Laura McClellan offered her beautiful home as a retreat one weekend so I could immerse myself in Shira’s world and read the entire book out loud to myself without interruption or onlookers questioning my sanity.
All these experts have lent me their wisdom: Camellia May, whose willingness to critique my midwife scenes was invaluable for this woman who has never given birth, nor assisted with such. Dr. Terrence Espinoza, who patiently answers my questions about biblical history and the Hebrew language. Dr. Valerie Gorman, who played along with my hypothetical ancient medicine procedure questions and willingly shared her knowledge. Any mistakes regarding the arts of midwifery, biblical history, the Hebrew language, and medicine are purely my own.
Eugene and Heather Johnson allowed me to spend some time with their sheep and answered my questions about birthing and herd behavior. Heather Hardin shared her shepherding knowledge and the sweetness of the ewe/lamb connection from her experience assisting with deliveries.
Thanks to all the beautiful Desert Wanderers who enthusiastically support the OUT FROM EGYPT series, with special thanks to Amanda Geaney for being such a champion for biblical fiction and the fabulous team that made my first launch party the best launch party that ever was: Ashley, Anni, Sam, Elisabeth, Julie, Shelley, Gretchen, Karla, Shanya, Trina, Juli, Cassi, Jessica, Luci, and Graci.
Beta readers Karla Marroquin, Kristen Roberts, and Ashley Espinoza gave me honest feedback and shared their appreciation for Shira’s story.
Tamela Hancock Murray, the best agent an author could be blessed with, is so encouraging and supportive. Raela Schoenherr, Charlene Patterson, and Jen Veilleux offered their talent and editing expertise to ensure that Shira’s story is the best it could be. Jennifer Parker’s breathtaking cover designs are second to none. Noelle Buss, Amy Green, Brittany Higdon, and the entire team at Bethany House have supported and encouraged me through this new adventure with such warmth and expertise. I am still pinching myself that I am allowed to call myself a Bethany House author.
And finally, to all the readers who took a chance on reading a debut author and shared your thoughts, e-mails, and hearts with me, I am honored that my work is in your hands.
This army of supporters just keeps growing—there are so many that I cannot name them all, but each is valuable and I am grateful to my Father for every single one.
Questions for Conversation
Shira struggles through indecision about the calling on her life and allows doubts, fears, and her past to affect her choices. What things have you felt “created” or “called” to do? How have you experienced doubt in that calling? What joys have you experienced by embracing your calling?
After hundreds of years in Egypt, the Hebrews were only beginning to learn about who Yahweh was and how they were expected to behave as his people. What new insights did you gain about Yahweh? About the Hebrews? About yourself?
Shira discovers that Dvorah and some of the other midwives were using charms and amulets as they delivered babies, a holdover from their years in Egypt where these tokens were considered imperative during childbirth to protect mothers and babies. Throughout the early history of Israel, the people continued to run back to use such things, refusing to trust fully in the God who brought them out of Egypt. When have you been temped to trust in something (or someone) other than God?
Reva tells Shira that although “you may not have any children of your own body . . . every baby guided to birth by your hands will be a child of your heart.” When have you experienced loving someone not “of your flesh” but “of your heart” through adoption, friendship, or other means? How does this reflect God’s heart?
Shira, Ayal, and Dvorah are all dealing with the wounds of their pasts in different ways. When have you held onto pain instead of surrendering it to the Lord? How did it affect your relationships with others?
When they were frightened that Mosheh had died at the top of the mountain, the people of Israel coerced Aharon to build a golden idol, most probably a statue of Apis or Hathor, venerated mediators to the gods in Egypt. When have you rebelled against God? What did his correction look like in that instance? How did you see God’s grace when you repented?
Shira endures false accusations from Dvorah and from Ayal’s sisters. When have you experienced wounding at the hands of other women? Did you have a Kiya to encourage and comfort you? How can you work to build other women up in your circle of influence?
Have you ever had a person like Reva who speaks truth into your life? If so, how did he or she impact you? If not, what difference might it have made during a trying circumstance?
Shira discovers that she was allowing trauma from her past to define her and was blaming herself for things that were not her doing. When have you held onto “black threads” from your own past that affected your behavior and relationships? What steps did you take to be free from self-condemnation? What lies about yourself have you had to replace with truth?
Ayal had a tendency to hide out from his problems instead of dealing with them head-on. When have you avoided confrontation? What consequences did it have?
The word for the congregation at Mount Sinai in Greek is ekklesia (meaning “assembly” or “called out ones”), which is the same word used for the church in the New Testament. What similarities do you see between the ancient Hebrews and the modern church? What does being “called out” mean to you?
Although Kiya is now part of Israel through the Covenant and through marriage, she is still regarded as an outsider. When have you felt like an outsider? Who reached out to you or defended you, like Shira does for Kiya in that situation?
Shira has difficulty seeing herself for who she really is and accepting her worth and strength even when the people around her assure her of her talents and positive attributes. When have you been blind to your own strengths? How did you learn to see yourself more clearly?
The next book in the OUT FROM EGYPT series takes place forty years in the future, at the end of the Wilderness Wandering. The Bible is fairly silent on these years in the desert. What do you think happened during that time? What differences do you think you will see in the Hebrews in the next book? How do you think Shira and Kiya will have changed?
When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Her novel Counted With the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semifinalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com.
Books by Connilyn Cossette
OUT FROM EGYPT
Counted With the Stars
Shadow of the Storm
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
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