God Knows My Size!: Silvia Tărniceriu

God Knows [Dumnezeu cunoaște] #1

by Harvey Yoder, Silvia Tărniceriu

Is there really a God? This is the question 13-year-old Silvia faced. Her teachers laughed at the mere idea of God. Yet her parents and pastor not only believed in God, but served Him devotedly. Which of them was right? So Silvia decided to find out for herself if God was real. She asked Him for three things - a pair of shoes, a sweater, and a coat. For a large, poor, Christian family in communist Romania, these things were almost impossible to buy. How could she expect a miracle? But it happened! God answered her prayer in a way far more beautiful than she expected! And the truth He showed her then sustained her years later as she faced persecution and even prison for Christ's sake. Read Silvia's story, and you will find yourself challenged by the faith and dedication of Christians behind the Iron Curtain. You will share in the sorrows and triumphs Silvia faced as she served her beloved Lord with all her heart. And through it all, you'll discover the loving, personal care God shows to all of His children. Read this book and find your faith in God strengthened.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity, Biography, Christian, Christian Non Fiction

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

My childhood and teen years were in Oakland, MD among the Amish there. When I was 20, I left the Amish and joined the Mennonites, where I met my wife Karen Anderson from CA. I was a teacher in Christian schools for Mennonites for 23 years. We have 5 children, all married now and currently have 8 grandchildren. I have been writing books for 11 years and I travel all over the world to get information for my books. Although I enjoy traveling, vacation for me is to be at home in our little town of Spruce Pine, a friendly community in the mountains of NC, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Reviews

[Susy C. *MotherLambReads* · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I would say add this to your list of biographies you must read. Lesser known Christian servants who were persecuted and tortured for their faith. A friend pushed this book into my hands.

I had never heard of this lady. Born and raised in Romania. She was able to flee her country while Communism was in reign. Later she was able to go back and forth and help the cause of Christ. Did a little bit more research and she passed away in 2013. Her faith was real but not without suffering and trials.

This was her prayer after finally being able to flee Romani after her imprisonment and come to America,

"Lord, You see this scared daughyer of Yours. You know how much I need You. You have kindly helped me see my own helplessness. You have proved to me that You know everything. So I will put my life once more into Your hands. I will give everything, including my past, my present, and my future, to You. Do with me what You want. I love You, my Savior, my Helper, and my Friend. You know everythin. You know my size!"

[Jennifer Thompson-Thalasinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! It’s about Silvia, a girl growing up in Communist Romania, who is a Christian along with her family. Silvia and her family live in poverty, but remain faithful. As Silvia grows older she helps smuggle Bibles, which leads her to her greatest struggle. Everyone who’s a believer needs to read this!

[Hadassah Buie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was moved and encouraged by Silvia's story. She went through so many things and was still able to put all of her trust in God. Not only were we able to see how God worked in her life, but we also got a glimpse into how God worked in the lives of those around her.

[Medea Mogos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cu siguranță una din cărțile mele preferate. Am citind trăind împreună cu doamna Silvia fiecare experiență, fie ea bucuroasă sau sfâşietoare. Îmi doresc din inimă să mă întâlesc cu ea în cer!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here in America, we often miss out on so much, with our overabundance of food, material goods, and ease of living. It's so easy to be a Christian that I'm not sure if we can fully appreciate the value of faith in Jesus.

Silvia Tarniceriu valued her faith, despite severe challenges throughout her life growing up in communist Romania. She found that God personally knew her; He even knew her exact size! He continued to show time and again that He cared for her and helped her to grow and mature in her Christian faith.

Although co-written with Harvey Yoder, this book appears to be written in Silvia's own simple and honest words...which are a very powerful testimony to the love and power of God. Highly recommended!

[Shari]

I listened to her tell her story and she is an awesome lady. I highly recommend this book. She went through so much and still wears a smile.

[Sue Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating book of courage and faith!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right up my alley -- a woman's story of her daily life and God's faithfulness in communist Eastern Europe.

[Rachel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoder tells the true story of Silvia, who grows up in a poor, Christian family in communist Romania. She participates in Bible smuggling, leads a children's choir in her church, and even spends time in prison because of her faith.

I really enjoyed this book - Silvia's attitude was generally very upbeat, although she does share honestly when she was discouraged and angry with God, which makes her relatable. She records so many answered prayers, and her faith in Christ is so encouraging.

Huge plus: This book provides a pronunciation guide for each chapter, not just sharing the sounds of certain letters, but the pronunciation for each Romanian word used in the book. This was incredibly helpful, and made me feel so much more confident in my reading!

"So what if we did not have enough shoes so that we all could go to church at once? Or, for that matter, if we were not able to afford the tram tickets so the whole family could attend church services on the other side of the city? We were used to taking turns to go to church and if we couldn't go every time, it made it all the more special when we could go." p 9

[Fourkid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent and moving book. Growing up Christian in communist Romania was very challenging. The book is well written and riveting. There are excellent descriptions of daily life as a poor family, and how one girl in that family finds and serves God. Also excellent, though carefully written, descriptions of the persecution of Christians are predominate in the story. As amazing as the journey of Silvia is, one does not sense it is so much about her as it is about the God she serves. I am going to use this book as part of a study of world history in our homeschool.

[Dorothy Vandezande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful testimony of God's work and faithfulness. I heard Silvia speak when I was child/young teenager, and her story is so powerful and made a huge impact on my life early on.
The story is excellent for a read aloud but the descriptions of life in a communist country are real and straightforward and need to be toned down for young or sensitive children.

[Terry Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing book on the faith of a faithful servant of God. Sylvia learns young how God provides so faithfully and how He will sustain us even when we don't expect Him to. Fabulous book!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible!

[AlixJamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book would be boring, but it wasn't. It was tremendously convicting, well-written and encouraging. A lot like Corrie Ten Boom's "The Hiding Place".

[Karen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an audio version of this book on the BBN network. Both story and narration were terrific.

[Linda Cleavland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very poignant moments in this true story of persecution for this faithful Christian woman in Romania under communist rule.

[Kathryn Judson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the title and cover and first pages, you might think this is going to be a happy children's book. But it's more than that. It recounts living as a Christian in communist Romania, and at times this means harassment, torture, or imprisonment. Therefore, I'd suggest parental discretion before handing it to a child. However, let's be clear about parental discretion and discernment. It doesn't mean just not letting your child learn about bad things (although some parents act like that's what it means). No. Please. This could be an excellent book for older children and teens who are ready for it.

[Erin Seeders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story that only the Lord could do in and through the life of a girl who grew into a woman who suffered dearly on behalf of His Name. I read stories about believers in communist countries, and I so admire their resolve and obedience to the Lord in the face of much suffering. It scares me to think what my own response would be in such circumstances- how does anyone prepare for that kind of suffering? But the Lord was and is faithful to provide His sufficient grace in our weakness, and it results in His glory and our good.

[Gayle V Ohanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing woman, amazing book!

A heart wrenching story of a girl with a wonderful, unflinching trust and faith in God through horrific times in communist Romania. She is a great example of how we should live our lives for Jesus.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book as the war in Ukraine was becoming a real event. Reading her description of life and relating the timeline to my own life was eye opening. Her faith and her living it at great cost is inspiring to me today.

[Tuff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informative but writing style was lacking.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silvia spoke at the Baptist church I attended about 10 years ago. Her story inspired me.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful auto biography of a young girl growing up in Romania, in a time of Communist take over. She was from a large Christian family. One of my treasured stories now.

[Darcy Schock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible testimony of how real God is, how much he loves us personally and how he is working out all the details of our life for our good and his glory.

[Elizabeth "Betsy" Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I think the translation might be lacking, the story is a wonderful one. How I would have loved to meet Silvia, but I hear she has passed.

[Michelle Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read of a Christian who suffered persecution in 1970-1980's. Very interesting read.

[Katriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is compelling; however, the writing lacks a degree of professionalism.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in communist Romania, Silvia, whose family is strongly Christian, has many obstacles ahead of her. Her family is extremely poor, so they send her to live with her aunt and uncle. Silvia is taunted in school for being one of the "repentant," but she herself is not sure there is a God. Wanting to know for sure, Silvia asks for a miracle. She asks for a pair of shoes, a sweater, and a jacket--things which were nearly impossible for poor families to buy new. Will her prayer be heard? It is heard, and within a week or two, a box arrives with exactly the items she prayed for--and in her exact size. As she grows older, Silvia earns a high school education and gets a good job in a factory. But then, as she helps smuggle Bibles and her Christian activities continue, the police start to follow her. Having Bibles was against the law of the land. Can Silvia escape the communist nation and the fear of being constantly shadowed? Written in an intimate first-person view, Silvia's amazing story will encourage you and make you thankful for each day.

[Carolyn Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started this book, I could not put it down. It is a first person account of growing up a Christian in Communist Romania in the fifties and sixties. Silvia Tarniceriu met Jesus when she was a little girl, thanks to having Godly parents. She was never afraid to say she was a Christian even though this brought ridicule from teachers and other children.

Around age thirty, she decided to leave Romania and she tells the harrowing story of attesmpting that and ending up in a horrible prison for six months. Her faith did not waver during that time. Eventually, she was able to come to the USA and when there was a regime shift in Romania, she moved back to the country she loved.

I strongly recommend this book..........the story of how she found out that God knew her exact size is amazing !!!

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story, but I thought it lacked much when it came to writing style. I found the constant use of exclamation points in the narrative distracting, the constant jumps in time confusing, and the pacing dull at times and overly rigorous at others. I also had a very difficult time 'losing' myself in the story; for the most part, I was painfully aware that I was reading, not living out the story myself.
Still, the story line itself was good, and since I already own the book, I may decide it's worth another read at some point.