I just finished reading Audrey: The True Story of One Child's Heroic Journey Of Faith by Gloria Conde.  I admit, I was a little nervous to read it, knowing how it was going to end.   I wasn't sure I was up for such a sad story.  Audrey is about an amazing little girl who battles leukemia, and in the end, looses.  However, there is so much more here.  Audrey is a modern day saint.  She really illustrated for me, what it means to say "yes" to God, and really mean it.

The book is set up as a series of vignettes, beginning when Audrey is a baby, and moving through to after her death.  From the time she could talk, she led her family closer to God.  Because of her, they began to pray regularly.  Her family went from just attending mass on Sunday, to living a life of prayer, all because of a little girls devotion to the Lord.   Audrey is a mystery, because throughout the book, you realize that no one has taught her any of these things.  She just knows.   She is devoted to vocations from a very young age, and because of her prayers, and her offering up her sufferings, many people found their vocation in the priesthood, or as sisters.

The part that I will cling to the most, is how Audrey offered up all her suffering.  Because of Audrey's story, I've begun offering up my little sufferings to Jesus.  I was amazed at how such a small child was able to endure so much suffering without complaint.   Even when she was throwing up numerous times a day, or suffering temporary blindness...she didn't complain.   She didn't even tell anyone.  

I highly recommend this book to everyone.   Though it may seem like a devastating story, you will soon find that it's actually a tale of hope.   Audrey reminded me that this is only our temporary home.  We should long for our true home, alive forever with Our Lord in heaven.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Audrey - True Story of a Child's Journey of Faith.

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