Kayla Woodhouse is not your typical twelve year-old. Due to a rare medical disorder, she feels no pain, doesn't sweat - and needs protective cooling gear just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle and a mountain of hospital bills, what's a family to do?
How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions of people have experienced glimpses of their lives on various television shows.
Now Kayla's mom, Kimberley, takes readers behind the cameras to reveal their family's journey as never before told. From medical sleuthing to freak house fires, Welcome Home proves that truth really is stranger than fiction. This candid life-story reveals both success and failure, and demonstrates how, even during tough circumstances, you can shift your life from heartbreak to extreme joy.
Includes a 16 page photo insert that takes you inside the Woodhouse family's life - and their famous house!
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 20 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christine Woods (Everett, WA), October 14, 2009
This is a very well written life story. I enjoyed it immensly, laughing and crying througout. It can be a bible study on how to rely on God. Not a direct step by step guideb but directing one to scriptures that you can learn and use to lean into God when times are hard. Great book!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Janice Thompson (Texas), October 07, 2009
If I could figure out a way to give this book TEN stars, I would do so. I guess five will have to do.
Let me start by saying I thought I knew Kim. I've "known" her through American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for years. I've "known" her as the recipient of my thoughts, love and prayers. I've "known" her from watching her story unfold on Extreme Home Makeover (and on Mystery Diagnosis on the Health Channel). I've "known" her as a mom who came to my local writing group to share the story of her daughter's rare health disorder and their struggles and victories. But I have to be honest. Until reading this book, I did not know Kim Woodhouse at all.
To know someone, you have to walk with him/her, hand-in-hand, through life's ups and downs. Now that I've read this book, I feel that I have. I've cried with Kim as she received the difficult diagnoses for her children. I've traveled with her from state to state, house to house, looking for a "cool" place to stay. I've hoped, dreamed, wished and cared. . .about all of the things she hoped, dreamed, wished and cared about. Most of all, I've been given a rare glimpse into her spirit, where the real story lies. My faith has been increased as a result of reading this book. In fact, I can't wait to buy another copy to give to a loved one who's going through a trial so that her faith can be increased, too.
Instead of going on and on and on about this book (which I could do), I will simply say, "If you're going through a difficult time and need a resurgence of hope. . .read this book." It will be the shot in the arm you've been needing. For in this book you will find the one true answer, the source of hope.
Oh, and one more thing. I've come away from the book with a new appreciation for James 1:2: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." I've been marching around my house with those words on my lips. May they forever remain!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Terri Haynes (Fort Washington, MD), September 29, 2009
I am primarily a pleasure/escapist reader. I love a story that takes me out of my life and transport me to another. Most of my book selections are based on how far it will take my from my own world, but occasionally, I read a book that causes me to look at my life in a different light. Welcome Home is one of those books. I haven't been gut-checked this hard since I read The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Sterns.
The tagline to this book is "Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy." Extreme is a perfect word to describe this journey. The Woodhouse family's story in this book drives home the point that bad things happen to godly people, but God is able to sustain them through them all.
I think that is greatest message I gained from this book. As I read this book, I thought to myself, I don't know if I could have handled all that. And Woodhouse makes it clear that she didn't think she could either. But the book is full of examples of God's ability to take care of His children.
The second greatest message of the book, for me, was that I need to stop whining about the challenges in my life. No, I don't have as many challenges as the Woodhouse family did, but I serve the same God. If God brought them through (and continues to do so), then He is able to handle my problems.
If you find yourself whining about the problems you have in your life, then this book is for you. It is a wonderful perspective change and it will show you how the possibility of having real, practical joy in your life.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by chandra lynn (PA), September 29, 2009
Every now and then I come across a book that touches my heart. As I read such a book, I find myself laughing and crying as if I am part of the story. Kim Woodhouse's book is that kind of book. I knew a good bit about the story of this family before I opened the book. However, nothing prepared me for the faith and joy woven into every page of this book. This family has suffered a vast array of trials and tribulations, but I never found myself feeling pity for them. While I felt like they certainly deserved a break, I witnessed a family that truly grew stronger in their faith and love for each other through trials. The Woodhouse family has learned to 'count it all joy' whether they are in good times or bad. As a long time fan of the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I was moved by the story of the Woodhouse family getting their home. It also inspired me to know that the staff of the show is as sincere and dedicated as they appear on TV. This book is a must read for everyone. Buy it now, read it tomorrow. You'll not be disappointed. Then, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation you may decide to 'count it all joy' as the Woodhouse family does.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cheryl Wyatt (rustic, Illinois), September 23, 2009
I loved this book so much that I wish every family in America could read it. I believe the Woodhouse Family's story will set hope deep in the hearts of everyone who reads it.
Be sure to check out Kim's site kimberleywoodhouse dot com and pick up a copy of this book wherever books are sold.
This is an amazing family who overcame trial after trial. Parents who wouldn't give up until doctors found a diagnosis for their daughter. This family and their story was truly an inspiration and a stellar example of people who have taken both the hard things as well as the honored things that life has given them and their family and humbly allowed God to use all of it for the noble purpose of reaching out to others and imparting true joy of the lasting kind.
This book would also make a WONDERFUL gift for anyone in your life who is struggling to maintain joy in the midst of struggle.
If you are in need of encouragemnt and inspiration, don't miss it!
Cheryl Wyatt
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sharon A Lavy (New Carlisle, OH 45344), August 24, 2009
I’ve never met Kim Woodhouse. But after reading this book I sure want to. This puts my own problems in perspective. Kim is very truthful though out the book. She did have her down times, her pity parties and her rages. But she didn’t need to stay there. And neither do we. She determined to have the Joy of the Lord in her heart in spite of the many obstacles that came her way.
I had to think of the scripture in John 9:2-3 (King James Version)And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Debra Ullrick (Brighton, CO), August 19, 2009
Want to see what real faith is. Real faith in action is when things don’t always go our way and yet we trust God anyway. That’s what Kim’s book has taught me.
It really helped me see God in a whole new light. Having come from a teaching that has all but destroyed my faith in a loving God, through Kim’s testimony, I saw a woman who, in spite of many horrific trials and tribulations, never lost faith in her God. Instead of turning away from Him, she turned to Him. Isn't that what real faith is? When you still trust in God when everything seems to be falling apart around you? Kim found comfort in His word, in prayer, and in God himself. Plus, Kim didn't have faith in her faith and in her works. Kim taught me that God is in control - not me in control through my works. What a load that takes off of my shoulders.
Because of Kim’s book, for the first time in a long time, I'm reading the Word again. I'm enjoying it again. And, I've learned my name isn't Woe unto you, or Hypocrite. It's Beloved.
Most of all, Kim’s book showed me that I can make it through any trial because the joy of the Lord is my strength.
I highly recommend this book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Katie (Anchorage, Alaska), August 19, 2009
Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Kimberley humbly recounts her family's story and gives all glory to the Lord. I was so encouraged as I read this. We all need the reminder of keeping joy even when trials seem never-ending. And I also needed the challenge given to stop wallowing in my pain or trails and start remembering the promises of God.
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Write a review of Welcome Home! Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Located in: Colorado
Submitted: April 17, 2009
Tell us a little about yourself. Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, and Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER which premiered in 2008. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly “extreme” home.
What was your motivation behind this project? James 1:2-4
Everywhere we go, people ask how we have kept smiling and laughing through the trials. Well, God's joy is always there - even in the darkest of times. And times right now are very hard for a lot of people.
But to consider it all joy, completely changes your perspective.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope people will understand and see that God is in control. He is good, He is always there, and He's waiting for us to cast our burdens on Him.
By sharing our story, I hope that people will be encouraged to face each day with joy.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? This project is different than any other articles or fiction I have written - because it's our family's story. It's personal, it's challenging, and it was hard to re-live some of those experiences- like my daughter's diagnosis or brain surgery. But it also refreshed me. Showed me once again, how great and wonderful our God is - and my joy is even greater because of it.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? David Phelps, Colleen Coble, Kay Arthur, Chuck Swindoll, Donita K. Paul, Tracie Peterson, Elizabeth George.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: We receive thousands of emails a week from people who have seen us on one show or another, but we LOVE to hear from people, and we do our best to keep up. If you'd like to contact our family, please visit our website. Kimberley Woodhouse
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