Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the MOUNT HOOD Tragedy by Karen James

Rating:

Karen James recounts an honest and vulnerable tragedy in the James family.   The gripping account of her husband, Kelly along with his climbing partners, Brian and Nikko, was fascinating.  I am a fast reader but even so, I finished the book with remarkable speed.  Mrs. James was able to put pieces of the puzzle together of the climbers last days here on earth.   The determination of the climbers even as they faced death in the face was inspiring.  These were not amateur climbers but very methodical and took risks seriously.

I found myself weeping along with Karen as she first heard the call that would forever change her life.  I continued weeping as she waited an interminably long week to find out if her husband was still miraculously alive, only to hear the news she didn’t want to hear.  I witnessed as she tried to hold her family together and as she went home to an empty house.  I saw Karen in her weakest moment, questioning God in the depth of her sorrow.  I rejoiced with Karen as she began to heal and to remember the wonderful times with her husband and to know that God has His purposes.

Karen paints an excellent picture of how to deal with grief and sorrow honestly.  I was also amazed by how her friends and family came along side of her.  It is an example of what the church body should be like.

I would have wished for a stronger salvation message.  Karen had multiple media opportunities to share what God had done in their lives and her answers were disappointingly weak about God.  I also thought Karen’s coincidental connections with her late husband were a bit on the weird side.

As a Christian, I can rejoice in God’s sovereignty even in death.  I believe that Kelly James knew that even at the end.  It was fitting – he always felt closest to God high up on a mountain!

Purchase this book here:
Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy

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