Peculiar Treasures meet Robin

Some of us were able to travel to Southwest Baptist University on April 29 to hear Robin speak. It was delightful to hear her tell her story of her dream that wouldn't go away. We were able to talk with Robin, get pictures and have her sign books.

SBU Newsroom Article on Robin's Visit

 

May Meeting

Next Meeting:

May 20, 2013

7:00PM

We will be discussing

A Heart Full of Hope

Book 6 of the Christy Miller series
Also found in Volume 2:  Book 3

Skype Chat With Robin Jones Gunn

Thanks so much to Robin Jones Gunn for meeting with our book club tonight through the technology of Skype! We had a lovely chat with her.

Discussion Questions for Island Dreamer

1. What happened on the trip to Hawaii? Do you think Christy handled the situation well? What would you have done in that situation? Does the fact that "it all worked out in the end" justify the lies that Paula told? How might her lies have affected other people?
2. Todd’s dad said that his life would be full of bridges and each bridge would come with a choice. He wanted Todd to always make his own decisions and then follow through on them, not because others influenced or persuaded him to make the choice. What were some of the “bridges” that any of the characters had to “cross” in this book? What are some examples of “bridges” that Todd allowed Christy to cross in this book or others in the series, without trying to influence her decisions. Can you think of any “bridges” in your life like this? Why is it important to make these decisions ourselves?
3. Christy and Paula are best friends, but their friendship has changed and come upon some challenges since Christy moved away. Why is this? Have you ever grown apart from a friend like this either through distance of different life experiences? What was that like? Were you able to continue the friendship?
4. Christy is eager for her friends to become Christians like she has. What did she learn about trying to help others become Christians? What is the best thing we can do for our friends as we wait for them to choose the free gift of Salvation that Christ offers us?
5. What lessons can we learn from the missionaries that never gave up in the face of difficulties in Hawaii?
6. Christy and Paula got to experience a lot of new things on this trip. They were faced with new foods, traditions and challenges. How did they handle these new adventures? Do you like to try new foods and go on adventures? What do you think of Christy’s decision to always eat whatever it says over the restaurant door.
7. Have you ever thought about your future husband? Do you pray for him? Have you ever written a letter to him? How are you preparing yourself to be the best wedding gift for your husband? How do you think Christy’s letter helps her in her relationships with guys?
8. Todd tells Paula to hold out for a hero. What does he mean? What did Christy and Paula learn about the best way to attract a guy? How does it affect boys when we flirt and tease them with actions or dress? What does that tell them?
9. As Todd gazed at the lights of Molokai,  he realized that the closer he got to them the easier it would be to tell which one he wanted to end up at. He used this analogy to help him in making a big decision. What did he mean by this? Have you ever had a big decision that you needed more details and clarity to decide on? What kinds of things might help you make those kinds of decisions?
10. Do you believe in "God Things"? What are somethings that happened in this book that might have been "God Things"? 
11. Who did you relate to most in this book?
12. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of this story?
13. What is the most important lesson that you learned from reading this book? 

Thriving Family's Questions

Ministry Opportunties

Please visit these sites, look over their information and prepare to vote on which ministry we will support this year.We will be voting on a ministry at our meeting Monday, so please choose one that you would like to vote for.

Blood Water Mission http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
(This is a ministry listed at the back of On a Whim, the book where Katie and Eli fund the African water projects.)

Living Water International http://www.water.cc/
Also listed in On A Whim

Compassion International http://www.compassion.com/default.htm
While the actual organization that the God Lovers sponsor children through is not named, Compassion is a good one. We would not need to sponsor a child, but could donate in other ways (provide birthday or Christmas gifts for children or add to the unsponsored children's fund for example)

Our Lady's Inn http://www.ourladysinn.org/
A local Maternity home

Christian Surfers International http://christiansurfers.net/AboutUs.aspx

February Meeting

Next meeting of the Peculiar Treasures Club will be :

February 18, 2013

We will be discussing

Island Dreamer

We are making posters featuring our favorite quotes from the books. You can make your poster with any kind of media, any size and using a quote from any of Robin's books. 

Future Meetings:

March 18: We will discuss Praying For Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer

April 8: Skype meeting with author Robin Jones Gunn. No book assigned this month.

May 20: A Heart Full of Hope

June 24 (Date moved up due to FUEL trip): True Friends

July 27 (Saturday): 2nd Annual Christy Miller's Birthday Party. No book assigned this month.

Discussion Questions for Suprise Endings

1. What are some of the challenges that Christy faced in this book? Can you relate to any of them?

2. Todd memorized the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians in this book. The chapter that describes what real love is. What are some examples of this kind of love that we saw portrayed in this book?

3, In a future book, Christy makes a statement that Todd is not as perfect as everyone thinks he is. Can you think of some examples of areas where Todd could improve in this book?

4. What are some areas that Christy needs work on? Did she show improvement by the end? How?

5. Discuss the incidents that happened on the ice cream date. Both Todd and Christy were presented with situations that could cause jealousy. How did they handle those situations? What does the "love chapter" have to say about jealousy? What did you learn from this chapter of the book? What did Christy learn?

6. Christy helped Alissa without realizing how much her words meant. Does this encourage you to be a witness to those around you who may be making some bad decisions? How do our actions and examples encourage others?

7. Why did Christy give up her position on the cheer team? What kind of pressures and influences did she have that might have made that decision difficult? Have you ever had to make a hard decision like that in obedience to God?

8. Christy had a lot of people giving her advice and trying to influence her decisions. Who were some of these people and what were they trying to get her to do? Were they giving good or bad advice? How can we know who we should listen to?

9. Why do you think Todd took Jasmine to the prom?  Why did he believe that Christy would understand his decision to do so?  Do you think he should have taken Jasmine? What kind of relationship do Christy and Todd have at this point? Is it a healthy relationship?

10. How do you feel about the relationship that Rick and Christy had? Was it a healthy relationship? What was Rick's motivation for befriending Christy and encouraging her to go out for cheer and to go to the prom? Were his motivations pure?

11. What did Katie learn from her experience with the prom? What did Christy learn from Todd, Rick and Katie about proms and relationships?

12. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of this book? What is the most important lesson you learned from this book?

Thriving Family also has questions HERE.