Like Always

1. Will's Uncle Fred questioned their decision to buy a remote, run-down resort. If you were Uncle Fred, how would you have advised the couple, and upon what would you base your advice? 2. When Michael is on his way home from serving in Iraq, he wonders if he will be able to forget the horror of what he saw and experienced. Does he ever forget? If not, what or who helps him he most? Is it realistic to think we can forget our worst memories? How does God deal with our unpleasant memories? What does Isaiah 61:3 say about God's methods? 3. In the beginning of the book Stephanie asked herself if God had anything exciting for her life, fearing she was stuck in her hometown for the rest of her life. What did God send in answer to her prayer? Have you ever felt stuckin a place or a situation? What's the difference between being stuck and being faithful? How can you tell the difference? And if you do decide you're stuck, what's the best way to get unstuck? 4. Explain Michael's motives for tearing down the poster with his picture, hanging on the wall at the tire store. Do you think his motives were proper? What's the best way to respond when people call attention to your accomplishments? When does modesty become false modesty? Can you think of a Scriptural basis for your opinion? 5. At Merit's book club, everyone seems to know that Bernice is a Christian. Why do you think that was true? Did she get away with it because of her old age? Are people in everyday social settings aware of your faith? 6. At her going-away party, Merit made her friends repeat the words "I solemnly promise that I will come to visit Merit and Will, and that everything will be like it always was." What motivated her to do this? In a similar situation, would you make your friends promise the same thing? Can anyone expect to maintain a long-distance friendship, after one of the friends moves away? If so, how can it be doneor should it? 7. Merit and her older sister Sydney drifted apart over the years. What kept them apart, and how did each sister specifically try to rekindle the relationship? Were their methods similar? For yourself, is it harder or easier to maintain a relationship with a close relative? What should we do if we find ourselves far apart in issues of faith? What if it gets especially heated, as in chapter 24? 8. When Will first hears the news of Merit's condition from the doctor (page 135), he admits to himself that he had been ignoring his relationship with God. At that point, how did he pray? Do you ever fall back on memorized prayers? What are the advantages, or disadvantages? 9. This book revolves around a decision Merit makes in chapter 17 (page 139). Although it seemed to the doctor that she made a snap decision, what went into Merit's stand? How important was it for Will to back her up, and how close do you think she came to reversing her decision without his full support? (See page 157.) If Merit were your friendor your daughterwhat would you tell her to do? 10. Will said he was "not okay" with Merit's decision to refuse medical treatment (page 146). As a husband, was he justified in saying this? As a father, could he also make the same claim? Can you think of times when your obligations have conflicted, depending on which role you assume? In those cases, how do you resolve the conflict? 11. Pastor Bud tells Will about the case of Rita Fedrizzi, a real-life example of someone who faced a choice similar to Merit's. In a sense, Mrs. Fedrizzi's case inspired this fictional story; her moral courage was the model for Merit. Whose moral courage serves as your model? 12. In chapter 22, Stephanie explains how her mother had always pointed out landmarks, significant places because "it was important for her to know where she came from." Does Stephanie follow that pattern? Why or why not? How important are those reminders in your life, and why are they important? 13. In chapter 22, Will wonders "what to say that God didn't already know or that (He) hadn't already been begged for." (page 174) Explain what part this wondering plays in his spiritual journey. Have you ever felt that way about prayer? How did you resolve the tension between persistent prayer and believing that God answers? 14. When Will and Merit argue about moving back to California (chapter 23) Merit says God moved them to Idaho for a reason, and Will counters that she is "spiritualizing" things, looking for an easy out. With whom do you agree, and why? 15. In chapter 25, Merit hangs up on the reporter who had lied and fabricated a story about them. She later misleads a television reporter. Is her anger justified, and thus her actions? How should a person react when they are misrepresented or lied about? Have you ever been in that position? 16. When Merit and Will get away in chapter 29, Will says he is afraid. (page 233) What is he afraid of? Have you ever felt the same kind of fear? How do you resolve it? 17. When Merit addresses visiting church members (page 289) she calls herself "crazy." What kind of crazy is she talking about? Define it. Now Read 1 Corinthians 1:27 Is Paul talking about the same kind of crazy? If so, how can we build that kind of foolishness into our lives? 18. At the end of the story (page 303), Will finally realizes that he had forgotten Michael was adopted. In that forgetfulness they had overcome a barrier in their relationship. What does it take to forget in that way?

About the Author :
Robert is the author of two updated spiritual classics, Practicing God's Presence and Rediscovering Daily Graces (NavPress) and co-author of Off My Case for Kids (Zondervan/HarperCollins) with Christian apologist Lee Strobel. He is a graduate of Simpson College and St. Mary's College in California, with a B.A. degree in communications and Bible, as well as an elementary teaching credential. He has also written fiction for adults--Like Always, The Duet, The Recital, and The Celebrity, as well as seven popular youth fiction series, including The Wall, with combined sales of over a half million.

Review :
Praise for Like Always "Like Always is proof that God's finest miracles are wrapped in hope and tears." --DIANN MILLS, author of Leather and Lace and When the Lion Roars "Robert Elmer has proven his genius in his latest novel, Like Always. He combines the gentle touch of a poet with the astute intelligence of a skilled instructor to delve into the heart-tugging story of one woman with an agonizing choice to make. Very powerful." --HANNAH ALEXANDER, author of the Hideaway series "What a tender, moving, triumphant novel! Robert Elmer delivers another perfect love story...like always." --DEBORAH RANEY, author of Remember to Forget and Leaving November "With style and prose reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks, Like Always weaves a tender thread of love and faith, and offers an intimate glimpse into the depth and breadth of one couple's devotion...and heart-breaking conviction." --TAMERA ALEXANDER, bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered, Fountain Creek Chronicles Praise for "Like Always "" Like Always "is proof that God s finest miracles are wrapped in hope and tears. DIANN MILLS, author of "Leather and Lace "and "When the Lion Roars " Robert Elmer has proven his genius in his latest novel, "Like Always." He combines the gentle touch of a poet with the astute intelligence of a skilled instructor to delve into the heart-tugging story of one woman with an agonizing choice to make. Very powerful. HANNAH ALEXANDER, author of the Hideaway series What a tender, moving, triumphant novel! Robert Elmer delivers another perfect love story like always. DEBORAH RANEY, author of "Remember to Forget "and "Leaving November " With style and prose reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks, "Like Always "weaves a tender thread of love and faith, and offers an intimate glimpse into the depth and breadth of one couple s devotion and heart-breaking conviction. " "TAMERA ALEXANDER, bestselling author of "Rekindled," "Revealed, "and "Remembered," Fountain Creek Chronicles" Praise for "Like Always "" "Like Always "is proof that God's finest miracles are wrapped in hope and tears." --DIANN MILLS, author of "Leather and Lace "and "When the Lion Roars " "Robert Elmer has proven his genius in his latest novel, "Like Always." He combines the gentle touch of a poet with the astute intelligence of a skilled instructor to delve into the heart-tugging story of one woman with an agonizing choice to make. Very powerful." --HANNAH ALEXANDER, author of the Hideaway series "What a tender, moving, triumphant novel! Robert Elmer delivers another perfect love story...like always." --DEBORAH RANEY, author of "Remember to Forget "and "Leaving November ""With style and prose reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks, "Like Always "weaves a tender thread of love and faith, and offers an intimate glimpse into the depth and breadth of one couple's devotion...and heart-breaking conviction." "--"TAMERA ALEXANDER, bestselling author of "Rekindled," "Revealed, "and "Remembered," Fountain Creek Chronicles Praise for "Like Always "" " Like Always "is proof that God' s finest miracles are wrapped in hope and tears." -- DIANN MILLS, author of "Leather and Lace "and "When the Lion Roars " " Robert Elmer has proven his genius in his latest novel, "Like Always," He combines the gentle touch of a poet with the astute intelligence of a skilled instructor to delve into the heart-tugging story of one woman with an agonizing choice to make. Very powerful." -- HANNAH ALEXANDER, author of the Hideaway series " What a tender, moving, triumphant novel! Robert Elmer delivers another perfect love story... like always." -- DEBORAH RANEY, author of "Remember to Forget "and "Leaving November "" With style and prose reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks, "Like Always "weaves a tender thread of love and faith, and offers an intimate glimpse into the depth and breadth of one couple' s devotion... and heart-breaking conviction." "-- "TAMERA ALEXANDER, bestselling author of "Rekindled," "Revealed, "and "Remembered," Fountain Creek Chronicles