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Two Sisters and a Brain Tumour

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I should have imposed some boundaries all those years ago. 'Save her, whatever it takes, except a brain tumour.' That would have been a better prayer. As a teenager, Emily prayed a desperate prayer. Now, in her final year of university, Emily has already witnessed illness tear apart the lives of those she loves. Yet when her younger sister, Jasmine, is diagnosed with a brain tumour, her entire world is turned upside-down. As she watches Jasmine go through more than nine operations in three months, she struggles with what this means for her future, for their relationship, and for the prayer she prayed so long ago. This is the story of two sisters, the brain tumour which tore apart their lives, and the God who used it to save them.
'This is a raw and revealing account, reminding us of the reality of our shared, fragile lives and the hope we can find in Jesus.' - Naomi Reed, award-winning author of My Seventh Monsoon and The Plum Tree in the Desert. 'A joyful, faithful, grittily triumphant story of two siblings. With skilful words, disarming humour and precision, Emily documents the exhausting odyssey of sickness, lament and healing against a background of relentless trust in God's mysterious purposes and mercy.' - Rev Anthony Brammall, Academic-Vice Principal at SMBC and author of Out of 100 Years of Sydney Missionary and Bible College. 'Sibling relationships are always part-joy, part-frustration, but throw a brain tumour into the mix and the rules for sibling engagement must be completely renegotiated. Emily's recollections are simultaneously beautiful, amusing, tear-jerking, and wonderfully uplifting. You cannot read this book without being touched.' - Dr Louise Gosbell, Acting Principal at Mary Andrews College and author of 'The Poor, the Crippled, the Blind, and the Lame': Physical and Sensory Disability in the Gospels of the New Testament.

350 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2021

5 people want to read

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Emily J. Maurits

4 books12 followers

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Marion De Rooy.
1 review4 followers
October 12, 2021
Beautifully written. Follow the journey of two sisters as one has the removal of a brain tumour and the other is her support. God is shown in many ways and the humanness of all real characters as they live this difficult time and learn and grow through it. Very readable and a true story.
1 review
September 21, 2021
I just finished reading "Two Sisters and a Brain Tumour" and absolutely loved it! It was really encouraging to see God's work and a real story of faith during a difficult time of uncertainty and hardship. And also just very well written - it made me literally laugh and cry at different points. A really great read.
1 review
September 22, 2021
Such an incredible story of faith in times of such difficulty. I both cried and laughed as I read this journey of 'Two sisters and a brain tumour'. It was amazingly written and felt like such a blessing that I was able to read some of their journey.
1 review
September 4, 2021
A real, raw testimony of human frailty, a sister's fierce love and God's unfailing faithfulness. A gripping read from start to finish, through the heart-wrenching moments to the hilarious ones. A book that's easy to race through and that points clearly to our amazing God and all that He has done. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Laura de Feyter.
3 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2021
This book falls into the 'hard to put down' category for me! With vulnerability and precision, the author shares a gripping personal journey of grappling with suffering, brain tumours, sisterhood, and where God is in our most difficult journeys. She shares personal reflections, detailed stories of her sister's time in hospital, and even diary entries along the way.

All of these pieces transport us into the hospital room with Emily and Jasmine, and into the author's inner world, in a way that is hard to tear your eyes away from. This is a truly amazing story of suffering, healing, and the complexity of relationships, and one that filled me with renewed joy at the hope Christians hold in a powerful and compassionate God.
Profile Image for Susan Brown.
10 reviews
September 1, 2022
Masterfully written and heart-wrenchingly honest, this book draws the reader into a close-up view of the gruelling journey of one family. What a ride - such a powerful intertwining of pain and beauty with many thought-provoking reflections. I wrestle with the concluding comments about who sent the brain tumour (and wonder how they sit with readers whose loved ones didn't have such a happy ending), but I pray many people will see and are drawn to God's enduring faithfulness through this brave testimony.
Profile Image for Melanie Thomas.
3 reviews
October 27, 2021
Such a gripping and emotional read, this book had me captivated by what was going to happen next and had me in tears hearing about God's amazing power and love. Also a great insight into the inner reflections and suffering associated with sickness and how this impacts a whole family, which gives me more empathy and understanding for people in this situation. Thank you girls for your vulnerability and honesty in sharing your story, I'm sure it will be an encouragement to many.
Profile Image for David.
61 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2022
This book touched me in so many ways. I felt pulled into the story of the author and the real life drama of her sister’s brain tumor. It is written in such a personal way and with deep theological reflection. I laughed and even shed a few tears. The stakes are very real, but this book worked like a mirror to my own life and stakes as well.
1 review
September 30, 2021
BRILLIANT BOOK! So well written and honest. I laughed and cried but was mostly inspired.
1 review
October 2, 2021
Such a beautiful and well written memoir - funny, encouraging and raw. Emily has written vulnerably and with great wisdom, would highly recommend to anyone!
4 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2021
Well written and honest. It's funny and heartwarming while also being real and hard. A great insight into walking with someone who is suffering.
1 review
November 25, 2021
A really wonderful book sharing an incredible story of God's faithfulness in hard times, and the power of bold prayers. Excellently written, I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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