Testimonials

….. you have written a very compelling story.  It is one of the most difficult stories that I have read in a long time; made even more so knowing that it wasn’t fiction, and realizing what you have been through.  I cannot pretend to understand everything that you and your family went through, but you have shared a very heart wrenching experience.  It took a tremendous amount of courage to share your pain with us.  And share you did.  Through the first part of the manuscript, I could feel the pain, and anticipation pulsating from the pages.  I was unrelentingly gripped as I read.  But what inspired my admiration for you and your family was the ultimate message of joy and hope that you left me with at the end.  You have written a very powerful and important book…..  Tom

Thank you so much for your wonderful book.  I read it the moment it arrived.  What courage and strength your family has!  We never know how strong we are until we are faced with such tragedy.  If some one had told me I would have to deal with losing my baby, I never thought I would be able to keep going…….. your book opened my eyes to what my parents were feeling and I will be passing this book to my mother in hopes it touches her the way it moved me.  Sara

I just finished your book.  Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.  It is an awesome, awesome book.  You could teach the book of Job because of your situation you went thru.  Bonnie

. . .   thinking of your family and what you have gone through and the sharing of this to help others must have been quite an undertaking.  I am sure the Lord has led you and used you for the purpose of helping others as well as yourself.  Paul & Sharon

Sometimes we think we can’t go on.  We just can’t go another day, another hour.  It is just too painful.  But somehow, we don’t know how, but the morning comes, and we are still hanging on.  Still full of pain & heartache, but hanging on.  And you know why?  Because you aren’t alone.  He knows how much you can bear and when the burden becomes too much, He holds you and the burdens in his arms. . . . . Verna

I needed to read a story as yours.  I too lived with death and found that God and prayers were my answers to survival in the life I live today.  Losing someone you love brings the most of learning about what is meant from life.  After reading your book, I got the answer I was searching for many years. . . . Marion

. . . .  your spiritual journey is one that God is surely pleased with.  Even when you say you “lost faith”, I could feel, just from reading it that you did not lose your faith.  You were just very angry. . . . . you may have yelled out to God in anger, but you still believed deep inside that He was there.  You may have tried to shut Him out, but you opened the door once again, and let Him back in.  . . . . your story will surely touch many people, and will helps others find a way to heal.  You have obviously strengthened your relationship with God, and without having a true understanding of why things happened as they did, came to an acceptance.  That is remarkable, and I’m sure your family sees you as a pillar of faith and strength. . . .  Erin

I got your book today.  I started reading it.  It is very good!  It takes me back to when this happened (to you).  I am so sorry you all had to go through all that pain.  I pray with you that women will be blessed and able to let God bring the healing to their hearts.  May God bless you as you share and encourage women who have gone through this great loss. . . . . Lynn

Sherry, thank you for the card and note you sent when we lost our baby granddaughter last month.  God has been faithful to provide comfort through the kindness and caring of so many people.  . . . It seems it is something we don’t know about people as it is not mentioned in general conversations we have with people like “what do you do?”, “how many children do you have?”. etc.  Certainly this is not the way that I would have chosen to become a more compassionate person, but now, like you I can honestly tell someone that I understand their pain.  . . . . thanks for “listening” and for sharing your journey of heartache and faith in your book.  God does work blessings through circumstances we don’t choose. . . . Barb

I read your wonderful book and I truly enjoyed it.  It was very emotional to me, too, as when my son was born, there were complications and we almost lost him.  Those feelings all came back to me and made me realize what a gift that life is.  I’m glad I read it but I am especially glad that I know the author and her family.  It makes it more special and meaningful.  Have you considered writing more books as you write from the heart.  What an inspiration.  Linda

My daughter just finished reading my copy of your book and said it was so good!  She couldn’t believe how any one wouldn’t just go crazy and give up after having so many heartaches. . . . .  It takes much trust and strength. . . . you did a very good job in your speaking.  So many ladies, as they went through the lunch line, said how much they enjoyed your talk.  How your daughter could through so much pain of discouragement and still keep on top of it all is amazing.  . . . Also help from God most of all and then family support of which I am sure you were a main part of. . . . Velma

. . . . your book is phenomenal, inspiring, and incredible!!!  I know your labor of love will help any person who reads it.  I was deeply touched by your words and especially by your faith and hope. . . . Jill

I felt compelled to write to you.  I have just finished your book and wish to THANK YOU!!!  You see, I too share similar experience. . . . I now see how it affects others around me.  . . . . I am sure you and your family, like me and my husband, felt like you were the only ones going thru this kind of thing.  Your book really showed me a different perspective on the pain that we have suffered.  . . . . My mom will be able to relate the best to your pain. . . . Thank you for sharing this with us.  Shelley

Thank you so, so much for that wonderful book you wrote.  I’m almost finished and I must say that it’s a great book.  I want to also thank you for keeping me in your prayers (during the loss of our baby).  I’m taking it day by day and it does seem to be a getting a little easier every day.  Thank you so much once again.  Tori

. . . . I never have time to read a newspaper, let alone a book.  . . . . . when I started reading I was so drawn to continue reading.  The only thing that stopped me was the steady stream of tears rolling down my face.  I had to get some sleep but couldn’t put the book down.  I wanted to read on, but I couldn’t. . . . . Today I just finished reading your letter to Conner.  . . . Your story touched me.  I admire you.  It takes a lot of courage to open your heart and let people into your private life.  It takes so much more to reveal your faith so openly. . . . thank you for sharing your letter. . .  It has enabled me to search my heart.  I am reminded that the important things in life aren’t things, my family and friends and most importantly, my relationship with God.  Erin

. . . . I appreciated and enjoyed your message at church last Wednesday evening.  Such an inspiration.  I don’t whether it was noticeable to you, but a pin could have dropped and would have been heard (even though we have carpeted floors!).  God knew what he was doing when he showered you with all those tragedies because you are doing a great “mission work” now.  There’s always a “why did this happen to us” but God has his reasons and He works through mysterious ways.  I know I can speak for all the rest of the women that listened to you that night; it was real food for thought.  Keep it up, you’re doing a real good job.  Irene

I finished your book.  I don’t know the right word to describe it.  I cried at times.  It was so “moving”.   How do people survive without their faith?  Evelyn

It was a blessing to a number of the ladies that spoke to me about your speaking.  . . .  Your book in openness in speaking about grief healed some wounds at least a little.  We lost a son at the age of 13.  You never forget.  I had no idea how grief strickened his grandparents must have been until now. . . . I’m not sure I could cope if anything happened to our grandson.  Thank you again for your message.  Jean

You are a very wonderful person.  Your presentation was very thought-provoking.  Your daughter is so fortunate to have you for a mother.  Susie

Thank you so much for speaking to the Central Iowa Chapter of The Compassionate Friends.  It was a very moving story and you told it so well.  . . . I think your story is wonderful and full of hope for others who are grieving.  Barb

Thank you for sharing your faith and telling of your times trying to deal with loss. . .   we are sure you helped someone in the audience tonight in some special way.  Thank you. 

My grandbaby will have to be on oxygen for a while since she has chronic lung disease from having been on a ventilator for so long.  We can handle that, we just want her home.  Anyway, the valleys have been real hard on us all.  I can’t imagine the valleys you have gone through.  We don’t know the “why” this all happened, but our God is in control.  She is our first grandchild. . .  I just wanted to let you know your book was an inspiration to me.  Thank you for following God’s lead and writing the book for others to read.  May God bless your ministry.  I was amazed the past four months just how many babies end up in ICU.  There are many parents who need encouraging.  Patty

. . . your book is wonderful!!  I raced home to read it and didn’t put it down until I was finished.  Your family must be very strong, I’m not sure I would have survived everything you were faced with. . . . thank you again for writing such a wonderful book.  I’m just sorry that it had to come with such pain.  Tracy