Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson

If I have a complaint, it's that the book isn't long enough. :) I would have loved more, more, more stories! I can relate to the author's desire to *do* something, and the great need to have her children experience a very different world. Parent or not, though, the book is entertaining and inspiring.

As I always do with well-written books, I highlighted several paragraphs that spoke to me; my favorite was this: "Instead, I let my heart take the snapshot and begged the universe to never let me forget what this felt like." Those moments of utter awe are lovely and few.… (mehr)

Where to begin on this charming book? First of all this book does have a bit of a Christian tone to it but there is not enough to drown out the book for those who are deadset against Christianity thus would never read it since of religious overtones. Instead the religion is one of many small threads that help to tie the story down with how we can relate to it.

The story is driven by the desire to be like others in helping to change the world, to know that you are there for a reason and at the same time finding out that you don't just need to rush off to another place to do so. The idea is that no matter where you are, no matter with what life has presented you or what your situation is you can always help while also still enjoying what life has given to you whether expected or unexpected.

These lessons are brought to us by a woman that many of us can relate to whether it is the busy aspect, the fly-by-the-seat or the need for a change for we all have been there. We can also relate to some of her personal thoughts as well as the thrill of the gloriously exotic yet rawly despairing picture of a country that is just passing rumors for us.

All in all it is a refreshing look into a culture that we don't usually dream about while at the same time showing the delicate yet powerful ties of those who enter our life. No matter the station, no matter where you were born, your future, your religion or where you are at now you touch someone even for a minute yet at the same time last forever. And it is those special bonds that always work to change us for the better....

**Received this book as part of the Giveaway at Goodreads.com for free in exchange for a review**… (mehr)