Jennifer Grant had a strong marriage and three happy, healthy children. She had a fulfilling life as a full-time mother and part-time newspaper columnist and a home in an idyllic Chicago suburb. To a casual onlooker, her family would seem complete. But Grant and her husband David knew better. They felt that their family still lacked one member, and felt themselves drawn to consider adoption.
In LOVE YOU MORE: THE DIVINE SURPRISE OF ADOPTING MY DAUGHTER, Grant details the exciting and at times gut-wrenching, search for Mia – the daughter she eventually found in Guatemala. Grant walks the reader through the family’s decision to adopt, the strenuous search for their child, and the process of adjusting to life as a multicultural family. The author also addresses difficult topics like spiritual doubt, miscarriage, and the ethics of adoption.
“Expanding my family by adoption pushed me into uncomfortable places, challenged my notions about what family means, and brought abiding happiness. Like all true ones, my story is comprised of joyful moments and times of deep longing and pain,” the author says.
Jessica O'Dwyer, author of MAMALITA, calls the book "funny and smart, like a conversation with a good friend."
I'm delighted to have two signed copies of LOVE YOU MORE to give away to a couple of lucky readers. FYI: this book incorporates a spiritual theme and has been issued by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing house. If you're open to thoughtful writing that incorporates reflections on spirituality, LOVE YOU MORE should be an enjoyable and meaningful read.
You can learn more about Jennifer Grant on her website and blog. To get a taste of her fine, insightful writing on adoption, check out her blog at adoption.com.
To enter to win a copy of LOVE YOU MORE, leave a comment answering this question:
How has being a mom or dad taught you about love? Or if you're not a parent, what important relationship or situation has brought you to a deeper understanding of that mysterious force that "makes the world go round?"
To earn additional entries in this giveaway:
1. Follow my blog (publicly) on Typepad and leave another comment (or let me know if you're already following).
2. Blog about the giveaway, and link back here. Post your blog entry before you comment.
3. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about the contest: "Giveaway- Win a copy of Love You More by@jennifercgrant from @sharonvanepps. Enter at www.whateverthingsaretrue.typepad.com"
4. Become a Facebook fan of Whatever Things Are True by clicking the button on the top right of the page (or leave a comment to let me know you're already a fan.) Be sure to click the photo icon that takes you to my FB page and not just the "like" button.
Entries close next Sunday, September 4, at 5 PM PST.
The winner will be announced Monday, September 5.
In my 4 short months of being a parent, I'm just starting to learn about love with my son. His understanding of love, and his history of it, has been a painful journey. So his expression of it, (if he even loves us yet) is different than I had imagined/dreamed of while waiting for him. I'm learning to understand how he shows love--trying to learn his love language. It's such a complex array of emotions that I have yet to figure out how to convey it in words.
Posted by: Pixie | August 28, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Being a mom has taught me that I could love someone unconditionally. I love my son's good days and not so good days. I even love myself more for all that I'm learning!
Posted by: Kelly Pramberger | August 30, 2011 at 10:04 AM
fb fan and tweeted as well! thanks!
Posted by: Kelly Pramberger | August 30, 2011 at 10:06 AM
"How has being a mom or dad taught you about love?"
Being a father probably taught me more about my heavenly Father than anything else ever could. I learned that my feelings for my children are imperfect mirrors of the pure love our heavenly Father has for us.
Posted by: Dan Benson | September 02, 2011 at 09:20 AM
As a mother, I've experienced even more how love far surpasses any emotional experience. I've also been learning how love requires humility.
Posted by: Amber Baker | September 02, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Still playing the waiting game. My faith journey has helped me understand what makes the world go round.
Posted by: Jen | September 03, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I like to offer guides people through the loved one's decision to look at, the intense search for their child, and the process of changing to life as a modern family.
Posted by: http://www.rozenblat-law.co.il/ | November 29, 2011 at 11:19 AM