A beautifully written book that is filled with encouragement during timely seasons of life. A reminder of God meeting us where we are and that there's no place we can go on this earth where he will not meet us.

When we face situations that feel like they are so big that they cannot be moved, we know that only God can help us to get through the situations. Kristen Welsh reminds us of this in her book Made to Move Mountains. The subtitle is "How God Uses Our Dreams and Disasters to Accomplish the Impossible," and that is what He does over and over again. The immovable becomes movable when we trust in Him to bring people around us to help us in the tasks set before us.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Baker Books for my copy of Made to Move Mountains by Kristen Welch in exchange for an honest review. It published March 3, 2020.
I regret not reading this book sooner! I absolutely adored the mountain theme throughout this whole book. It really spoke to me. I feel like it really opened my eyes to a lot of mountain imagery in the Bible. I also really enjoyed the discussion about Gideon, and how that story kept being brought up. I want to read this with my book club. I highly recommend it.

As you can probably guess by the title, this book is about pursuing the dreams that God has put in our heart and realizing that He's already given us everything we need to do what He wants us to do. While that theme is so great, the main challenge that I took away from this book is to be more purposeful in the purchases I make and who I'm helping with that purchase.

The author, Kristen Welch, is the founder of Mercy House Global. You will find this statement on the Mercy House Global website - "Mercy House exists to engage, empower and disciple women around the globe in Jesus’ name. We provide for the rescue of pregnant girls in Kenya and provide a home for them. We empower their families and many others with dignified work so we can redeem future generations. We do this by engaging those with resources to say yes to the plight of women in poverty by empowering women around the world through partnerships and sustainable fair trade product development." I'm purchasing items from Mercy House Global, but also searching for other fair trade companies I can purchase items from. I'd like to look around my house and know that people have been helped by the purchases I've made.

From the book, "So friends, climb. Your words, your mission, your gifts, your dreams, your failures, and YOU matter. Chase the dreams in your heart and overcome the obstacles in your way because the world needs you. You were made to move mountains."

Kristen is absolutely right from the start of this book that people often believe that someone who achieves big dreams is special, unique, or has some quality that the rest of us don't. That's why the challenge for authors who write books about achieving their dreams is that they need to share specifically about their hardships, not just say it was hard. They need to explain their real limitations, not just say that it was out of their comfort zone and leave it at that.

Kristen does an excellent job of meeting both of those challenges. She describes her own fear, anxiety, and need for control. This helps the reader believe her when she says that it was God who moved the mountains, she just showed a willingness to follow. It also helps the reader believe that if she could do it, then they with their own limitations could face their own mountains. She also describes the hard times she's been through and some times on her journey that had real consequences for her. All of this helps give her voice an authority for what she's talking about.

One critique of the book is that it has more long quoted sections from her previous books than any book I've read before. Her books are all about her family and ministry, so in some ways it's a continuation of the story told in previous books. It just makes me wonder if she could have used something new to make her point or if it needed to be references from of one of her previous books.

Kristen Welch is one author that always has an automatic spot in my reading pile. While her latest book isn't my favorite of those she has written, it is still timely and worth the read.

The release date coincided with COVID-19, so part of my review may hinge on that - everything was in upheaval and for me that made it a little bit harder to delve into. Not her fault - that falls on me and a crazy lack of focus.

Also, as a mom of older kids, I understand the need for privacy and protection of various situations with our kids, but since I almost view Kristen as a friend (comes from years of reading her blog and all her books and our age of technology), it is hard when a subject is broached in the book...but then not "resolved" at all (or feels like it isn't). Again, this is partly on me, but I'd personally rather not have something be an example when it can't be fully explained. Kristen is nothing short of authentic in her writing though!

That said, Made to Move Mountains is a book that will encourage readers to consider the long-term impact the "mountains" in our life provide: both their purpose and provision.

A fabulous book -- especially in these times! Would be perfect for small group discussion. Welch makes you consider who is your neighbour... and how are you showing God's love? Do you have the faith to climb the mountain He is asking you to? See more at https://mittonmusings.com/2020/06/02/made-to-move-mountains/

I’ve followed Kristin Welch’s blog for quite some time, and I was glad to be able to read this book. This book has the same impact as her blog: inspiring, convicting, and thought-provoking. I admire her determination to balance her family life with ministry life. This family inspires me to face the challenges that God may send my way with grace and courage, depending completely in His strength. As you read this book, be prepared to be challenged to face your own mountain without fear.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Made to Move Mountains is a well-written, inspiring book. Need to re-read it to capture more of what it says.

3.5 Stars (Rounded Up)

I really did enjoy this book. I've been reading a lot of books in the same vein of thought/purpose. I enjoyed her voice - this book reads as if someone is really talking to you and sharing their life directly to you.

However, I did feel like she was quoting others A LOT. I mean the quotes were good (most from books I've also read previously) but it was A LOT of quotes and references. There was a point where I thought yes, but what do YOU have to say about it? I understand sometimes it's already been said, but some chapters felt like she just expounded on someone else's thoughts for the whole chapter. I really enjoyed when I could tell it was her writing and not just paraphrasing or expounding on other peoples thoughts.

I do feel like we are kindred spirits - her heart for justice and obedience resonated strongly with me. All in all a very encouraging and uplifting book.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I haven’t highlighted a book as much as this one #Madetomove mountains
Have you ever had a book when you seen the title, think...hmm..
Okay, I have one HUGE mountain right in front of me and maybe, just maybe.... This book will give me some insights on how to climb it? Where do I start? This book is Amazing, I’ve highlighted so many sentences, paragraphs, scriptures, and made so many notes (41 to be exact), that I know this book will show you with God’s help and you stepping out in Faith there is no mountain you can’t climb. “God is faithful. He’ll fulfill every promise he’s made. There’s no disease God cannot heal, no heart he cannot mend, no bondage he cannot break, no enemy he cannot defeat, no mountain he cannot move, and no need he cannot meet. And because that same Spirit lives inside each of us, we move forward undaunted. . . . Focus on our unshakeable God instead of the chaos around you, and he will carry you through the challenges and on to victory.”-Kristen Welch
A MUST READ, VERY INSPIRATIONAL!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for ARC, this is my honest opinion.

Made to Move Mountains (Baker, 2020) is an encouraging and inspiring book! Kristen Welch shares stories of joyful triumph and agonizing trials as she recounts how God not only moves mountains for Mercy House Global ministry and their family, but also grows her personal faith journey. She is honest and real in expressing her feelings - sometimes faith, sometimes frustration - and the fallacies they reveal in her thinking about God and His design and purpose for people and the world.

Welch speaks of challenges of various kinds, reflecting on them through a Christian worldview, sometimes sharing how those difficult experiences jarred her unspoken assumptions. The consistent theme of the book, that God allows His people to encounter these "mountains" so He can show His power to move them, is clear.

I recommend this book to both male and female readers, especially those with a Christian faith background who want to be encouraged, but may feel unsatisfied with common spiritual platitudes.

Note: This book was provided to the reviewer at no cost in exchange for an unbiased blog review courtesy of the Baker Books Blogger program.

Made to Move Mountains How God Uses Our Dreams and Disasters to Accomplish the Impossible is an honest look at Kristen Welch’s journey climbing mountains. It’s part memoir, part insight, part scripture, and one hundred percent inspiration.

Author Kristen Welch’s life is the perfect example of what a life led by obedience to God looks like. She’s not at the unfathomable Mother Teresa level. Ms. Welch is an everyday woman who’s serving God as her first priority. She opens a window into her life to show the reader how we’re all made to move mountains. The mountains Ms. Welch has climbed in launching and running her Mercy House Global organization is nothing short of inspiring. And it’s all in obedience to God.

Made to Move Mountains uses mountain climbing scenarios to make poignant points. Ms. Welch’s life experiences show that the journey is not easy, but the climb is worth it. Chapters such as Rejoicing in the Impossible, The Best View Means the Highest Climb, and Rainbows in the Rain all use examples from Ms. Welch’s personal journey. Her obedience, endurance, and strength are commendable and inspirational.

Ms. Welch uses Scripture to supplement her anecdotes. She also tells biblical and current-day stories about how God uses ordinary people to accomplish the seemingly impossible. The “Mountaintop Moments” at the end of each chapter help readers reflect and imagine bringing these concepts into their own lives.

I rated this book at 4.5/5 stars on my website and rounded to 5/5 stars when half stars are not allowed.

How this book affected me:
In my own Christian journey, I’ve been nervous to give a resounding ‘YES’ to Jesus for fear of the path He will request of me. I found Made to Move Mountains especially inspirational because Ms. Welch gave her resounding ‘YES’ and she doesn’t mince words about the difficulty of the journey. But she also admits the extreme reward. I enjoyed her powerful and raw testimony.

Who would enjoy this book:
Readers who want to say ‘YES’ to Jesus or who just want to handle the obstacles of life with better discernment or fortitude would enjoy Made to Move Mountains. Anyone looking to move forward in their Christian journey would benefit from this book.

Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books - adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. We're proud to be included in the Top 50 Christian Book Review Bloggers. I chose to read an ARC from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review is my honest opinion.

I started to follow Kristen not too long ago but her previuos books and podcast caught my heart. Made to move mountains is really challenging me in so many different ways. It is also inspiring me to live a life of generous justice and say yes to God even when i think i can't make it.
If you are feeling small, powerless and lost i am sure that through Kristen's testimonies God will encourage you to go and Move your mountains

Yet another incredible book from Kristen Welch, full of Truth and hope and encouragement! Thank you so much for allowing me to review this, and I look forward to sharing it with everyone!

I have followed Kristen online for years and read a couple of her other books. We share similar passions for East Africa, helping empower women, running a non-profit and encouraging people to press on through difficulties. This book felt like I was sitting down to coffee with a good friend and sharing our highs/lows. I really loved the personal stories that helped me to see how to apply some of the big ticket ideas to every day situations. I could easily see how she was putting into practice the message that she was sharing. I finished the book feeling encouraged and motivated to continue to pursue the passions and goals that God has given me. I know that so often I can feel discouraged and begin to question my calling when life gets hard. It's always a good reminder to look for all of the lessons God wants to teach us in the midst of the successes and the sufferings.

I am so torn on how I feel about this book. While I think Kristen’s core message was exceptional, I couldn’t help but feel slightly discouraged reading this book. I was expecting something more uplifting and less about pushing through and struggling. Maybe it was just my perception of things, but there was just a hint of negativity that I found distracting. Again, the overall message was exceptional!

Ten years ago Kristen Welch founded Mercy House, a nonprofit organization that funds maternity homes for pregnant teens in Kenya. She does work that seems amazing and impossible to many. In this book, Kristen shares about some of the challenges, hardships, and fears she has faced over the last ten years. These “mountains” in her life are daunting, but her God is bigger, and He strengthens her and helps her to persevere even through her fears.

Made to Move Mountains is challenging and inspiring. Kristen encourages the reader to do the hard things, to climb the mountains, to not settle for an easy life. And she does so as a fellow weary traveler. In this book you will find a friend who understands your fears and hesitations. But you will also find a friend who challenges you to keep on keeping on, even when the looming mountains seem overwhelming.

Kristen reminds us that we are made to do hard things, not because we are capable in and of ourselves, but because we serve a mighty God. This book left me feeling inspired, challenged, and excited about facing the mountains God has placed in my life.