Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

What Once Was Lost

By: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Narrated by: Pilar Witherspoon
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The practice of ministering to the widows and orphans is reflected in this story of Christina Willems, a young woman from Kansas, in 1884, who is determined to reopen the poor farm she manages after a fire devastates the property. She finds opposition from many surprising corners but an unlikely ally in a lumber mill owner who wants nothing more than to hold himself aloof from the world and its troubles. Levi Jonnson agrees to take care of one of the poor farm residents, a young blind boy - and in doing so opens himself up to Christina's world in ways he wouldn't have imagined. Can he help her realize her calling once again - or will he succumb to the safety of a solitary life with no chance of further pain?

©2013 Kim Vogel Sawyer (P)2013 Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about What Once Was Lost

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    170
  • 4 Stars
    42
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    156
  • 4 Stars
    40
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    153
  • 4 Stars
    39
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Quite an Adventure!

This was my first book by this author. I WILL read another.
This story was full of beloved characters. Some are wonderful examples of Christians who walk in peace, joy and God's love. And many others are struggling with trust issues; each experiencing lessons about letting go of hurts, regrets, or bitterness, and learning to lean in to God and accept how much He values each and every person He has created and died for. All of these truths are so important in any person's life and are great take-aways for this reader, as well.
The story left me with good and positive thoughts and feelings.
The narrator, Pilar Witherspoon, did a very fine job! I enjoyed the different voices she gave the abundant variety of townspeople! I felt that she had a good handle on their personalities.
(Reviewed by David's wife.)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you enjoy story that tells more than JUST the story this book is for you. With hidden meaning behind the events, characters that struggle to fully trust God - to fully trust he has a plan and future to prosper those he calls according to his purpose - this book does not disappoint!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great message God's ministry not yours

This book had a great underlying message however, too many areas of misconstrued Notions Etc.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this story!

If you could sum up What Once Was Lost in three words, what would they be?

heart warming tears

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really liked Levi because of his personality, but also liked Tommy because I can relate to him being blind.

What does Pilar Witherspoon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think she did a great job with the different people in te book being so many of them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Should be a movie

I liked the overall plot of this book. It would be appropriate for readers (or listeners)of all ages. It is narrated very well and keeps you engaged throughout.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Listen!

Amazing Story and Characters! Kim Vogel Sawyer has hit a home run with this story. Continues to have her no nonsense but sweet voice, this has a solid believable story, and all the characters, even the minor ones, are well developed.

Christina Willems is left with a legacy of caring for others. But her shoulders cannot bear the weight all alone, despite her efforts to do so. The author beautifully shows how God has to be trusted to provide.

Levi Johnson has hidden off by himself for so long that his connections with others are almost nil. But when the mill owner is forced to take in a blind boy, he finds a part of himself that had gone missing.

Skillfully told tale. Highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Read!

This is my all time favorite author! She will entertain you, make you laugh and cry! Her ability to weave in biblical principles into her work is beautiful! I recommend highly!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

Loved this story! Suspense, secrets and God’s grace always there. Two people meant for each other find their way! Amazing as always with this author and Pilar is one of my favorite narrators!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good mystery

What did you like best about this story?

Christianity, how to become a Christian, God's work in your life, forgiveness, good ending to the mystery.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She is very "ben-stein-ish", said "fire, fire" instead of "FIRE!! FIRE!!", and this goes on throughout the entire reading.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, really liked the mystery.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What once was lost

narrator was excellent
Story heart warming
I loved this book and looking forward to more of this author

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!