Hidden In Plain Sight: One Woman's Search for Identity, Intimacy and Calling

by Becky Allender

Becky often felt “Hidden In Plain Sight” behind her more vocal husband. She felt swept aside and lost in his frenzied world and words. This memoir is about a woman’s journey becoming visible through the power of remembering stories and embracing them with kindness. By offering care and intrigue to her experience it enabled her to gain new freedom to open her life and highlight the good, the bad and the memorable. Becky invites readers to ponder their stories and to prize the way God quietly reveals himself in the mundane and the magnificent parts of our story. This book is a must read for those who want to transform their lives and become visible in plain sight.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Faith

230 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2017

About the author

Becky Allender earned a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementry Education. She has been a regular contributor to Red Tent Living since 2013. She cofounded The Allender Center at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in 2011. She facilitates Story Workshops for The Allender Center and for ICAP (International Christian Alliance on Prostitution). Becky also co-leads marriage retreats with her husband. She is a passionate advocate of people who have been sexually harmed and exploited. She loves yoga, painting, needlework, fly-fishing and motorcycling with her husband, Dan. Most important of all, she is a wife, mother and grandmother.

Reviews

[Kimberly Calhoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Becky’s honesty with her stories and encouragement to the reader to do the same.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becky Allender has written a beautiful and honest book on finding her identify. For years I have followed her husband, Dan. I have read pretty much everything he has ever written. I've been to conferences as often as I can possibly get there. I am blown away by Becky's authentic and vulnerable voice as she comes forward to share with us her own journey.

I had the privilege of meeting Becky this year at a marriage retreat. She signed my book, "May these stories remind you of your stories and may you see Jesus' pursuit in them."

Indeed.

She has provided thoughtful questions at the end of each essay. Here is one example: "Not all risks turn out well. Which risks have you regretted taking? How did these regrets mark your future?"

I wrote in my journal that I likely needed thousands of words to answer that question.

I read Hidden in Plain Sight so fast that I didn't always write in my journal to answer the questions. Rarely do I read a book twice. But this one I will. I will go back and ponder these questions so that I can fully receive God's peculiar distribution of grace in my life.

Thank you, Becky, for coming out in full sight so that we could all be blessed by your presence.

[Teresa Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be re-reading this book and look forward to using the writing prompts at the end of each chapter. This style of memoir is easy to read. Snippets into her life. I could relate on many levels to some of her musings and struggles. I appreciate the stories and I’m inspired by her work with those on the streets. I look forward to how these stories will direct my own story.

[Betsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allendar shares reflections and stories from her childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, as a mother, and as the spouse of a well-known psychologist. Her reflections are meant to be used as a springboard for the reader to reflect on and write their own life story. This book may be a help to the reader in making sense of and writing their own life narrative.

[Suzann Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful memoir of a life well-lived in spite of monumental hurdles! Becky is strong and beautiful!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the format Becky uses, telling a short story per chapter with prompts to journal what it brings up.
She shares her heart, her struggles, and her vulnerabilities openly.

[Anne Snyder]

Engaging real-life stories.