In a world full of division, Armour's work offers a path back to inner harmony, away from the storm of myriad temptations, and back toward the shore of God's infinite love. Through a juxtaposition of her own experiences interwoven with her encounters with God, she effectively demonstrates how one can find ultimate fulfillment. For Armour, her introspective inquiries began while at the pinnacle of her life, having experienced the profound bliss of motherhood and family, while achieving accolades as a research chemist.

In her attempts to explore the "who am I" and "is this all" questions, the author embraces prayer as a means to converse with God. What ensues one night is nothing short of divine as Armour experiences a physical jolt and bright light, followed by a voice stating, "You have been baptized in the Holy Spirit." A return to one's whole self, untarnished and unblemished by society's vices, is at the core of this healing-based work. As the healing became more pronounced, feelings of inadequacy and fears were stripped away, giving way to a vision of one's true self and gifts that can only be fully tapped into upon unconditional surrender to God's love and mercy.

As Armour continues to narrate her story, she acknowledges that religion and faith would likely interpret her "spiritual visits" as more of a sign of a psychotic episode rather than a divine calling from God. This, in fact, is the root of the problem: where religion and the church are tasked with instilling unconditional faith and depicting the immense nature of the Lord, society is relentless in sowing the seeds of doubt. The outcome is what appears to the author in a dream in which God laments "the barrenness of this world," and a plan to lead his people into a covenant of the ark, akin to Noah's Ark, where the waters of baptism will heal, cleanse, and shelter mankind from the darkness.

The author's work stands out in comparison to other faith-based books due to her ability to reference biblical scriptures while integrating them with relatable experiences that can easily resonate with all audiences. As this faith-based memoir unfolds, Armour details her spiritual journey in comprehensive detail, from her seeking out the local pastor to personal prophecies and the ministry of God. However, today's humanity is saddled with stimuli everywhere they go, from morning to night; it's a 24/7 cycle of interruption and disruption where God is, more or less, removed from the map of life. To this end, Armour's end-of-chapter sections prompt deep reflection with thought-provoking questions, such as, "How was I formed in faith?" and "Do you own your faith?" More importantly, regardless of one's place in their faith journey, this work instills hope for reaching the celestial finish line through actionable guidance.

On a deeper level, though, Armour emphasizes that the quest for heaven is in the here and now; it is imperative for individuals to start acting in the likeness of God, whether that is something as simple as praying with an individual at a soup kitchen or going international and traveling to parish after parish to perform baptisms. Above all else, Armour's knack for practical life advice fused with spiritual purpose and personal experience delivers an incredibly meaningful read.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

A 2026 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist

Return to USR Home