Finding Beauty - One Thousand Gifts

I am someone who is not a big fan of Ohio. I do not think that it is a very exciting place to live, and I really do not like the cold winters that come with living in Ohio. However, as I read my book this week, I found a quote that stood out to me. It starts by talking about a book that the author notices. It says, "1000 Places to See Before You Die. Is that it? Are there physical places that simply must be seen before I stop breathing within time, before I inhale eternity?" (Voskamp 30). This is only the first part of the quote I wanted to share, but it really drew me into what Voskamp was actually saying. I realized that I also agree with her. There may be things that you want to see and explore before you leave this earth, but there are no rules saying that you have to go see them.

Ann Voskamp goes on to say, "Why? To say that I've had reason to bow low? To say that I've seen beauty? To say that I've been arrested by wonder? Isn't it here? Can't I find it here?" (Voskamp 30). This part of the quote had me questioning my own thoughts about Ohio. As much as I would rather be on a beach in Florida or climbing a mountain in North Carolina, there is beauty right here in Ohio. I just need to open my eyes to see it. Once I do, I think I will be a lot more thankful and happy for what all I am surrounded by.

As I go on to read this book, I think that Voskamp will keep teaching me things, even if it is small, like finding the beauty in everything around you. I am not done with the book, but she has already taught me things that can really make a big impact. She has a way with making the reader feel connected ad I really like that about this book. I'm excited to keep reading and learn about what she will teach me next!

The beauty in Ohio can definitely be seen by this gorgeous sunset shown below:

The link below is to an Ohio website that displays different pictures taken in different parts of Ohio:
http://www.planetware.com/pictures/ohio-usoh.htm

About the Author

As I continued reading One Thousand Gifts over break, I began to wonder more about the author. So, I decided to research and share some of it on my blog. Ann Voskamp is a mother of six children, and a wife to a farmer. She is a homeschool teacher for her children, she speaks at different events each year,  and she attends interviews every once and awhile. This author is a busy woman. However, Voskamp still finds time to relax from her active life to sit down and write.

I have noticed that Ann Voskamp's writing is very unique. I think that this is because of her amazing personality. I haven't been reading her book for that long, but from what I've read in the book and from what I read on Voskamp's website, I can see a part of who she truly is. She is so kind with her words. Her writing is also very inviting. Her writing makes me feel like she is reading aloud right next to me and encouraging me to read on.

While I read One Thousand Gifts this week, I learned something about Ann Voskamp. I learned that she always tries to stay positive, even through tough situations. As she is talking about dealing with difficult times, Ann states, "With memories of gravestones, of combing fingers through tangled hair, I wonder too...if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world, our own emptiness, might actually become places to see. To see through to God" (Voskamp 22). Yes, Voskamp talks about losses, but she still makes her writing positive. She goes on to talk about seeing God. She is saying that finding God through these losses only make a loss a win. A win that is greater than any loss.

I wrote a few questions below that I would like to ask Ann:

1. Have you ever written a fictional book?
2. How did you start writing?
3. When did you know you wanted to write books and share your story to readers?

Below is a link to Ann Voskamp's website. I enjoyed reading things on it and learning more about her.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/