Book Review and Giveaway (Closed): Jantsen's Gift

I was recently received the book Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope from the Hatchette Book Group to read and review in association with Mama Buzz. I was unprepared for it and was deeply challenged.

Pam Cope was your typical American woman, living the American dream. She had two beautiful children, a nice house and car, shopping and decorating habits and the seemingly ideal life. The life we all strive for because we're told it's what we really need and want. Yet something still tugged at her heart and she felt a discontentment. Like most of us, Pam tried to ignore that inner tugging and worked hard to silence that little voice. She filled her life with business so she couldn't hear that nagging voice in the still, quiet moments.

Then Pam's world fell apart with the very sudden and unexpected death of her son, Jantsen. It is every mother's fear and without holding back, Pam writes of her grieving, pain and losing her desire to live. Nothing is sugar coated and it helped me to see the depth of pain people sometimes go through. After the death of her son, Pam and her husband become involved in orphanages and work in Vietnam, learning about child trafficking and other horrors that go on today such as child prostitution, begging and selling on the streets, and hard 14 hour labor some are forced to work. The book is filled with the facts and numbers and it's sickening to hear of the things happening today.

Pam and her husband started the Touch a Life foundation to reach out and help these children. A large part of the book explains in detail of the struggles and fights she has fought on the behalf of these children who had no one else that would stand up for them. To me, one of the most moving parts of the book was when she wrote:

"All those years wasted because I didn't think I could do something like this, or was unsure of where to start, or had somehow convinced myself that only people with a master's degree in some obscure field could make a difference. All of those if onlys... when all I needed was the courage to try."

This spoke directly to me, reminding me that I don't need to be someone "great" to do what God places in my heart. All I need is determination, diligence and the grace of God. Pam realizes that this work is what had been on her heart all along, which she had worked so hard to silence.

This book isn't explicitly Christian, but many of the lessons and themes are very encouraging. I was deeply inspired and stopped to check my life and heart. Am I willing to fight and do what's on my heart or will I allow circumstances and trials lull me into complacency? Do I have the courage to try or will I think "someone else will do it?" You can read an excerpt from the story on Hachette Book Group and it is priced at $18.24 on Amazon. This would make an excellent gift, especially for a mom, grieving friend or just a Christian who wants to be inspired.

Warning: Do not read this book without a box of tissues. I was weeping through much of the first half of the book. Also, don't read it unless you want to be inspired. It will be hard to sit back and enjoy the "American dream" after reading this book.

Now, for the giveaway! I received an extra copy of this book and will give it to one of my readers. (I will also be placing my copy on Paper Back Swap, so feel free to request it from me!) This would make a great gift (if you want to keep it for yourself, that's ok too! :) To enter the giveaway you can do any of the following, leaving a separate comment for each:

1. Leave me a comment telling me what you want to have the courage to try
   
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.
3. Become a follower or tell me if you already do!
4. Become a subscriber or tell me if you already do!
5. Follow me on twitter or tell me if you already do!
   

That's 5 chances to win. The giveaway is open from now until Friday November 20th at 11PM EST when I will randomly pick a winner. Sorry, but I can only ship to the US and Canada. I will email the winner (so make sure you leave a way for me to email you!) and the winner will have 48 hours to respond. If they don't, I will pick a new winner. Good luck!!