Square Pegs: A Devo for Irregular Women

By Irene Irong

Square Pegs is a collection of succinct, personal inspiring stories of women deemed “irregular” or imperfect by societal norms. Designed as a reading and writing journal, the reader is given the opportunity to reflect and write their personal stories in their own words as well.
Check out the supplementary materials like devotional bible passages, book club/ bible study discussion questions, inspiring prayers, and coloring pages! A handy companion to bring along your life journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wingspread Publishing
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9786219577632

Book preview

SQUARE PEGS: A Devo for Irregular Women

Every woman has a story.  But not all narratives fit the predictable mold.  Some are meant to be whispered or muted.  Some are intended to be divulged or stated.  Some had been forgotten and now revealed.  Some had been carved deep and now scarred.  Some are amusing, wretched, proud, even disconcerting.  And now the time has come for them to be told and be heard.

Square Pegs is a collection of succinct, personal inspiring stories of women deemed irregular or imperfect by societal norms.  Designed as a reading and writing journal, the reader is given the opportunity to reflect and write their personal stories in their own words as well. 

Check out the supplementary materials like devotional bible passages, book club/ bible study discussion questions, inspiring prayers, and coloring pages! A handy companion to bring along your life journey.

Joi Irong is a teacher and trainer by profession, with 30 years of experience in Asia, the Middle East and North America.  She has written resource books for teachers like Look Mom! No Textbooks and Multilevel Madness published in Canada.  She is also the editor of Kubo Magazine in Toronto, Canada and Wingspread Publishing, Philippines.  Joi loves crossword puzzles, art museums, and poetry.  She has two wonderful, brilliant adult children, Noreen and Nathan.

Square Pegs: A Devo for Irregular Women

Copyright © 2018 by Irene Irong

Published by Wingspread Publishing

119 North Domingo Avenue, Kaunlaran, Quezon City

All rights reserved, including right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Any unauthorized use of this copyrighted material or use of these terms in relation to goods and services (including seminars, workshops, training programs, classes, etc.) is prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.

Scriptures quoted are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) © 2007, 2011, 2016 by Good News Publishers.

Inspirational quotes:  www.goodreads.com

Coloring pages: www.vecteezy.com.

Cover design: Wingspread /Jonathan de Vera

Layout:  Rey G. Halili & Irene Irong

Editor: Irene Irong

ISBN 978-621-95776-3-2

Printed in the Philippines

Book Reviews:

Square Pegs is about real women with real issues…heart issues we can all relate to on various levels: illness, loneliness, grief, among others. Their touching stories reveal the oft-arduous journey they are taking from hurt to healing, grief to gladness, brokenness to wholeness. 

Professor Anne De Jesus-Ardina, Director for Youth Studies

and Christian Education, Alliance Graduate School.

Author: Experiencing God-Asian Youth Edition

A good read as we draw strength and courage from other people’s stories and personal experiences. Added to that is a chance for a reality check as you’re made to ponder about your own life.

Maila Gumila, Actor/Director

Square Pegs is beautiful book of true-to-life experiences which touched the depths of my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I do believe all these happen in real life. I have friends and families that went through similar experiences. I will definitely share this book with my community. A wonderful gift for any woman, from any culture or generation.

Agatha Ianthe Luna, Producer/Host.

Buhay at Pag-Ibig (Life and Love) Canada

Tapping on the power of storytelling to share to all the women out there about God's faithfulness and everlasting love. These are TRUE stories and REAL challenges. Indeed, a book for keeps!

– Claire dela Gana, Managing Editor, Kubo Magazine Canada.

Dedication

To my firstborn and first joy, Noreen Joyce

And

to my favorite son, Nathan James

Whenever you feel insignificant

or vulnerable, ambivalent

lacking, isolated,

frustrated

God

protects

loves, never neglects

rescues, always believes

wherever, whenever -- He gives.

I love you forever.

Your very imperfect Mom

Foreword

I am pleased and privileged to write this foreword for a friend and schoolmate from youth with whom I share a deep ardor with for the art and craft of writing.

Through the aid of widespread connectivity in this century, we were thankfully reconnected, and I learned that Joi Irong was the editor of a respected magazine based in Canada.  Happily obliging to an article for her work, needless to say, I further realized her stellar capability in the use of the pen.

More importantly, what re-sealed this friendship is faith in God. 

Many friendships are forged through faith and last longer and deeper as the true source of infinite connection is God Himself.  This current work of Joi is a testament of how our Creator moves in boundless and mysterious ways through the various stories of women who have transparently imparted heart-wrenching experiences that tested their faith in God.  Readers will not only find lessons through these stories but will appreciate how the very challenges in the lives of these women were actually pathways to a bigger picture — finding Him.  For my part, I felt a sense of sisterhood with most of the women who shared these personal accounts which seemed more like turning points, as their obstacles or the emotions evoked through them spoke to me deeply.

What makes for a better read is an interactive read.  This book encourages one to foray into a contemplative moment at the end of each chapter.  One that can bring about a greater understanding for the trials of others or a rise in compassion for the pain of each individual’s journey which ultimately led back to their core of faith.

May this book reach as many hearts as it can and cause a necessary retrospect that may strengthen faith.

JoAnne Lorenzana-Blower

Musical Artist and Communications Consultant

NeoMONDE Productions, Berkeley, California. USA

Acknowledgement

To all who dared to tell me their personal stories, thank you for giving me the honor to have a peek of your life journey.

To Wingspread Publishing, thank you for your incredible trust.

To friends who could not comprehend my failures, thank you anyway.

And to those who stuck around despite my irregular self, thank you for your unconditional love.

To my siblings, Mhai and Ian, you don’t have a choice. You’re stuck with me.

To my late father, Eli, thank you for your spiritual legacy. Plus handing me down diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension.

To my mother, Lolita, thank you