God's Photo Album: How We Looked for God and Saved Our School [Hardcover]

Shelly Mecum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2001

Shelly Mecum and her students had a dream -- and enough courage and faith to make their dream soar. Tirelessly optimistic and fiercely determined to save the struggling Ewa Beach elementary school on Oahu, Hawaii, Mecum mobilized a community to realize her vision: a spiritual quest for God and a brave book-writing adventure. Some 168 young children and their families, ranging from five to eighty years old, toted cameras, notebooks, and pencils across the island by bus, trolley, and glass-bottom boat. Their mission? To find God. And -- each in their own way -- they did: in palm trees and koi ponds, on rugged shores, in the Hard Rock Cafe, and in one another.

Here are their surprising snapshots and inspiring observations, offering unforgettable moments of grace. Proof that no dream is too big, this story will capture the hearts of everyone who wants to know how to find God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A true reminder of the value of simplicity." -- --Richard Carlson, author of the #1 best seller Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

"A wonderful gift that conveys the wisdom of children and evokes your own wonder." -- -- Spencer Johnson, M.D., author of Who Moved My Cheese?

"God has brought his heaven to the earth of Shelly Mecum and her band of angels. Hosannah and Hurrah!" -- --Malachy McCourt, author of A Monk Swimming and Singing My Him Song

"God needed to be locked into this great Photo Album to evoke your love, laughter, tears, and joy of spirit." -- --Mark Victor Hansen, co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

"God's Photo Album is a dream book ... a dream that came true." -- --Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes

"God's Photo Album is a remarkable book that reminds us that God is in everything." -- --Richard Paul Evans, bestselling author of The Christmas Box

"God's miracle is on every page. Thank you, Shelly Mecum. This is a blessed gift." -- --Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God

"These children and their families have found God in unexpected places and in return they give God to us." -- --Madeleine L'Engle

"This is a wonderful book created by God and those closest to him--the children." -- --Jack Canfield, co-editor, Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

"a powerful book about God, faith, children, community, family and all the things we need to heal our planet." -- --Wally Amos, author of Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life

About the Author

Shelly Mecum has been a reading and writing teacher and is now an author in residence at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ewa Beach on Oahu, Hawaii.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060654538
• ISBN-13: 978-0060654535
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The hand of God is on this book! What a gem!, August 30, 2001

By 

Judy M. Vincent (Kailua, HI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: God's Photo Album: How We Looked for God and Saved Our School (Hardcover)

Not only did God give Shelly Mecum a fantastic idea (of course!), but He blessed her with the writing talent of an angel. The narrative is enthralling: such a page-turner that I literally could not put the book down last night. I got it in the mail yesterday, started reading at 11 p.m., and had to force myself to stop reading at 1 a.m. only because I knew my alarm clock was going to go off in 4 hours. I can't believe this vibrant woman had the faith to call the president of Fuji film in Japan to ask for 300 cameras...and he said yes!! All the corporate executives she called promised to pray for the school, even if they turned down her request for money for the buses. She believed in the power of their prayers, even when it was getting down to the wire and the money for the buses still had not materialized. Finally in desperation one night, she called Sister Nirmala in Calcutta, told her about the idea for the book, the need for money for the buses, and asked her pray for the project. Shelly's faith and belief in the power of prayer has deeply touched me. The pictures are beautiful, and they perfectly capture both the sweet spirit of Hawaii and God's presence in everyday life. In short, miracle of a book. I can't wait to finish it tonight!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God is truly present!, April 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Photo Album: How We Looked for God and Saved Our School (Hardcover)

If you want to see God? You truly need to see him through the eyes of the youth and families of Oahu, Hawaii. Shelly and her authors take you on a journey to find God in everything, from a one way sign to a grave site and even the Hard Rock Cafe! God has truly blessed this community and it looks like its only the beginning. Where do you find God? You see him after reading this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God is everywhere, if only you look for Him, March 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Photo Album: How We Looked for God and Saved Our School (Hardcover)

I borrowed this book from my local library expecting nothing more than a light diversion with pretty pictures, but "God's Photo Album" absolutely blew me away. Shelly Mecum's wonderful writing vividly illustrates the heartache, hopes and miracles that came together to create this wonderful story of a small community that pulled together to save its beloved school. I highly recommend this book!