Rate this book

Miss Brenda And The Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story Of Grace, God, And Gumption (2014)

by Brenda Spahn(Favorite Author)

4.43 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0307732177 (ISBN13: 9780307732170)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

WaterBrook Press

review 1: Miss Brenda and the Loveladies by Brenda Spahn and Irene ZutellBrenda Spahn grew up poor, she worked hard, built a successful business, and became rich. She was busy with her family and her business, enjoying the good life and then she almost went to prison. During her legal struggles she prayed and promised God she would change her focus and give of her time, talent, and money to those in need. She volunteered at the Julia Turwiler Prison for Women in Alabama. What she saw and heard there made her angry and broke her heart inspiring her to make a difference in the lives of at least a few these women prisoners. In spite of the opposition of officials and professionals in the prison system she was permitted to take women being released from Turwiler into her home.This i... mores the true story of Brenda Spahn and the first year of the Whole Way House. It was not all smooth and easy but it led to the founding of the Lovelady Center that today serves 450 women and children. At the Center the women and children are cared for daily; learning basic skills and receive counselling and rehabilitation, career counselling and job training preparing them for life outside of prison, with homes and jobs and success on their own.The beginning of Brenda’s story with seven women straight from prison to her home is at times funny and often heartbreaking. She tells of trips to Walmart to buy underwear and toothbrushes and how difficult it was for the women to accept the fact that they didn’t have to wear “white cotton granny pants” anymore and that they could have whatever color toothbrush they wanted. Another anecdote tells of their going to out to dinner for the first time. How the women struggled with the menu and what to order and how to order. And when something frightened them they all hid under the table.At home there were petty squabbles and childish behavior. The hard to learn lessons of how to eat and enjoy the meal, to do laundry and house-keeping. The lessons of responsibility, accountability, honesty, and trust. All the things we take for granted were new and unknown to them. I couldn’t help but admire their courage as they faced the frightening world of freedom for the first time.Brenda’s story is not without its ups and downs. There are difficult family decisions to make and neighbors less than happy to have ex-cons living down the street and prison officials waiting for her to fail. There were the times Brenda wondered how it would all work out but she had faith in God and His purpose for her and the women in her care. Miss Brenda loved and respected all the women from the start and they came to love and respect her.This book was sent to me free of charge by Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
review 2: Brenda Spahn was a successful business woman. She held wealth. Her family would soon find retirement on Gulf Shores. Then Brenda found herself under investigation for tax fraud, a crime she did not commit. In the midst of her troubles, she prayed.When the storm passed, she found herself at The Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama to volunteer. Her prayer turned into a vision.faithLovelady was Brenda’s maiden name. She prayed when her father died, to do something worthwhile and someday name whatever that might be after him. Overcoming enormous obstacles, Brenda welcomed seven newly released ex-cons into her home. This is the story of their first year together, including epic trips to Walmart. You will fall in love with Shay, Tiffany, Quincey, Terry, Annette, Melissa, Suzanne, Parthina, and Miss Brenda and their comedy of errors and great love. I love that the book includes thoughts from the lovelady’s themselves.So beautiful is Miss Brenda’s ability to see these women; not their past, but who are they are deep inside and all their potential.everyWhen all seems well, the neighborhood protests that ex-cons are living in proximity to them, insurmountable odds, even a bullet through the window. People sometimes fear proximity. They fear what is different.And then there is God who is bigger…A 280,000 square foot, four story old and abandoned hospital.In 2005, the Lovelady Center opened, and is now recognized as the largest faith-based transitional center for women and children in the country.Some of the women now work at the center. Including Shay…Shay now greets our new residents- women just as scared and angry as she was- and tells them her story. And her words reassure them that with hope, anything is possible. less

Download links for: Miss Brenda and the Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God, and Gumption

Advertising