I am in a wheelchair living with a disability called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, which is a rare genetic disorder that results in body framing abnormalities and dwarfism. I have had it since birth. Over my lifetime, I have slowly lost my mobility. But God gave me a heart for children who are hurting. About five years ago, my four great nieces and nephews entered the foster care system as a result of parental substance abuse. I was not able to physically take care of the small ones but Riley, a nine-year-old, is one I could try to help. So he and I started our adoption journey… Read More
Children
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I never dreamed I’d go from delivering the U.S. mail to delivering boxes of miniature, wooden parables of Jesus to the doorstep of families at my church. I retired from the post office and began serving at my church. I work with children who learn about Jesus using a Montessori-style of learning. Everything is hands-on, and experiential. For example, through the use of a hand-painted, wooden Jesus figurine, a dozen sheep, and a green pasture with a fence, the Bible story of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is discovered by children through play manipulation of the materials. Many other parable… Read More
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God has blessed me with a burning desire to help people, especially the bruised and broken-hearted who feel unworthy and unlovable. Maybe it’s because I used to be standing in their shoes. Although I was saved when I was young and grew up in a Christian home, college happened. In an attempt to study longer hours and drop a few pounds, I tried meth. Over the course of eight years, I found myself not only addicted, but pregnant too. Desperate, I tried to contact an abortion clinic but got no answer so I went to a counseling center that turned… Read More
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A twin sister’s love is like no other. There may be no greater example than the bond between twins Sarah Sharp and Cathey Stoner. After all, how many ladies would offer to carry a baby for their sister who is unable to have more children due to a brutal battle with cancer and a hysterectomy? Sarah and her husband had a baby girl in 2018, but a few months later, she experienced something unusual: a prolonged period lasting over 30 days. Doctors were concerned and performed a D&C on Sarah, sending her tissue to be tested. The results showed she had choriocarcinoma,… Read More
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Morgan Cheek is a mother that has experienced the grief of losing her twin girls at ages 6 and 7 to a very rare neurological disease. The pain has been excruciating but through it all, she felt God’s amazing love and grace. Morgan and her husband, Hugh, found out she was pregnant with twins a little over a year into their marriage. Hugh had just started medical school so they were a little overwhelmed and wondered how they’d juggle his school with the demands of having two babies. So Hugh started memorizing Psalm 139 which underscores how God knows our future… Read More
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It hurts my heart to see needs unmet and people in pain. And I see a lot of hurting people. As the Executive Director of Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, I come in contact with so many people in our community that don’t know when their next meal is coming. Food insecurity is real. There are countless families that encounter this each day. To be able to fill such a vital need brings joy to my heart. I’ve also learned that many of these people often need a listening ear, an encouraging word and sometimes just a hug. Growing up… Read More