Christmas Dreams

Mistletoe Meadows Sweet Christmas Romance #4

by Jessie Gussman

After losing his wife to cancer, Gilbert McBride just wants to raise his three kids and give them the best life he can. Now that he's gotten his business in the black after losing his wife to cancer he's going to buy a farm and spend lots of time with his kids doing what they love. The horse therapy his kids have taken during the last year has helped them tremendously, and it seems like a gift when Summer Laubach's farm comes up for sale. Only that means no more therapy for his kids and the horses they love will be sold. They say the farm won't be the same without their instructor, Summer Laubach.

Summer Laubach loves the three children who are in her horse therapy program. They're so sweet and it pulls at her heart that they lost their mother. But she needs to sell her farm to pay her parents' debts and when it goes, she'll have to give up her horse therapy business as well.

Gilbert never intended to offer to allow Summer to live on the farm with his children and him. But she they love her and he soon finds himself drawn to her as well. Will the holiday spirit help give these two a chance at love?

Here's what reviewer's are saying about Christmas

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I have loved this whole series!" - Steve

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I like how the author writes strong Christian characters into all of her stories. Now I have to wait months for the next one?" - Bruce

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What a fantastic tale." - Terry

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Jessie has, once again, created a beautiful love story steeped in faith and outside of normal societal values." - Bookgirl13

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book is a beautiful story of trusting God and finding healing" - Mom of 8


Books is the Mistletoe Meadows

Sleigh Bell DreamsIcicle DreamsSugarplum DreamsChristmas DreamsHolly Jolly DreamsCandy Cane DreamsMistletoe DreamsSilent Night DreamsCandlelight Dreams

Genres: Christmas, Audiobook, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Romance

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2024

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series..can't wait for the next one to come out.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer and Gilbert meet in an unexpected way. They have a lot in common and begin to spend time together, and before long they realize they have romantic feelings for each other.
I love that they have deep conversations and openly talk about many things, bringing everything around to a Biblical perspective.

The McBride family is awesome, and their neighbors are pretty wonderful, too.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful Christmas series which highlights the McBride siblings. Gilbert is the oldest brother and he has three children. His wife pasted away the previous year and he has been working hard to restore his business after his manager took advantage of him while he was caring for his dying wife. The money that was embezzled almost had him losing his business. Leaving his children with his mother while he worked out of town for almost a year, has finally turned the business around. So he has enough money to get a house in Mistletoe Meadows to be able to raise his children close to his family. When a horse therapy farm comes up for sale Gilbert immediately makes an offer on it. He had no idea that the owner was the woman giving his children horse therapy for the last year at no charge.

Summer Laubach grew up on the farm that her family has owned for generations. Her parents had done a huge amount of renovations to the house which left her deeply in debt after their deaths. She was just about making ends meet when she had to have one of her horses receive some very expensive treatment. Unfortunately the horse and unborn foal didn't survive. With that added expense she had no choice but to sell the family farm. Not having a place for her horses, she also had to end her business and sell the horses to her friends. She regretted most losing her interaction with Gilbert McBride's three children.

When Gilbert realizes the great gift that Summer had given his children, he feels guilty at having taken her house from her, ending her business. He feels the Lord is leading him to make her an offer to reopen her business on his farm and move into a room in his house. After the betrayal of his wife before she was diagnosed with cancer, Gilbert has been an angry broken man. Now he feels a pull towards Summer and he believes the Lord is leading him.

I really liked Gilbert in the previous books and now we get a chance to see more of who he is. He is a trustworthy man who had never shared how his wife had cheated on him many times. He didn't want to destroy the memory of her for his children. I enjoyed watching Summer as she went through her trials. She never grew bitter but kept trusting the Lord to show her what to do next.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Recommend it to everyone. You can’t help but caring about the characters. You have met them in the previous books but now you will get to know them better. The H has rescued his business which was almost destroyed by the previous manager who stole from him. Now he has decided that he is going to dedicate himself to his 3 children, 2 boys and a daughter. All though he has had regular contact with them he has had his Mother caring for them. Now he is ready to purchase a farm and over see there care while still keeping an eye on his business. He has a realtor looking for a suitable place and she has found one that is just going on the market. He goes to see it. He knows its owner who has been giving free horse therapy lessons to his children for the past year. He knows that they love her and the horses, especially his daughter. When he makes the offer he makes it more than the asking price because of her generosity to his children. After they have moved into the home he realizes that the h has lost her business and her beloved horses. He decides that it is only fair to offer her a chance to get her horses back and continue her business on the farm. She can also live in the house which has six bedrooms. He has no interest in her and she has no interest in him. All should be ok. They work together even doing repairs of the fences that the h had not been able to do. As they work together sharing some responsibilities in the house they develop feelings for each other and get married. You can’t help but love the H and h and the other characters in this story. Enjoy your read.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert and Summer’s story is heartwarming tale of new beginnings, keeping faith and letting go of the past. Gilbert has had a lot to deal with in the past couple of years. First there was the deterioration of his marriage, the slow death of his wife from cancer, and helping his children in the aftermath. Then he discovered someone he had trusted betrayed him and almost destroyed his business. Leaving his children with his mother while he did his best to revive his business was not what he had wanted to do, but now Gilbert has the money to buy a new property and home for himself and his children. His purchase unfortunately leads to Summer losing her home, her horses, and the business she loved, equine therapy. With the massive debt her parents left and the upkeep of her horses, selling the farm is her only recourse. The decision and what happens when the farm is sold is a test of her faith and determination.

Gilbert feels guided to offer Summer a place on the farm, near his children that she has come to love and who adore her. She would be back on the land that had been in her family for many generations and she could still do equine therapy. This turns out to be the right move for both of them as well as the children. These characters touched my heart, made me smile and inspired me. I highly recommend this charming book.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon has spent the year since the death of his wife bringing his business back from bankruptcy - which unfortunately meant he didn't see much of his kids. Now, though, he's ready tomove back to Mistletoe Meadows, buy a small farm and settle down with the kids. He even finds the perfect place almost immediately. But as he learns more about the woman he's buying it from, the more he starts to feel uneasy at having ousted her from the only home she's ever known - particularly given how much her horse therapy has helped his kids heal. But God has a bigger plan in the sale than either of them realised...

Another great book in the series - we've seen Gideon go through loss in previous books (with hints of it perhaps not being such a great loss after all), so seeing him finally get the sort of woman he really deserves is very satisfying. And bringing good out of evil for Summer is equally nice to see. The result is an inspiring and touching story, with thought-provoking conversations, great characters (including various family members we've also met in previous books) and a satisfying ending. Looking forward to seeing more of the family getting their own happy endings!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Dreams turns into a love at first sight for Summer and Gilbert. Last year Gilbert' wife had cancer and he had to move back in with his Mama for her to care for his three children while he is taking his wife to doctor visits and then the hospital. She had not been a good wife and cheated on him several times. He even wondered if the three children were actually his but he didn't want anything bad to be said about the children's mother. When she passed he was not grieving for himself but for the kids. After the funeral Gilbert goes back to find his business almost bankrupt from an embezzling employee. She was caught and arrested and Gilbert works tirelessly for a year till his business is finally making money again. Now he can work remotely and can be with his family more. It is time to get them a small farm.

Summer had a horse therapy program on property that had been in her family for generations. When her parents died they left her in so much debt there was no way she could pay her mortgage. She had worked with Gilbert's three children for a year free and they have grown really close to her. So how strange is it when the farm the realtor shows to Gilbert is Summer's! He purchased it for his family. But he is mesmerized by Summer and that is all he can think about. Why not allow her to stay there with them and start her therapy business back up?

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Ms. Gussman’s signature novels, with all of the twists and turns that we expect and love so much! A man, whose wife died from cancer, and whose children were getting horse “therapy” for their struggles, and the horse therapist, are the main characters. He’s finally got his finances back in order, but the horse therapist is having to sell her farm, that’s been in her family for many generations, as well as her beloved horses, to get herself out of a bad financial situation. Now, the father of the children had no idea that he’d never been charged a penny for all of the horse therapy sessions. When he finds out that the farm he’s made an offer on belonged to her and that it had been in her family for so long, he decided to talk to her. They decide she should stay there, get her horses back, and live above the stables on HER farm that he bought. She agrees, happily, but then, the kids don’t want her staying in the stables when they had 5 bedrooms!! This book, shows again, how God works in so many miraculous ways!! Of course, there’s a happy ever after ending! I guarantee you will love this new story theme. I loved it. I’m on the AR team, and this is my honest opinion. 🙏🤗🐴♥️

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

After losing his wife to cancer, Gilbert McBride just wants to raise his three kids and give them the best life he can. Now that he's gotten his business in the black after losing his wife to cancer he's going to buy a farm and spend lots of time with his kids doing what they love. The horse therapy his kids have taken during the last year has helped them tremendously, and it seems like a gift when Summer Laubach's farm comes up for sale. Only that means no more therapy for his kids and the horses they love will be sold. They say the farm won't be the same without their instructor, Summer Laubach.

Summer Laubach loves the three children who are in her horse therapy program. They're so sweet and it pulls at her heart that they lost their mother. But she needs to sell her farm to pay her parents' debts and when it goes, she'll have to give up her horse therapy business as well.

Gilbert never intended to offer to allow Summer to live on the farm with his children and him. But she they love her and he soon finds himself drawn to her as well. Will the holiday spirit help give these two a chance at love?

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story of a father of 3 who loses his wife to cancer and is trying to make a life for him and his 3 children. Gilbert has been away trying to rebuild his business while his mother and family took care of his children who mourned the loss of their mother. He's finally able to purchase a farm for them now that his business is solvent and wants to make up for lost time with his kids so they can heal as a family. When Gilbert purchases the farm where his children have been taking equine therapy lessons from Summer Laubach, everything seems perfect, but Summer had to sell the farm and her horses to pay for her parents' debts. When Gilbert gives Summer an opportunity to continue working at the farm with her horses in repayment for all she did with his kids, can it work out? The kids already love Summer and she loves them. Can these 5 people become a family? "Christmas Dreams" is a sweet story of forgiveness, healing, and tender moments. There's also some swoonworthy kisses! I recommend this clean romance. I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another touching McBride family story, although it was a bit too repetitive, especially in the opening chapters.
Gilbert McBride, apparently grieving the death of his wife, but carrying a secret he hasn’t shared, has spent a year saving his business from bankruptcy, while leaving the care of his children in his mother’s capable hands.
Looking for a property in Mistletoe Meadows, Gilbert meets Summer, the equine therapist who has ‘saved’ his children, when she is forced to sell her beloved farm. However, with the children’s devastation at the loss of their beloved horses, Gilbert soon re-thinks his position and he and Summer come to a mutually agreeable solution.
i received this as an ARC book from the author who features characters with integrity and who follow Christian teachings. The storyline flows easily, and the inclusion of the children’s opinions demonstrate sincere family values. Ms Gussman shows inspiration in her character dialogue, especially Summer’s discussion with Gilbert’s daughter, Larissa.

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of losses, both of a wife and mother and financially, but by the grace of God, hard work, self determination and doing as God leads Gilbert McBride and Summer Labach find much to gain in the company of each other. While Gilbert has finally pulled his business back out of the red and is now financially stable enough to buy a small farm and collect his three children from his mother’s house and be reunited as a family in their own place, Summer is losing that same farm and business because of debt her parent’s occurred along with a massive vet bill she had which unfortunately resulted in the death of one of her beloved therapy horses. The story begins with excitement for one and extreme sadness for the other yet I had to admire the strength and resilience of Summer and loved how Gilbert soon saw that his gain was even a bigger loss to Summer. But be prepared, because once the two get pass this hurdle, the romance moves very fast. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Mistletoe Meadows series which features the McBride family. It is a stand-alone book, but it is good to have read the others in the set in order to recognize some of the other characters.

Gilbert is a recently widowed man with three children who have been in equestrian therapy following the death of their mother. When Gilbert decides to buy a farm on which to raise his children, he does not realize it belongs to the lady who has been helping his kids. Summer is forced to sell her family farm for economic reasons following the death of her parents.

This is a very enjoyable story with humor, romance, and Christian ethics.

Favorite quote: “I want Jesus to radiate off me in such a way that people barely have to glance at me before they know that Jesus is hers.” He tapped his heart.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Roberta aka Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing his wife to cancer, Gilbert spends a year rebuilding his almost bankrupt business in Harrisonburg, PA. Once he got his business back in the black he was ready to put down roots in Mistletoe Meadows. Toward that end the realtor he was working with found the perfect farm. Unfortunately it is the farm of Summer Laubach, the woman who has been giving Gilbert's 3 children counseling using horse therapy for the past year, without charging Gilbert. When Gilbert learns of this he offers over the asking price of the farm. Now the story gets even better.

Read Christmas Dreams to find out what happens to Summer now that she no longer has a place to do horse therapy. What about Gilbert's three children, who are attached to Summer and her horses?

I recommend this clean, Christian romance with a joyful happy-ever-after.

I was given an ARC of this story from BookFunnel at the request of the author, Jessie Gussman. All thoughts and comments are mine, given voluntarily.

[Margaret P Medberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest novel by Jessie Gussman is a sweet story centering around Gilbert who had lost his wife to cancer in a previous story. After getting his business solvent, he decides it is time to reconnect with his three children. So, he decides to buy a farm. Unfortunately, it is the one Summer, a horse therapy trainer is forced to sell. Gilbert’s children benefitted greatly from her gentle therapy and are sad that she is now out of business. Gilbert soon comes up with a way to help Summer, his kids, and ultimately himself.

This is a lovely, warm, and swoony book about loneliness and God’s grace and forgiveness. God is always very present in the lives of Jessie’s characters—even if they sometimes don’t see it. The story is romantic and compelling and a wonderful reminder to allow God to work in our lives.

I received an advance reader's copy for free and I am offering my opinion voluntarily.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert's wife died of cancer a year ago. His kids are 13, 11, and 9. They didn't have a happy marriage so he only grieved for his kids. He almost lost his business because an employee was embezzling. He has finally gotten his business back in the black. It's time to buy a house for him and his kids and spend more time with them. Summer's parents passed away and left her the farm. She has a horse therapy business. Her parents also left her a significant amount of debt. When one of the horses gets sick and has to have an expensive procedure, she knows that she can't stay on the farm anymore. Gilbert buys the farm. As they are talking and making the arrangements, Gilbert is intrigued with Summer. He offers to let her stay at the farm and continue running her business. Such a sweet book on healing and putting family first.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Dreams is book four in the Mistletoe Meadows series by Jessie Gussman featuring Gilbert's and Summer's story. It's a sweet, clean Christian novel, and continues the story of the McBride family of Mistletoe Meadows. I loved the life lessons in this book! The main take-away is that God is always in control, even through the hard things in life. Gilbert and his children recently endured grief, the loss of their home and Gilbert's near loss of his business. Summer is facing the loss of her family farm, her horse therapy business and the loss of her beloved horses. The godly acceptance and maturity displayed by both Gilbert and Summer, despite their troubles, is an encouraging reminder to look for blessings in troubles, to be a blessing to others, and to give God thanks in all circumstances. A beautiful story!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in Mistletoe Meadows with the McBride family. We met Gilbert in earlier books as his family was helping him take care of his children as his wife was passing away with cancer.
It's now a year later and life has not been easy. Gilbert had to leave his children with his mom while he left town to try and save his business. Now that his business is doing better he's determined to return to town and buy a house, so he and his children can get back to being a family.
When Summer has to sell her farm, and lose her horse therapy business Gilbert buys it for his family.
He feels bad for Summer and takes an unexpected step to help her out so she can keep her business.
I loved seeing Gilbert and children heal and find happiness again.
Another clean and inspirational story from a wonderful author.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest opinion.

[Catherine Perschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Gussman's Christmas Dreams is such a sweet, satisfying, and tender love story! Two souls, each trying to survive the ending of one season and move into the next, not expecting to meet someone who just "gets" them. Summer is giving up all she has known and the dreams she had built. And Gilbert is trying to get back on his feet after a long struggle. The situation that throws them into each other's worlds is like a "but God" intervention! You know... we think things are going to go one way, "but God" knows He wants to bless us through our trust and faithfulness in ways we can't even imagine yet! Gilbert and Summer make the loveliest couple! And I love the scene where the book title comes from, as I could totally relate to it! Christmas Dreams and a cinnamon spice cup of tea were a sweet treat to reward myself with after my daily work was done! Thank you, Jessie!

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert's wife passed away a year ago from cancer, leaving him and his three tween-age children alone. Summer is the equine therapist who helped Gilbert's children heal from the loss of their mother. However, when a large, unexpected vet bill threatens to pull her under financially, she needs to make a choice to either sell or keep her farm and horses. It just so happens that Gilbert is looking for an acreage to raise his children on. When Gilbert and Summer finally meet at the kids' final therapy session, they both realize the other has more character and substance than they originally anticipated. Will they be able to find common ground to discover a way to allow Gilbert's family to have the acreage they need and Summer to be able to contiue her equine therapy program? I received an advance copy of this book from the author. That in no way influenced my review.

[Becky Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Mistletoe Meadows where Gilbert McBride has lost his wife to cancer a little over a year ago. They had been living with his mother so she could help with the three children. Gilbert had been really busy this last year trying to get his business back on track. Therefore he hadn’t spent a lot of time with the children. One thing he had did was enroll them in horse riding lessons with Summer Labach. His mom had always dropped them off for their lessons. Unfortunately, Summer was having to sell the family home that she had grown up in and where she had also gave the lessons. Lo and behold Gilbert is looking for a home for him and his three children. Gilbert ends up buying the place but you need to read this delightful story to see what happens to Summer.

I received this ARC from the author, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert has had a torrid time, his wife cheated on him - which he kept quiet about as his wife got cancer and died from it, while that was all happening, his business almost went under due to an embezzling employee and he had to spend a huge amount of time getting the business solvent, with his kids left with their grandmother. Life is now back to normal and he wants to make it up to his kids by buying a farm near his family and having horses. Summer had been doing equine therapy with his children but is in debt from her parents overspending prior to their deaths so she has to sell the farm to make ends meet - and Gilbert ends up buying the farm. I loved how these 2 put the kids first - godly character is always important in any relationship, and this is no exception. I received an ARC but this review is my own.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Dreams ~ Mistletoe Meadows #4 by Jessie Gussman

Christmas Dreams is a heartwarming story from Jessie that has been beautifully written. It contains wonderful, caring characters and a believable storyline that draws you in from the start.

Widower Gilbert McBride has moved to Mistletoe Meadows with his three children and purchased Summer Laubach's farm.
Summer, known to the children and Gilbert's mother runs the horse therapy program his children attended last year.

Will Gilbert help Summer? will they get their HEA?
A brilliant story to add to this series from Jessie, always a clean romance that has you falling in love from the start.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Informative, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, and Wonderful characters

[Leis Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been great, and this fourth book is no exception. Both the hero and heroine have had serious problems which left them struggling to accept the hurts and losses in their lives. But both have faith in the goodness of God and avoid becoming bitter instead focusing on the good that they have. This attitude makes it possible for them to relate to each other with honesty and openness. Gilbert finds himself sharing his secret, something he never expected to tell anyone, with Summer. The respect they have for each other gradually grows into affection. Summer already loved his children, now she loves their father, too.
This is a standalone, although part of a series. I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, Christmassy romance. We met Gilbert at the beginning of this series and then went through grief with him and his kids as his wife died of cancer. Coming to this book we get a different perspective on things a bit and see life go forward. There are three sweet kiddos who love their equine therapy lessons and their counselor. Our heroine is losing her childhood home and trusting that God will provide His best for her. This was a Christian, small town romance with plenty of family, friends, and faith. It was so good to sink back into a full length novel by Gussman. Shorts can be a fun read, but I adore the depth in these.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful holiday romance.

Summer Lubbock must sell her family ranch. That will mean selling her horses and temporarily closing her horse therapy business. She will miss her horses and clients, especially the three McBride children she has been counseling for the past year.

Gilbert McBride lost his wife to cancer and almost lost his business. He finally has a chance to spend time with his children and buying the small ranch near Mistletoe Meadows is the perfect place to do it. He feels bad when he learns it was where his children have been going for therapy but if he doesn’t buy it someone else will.

This is a sweet, clean Christian romance. I received a free copy but my review was honest and voluntary.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilbert wife died and left him with three children to raise, he left them with his mother while he worked to bring his business back from the verge of bankruptcy. Now he's moving home and looking for somewhere to buy. Summer runs a horse therapy ranch, it's been in her family for generations but her mother spent too much renovating it, then both parents died close together, and she can't afford the mortgage payments.
She's taken the hard decision to sell it, but what's worse is she'll have to find homes for her horses.
Gilbert feels guilty that he's pushed Summer out of her home and comes up with a mad idea. Will she accept it? What will his children feel?

Another good read in the series from Jessie

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. After losing his wife to cancer, Gilbert McBride had to rebuild his business and is now ready to purchase a home for him and his children. Since they have been doing equine therapy he decides a farm where they can have horses would be perfect. Unfortunately, the farm he finds in the very one where they were taking therapy. After he buys it he discovers, the former owner, Summer has had to sell her horses and plans to relocate and change jobs. He finds he is attracted to her and makes her an offer to continue her equine therapy at his farm and live there also. This is definitely an uplifting and interesting book about second chances, trust, and finding your way in life.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since his wife passed away, Gilbert McBride has been raising his 3 kids with the help of his mom. After almost a year, he decides it’s time to move out into his own place. His kids have been attending horse therapy with Summer Laubach and he finally has time to take them to their session. Meeting Summer, it was almost love at first sight. When Summer has to sell her farm and business due to her parent’s debts, Gilbert decides it is the perfect place for his family to call home. When Gilbert learns of Summer’s plights, he feels bad and finds a way to help her. But, it also helps him in the long run. This is a quick love story that has readers catching up with his family and waiting to see what lies ahead for the family.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Dreams

Gilbert and Summer have a marvelous and sweet story with wonderful inspirational value. Gilbert never intended to marry again after his wife died. He had discovered that his wife had cheated on him all throughout the marriage and wondered if they would still be together had she not developed cancer and passed away. He also did not expect to feel the way he did about the much younger woman who sold her home to him. Summer had to seek her home before she lost it to creditors. She was a bit surprised at the feelings that were developing. Was it possible that God had brought her through the bad experience of losing her home to help her discover the love and family she had not known she needed?