One Beautiful Dream is in the style and includes the
great humor I came to expect of Jennifer Fulwiler when reading her blog
Conversion Diary. Among other things,
Jen is a great storyteller. I have
always enjoyed her wacky anecdotes about raising little ones, grappling with
faith, pursuing her writing, and dealing with one crisis after another. This book addresses the very real struggle
many women face when they attempt to raise children while also pursuing their
dreams and passions in life.
In Jennifer’s first book, Something Other Than God,
she details her conversion from atheism to Catholicism. It’s a very good read, but much more serious
than I thought it would be after following her journey on Conversion Diary. Click here to read my review.
I was laughing out loud at some of the situations Jen
found herself in while pursuing her “one beautiful dream.” Some stories brought back fond and others
not-so-great memories of being a nanny for young children. The chapters entitled: “Poopocalypse,” “Beer
Bong Playdate,” “Advent Rock,” and “Decibel” all elicited memorable incidents I’ve
had with little ones.
During a retreat, Jen got some great advice from a
priest named Fr. George. He suggested
that she “[do] the work that God is calling you to do, but do it as one part of
something bigger—your family” (p. 129).
From then on she looked at her “blue flame” (what brings her joy) of
writing as something that she could include her family in as she did it. This change in perspective helped her stop
thinking as an individual and unite her passions to the overall mission God has
for her family as a whole.
As writer, Sirius XM Radio Host, and budding comedian, Jen Fulwiler concludes in her book and her daily life that you can
have it all—family and dreams—if you’re willing to rethink exactly what that
looks like and when everything will come to pass.
I recommend this book for anyone who has or works
with children, is a Christian, and/or needs a good laugh.
See the latest updates on the Fulwiler family at OneBeautifulDream.com
You can connect with this author/mom/radio show host/comedian on Instagram @JenniferFulwiler.
