Customer Reviews

Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy

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Every now and then I come across a book that touches my heart. As I read such a book, I find myself laughing and crying as if I am part of the story. Kim Woodhouse's book is that kind of book. I knew a good bit about the story of this family before I opened the book. However, nothing prepared me for the faith and joy woven into every page of this book. This family has suffered a vast array of trials and tribulations, but I never found myself feeling pity for them. While I felt like they certainly deserved a break, I witnessed a family that truly grew stronger in their faith and love for each other through trials. The Woodhouse family has learned to 'count it all joy' whether they are in good times or bad. As a long time fan of the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I was moved by the story of the Woodhouse family getting their home. It also inspired me to know that the staff of the show is as sincere and dedicated as they appear on TV. This book is a must read for everyone. Buy it now, read it tomorrow. You'll not be disappointed. Then, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation you may decide to 'count it all joy' as the Woodhouse family does.

Imagine for a moment that your child has been diagnosed with a rare medical disorder. She doesn't sweat, feels no pain, and needs to wear protective clothing just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle, countless medical bills and hospitalizations, including brain surgery, how is a family to cope? (adapted from back cover.) What would you think? How would you feel? Such was the situation with Kayla Woodhouse and her family.
"How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions...have experienced glimpses of their lives on Discovery's Mystery ER, the Montel Williams Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
In her book, Kayla's mother,Kimberley,tells Kayla's story, which is indeed the story of the entire family, including Kayla's Dad, Jeremy, and older brother, Josh. It is the story of one family's triumph over seemingly tragic circumstances, and how they experience extreme joy in the midst of one trial after another. Kim writes candidly about the struggles, fears, emotions of everyday life. She takes us behind the scenes, as it were, to give us a picture of life as her family experiences it. You will laugh, and you will be moved to tears as you read this heart-wrenching and heart-warming story.

Kim has included many photos of the family as well as of their now-famous "extreme" home. Yes, overwhelming trials are met with overcoming JOY. The story of the Woodhouse family will both challenge and bless you. Thanks, Kim, for sharing your heart, as well as your joy! In the midst of the raw realities of human life, you have shown us that God so graciously gives what we are needing to live one day at a time.

If I could figure out a way to give this book TEN stars, I would do so. I guess five will have to do.

Let me start by saying I thought I knew Kim. I've "known" her through American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for years. I've "known" her as the recipient of my thoughts, love and prayers. I've "known" her from watching her story unfold on Extreme Home Makeover (and on Mystery Diagnosis on the Health Channel). I've "known" her as a mom who came to my local writing group to share the story of her daughter's rare health disorder and their struggles and victories. But I have to be honest. Until reading this book, I did not know Kim Woodhouse at all.

To know someone, you have to walk with him/her, hand-in-hand, through life's ups and downs. Now that I've read this book, I feel that I have. I've cried with Kim as she received the difficult diagnoses for her children. I've traveled with her from state to state, house to house, looking for a "cool" place to stay. I've hoped, dreamed, wished and cared. . .about all of the things she hoped, dreamed, wished and cared about. Most of all, I've been given a rare glimpse into her spirit, where the real story lies. My faith has been increased as a result of reading this book. In fact, I can't wait to buy another copy to give to a loved one who's going through a trial so that her faith can be increased, too.

Instead of going on and on and on about this book (which I could do), I will simply say, "If you're going through a difficult time and need a resurgence of hope. . .read this book." It will be the shot in the arm you've been needing. For in this book you will find the one true answer, the source of hope.

Oh, and one more thing. I've come away from the book with a new appreciation for James 1:2: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." I've been marching around my house with those words on my lips. May they forever remain!

This book is written in a candid, honest, and sometimes almost blunt way. Kimberley's journey begins when her and her husband try to have children. After many miscarriages, she was able to have a son. It was a hard and difficult pregnancy so when she found out that she was pregnant again, she was shocked. Both of Kimberley's children have been a blessing however her daughter, Kayla, has a strange medical condition that changes Kimberley's life forever.

Kimberley shares how learning to help her daughter and the trials that they go through not only change her perspective on life, it also draws her closer to God. I love how Kimberley shared her headstrong times so those reading her book could be encouraged and realize that they are not the only one that has to learn to lean on the Lord.

This is not a story of a super woman - this is a story of a woman who leans on the Lord during the hard times and learns that God is a Super God who controls all situations. This story uplifted me and strengthened me not only in my faith but in the fact I am not alone. While I may never experience what Kimberley Woodhouse went through, I have my own struggles and hard times. Hearing how others cope or how they have learned to trust God through hard times can help encourage us all to keep going, to get up tomorrow, and keep trusting because God's way is best.

This truly is an excellent book and would be a great addition to anyone's library collection. This is definitely a book I will be rereading!

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. This is still my honest opinion of this book.

Personal tragedy-and-triumph stories seldom hold my attention. They seem to border on either the sensational or the redundant. The sheer magnitude of a family's struggles as revealed in this book is its "holding factor", the draw that will keep you reading, turning pages, and alternately crying, laughing or cheering each single member on through those few trial-packed years from page one to the end.

This book takes us on a journey with a family much like yours, like mine. But the Woodhouse family has been on a very different journey almost from the start, one unlike either yours or mine, and one that likely reduces ours to a picnic in the park by comparsion. While reading this I promised myself I would never complain again.

Please find the time to be inspired; read this book.

I am primarily a pleasure/escapist reader. I love a story that takes me out of my life and transport me to another. Most of my book selections are based on how far it will take my from my own world, but occasionally, I read a book that causes me to look at my life in a different light. Welcome Home is one of those books. I haven't been gut-checked this hard since I read The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Sterns.

The tagline to this book is "Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy." Extreme is a perfect word to describe this journey. The Woodhouse family's story in this book drives home the point that bad things happen to godly people, but God is able to sustain them through them all.

I think that is greatest message I gained from this book. As I read this book, I thought to myself, I don't know if I could have handled all that. And Woodhouse makes it clear that she didn't think she could either. But the book is full of examples of God's ability to take care of His children.

The second greatest message of the book, for me, was that I need to stop whining about the challenges in my life. No, I don't have as many challenges as the Woodhouse family did, but I serve the same God. If God brought them through (and continues to do so), then He is able to handle my problems.

If you find yourself whining about the problems you have in your life, then this book is for you. It is a wonderful perspective change and it will show you how the possibility of having real, practical joy in your life.

I loved this book so much that I wish every family in America could read it. I believe the Woodhouse Family's story will set hope deep in the hearts of everyone who reads it.

Be sure to check out Kim's site [...] and pick up a copy of this book wherever books are sold.

This is an amazing family who overcame trial after trial. Parents who wouldn't give up until doctors found a diagnosis for their daughter. This family and their story was truly an inspiration and a stellar example of people who have taken both the hard things as well as the honored things that life has given them and their family and humbly allowed God to use all of it for the noble purpose of reaching out to others and imparting true joy of the lasting kind.

This book would also make a WONDERFUL gift for anyone in your life who is struggling to maintain joy in the midst of struggle.

If you are in need of encouragemnt and inspiration, don't miss it!

Cheryl Wyatt

I cannot count how many times I thought `WOW'. Kimberley is transparent throughout the book. You feel like you are sitting next to her in a coffee shop. She's had so many scares with her kids and she maintains her motto, "Consider it Pure Joy."

The book is not only beautifully written, it includes several pages of photos of her family. What I love about the Woodhouse Family is their devotion to each other. I love that Kayla and Josh are so caring to one another. I love that the entire family are so in tuned with one another. I love this family!

Kayla is unable to feel pain. She doesn't realize that she's bleeding until it's everywhere. Josh was a sick little boy due to asthma. The fight between trying to figure the best environment for both of them was a continual struggle. One thing that I believe helped tie the family together, is the close friends that they had wherever they ended up. Couple this with Kimberley's faith; it's the perfect way to maintain pure joy through the trials endured by this lovely family.

There wasn't a spot in the book that didn't leave me grateful for the joy that the Woodhouse Family exudes in their lives. It's so easy to look at what you do not have versus what you could have. We can all have joy in our lives no matter the circumstances. If you don't believe me, ask the Woodhouse Family. There was so many times that God showed up to be merely coincidences.

Read the book and expect to be blessed beyond measure.

Not having to sweat and feeling no pain sounds good on paper, but the reality is much more troublesome. "Woodhouse Family Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy" is a mother reflecting on the long journey she has experienced with her daughter Kayla, who has a rare disorder which makes her life quite difficult and has had quite the assortment of medical problems through her life. "Woodhouse Family, Welcome Home!" is an inspiring story of a family supporting one of their own.

Kimberly is a gifted author who can relate her family's life experiences in a heartwarming way. It's obvious that God has truly been the focus of their strength during many challenges with their children's health problems and financial difficulties. This is an inspitirual blessing as you read of the struggles and challenges that faced the Woodhouse family.