Christian Book Review: Woodhouse Family Welcome Home!

When I picked this book up to read, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  Although I have occasionally watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I haven’t watched enough episodes to have been familiar with the Woodhouse Family.

Overview

This is the story of a family written by the mother, Kimberley Woodhouse.  She chronicles the story of the difficult pregnancies and subsequent births of her two children, Josh and Kayla.   As the story unfolds, the strange breathing problems that Joshua had as a child results in a diagnosis of severe asthma – severe enough that his attacks were life-threatening almost every time.

Kayla’s condition, however, was far more serious.  A rare nerve disorder, Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy, basically meant that Kayla’s body was unable to sweat.  Because she could not sweat, ANY hot weather or extreme temperatures meant she could not perspire, causing the body to cool itself down.  Normal everyday heat could kill her.

As the family sought ways of easing symptoms and preparing for emergency situations, they journeyed from Arkansas to Louisiana to Alaska to Colorado.  During these times, they endured really difficult circumstances, but Kimberley’s faith in God grew and grew.

Because of Kayla’s condition, after the family had relocated to a house in Colorado Springs – after many troubling circumstances – they were selected for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and a house that was custom built for their family and their special needs, was built.

My Review

I was surprised by the depth of this book, I’ll be honest.  I picked it up, hoping I would be able to read it and give an honest review with some feeling.  Instead, I found myself completely unable to put the book down, because I had to see what was going to happen next!

Having lived in Alaska, I was so thrilled to read about her family’s experience there.

But it wasn’t just about the life challenges they faced, it was Kim’s own testimony and her personal journey to trusting God more deeply that moved me to tears.  Not the solitary running-down-my-cheek tears – but the on-my-face-shoulders-shaking tears.

Her trust in God – even for the tiniest things, let alone the serious challenges of her children’s health – is remarkable and completely inspiring.  I found myself able to relate to her more often than not.  While her circumstances seem far more difficult than anything I’ve ever experienced – the simple trusting-God every day moved me and spoke to my heart and challenged me to do less complaining and MORE praying and trusting.

This is a beautifully written, engaging book and I am thrilled I had an opportunity to read it.

You can visit Kimberley at her author website  www.KimberleyWoodhouse.com and find out more about the new novel series she is writing with her daughter, Kayla.