August 2, 2009
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes
Abnormal.
The moment Summer Finley hears that word in connection with medical tests, her world changes. Having seen “abnormal” results finally take her mother’s life, she finds herself emotionally unable to face the possibilities innate in the ugly term. Her reaction is to make an uncharacteristically spur-of-the-moment trip to the Netherlands. She’ll deal with the interminable period of waiting for biopsy results after this long-anticipated trip. Never having met her pen pal and best friend since fourth grade, Noelle Van Zandt, Summer determines to wait no longer.
She arranges for one week with this friend she knows so well, yet not at all. Summer and Noelle make the most of every moment. In the process, they learn a lot about one another … and perhaps even more about themselves.
A field of tulips, a cup of rich Dutch cocoa, a wooden-shoe boat on an Amsterdam canal, a tour through Corrie ten Boom’s Hiding Place, a visit to a unique farmhouse full of special women … each visit, every experience opens Summer’s heart and mind to a greater trust and faith in God. Noelle, too, confronts painful ghosts from her past and learns valuable lessons in release and forgiveness.
By the time Summer returns home to face her future, both she and her life-long friend have a new understanding of their heavenly Father’s grace and love—and a deeper, closer relationship with each other. With God’s ever-perfect timing, He brings these sisterchicks together at a time when they need each other most.
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is a fun, touching, sometimes poignant look at learning to let go and let God. Robin Jones Gunn, with typical excellence, includes humor and angst, history and progress, love and the things that test it. Dotted with wonderful geographical and historical detail, it’s a beautiful snapshot of friendship—what it means to be a friend, and what it means to have one.
An unforgettable, undeniable, absolutely perfect Dutch treat!
