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An Honest Look at a Mysterious Journey
As the intensive care doctor gave John his release, she acknowledged the mystery of his condition, "We'll have to call it the Stumbo Syndrome. You've stumped us all."
They didn't see it coming.
They would never be the same.
You'll find their story...
Authentic
Powerful
Humorous
Moving
Insightful
Riveting
You may even find it intersecting with your own story.
John and Joanna Stumbo have been married twenty-eight years--some great, some not so great. They have three grown children--all great. Joanna grew up in Ohio and Florida and a few other places; John in Minnesota and Montana. They have spent their adult lives figuring out what it means to be pastor and wife in churches from Pennsylvania to Oregon. John has a lifetime love for most anything outdoors and athletic. Joanna loves family and home. John never planned on spending seventy-seven days in the hospital. Joanna never had aspirations of being a caregiver. Neither of them ever planned on writing a book such as this. They are both the better for the journey they've been on, confusing though it be.
They didn't see it coming.
They would never be the same.
You'll find their story...
Authentic
Powerful
Humorous
Moving
Insightful
Riveting
You may even find it intersecting with your own story.
John and Joanna Stumbo have been married twenty-eight years--some great, some not so great. They have three grown children--all great. Joanna grew up in Ohio and Florida and a few other places; John in Minnesota and Montana. They have spent their adult lives figuring out what it means to be pastor and wife in churches from Pennsylvania to Oregon. John has a lifetime love for most anything outdoors and athletic. Joanna loves family and home. John never planned on spending seventy-seven days in the hospital. Joanna never had aspirations of being a caregiver. Neither of them ever planned on writing a book such as this. They are both the better for the journey they've been on, confusing though it be.
279 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 19, 2013
I'm still savoring the thoughts this has provoked for me. I found it a fascinating read and would recommend it to anyone who finds herself in the midst of a situation that doesn't add up. It's a better read if you're not in a hurry to get through it - more of a "sift and reflect" kind of deal.
February 23, 2022
This book is extremely situation specific, and everyone might not find it helpful. However, it was an absolute God send for where I am in my life at the moment. Deep suffering is a language that not everyone speaks well. It’s a language that cannot simply be learned, it must be lived. It cannot be faked, and when someone speaks this language well it’s extremely refreshing. John Stumbo is very fluent in the language of suffering. It was an act of sovereignty that one of my church members gave me this book right before I went on a short sabbatical, I was able to read it in two sittings. I feel strength to go on with the trials facing my wife and I. I’m thankful for John Stumbo and his honesty and vulnerability.
December 31, 2015
I won this book in a drawing that a blogger held on Facebook; it had so impressed her that she felt compelled to share it with someone else.
She was right: it is worth sharing. It's a nonfiction account of an active, outgoing pastor who was suddenly stricken down with an illness which nearly killed him several times, leaving him incapacitated and fed through a tube in his stomach. This book details his physical, spiritual, emotional and mental struggles as he tries to recover and make sense of what has happened. As he takes the reader along on this mysterious journey, he tells his story with humor and honesty.
Although few of us will go through what he has, the things that he wrestles along the way are questions and issues that we all will probably face at some point in our lives. By all means give it a serious read.
She was right: it is worth sharing. It's a nonfiction account of an active, outgoing pastor who was suddenly stricken down with an illness which nearly killed him several times, leaving him incapacitated and fed through a tube in his stomach. This book details his physical, spiritual, emotional and mental struggles as he tries to recover and make sense of what has happened. As he takes the reader along on this mysterious journey, he tells his story with humor and honesty.
Although few of us will go through what he has, the things that he wrestles along the way are questions and issues that we all will probably face at some point in our lives. By all means give it a serious read.
January 22, 2024
I found an autographed copy of this book at a thrift store. It’s well written and hard to put down. The author does not gloss over the times of doubt and despair that he faced through the most difficult parts of his journey, yet he continually points to God’s presence and faithfulness that he can see all along the way. I think there is a lot here that would be of encouragement to anyone else facing hard times, even if they are not as extreme as what the author went through.
February 7, 2013
John spoke at my church and his story was so fascinating that I had to buy the book. What an inspiration! Throughout his 'mysterious journey' with a disease that could not be diagnosed and that brought him painfully close to death, he walked closely with God and fought to return to a 'normal' life. The Lord worked a miracle to save his physical life and grow his spiritual one, and his testimony is very inspiring. When all is said and done....God is in control.
April 4, 2025
Reading this book after ACL reconstruction, I realized it was the perfect book for my recovery situation. Hand picked by my mother-in-law who knows me best, it's a book about surrendering to God's plan, overcoming and adjusting while focusing on what's within our control. It reminded me to give God the glory for all things, including the storms, because it's part of His plan in shaping us to be who He ultimately wants us to be.
February 25, 2014
This book is not a quick read if you are looking for one, yet it is a profound book. There is so much more to the book than I could even review (I think I would need to read again and takes notes to properly review it), but here is a quick review I wrote:
http://acacthreads.livejournal.com/33...
http://acacthreads.livejournal.com/33...
February 20, 2017
Very personal and very deep
I missed out on seeing him at a men's retreat last weekend. My brother in law was there and heard Dr. Stumbo speak and was impressed with what he had to say. He exuded a faith that though severely tested became even deeper. I can't recommend the book enough. You will be better off for reading it.
I missed out on seeing him at a men's retreat last weekend. My brother in law was there and heard Dr. Stumbo speak and was impressed with what he had to say. He exuded a faith that though severely tested became even deeper. I can't recommend the book enough. You will be better off for reading it.
January 16, 2013
An insightful journey through one couple's hours of darkness. Filled with transferable principles shared from compassionate hearts. Get a copy for a friend walking through their dark night of the soul.
September 1, 2014
John speaks with such truth, honesty and God given wisdom in this book.Such a challenge to glorify God in the midst, throughout and because of pain. My soul needed the reminder that God works on his own time frame.
January 26, 2014
Great true story of God healing Pastor John. The amazing way God carried and healed John brought tears to my eyes (something I've never experienced from reading a book).
December 27, 2015
I am reading this to my husband who is recovering from esophageal cancer treatment and surgery. He relates to something on every page of this remarkable book!
November 30, 2014
Wonderful true life story of God' healing touch
April 4, 2016
Healing
We've all struggled with something. God is receiving glory through this story. May God continue to receive glory through all the stories of his people.
We've all struggled with something. God is receiving glory through this story. May God continue to receive glory through all the stories of his people.
January 16, 2019
A truly astonishing and amazing account of God’s mysterious methods of transforming our bodies and souls through His means. While John’s healing journey is captivating enough to keep you turning the pages, it is the rich soil of scripture and truth edifies and encourages the reader. It’s not so much that John is teaching something new as much as He is taking a deeper more personal and honest look at what it means to trust God in the darkest nights of the soul. Thanks John & Joanna!
October 16, 2018
Truly inspiring
I walked through this book with the author, I laughed and cried with him, I shared his joy when he began to swallow again, he had his God given miracle, which continues to glorify God as you read. A book to encourage us all wether healthy or suffering.
I walked through this book with the author, I laughed and cried with him, I shared his joy when he began to swallow again, he had his God given miracle, which continues to glorify God as you read. A book to encourage us all wether healthy or suffering.
December 30, 2018
An amazing testimony of God's work and presence through John Stumbo's illness. I recently learned of John as he spoke at our church. This book will give you renewed faith in God's work in all circumstances.
February 16, 2024
This successful pastor in the Pacific Northwest suddenly found himself with almost total loss of bodily function. The story is of his long, gradual recovery; the miracles that he experienced, and the lessons about God's love and guidance that he learned. It was a good and encouraging book!
April 7, 2018
A friend recommended this to me & lent me her copy. I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess this wasn't it.
July 28, 2018
Inspiring. The last few chapters hold great nuggets of truth for anyone who has gone through tough times in life.
October 23, 2021
What an inspiring book! I wanted to write down so many thoughts to refer to again and again. Thank you John and Joanna for sharing your story!
March 7, 2026
This was so inspirational, and I felt like I read it at the perfect time, too.
February 19, 2015
A tremendous account of faith in action. John tells of his frustrations with searing honesty.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews