Wishing Pearl Read online

  Olivia took a deep breath and touched the center pearl one more time before turning away. “How did I ever get so lucky?”

  “It’s not luck, Liv. None of it.”

  “No. I don’t suppose it is. Blessed. We’re blessed.” Olivia took her place in the symphony orchestra and raised her oboe to give the tuning note.

  After the notes faded into silence, Mr. Gables stepped up to his music stand and waited. He lifted his arms to begin The Phantom of the Opera. Just beyond his right shoulder, in the audience, Olivia saw Justin in the front row holding a bouquet of roses so large it almost blocked his view.

  He raised his hand and made the universal sign for I love you.

  Discussion Questions

  What kept Olivia from seeking God?

  What keeps you from fully realizing God’s will in your life?

  How did Olivia’s relationship with her daddy mirror her relationship with God?

  Who or what has helped you understand God’s love for you?

  How were the words Olivia’s dad prayed just before he died a reflection of Christ’s love for you?

  What was the defining moment for Olivia?

  Was that change easy for her?

  What has been a defining moment in your walk with Christ?

  Do change and growth come easy for you?

  Did Olivia learn more about God from the good things or the bad things?

  How are you like Olivia? How are you different?

  What have you learned about your own choices from reading about Olivia’s life?

  Chapter-by-Chapter Discussion Guide

  Chapter 1

  What are some words you might use to describe how Olivia feels about her life?

  What do you think she’s afraid of?

  Chapter 2

  Why do you think Olivia’s mom won’t hear her out about Charles?

  What makes Olivia begin to think it’s okay to do things she’d once thought were wrong?

  Can you understand her choices?

  Chapter 3

  “If it feels good, do it.”

  What does that statement mean to you in light of this chapter?

  What does it mean to you when you consider God’s Word?

  So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:7–10 MSG)

  Chapter 4

  Describe Olivia’s downward progression and how sin has become easier for her.

  In what ways have you already seen God at work in her life up to this point?

  What are her thoughts about God?

  Chapter 5

  Olivia admitted to herself that the miracle of the music, especially the solo, was that she felt heard. Why do you think being heard is so important to her?

  She mentioned that she’s smart enough to know when to stop doing certain things. Is that how it usually works?

  Do you think she regrets her actions? Or is she just mad that she got caught? Why?

  Chapter 6

  This chapter leaves Olivia with some real tension. Should she be in trouble?

  What would be a logical way for a parent to respond?

  What is Olivia afraid of?

  How does God respond to sin?

  Don’t let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don’t obey its desires or let any part of it become a slave of evil. Give yourselves to God, as people who have been raised from death to life. Make every part of your body a slave that pleases God. Don’t let sin keep ruling your lives. (Romans 6:12–14 CEV)

  Chapter 7

  Describe Olivia’s hopelessness at this point in her story.

  She believes that God is out to get her. What makes her think that?

  What does God say about that?

  No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 MSG)

  Chapter 8

  How do you feel about Olivia’s mom at this point in the book?

  Do you think Olivia is completely right about her mom?

  What could Olivia be doing differently to improve the communication between herself and her mother?

  How is your communication at home?

  Chapter 9

  How do you feel about Justin’s thoughts on dating?

  In high school, is a dating relationship a temporary thing?

  Why do you think teens place so much importance on having a dating relationship?

  Chapter 10

  Do you think it was fair for Ben to say he would have sent Olivia home if she had planned to stay? Why?

  Do you want someone to be your friend because she’s forced or because she wants to?

  Do you think Jesus feels like that, too?

  Chapter 11

  What could Olivia have done differently when Jordyn said she was okay to drive?

  How would you have handled the exact same situation?

  What can Olivia do about it now?

  Olivia thinks God hates her. What do you think?

  In Psalm 10:1 (NIV), David felt a lot like Olivia does; he asked, “Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” But David pressed on, and he learned the truth about God:

  I love you, LORD, my strength.

  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

  my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

  my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

  I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

  and I have been saved from my enemies.

  (Psalm 18:1–3 NIV)

  Chapter 12

  Olivia has to face the funeral of her best friend while carrying the guilt of her own involvement in the accident. Does she share in the responsibility for Jordyn’s death?

  She has fears about not making it to heaven. Are those fears justified?

  The truth about heaven:

  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11–12 NIV)

  Chapter 13

  Do you think it was difficult or easy for Olivia to finally decide to go to Diamond Estates? Why?

  Olivia talks about luck quite a bit. She blames God for the bad things and then praises luck for the good things. What do you think about that?

  Chapter 14

  What do you think about the rules at Diamond Estates?

  Is it unfair that the girls have to get up at such an early hour, have meals at the same time, keep their rooms clean, and so on?

  Do you think Olivia can handle that lifestyle after what she’s used to?

  Chapter 15

  What does Tricia mean when she says it’s better not to be beautiful at all than to be gorgeous and have to try to stay that way?

  How do you think she’s feeling about herself?

  Do you think she has a good grip on how God sees her? Why or why not?

  Chapter 16

  Where do you feel God’s presence most? Or do you struggle with that like Olivia?

  How does God make it easy to find Him?

  If I climb to the sky, you’re there!

  If I go underground, you’re there!

  If I flew on morning’s wings

  to the far western horizon,

  You’d find me in a minute—

  you’re already there waiting!

  Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!

  At night I’m immersed in the light!”

  (Psalm 139:8–11 MSG)

&nb
sp; Chapter 17

  What might be standing in the way of Olivia’s knowing Jesus like she did as a child?

  What hinders you from approaching God?

  Chapter 18

  What about prayer time? Do you have your own daily quiet time with God?

  Olivia struggles with feeling judged by the people at church. Do you ever feel that way?

  What does God say about forgiveness and the sins of the past?

  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12 NLT)

  Chapter 19

  Can you understand why Olivia doubts God’s existence?

  Why do you think God lets bad things happen to people, especially kids?

  Olivia has trouble thinking of things to be thankful for. What are you most thankful for in your life?

  When Olivia finds the cigarettes in her bag, what should she do?

  Chapter 20

  How do you think Officer Stapleton could suffer such loss and still have joy and peace, when someone like Olivia blames God for her pain? What’s the difference between the two?

  Is there any grief or pain in your life that keeps you from drawing close to God?

  Chapter 21

  How would you handle the situation with Kira?

  What do you think is really going on there?

  In real life, we don’t have the benefit of seeing into people’s motives like we do in fiction. How can you apply that fact to future conflicts that come up?

  Chapter 22

  Was it luck that got Olivia the audition for the orchestra?

  Why can’t she see God’s blessings?

  Chapter 23

  Compare how Ju-Ju, Skye, Olivia, and Tricia feel about gossip.

  Mean-spirited slander is heartless;

  quiet discretion accompanies good sense.

  A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret,

  but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence.

  (Proverbs 11:12–13 MSG)

  How do you feel about Kira now that you know more of her story?

  What should the girls do about Kira?

  Chapter 24

  Olivia is starting to admit to herself that she has feelings for Justin. What do you think about that?

  How might her feelings for Justin affect her focus at Diamond Estates?

  Olivia’s mom never says, “I love you,” to her daughter. How do you think that makes Olivia feel?

  Why do you think her mom is like that?

  Chapter 25

  The staff goes all out for Christmas. Why do you think they put so much work into it?

  Where is Olivia now in her quest for Christ?

  What does Olivia have in common with Cinnamon the horse?

  Chapter 26

  Do you think Olivia got a different picture of what worship is from her onstage view?

  What should she do about Kira and the picture?

  Ju-Ju admits to having had two abortions. Does she regret them?

  Describe how she feels about her choice.

  Chapter 27

  What needs to happen in Olivia before she can accept the love of God?

  What needs to happen in you?

  Do you need to forgive yourself or forgive others?

  What signs of trouble are popping up in Tricia’s life?

  What signs should you be on the lookout for with your friends?

  Chapter 28

  Why did Ben think Satan was at work against Olivia?

  Can you think of a time when Satan worked in your life to try to keep you from seeking God or to make you blame Him?

  Why did Kira get in more trouble than Olivia? Do you think that was fair?

  Chapter 29

  Olivia tells Tammy everything. How difficult do you think that was for her?

  Do you think it was freeing to get it out, or do you think she wished she’d kept it to herself?

  Is there anything in your life that you need to share with a parent or trusted adult? Just think about it and be open to it.

  If Olivia was mistreated, why does she have things to confess? Read Romans 3:23.

  Chapter 30

  What motivated Tricia to do such dangerous things to be skinny?

  What does God think of Tricia?

  Why do you think she couldn’t see just how skinny she’d become?

  Do you think it’s fair that Tricia will have to stay at Diamond Estates longer? Is it a punishment?

  Chapter 31

  It must have been very difficult for Olivia to confront her mom like that. What might you have said or done differently?

  Holding people accountable is part of God’s calling for Christians.

  “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

  (Matthew 18:15–16 ESV)

  How has Olivia followed that biblical guideline without even really knowing it?

  Chapter 32

  What if Olivia’s mom had died in the standoff? Would that have meant that Olivia was right about God?

  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

  How do you think Romans 8:28 applies to God’s intervention with Olivia’s mom?

  Chapter 33

  So everything gets better. Olivia’s mom is safe. Her evil stepfather is dead. She finds Jesus. Then she gets an oboe and a scholarship. It’s all too good to be true, isn’t it? What’s the one thing that still bothers her?

  What do you feel insecure about?

  Do you think it makes sense for Olivia to offer her mom forgiveness? What did she need to be forgiven for?

  Chapter 34

  There are things Olivia has to resolve to do on her own, like being committed to her personal prayer times, even if her friends don’t want to.

  What things in your life remind you of that?

  What do you do about it?

  Olivia is a little worried about being on her own away from Diamond Estates. Do you think those concerns are reasonable and helpful? Why or why not?

  Chapter 35

  Think of Ju-Ju, Skye, Tricia, and Olivia.

  What types of backgrounds do they come from?

  Where is each of them in their walk with God?

  What kinds of different roads did they take to get there?

  Is it okay to travel different paths to arrive at the same goal: Jesus?

  Chapter 36

  What is the significance of the pearl necklace?

  What do you think happens next in Olivia’s life?

  How have you been challenged through this book?

  Here’s a sneak peak at book 2 in the Diamond Estates series:

  THE EMBITTERED RUBY

  Chapter 1

  If only heaven and hell shared the same zip code,” Carmen Castillo sputtered into her cell phone as she huddled on the rusty fire escape. Anything for privacy. Even if it did put her at risk of a drive-by.

  “You having a tough day, babe?”

  “To say the least. I mean, I’m stuck here in Hackensack, New Jersey—some weird version of Hades on Earth. You’re still in Briarcliff Manor, New York, otherwise known as Heaven.”

  “Let’s pretend. Close those gorgeous brown eyes and lay that pretty face on my chest. Now I’m squeezing. Do you feel it?”

  Ah. Nate McConnell’s deep, velvety voice massaged the tension from her body. Her fingers tingled as she imagined stroking the prickly stubble on his face and then running them through his blond buzz cut. Next she tried to envision her dark waves lying across his thick biceps. That didn’t quite work. “It’s surreal. It’s like I’m watching someone else’s life fall apart on a TV special. Except it’s mine. All mine.”