A single mom of two, Jill*, is one of those 70 percent of women who has experienced sexual and domestic violence in her lifetime. To put it in tangible terms, seven out of ten women you know have been victims
Way to go Shane and Shannon! I had my nutribullet this morning!
What an inspiring story. Solutions are often simple, but seldom easy. One of the most seemingly impossible things for a wife and mother to do is carve out just enough time on a regular basis to make investing in one’s self a life habit. And yet no time is more redeemable in the form of life dividends.
Shannon & Shane your story is very inspiring! My husband and I were also struggling with weight loss. We started Crossfit in October, and then the Paleo diet in January. Wow, what a difference it has made in our lives! We love this lifestyle! It thrills me to hear that you and Shane have had much success, also. I wish you both continued success. Thanks for sharing your story.
“I’m passing everybody on the couch.” I LOVE that! This was very timely for me as I’ve gained a few pounds these past few years. Time to get it off and take better care of myself!
I know that not all stories end like this , but it was heartwarming to know that they had a healthy baby!!
Thank you for sharing our story!
Thank you for sharing Sharon and John’s story and thank you for the list of what to say and what not to say. I, like most people, don’t know what to say and am fearful I’ll say the wrong thing.
I’m praying this morning for this dear young couple and look forward to hearing Part 2!
this is something i cannot fathom having to decide…wow…i feel like i need a update as to “where are they now?”
Melony, thank you for sharing this story. Jeff and I have been on the same journey as Sharon and John. Our precious Dylan was born with a genetic condition (a deletion on one of his chromosomes) that was incompatible with life outside me. We, too, had to make the heart-wrenching decision to say goodbye when Dylan’s heart began to fail. I, too, have held a first born son as he took his last breath. I, too, have heard the deafening silence of an empty nursery. What resonates with me is the list of what to say and what not to say – Sharon has captured this perfectly. I am so thankful that I was able to see past some of the comments I received to the heart of the person giving them. People feel so helpless in the face of grief, in particular when a child is lost. You asked for people to share the ways they dealt with grief. For me, writing was my outlet. I wrote poems – more than I’ve ever written before or since. They poured out of me as I expressed my feelings of loss as well as the hope of seeing Dylan again in heaven. I also connected with other grieving mothers. Not one for face-to-face discussion groups, I found chatrooms where I was able to give and receive support from people who were facing the same trials as I was. The most important way I dealt with grief came from outside of me – God gave me supernatural peace throughout the entire journey. I drew all my strength from Him. He has worked miracles through Dylan, including my husband’s conversion. People would say, “You’re such a strong person”. To them, I say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Over the years, I’ve had (unfortunately) several opportunities to talk with other mothers grieving their babies. My poems have been shared with mothers I don’t even know. I hope that Sharon can feel the small spark of hope that reaching out to other grieving mothers can bring. She, and you, in bringing me her story, have reached out to me even 11 years later. Thank you.
Heart wrenching, but I look forward to part 2 with hope!
Great story. Sharon has come a long way.
What a great story! Didn’t see that diagnosis coming. Great narrative writing. I Iove the pink Nikes. You are so talented.
I have always wondered when the “last day” will be that I will ever run. It’s ironic that the things that can build us, can break us.
When life deals me an unexpected struggle, my first reaction is to pray, pray, and pray some more. Then I try to do my part to overcome the situation and rely on God to do the rest. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Enjoyed the story.
As an RN, I’m very familiar with compartment syndrome. What a blessing that she’s done so well! I’m praising God with Jessica and all God has in store for her!
What a great story of faith and perseverance! Such a timely story as we approach Easter weekend! Three days of waiting and wondering. The mystery of the inner workings. The removal of the bandage and subsequent revelation. Ultimate victory! ‘Oh death, where is your sting?’
Wow! There is so much to this story: the sad reality of a child slipping through the cracks, the downward spiral of desperation and the subsequent impact of hitting rock bottom only to discover that the boundless mercies of the Lord had indeed endured.
I was deeply moved by Stacy’s will to first survive and then to overcome, by the far reaching effect of, seemingly benign, acts of kindness toward a lonely little girl, by a group of Christians, and by the powerful cause and effect of one woman lifted from the ashes.
With God’s help, Stacy made some hard choices- the harder the choice, the higher she rises. What an inspiration to so many!
Stacy’s story demonstrates how God can change the direction of one life with his love. Even when you are at your lowest, he can reach down and pull you out of whatever circumstances you are in. All you have to do is cry out to him and let him take control of your life. Stacy is a beautiful example of this, and it is awesome to hear how she is using her life for God’s glory. She is a wonderful inspiration, and I hope she has all the love and happiness she so richly deserves.
Great story! Can’t wait to hear the ending!
Sad, but touching
Looking forward to the ending! I hope the cycle will be broken and recovery will prevail!!
Thank you for taking me on Stacy’s journey.
God does far and above what we can ask or imagine. He has redeemed Stacy from the pit and has put in place a new song of life for her and her descendants. This is an amazing story of rescue and restoration. Thank you Stacy for proclaiming the gospel message through your God story. May we all follow your example and look to the Lord for hope, help and healing. Love you so much and keep your heart open to our sweet Jesus.
Hey… I did this!! This was my 4th one! 🙂
How fresh and exciting!
Melony, It was a privilege and especially a blessing to partner with you in this writing adventure! For us to see and be a part of one of your passions, we were honored. I was pleased with the final products as well, and can’t wait to open up Bartlett’s NANO coffee shop again!
I love this! Your testimony is amazing and God-glorifying.
Wow! I didn’t know this about you Melony. I admire your perseverance!
I didn’t know this about you either, Melony. My mom had a stroke in 2007, at the age of 75. I was with her when it happened. I knew nothing about strokes. I was her caregiver and learned a tremendous amount them. I would have loved a better support system from people who had experienced one. I plan to check out the Facebook page you posted. Perhaps I could be of help to someone else.
Your blog is wonderful! Best wishes with it and I will be sure to subscribe.
I love hearing your amazing story again, Melony! You are definitely on a special assignment from the Lord to encourage the Body. Thank you for your faithfulness!
Love your new site!
Congrats on your website Melony! It looks great and I loved reading your uplifting story. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Amazing, I had no idea….but am now anxious to continue to follow your blog and read all about other overcomers.
Other character traits I might use to describe an overcomer would be determined, stubborn and persistent.
Congratulations on your website, Melony. You are so talented and I am so proud of you! I remember when you had your stroke and how worried we all were. Some times I forget you even had it, or the TIA you had later. That is proof how well you have over come your obstacles. I also loved seeing your precious birthday picture. You were such a cutie!!! Keep up the good work. Love, Aunt Gail
Melony,
So glad you are continuing the courageous path your parents helped you find so many years ago! I can see now and I can remember when we were kids how they impacted your life – you were/are one of the most caring girls/lady I have crossed paths with. You are an amazing overcomer to say the least. Keep the stories coming…one day at a time, one step at a time and one story at a time!
Wow! The things that we don’t know about the people we encounter on a day to day basis! Until Friday, I didn’t even know that you had a”nother”life. My only perception of you was that of a new face in the corridors of ECS. Congratulations on your new endeavor and thank you for sharing your inspirational story. May the Lord continue to “renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within you”. Carol B.
Another cool thing we have in common. Together we would be a great fully functional motor competent mess!! You with your left side damage, me with my right side damage. The only other person who understands this journey is you (Shane does after living and watching me over the past 25 years). Part of the reason why Cross Fit is so huge for me-that motor, coordination, balance, neurological thing. And ditto-they told my parents I would die, not wake up, be mentally retarded, never talk, never walk, etc. And I kept doing the things they didn’t think I would. And now I too have a Masters degree. SOUL SISTA!! LOVE YOU.
Jill is a classmate of mine. I have had the privilege and honor of getting to know her and her story over this semester. The strength and fortitude that she has found in Christ to forgive her abusers humbles me. She is an amazing woman, friend, survivor, and overcomer!! Thanks for sharing her story =)
I love that she is now volunteering to help other women who have experienced domestic violence. She can speak into their lives in such an authentic way.
I am amazed at how much violence is all around us. In many cases, you never see it…it just happens…..happens in homes….happens in the dark of night…we need to love each other more and more. love is what’s missing.
We see so much violence on the news. Our society has almost become numb to violence in that it doesn’t shock us or enrage us like it used to. Love is the answer.