A hopeful story of unexpected love in the midst of illness, pain, and family conflict
John is the youngest of seven boys and is constantly overshadowed by his big brothers who seem to all be stronger, smarter, and better looking than he is. As a teenager, he knows hes overweight and is sure hell never be popular like his brothers are. But those struggles are nothing compared to the battle he is about to fight. After weeks of feeling exhausted, depressed, and achy, he has no idea whats wrong with him and begins to wonder if hell be miserable for the rest of his life. By the time he is finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, his body is failing and his spirits are nearly at rock bottom.
Johns parents and brothers try to help him, but as weeks turn into months with no real sign of improvement, the illness begins to take its toll on all of them. Minor disagreements turn into angry fights and old hurts surface amidst uncertainty and exhaustion. The Amish family that was once so tightly knit is unraveling before Johns eyes.
When Johns older brother Samuel begins dating Lena ZookJohns eighth grade teacherhe tries to be happy for them, but its hard not to feel jealous. With all his health issues, John figures hell be lucky if he makes it through rumschpringe at all; he doesnt dare hope to date anyone as lovely and smart and fun as Lena is.
Determined not to continue burdening his family, John begins to discover a quiet inner strength, even as his body falters. Recovery seems far off, but he nurtures a glimmer of hope that God has not forgotten him. And is it his imagination, or is Lena starting to spend more time with him than shes spending with Samuel? Torn between following his heart and the fear of tearing his family apart even more, Johns struggles seem to only get more complicated, even as that glimmer of hope fans into flame.
Genre: Inspirational
John is the youngest of seven boys and is constantly overshadowed by his big brothers who seem to all be stronger, smarter, and better looking than he is. As a teenager, he knows hes overweight and is sure hell never be popular like his brothers are. But those struggles are nothing compared to the battle he is about to fight. After weeks of feeling exhausted, depressed, and achy, he has no idea whats wrong with him and begins to wonder if hell be miserable for the rest of his life. By the time he is finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, his body is failing and his spirits are nearly at rock bottom.
Johns parents and brothers try to help him, but as weeks turn into months with no real sign of improvement, the illness begins to take its toll on all of them. Minor disagreements turn into angry fights and old hurts surface amidst uncertainty and exhaustion. The Amish family that was once so tightly knit is unraveling before Johns eyes.
When Johns older brother Samuel begins dating Lena ZookJohns eighth grade teacherhe tries to be happy for them, but its hard not to feel jealous. With all his health issues, John figures hell be lucky if he makes it through rumschpringe at all; he doesnt dare hope to date anyone as lovely and smart and fun as Lena is.
Determined not to continue burdening his family, John begins to discover a quiet inner strength, even as his body falters. Recovery seems far off, but he nurtures a glimmer of hope that God has not forgotten him. And is it his imagination, or is Lena starting to spend more time with him than shes spending with Samuel? Torn between following his heart and the fear of tearing his family apart even more, Johns struggles seem to only get more complicated, even as that glimmer of hope fans into flame.
Genre: Inspirational
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