
The Lucky Few
Finding God's Best in the Most Unlikely Places
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $20.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Heather Avis
-
By:
-
Heather Avis
About this listen
These are the faces that call me "mom", the three children who made me a mother.
When I started my journey into parenthood I never thought it would look like this. I never planned on having three adopted children, and I certainly never imagined that two of them would have Down syndrome. But like most of the things God does, once we stepped into the craziness and confusion of the unknown and unplanned, we quickly realized that we were indeed among the lucky few.
When my husband and I decided to grow our family 10 years ago, we were surprised to find that getting pregnant was not as easy as we had thought it would be. And as we navigated the ups and downs of infertility, God led us down the path of adoption. Of course, we would adopt! Not what we had originally planned, but certainly a wonderful option.
But just as we began to get a comfortable grasp on growing our family through adoption, God introduced us to Macyn Hope, a very sick little girl with Down syndrome who desperately needed a family. As we continued to follow God's calling, first with Macyn, and later with Truly and then August, we found ourselves further and further from the comfortable paths we thought our lives would take, and instead moving down some very scary, and often painful roads.
Even though at times his plan seemed terrifying and even downright foolish, little could we have known how much goodness, blessing, and joy would flow out of loving these three little people he's put into our lives. No, it's not been easy: not the open-heart surgeries or the challenges of raising two children with Down syndrome or the complexities of dealing with birth-families or the struggles we've had with the public education system. But through it all, every new and uncomfortable situation has only proven to be another chance to see how very good God's plan is for our lives and how downright lucky we are to be able to live it out.
It's only the lucky few that recognize that the most beautiful things in this life are often found in the differences. What some would see as misfortune, I've learned to see as nothing more than pure luck.
©2017 eChristian (P)2017 eChristianListeners also enjoyed...
-
Scoot Over and Make Some Room
- Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs
- By: Heather Avis, Shauna Niequist
- Narrated by: Heather Avis, Lauren Berst - foreword
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author and Instagram star Heather Avis has made it her mission to introduce the world to the unique gifts and real-life challenges of those who have been pushed to the edges of society. Mama to three adopted kids - two with Down Syndrome - Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers.
-
-
She’s done it again!!
- By Melaini on 08-02-21
By: Heather Avis, and others
-
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys
- Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life
- By: David Thomas LMSW, Sissy Goff - foreword
- Narrated by: David Thomas
- Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
About those meltdowns, blowups, and one-word answers . . . Some say that's just how boys are—prone to outbursts or sullenness. But what's behind these and other issues? Drawing from twenty-five years of counseling boys and working with parents, David Thomas sheds light on common emotional struggles, including anger, anxiety, and depression, and shares practical ways you can help your son be resourceful, aware, resilient, and empathetic.
-
-
Some helpful tips, but not all good advice
- By J. Bruce on 09-21-23
By: David Thomas LMSW, and others
-
The Connected Child
- Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
- By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, Wendy Lyons Sunshine
- Narrated by: Anna Crowe
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family - and addressing their special needs - requires care, consideration, and compassion.
-
-
Incredibly helpful
- By Amazon Customer on 08-12-21
By: Karyn B. Purvis, and others
-
Love Without Borders
- How Bold Faith Opens the Door to Embracing the Unexpected
- By: Angela Braniff
- Narrated by: Angela Braniff
- Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the founder of This Gathered Nest YouTube channel, an uplifting story of Angela Braniff’s unusual path to becoming the mother to seven children through various methods of adoption and biological approaches, encouraging women and mothers to embrace the unique purpose that God has put in their lives.
-
-
I Wanted To Love This...
- By Rachel T. on 04-29-20
By: Angela Braniff
-
Wild Things
- The Art of Nurturing Boys
- By: Stephen James, David Thomas
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Playing off the themes in the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book Where the Wild Things Are, this informative, practical, and encouraging guide will help parents guide boys down the path to healthy and authentic manhood. Wild Things addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a boy, written by two therapists who are currently engaged in clinical work with boys and their parents and who are also fathers raising five sons.
-
-
Helped me understand my boys
- By Danielle Ward on 03-31-20
By: Stephen James, and others
-
A Life Lost
- Jackson Is Haunted by a Secret from His Past
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care. Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light....
-
-
Wonderful as always
- By Brittany on 03-02-21
By: Cathy Glass
-
Scoot Over and Make Some Room
- Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs
- By: Heather Avis, Shauna Niequist
- Narrated by: Heather Avis, Lauren Berst - foreword
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author and Instagram star Heather Avis has made it her mission to introduce the world to the unique gifts and real-life challenges of those who have been pushed to the edges of society. Mama to three adopted kids - two with Down Syndrome - Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers.
-
-
She’s done it again!!
- By Melaini on 08-02-21
By: Heather Avis, and others
-
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys
- Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life
- By: David Thomas LMSW, Sissy Goff - foreword
- Narrated by: David Thomas
- Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
About those meltdowns, blowups, and one-word answers . . . Some say that's just how boys are—prone to outbursts or sullenness. But what's behind these and other issues? Drawing from twenty-five years of counseling boys and working with parents, David Thomas sheds light on common emotional struggles, including anger, anxiety, and depression, and shares practical ways you can help your son be resourceful, aware, resilient, and empathetic.
-
-
Some helpful tips, but not all good advice
- By J. Bruce on 09-21-23
By: David Thomas LMSW, and others
-
The Connected Child
- Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
- By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, Wendy Lyons Sunshine
- Narrated by: Anna Crowe
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family - and addressing their special needs - requires care, consideration, and compassion.
-
-
Incredibly helpful
- By Amazon Customer on 08-12-21
By: Karyn B. Purvis, and others
-
Love Without Borders
- How Bold Faith Opens the Door to Embracing the Unexpected
- By: Angela Braniff
- Narrated by: Angela Braniff
- Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the founder of This Gathered Nest YouTube channel, an uplifting story of Angela Braniff’s unusual path to becoming the mother to seven children through various methods of adoption and biological approaches, encouraging women and mothers to embrace the unique purpose that God has put in their lives.
-
-
I Wanted To Love This...
- By Rachel T. on 04-29-20
By: Angela Braniff
-
Wild Things
- The Art of Nurturing Boys
- By: Stephen James, David Thomas
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Playing off the themes in the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book Where the Wild Things Are, this informative, practical, and encouraging guide will help parents guide boys down the path to healthy and authentic manhood. Wild Things addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a boy, written by two therapists who are currently engaged in clinical work with boys and their parents and who are also fathers raising five sons.
-
-
Helped me understand my boys
- By Danielle Ward on 03-31-20
By: Stephen James, and others
-
A Life Lost
- Jackson Is Haunted by a Secret from His Past
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care. Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light....
-
-
Wonderful as always
- By Brittany on 03-02-21
By: Cathy Glass
-
Born a Crime
- Stories from a South African Childhood
- By: Trevor Noah
- Narrated by: Trevor Noah
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this award-winning Audible Studios production, Trevor Noah tells his wild coming-of-age tale during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a story that begins with his mother throwing him from a moving van to save him from a potentially fatal dispute with gangsters, then follows the budding comedian’s path to self-discovery through episodes both poignant and comical.
-
-
Great book and perfect narration
- By MarilynArms on 12-15-16
By: Trevor Noah
-
Keep the Doors Open
- Lessons Learned from a Year of Foster Parenting
- By: Kristin Berry
- Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
- Length: 6 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a teenager, Kristin Berry had heard all the horror stories surrounding foster care and adoption - abuse, neglect, rejection, anger, and misunderstandings. But instead of closing her heart, God opened it wide. This is Kristin's honest, unvarnished story of some of her experiences as a foster parent of 23 children over the course of nine years. What she learned is that living in a foster home is like living with a revolving door. You never know who will arrive or who you will have to say goodbye to. Leaving the door open means there will be heartache and pain, but also adventure and unexpected joy.
-
-
A Intimate Looking into true grace and foster-care...
- By Peter on 03-09-20
By: Kristin Berry
-
The Magnolia Story
- By: Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines, Mark Dagostino
- Narrated by: Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you ready to see your fixer-upper? These famous words are now synonymous with the dynamic husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV's Fixer Upper. As this question fills the airwaves with anticipation, their legions of fans continue to multiply and ask a different series of questions, like: Who are these people? What's the secret to their success? And is Chip actually that funny in real life?
-
-
Surprised! This is not a "chick book"
- By Mavwreck75 on 07-30-17
By: Chip Gaines, and others
-
Live in Love
- Growing Together Through Life's Changes
- By: Lauren Akins, Mark Dagostino
- Narrated by: Lauren Akins, Thomas Rhett
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Live in Love is a deeply personal memoir that offers inspiring guidance for anyone looking to keep romance alive, balance children and marriage, express true faith, and live a life of purpose.
-
-
AMAZING!!!
- By Kasha Ross on 08-28-20
By: Lauren Akins, and others
-
Hold On, But Don't Hold Still
- Hope and Humor from My Seriously Flawed Life
- By: Kristina Kuzmic
- Narrated by: Kristina Kuzmic
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kristina Kuzmic has made herself a household name, speaking directly to mothers from the trenches of parenthood via her viral videos and social media presence. She is now bringing her message of self-acceptance, resilience, and joy to audiobook listeners. With a refreshingly unpretentious, funny, and galvanizing voice, Kuzmic goes behind the scenes to reveal how she went from broke and defeated to unshakably grounded and brimming with thankfulness.
-
-
Girl, This is It
- By K.C. on 05-04-20
By: Kristina Kuzmic
-
Heaven Is Here
- An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy
- By: Stephanie Nielson
- Narrated by: Stephanie Nielson
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stephanie Nielson began sharing her life in 2005 on nieniedialogues.com, drawing readers in with her warmth and candor. She quickly attracted a loyal following that was captivated by the upbeat mother happily raising her young children, madly in love with her husband, Christian (Mr. Nielson to her readers), and filled with gratitude for her blessed life.
-
-
This book is incredible!
- By Chad Garber on 04-25-12
-
Rabbit
- The Autobiography of Ms. Pat
- By: Patricia Williams, Jeannine Amber
- Narrated by: Patricia Williams
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of five children, Pat watched as her alcoholic mother struggled to get by on charity, cons, and petty crimes. At age seven, Pat was taught to roll drunks for money. At 12, she was targeted for sex by a man eight years her senior; by 13, she was pregnant. By 15, Pat was a mother of two. Alone at 16, Pat was determined to make a better life for her children. But with no job skills and an eighth-grade education, her options were limited. She learned quickly that hustling and humor were the only tools she had to survive.
-
-
Amazing story but dry reading
- By SpazzyMaggee on 11-03-17
By: Patricia Williams, and others
-
Finding Chika
- A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family
- By: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chika Jeune was born three days before the devastating earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. She spent her infancy in a landscape of extreme poverty, and when her mother died giving birth to a baby brother, Chika was brought to The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince. With no children of their own, the 40-plus children who live, play, and go to school at the orphanage have become family to Mitch and his wife, Janine. But at age five, Chika is suddenly diagnosed with something a doctor there says "no one in Haiti can help you with."
-
-
BUY READ AND RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
- By The Birds. on 11-05-19
By: Mitch Albom
-
Inconceivable
- A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift
- By: Carolyn Savage, Sean Savage
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Danny Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A medical mistake during an IVF procedure.An unthinkable situation....you're pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can't keep him. What choice would you make?
-
-
"Misconception" and "Inconceivable"
- By Simone on 12-17-12
By: Carolyn Savage, and others
-
Through the Eyes of Hope
- Love More, Worry Less, and See God in the Midst of Your Adversity
- By: Lacey Buchanan
- Narrated by: Lacey Buchanan
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What happens when things don't go as planned? What happens when the storm you face is completely out of your control? The Buchanans' precious son Christian was born with a medical condition that is so incredibly unique, it's one of only 50 known cases in the world. This story has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands.
-
-
Couldn’t get through it
- By Kelly Doke on 03-07-24
By: Lacey Buchanan
-
Forever Boy
- A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy
- By: Kate Swenson
- Narrated by: Kate Swenson
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Kate Swenson’s son Cooper was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. She had always dreamed of having the perfect family life. She hadn’t signed up for life as a mother raising a child with a disability.
-
-
Beautiful and eye opening
- By Holly Olsen on 11-01-22
By: Kate Swenson
-
This Is How It Always Is
- A Novel
- By: Laurie Frankel
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
- Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Rosie and Penn and their four boys welcome the newest member of their family, no one is surprised it's another baby boy. At least their large, loving, chaotic family knows what to expect. But Claude is not like his brothers. One day he puts on a dress and refuses to take it off. He wants to bring a purse to kindergarten. He wants hair long enough to sit on. When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl.
-
-
Story mirrors our life -- to a point -- spoilers
- By 1mom3kids on 11-14-17
By: Laurie Frankel
What listeners say about The Lucky Few
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Casey's&Milton's
- 01-30-20
Helps moms feel a bit more normal.
What an amazing book of Gods love and such a relatable book as a mom. Weather a mother of a special needs child or not I think Heather is relatable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Margaret M.
- 05-22-23
I’m a Lucky Aunt!
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never known so much joy in having a great nephew with Downs and this book just reinforces that joy. Thank you for sharing your family experiences.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lilydivine
- 01-29-21
Great story - a few hiccups with the reading
I am so grateful when people share their story; especially when it's as beautiful as God has made this one. I absolutely loved the authors attitude and perspective. She isn't a professional reader though so a few times while listening I became distracted by the pauses while she read. HOWEVER still a great book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeremy Spencer
- 05-28-17
Transparent!
Heather is so honest about her journey through infertility and adoption. What an inspiring story of great faith! Recommend for anyone who has or wants to adopt. I love that the author is the narrator.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rollyn Zoubek
- 05-02-17
I wish I could give this a million stars
I loved every minute of this story. It's a real life hero's journey requiring gritty courage and resulting in an abundance of love from surprising places. I want to buy copies for all my friends. Thank you, Heather Avis. I can't wait for the next book!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
- Raised Right Farm
- 08-22-20
Beautiful and so encouraging
I adore this story! My husband and I have 3 biological children and are thinking about adoption. I appreciated the honesty of the good times and bad!! Super encouraging!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JZ
- 08-01-18
Truly inspiring book
We are in the process of adoption through foster care and I started listening to this book. It has been an inspiration to open up our minds to all types of children. You will not be disappointed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JuJu
- 06-08-17
A must read!!
This book was amazing!! One of the best books ever read. A must read. Thank you!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Maddie Noseworthy
- 06-07-17
Beautiful and honest.
I am so grateful for Avis' honest account of her family's journey. An account of the heartbreak of infertility, the messiness of adoption, parenthood, and family. As well as the miracle of God's grace, that can take something so messy and heartbreaking and turn it into something beautiful and full of joy. This book has formed in me a new understanding of Downs Syndrome and adoption. I don't know how yet, but it will affect my future decisions and interactions with others. I will carry this story with me always, I will keep it in my heart.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Miles B.
- 03-15-24
Inspiring
Beautiful story. Her story shows the humanity and complexity in every part of adoption. Worth the read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!