He Knows Her Name Review

We’ve had our first little heat wave here in Central Washington state, and I’ve spent every minute possible outside in a lawn chair with this splendid book propped up in my hands.

The author has such a tender heart. I’m thankful for the opportunity she gave me to read and review an advanced copy. I most often review books for publishers but this came straight from the home of the beautiful inside and out Kelly McCorkle Parkison herself, with a hand written note. That made it so much more special.

What a story! For those of us who can relate to an international adoption journey this book is witness to the trials, tribulations, joys, and triumph of the entire messy thing. Those of you interested in adoption and orphan care and just starting out or not yet begun, you will be riveted! I promise.

Anyone helping to bring up the plight of children around the world without hope of ever belonging to a family deserves to be heard. Kelly McCorkle Parkison has highlighted these children and God’s heart for them in this most excellent story of her family’s own adoption of an Indian “untouchable”.

Kelly graciously and honestly opens up and shares her struggles and feelings, prayers, and God’s answers to her in her telling of the adoption that really began for her, on a reality TV show. Really! A mission trip sealed the deal. A former Miss South Carolina and a true southern Belle, and now a pastor’s wife. Mrs. Parkison bares her true self and you’ll be glad she did.

Adoption is a hard, and terrible and wonderful thing. I particularly enjoyed the honestly in the telling of her readiness to adopt before her husband. This is often the case, and I myself could have learned a thing or two from reading this book when we were going through our first adoptions. Oh the angst! Adoption is SO beautiful and painful. It brings to the surface all of the ugliness and the beauty in our hearts. God uses the process in so many ways to refine so  many things in us. I love that about Him! Kelly and her husband Scott certainly had a wild ride, and it makes for a great story- but that’s not the end at all. You see the book is a way to raise funds for an orphanage in India where their gorgeous little girl is from. Their ministry LOFT 218 is certainly worth checking out folks. Think Gospel, Generosity, and Going on behalf of orphans, widows, the sex-trafficked and not only in India but also here in the USA. When you buy this book you are partnering with them to shelter the least of these that our Father loves so much.

He Knows Her Name is sprinkled with photos which I love, being a visual type. It’s full of faith, and real struggles with heart issues, obedience to the Lord, financial struggles and fundraising; in short, the nuts and bolts of a complicated adoption from a foreign country. Kelly addresses the honest questions people have about adoption, especially internationally versus domestic. We have done both and believe all children left orphans are deserving of being rescued regardless of where they reside. We can’t pigeon hole God, He calls us each by name to individual missions. It’s always so amazing to see in hindsight how He orchestrates things in advance in ways that could only be Him. He gets glory and we get guts! The story Kelly tells us certainly gives God the glory and proves she has guts. Bravery results in some seemingly impossible feats when it’s mixed with faith and obedience…because as the title of this book implies- God already knows. If He calls us to something or someone, He will perform it. Over and over again in this book I was reminded of that..

I love how Kelly writes, and I love how she gives us the highlights of every important bit of this love story. And it is a love story, reflective of God’s and ours, make no mistake. But it’s real life, not a fairytale, and instead of “happily ever after”, in Kelly’s words, they lived, “radically ever after”. (pg. 239)

I had a hard time putting this book down. Anyone interested in adoption and orphan care will feel the same I’m sure. It’s Well-written, thought-provoking, faith building and engagingly told, I ate it up. For those walking beside others on an adoption journey, reading this book will give you more insight on how to help support the adoptive parents and how to pray for everyone involved.

Well done Kelly.

Now, I need to pray about some things and get busy checking out LOFT 218!

Buy the Book (coming soon, pre-order as of 4/10/16)

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