Rain Dance by Joy DeKok

Rain Dance is a story of two women. One chooses abortion. The other chooses to end her infertility treatment.

I can relate to the infertility because I went through it. It was painful. I went through many of the thoughts/feelings that Jonica went through in this story. When she cried, I understood. When she was angry at others for choosing abortion, I understood. When she felt that the God was punishing her for some sin, I understood.

I knew that Stacie was going to abort her baby but I was hoping that she would decide against it. Stacie isn’t alone. Many people do choose abortion. They believe the lies. It’s not a baby. Better to end it if it interferes with life. You can always have another one, right?

Inwardly, Stacie and Jonica were at odds with one another but strangers. Jonica does a simple act with a hope that maybe Stacie will not go through with the abortion. Stacie decides she is going to confront Jonica. After all, it’s none of her business. Things do not go as planned for either one of them.

Truthfully, I understood Jonica’s side but had a difficult time with Stacie. How dare Stacie get an abortion when Jonica and others like her so desired to start their family. Before reading this book, I never put much thought into the women who chose abortion. After all, they chose it. Women do not choose to be infertile. This book has caused me to stop and pray for those women who choose abortion. Their pain and agony can be unbearable. It’s only through God’s grace can they learn to not only to forgive themselves but to allow God to work in their lives.

Infertility is painful too. I’ve shed many tears before adopting our son. I do not fret over never being able to be pregnant. I know that God had the perfect plan for me and that was to be my son’s mother.

May others read Joy’s book and understand both Stacie and Jonica. Whether you have decided to abort your baby or have had trials of infertility, lean on God. He understands. Remember, He gave His one and only Son for all of us.

If you want to learn to dance in the rain, grab your umbrella and read this insightful book.

Menu for Romance by Kaye Dacus

Menu for Romance is the second in the series of Brides of Bonneterre by Kaye Dacus. This is a light-hearted romance novel. I believe this book is about choices. Meredith makes a conscience decision on New Year’s that she will no longer be single by the end of the year. She is in love with Chef Major O’Hara but after eight years, Meredith has decided that is a futile quest.

Meredith is remodeling an old house and runs into an extremely handsome contractor. Not only is he qualified to assist her in restoring her house, Ward asks her out. He’s a dream come true. He’s attentive, handsome, and has a magnetic personality.

Chef Major O’Hara is offered a dream of a lifetime by his employer. He has the opportunity to open up his own restaurant. He has a decision to make. Due to a secret that he’s only shared with a few, he has given up on love and now may have to give up his dream. The only way to change that is to share the secret with the one that he truly cares about.

In a small way, it reminded me a little bit of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” When Major O’Hara looks back on his life of unfortunate circumstances, he learns a powerful lesson that we can all relate to. Every one of us has past experiences that we wish we could erase. Each event becomes a template in our lives. They have an impact of who we will become one day. Our past doesn’t determine our future. I am grateful that God works through us to become who He wants us to be. We need to make a conscience and intentional choice to follow Him.

Woodhouse Family Welcome Home! by Kimberley Woodhouse

I cannot count how many times I thought ‘WOW’. Kimberley is transparent throughout the book. You feel like you are sitting next to her in a coffee shop. She’s had so many scares with her kids and she maintains her motto, “Consider it Pure Joy.”

The book is not only beautifully written, it includes several pages of photos of her family. What I love about the Woodhouse Family is their devotion to each other. I love that Kayla and Josh are so caring to one another. I love that the entire family are so in tuned with one another. I love this family!

Kayla is unable to feel pain. She doesn’t realize that she’s bleeding until it’s everywhere. Josh was a sick little boy due to asthma. The fight between trying to figure the best environment for both of them was a continual struggle. One thing that I believe helped tie the family together, is the close friends that they had wherever they ended up. Couple this with Kimberley’s faith; it’s the perfect way to maintain pure joy through the trials endured by this lovely family.

There wasn’t a spot in the book that didn’t leave me grateful for the joy that the Woodhouse Family exudes in their lives. It’s so easy to look at what you do not have versus what you could have. We can all have joy in our lives no matter the circumstances. If you don’t believe me, ask the Woodhouse Family. There were too many times that God showed up to be merely coincidences.

Read the book and expect to be blessed beyond measure.