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Wrapped in God's Grace: A Life Rediscovered
The crushing pain of seven years of unanswered prayer for a child. A miraculous adoption story, followed by unforeseen challenges and heartbreak.
Barbara Bras begins her memoir by sharing God's answer to her prayers and the difficult times that followed. Although God does not provide an easy fix, the intricacies of God's plans reveal themselves to her, and she relives her life in a new light.
Bras then recounts the stories of her grandfather Arshag and her grandmother Gulle, survivors of the atrocities of Armenia in 1915. Arshag, sent to South America for his protection, returns as a soldier of the Armenian Legion to fight for his country. Gulle is the only member of her family to survive the death march into the desert. Through God's grace they find each other, marry and move to America in 1921. Bras is their first grandchild.
The final section of the memoir follows Bras as she marries and moves to Hawaii, only to return as a single mother to teach school in a small town. It is there she finally realizes that God has provided her with protection and direction. Bras discovers that once we truly surrender our will to God, His plan always produces blessings beyond our wildest dreams!
Barbara Bras begins her memoir by sharing God's answer to her prayers and the difficult times that followed. Although God does not provide an easy fix, the intricacies of God's plans reveal themselves to her, and she relives her life in a new light.
Bras then recounts the stories of her grandfather Arshag and her grandmother Gulle, survivors of the atrocities of Armenia in 1915. Arshag, sent to South America for his protection, returns as a soldier of the Armenian Legion to fight for his country. Gulle is the only member of her family to survive the death march into the desert. Through God's grace they find each other, marry and move to America in 1921. Bras is their first grandchild.
The final section of the memoir follows Bras as she marries and moves to Hawaii, only to return as a single mother to teach school in a small town. It is there she finally realizes that God has provided her with protection and direction. Bras discovers that once we truly surrender our will to God, His plan always produces blessings beyond our wildest dreams!
- GenresNonfictionChristian
141 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2015
416 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Bras
3 books149 followersIn 2015, Barbara Bras left her career to pursue her dream of serving God. She believed that her first step would be to share the amazing ways God had blessed her. As she wrote of her son's miraculous adoption and the challenging years that followed, it led to the rediscovery of her entire life, including the history of her grandparents' remarkable survival in Armenia and her search for purpose and love. Her memoir led to her first novel, which she hopes readers will find engaging and memorable.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 18, 2015
Heartwarming
I was fully in this story from the beginning. I followed the characters through their lives as they lived through their struggles. I was shown Gods guiding hand through it all. Beautiful.
I was fully in this story from the beginning. I followed the characters through their lives as they lived through their struggles. I was shown Gods guiding hand through it all. Beautiful.
December 18, 2015
Book gave a vivid account of Armenian genocide from the perspective of a family that survived it. The author connects the dots between her family history and modern day circumstances that show how she inherited the strength and faith of her people. A good historical account and a modern saga.
January 12, 2016
This is one of those books that stays with you!
I couldn't stop thinking about this book after I'd read it, and that's what you want from a great read - for it to follow you around for awhile and keep you thinking in a deep way. Barbara Bras writes memoir in a way that reads like a novel. Her crisp, clear prose offered great story telling, consistent forward movement that kept me engaged, and all at a pace that never once became bogged down.
The power of this work is the vulnerability with which the author displays her story. It is real and raw in a way that is not only very comfortable for the reader but also allows us to see ourselves in her situations as reflective of many of our own. The promise of deliverance due to a deep faith is believable. While the cast and characters of her story may differ from our own, the invitation to look back and identify God's presence in our own situations is automatic. There is nothing preachy or hypothetical about this work at all. It is movingly authentic and painfully real.
The book is divided into three separate stories that are skillfully woven together to create a complete picture of how the author has been shaped by the events that unfold. Of particular impact to me was the middle section where she relates her grandparent's journeys of survival during the Turkish genocide of the ethnic Armenians in the early 1900s. Her descriptions are so vivid that I felt very present to the events of a very sad time in world history.
Barbara Bras did something very smart by creating a photo gallery on her website that allows you to associate certain characters in her book with real faces. I found myself referring to the site often as I was reading in order to deepen my connection to the people I was reading about.
This is a very good book and one I highly recommend!
I couldn't stop thinking about this book after I'd read it, and that's what you want from a great read - for it to follow you around for awhile and keep you thinking in a deep way. Barbara Bras writes memoir in a way that reads like a novel. Her crisp, clear prose offered great story telling, consistent forward movement that kept me engaged, and all at a pace that never once became bogged down.
The power of this work is the vulnerability with which the author displays her story. It is real and raw in a way that is not only very comfortable for the reader but also allows us to see ourselves in her situations as reflective of many of our own. The promise of deliverance due to a deep faith is believable. While the cast and characters of her story may differ from our own, the invitation to look back and identify God's presence in our own situations is automatic. There is nothing preachy or hypothetical about this work at all. It is movingly authentic and painfully real.
The book is divided into three separate stories that are skillfully woven together to create a complete picture of how the author has been shaped by the events that unfold. Of particular impact to me was the middle section where she relates her grandparent's journeys of survival during the Turkish genocide of the ethnic Armenians in the early 1900s. Her descriptions are so vivid that I felt very present to the events of a very sad time in world history.
Barbara Bras did something very smart by creating a photo gallery on her website that allows you to associate certain characters in her book with real faces. I found myself referring to the site often as I was reading in order to deepen my connection to the people I was reading about.
This is a very good book and one I highly recommend!
October 23, 2016
Wrapped In God's Grace by Barbara Bras is a nonfiction brutally honest account of some trying times in Barbara Bras' life. It is a three in one. The first part is about her desire for a child. As Barbara Bras pours her heart out to God, the reader is reminded of Hannah praying desperately to God for a child. As Barbara Bras draws close to God so God draws close to her.
God is a God Who hears and answers prayers but not always in the way we expect. He is always faithful and we need to trust Him.
The second account concerns Barbara Bras' grandparents who survived the Armenian Massacre in the first part of the twentieth century. There are some harrowing accounts of what her grandmother Gulle experienced. She survived but had survivors guilt, wondering if she was too bad for heaven. However that was not the case and God had a plan for her life.
The final part is Barbara Bras journey from her teens to the latter part of the 1980's. Here she is raw in her honesty and lays her feelings wide open as she recounts the events.
Barbara Bras relies on God to get her through the good and the bad times. She finds a peace in Him when life is chaotic. Oh that we would all learn to surrender to God's plans for our lives.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
God is a God Who hears and answers prayers but not always in the way we expect. He is always faithful and we need to trust Him.
The second account concerns Barbara Bras' grandparents who survived the Armenian Massacre in the first part of the twentieth century. There are some harrowing accounts of what her grandmother Gulle experienced. She survived but had survivors guilt, wondering if she was too bad for heaven. However that was not the case and God had a plan for her life.
The final part is Barbara Bras journey from her teens to the latter part of the 1980's. Here she is raw in her honesty and lays her feelings wide open as she recounts the events.
Barbara Bras relies on God to get her through the good and the bad times. She finds a peace in Him when life is chaotic. Oh that we would all learn to surrender to God's plans for our lives.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
January 19, 2016
God whispers I am here, and we ignore. God talks louder, and we ignore. We think we must try harder, do more, and grip more tightly to manifest that which we hold most precious. But, Bras’ inspirational message tells us it’s not only possible to let go; it's necessary. You will laugh and you will cry as she shares her heartwarming and heartbreaking experiences and insights, along with the miracles she received through surrendering and allowing divine plan to unfold.
She also reminds us that happy endings are not what we expect, but rather, how we focus on the blessings and bigger picture of our life journeys. She touched my heart with her beautiful, but deeply painful, account of letting go and letting God. She will touch yours too.
She also reminds us that happy endings are not what we expect, but rather, how we focus on the blessings and bigger picture of our life journeys. She touched my heart with her beautiful, but deeply painful, account of letting go and letting God. She will touch yours too.
October 13, 2016
I'll be honest, I'm not a huge memoir reader. If I had not been blown away from her last book I had read I may have skipped this one. I'm so glad I didn't! The story drew me in right from the beginning.
This is three stories woven into one book. It takes a lot of talent to pull off and have the stories weave into each other without being choppy. The stories came together beautifully. Barbara shares her life and her family's life. She doesn't shy away from writing about the hard times. In every story you saw how God's love, grace, and mercy were present.
I was especially drawn to the adoption story. Having struggled years before our prayers for adoption were answered and then adopting two special needs children I felt a very similar and personal connection to Barbara's struggles and triumphs.
This is three stories woven into one book. It takes a lot of talent to pull off and have the stories weave into each other without being choppy. The stories came together beautifully. Barbara shares her life and her family's life. She doesn't shy away from writing about the hard times. In every story you saw how God's love, grace, and mercy were present.
I was especially drawn to the adoption story. Having struggled years before our prayers for adoption were answered and then adopting two special needs children I felt a very similar and personal connection to Barbara's struggles and triumphs.
October 13, 2016
Wrapped in God's Grace by Barbara Bras is a unique take on how past events affect our current life, and how faith can weave through and be passed down generation to generation. The biography begins with the powerful authenticity Bras shares of her life of infertility, her cries to God and wondering if He would answer, the doors he opened when she & her husband adopted their son, Raphael, the surprise blessings of biological children, and then the difficulties and heartbreak that occurred due to various decisions Raphael made from childhood into adulthood. While our stories are not the same, the fact I also have biological and adopted children made Bras sharing extremely tender and touching.
After sharing her story of learning to truly release Raphael to the Lord and trusting Him completely, Bras then shifts her book to a focus on two people who experienced the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. Those two children, Arshag & Gulle would find their paths crossing many years later. They are able to move to America & get married. Through God's grace, they not only survived the Genocide, but have several children. Their first grandchild is Bras. Again, God's plan and purpose is on display.
The final portion of the book focuses on Bras teenage and adult years--the times she sometimes trusted God, but didn't trust and follow Him completely. Through various missteps, heartbreaks, and yearning for more, Bras finally finds her life back on track as she marries her second husband--the one with whom she would adopt Raphael and continue with on a path that continues to put God and whatever He has planned for their lives above everything else.
While I truly enjoyed this book, I do wish the end would have presented a clearer telling of when Bras "put her stake in the ground" in going whole-heartedly after God. It's mentioned in the Afterword (which is one paragraph), but a chapter focusing on this area would have truly brought the book full-circle in a powerful way.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to give a positive review.
After sharing her story of learning to truly release Raphael to the Lord and trusting Him completely, Bras then shifts her book to a focus on two people who experienced the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. Those two children, Arshag & Gulle would find their paths crossing many years later. They are able to move to America & get married. Through God's grace, they not only survived the Genocide, but have several children. Their first grandchild is Bras. Again, God's plan and purpose is on display.
The final portion of the book focuses on Bras teenage and adult years--the times she sometimes trusted God, but didn't trust and follow Him completely. Through various missteps, heartbreaks, and yearning for more, Bras finally finds her life back on track as she marries her second husband--the one with whom she would adopt Raphael and continue with on a path that continues to put God and whatever He has planned for their lives above everything else.
While I truly enjoyed this book, I do wish the end would have presented a clearer telling of when Bras "put her stake in the ground" in going whole-heartedly after God. It's mentioned in the Afterword (which is one paragraph), but a chapter focusing on this area would have truly brought the book full-circle in a powerful way.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to give a positive review.
September 17, 2016
This was a very easy book to read. It showed how important it is to put your trust in God and that he has a plan for each of us. A very nice, quick read
October 18, 2016
Barbara Bras has opened up about her past mistakes, her pain, and her family past in her memoir Wrapped in God’s Grace. This book is divided up in three sections: the first deals with her longing for a child, the second deals with her grandparents and their survival of the Armenian massacre, and the third is more about Barbara and her life up to and when she meets her husband.
These stories were heartfelt and bittersweet, all painful yet held in God’s hands. I mean who of any of us has not made a mess of our lives at some time or another and have had to live with the consequences? This book is open and honest and gives an example of a child of God, at times wayward and other times seeking, looking to Him for the answers. From the life changing decision of divorce to the pain of an empty wound and then the pain of a difficult child, the author shows that God was and is in control all the time and He wants what is best for His child, even if that best is sometimes difficult and hard to accept.
Then there was the story of her grandparents that was really tough to read, as mankind shows its ugly inhumanity to others. However, through it all her grandparents persevered and were saved out of that horrible situation. This story was a quick read and I thank the author for giving her testimony.
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
These stories were heartfelt and bittersweet, all painful yet held in God’s hands. I mean who of any of us has not made a mess of our lives at some time or another and have had to live with the consequences? This book is open and honest and gives an example of a child of God, at times wayward and other times seeking, looking to Him for the answers. From the life changing decision of divorce to the pain of an empty wound and then the pain of a difficult child, the author shows that God was and is in control all the time and He wants what is best for His child, even if that best is sometimes difficult and hard to accept.
Then there was the story of her grandparents that was really tough to read, as mankind shows its ugly inhumanity to others. However, through it all her grandparents persevered and were saved out of that horrible situation. This story was a quick read and I thank the author for giving her testimony.
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
October 11, 2016
I was I was reeled into Wrapped in God’s Grace once I started reading Barbara Bras’ memoir. This book tugged at my heartstrings with tears streaming down my face at times along with some laughs and smiles. Bras has opened her heart and shared her failures without sugarcoating her life.
The three part stories of how God’s grace, mercy and love were present even during the darkest moments will give readers renewed faith in God always being faithful when surrendered to His will. The story of Barbara’s grandparents’ struggles and losing family members during the atrocities of Armenia was so touching. What an incredible and heartfelt story of their lives and how God’s grace saw them through.
Barbara’s personal account of her own shortcomings, going her own way instead of listening to God, then finally surrendering to God’s will is a testament to God’s grace and love for all.
I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of Wrapped in God’s Grace, A Life Rediscovered to see the beauty in a life that surrendered to God with His blessings bestowed upon her.
I received a complimentary copy of Wrapped in God’s Grace from the publisher, author along with Celebrate Lit Publicity in exchange for my review which I have honestly shared
The three part stories of how God’s grace, mercy and love were present even during the darkest moments will give readers renewed faith in God always being faithful when surrendered to His will. The story of Barbara’s grandparents’ struggles and losing family members during the atrocities of Armenia was so touching. What an incredible and heartfelt story of their lives and how God’s grace saw them through.
Barbara’s personal account of her own shortcomings, going her own way instead of listening to God, then finally surrendering to God’s will is a testament to God’s grace and love for all.
I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of Wrapped in God’s Grace, A Life Rediscovered to see the beauty in a life that surrendered to God with His blessings bestowed upon her.
I received a complimentary copy of Wrapped in God’s Grace from the publisher, author along with Celebrate Lit Publicity in exchange for my review which I have honestly shared
October 14, 2016
Bras manages well the careful juxtaposition of three different memoirs in this thoughtful book Wrapped in God’s Grace. You’ll be encouraged and somewhat challenged by her authenticity and transparency as she shares her stories.
I found this book drew me into it in an unexpected way. Truthfully, I’m not much of a memoir reader but I am a fan of Barbara Bras writing. Although her life story and that of her grandparents is vastly different from my own, in reading hers I feel somehow freed to more comfortably share my own someday. Now that is a startling response for me, she who shares precious little about herself!
Bras states so clearly her reason for sharing these life stories: “What a wonderful God we have-He is Father of our Lord Jesus Chris, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4”
Thank you, Barbara for sharing yourself this way and for encouraging others to allow God to help them do so, too.
Disclaimer
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
I found this book drew me into it in an unexpected way. Truthfully, I’m not much of a memoir reader but I am a fan of Barbara Bras writing. Although her life story and that of her grandparents is vastly different from my own, in reading hers I feel somehow freed to more comfortably share my own someday. Now that is a startling response for me, she who shares precious little about herself!
Bras states so clearly her reason for sharing these life stories: “What a wonderful God we have-He is Father of our Lord Jesus Chris, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4”
Thank you, Barbara for sharing yourself this way and for encouraging others to allow God to help them do so, too.
Disclaimer
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
October 17, 2016
I couldn't imagine writing my own memoir for many different reasons. The main one is all the painful memories it might dig up. Things I haven't thought about in forever. I admire anyone who overcomes this fear and write from the heart. They share their story, both the good and bad parts in hopes of touching someone's life. Ms. Bras even goes a step further and shares the story of her grandparents. Bravo!
Other than those required for school this is the first memoir I have ever read, and I must admit I was a little apprehensive. But in the end I found that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so interesting to me to see where she came from, and how Barbara ended up where she is today. I appreciate her honesty in things even like trusting God. I think that provides us all the knowledge that we all have our moments and no one is perfect! I especially like the afterword. This was a wonderful reminder that God is in control, even when we question, or doubt, or our trust is on edge.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Other than those required for school this is the first memoir I have ever read, and I must admit I was a little apprehensive. But in the end I found that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so interesting to me to see where she came from, and how Barbara ended up where she is today. I appreciate her honesty in things even like trusting God. I think that provides us all the knowledge that we all have our moments and no one is perfect! I especially like the afterword. This was a wonderful reminder that God is in control, even when we question, or doubt, or our trust is on edge.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
March 11, 2016
I won this book on goodreads and I am so glad I did! Barbara grabbed my attention from the first word and I could have easily read this book in one setting if I had not had other obligations. Barbara's story of searching for the perfect love for her life and finding out that what she really needed was to fully surrender her life into the hands of our Savior should resonate with anybody who has struggled in this area. I have recently realized just how much I need to relinquish full control in all areas of my life into the hands of God and leave it there no matter what. Too many times we think we have all the answers when we really don't have any of the answers to life's problems. We serve a big God who loves us unconditionally and is able to provide everything we need if we just surrender control over to Him and let Him. I truly enjoyed reading Wrapped In Grace and highly recommend it to anyone who is searching for answers or needs an understanding of what can happen in our life if we just surrender everything fully into His hands and let Him draw up the plans for our life!
October 15, 2016
Wrapped in God’s Grace is a memoir written by Barbara Bras. This is a three part memoir that begins with Bras sharing God’s answer to her prayers and the difficult times that followed her, she then recounts the story of her grandfather Arshag and Grandmother Gulle, and ends with her story of how she married, moved to Hawaii and then returned to the states.
This memoirs focus is on God and how he provided for her and her grandparents. As long as we place our full trust in God, He will always provide and will see that we are always wrapped in His grace. Through trials and hardships, God will never leave us. This is a wonderful memoir, one that you will truly enjoy.
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
This memoirs focus is on God and how he provided for her and her grandparents. As long as we place our full trust in God, He will always provide and will see that we are always wrapped in His grace. Through trials and hardships, God will never leave us. This is a wonderful memoir, one that you will truly enjoy.
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
October 19, 2016
What a beautiful and inspiring memoir! I resonated with the message on so many levels, and know for sure that it was a testimony that the Lord put on Mrs. Bras heart to share. It was an exciting story and yet still a memoir. The story was so clear in my mind and the characters challenges and feeling were so easy to become a part of. Tears were frequent throughout this book as my heart connected to the struggles her family and herself experienced in this human struggle for contentment and happiness. We see how the Lord shows grace through what is seen as disappointment over and over again. Thanks for the encouraging soul-stirring read!
I received this book for free to give my honest opinion.
I received this book for free to give my honest opinion.
February 4, 2016
Barbara Bras has a talent for storytelling, and for piquing one's curiosity. I really enjoyed reading about the amazing events that happened in the lives of her grandparents during the Armenian genocide, especially as it was told in a manner that was not just a distant historical account, but was so tangibly real as it related to her family, a story handed down through the generations. I also appreciated the point she wove throughout her book about how important it is to surrender our lives fully to God, and be in complete obedience to Him and His Word, and that if we did, He would, could and will bless us.
January 8, 2016
I Love This Book!
I really cannot think of anything that I did not like about this book. This story is poignant, heartfelt, honest, often heartbreaking, and yet uplifting. Barbara Bras chronicles her heart's desires and life experiences that lead her from crushed hope to crushed hope, and all her attempts to find happiness, contentment, and fulfillment end in more heartache and emptiness. Yet, at the last possible moment when she gives up trying and has lost all hope, she cries out to God in anguish and experiences miracles and answered prayers in ways that will leave you without words to describe the emotion.
I really cannot think of anything that I did not like about this book. This story is poignant, heartfelt, honest, often heartbreaking, and yet uplifting. Barbara Bras chronicles her heart's desires and life experiences that lead her from crushed hope to crushed hope, and all her attempts to find happiness, contentment, and fulfillment end in more heartache and emptiness. Yet, at the last possible moment when she gives up trying and has lost all hope, she cries out to God in anguish and experiences miracles and answered prayers in ways that will leave you without words to describe the emotion.
February 14, 2016
Barbara Bras' perfectly titled book drew me in from page one. Her story is an amazing testament to God's grace in a life of struggle in this topsy-turvy world. To me this is a reminder that our lives are about more than comfort and pleasure. God has purposes we can't see, and he personally imparts to us the thing we need most in this world-peace. The author's personal story, combined with the story of her grandparents who survived unimaginable times in Armenia, draw you quickly to the end of the book. I hope we see more from this author.
April 1, 2016
Received, read the complete book and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect timing. Lately I have asked, Why? to God after a bad start to a new year. After reading this great read by Barbara Bras, I have been reassured that it doesn't matter why! What does matter is that you live your life by God and trust in Him, and you will be just fine! Thank you to this author for sharing her story and reassuring my faith!
April 4, 2016
This is an autobiography of Barbara Bras and her family up to today. In the second session of the book she gives a history of her grand-parents and their escape from the invading Turks in Armenia, which is a story in itself. She gives how her family survived in Armenia by trusting in the Lord and up to present day how she depended on God for her daily survival. The book is divided into three sections with the third section following the first section. Interesting story.
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December 13, 2015This book is wonderful. I was sad for her but also happy that she never lost her faith in God. To go through so much sadness and still be able to glorify God is wonderful. This book should be on your to-read shelf. It will let you know how really blessed you are to be "WRAPPED IN GOD'S GRACE."
February 13, 2016
Not only is this book beautifully written, it will touch your heart. This book shows you had great God is!
March 6, 2016
Good story. Has me thinking I really need to "let go, and let God".
October 24, 2016
"Wrapped In God's Grace" by Barbara Bras is a short 150 page autobiography. The reason I say it is short is because it is easy to read and follow. Barbara Bras has written this book in a way that is easy to follow. The reader can feel her pain and her sorrow as she "Wrapped In God's Grace" by Barbara Bras is a short 150 page autobiography. The reason I say it is short is because it is easy to read and follow. Barbara Bras has written this book in a way that is easy to follow. The reader can feel her pain and her sorrow as she described her seven year journey to adopt a child and her finally giving up her will to God’s and His will and then to all the unforeseen challenges she has had to deal with since she adopted her son.
After the adoption story, the author shares the story of her grandparents and their surviving of the atrocities of Armenia in 1915.
Then Barbara Bras shares the struggles of her first and second marriage.
Yes this book is filled with heart aches but that isn’t all, the authors shares how she turned everything over to God and finally was able to found peace among her trials.
I find this book to be helpful and a testimony to the Great Love and Faithness of God. We just need to remember to turn our struggles and fears and joys over to Him.
I am so thankful that authors like Barbara Bras are honest and truthful enough to share their trials and struggles with us and not just the victories so we the readers can know there is victory for us also.
I encourage you to read this book and found that God is there in the trials as well as the joy if we only let Him lead us.
I appreciated the fact that the author ended the chapter with her son saying that she doesn’t know how all that will end up but she is willing to leave it all in God’s hand!
Thanks Barbara Bras for sharing your life with readers honestly and beautifully and giving us hope.
I was given a complementary copy of "Wrapped In God's Grace" by Barbara Bras by the author and Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed are mine own.
After the adoption story, the author shares the story of her grandparents and their surviving of the atrocities of Armenia in 1915.
Then Barbara Bras shares the struggles of her first and second marriage.
Yes this book is filled with heart aches but that isn’t all, the authors shares how she turned everything over to God and finally was able to found peace among her trials.
I find this book to be helpful and a testimony to the Great Love and Faithness of God. We just need to remember to turn our struggles and fears and joys over to Him.
I am so thankful that authors like Barbara Bras are honest and truthful enough to share their trials and struggles with us and not just the victories so we the readers can know there is victory for us also.
I encourage you to read this book and found that God is there in the trials as well as the joy if we only let Him lead us.
I appreciated the fact that the author ended the chapter with her son saying that she doesn’t know how all that will end up but she is willing to leave it all in God’s hand!
Thanks Barbara Bras for sharing your life with readers honestly and beautifully and giving us hope.
I was given a complementary copy of "Wrapped In God's Grace" by Barbara Bras by the author and Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed are mine own.
October 15, 2016
This is a memoir different from any I have read before. It is more like three vignettes, two about the author's life and a third about her grandparents.
The first vignette covers a recent sixteen year period and tells of how she and her husband had been waiting for seven years to have a child. At thirty five years old, she fell into despair. And then there was an adoption that healed her heart. She did not realize that there would be difficulties and challenges. At fifty one years old, she realizes her fifteen year old son is heading toward prison. She is trusting God will save her son from himself.
The middle vignette is about her grandparents, survivors of the atrocities in Armenia in 1915. We read of families forced marched by Turkish soldiers. Bras's grandmother lost her own mother during the march then ended up in an orphanage. Bras's grandfather had been sent to South America and then returned to fight for his native country. He managed to find his surviving female cousin and they made their way to America where they married.
The third vignette takes us back to Bras growing up in the 1950s. She tells of breaking her engagement, failing at college and dropping out, going with some fellows to Wyoming, coming back home pregnant, marriage and divorce, getting a teaching degree, and dating. It wasn't until she surrendered her will to God that her life turned out better than she could have ever imagined.
Bras does a good job creating readable accounts of her experiences and that of her grandparents. She has added dialog and action, making the stories very interesting. The order of the stories is unusual. We first read of recent events leading up to the present. Next we go back two generations. The final story goes back to Bras's teen and young adult years. I would have preferred the stories to have been in chronological order.
As is sometimes the case with memoirs, there is an emphasis on her disobedient years and actions. In the end, however, we are reminded of God's grace and how He provided for her. I would have preferred fewer boyfriend stories and more about God's grace and mercy.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The first vignette covers a recent sixteen year period and tells of how she and her husband had been waiting for seven years to have a child. At thirty five years old, she fell into despair. And then there was an adoption that healed her heart. She did not realize that there would be difficulties and challenges. At fifty one years old, she realizes her fifteen year old son is heading toward prison. She is trusting God will save her son from himself.
The middle vignette is about her grandparents, survivors of the atrocities in Armenia in 1915. We read of families forced marched by Turkish soldiers. Bras's grandmother lost her own mother during the march then ended up in an orphanage. Bras's grandfather had been sent to South America and then returned to fight for his native country. He managed to find his surviving female cousin and they made their way to America where they married.
The third vignette takes us back to Bras growing up in the 1950s. She tells of breaking her engagement, failing at college and dropping out, going with some fellows to Wyoming, coming back home pregnant, marriage and divorce, getting a teaching degree, and dating. It wasn't until she surrendered her will to God that her life turned out better than she could have ever imagined.
Bras does a good job creating readable accounts of her experiences and that of her grandparents. She has added dialog and action, making the stories very interesting. The order of the stories is unusual. We first read of recent events leading up to the present. Next we go back two generations. The final story goes back to Bras's teen and young adult years. I would have preferred the stories to have been in chronological order.
As is sometimes the case with memoirs, there is an emphasis on her disobedient years and actions. In the end, however, we are reminded of God's grace and how He provided for her. I would have preferred fewer boyfriend stories and more about God's grace and mercy.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
June 5, 2017
A beautifully written memoir filled with God's love and grace. This story has encouraged me to expect the Lord to bring about His good in my own life. I highly recommend this book.
December 20, 2016
This book is a very raw story to read. It tells of lives that have lived through lots of pain and many difficulties. It allows you to feel the horror of war and the desperation of parents who have to learn that unconditional love is no walk in the park.
Yet, it shows hope. It tells of a God who will watch over us no matter what because He loves us and has a plan for each and every one of us. It also tells of a culture, in the 80’s, that gave many of us false perspectives of what life was supposed to be. I related so well to the author's comprehension of life.
This was another book that I found hard to put down and enjoyed it immensely. If you know someone who has doubts about the power of God to love and protect them, then this is a book that should be given to them as a gift.
Yet, it shows hope. It tells of a God who will watch over us no matter what because He loves us and has a plan for each and every one of us. It also tells of a culture, in the 80’s, that gave many of us false perspectives of what life was supposed to be. I related so well to the author's comprehension of life.
This was another book that I found hard to put down and enjoyed it immensely. If you know someone who has doubts about the power of God to love and protect them, then this is a book that should be given to them as a gift.
October 20, 2016
This was a different kind of book because it was a memoir, not the usual fiction that I read, and also because the three sections were not in chronological order. But the author wrote in such a way that I could feel and relate to the pain and anguish that she experienced throughout her life. There was much to learn from her story. The account of her grandparents surviving the Armenian Genocide of 1915 was engrossing. The thread that connected the three stories was the necessity of living for God and relying on Him. The book was easy to read, and I recommend it.
I was given a copy of this book by the author through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was given a copy of this book by the author through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 20, 2016
This is a well written and enjoyable memoir. Each person in this memoir learns how to keep God in their lives even during adversity. I enjoyed each section that was really about different people. I received this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion.
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