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Windows to Our World: Sarah's Journal - Growing Up, Crossing Oceans, Finding Love and Giving Life to 10 Children
A world traveling mom of ten unlocks her journal and opens the windows to a life full of adventure, love, risk, mystery and faith! This is one family's quest for purpose, peace and simplicity in a wild world full of irresistible opportunities!
From one adventure to the next, Sarah Janisse Brown tells the story of God’s love for her and how that love led her to an adoring husband, ten talented and creative children, and a life of both settling down and going abroad.
From her early stories about learning to read and building a cabin in the woods, to her first-hand experience with two wars in Eastern Europe, to her family’s appearance on a reality television show, Windows to our World will keep you turning the pages and wondering what the Lord could possibly have in store next for the Brown Family.
The journal entries and poetry woven throughout the book also provide a more personal glimpse into Sarah’s inspiration as a wife, mother, artist, home educator, and entrepreneur.
Don’t miss this epic adventure story of God’s love and providence in one family’s life.
From one adventure to the next, Sarah Janisse Brown tells the story of God’s love for her and how that love led her to an adoring husband, ten talented and creative children, and a life of both settling down and going abroad.
From her early stories about learning to read and building a cabin in the woods, to her first-hand experience with two wars in Eastern Europe, to her family’s appearance on a reality television show, Windows to our World will keep you turning the pages and wondering what the Lord could possibly have in store next for the Brown Family.
The journal entries and poetry woven throughout the book also provide a more personal glimpse into Sarah’s inspiration as a wife, mother, artist, home educator, and entrepreneur.
Don’t miss this epic adventure story of God’s love and providence in one family’s life.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2014
76 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Janisse Brown
398 books38 followersSarah Janisse Brown is the inventor of Dyslexia Games, a world traveler, pancake flipper, potty trainer, happy wife and a homeschooling mother of ten.
In her free time, she fills her journals with art, poetry and prayers, paints murals and mindlessly says "yes" to every child that asks to keep a stray kitten.
Sarah's stories have appeared in Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Above Rubies Magazine, Countryside Magazine, Mother Earth News, as well as several small newspapers. Sarah and her husband Joshua met at Calvary Chapel in Cincinnati, Ohio when they were young teens and were married under a bright blue Indiana sky seven years later. The first baby was born ten months later. He was so cute they decided to have nine more.
After several years of competing in the rat race, and adding a new baby to the family every year or two, the couple decided to pack up the kids and follow their childhood dreams. So in 2012 the family opted out of the American Dream, sold everything (or gave it away, because most of it was junk that came from yard sales and thrift shops) and moved to Europe.
Josh sold his computer service business and Sarah resigned from her seat on the Fortville Town Council, where she had been serving as vice president. To survive they started a publishing company (The Thinking Tree, LLC, and began selling selling workbooks for Dyslexic children online. Joshua and Sarah are the developers of creative curriculum and therapy for children with Dyslexia, Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. They have a heart to help children who struggle with schooling, like Sarah once did, as well as their own dyslexic daughters.
Their online business - www.DyslexiaGames.com, allows them freedom to live and work anywhere on earth... with an internet connection. Recently the family appeared on the reality show House Hunters International, when they moved from Fortville, Indiana to Veneto, Italy. Back in Indiana the Browns were known for the unruly urban homestead, complete with goats and ducks, that they created in their own backyard on Main Street. The Browns now enjoy a life full of love, adventure, serving and learning wherever they may go.
The family now travels the globe together and enjoy a life of mission work, fun-schooling, and travel. They have missed many trains, planes and buses, but they never miss out on the things that matter like love and laughter!
For the rest of the story pick up a copy of Windows to Our World".
In her free time, she fills her journals with art, poetry and prayers, paints murals and mindlessly says "yes" to every child that asks to keep a stray kitten.
Sarah's stories have appeared in Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Above Rubies Magazine, Countryside Magazine, Mother Earth News, as well as several small newspapers. Sarah and her husband Joshua met at Calvary Chapel in Cincinnati, Ohio when they were young teens and were married under a bright blue Indiana sky seven years later. The first baby was born ten months later. He was so cute they decided to have nine more.
After several years of competing in the rat race, and adding a new baby to the family every year or two, the couple decided to pack up the kids and follow their childhood dreams. So in 2012 the family opted out of the American Dream, sold everything (or gave it away, because most of it was junk that came from yard sales and thrift shops) and moved to Europe.
Josh sold his computer service business and Sarah resigned from her seat on the Fortville Town Council, where she had been serving as vice president. To survive they started a publishing company (The Thinking Tree, LLC, and began selling selling workbooks for Dyslexic children online. Joshua and Sarah are the developers of creative curriculum and therapy for children with Dyslexia, Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. They have a heart to help children who struggle with schooling, like Sarah once did, as well as their own dyslexic daughters.
Their online business - www.DyslexiaGames.com, allows them freedom to live and work anywhere on earth... with an internet connection. Recently the family appeared on the reality show House Hunters International, when they moved from Fortville, Indiana to Veneto, Italy. Back in Indiana the Browns were known for the unruly urban homestead, complete with goats and ducks, that they created in their own backyard on Main Street. The Browns now enjoy a life full of love, adventure, serving and learning wherever they may go.
The family now travels the globe together and enjoy a life of mission work, fun-schooling, and travel. They have missed many trains, planes and buses, but they never miss out on the things that matter like love and laughter!
For the rest of the story pick up a copy of Windows to Our World".
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 28, 2016
I really enjoyed reading about this homeschooling family who was able to travel the world and experiment with a number of different lifestyle choices. They didn't let 10 kids slow them down. Great fun!
December 21, 2020
Loved this memoir!
March 24, 2015
I received a copy of this book through a giveaway here on Goodreads, and I am certainly glad I did. This story of a mom with nine, soon to be 10, children serving the Lord in so many ways, and in so many places, was extremely encouraging to read. As a teacher, the homeschooling and dyslexic aspects of the story truly interested me, and the way the book is written makes it very easy to read. Ms. Brown seems to be a very optimistic person who has a wonderful, vibrant faith. Perhaps it would have been nice to see a few more of the struggles her family endured, but this uplifting, encouraging book made me hope she writes more about the future experiences they have in years to come.
November 30, 2018
3.5 stars.
The first half of this story is about how Sarah grew up and what her childhood was like. I found it really unique and wonderful to read. Then she goes into her love story which takes a big chunk of it, and is quite cute, though it certainly shows the generation of the 90s and the push for purity and thankfully that worked out well for her. The end of the book talks about her journey into motherhood for her first 9 children. Since then she has 15 kids, I think a couple of them were adopted recently, but I don't follow her blog or really know much about her. I just wanted to read this because I thought it was going to have more about missions work, but honestly, there wasn't enough detail in that part of her story as I hoped for. It was still a good book to read.
The first half of this story is about how Sarah grew up and what her childhood was like. I found it really unique and wonderful to read. Then she goes into her love story which takes a big chunk of it, and is quite cute, though it certainly shows the generation of the 90s and the push for purity and thankfully that worked out well for her. The end of the book talks about her journey into motherhood for her first 9 children. Since then she has 15 kids, I think a couple of them were adopted recently, but I don't follow her blog or really know much about her. I just wanted to read this because I thought it was going to have more about missions work, but honestly, there wasn't enough detail in that part of her story as I hoped for. It was still a good book to read.
November 5, 2020
Ah well. I thought, based on title/cover/description, that this would have a much heavier travel element (vicarious travel being a 2020 theme and all). It turned out to have, instead, an emphasis on quiverfull and yay-homeschooling thinking, with the teeny-tiniest bit of travel story tucked into the last ten or fifteen percent of the book. (The story of the year they spent in Italy boils down to 'Our daily routine was to get up, take care of the kids, pray, and go to bed! What an amazing year!')
It's not a bad book for what it is (the author has some experience with journalism and writing, which helps!), but I am far outside the book's target audience and this ended up being very much not a good fit for me.
It's not a bad book for what it is (the author has some experience with journalism and writing, which helps!), but I am far outside the book's target audience and this ended up being very much not a good fit for me.
February 14, 2023
The author, Sarah, is the creator of my son's favourite curriculum. I wanted to read this book because her homeschool journals bring us so much joy, I wanted to know more about her (just doing my due diligence). I found out that she is autistic, was homeschooled as child as she battled with traditional school in the beginning. Her chapters about rock collecting, pet-rearing and adventuring as well as her huge family, made me realize why she can put the FUN back into school for the kids who learn differently. She gets what a motivator, a true passion (special interests) can be to this path of delight-directed learning.
This is a Christian book (conservative leaning) so I think a secular reader should note that before going in: there's lots of scripture and praying.
This is a Christian book (conservative leaning) so I think a secular reader should note that before going in: there's lots of scripture and praying.
October 17, 2019
I really appreciated the winsome attention to detail as Sarah told her sweet memories and shared some of the struggles she and her husband faced in the 2nd half of the book, but mostly she focused on the positive, which I loved! It felt like one long encouragement to be faithful where you find yourself, to look around and enjoy the places and people that God has given you, so that you give God the praise no matter how unexpected the situation. I needed this! Also, I laughed out loud at some of the time real life stories and I needed this too! Thanks Sarah for making your life story such a fun and hopeful read
September 19, 2017
Uplifting
I enjoyed this book very much. The author has more energy and talent than I ever had, but she inspired me to do some of the things that I've let slide -- reading my Bible more, writing more about my blessings in my journal, enjoying nature more. Parents of young children could benefit greatly by reading about some of the child rearing techniques and activities to keep children learning, becoming responsible family members, and having creative fun. This family relies on is God's will for their lives.
I enjoyed this book very much. The author has more energy and talent than I ever had, but she inspired me to do some of the things that I've let slide -- reading my Bible more, writing more about my blessings in my journal, enjoying nature more. Parents of young children could benefit greatly by reading about some of the child rearing techniques and activities to keep children learning, becoming responsible family members, and having creative fun. This family relies on is God's will for their lives.
April 17, 2018
Fantastic read!
I can not urge you to read this book enough! Growing up in a Christian family, finding your own relationship with God, falling in love, God's calling on your life, living a life of blessing and joy, motherhood, homeschooling, education, dyslexia, missions, traveling and entrepreneurship! Something for everyone. This book has touched my heart and renewed my dreams!
I can not urge you to read this book enough! Growing up in a Christian family, finding your own relationship with God, falling in love, God's calling on your life, living a life of blessing and joy, motherhood, homeschooling, education, dyslexia, missions, traveling and entrepreneurship! Something for everyone. This book has touched my heart and renewed my dreams!
May 21, 2022
Loved this memoir and hope the author will write a second book chronicling her latest adventures in life. She inspires me in her homeschooling style, world travels/moves, large family living, entrepreneurial pursuits, and love of God.
July 8, 2017
I LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEEE THIS BOOK!!!! I have read this book 4 times and working on 5th.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
December 13, 2017
Beautiful story to see the way God has worked in someone's life over the years! Also super neat to see how their business allows them to live abroad and serve in missions.
July 2, 2018
This book left me at awe as to what this couple have accomplished in their young lives. It also left me with a sense of peace as I eagerly read through Sarah’s beautiful style of writing.
December 1, 2018
I really enjoyed reading about her life and family. She gives me hope and encouragement in my own journey as a mom of many.
December 30, 2019
Must read
Very open, honest and heart warming story of the Brown's lives. Good information for parents of children with learning disabilities.
Very open, honest and heart warming story of the Brown's lives. Good information for parents of children with learning disabilities.
February 7, 2023
Love Sarah Janisse Brown and this book was great when I first started my homeschooling journey.
March 20, 2023
3.5 stars
February 9, 2017
It's rare that I give a book five starts. Even some classics just aren't as great as they are made to be. This book, however, is special. Or maybe I just discovered it at a special time in my life. Sarah formed through so many adventures and ups and downs. She started over often. Right now I am homeschooling and embarking on a new adventure... college. And while college isn't as drastic as taking my family to live in the Ukraine, it has caused some adjustments.
I am also delving into delight-directed schooling. Reading how Sarah learned in her homeschool as a child was inspiring.
I am also delving into delight-directed schooling. Reading how Sarah learned in her homeschool as a child was inspiring.
September 20, 2015
I always enjoy reading about the lives of other mothers with a number of children. In Windows to Our World, Sarah, who happens to be only two years younger than me, tells the story of her life from a young girl to becoming the mother of 10. She was raised in a Christian home, with a pastor father and an artist mother, and many of her weekends as a girl were spent at art fairs as her mother sold her paintings. In seventh grade, Sarah’s mother pulled her out of school and began to homeschool her, which turned out to be a wonderful choice for Sarah. After completing the lessons her mother required in math, Sarah followed her own interests for the remainder of her schooling, often becoming so engrossed in what she was learning about that she had to be pulled away from her books for meals!
Read my full review here.
January 22, 2016
I skimmed a lot of the "witness to God" parts which I found a bit over the top, but it was important to her, so it's all good. Beyond that I love her writing style, which is upbeat and full of humor.
Starting in her youth, growing up in a large, eclectic family environment she journeys through the difficult teen years, meeting, falling in love and being courted by her future husband and eventually marriage, children and multiple moves around the US and the world.
It's an uplifting story of one families journey through life and well worth the read.
Starting in her youth, growing up in a large, eclectic family environment she journeys through the difficult teen years, meeting, falling in love and being courted by her future husband and eventually marriage, children and multiple moves around the US and the world.
It's an uplifting story of one families journey through life and well worth the read.
December 10, 2014
So far this book has 63 Five Star Reviews on Amazon...
"What I found in this book was so unexpected. A pleasant surprise for sure. I couldn't put it down always wanting to know what was happening next. Best of all it is filled to the brim with truth. A love story, mystery, action and adventure all in one great book."
By Samantha Misneron November 29, 2014 Format: Paperback
Read over 62 more reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Our-Wor...
"What I found in this book was so unexpected. A pleasant surprise for sure. I couldn't put it down always wanting to know what was happening next. Best of all it is filled to the brim with truth. A love story, mystery, action and adventure all in one great book."
By Samantha Misneron November 29, 2014 Format: Paperback
Read over 62 more reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Our-Wor...
March 28, 2015
This was a wonderful read. It was like reading through letters from a new friend, by the end you truly felt like she was an old friend just sharing the latest family news.
Reading about her struggles and fears made everything more real. She isn't a super woman, she's normal, with fears and misgivings like the rest of us. I love her general attitude towards life! :-)
Reading about her struggles and fears made everything more real. She isn't a super woman, she's normal, with fears and misgivings like the rest of us. I love her general attitude towards life! :-)
April 29, 2015
This was a wonderful read. It was like reading through letters from a new friend, by the end you truly felt like she was an old friend just sharing the latest family news.
Reading about her struggles and fears made everything more real. She isn't a super woman, she's normal, with fears and misgivings like the rest of us. I love her general attitude towards life! :-)
Reading about her struggles and fears made everything more real. She isn't a super woman, she's normal, with fears and misgivings like the rest of us. I love her general attitude towards life! :-)
November 13, 2015
I loved the realness of this book. I felt like I was witnessing someone's life as one looking in, peeling back the layers of a tender, beautiful love story.
August 1, 2016
Amazing true story of a couple's willingness to follow God wherever He leads and to accept and love as many children as He gives them. This a book to encourage any Christian family or married couple!
October 20, 2023
A wonderful autobiography
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews