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Rhoda Janzen had reconnected with her family and her roots, though her future felt uncertain. But when she starts dating a churchgoer, the skeptic begins a surprising journey to faith and love. Rhoda doesn't slide back into the dignified simplicity of the Mennonite church. Instead she finds herself hanging with the Pentecostals, who really know how to get down with sparkler pom-poms. Amid the hand waving and hallelujahs, Rhoda finds a faith richly practical for life.
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LibraryThing member GoudaReads
I was a big fan of Rhoda Janzen's first book, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. The author told amusing and irreverent stories about her failed marriage, physical injuries, family, faith, and church community of origin. No topic was off limits or immune from Rhoda's observations.
In her follow up,
I was personally a bit put off by the religious strength and fervor of this book. Given Rhoda's past relationship with organized religion, her newfound evangelicalism was unexpected. Although she is open, peaceful, loving, & inclusive when describing her personal faith journey it was difficult not to feel ambushed. I wish Ms. Jansen well with her health, marriage and church community of choice. However, I am probably no longer her target reading audience and think this book would be better marketed to Christians.
In her follow up,
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Rhoda repeats the previously successful model, substituting new relationships (with a new man, with a new Pentecostal church) and a new illness (advanced and fast-moving cancer) for the old. Her viewpoint is as lovingly irreverent as always and Rhoda is surprisingly hopeful and optimistic in the face of difficult times.I was personally a bit put off by the religious strength and fervor of this book. Given Rhoda's past relationship with organized religion, her newfound evangelicalism was unexpected. Although she is open, peaceful, loving, & inclusive when describing her personal faith journey it was difficult not to feel ambushed. I wish Ms. Jansen well with her health, marriage and church community of choice. However, I am probably no longer her target reading audience and think this book would be better marketed to Christians.
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LibraryThing member CherieReads
I really enjoyed this book. Personal faith and religion are the overriding themes of this book but it's also an entertaining, well-written and sometimes poignant personal journey through new a new relationship, health scares and a renewed relationship with God.
Many people may be turned off by the
Each section of the book tells a little bit more of the author's journey. Becoming serious with her future husband, dealing with his teenaged son, and overcoming a battle with cancer are all dealt with with sincerity and humor. Each challenge she is faced with teaches her something new or reinforces something she already knew about her personal relationship with God.
I think there are many people like me who shy away from church and organized religion but who believe in God and have personal faith. This book will resonate with them and some may find it inspirational.
I gave this three stars because, although I enjoyed it, it's not the type of book that everyone will be interested in. The plot meanders along and is not boring but takes it's time. Those looking for something fast-paced or full of drama should look elsewhere. If you're looking for a poignant story that offers honesty, inspiration and a way to joy and peace, then check this one out.
Many people may be turned off by the
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religions themes in this book. I myself was a little but leery at first. I grew up in a very strict religious church environment that took the Bible literally. To this day I have negative associations with organized religion and do not attend any church or organized worship service, although I do believe in God. To those people, like me, who aren't interested in revisiting past religious experiences I say, give this a try. This is not a book to knock you over the head with her new faith. Ms. Janzen writes with complete honesty. She is up front about the fact that the new church she attends was a little bit over-the-top. She makes us laugh at their strange behavior and traditions while at the same time sneaking in the joy that the congretation feels and the kindness they offer to a new member. Each section of the book tells a little bit more of the author's journey. Becoming serious with her future husband, dealing with his teenaged son, and overcoming a battle with cancer are all dealt with with sincerity and humor. Each challenge she is faced with teaches her something new or reinforces something she already knew about her personal relationship with God.
I think there are many people like me who shy away from church and organized religion but who believe in God and have personal faith. This book will resonate with them and some may find it inspirational.
I gave this three stars because, although I enjoyed it, it's not the type of book that everyone will be interested in. The plot meanders along and is not boring but takes it's time. Those looking for something fast-paced or full of drama should look elsewhere. If you're looking for a poignant story that offers honesty, inspiration and a way to joy and peace, then check this one out.
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LibraryThing member khamneithang
Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? which was published sometime back is repackaged as Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love. It is a memoir which portrays life’s heartaches and triumphs, and readers will love the book for the author’s honesty, optimism and
Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love by Rhoda Janzen is a follow-up to her 2009 memoir Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. It was a memoir which explored her return to her roots at the demise of her 15-year marriage. In her new memoir, Janzen is now far removed from her earlier setbacks and is in the process of building a new and steady relationship. But when it looks that the promises of the future is greater than the travails of her past, a new nightmare unfolds. A malignant tumor was revealed by a mammogram test.
It was uncharted territory. Yet, Rhoda was strong and went through a series of chemotherapy, and standing tall in the midst of this was Mitch. Together they embarked on a voyage of discovery and stitched a strong relationship under trying circumstances. And today, Rhoda has wholeheartedly embraced Mitch’s Pentecostal faith and they are continuing on their spiritual journey.
Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love by Rhoda Janzen is an emotional journey without being too sentimental, and a spiritual discovery without being religious. It is an inspiring story that will endear to many readers. But there is a flip side to the book. That it was earlier published as Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? should have been written in bold on the cover!
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resilience.Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love by Rhoda Janzen is a follow-up to her 2009 memoir Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. It was a memoir which explored her return to her roots at the demise of her 15-year marriage. In her new memoir, Janzen is now far removed from her earlier setbacks and is in the process of building a new and steady relationship. But when it looks that the promises of the future is greater than the travails of her past, a new nightmare unfolds. A malignant tumor was revealed by a mammogram test.
It was uncharted territory. Yet, Rhoda was strong and went through a series of chemotherapy, and standing tall in the midst of this was Mitch. Together they embarked on a voyage of discovery and stitched a strong relationship under trying circumstances. And today, Rhoda has wholeheartedly embraced Mitch’s Pentecostal faith and they are continuing on their spiritual journey.
Mennonite Meets Mr. Right: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love by Rhoda Janzen is an emotional journey without being too sentimental, and a spiritual discovery without being religious. It is an inspiring story that will endear to many readers. But there is a flip side to the book. That it was earlier published as Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? should have been written in bold on the cover!
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LibraryThing member eclecticlibrarian
More serious and faith oriented than her first book, but still a good read.
LibraryThing member TheLoisLevel
Got bored with this one halfway through, mainly because I didn't really get it was a cancer book, and I don't like books about illnesses.
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ISBN
9781455502882