She has written a new book (her memoir) entitled "PRAYER WASN'T ENOUGH".... Even though I have read her blog for several years, I found out that the book goes more into detail about her decision to enter a convent and become a nun, how life was on the inside, and then how she survived once she she made the decision to leave. We sometimes think that we are following God's plan for us, but later find out that we took the wrong road. Taking that wrong road is sometimes not as hard as starting over anew..
I don't want to spoil this book for you, but I will say that Dee's 8.5 years in the convent in the late '50's and '60's weren't easy for her. Her ideas of finding peace there through prayer and 'solitude' weren't what she expected for sure. I was interested in reading about 'community' in the convent, and how that affected her... You will find out about her teaching experience while in the convent when you read the book.... You also won't believe how long it took her to actually leave the convent after she made the decision to do so.
Life after leaving the convent wasn't much easier for Dee for many years... How does one go back into the crazy world we live in --after spending so long without knowing what was going on in the outside world? In some ways, leaving the convent may have been harder than staying there. But Dee did it --and I, for one, am SO proud of her.
I hope I have said enough to make you want to READ her book... I will say that no matter what Dee went through, she doesn't blame or express any bitterness toward anyone at the convent or elsewhere. She is a gracious Christian Lady, full of faith and love and hope, who knows that being in the convent was part of her 'growing' experience. She knows her weaknesses --and has worked her way through them, one step at a time. We all have those growing experiences ---and going down that 'dark road of life' makes us stronger.
Please read the book! To me, it was an entertaining read filled not only with harsh realities, but also some humor. You will enjoy reading about her 'hard-boiled-egg' experience!!!!!!! Ha!
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| My Friend, Dee Ready |
You can order the book from Amazon. Click HERE for a paperback copy OR a Kindle copy. You can also check out Dee's Facebook Page. Click HERE.
If you have questions or thoughts, I'm sure that Dee Ready can help you!!!! I'll bet that you, like me, can relate to much of what Dee has endured in life. The one thing which Dee has done that many of us don't do is that she has come to terms with her weaknesses and has made the necessary changes in order to find that joy, love, acceptance, and peace in her own life... Oh --how I wish we could ALL do that!
I'll close with one of Dee's comments I read (and copied) from one of her Blog Posts a few years ago:
"Do or say one helpful, compassionate good thing to someone each day."
Hugs,
    
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Sounds like a very good book and Dee sounds like a wonderful person and blog friend.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a good read, Betsy. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteSounds like something I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI think I, too, would be interested in reading this book.
ReplyDeleteDear Betsy, you never do things by havles! You always throw your whole self into everything you do--all your enthusiasm, all your appreciation, all your joy! Whether it's seeing a new park with George or sharing your life with your fellow bloggers and Facebook friends or being there for your children. Thank you so much for this kind and generous and heartfelt review. I deeply appreciate it. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing review Betsy. Thank you for recommending the book to me over on my blog. I will definitely be heading over to Amazon and will also be checking out Dee’s blog. I appreciate your love and compassion for everyone around you, including those of us that you’ve only met online. Your friendship means so much to me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings always my friend,
the “other” Betsy
Sounds like an interesting book Betsy. I was raised by the Dominican Nuns for 12 years. Some nice some not so nice. This was during the late 40s and through the 50s. I knew nuns who left the convent after Vatican 6 or 12 I don't know which. A frightening time to be a Nun back then---restriction after restriction--not easier now but different. I remember in grade school the Parish Priest would come to a class room to visit and always asked who wants to be a Sister and the majority of girls would raise their hands but NOT me--no way and of course a similar question would be asked of the boys. Well if I had to be one I would rather be a priest---they were not locked in a convent they were pretty free or so I thought. And then I read about Missionaries who rode horses so I figured if I HAD to be a sister I would be a missionary just to ride the horses..haha
ReplyDeleteAnyway I will look up Dee's book Thanks
MB
This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. You are preaching to the choir here Betsy. I too have followed her blog and enjoyed her book. She is quite a facinating lady and I learned a lot about the struggles of faith from reading her book.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very interesting and I have already ordered the Kindle version.Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThis looks VERY good! I must get it!!! Do you watch "Call The Midwife" on PBS? That is so good, about a group of nuns.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting message. Will check out her blog. Glad you are feeling better. Your flowers simply take my breath away.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an interesting book and lovely lady. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote of hers that you shared; so much wisdom. Her life and experience sound so interesting. I'll have to go and check out her blog. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like an interesting book. She seems like a very nice woman. I have to admire nuns - they give up a regular life - I guess you would say - and dedicated their entire life to God and others. That is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI find this interesting! I belong to a small Writer's Group and one of our new members is a former nun! :-) She is writing about her experience. We all critique each other's work, and get encouragement and help from one another, including a professional editor who is also part of our group. I would love to compare the two ladies' work! Thanks for mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteSounds very interesting! I like the closing quote.
ReplyDeleteOh my! She does sound like a very strong, independent woman. I hope she has found happiness and peace.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, Betsy. I'll esp. check out her blog.
ReplyDeleteI posted pictures of my studio if you want to see it.
Many thanks Betsy for sharing your experience of this book with us here.
ReplyDeleteI thought the quote at the end of your post was excellent
"Do or say one helpful, compassionate good thing to someone each day."
All the best Jan
This sounds fascinating. Thanks, Betsy. I'm going to order the Kindle version.
ReplyDeleteI went to Catholic schools in grade 1 - 12, and have tremendous respect for the nuns, but I can imagine that living life in a convent was a huge challenge.
I've anticipated this wonderful book for years and am so glad that Dee wrote it! I second the accolades: it's a terrific book. Readers can find great value in it whether or not they're Catholic or have any convent experience, direct or indirect. It's really a book about having a dream and losing that dream, dealing with the consequences and moving on to other dreams -- none of that easy. It's a very special coming of age book that people of all ages, faiths and walks of life can enjoy. I certainly did!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting book and an interesting author. Thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy for the recommendation. Will look out for this book :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting. I've read a number of books along this topic - it has always been intriguing to me.
ReplyDeleteI have been a follower of Dee as well and this ws a big undertaking for her. I’m so glad she finally got it published: an exciting read for those who enjoy memoirs. You gave links that are helpful to your folloers, a kind deed indeed.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Dee's book, too. And the fact that she didn't hold any bitterness or blame to anyone in the church is a credit to her character.
ReplyDeleteI have never met Dee in person, but we have been following each other's blog for years & I consider her a dear friend. She writes so well that in "Faith Wasn't Enough" I had the feeling I was in the convent with her.
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