Where Hope Begins
Page 31
I pray that you know you are still loved and cherished by the One who formed you in your mother’s womb. The One who knew your name before you took your first breath. I pray you know that great love to the very depths of your soul, because it’s the only thing that truly sustains us when we can’t take one more step. I pray you know you are not alone.
Finally, thank you. Thank you for reading Where Hope Begins. For trusting me with such a heavy topic, and allowing me to share this difficult, yet hope-filled story with you.
With Love,
Catherine
“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.” –Anne Lamott
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The writing of a book does not happen overnight. And, while the writer may write alone, they are always in need of support from friends and family.
This one took so much. Each chapter presented a new challenge. I needed a place to go to laugh and vent and simply get away from the heavy thoughts for a while. Thank you to my wonderful friends who gather under the auspicious name of The Spice Girls—we may not sing together, but along with being incredibly talented authors in your own right, you are skilled in encouragement, hilarity, and prayer support, and I’m so thankful for each of you.
Rochelle and Lydia . . . it has been an honor and a blessing to watch you navigate the new roads you find yourselves on. You are brave, strong, and an example of everything a godly woman should be. You’ve both always been so encouraging to me, but these past few years, your courage has astounded me. I am honored to call you friends, and I thank you for sharing your heart with me on so many occasions. And for praying for this story, and for me.
My wonderful friend and agent, Rachelle Gardner—another dream becomes a reality, thanks to your perseverance and hard work and godly counsel. I will never forget the day I opened my email to find one from you entitled “WOW”—your first reaction after reading this book. You have no idea how much that encouraged me! Thank you for walking alongside me on this exciting journey. It definitely wouldn’t be happening without you!
Thanks must go to all my dear friends near and far who make me smile and force me to go out for lunch or get on Skype and interact with humans! LeeAnne, I always treasure our times together and thank you for always being a phone call away. Cathy K., I miss singing with you and laughing with you, but I know you’re always praying and I appreciate that more than you know! Beth Vogt, our Skype chats pour life and hope and encouragement into me. While I wish they were in person over coffee talks, I’m definitely looking forward to the next time we get to see each other. Thanks for all the advice, the laughter, the love, and the friendship! Jennifer M., your early reads as I was furiously writing chapter after chapter pushed me forward, made me laugh, and gave me hope that I really was onto something—thank you for the time!
And my wonderful readers for always providing support and encouragement with each book, I’m so grateful I get to share my words with you! And thanks go to so many other supportive souls in my online writing communities, ACFW, and the Books & Such group—I would truly be lost without you.
A book cannot publish itself, and I am, as always, truly grateful to the amazing team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing for everything that happens behind the scenes before a story becomes a real book! Thanks to all who gave wonderful insight and helped shape the story into what it is today, Becky Monds, Erin Healy, and Jodi Hughes. I’m sorry (not sorry) I made you guys cry. Amanda, Kristen, Allison, and Paul, and countless others, thank you for all the work it takes to launch a book and make an author feel confident! And I have to say this cover blew me away!
To my truly incredible family—I would be miserable without you. To the Canadian clan, thanks for always being hilarious. I love it when we’re all gathered in one place: so many kids, so much love and laughter. To my sister and family in the US, I’m so grateful for you and treasure each time we’re together.
My kids—Sarah and Christopher—you are our greatest blessings and we thank you for the other blessings you have brought into our lives—Randy, and Deni, and of course precious Annabel, who lights up every day with her smiles and giggles and big baby hugs and smushy kisses. I am awed by God’s goodness in giving me each of you.
And of course, to my one and only love, Stephen. There really aren’t words to express my heart. Thank you for the continual support, encouragement, and for telling everyone about your wife the author . . . even though it’s embarrassing. Thank you for all the dinners in, the dinners out, and the margaritas. And for just being there, even when I’m in writer zone and not fit for human company. I love you beyond everything.
Thank you, Jesus, for the words, for the redemption, and for the promise of a thousand tomorrows with you.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.Where Hope Begins deals with some very difficult issues—adultery, suicide, loss of a child. Which situation in the novel impacted you most and how did it speak to you?
2.Tragic events can have a lasting impact on our lives. As Paul says to Savannah, tragedy can either draw a couple closer or drive them apart. How do you think Kevin and Savannah coped with the loss of Shelby, and what do you think they could have done differently?
3.The family’s favorite book is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Do you have a favorite book or a “family book” that has been read so often you can quote from it?
4.Was there a particular character you were drawn to? What appealed to you most about them?
5.Which scene or chapter in the novel did you find most challenging?
6.Despite Kevin’s unfaithfulness, Savannah feels guilt over her relationship with Brock and her growing feelings for him. Do you think she judged herself too harshly given the circumstances?
7.Savannah carries a huge burden, blaming herself for Shelby’s death, and feels judged by many—the church, her sister-in-law, even some friends. Why do you think it seems easier for people to judge and criticize, instead of offering grace?
8.Clarice’s greenhouse becomes a refuge for Savannah: a place where anything can happen, if she has enough faith. Did you appreciate the symbolism of the greenhouse for what it was?
9.Like Savannah, have you been in a place where you didn’t have the strength to pray anymore? What happened?
10.Readers will no doubt have different views on Maysie’s guardian angel. Do you believe in angels?
11.Clarice has many wise words for Savannah, including “Sometimes God allows us to glimpse the beauty within the brokenness.” Have you seen beauty even when hopes and dreams have been shattered?
12.Brock knows his condition is terminal. Did you empathize with him as he acted on his attraction to Savannah, or did you think he was being selfish?
13.When you turned the final page, what emotions did you experience?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SARAH E PHOTOGRAPHY 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border collie for long walks on the beach or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children. Visit her online at catherinejwest.com.
Facebook: CatherineJWest
Twitter: @cathwest