Eat, Read, Pray: Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts Final

For the final discussion over Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts, a Friendly Final Exam over the entirety of the book will be distributed in order to be completed with a partner.  

Friendly Final Exam

Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts

1. What was the title of the book you were supposed to have read?

2. Who is the author of the above book?

3. Why were you asked to record your thanksgivings in a journal?

4. Define eucharisteo.

5. Give an example of ugly/beautiful.

6. List the names of the other people in the room.

7. Humility comes from the Latin root humus- the kind of earth that grows ____________ crops.

8. “. . . God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the ______________ of joy begins in the _______________ of thanksgiving.”

9. “Only _____________ can kill joy.”

10. “I slept and dreamt life was joy, I awoke and saw life was service, I acted and, behold, ___________ was __________.”

11. “Enter into his gates with ____________________ , and into his courts with _______________: be ________________ unto him, and _____________ his name.” (Psalm 100:4 KJV)

Extra Credit: What was thanksgiving #362?

While working on the "exam,"  members may snack on "Nests Filled with Eggs," which are simply peanut butter chews scooped into cupcake tins and then shaped into nests.  Once cool, fill the nests with eggs, candy-coated almonds.

 

For the intentional activity of joy, make use of your local prayer labyrinth if possible.  Walking the circular path while giving thanks at each stone will not only nourish the soul, but also burn those extra calories from the "Nests Filled with Eggs" snack.

Learn More about Humorous Author J.W. Bull

A film that brings tears to your eyes . . .

The Notebook...The combination of that poignant love story with one's own fears of developing Altheimer's, is enough to reduce anyone to a blubbering mess. I cried the whole movie. At the end, I turned to my husband on the couch, hugged him tightly and sobbed,"Wasn't that the saddest, most beautiful movie you've ever seen?" I pulled away, gazing into his soft brown eyes. Here was my my lover, my best friend, my soul mate... How could anyone cope with a disease that makes you forget your soul mate? And my husband's comment was, "What an emotionally manipulative movie. I can't believe you made me watch that."

Nice...

There lies the difference between men and women.

Describe your first kiss.

When I was 16, I went to an all girls boarding school. During one of the dances with a neighbouring boy's school (boarding and day students) I met a tall, blond boy. We danced a few dances together, and then went outside and leaned against a wooden fence. I remember the moonlight, the feel of his lips brushing against mine, and then, the sudden, explosive honking of his mother's car...

Your favorite children's book, and why . . .

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. Although some would say it's not a children's book, I read it when I was probably 11 or twelve and to this day, I read it every year. Something about the magic, the characters, the epic story of good and evil fascinates me. In fact, when I can't sleep at night, I go through the story in my mind word by word, and I always drop off to sleep. For some reason, it calms me. Go figure.

A cause that's closest to your heart, and why . . .

Animals and pet shelters. I have two rescue mixed breeds (Chocolate Chip and Hershey - yes, we love sweets in my house) and they're like family members. It breaks my heart to think of all the homeless pets in the world and if I could, I'd adopt every single one and bring them home with me. My sons would love that but something tells me my husband would not...

So save my marriage and go out and adopt a pet from a shelter!

If you could be a character in any novel, who would you be and why?

When I was little, I wanted to be Shirley Temple and live in the mountains with her grandfather. A little older, I wanted to be Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. And as a teenager I wanted to be Arwen from The Lord of the Rings. Now? I have no desire to be Arwen any more (despite the fact I read the series annually, and go to sleep reading the book in my head).

Most days, I just want to be me and am grateful for my full life. And on the occasional days when I get fed up with being Jennifer Bull, I look at my rock of a husband who's my better half, my two huge, but sweet teenage sons, my two spoiled but loveable dogs and think . . . "I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the Ages of this world alone."

Guess I can relate to being Arwen. Now, if I could only have her jewelry and her clothes. Her castle would be nice too. And maybe, a little alone time with Arago...

Nope, got to draw the line somewhere.

Explain the worst job that you've held.

In my early twenties, I worked in an accounting department of a real estate office. Now, anyone who knows me, knows numbers, money and business just do not have a place in my head. I can barely remember how to add and subtract. How I survived a year and a half at that job is a miracle to me...

I'm a musician by trade (I teach violin and play in The Georgia Symphony). I love to write, paint, cook - basically create. It doesn't really matter the platform. The creative right side of my brain is so dominant and thriving that I imagine the logical left side of my brain is this puny, shrivelled up nub.

Isn't that special...

A quote that motivates you . . .

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” *Unknown Author

You've got to have determination in life. Hold on tight to your goals, your dreams, your blessings. If you don't, the trials of life can steamroll you and flatten you out like a pancake. This quote reminds me to be strong despite adversity and to remember one important goal: I refuse to go through life like a pancake.

The title of the one song you would take with you on that deserted island . . .

The song from the Fellowship of The Rings, "Concerning Hobbit."

Just love that song - full of hope, playfulness, epic adventure and magic. Okay, a therapist would probably love me. Definitely, have an obsession with The Lord of the Rings...There's even a character in my next book, Musical Chairs, whose nickname is Strider.

Three Wishes

That my family would be safe, healthy and happy. I pray for that most nights.

I would love gobs of money but money doesn't make you safe, healthy and happy.

Favorite game you played as a child . . .

Monopoly. Although it's not my favourite game now or actually even then, it's a game I remember playing one special time with my older brother, Chris. He was home from college and randomly decided to play Monopoly with me. Just kind of sticks in my mind because he died a few years later in the Navy. I was thirteen when he died. Any memories of him, I have always clutched closely to my heart.

What would you like readers to take away from your writing?

Laughter and entertainment. My writing is not literary fiction - it's not thought provoking and intellectually stimulating. It's just fun, wacky fun entertainment. And I think there's a place for that in this world.

J.W. Bull

A Life in Parts Book Club

Waiting in the dentist's office for my name to be called, I decided to flip through Dr. Oller's reading materials.  Usually I reach for a magazine since the wait time is next-to-nothing if any at all, but this time a work of fiction titled A Life in Parts written by Vicki Bennington and Daniel Brannan caught my eye.  Flipping to the back cover, a picture of a striking woman intrigued me especially after I read her legs and portions of her hands had been amputated.  My vision, corrected with contacts, still made me question what I was seeing so I pulled the book closer to my face.  What I saw was a beautiful, joyous woman with no trace of any suffering, scarring, or self-pity.  Soon my name was called, so I begged Monica, my dental hygienist and fellow author groupie, if I might be able to borrow this book.
A quick-read, the fact that this work of non-fiction revolved around the life of a local Midwesterner made it even more engaging.  Abruptly faced with toxic shock syndrome after a freak occurrence in her home,  Loretta Goebel faces life as an amputee.  A wife, mother of two, devoted friend, and volunteer, A Life in Parts relives Goebel's journey to a new normalcy with fierce determination and continued faith despite the obstacles and eventual losses which accrue along the way.
For a book club's convenience, study questions have been included in the back of A Life in Parts for discussion.  Since the ideal of familial traditions and gatherings proves motivating for Goebel throughout her healing, a meal filled with comfort food- chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn- which greeted her at her arrival home from the hospital would be appropriate for the menu.


A Life in Parts

Eat, Read, Pray Book Club: Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts Part 3

As members enter for Part 3 of Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts, engage them in the Opening Activity of what VosKamp describes as Ugly Beautiful:

Look at page 135 in your book and read through VosKamp's list of “Ugly Beautiful.” Now, in your thanksgiving journal, add ten items which you would deem “Ugly Beautiful” in your own life.

Then, put members in pairs to discuss the questions covering chapter 5:

Chapter 5

1. Think of a recent moment where something went wrong with you, didn't go as planned, etc. Find one thanksgiving in that moment.
2. Define hard eucharisteo.
3. How would you rate your daily discipline to give thanks on a scale of 1-10? Are you (inert name) full of grace?
4. How do you feel about “awakening to joy awakens to pain” (84)?
5. “Can it be that, that which seems to oppose the will of God actually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God” (88)? Explain.
6. What does VosKamp mean by “ugly-beautiful” (99)?
   In an effort to cover chapter 8, have members complete the following activity:
   Chapter 8 
   Write “stress” on your note card. Discuss this term with your partner, and then list on your note card all items which cause you “stress”- emotional, physical, spiritual, etc.
   With "stress" cards in hand, discuss the meaning of theology as your group is walking outside in order to "chase the moon."  In groups, have members take creative pictures which can include chasing the moon such as VosKamp did in chapter 6.  Click here for further ideas. 

   

   Hunky Guy Seen Here Holding the Moon

   While outside, have readers tear "stress" cards into tiny pieces and then bury under the soil for a symbolic and literal release of "stress."
   
   
   Last but not least, members may enjoy a luscious snack inspired by chapters 5-8 of VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts.
   
   

   

   Moon Pies, Photo and Snack Courtesy of Beth Miramonti

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

Eat, Read, Pray Book Club: Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts Part 2

Part 2 of Ann VosKamp's book study covered chapters 1-4 and book club members were given a thanksgiving journal at the first meeting in order to begin documenting their 1000 gifts.  As members enter for discussion, ask them to highlight five thanksgivings from their journal they would be willing to share with the group.  Once everyone has arrived and is settled, go around the room and have each member share their five thanksgivings- why these thanksgivings were chosen, when they were identified, the grace that resulted.

This would be an ideal time to introduce the snack of the evening, cheeses meant to be grated.  Allow members access to various cheeses and various size graters in order to create their own rings of cheeses.
While taking turns with the grater, the following study questions may be discussed:

 

Chapter 1-

1. What do you think of the opening epigram, “Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness”?
2. Are your hands curled like cupped hands, a receptacle open to the gifts God gives?
3. Do you have any memories which were jolted awake due to the electricity of the trauma?
4. How can God be good when babies die, marriages implode, and dreams blow away?
5. Does God really love me?
6. What is the human inheritance/legacy of the Garden?
7. When do your soul's macular holes spontaneously heal?
8. Define “grace” according to VosKamp.
9. How do you know you can say “yes” to whatever He gives? 
   10. How do we “choose” to allow the holes to become seeing- through-to-God places?

Chapter 2-

1. Can you relate to Ann's dream? Has a dream or life experience ever made you want to live fully?
2. Do you understand what Ann means when she talks of the life in between?
3. Are you ready to go Home if the call came? If not, how do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?
4. Are there places that must be known, accomplishments that must be had, before one is really ready to die?
5. Define eucharisteo.
6. Define the fall according to Voskamp.
7. How often do you remember to say thanks? Every day?

Chapter 3-

1. Thinking of your own life experiences, does change take real intentionality?
2. Are you able to show gratitude in the midst of death, divorce, debt, etc. in order to accept the joy?
3. Will you commit to name the gifts you already have, the gifts He bestows? What, if anything, causes you to hesitate?
4. As you document your 1000 gifts, be specific. For, the small “moments will add up” (57).
5. Complete a prayer of thanks three times a day.
     
   Chapter 4-
   1.   Is the busyness of your life leaving little room for the source of your life? How can you make your life less busy?
   
   2.  What is your most profound regret in life? What did you think of the pastor's regret of “being in a hurry” (65)
   
   

   3.  How can you take time to live with soul and body and God all in sync?

   4.  Document your own version of “Suds . . .all color in sun” (68).
   
   5.  Fill yourself with the weight of the present, be all here.
   
   

   6.  Tell someone you “love them . . . and all this” (77).

   

Finally, at the conclusion of discussion comes our INTENTIONAL activity of joy.  Since VosKamp lists #362 in her thanksgiving journal as the suds in her sink, use this time to allow the grown members of your book club to walk outside and blow bubbles, pop them, and catch them.

If interested in Eat, Read, Pray Book Club, please e-mail EatReadPrayTroyUMC@gmail.com

Charlaine Harris' Deadlocked Book Club

Charlaine Harris' twelfth novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series, Deadlocked, failed to satisfy my Eric Northman cravings.  In fact, his character was practically AWOL from the entire novel.  If a Bon Temps resident myself, I definitely would have enlisted the aid of the Long Tooth Pack in order to find my Viking.  Other characters made cameo appearances (via telephone in this case) in the novel as well such as Quinn the weretiger, but did not seem to add anything to the storyline.
Although I continued to turn the pages and finished Deadlocked within a forty-eight-hour reading, I think it had more to do with an inner determination to find the hook found in previous Stackhouse novels.  Nevertheless, I will be anxiously awaiting the thirteenth in the series.
For the purposes of book club, discussing this novel over the meal Sookie made for friend Tara and husband J.B.  seems like the likely choice " . . . hamburger-and-sausage meatloaf, a pasta salad, and a carrot casserole . . . [as well as] a blackberry cobbler" (184) and Sookie's famous iced tea.  In addition, Sookie's sweet potato casserole would be a comforting addition to book club considering the lack of tall, blond, and built.

Charlaine Harris

Eat, Read, Pray: Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts Part 1

Last night was Eat, Read, Pray Book Club's initial meeting over Ann VosKamp's One Thousand Gifts.  The book cover serving as inspiration, snack included deviled eggs topped with a carrot "nest" filled with an olive "egg."

No reading was required; the group as a whole answered the following questions in order to think in terms of our abundance of God-given gifts:


What happened today for which you are thankful?
What did you see today which made you smile?
What made you laugh?
What was a delight to your eyes?
What brought you comfort?
What did you eat today which "hit the spot" and relieved your tummy grumbles?
What did you witness today which made you happy?
Did you receive an unexpected gift today (i.e. "thank you," hug, smile, assistance, wave, text, e-mail, phone call, letter, love note, etc.)?
Did you give someone a compliment today?
Who hugged you today?
Who did you hug today?

The term, eucharisteo, with all of its components- grace, thanksgiving, joy- was then discussed followed by the "Homework" assignment:  reading of chapters 1-4, documentation of 333 gifts, and the sending of a handmade card.

This card in question was then created under the direction of Miss Cathy along with the use of her many card-making supplies.  This was deemed our INTENTIONAL activity of thanksgiving.

Our next meeting is September 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Oak Room at Troy United Methodist Church.  If interested, please e-mail EatReadPrayTroyUMC@gmail.com.