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paperback
They started out living the dream. They promised themselves and each other that every day would be an amazing day. They even stuck that phrase--"Amazing Days"--on their refrigerator, like Martin Luther pounding his conviction into a door and launching the next great era of the church. "Ready or not," they told the world, "here we come."
They traveled the planet, doing missions and community development work in Latin America, China, Africa. Then they went back home--to the land of shopping malls and manicured lawns. And they wondered what had become of their amazing days.
In This Ordinary Adventure Adam and Christine Jeske mine their experience, from riding motorcycles in Africa to dicing celery in Wisconsin, in search of a God who is always present and who is charging every moment with potential. Read along and you'll see your life--your ruts and routines, your frustrations and exhilarations--through different eyes, maybe for the first time. You'll discover the amazing things God is doing in the shadows of even the most ordinary day.
"I love how Christine and Adam Jeske retell their adventures, together, with honesty, humor, and humble wisdom. This Ordinary Adventure is a rich and engaging story that all of us, regardless of our narratives, dreams and circumstances, can relate to in some way. And that's what makes this book a must read, because Christine and Adam's 'ordinary' story opens our eyes and hearts to all of the possibilities, wonder and beauty that can be found in our own stories. And there's nothing ordinary about that."
"Adam and Christine Jeske are completely serious that they can have an 'amazing day' regardless of what's thrown at them via background, culture, environment or relationships. The best part is that their invitation to this way of thinking extends to everyone! This Ordinary Adventure is strong stuff for those seeking to experience life in all of its fullness . . . no matter where they happen to be."
"Get ready to laugh and cry while being inspired through the Jeskes' global trailblazing.They challenge North Americans not to settle for the mundane but to get off our couches and ride on a faith adventure in our everyday lives. This Ordinary Adventure is a must-read for anyone wanting to get unstuck from the ordinary, and to make courageous faith choices at every life stage."
"As a former missionary who was plagued with the thought I've become everything I made fun of, I found This Ordinary Adventure a delight. Adam and Chrissy unpack in touching and humorous ways that a missional life and an ordinary life is not either/or but rather both/and."
"This book is about seeing life through a different set of eyes and making choices based on a different set of values than the culture around us dictates. Whether your passport, too, is gathering dust on the shelf, or you've never left North America, Christine and Adam will grab your heart with their stories and challenge you to embrace the ordinary adventure God has for you."
"The Jeskes' vulnerability and palpable hope as they explore the tension provides a helpful roadmap."
CONTENTS
1. Becoming Ordinary
2. The Last Hurrah
3. Faith is a Muscle
4. Thorns and thistles
5. Cool Enough
6. All I Got for Christmas was Malaria
7. Money Matters
8. The Honeymoon Never Ends
9. Baby Slaves
10. Revolutionary Community
11. Dragonflies and Oak Trees
12. The Dramatic Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendix: Reader's Guide/ Discussion Questions
End Notes
