The Memory Jar

I mentioned The Memory Jar before, but it was recently released on October 23rd, so now I want to tell you about it.  On a random note I decided to read it again once it was officially released.  It was wonderful both times.

Tricia Goyer, takes us back to Montana and the Amish in West Kootenai to get better acquainted with Sarah Shelter.  I say she takes us back because her first Amish series, Big Sky Amish Series, was about the same group of people.  We actually met Sarah in the first series, but she didn't play a big part.  Actually, from what I remember she was really quiet. 

In The Memory Jar we learn that Sarah isn't just a quiet Amish girl who can bake; she has a heart for God and others.  While on a hike with two friends and a couple Amish bachelors Sarah finds herself hurt and lost by herself on a mountain side.  After taking the wrong path down from the top one of the bachelors walks the other two girls back down while the other one, Jathon, goes back looking for Sarah.  While hiking Jathon starts discovering God in a whole new way.  The way Tricia shows God being so real in the life of the Amish is my favorite part of her writing.  Instead of me spoiling the book for you I'm going to suggest if you want to be challenged in your faith while reading a great book, read The Memory Jar.  This isn't your typical Amish book.  There are some authors that do a boy meets girl; the end.  Then there are boy meets girl, will they - won't they get married: the end.  And then there are boy meets girl, they meet God, you get wonderful nuggets (Godly inspiration to think about), and in the end well, they may get married. =)  Tricia writes like the latter.  After reading the Big Sky Amish Series she went from being an unknown author with me to being on my favorites list.

While reading on an elliptical when I would get to something worth highlighting I would snap a picture.  Sorry they are blurry, I only paused briefly before snapping the photo.  Here are a couple good quotes...

One of my best friends has been asking what she should do next.  God told her to go back to school, but now she doesn't have the money to stay there. This quote made me think of her.  One of my old pastor's used to say this.

Oh, I love this one.  I'm planning on making a plaque for my wall with this quote.  After talking about The Memory Jar all morning in the library I finally pulled out my phone and read this quote to the librarian.  She said, "What book is that?  Do we have it?  We need to get it."