Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author
I started reading this book about 6 months after my husband died by suicide. I read in bite-size segments because all that my grief-stricken brain could handle at the time, but everything I read was comforting and enlightening. They say that knowledge is power, but it is also comforting. Because of the intensive research that Jane Johnson did for this book, she was able to provide solace to my wounded heart and mind.
I thought that I understood depression, but I didn’t–not really. The experiences shared from Jane and many others helped me to peer through the kaleidoscope of depression. From the perspective of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints it was profoundly instructive. I began to understand things that I had never comprehended before, especially how so many people have difficulty feeling the spirit or feeling close to God while suffering from depression.
Everyone can benefit by reading this book. Even if you think you don’t know anyone suffering from depression, I can guarantee that you do–they just haven’t told you or perhaps they don’t even know how to name the depths of their suffering. Read this book. Talk about this book and pass it along so that maybe we can raise our voices loud enough to help people understand that we DON’T understand depression, but there is hope that we can do better.
Here’s more about the book:
Through the power of story, nationally recognized journalist Jane Clayson Johnson shines a light in the desperate, dark, and lonely reality faced by those who struggle with clinical depression. At once hopeful and heart-wrenching, Silent Souls Weeping examines the stigma and isolation associated with depression, as well as the dangers of perfectionistic tendencies and suicidal ideation.
Beginning with an open and frank exploration of her own experience with clinical depression, the author goes on to share stories gathered from interviews with more than 150 men, women, and teens all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have suffered from depression.
Within these stories is a plea to change the dialogue surrounding depression, particularly among Latter-day Saints, who face unique struggles as they try to fit a disease manifest through sorrow into a religion centered on a plan of happiness.
The worst part of depression, writes the author Is the profound isolation it engenders, not just from the Spirit but from family, friends, and community. Sharing our stories is the first step toward ending that isolation. This important book opens the door for a new level of honesty and helpfulness; both for those suffer from depression and for their family members, friends, and Church leaders.
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I’m so grateful I purchased Carried because I needed to read it more than I would have imagined. As a memoir, the writing is stellar and the narrative develops with a page-turning quality as I followed the events of the Schmidt’s search for their daughter, Annie. I loved reading about how the Piano Guys came about with all the hardships and seeming false starts involved. If it weren’t for my family’s love of the Piano Guys, I would’ve missed the chance to read this book which contains a message much deeper than a glance into a tragedy.
Michelle shares the steps she had to take to survive the harrowing search for her daughter and how she came closer to the Lord through this trial. Because I am currently in the refiner’s fire in my own life, I was highlighting passages, struggling to read through my tears, and at the same time feeling uplifted that someone seemed to understand what I am going through.
It is beautiful to see someone turn a tragedy into a teaching moment–make no mistake, it’s not preaching, it’s teaching! I loved the kind and gentle way the story unfolded and how I felt invited into Michelle’s life to witness how Annie’s life was able to touch so many.
This is a must-read for so, so many reasons–for grief, adversity, strength through trials, coming closer to the Savior, and gaining an awareness of how tough this earth life is! Read it and then share it.
Here’s more about the book:
On October 19, 2016, Michelle Schmidt’s plane landed in Oregon, where she was meeting her daughter, Annie, for a camping trip. But Annie didn’t show up at the airport to pick up her mother as planned.Thus began a season of searching and coming up short, of miracles and frustrations, of love poured out and faith tested, until Annie’s body was finally discovered more than three weeks later in the Columbia River Gorge, where she had fallen while hiking.
As Annie’s mother opens her heart to tell her story, her husband’s story (Jon Schmidt of The Piano Guys), and Annie’s story, she writes: “It is my hope that my journey of being tutored by God to trust Him more not only through the loss of Annie but through some of my most vulnerable and personal past experiences will be the means of bringing strength and hope to anyone suffering at this time”.
When the unthinkable happened, Michelle Schmidt made a choice: to trust in God. This remarkable book will give readers the courage and inspiration to make that same choice.
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I’m so excited to finish out the Wedding Planner Mystery series with a sale on the last book. Proposals and Poison is only 99 cents from today through May 13th! This deal may not be available in all Amazon stores, so if your store isn’t showing the sale price, please remember that you can borrow it from your local library. If they don’t have it there, you can always put in a request.
Love can be a very dangerous thing. At least it seems that way to Adri Pyper, the premier wedding planner in Sun Valley, Idaho. When one of her clients dies mysteriously, Adri takes the advice of the local detective and swears she will stay out of the investigation . . . this time. Luke Stetson’s involvement in the case, along with the possibility of a kiss between the two, should be enough incentive to keep Adri out of trouble. But when a dog-themed wedding is almost ruined by a suspect, Adri and her assistant, Lorea, are thrust into private eye mode. When poison enters the picture, even a reluctant sleuth can’t steer clear of danger.
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Veils and Vengeance, Book 2 in the Wedding Planner Mystery series, is FREE April 26th – April 28th. If it doesn’t show up as free in your Amazon store, please consider borrowing it from your local library. If it isn’t available there, you can request the library to order it.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
When wedding planner Adrielle Pyper orchestrates a destination ceremony in Hawaii, she’s prepared for anything—except murder. After the trauma of her last event, the beautiful isle of Kauai is the perfect place for Adri to unwind and do what she does best – plan. She even lets herself indulge in the attention of the groom’s handsome brother. But just when everything seems to be perfect, an afternoon snorkeling trip turns deadly when Adri discovers the body of a young woman. Shaken, but unable to let go, Adri’s sleuthing leads her into more danger than she bargained for. When a number of “accidents” threaten her own life, it soon becomes apparent that someone will do anything to keep Adri from interfering with their vengeance. For great craft tips, visit Adri’s website, www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
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