It is a privilege and honor to host Kimberley Woodhouse on my blog. Thank you, Kimberley!
A little bit about Kimberley:
Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, and Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER. Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy, releases from Tyndale House Publishers September first. In addition to her non-fiction, she also writes romantic suspense and children’s books. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly “extreme” home. www.kimberleywoodhouse.com
The theme throughout Kimberley's book, WOODHOUSE FAMILY - WELCOME HOME is "considering it all joy when you go through various trials".
Kimberley, other than considering it all joy when going through various trials, what else would you say to someone who has or is enduring one tribulation after another?
Don’t lose hope. There are many times that we think we are at the end of our rope, but we’re not. A lot of Christians over the years have used the phrase, “God’s not going to give you more than you can handle.” But I think that phrase is inaccurate – you see, I would’ve given up a long time ago, if that were the case. As human beings we are weak, and the crises of this world can pull us down into the muck and mire where we can’t see the light, but He is strong and wants us to rely on Him. The phrase I like to use is, “God’s not going to give you more than He can handle.” Because if we cast our burdens upon him like He instructs, we really can make it through.
Did you ever get angry at God or blame God for the trials you endured? Or go into a deep depression? If so, how did you deal with it? If not, why?
I never got angry, but I did ask the question, why. And it’s okay to question. He understands our thoughts and feelings and questions better than anybody else. He is waiting with open arms to shelter, comfort, and protect us. But so many times, in our flesh, we want to control the situation, and we simply can’t. I know that’s where I failed a lot. Trying to take control of things, thinking I needed to fix them. But each and every time, He showed me that wasn’t my job, I needed to let things go.
I went through post-partum depression after both my kids were born. With Kayla it was more severe than with Josh. During those times, I did a lot of questioning. But what a beautiful thing the Lord was orchestrating during that time—He was saving Kayla’s life. I would go through all of that again, with all the heartache and questioning, because I know what He did through that.
I’ve spoken all over the country sharing our story, and there are many times that people will make comments like, “Well, we’re just going to pray for complete healing for Kayla.” Or “If you just prayed like this _____ , I bet the Lord would heal her.” I know those people have the best intentions, but comments like that always make you doubt. Was my faith not strong enough? Did I do something wrong? But then clarity comes through, and the Lord reminds me that He is in control. He made Kayla, He knows everything about her, better than any doctor on the face of this planet. And He has used her beautiful testimony to His glory. Our God is the Great Physician, and if He chose to heal her, I know it could happen this very second. But I also know that healing her completely may not be His will, and I am okay with that. I am resting in the fact that He is God and I am not. Praise the Lord for what He’s done, and what He’s going to do.
If you could visit with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would say, Jesus. I would love to sit at His feet and soak up His teaching.
If you could change places with anyone, who would it be and why?
I don’t think I would. It’s tough enough to walk in my own shoes, I know I would be inadequate walking in anyone else’s.
What writing projects are you working on now? Any new releases in the near future? If so, tell us about them.
I’m working on a parenting encouragement (non-fiction) book right now, and a romantic suspense (fiction) set in Alaska. Please watch my website – www.kimberleywoodhouse.com for announcements of new releases.
Thank you so much!
No, thank you, Kimberley. *smiling*
WOODHOUSE FAMILY ~ WELCOME HOME blurb:
Overwhelming trials . . . met with overcoming joy.
Kayla Woodhouse is not your typical twelve-year-old. Due to a rare medical disorder, she feels no pain, doesn’t sweat, and needs protective cooling gear just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle; countless hospitalizations, including brain surgery; and the resulting mountain of hospital bills, what’s a family to do?
How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions of people have experienced glimpses of their lives on Discovery’s Mystery ER, The Montel Williams Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (recently voted one of the show’s all-time best episodes!).
Now Kayla’s mom, Kimberley, takes readers behind the cameras to reveal their family’s journey as never before told. From medical sleuthing to cross-country moves, from freak fires to battles with insurance companies, Welcome Home proves that truth really is stranger than fiction. This candid life story reveals both success and failure and demonstrates how, even during tough circumstances, to shift your life from heartbreak to extreme joy.
Peek inside the Woodhouse family’s life (and their famous house) with a 16-page photo insert.
My review of, WOODHOUSE FAMILY ~ WELCOME HOME
Want to see what real faith is. Real faith in action is when things don’t always go our way and yet we trust God anyway. That’s what Kim’s book has taught me.
It really helped me see God in a whole new light. Having come from a teaching that has all but destroyed my faith in a loving God, through Kim’s testimony, I saw a woman who, in spite of many horrific trials and tribulations, never lost faith in her God. Instead of turning away from Him, she turned to Him. Isn't that what real faith is? When you still trust in God when everything seems to be falling apart around you? Kim found comfort in His word, in prayer, and in God himself. Plus, Kim didn't have faith in her faith and in her works. Kim taught me that God is in control - not me in control through my works. What a load that takes off of my shoulders.
Because of Kim’s book, for the first time in a long time, I'm reading the Word again. I'm enjoying it again. And, I've learned my name isn't Woe unto you, or Hypocrite. It's Beloved.
Most of all, Kim’s book showed me that I can make it through any trial because the joy of the Lord is my strength.If you haven't already, check out Kim's book, WOODHOUSE FAMILY ~ WELCOME HOME
I highly recommend it!
If you leave a comment mentioning something in this post that either blessed you or really stuck with you, I will enter your name into my surprise gift drawing.Thank you everyone for stopping by.
Until next time...
See ya ~ ~ ~
Debra Ullrick 2nd place winner in the 16th Annual Heartsong Awards Favorite New Author category
The Bride Wore Coveralls, 2nd place winner in the 16th Annual Heartsong Awards Favorite Contemporary Romance category
Déjà vu Bride, the sequel to, The Bride Wore Coveralls, Spirit Light Books
Dixie Hearts, Barbour publishing
(http://www.debraullrick.com/) (http://www.christianromancewriter.blogspot.com/)
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