have finished and all I want to do is start over and begin again. It is the story of Kay's time spent in China because her husband is transferred there for his job. While in China, Kay is allowed to help in a local orphanage. What she sees there is absolutely eye-opening - it confirmed many thoughts I had had as an adoptive mom. And it also answered some questions I had. We see things STILL in Chloe that we wonder how far back they go - after I read this - I can see why she does some of the things she does. The book is powerful - I am going to recommend it to our adoption agency as required reading for adoptive China families. I know you can not take one orphanage and say all are like that, but I do think that many of the things do not change. This is a book that I will keep on my shelf and refer to for years to come. Thank you, Kay, for a powerful, and honest, look at life in an orphanage.

Happy Family

Happy Family by Wendy Lee is a story about an American couple that adopts a baby from China - but the REAL story revolves around a Chinese Immigrant, Hua Wu, that becomes the nanny for this adopted child, Lily.  I felt for Hua Wu - her life here in the U.S. is a struggle, but what was so hard was all of the not-so-smart choices she made.  It was hard to read about her making poor choices.  The book was also a downer in that the adoptive parents' marriage is barely staying together - and that was hard to read as well.  Then there is Lily - the little girl caught in the middle of a marriage that is nearly done and a nanny that can not seem to make a "go of it" in the U.S.  Very sad book - hard to read.  There are some great points and good things to learn from Hua Wu's life, but I just felt it was a tough book to read.  I was hoping it would be more about adoption as well and there was not much about that.  I found this REVIEW and agree with it as well.