Requested from paperbackswap.com.

I've read a lot of good, even beautiful, books in my life, but this one is something extra special. I'm probably not capable of doing it justice in a simple book review, as it's one of those stories that touches each reader differently. In fact, I bet that the next time I read this through, it will affect me differently... and the time after that, as well.

Stepping Heavenward was published in 1869 by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss, daughter of the Rev. Edward Payson, D.D. and wife of Presbyterian pastor George Prentiss. She was a loving mother and homemaker and desired to bring to her readers, "patience, fidelity, hope, and all goodness by showing how trust in God and loving obedience to His blessed will brighten the darkest paths and make a heaven upon earth."

The story follows the journey of Katherine as she steps into young womanhood on her sixteenth birthday to her later grown up years in her late 30s. She learns that true satisfaction is found in serving others and allowing herself to be used by God as a wife, mother, and homemaker---and helper in her community as God leads her.

After finishing this book, I craved more spiritually-minded reading. It was so encouraging---the author exposed the heart of a young woman to perfection. We think of Victorians as so pious but people in her day were dealing with the same heart issues and questions about God that we do today.

I actually picked up several book suggestions from reading, Stepping Heavenward, including Thomas a Kempis', The Imitation of Christ. I was blessed to find an antique copy of it at our library book sale just a day or two after putting it on my wish list.

Stepping Heavenward is a book I'll come back to again and again. I can't wait to share it with my daughters, when the time is right, and I'm so encouraged by the examples of Godly women, both in Mrs. Prentiss and in the characters she's created.

Sending this to my mom, Charlieshack, to borrow.

Thank you, Sarah. This is one of the best books I have read. Thank you for sharing it. I am sending it back.

I received this back from Mom---thank you!