A note from the author . . .
Okay, okay! I’ve heard from enough faithful readers who were disappointed that Where Do I Go? (Book #1 in the Yada Yada House of Hope series) ended on a “cliff-hanger” without a clear resolution, that I feel compelled to share some background . . .
After including the Manna House Women’s Shelter in the last two books of the Yada Yada Prayer Group series, I realized I knew zilch about homeless shelters or why people become homeless, so I began volunteering once a week at Breakthrough Urban Ministries women’s shelter here in Chicago (www.breakthroughministries.com). I learned there are numerous reasons people end up homeless, and I began to feel a burden to tell some of these stories—and the fictional Manna House was the perfect segue.
But Gabby Fairbank’s story got so deep, I found it impossible to wrap everything up nice and tidy by the end of the first book. I don’t blame you if you were distressed over the ending. But my primary purpose was to bring Gabby to a place where she realized that when her whole life felt as if it were falling apart, she could turn to “the Rock” of her salvation, just as the song says—even without the promise that life would turn out rosy.
But I share your pain! I’m a person who wants hope and redemption in my stories—which is why Gabby’s story picks up right where it left off in this second installment. I’m delighted that you’ve hung in there with the House of Hope series and read Book 2, Who Do I Talk To? So let’s dig in and talk about it!
1. Even though Gabby Fairbanks’ situation might seem extreme, what kind of life situations/experiences/ circumstances can create that “end of the world” feeling? Even though your circumstances might not be the same, have you or someone in your family experienced a life-altering event where it seemed that nothing would ever be the same? What were the initial feelings you had to cope with?
2. What were the seeds of hope that Gabby clung to as this book opened, even though everything looked hopeless? What are the seeds of hope you or your family clung to when faced with a seemingly hopeless situation?
3. In Gabby’s case, her anguish was exacerbated because someone deliberately “did something” that caused her pain (as opposed to an accident or natural disaster). Read Psalm 37:1–17. What phrases stand out to you that might give comfort in such a situation? What guidance does the psalmist give to help deal with hurts caused by other people?
4. A number of people come alongside Gabby during this crisis, but in different ways. What role does each of the following play in helping Gabby to stand up and be strong? Edesa . . . Mabel . . . Estelle . . . Harry Bentley . . . Lee Boyer . . . Lucy . . . Sarge . . . Mike Fairbanks . . . Jodi Baxter. (Anyone else?) What (or who) do you think was most helpful to Gabby in changing her perspective?
5. How does Dandy the Hero Dog impact this story—and the various people in the story—beyond just stopping a nighttime burglar? (Gabby? Her mom? Lucy? The shelter women? Any others?) Why do you think dogs or other pets often play an important role in times of emotional stress and difficulty?
6. How do you feel about Gabby’s difficult decision to leave her boys in Virginia (chapter 12)? Can you think of any other alternative? What does this show about Gabby’s character?
7. In Book 1, Mabel Turner said she thought God had brought Gabby to Chicago and to Manna House “for a purpose.” How does that “prophetic word” continue to impact Gabby in Book 2? What do you think that purpose is? How does knowing (discovering) God’s purpose for our lives impact how we deal with our particular life situation and the people around us?
8. In what ways do you see Gabby growing and changing in this book? In what areas do you still want to shake her and tell her _________________________ ?
9. The death of Gabby’s mother—Martha Shepherd—seemed to also be the death of Gabby’s patchwork plan to get an apartment and get her boys back. First Estelle, then Jodi says, “God must have a better plan.” Has anyone ever said that to you when things fell apart with your own plans? How did it make you feel? Was it true? Or did it seem like “spiritual mumbo-jumbo”?
10. Philip Fairbanks . . . we all hate him. (At least you’ve told me you do!) Why do you think he showed up at Martha Shepherd’s funeral? How did you feel about that? What do you think is going on with Philip? Is he redeemable? What do you think is going to happen with Philip? Why? How?
11. How realistic is Gabby’s dream to create a “House of Hope”? She’s well-meaning but . . . is she equipped? Is this the right time? What problems do you foresee? How do we know when to let go of our unrealistic dreams, and when it’s important to hold onto those dreams?
12. Gabby muses at the end Book 2, “There are thousands of stories walking the streets of Chicago—and mine is one of them.” Why is it important to realize that every person we meet “has a story”—even the homeless person or panhandler we meet on the street? How might that change how we relate to that person?
P.S. To my readers . . .
Wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear your discussion! Thanks for being such faithful readers of the Yada Yada House of Hope series. I appreciate each one of you! Hang on for the next episode in Book 3, Who Do I Lean On? coming out in June 2010.
Until then . . . be blessed!
