Rating:
I love reading stories where God shows up in a mighty way. I always joke in my own life that God sometimes likes to show off by taking dreams and blowing them out of the water. Woodhouse Family Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy is a testament of how God shows up in mighty ways. You might not agree when you read the beginning of her story, Kimberly and her husband Jeremy had dreams of having children and living happily ever after. Unfortunately God had a journey planned out for them that would involve a lot of pain, many frustrations and times where one would wonder where God was in the midst of so much sorrow.
Kimberly shares a running joke throughout her book, “If something is going to happen it will happen to Kimberly.” While reading of their journey you will begin to agree with that sentence. It all began when Kimberly became pregnant with her first child (which was a God miracle in its self) and she took the term morning sickness to whole new level. Thankfully she survived those nine months and gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Joshua. At 21 months old they almost lost Joshua. Then Kimberly became pregnant with her second blessing and gave birth to Kayla. After Kayla’s first birthday it was discovered that she had what was called Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy (HSAN). Kayla does not sweat or feel pain, and needs to live in a climate controlled environment.
Kimberley’s sweet spirit, her fierce perseverance, and love for Jesus shine through every page. As a reader you catch yourself asking Why God? Why did you allow so much to happen to one family? But as a Christian I know. Kimberley makes it very clear the only reason she could survive and retain her joy is through the strength of Jesus Christ. It is hard when everything seems to go wrong and many tears are shed, but in Woodhouse Family Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy you see God’s faithfulness. Not only is He faithful, but as I mentioned God loves to show up in a might way to take dreams beyond our imagination.
I recommend reading this modern day Job story, your heart will be blessed, you may shed a tear or two, but this story will change you. You will never view the joy of the Lord the same. A small part of me still wants to ask God why when I arrive in heaven, but I think I will know the answer he will say, “Look how beautifully they displayed my glory for all to see and for others to be changed.”
Welcome Home! Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy can be purchased here.
I am honored to be a fellow contributor with Kimberly Woodhouse in the book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace which can be purchased here (100% of the proceeds go to charity).
About:
Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, and Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER which premiered in 2008. Her story, Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy, releases in September 2009 from Focus on the Family. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly “extreme” home. www.kimberleywoodhouse.com
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like the family is on an amazing journey. Thank you for sharing the book — I will have to keep it in mind.
That's an inspiring story. Will not be applicable to all of the families out there but that's the spirit. Will look for this one in bookstands and see if it grows on me. Thanks
That's an inspiring story. Will not be applicable to all of the families out there but that's the spirit. Will look for this one in bookstands and see if it grows on me. Thanks