Beem Weeks's Blog - Posts Tagged "memoir"

Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir by Karen Ingalls

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is more than a simple memoir telling a story. This is a book filled with harrowing moments in the life of the author. Through sharing the darkness of a cancer battle, Karen Ingalls shines light on her faith and the events that led her to courage in the face of deep uncertainty.

Ovarian cancer is a serious issue—as is any cancer diagnosis. In a moment, a person must stand face to face with his or her own mortality. Karen Ingalls not only found victory in her personal battle, she has chosen to share her journey, offering comfort to those who may be fighting adversity in their own lives.

Ingalls writes from a point of view of a gentle friend telling the reader what God has done in her life. She is a deeply spiritual human being. There is much to learn from those who have faced such battles.

In the chapter entitled Spirituality, she writes the following: I believe we always have lessons to learn, and that’s what life’s experiences are about. If we don’t learn our lessons the first time, then life will keep bringing us new opportunities to learn.

That really spoke to me because that’s been my belief for the last twenty-odd years—since I became born again in 1996. It’s a truth that I abide by. Life is filled with lessons designed to make us into the people God intends us to become—the person we’re meant to be. I especially love the way Karen describes the trying times as “opportunities” for us to learn. Growth doesn’t come without struggle. Many of us won’t know the dread of cancer. But our own struggles will come. They can most certainly be strong enough to defeat us. But if we take the mindset and determination that Karen used in facing down her own fears and struggles, we can know we have a fighting chance. If you’re struggling with adversity or have a loved one going through trials, I highly recommend this memoir of perseverance and faith.





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