I remember Niki well! I always find it strange how people view themselves, compared to how other view them. when I read this, I think to myself “I never would have really guessed.” Anyway, its good to see you blogging and writing again!!!
I fear being lonely. This doesn’t happen all of the time, but often enough to impact my self-esteem. I find myself able to talk with others, but I am often unsure immediately of what I have said and how it will be perceived. Though I can work, travel, and go places well enough on my own, when others are searched out by friends to do things and i am not one of them, I start wondering what is wrong with me that they wouldn’t invite me or come to check to see how i am doing as well. This even happens in my family. If you aren’t outgoing and talking with everyone, you are left behind. I don’t think people even realize this about me…and until I read this blog, I hadn’t really thought of it myself. Thanks for opening my eyes.
I totally agree she’s an overcomer. She is brave and smart and has taken steps to face her fear. To really understand herself and what makes her tick. It requires self-evaluation and work that is often uncomfortable but she took action. Way to go Niki. And thanks Mel for connecting all of us to each other. Your blogs help spread understanding and encouragement.
My best friend is amazing and in all the years I’ve known Nik I’ve never been more proud. She inspires me.
Glad she has found comfort in the scriptures!!
Many struggle with anxiety. Luckily there is hope in being better.
Thanks for sharing your on-going story, Melony. Thanks for using your passion for writing to enlighten us on your pathway with TIA.
Blessings,
alan
Melony,
I had no idea that you had to go through this again! I praise our God that you were able to overcome once more and remain with us here to inspire us with your writings! You are a blessing to all us overcomers! BTW…I love your tattoo! I pray you never have to add another flower! Love you!
Hey sweet lady — one of the most beautiful feelings in the world is to feel loved (key word FEEL). So I hope you feel all the love pouring out to you to support you, to believe in you, to pull for you and to abundantly pray for you. You are always so busy writing about others and, regardless of your plight, it is good to hear the honesty and details of your story. Two of my favorite sayings are “The power of one” and “It takes a village”. Sounds like you are doing the “one” part — eating right, exercising, drinking ugly colored health drinks. Through your sharing, the “village” can now go to work. Let us support you, be there for you, pray for you & love you so much that you really feel it. Hang in there, stay strong, depend on God and know that you are loved.
My love & blessings to you —- Linda
Baby! Thank you for sharing your story in a transparent, authentic way . I love you!
Thank you for sharing your latest opportunity for overcoming, Melony. You are truly an inspiration to all who know and love you. Stay strong!
Love you,
Kay McDaniel
Oh friend, thanks for sharing your journey so openly and honestly. Andy Stanley’s recent message included the challenge: “See adversity as a gift with a purpose and a promise – the purpose may yet be determined, but the promise is, “My grace is sufficient for you…”2 Cor. 12:9. You are a beautiful example of living that promise out everyday. Love ya lots : )
You are an amazing woman to have gone through what you have and to have done it with a smile on your face . . . always. May God continue to shine down on you and bring you health and happiness.
One of the things that I love most about you-you get this weakness and uncooperative body thing. For us-its just living everyday and normal. Other people often don’t get it…and its hard to explain. I was beyond excited this weekend to find a pair of mismatched shoes on the clearance rack-mismatched to my feet. It won’t fix my lack of balance and stability on my right side….but it will help. Some anyway 🙂
This is why God brought us together–you take my left side and your right side and TOGETHER we could conquer this world!!!
Man I miss you…..
Melony – You are an overcomer! (love the tattoo:) Sorry you are having fatigue and health problems. You know what to do – Be good to yourself, receive from God and others who want to help. The Lord’s love for you is endless! Blessings, Maureen
You’re amazing Mel! Praying for you and hope the ink remains as is :-). Love you!
I am thanking God for our chance (not) meeting today neighbor and now friend, after all these years (14 here for me since 2003). Wow, I never would have guessed, I saw nothing of this today!!! Praises to God for His Jehovah Rapha healing hand on your body all these years!!! My prayer for you will be many more years of exercising your body and those glorious spiritual gifts God has given you, that you are using, not only for His Glory but, for the encouragement it brings to all us OVERCOMERS!!! I have not yet read all the stories but look forward to them!!! PS 46:10 is special to me and I can’t wait to share the Hebrew meaning of STILL with you, in case you don’t already know, remind me. Our Lord bless and keep you,
Maureen while in the gang
Studies are replete linking gang involvement with children from dysfunctional families. Gangs prey on individuals who lack self-esteem, strong father figures, and family closeness.
Looking back, Maureen* agrees she fit the profile to a
This is a testimony that would be beneficial to so many woman. Thank you for sharing.
Knowing several young girls who are in similar situations, this story gives me renewed hope for them! Thank you for sharing your life story!
Isn’t it amazing what we’ll do for acceptance. She’s an true miracle of God. Thanks Mel
What courage strength.. thanks for sharing this story..
So many people can benefit from this amazing story of overcoming
Beautiful testimony!??? The Love of our Lord Jesus is truly “Amazing Grace”
I’m glad that Maureen realized that her life was not going in the right direction. I’m also glad she found a Godly man to help her through life.
As an educator, I see parents with children like this who simply place blame or avoid the problem not wanting a diagnosis. I applaud these parents for being vigilant and putting their child’s needs above their own fears of the dreaded diagnosis. They need to beat themselves up with a feather, not the hammer of bad parent guilt. They are far from bad parents!
Such a wonderful story. As an educator for over twenty years I have been able to witness first hand the “signs” of ADD/ADHD in children. It is very hard for some parents to acknowledge there may be a problem with their child. I like to ask these parents if they thought their child was a diabetic would they seek medical advice? A child having a learning problem or behavior problem is no one’s fault. Seeking medical advice is the first step to helping all involved.
Nothing frustrates me more than when people negate ADD/HD as a ‘parenting problem’. I have three kids and my oldest is textbook ADHD. School was fun for him-as he is a smart, funny kid that other kids like. He struggled however with following through on assignments, standing in line, controlling impulsivity-from getting up in the middle of class and wandering around the classroom to hugging his friends when he was happy and excited. Some of his friends at younger ages did not know how to handle that demonstrative affection. We had one counselor tell us to take him to the local police station and file an ‘unruly child’ report. He explained that the police would then take him into custody and hold him in a cell for four hours. HE WAS FIVE. Who would do that to a five year old?? He told his dad one day leaving kindergarten that he TRIED to listen to what his teacher was saying but that it was hard to look at her because “she vibrates.” We sought different professional opinions and finally found a wonderful therapist and psychiatrist and when he was six we started medication. School was still a struggle from year to year and very much teacher dependent. I had to be noisy sometimes and be his advocate when he could not. He had a teacher that would punish him by taking recess away. Hello?? The “H” stands for hyperACTIVE-he needed that activity. We came up with an alternative for when he acted out that was not punitive, did not draw attention to him that other kids noticed and worked much better. I did have to have the principal get involved in that fight that year. And I would do it again. School was not fun for him but he did it. Puberty changes made for some hurdles too. He had frequent ‘temper tantrums’ if you will will until the age of 12. Frustration manifesting itself. Teen years and the impulsive behaviors were not something I want to do over for sure…but by God’s grace we all made it.
He is now 19, a high school graduate and working full time as a certified welder. He loves being outside and working with his hands. As most ADHD kids, his ability to hyper-focus is amazing and serves him well. We have talked through the years and I have gained great insight the older he has become and the more able he has become to put his feelings into words. He is off his medication. He is considering college but not a big fan of organized education right now. He says he needs a “break from school and filling in circles on tests.” I can respect that. HE is a fun, loving kid, always has a smile on his face, game for just about anything, he loves loud and proud! I always know where he is when he is around and he always makes me smile. I would not change ONE THING about him. I adore him. And I respect him too. He is making his way in this world HIS way.
I would tell Ava and Matthew to just tie a knot in the rope and hang on. Its not an easy ride with an ADD kid but its not boring for sure!!! It hurts to see your kid struggle and we used those moments to teach Adam empathy and compassion. Teachable moments will abound!!!
Such brave parents! I know their story will help many!
It takes very dedicated parents to help these children and loving teachers.
As Alyssa* shared her story with me, I couldn’t help but think of Francine Rivers’ book. It should have been no surprise when at the end of the interview, I asked if any books had impacted her during her
Mel- awesome article! Alyssa is an inspiration for all, she is such a testimony about how God pursues us, even when we don’t want (or don’t think we want) Him to. God is awesome, so is Twyla!
Thank you for sharing Alyssa’s overcoming story! Redeeming Love is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it.
Well written and very encouraging to me – saved by God’s grace.
Blessings, Maureen
Like many, I have read hundreds of wonderful books over the years, and when anyone asks what’s my favorite, I always respond with Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love. Everyone should read! So proud of you Alyssa, one day at a time, overcoming so many challenges, living in His redeeming love. God Bless and thank you for sharing your story.
Wow! Great testimony! Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow, what an incredible journey she’s been through. Thanks for sharing! Redeeming Love is one of my favorite books!!
This little book really surprised me! I thought it might be just a nice list of things the author was thankful for, but it was so much more! I was so comforted and soothed as I read it and began to understand what it truly means to be grateful. While reading it, I intentionally went about my days trying to live in the moment and taking the time to be thankful for even the smallest things, “gifts”. I was amazed at the peace and comfort I experienced. This little book is such a blessing!
Carol was a precious friend who I miss daily. So many memories of laughter shared & stories exchanged! Even before her illness her faith was strong & bold. She loved life but she knew that there was more than that & had her eyes set on eternity. Losing her here on earth before we all wanted to is a struggle but knowing that she was going to her eternal home with her Lord & Savior gives me hope & peace. What a sweet reunion it will be with her when it is our turn to go to our eternal home. Sending my love & prayers to her family on this day.
Thank you for writing this post. He continues to be glorified by her life and physical suffering.
Oh, how I miss Carol. Her illness and passing progressed while I lived out of the country and I was only able to visit with her twice after her diagnosis. Our parting was not goodbye, but ’til we meet again,’ because we both knew we WOULD meet again. So thankful for her friendship in my life and her influence in our family. She was my teenage daughter’s Sunday School teacher the year we moved away and my daughter missed her teaching and amazing spirit greatly.
She never tried to present herself or her life as perfect, although to anyone looking in from the outside might make the mistake of thinking it/she was. Her joyful attitude to the ups and downs of life were truly one the of the MANY blessings of her friendship. I still have difficulty imagining a temporal world without Carol in it. And I will stop typing now as the tears are making it difficult to see.
If sweet Carol were able to sit in the school office today I would say to her that she has provided a link to the future by how she and her husband raised up a family faithful to the cause of the Christ. Even as her laughter still echos through the halls, the voice of her daughter teaches, prays, and loves on a classroom of fifth graders; what a reflection of the image of God and the image of a much loved mom. Oh glorious day when the trump will sound and we will forever be home together. I will find you when I hear your laugh. Look for me. I’ll be the old educator with a book in one hand and a school roster in the other.
I knew Carol when she and Paul lived in Richmond, VA. Carol and I were Mary Kay consultants under the same leader who was a mutual friend. We roomed together for conventions and spent some time together at meetings. She was a beautiful and fun woman even then. We lost contact through the years, and I didn’t even know she had faced this battle with cancer until I read your post. This is a beautiful testimony of Carol’s walk with the Lord. Thanks, Melony, for sharing this story. I look forward to seeing Carol again in eternity. I’ll be praying for Paul and their children.
“Your body is further advanced than medicine” and “tests to define your problem haven’t been invented yet” were the troubling words Mandy* and her parents heard for 22 years. Finally in May of 2003, renowned scientists from all over
Thank you Melony for sharing yet another wonderful story of overcoming, positive attitude, and trusting the Lord. I love the twist on the much-heard comment that God will not give us more than we can handle, flipping it to God WILL give us more than WE can handle…so we lean on Him. Awesome!
Mandy, your story is one of tremendous difficulty but more importantly, one of supreme persistence and faith. Wow, Melony did another amazing job, capturing the essence of your struggle and overcomer attitude and dedication to others, by sharing your situation. I have to say, I LOVE the t-shirt!!! Can I get one? I want mine to say $20 for the legs’ story. Thank you for influencing so many.
This is a pretty incredible story,. there are sooo many things that doctors do not understand about the human body, but God understands!!
Mandy Young is a true overcomer! Though Mandy’s struggles began as a young child, she possess an incredibly positive attitude and zest for life like few i have known. She is an amazing young woman who shines a bright light wherever she goes…and she IS on the go! Her effervescent personality and charm make her a magnet naturally drawing people to her. She uses every opportunity to point others to Christ. She is a true joy – with a great sense of humor!
Thank you for sharing this amazing story of triumph over Mandy’s struggles. Her joy looks contagious, and I will think of her the next time I have a “bad” day.
At school, we had the opportunity to hear Mandy’s story and I know I walked away that day encouraged by her and realizing that God definitely is in control. I just need to remember to give it to Him! Thanks for sharing, Melony & Mandy!!
My 15 yr old daughter Deana has the same disease as Mandy. As well as other auto immune deficiency’s too… She went through a lot of uncertain times and has had pneumonia 37 times before they finally diagnosed her with IRAK4 deficiency. I feel your pain Mandy, and I will continue to pray for you as well as my daughter. Lots of love coming your way!!
Nancy, Hi I am Lisa Young, Mandys mom and for some reason I am just seeing your post on Mandys story. I would love to talk to you. My email is lisacyoung@bellsouth.net if you ever have time, drop me a note. I would love to know more about your daughter. God Bless, Lisa
Wow! What an amazing story! What a testimony of how “fearfully & wonderfully made” we are as uniquely, created individuals! I both agree with, and am inspired by Mandy’s words.
This is truly an AMAZING article. We are sometimes giving so many hurdles to jump over in life, but God’s faith is all we need. Thank you for sharing Mandy’s story to remind us that we should remain positive in difficult times. Those obstacles are ways to renew our faith.
What an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing her story =)
I’m honored to personally know Mandy and call her friend. I met her through a mutual friend and we hit it off from hello. She’s a woman of great faith whom I truly admire. I’ve met her family and they are her backbone of strength. She has been through so much pain but always has that electric smile showing, even on her not so good days. Every day is a gift to her and she lives those days to the fullest. She will always keep you laughing and it’s true she doesn’t like being pitied or seeing others hosting their own parties. She gets around great and let’s nothing stop her so there’s really nothing to pity. She’s exactly how God created her and he gave her a tenacious strength to endure what was ahead. Her testimony is awesome to hear, especially in person.
Wow, what a beautiful tribute to an amazing man. Praising God with you for His protection and healing of your dear father-in-law. Thank you for sharing his story!
This is a wonderful story. Thank you for having the courage to share your God story. It is very encouraging, all of it!
Thank you for sharing how God is in control.
What a strong believer. He is a hero to endure the suffering without losing faith. Praise God for his healing power and thank Wayne for sharing his story.
I have been blessed to have known Wayne for years, first as a fellow Christian attending and working in two congregations over fourty some odd years. I have also known Wayne as a fellow golfer, and have played with him many years. But most of all I have known Wayne as a friend, one who would do anything for others. And yes he is strong, strong physically, and strong spiritually.
well, what can I say…He’s my dad, and I love him very much. I have witnessed him move thru each phase of life, and all of this stuff in this story with amazing grace, and courage. He is truely an over comer, in fact that might be a small word to describe his life!!! love you dad!!!
oh so true!! They DO want to know because they love you. My own father has struggled with open heart surgery to replace a heart valve and a few years later gall stones that almost killed him. He didn’t eat for 9 months and was so sick I thought we were going to say goodbye more than once. Its hard to see your parents become so ill. As the oldest I went from child to almost parent. Its a hard place to be.
Hope everyone reads this-but especially the last paragraph. Don’t hide it from the people that love you.
Thank you, Wayne, for sharing your story of overcoming. The way you have handled each situation concerning your health is an inspiration to all who know and love you. Your strong faith is evident in all you do and say. Having a wonderful, loving wife like Sandra by your side on this journey is truly a blessing and a great comfort, I am sure. Paul and I love you both and are so grateful for your sweet friendship. Thank you, Melony, for sharing Wayne’s story.
Thank you so much, Melony, for sharing Wayne’s story of triumph with us. It is so wonderful to hear the stories of overcomers and to know of their faith in this journey to beat the odds.