Helpful Score: 5
I nearly quit reading this several times during the first 150 pages, as it was so "cheesy" and described characters who were the quintessential "perfect" family. Really annoying. Yet something kept me reading, and as a cancer survivor, I am so glad I did. I ended up really appreciating the honesty of the characters with their all too human traits of selfishness, introversion and rebellion. I also came away feeling that though I had looked at God's "ignoring" the family prayers the same way they did, that the explanation of His steadfastness and the interpretation of how He actually DID answer their prayers left me thinking long into the night. A good read--just slog through the sickening sweet beginning...
Helpful Score: 4
I thought I had given up on God,
But I didn't realize he hadn't given up on me....
Our little town, nestled in the valley, was a charming, secure place for us kids during our growing up years. Our family probably wasn't perfect, but we had a lot of fun, and we were sure of our parent's love for each other and for the four of us. Best of all, my sister-just a year older than me- was also my best friend.
Looking back on those years, I realize now how carefully and intricately the circumstances and events of childhood weave together to form the person we become. Our attitudes about life, our values and,most of all,our understanding of God, all are profoundly affected and formed through what we see modeled in our homes.
When someone's mentalimages and memories are not positive, I'm sure God's abundant grace is available in extra measure for that person.
For me, I know the things our family faced together-the joys and triumphs, the diffuculties and sorrows-have provided a firm foundation for my spiritual journey.
Let me tell you what happened back then in
DANA"S VALLEY
But I didn't realize he hadn't given up on me....
Our little town, nestled in the valley, was a charming, secure place for us kids during our growing up years. Our family probably wasn't perfect, but we had a lot of fun, and we were sure of our parent's love for each other and for the four of us. Best of all, my sister-just a year older than me- was also my best friend.
Looking back on those years, I realize now how carefully and intricately the circumstances and events of childhood weave together to form the person we become. Our attitudes about life, our values and,most of all,our understanding of God, all are profoundly affected and formed through what we see modeled in our homes.
When someone's mentalimages and memories are not positive, I'm sure God's abundant grace is available in extra measure for that person.
For me, I know the things our family faced together-the joys and triumphs, the diffuculties and sorrows-have provided a firm foundation for my spiritual journey.
Let me tell you what happened back then in
DANA"S VALLEY
Helpful Score: 3
A wonderful read, about a family that must come together. Could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
Tear jerking story of a young girls fight against cancer, and how the illness affects the family, and finally brings them all together. Wonderful read.
Helpful Score: 2
This is an awesome book - but have the tissue handy! Unlike Janette Oke's historical romances, this one is a contemporary and it was written with her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan. Definitely a worthwhile read!
