It’s the end of June which means it’s time for the first check-in of our Summer Book Club for Moms! If you haven’t joined us yet, you can still climb on board! Find all the details here and just check in for each book on the appropriate post!
Today we’re talking about the first book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series by Tricia Goyer, The Memory Jar! I enjoyed this book SO much when I read it last year, so I loved revisiting it and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on a few of the discussion questions from the back of the book.
Let’s dig in! Whenever you are done reading The Memory Jar {before August 31st}, just leave a comment below with your thoughts on the book and answer one or both of these discussion questions if you’d like! I love honest discussion, but let’s remember to keep it positive and encouraging to one another!
Here are the questions you can consider when leaving your comment…
1. What do you think is the underlying theme of The Memory Jar? How does this theme play out in the lives of the main characters of the novel?
2. Are you like Sarah? Do you have a dream that others are trying to squash? How can you follow God’s dream for your life? What is God asking you to do?
Remember, I’ll be giving away a prize package to one woman who finishes all three books and comments on each check-in post by August 31st! I’ll be back at the end of July with a check-in post for the next book, The Promise Box! Happy discussing and reading!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
I love Tricia’s books and really enjoy the West Kootenai community. I think the theme of The Memory Jar is to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. With Sarah you see how she has to learn to have self-confidence and learn to trust her own intuition and use her gifts to bless others. She doesn’t truly mourn Patty’s death until she learns to be her own person and not just Patty’s shadow. Patty is really the one who encouraged her to bake and embrace her gift. Sarah had to find her own comfort level between making her “fancy” cupcakes and living a plain life. Jathan has a similar struggle because his gift is baking and business management. Yet the Amish society has clearly defined male and female roles with little crossover. He isn’t really happy until he has the courage to follow his dream. I think this story is more self-discovery with a little bit of romance thrown in, than it is a true romance.
In a roundabout answer to the second set of questions, I feel like these are questions I need to help my children answer and help them to discover their dreams. I tend to be pretty traditional and I’m learning that some of my children have some non-traditional goals and dreams. I’m learning to step back and let them figure out how to live their dreams, rather than be the dream-squasher.
I can’t wait to check back and see what others have to say. 🙂
I absolutely love everything about this book! I really enjoy the way the author paints the picture of West Kootenai. The community and faith is just beautiful. I admire Sarah for staying strong and just being herself and not letting anyone stop her from following her dreams. I am looking forward to reading the other two books!
I just finished The Memory Jar and am fixing to start the next book
“The Promise Box”
this was one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Sarah, reminds me of someone that I knew once, that had big dreams, a big heart and an even bigger love for Jatheon *sp) I love Tricia’s writings on the West Kootenai and the Amiush way.
Sarah is ready to experience a life full of dreams, and so many people are standing in the way because of “history” and not wanting to be prideful.
I fully believe that living out your dreams is a miracle that God gives us, because who can honestly say that without God, dreams come true. You may have a version of it. But seriously, all your dreams, that God wants us to live, are answered prayers
I love how Tricia uses her memory Jar to go through her future life. What a neat thing. Each little trinket, each little charm, was a gift… a blessing from God. isn’t it just amazing how he uses our past (good and bad) to form our future!!!
Spoiler:::
Sarah’s past wasn’t happy because of Patty’s death, but what a joyous occasion to be had when she got Pattycakes!!
The underlying theme is healing from past hurt, letting God move you into new life experiences, letting go and growing in grace.
The only person squashing my dreams are me 😀 Not having the courage or energy or ability / knowledge to pursue them. Waiting on God, finding courage to pray about it!