Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix

Of Stillness and Storm (Thomas Nelson, December 2016)

“I felt torn between two worlds. Each with its own mystery. One more captivating than the other, but the other more real and breathing.”

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.

At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

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{MORE ABOUT MICHÈLE PHOENIX}

Born in France to a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle Phoenix is a consultant, writer and speaker with a heart for Third Culture Kids. She taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own advocacy venture under Global Outreach Mission. Michèle travels globally to consult and teach on topics related to this unique people group. She loves good conversations, mischievous students, Marvel movies and paths to healing.

Find out more about Michèle at http://michelephoenix.com.

My take:  This book takes a look at a rare situation of a missionary spouse not being fully invested.  It takes a look at a wife who is a reluctant to be a missionary while her husband is the almost the perfect missionary.  She doesn't get the support that she needs in her marriage and as a parent as they have a 13 year old son who is a very reluctant participant and he becomes very depressed.  I can understand a bit as I am a preacher's kid and my dad wasn't home much as he was always at a meeting or visiting or some other ministry but he wasn't gone for weeks at a time.  But on the other hand my husband is a truck driver and was gone for weeks at a time during our children's young years.  Anyway all that to say that even though ministry is important your first ministry is to your family.  This is a good book that will make you think and make you feel for the characters. 

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinions.