ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:
WAYS OF ENHANCING YOUR BOOK CLUB

1. In Waking Up in Heaven, Crystal quotes scripture frequently in order to explain God’s plan at work in her life. Read the passage from Romans 8:37–39 aloud to your group:

   No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

   Why do you think Crystal chose to conclude her story with this passage? How do you think this passage acts as a synopsis of the narrative? Is there anything in your life that has tried to separate you from God’s love? How did you overcome this separation and regain your faith? Share with your group favorite scripture passages that have helped you endure tests of faith or separation from God.

2. Crystal speaks of the beauty of her home state of Oklahoma, land that is ‘broad and flat and beautiful’. She refers to the Native American poet N Scott Momaday, who wrote about the beauty of this land that surely ‘is where creation was begun’ (173). With your group, read the poem ‘The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee’ by N Scott Momaday from The Poetry Foundation: www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175895. How does this poem speak to Crystal’s message that God loves us and that our lives are valuable in His eyes? What line of this poem speaks most to you? Why?
3. From God’s ‘nudges’ Crystal has had the opportunity to meet many people from all walks of life. These ‘nudges’ have even led Crystal down roads that she might never have traveled otherwise. One such ‘nudge’ came to Crystal while watching Dr Phil. Writing to Laura Schroff led to the creation of Waking Up in Heaven. Read Laura’s book An Invisible Thread with your reading group. Why do you think God ‘nudged’ Crystal to contact Laura? What is the connection between their two stories? How does God’s love manifest itself in Laura’s narrative? In Crystal’s? In yours?