title: Chosen for Charlie: When God Gifts You with a Special-Needs Child
author: Jen Forsthoff
description: "Chosen for Charlie celebrates the joy-filled destiny to be on mission for God as a parent. With Jen's thoughtful, provocative, and insightful reflections on the specific calling of the special needs of each child, you will be encouraged to find fresh hope in your personal journey." -Sue Detweiler, author, radio host, and pastor at Life Bridge Church "This is more than a wonderfully touching and profoundly inspiring memoir, though it is certainly that in spades. It is also theologically and spiritually challenging. This moving book is for all those on a 'special' journey. In fact, I highly recommend it to everyone willing to move to higher ground." -Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Global Servants and The National Institute of Christian Leadership "Jen Forsthoff has given us a most compelling, compassionate, and transparent insight into her incredible journey of faith, doubts, and questions about facing difficult and confusing assignments. This book is a God-given gift that speaks to the heart! I could not stop reading Chosen for Charlie, and neither will you!" -Kemp Holden, chairman, Worldwide Evangelism "In Chosen for Charlie, Jen beautifully unwraps the gift of what it means to be hand-selected by God to care for a special-needs child. While exposing the raw realities and tender truths of her own story, Jen's biblical and hope-filled teachings continually point back to the Lord as the source of strength for every parent's journey. Chosen for Charlie is a tremendous resource for every parent, grandparent, or anyone chosen to love and care for a special-needs child." -Becky Thompson, author of Hope Unfolding and Love Unending, creator of Scissortail SILK "There is no more powerful confidence builder in the world than to be 'chosen.' It sets you apart for something significant by someone that really matters. Jen has honestly shared her beautiful heart story so that you, too, may believe in the privilege you have as a 'chosen one.'" -Tammy Dunahoo, vice president of U.S. Operations and general supervisor, The Foursquare Church "I believe Chosen for Charlie will inspire and help you find healing and grace. Seeing the way Jen and her husband lead as parents with such grace and joy is a testimony of God's faithfulness. Get ready to be wrecked in a beautiful way to experience God's healing power through Jen's message." -Paul Daughtery, senior pastor, Victory Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma<br /><br />"<em>Chosen for Charlie</em> celebrates the joy-filled destiny to be on mission for God as a parent. With Jen's thoughtful, provocative, and insightful reflections on the specific calling of the special needs of each child, you will be encouraged to find fresh hope in your personal journey." -<strong>Sue Detweiler, author, radio host, and pastor at Life Bridge Church</strong>
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  # CHRISTOPHER MOORE
  
  
  # A DIRTY JOB
  
  
    
  
  
  ### Christopher Moore
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy. A little hapless, somewhat neurotic,
  sort of a hypochondriac. He's what's known as a Beta Male: the kind of fellow
  who makes his way through life by being careful and constant — you know, the
  one who's always there to pick up the pieces when the girl gets dumped by the
  bigger/taller/stronger Alpha Male.
  
  
  But Charlie's been lucky. He owns a building in the heart of San Francisco,
  and runs a secondhand store with the help of a couple of loyal, if marginally
  insane, employees. He's married to a bright and pretty woman who actually
  loves him for his normalcy. And she, Rachel, is about to have their first
  child.
  
  
  Yes, Charlie's doing okay for a Beta. That is, until the day his daughter,
  Sophie, is born. Just as Charlie — exhausted from the birth — turns to go
  home, he sees a strange man in mint-green golf wear at Rachel's