The Abundant Wife

Over the weekend I finished reading Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman (with Ellen Vaughn).  I have been a long-time fan of Steven Curtis Chapman, and also knew of the tragedy that befell the Chapman family in May 2008.  In fact, when we were in China (2007-2009) we lived in the same town and visited the orphanage where Maria lived prior to joining their family.  I enjoyed the story of the Chapman family, and especially Mary Beth’s testimony.

Choosing to SEE is a quick-read.  My only criticism is that when I came to the last 60 pages of the book, it transitioned to a collection of blog posts, text messages, letters, and journal entries.  I preferred the story-telling style of the rest of the book, and felt that this second portion was inconsistent stylistically and therefore less interesting then the rest of the book.  I can understand Mary Beth’s desire to share these entries, but I felt that they took away from the continuity and unity of the text.

With the exception of these 60 pages, I loved the story and hearing how the Show Hope orphan ministry originated.  I would encourage you to consider adoption, and to learn about the support provided by Show Hope.

January: For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn

Feburary: Bringing Up Boys: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men by Dr. James Dobson

March: Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

April: When God is Silent: Choosing to Trust in Life’s Trials by Charles R. Swindoll

•  You Can’t Be a Smart Cookie if You Have a Crummy Attitude by John C. Maxwell
• How to be an Up Person in a Down World

May: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

• In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger

June: Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory

• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

July: Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman

• More Than Enough by Dave Ramsey

August: What to Expect: The Second Year: From 12 to 24 Months by Heidi Murkoff

September: Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James

October: Blog: Understanding the Information Reformation that’s Changing Your World by Hugh Hewitt

November: The Happiest Toddler on the Block: How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful, and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old by Harvey Carp, M.D.

December: Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women by James C. Dobson

See more of what I’m now reading:

12 Books in 12 Months: July Update (Choosing to SEE)

Gratitude: July 24, 2011 (One Thousand Gifts)

12 Books in 12 Months: June Update (Dinner with a Perfect Stranger)

12 Books in 12 Months: May Update

Your Local Public Library: An Abundance of FREE Stuff