Book Review: Never Ever Give Up: The Inspiring Story of Jessie and her Joy Jars by Erik Rees

The book, Never Ever Give Up:  The Inspiring Story of Jessie and Her Joy Jars by Erik Rees with Jenna Glatzer is a beautiful message of hope and courage lived out in a little girl's life as she faced cancer head on.  In this book, Jessie Rees challenges each one of us to make this world a better place by thinking of other's needs before our own and reaching out to spread joy through acts of kindness...especially to those children battling cancer.   




This is a tender and beautiful book
that challenged me to look
beyond myself to the needs
 of others.

"It started with a simple question: How can we help them? It became an international movement called NEGU: Never Ever Give Up. When Jessica Joy Rees was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age 11, she chose to focus not on herself but on bringing joy and hope to other children suffering from cancer.

During the ten months she battled cancer, she and her family worked in the “Joy Factory” (originally their garage) making JoyJars®—packages filled with toys, games, and love for other kids with cancer. Jessie first handed them out personally at the hospital where she was being treated, but the effort blossomed quickly and there were soon thousands of JoyJars® being distributed across the United States and to over fifteen countries. Today, more than 100,000 kids have received JoyJars®, and they continue shipping each week to kids in over 200 children’s hospitals and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses.

Jessie lost her battle with cancer in January 2012, but her message lives on in the Jessie Rees Foundation, which has become a beacon of hope for families fighting pediatric cancer.

Join the movement at www.jessie.org. " (Excerpt from the book cover.)

My Review by Karen Wiser

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  This is a perfect time to read an informative book about this dreadful disease and increase our understanding of how we can help.  Never Ever Give Up is just the book!

Never Ever Give Up by Erik Rees with Jenna Glatzer is a wonderful book and I highly recommend reading it.  This tenderly written true story narrated by the father of Jessie Rees, elicits so much emotion due the weightiness of the subject matter, pediatric cancer, that I must confess, I was exhausted after reading it.  I'm sure that being a parent, I frequently put myself in the father and mother's position as they walked through each new trial of this horrible diagnosis pronounced on their previously healthy and vivacious daughter.  The raw emotion and the transparency in which the book is written provide the reader with a microscopic look at the behind the scene details of such an earth shattering diagnosis and how it impacts the entire family. 

This book touched me in several ways.  First, I will now be better equipped to help a family who is going through the dreadful diagnosis of pediatric cancer.  At the end of the book, the author lists "25 Ways To Help a Family With a Child Fighting Cancer."  This is a tangible list with practical things to do for the family, including ideas like making a meal or filling up the car gas tank to cleaning their house or babysitting the siblings. 

Secondly, I have a much deeper understanding of the exhaustion, confusion, fear and turmoil that a family will go through when they receive a pediatric cancer diagnosis. The book provides a candid look into this family's experience which will allow me to be a great deal more empathetic should I ever be confronted with this horrific situation. 

Finally, after reading Never Ever Give Up , I am reminded of the simplicity of a child's heart and faith through Jessie's determination to make her situation more about helping others than focusing on herself.  I am flabbergasted by her selfless acts of kindness as she made the Joy Jars and chose to center her life on bringing relief to others despite the pain and suffering she was in the middle of.  I am completely in awe at the way Jessie and her family have chosen to make something good out of this terrible situation.  It has given me hope and spurred me on to literally "Never Ever Give Up" on reaching a hurting and lonely world, one person at a time! 

This book is narrated with such grace and detail that the reader can't help but feel that they actually had the privilege of meeting Jessie!  It is eloquently written and has an authenticity that cannot be underscored.  What a great example Jessie Rees left for us in her short time here on earth.  "I NEGU...do you?"  (NEGU Nation)

I would like to thank Handlebar and Zondervan Publishing for this review copy of Never Ever Give Up.  The opinions in this review are my own.  It is a privilege and honor to be a part of this book launch.
 

Book Review: Sarah's Choice by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

Sarah’s Choice by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue is not only an entertaining novel, but moves beyond mere fictional enjoyment into the sensitive subject of a woman’s ability to chose life or death for her unborn child.

This is an excellent book about a
very sensitive subject!

Sarah’s Choice by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue is a thought provoking and compassionate look at one woman’s journey through the emotions of an unplanned pregnancy.  As the world of the main character, Sarah is unveiled; the reader gets a peek into her life both past, present and future.  She is a hardworking executive with lots of plans for corporate ladder advancement, all of which would be ruined in her mind if she is to become an unwed mother.  Her perspective on life and love are formulated by those in her immediate surroundings and she is beyond confusion as to what path she should take.

The book does an excellent job of placing the reader within Sarah’s mind and experiencing the anguish of a decision with such enormous implications.  If she chooses to keep the child, her ability to meet the goals she has established for her career will certainly be in jeopardy, not to mention the inability to pay off many mounting debts.  There is also an underlying fear that Sarah will not be a fit mother to the child due to her inexperience as a caretaker.  And, of course, there is also the father to consider.  Will he want the child and if so, what will his role be in all of it?  If Sarah chooses to have an abortion, she is uncertain that she will be able to live with that decision knowing that she has killed her unborn child. 

Ultimately, the conclusion of this book provides empowerment and a plan of action that will not only guide this particular decision, but will steer the course of a life forever.  After reading this novel, I have a much greater level of compassion for anyone facing the dilemma of an unplanned pregnancy, as well as a deeper level of understanding of the possible daily grief that one lives with if they have already chosen to abort their child.

The character development in this book is phenomenal!  There is humor, suspense, drama, and many extra surprises along the way.  This was an excellent book!  It is well worth your time to read it and to contemplate the staggering statistics on the rate of abortion in this country.  This novel truly sheds light on the sanctity of life.

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson Publishing for this complimentary review copy of Sarah’s Choice by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The opinions within this review are my own.

 

Keep A Steady Gaze....God Is Always Up To Something Good

Psalm 119:83(MSG)
There's smoke in my eyes--they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions You post.


Hiding behind this tree, I had a rare chance to observe wildlife
and the beauty of God's creation today. 

 

 
 
 
                                             What a beautiful morning here in the Ozarks! 
We have an overgrown field complete with a pond and lots of thickets next to our house.  It provides a constant source of nature viewing pleasures.  Today, as I sat in our office staring out over the water where we often see wildlife sneaking out for a cool drink, I got a rare chance to see some new fawns interacting with her Mama!

I grabbed my camera and sprinted out to this hiding spot behind the tree and kept a very "steady gaze".  It definitely paid off to keep the camera in focus and not move a muscle!  I got to partake in some rare interactions between this doe and her new babies!  What a treat!   

She could hear me, however, she never could find me.

Mama knew I was there.  She kept looking for me, but never did spot me.  Each time the shutter clicked, I could see her freeze and listen, but my hiding place was secure.









Cleaning her little one and giving some words of wisdom.

Here she's stopping to clean the water off her sweetheart and perhaps whisper some motherly
advice about not going to far into the water. 

I think she sees me here, but doesn't seem to sense
that there is any danger, so she continues
her breakfast...as does her fawn.

I'm pretty sure that she saw me at this point, but barely breathing and holding my position steady, she went on to finish eating.  As you can see, I caught her fawn eating, too.  After this shot, I snuck away undetected to allow them to finish their morning drink! 








Most Wonderful Creator,
Thank you for this incredible gift today!  I know that I am surrounded by Your beauty...help me to keep a steady focus on You, so that I can forever see the world through Your lens.
In Christ's name,
Amen
 

Book Review: Arms Open Wide~A Call To Linger in the Savior's Presence by Sherri Gragg

Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg is a beautifully written devotional book that brings a greater depth of understanding to the gospels and a renewed sensitivity to the never ending love of Christ. 




A wonderful book that draws us to
of a loving Savior.

Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg is a tender devotional.  Each individual section of the book leads off with a scripture reading from the gospels and then flows seamlessly into a narrated dialogue from the perspective of a character found within that particular Bible story.  Each section ends with a transparent prayer that draws the reader further into a heart of worship to an approachable and loving Savior.  The author's ability to take nuggets of cultural research and transfer them onto the page for effortless interpretation is a unique gift.  There is a glossary of historical terms at the back of the book to be referenced as needed for a more complete understanding of the setting in which the events were occurring.  I found this list very helpful and enlightening.

The message of hope and freedom that can be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ was eloquently unveiled throughout the entirety of this book.  One specific section of reading that spoke directly to my heart was the story of Mary and Martha.  The author utilizes her extensive research into the treatment of women in this culture and time period and brilliantly connects the scriptures to the probable thoughts occurring within Martha's mind.  The conclusion is a much deeper comprehension of the Lord's desire that each of us come to Him for our fulfillment and not fall into the trap of allowing the world to define us.  Our potential is found in Him and our definition of who we are comes only from His defining grace upon our lives.  We are encouraged to sit at His feet and listen to the direction He has designed uniquely for each of us to follow.  

Upon receiving this book, I was very impressed with the cover design by Milkglass Creative.  In addition to the outstanding cover, the thick smooth paper quality of each individual page adds a richness to the experience that I would be remiss not to mention. 

I found this book, Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg, to be a wonderfully deep work of truth paired with an honest heart of creativity.  It truly does beckon the reader to linger and ponder the richness of the living God and respond to the loving redemptive care of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for this review copy of Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg through the BookLook Bloggers program.  The opinions expressed within this review are my own.  I was not required to provide a positive review, but chose to do so of my own accord.
 

Book Review: How To Really Love Your Teen (The Acclamined Bestseller--Revised and Updated)

How to Really Love Your Teen by D. Ross Campbell, M.D. is a quick and practical read filled with timely and immediately applicable wisdom!  If you are a parent, grandparent, youth leader or anyone who has the privilege to impact the life of a teen, you have got to get your hands on a copy of this book!



Excellent and practical book!

This is my third time through reading this incredible book.  I purchased it back when my son was a youngster getting ready to go into his teen years, and now that I have another child entering this, sometimes precarious stage of life, I grabbed it for another read and ended up reading it through twice. 

Although, I am sad to report that the author of this book, has sense passed away in a tragic climbing accident, it must be of great comfort to his family to know that he has left a legacy that is still touching families all over the world today.  This short read (142 pages cover to cover) was originally published in 1981 and updated in 2003, however, before you dismiss it to be outdated, be aware that it is filled with valuable insights and appropriately organized nuggets of truth that will make your relationship with your teen stronger than ever!

This book succinctly outlines a plan to understand and relate better to your teen, no matter what your current relationship with them might be.  The author encourages us each to evaluate our own role modeling and tweak and adjust where needed.  The mere reminder that our youth in the teenage phase are actually "children" in transition and need to be treated with much care and attention was enough for me to give this book a five star rating.  The author exhorts us to put our lives in order, physically, morally, and spiritually because our children are learning from us everyday whether we are aware of it or not, so we had better be a positive influence!  The book then supplies the tools to begin a road to confident and calm teenage parenting! 

How To Really Love Your Teen by D. Ross Campbell was an excellent book and well worth your time to read!