Reader Reviews

Elaine Noske:

October 2024

From the beginning, Cathy's story captured my heart and I could not put this easy read book down until the end of the book.

Cathy reveals her life journey in an honest and open expression of her joys, tragedies, decisions and actions that lead her to live in a new nation, Australia. Her story integrates key relationships that determine some of the choices she makes and reveals an ever-present awareness of a faith in God that only gets deeper.Thank you Cathy for your courageous vulnerability to write this book. 

Ruth Embery:

Reviewed on Goodreads July 13, 2022

4 stars

Knowing Cathy personally, it was wonderful to get that deeper insight through reading some of her journey. Although at times intensely painful, Cathy's story is a testament to the goodness of God. He not only brings us through to the other side of those circumstances we'd so often like to avoid, but if we let Him, transforms us to be more like Jesus as we walk with Him. Thanks, Cathy, for being so transparent and letting us into your life in such an intimate way.

Robyn:

I have just finished reading your book and felt a real connection to you and your story … I don’t often read books these days as I am busy … and tired at the end of the day in order to read for any length of time. We have just had a holiday in north Queensland .. and I took your book with me, thinking it probably wouldn’t even get looked at. However, once I read the first couple of pages I couldn’t put it down.
I just wanted to thank you for writing your story and for being so honest about your journey through the ups and downs that life has thrown at you. I could identify and relate to you on so many levels and was encouraged and inspired by your faith, hope and perseverance in never giving up on God. I have been struggling a lot personally with my faith over the past few years as I have been dealing with a lot of health and family issues which have been a constant daily challenge and unfortunately I have been pushing God further out of my life even though we still go to church regularly. It is easy to go through the motions each week but not really experience or connect with God in a deep personal way.
Thank you for helping me to understand that I DO NEED to embrace all seasons no matter what the circumstances and to be thankful to God in all things even when life is difficult, painful and ugly as God’s timing is perfect and HIS ways are not our ways. Reading your book at this time in my life has been God’s timing and I hope and pray that God will now become the centre of my life instead of me!
Thank you again and I pray that God will bless you and your family as you continue to serve and worship Him.

Ps Greg Murray:

Everyone has a unique journey through life. However, there are some elements of life that we all share. What Cathy Scott has communicated so colourfully is both her unique individual journey alongside the things of life we all experience. This vibrant realistic combination pulls you in as the reader. You will share her life story while at the same time experience your own life’s journey. Childhood memories, awkward adolescence, funny moments with family and friends, lacking confidence, relationships that fail, unexpected tragedies, loss and grief, building a marriage and family, along with so much more. This heartfelt faith-filled biography will deposit a sense of triumph into your heart as you read it. I highly recommend it.

Ed Flower:

Wow, Cathy, I had no idea you have led such an astonishing life! And such tumultuous teenage years! I realise now that your time with us at Frank Johnson School in Std. 4 was a mere snapshot in your ever-changing life. I loved your book. You are able brilliantly to create the visual and emotional backdrop to each of the (many!) phases of your journey. It is a gift also to be able to put down in words your emotions and feelings, however raw and painful, as you pushed through what were undoubtedly extremely dark and trying periods of your life. This is very difficult to do and you are brave. I found myself welling up on more than one occasion at the hardships you had to suffer through. I am very impressed with what you have achieved, both in writing this book and in your life as a whole. I feel I have got to know the shy, blushing girl from Mr. R’s class so much better now! Well done all round! Okay, when’s the next one coming out?

Susan Marais:

I sat down to read your book this afternoon and just finished it.
Thanks for your vulnerability and openness. I cried and laughed as I read your book. We have so much in common. Some of it feels as if it could be my story.
Your book encouraged me to again seek God for those raw wounds and gaping holes in my life that still need healing and understanding. But you encourage me to keep going.
You make me homesick in your descriptions of Africa and the beauty of the land.
Your writing style reads easy and I could not put your book down. I just had to finish it in one afternoon.
Thanks for your courage to share your story. Thanks for writing the book.

Margaret Denny:

I can hardly find words to tell you how much I have appreciated reading your book.
Your book has brought back so many memories of you, Shirley and Jamie, and your Mom and Dad, and also Rosa. Thank you for being so honest, so painfully honest. Above all, we join you in thanking our Heavenly Father for His healing and His plan for you, David and your family, for a future and a hope.
I am delighted at your writing skills, your creativity in words and poetry, musical skills. You have become a strong, beautiful woman, inside and out, and I know it is the grace of God which you have allowed to work in and through you. May God continue to use you, through this book and in your daily lives, for His glory.

Stephanie Swanson:

Having just read this book. I would like to say how honest, brave and enlightening it was. One I could not put down when I started reading it. Thank you Cathy for being willing to share your heart, your life and your incredible faith.

Martina King:

Hi Cathy, just wanted to share with you that I started reading your book on Wednesday night and I just couldn’t put it down!! I finished it Thursday morning. Don’t think I’ve ever read a book that quick. Your book is so inspirational, your highs and lows and everything you’ve written about. Your faith in God is what has gotten you thru all your battles good and bad. All we need is Christ in our lives and he will guide us thru our journey of life. No one is perfect but he is forgiving and allows us to fail and make mistakes. I thank you for writing this book, it is one of the best biographies I have ever read xx

Penny Rindel:

Cathy, your book is truly inspiring and I especially love the writings from your diary and beautiful poetry. What an amazing story of your life and how you saw God through every situation which gave you hope for the next one. Well written! 😀

Grace Henshaw:

Reading through Cathy’s book ‘The Rhode to Zimkesalia’, I found to be a very captivating read, it takes you through her journey of life, growing up in a country of war and then experiencing so much loss through death and change. There were so many emotions as you go further into the book that grab at your heart and took you on this journey with her. But what was remarkable was Cathy’s unwavering faith, hope and trust in God through all the struggles and through all the pain and grief and coming out the other side thriving in life. This book has certainly helped me personally with the struggles I am going through in my life. and I am sure it will help many more people who desire to thrive and not just get through life.