heidimrogers's review against another edition
5.0
"My hope is that as we say yes, the ripples of our decisions will begin to form wonderful waves. Waves, my friends, cannot be ignored" (p. 216).
julie804's review against another edition
5.0
Of course I enjoyed reading about her adoptions. I enjoyed her storytelling writing style.
shalanna's review against another edition
5.0
I was recently introduced to Heather Avis through an online chat with my local Down syndrome society & decided to pick up her books afterwards. I'm so glad I did! Beautiful story & wonderfully written!
lmbartelt's review against another edition
5.0
My experience of motherhood couldn't be more different from the author's but I loved this memoir of adoption. (It's so much more than that, though.) Heather's story is about what happens when you say "yes" to God in a season that seems all wrong and find that it's the only place you ever wanted to be. She tells about her experience with infertility and her struggle for joy as she watched others around her (including family) become pregnant. And how everything changed when she and her husband were led to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome.
I heard Heather speak on a podcast about how her kids with Down Syndrome are such a joy and treasure in her life, and that's how I discovered this book. It would be easy to call her and her husband heroes but they are just people who walked the path on which God led them. Even if you don't think adoption is your path, this book is relatable if you find yourself presented with a God-given opportunity that you never thought would be yours.
Heather doesn't sugarcoat the challenges nor does she demand that others do exactly as they have done. The book is full of grace and is so inspiring. I believe the title is true. They are "the lucky few."
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the Booklook Bloggers program but opinion is my honest one.)
I heard Heather speak on a podcast about how her kids with Down Syndrome are such a joy and treasure in her life, and that's how I discovered this book. It would be easy to call her and her husband heroes but they are just people who walked the path on which God led them. Even if you don't think adoption is your path, this book is relatable if you find yourself presented with a God-given opportunity that you never thought would be yours.
Heather doesn't sugarcoat the challenges nor does she demand that others do exactly as they have done. The book is full of grace and is so inspiring. I believe the title is true. They are "the lucky few."
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the Booklook Bloggers program but opinion is my honest one.)
snorthington's review against another edition
5.0
Earlier this week I was listening to the latest episode of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, where she was speaking with Heather Avis, the author of this book. I loved listening to their conversation about adoption, parenting and the grace of Jesus. Hearing Heather share about what it means to use people first language that honors and respects the dignity and humanity of her children, and the sweet ways she tries to extend grace and education to the people she meets in her daily life who may have questions about her family. That podcast episode made me anxious to get home and start this book.
This was such a good read! It doesn't take long, but Heather walks you through how she and her husband went from the pain of trying to create a family to adopting their three beautiful children. Two of their children have Down syndrome, and reading her feelings towards adopting and parenting a child with Down syndrome reminded me of many of the conversations I had with a friend who is also the parent of a child with Down syndrome. They share much of the same fear, joy and awe at the task of parenting these precious humans.
This book is a testament to the power of saying yes to God when he places something on your heart, the power of loving people well, and the power of grace that God offers to each of us as we embrace each day and what it holds.
If you want a book that will make you smile deeply, cry tears of joy in solidarity with the author and her family, and a book that will leave you refreshed in the healing power of love, then this book is for you.
I promise, you won't be disappointed!
I received this book to review from Netgalley.
This was such a good read! It doesn't take long, but Heather walks you through how she and her husband went from the pain of trying to create a family to adopting their three beautiful children. Two of their children have Down syndrome, and reading her feelings towards adopting and parenting a child with Down syndrome reminded me of many of the conversations I had with a friend who is also the parent of a child with Down syndrome. They share much of the same fear, joy and awe at the task of parenting these precious humans.
This book is a testament to the power of saying yes to God when he places something on your heart, the power of loving people well, and the power of grace that God offers to each of us as we embrace each day and what it holds.
If you want a book that will make you smile deeply, cry tears of joy in solidarity with the author and her family, and a book that will leave you refreshed in the healing power of love, then this book is for you.
I promise, you won't be disappointed!
I received this book to review from Netgalley.
juliavdelft's review against another edition
4.0
Book written by an Instagrammer (@theluckyfewofficial) who has adopted 3 children; one is a different race and two of them have Down syndrome.
The author is a Christian and is very vocal about her trust in and dependence on God and His plan. Her faith is her stronghold throughout her journey of infertility and adoption.
As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, this book really hit home but I highly recommend it to anyone.
My favourite quotes:
"I had placed him - the one true, omniscient, omnipresent, powerful God - on the same level as myself. I was forgetting that not only does God want my life to be greater than I can even begin to plan for, but he is the coach and writer and director and everything. He is everything!" (pg 58)
"'Every breath she will ever breathe has already been accounted for. Nothing I do or don't do is going to change that.'" (Pg 103)
"It was important for me to understand that when I said yes and followed God into these new relationships, I was also saying yes to brokenness, to pain, to surrender - and to knowing the grace of God more fully." (Pg 142)
"If things were comfortable and easy - if I did not have adoption and Down syndrome and heart defects and birth parents and babies with someone else's eyes, hair, and skin tone - I would not have needed God as desperately as I had. And if I had not needed him, or rather, if I had not recognized my need for him, I would not have known him." (Pg 174)
The author is a Christian and is very vocal about her trust in and dependence on God and His plan. Her faith is her stronghold throughout her journey of infertility and adoption.
As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, this book really hit home but I highly recommend it to anyone.
My favourite quotes:
"I had placed him - the one true, omniscient, omnipresent, powerful God - on the same level as myself. I was forgetting that not only does God want my life to be greater than I can even begin to plan for, but he is the coach and writer and director and everything. He is everything!" (pg 58)
"'Every breath she will ever breathe has already been accounted for. Nothing I do or don't do is going to change that.'" (Pg 103)
"It was important for me to understand that when I said yes and followed God into these new relationships, I was also saying yes to brokenness, to pain, to surrender - and to knowing the grace of God more fully." (Pg 142)
"If things were comfortable and easy - if I did not have adoption and Down syndrome and heart defects and birth parents and babies with someone else's eyes, hair, and skin tone - I would not have needed God as desperately as I had. And if I had not needed him, or rather, if I had not recognized my need for him, I would not have known him." (Pg 174)
amandachit's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent and encouraging. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks that they are are facing an uphill battle. Great for those with children, infertility issues, fostering, and all Christians.
gingernewingham's review against another edition
5.0
I ADORED this book. The author's story mirrors my story in so many ways. From our adoptions to special needs to relying on God rather than controlling. I could have written much of this book.
I zipped through this book on audible and am so glad I listened. The author's words brought encouragement and understanding to my own journey.
I zipped through this book on audible and am so glad I listened. The author's words brought encouragement and understanding to my own journey.
kathreeeads's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story of how God built a family. The whole story screams of God's goodness and faithfulness, and how a scary 'yes' can lead to more beauty than you ever expected. Highly recommend!
ashemarshall's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. The way she speaks about God and motherhood is spot on. I loved the way she wrote, it’s exactly how I assume she talks. It’s relaxed and relatable. So many beautiful subjects, motherhood, adoption, infertility, and joy within hardship.
I cried a lot and sobbed with her. What a beautiful family story.
I cried a lot and sobbed with her. What a beautiful family story.