Dec. 12-18: Chapter 20-34

[Francesca]

Wow!! We've finished book number two!! I can hardly wait to see what book you pick, kelliara!! We'll return the first Monday in January. Have a blessed Christmas and New Year. Love to you all!

[beccalou]

Well, I finished the book!!! It's been a hectic last couple of weeks but I really enjoyed this book.

I wasn't suprised by Caroline's vote for Mary Ann. She always seemed to do what was expected of her as a judge with the eveidence presented.I was a little dissapointed in how the book ended, but I guess you can't have it both ways. I kind of wished Mary Ann would have changed her mind and the baby would have been ok.. The book really built up to that climax though. Is he or is he not going to have a brain.

I'm looking forward to the next book.

have a wonderful week everyone. Love Rebecca

[DiggerAdelgren]

Hey good to hear from you Becca!

I was as you were surprized that Mary Ann didn't change her mind and have a baby that had a brain. But I was glad for her that it didn't because I don't think that she could have lived with the guilt and maybe ridicule from a lot of people.

And oh my goodness! What lengths people go to to get their way. That was a horrible thing to do to Kyle, Allie and Chad! The way Gage kept asking how Allie and Kyle were, I thought maybe he had a relationship with one of them. I had no idea of the destructive plan him and Mac Taylor had. Although I don't think they realized it would cause her death, desroying her life was just as cruel.

I thought Caroline was to be the 1st woman on the Supreme Court? Pg.489 says "Miriam Rothband was the only woman on the court".

Pg. 513 "the extraction of the fetus"? - When do they recognize that it's a baby; when they deliver it?

The author did do his homework-did you read the acknowledgements? And check out the back flap of the book. Patterson was a trial lawyer in Washington and San Fransisco and lives in San Fransisco and Martha's Vinyard.

I am also looking forward to the next book Kellie! I'm sure it will be a good one too.

If I don't get back to you before Christmas-you all have a great one! Love, Pat

[Kellieara]

I am so sorry that I have not posted since the end of November! I did, however, finish the book a week or so ago...just unable to find the time to get on here and post!

The ending, especially Kyle's death, was a real shocker! I was very sorry for this as Chad was one of my favorite characters by the end. He is one of the only ones that seemed to stand up for what he believed for the right reasons.

Caroline was somewhat of a disappointment to me by the end, for her vote obviously, but I would have liked to have seen a bit more emotion or something in her reunion with her birth daughter. That was a little empty, I thought. And by the way, Digger, I believe that she was supposed to be the first woman Chief Justice. There have been other women, in reality as well as in fiction...just not chiefs.

For Mary Ann's sake, I was glad that things turned out like they did. What a horror for her and her family if the baby had been normal after all. I was still hoping that in the end she wouldn't abort though.

I agree with Susan that the Christian Commitment may be portraying the Christian Coalition. However, I don't think they are quite as politically driven as the group from this book...but I really don't know for sure. I was really saddened that Mac Gage was this group's political forerunner for president. I'm quite sure to the public he put on his Christian face in public, but what a scoundrel he was behind closed doors.

I think most have heard that my book choice is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I am really looking forward to reading and discussing this with you all. It is a truly wonderful book! If you're a member of the Adelgren family...don't buy it yet! Since we are exchanging books this year, many of you may get to unwrap your copy in a couple of weeks!

[Francesca]

I agree with all of you and your thoughts. It seems that there is little left to be said.

Regardless of the physical outcome, I still confess that I wish the abortion had not taken place. The whole ordeal was so tramatic for the family... I guess any outcome was bound to leave emotional scarring.

Well, I have got to finish our Christmas Letter... I'll try to post any additional thoughts later.

Francesca

[DiggerAdelgren]

Hey girls! Just another great story for you all, but this one is real. Last night we had our Christmas party for Daughters of Faith Bible study from our old church. A friend of mine and the leader, Corrie, told us a story of a missionary that had travelled to a place and was just coming back when she ran out of gas near a bridge. She was crossing the bridge when she heard a faint cry. Under the bridge she found a baby that was wrapped in its mother's clothes. The mother had given birth to the baby sometime during the night and it was so cold that she took off all her clothes and wrapped the baby in them. She found a burlap bag to wrap herself in. The woman was froze to death, but the baby, a boy lived. The missionary took care of the boy and would tell him about his mother and how she saved his life by giving him her clothes. She would take him to the grave. One cold day the boy wanted her to wait while he went to the grave. After a while the boy started taking off his clothes and placing them on the grave. The missionary didn't think he would take all his clothes off, but he did and stood naked . She came close to hear him asking his mother if it was this cold when she gave up her clothes for him.

Corrie went on to say how this is just like Christ did for us-He stripped himself of everything and died for us. He clothed us in His clothes-righteousness.

Corrie also shared her personal testimony of when she was in rebellion to God. She became pregnant, but she lost the child. The doctors-3 of them- told her she had a blood disorder and said she should not have any more children or it would kill the child, her or both of them. Later she was with another man, who is now her husband. They were living together and she became pregnant. She said she was scared to death of what the doctors said and after 2 months of worrying over it, she decided that she had no other choice but to abort. (she had been saved at a young age and at this point was crying out to God for direction. She knew what God's Word said, but feared the doctor's report more) She said she called up Planned Parenthood and scheduled an appointment to talk to someone. And although there was a Planned Parenthood 5 minutes away from her home (she found out later), she had called the one 45 minutes away. When she was there she talked to a lady who prayed with her. She said she left the place at peace that everything would be ok. She later delivered her daughter. After 3 yrs. past they were going to move from Kansas City to Colorado Springs and she felt that she needed to call up this lady that had prayed with her and thank her because although the lady had given her her name and phone #, Corrie didn't call.

Corrie called the Planned Parenthood and asked for the lady, but they said she did not and had never worked there. Corrie insisted saying I know she was there she even prayed with me. The lady told her it couldn't have been anyone there because it was their policy not to pray with anyone.

At this point you are all hoping that I'd say it must have been an angel...

Well, not exactly, but the lady did tell her of the place right next door (I'm not sure if this is right) the Pregancy Care Center or Birthright or something like that. She gave her the # and she called and sure enough, the lady was there and she was able to thank her. She said they try to build right next to Planned Parenthood for that reason. Corrie said God knew she didn't really want to abort her baby, so instead of going to the clinic 5 mins. away, she went 45mins. away because the one 5 mins. away didn't have a Birthright next to it yet. Even though she went to the wrong place, it was really the right place. Isn't God good!

To top it off her little girl, Gabbie, is now 9yrs. and has a heart for God. Corrie also has 2 boys and another girl. So much for doctors-God knows best!

Take care and have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Love, Digger

[Francesca]

This post is a bit late.. hope you read it.

This book was wonderful but I just want you all to know that we will NEVER do this again--- all bookclub readings will end by thanksgiving and resume in january. It's just too much to try to keep up with.

Thanks for what you wrote, Pat!

Praying blessings upon you all during this season of celebration.

Francesca