Suffer Strong

Suffer Strong

suffer strongIn Suffer Strong, Katherine Wolf writes, “Instead of focusing on what we inevitably lose in this life, we can choose to suffer strong, growing in the kind of wisdom and love that heals us from the inside out.”

Some

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90 Responses to Suffer Strong

  • Love this! I’ll have to get the book. Thank you for sharing this overcomer’s story!

    • It is an incredible book! So much of the wisdom and lessons learned she and Jay shared would be helpful and inspiring to those in your ministry!

    • This is what I love about God… He allows us to suffer through life to finish strong. Mrs. Katherine, your story/life makes me think about how God is the potter and you are the clay that He has refined into a beautiful creation.

      • Oh, Stephanie! Your words truly capture the message of the book and Jay and Katherine’s lives!

  • What an inspiration Katherine is to us all! God has used her in a mighty way through her trial to glorify Him. I would love to meet her one day!

    • Katherine IS definitely an inspiration! She lives here in Atlanta and goes to Passion City Church like we do. Fingers crossed she can join us at one of the Overcomer Celebrations!

  • Love the beauty of transformation as it shifted the focus to helping others heal and recover! I haven’t read the books, but I just ordered them. I’m excited to learn from Jay and Katherine. Great review

    • Some people fight the transformation in their lives as they see it as painful and ugly, but the butterfly only gets its wings to fly after a season of loneliness and isolation.

      Katherine and Jay share so much wisdom about how transformation can be and IS beautiful!

  • What a beautiful story of strength and inspiration. We all face some kind of life altering event or even multiple events in our lifetime. I pray I can always react in the same manner, with courage and wisdom.

    • Yes! Life-altering events, interestingly, make or break people. Katherine’s stroke was definitely life-altering, but it did not break her. Looking at their lives now, it is abundantly clear those life-altering events made her.

  • Love the idea of refining and redefining!! Looks like I’ll be adding a new book to my reading list!

  • Fascinating and inspiring! Would love to read the book!

  • Loss is real, it’s angry, hurtful and ugly. Then there is the peace that passes all understanding when we can take our loss and turn it into growth both spiritually and emotionally. Thanks for a great article. It allowed me to be reflective.

    • I know God is lavishing you in the peace that passes understanding as you grieve Ian’s passing. Praying for you, precious friend!

  • We can never imagine the fullness God has planned for our lives. It is overwhelming the amazing trust He has in us to take worldly “lemons” and use them to bear the rich Fruit of His Spirit in and through us.
    Thank you for introducing me to this beautiful story of victory in Jesus name!

    • Isn’t it just beautiful to look back and see how God used the things meant to harm us for our good?

  • Thank you for this interview. It is a reminder to us in our circumstances that we have a choice in our next steps. I found your life story convicting and inspiring.

    • We do have a choice in how we respond to our struggles: live in defeat or fight to overcome!

  • What a challenge this couple has met together. Yet they chose to flourish. Life is what you choose to make it and they prove that.

    • Katherine and Jay are definitely flourishing in spite of all the struggles they’ve faced. A true testament to God’s Presence in their lives!

  • Thank you for demonstrating with such grace what it looks like to navigate uncharted territory. Your story is inspiring and so relevant to our current crisis. We are all in the process of learning new normals. Because of your faithfulness to live a life pleasing to God, your story offers hope. Thank you.

    • Every time I sat down to work on the book review, I got goose bumps thinking about how timely this very important message is! As much as I’ve been uncomfortable in the upheaval in our lives, I don’t want to go back to my old normal. I’m with you, Diane, it’s time to learn some new normals!

  • What wonderful timing to learn about this book. With all that is going on it IS time to rethink our dreams and redefine our lives. I can’t wait to actually read the book. This will be an excellent graduation present too. Many childhood dreams of traditions have been crushed. And for everyone that has lost anything from this pandemic, this book could have such a positive impact.

    • I couldn’t agree more, Nancy! I picked the day I would publish the book review MONTHS AGO. When I was putting the finishing touches on it and thought about the message of the book, I knew it was no coincidence it was scheduled to be published DURING the Coronavirus. GOD just works that way. HE gets ALL the praise!

      • katherine’s story in Suffer Strong is so inspiring and timely for us all. Truly the grace of God has been sufficient for her and Jay infusing them with unshakeable faith and hope. Thanks for sharing this at this time Melony! A much needed message. Great article!

        • Several people who have commented have pointed out how needed this message is at this time, and I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I was eager to share my book review as soon as I finished reading it!

  • Wow! So inspiring and encouraging! We all go through trials and it’s not what we go through it’s how we go through it!! Such a powerful story!!! Amazing!

    • HOW we go through it! Yes, precious friend! This book is definitely inspiring and encouraging!

      • Thank you Melony for introducing Katherine’s story to us. During the last few weeks the Lord has been impressing on my heart that I need to better understand suffering. What? Yep…..As my sweet depression era Godly Grandmother used to say, “Honey- it rains on the righteous and the unrighteousness.”

        Perhaps the Lord is preparing me for a shift in my life. I do not know but I am sure He wants me to see suffering as part of the path to triumph. I am going to listen to Katherine’s podcast and look forward to her book!

        • You are brave to study suffering! But I do agree we need to understand it better as we all will likely experience it at some point in our lives. I love when you said, “I am sure He wants me to see suffering as part of the path to triumph.”

  • I follow Hope Heals on Instagram and it was so encouraging to read some of the quotes from the book. I need to order it! I especially loved, “Our tears of loss can plant seeds of the kind of hope that survives anything.” Amen!

    • Yes, you definitely need to order it! Can’t you just visualize our tears planting seeds of hope? Wouldn’t it be neat to have God’s perspective as he watches those seeds bloom?

  • Tram Nguyen
    It was fascinating to read the story and inspiring how strong Katherine and Jay have gone through. I was in tear as I read along. That was their rough journey and they’d never gave it up. This story would change people point of views in life especially what is happening right now. I would love to read more of this story.

    • Their never give up attitude is amazing! And yes, their message is so needed during these uncertain times.

  • I will definitely be getting this book! What an overcomer!

  • Truly inspiring story! What a journey Katherine and Jay are on. Hope is so important to us all. They have definitely found unfailing hope and they have learned to love and live from that place. I love that hope it’s their anchor, and her comment about hope… “Our tears of loss can plant seeds of the kind of hope that survives anything” They truly have allowed the wisdom of God to change their perception concerning life and the struggles they face(d). They’re such a power team! I love that they have learned how to dream “new” dreams. They both are overcomers indeed…in a big way!!! Their message of hope, refining and redefining is such a blessing to us all!

    • Preach it, girl! This book is a must read. The quotes I pulled are powerful, but there is SO MUCH MORE in the book!

  • A friend loaned me a copy of Hope Heals because I am a overcomer also. She told me that I should read it because it has some “awesome” quotes that made her think of some of the things I had said to her. Although; we have overcome different circumstances, I can feel her pain. I love her book! She is awesome and an amazing overcomer! Would love to know more about her.

    • Hope Heals is an excellent book, and I’m so glad you read it! But time has passed, and Katherine and Jay have learned so much in their journey of overcoming. I hope you’ll read Suffer Strong too as they share their lessons and the hard earned wisdom they’ve gained!

    • What a amazing story, I first found out about this when my neighbor and friend had a son that suffered from brain bleed, I came across her story on you tube looking up information and resources about this type of brain bleed. I was heartfelt, hopeful and definitely a story of overcoming. What a small world that I would see it again on Our overcomer blog. God is amazing and with times like these with covid-19 it is a reminder that with faith, love, determination we can overcome anything. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and to bring hope, love and faith back to us. I hope we will to hear more is this especially during such a stressful and overwhelming time. God bless

      • Yes, the message of this book could not be more timely! Faith, love, and determination will definitely help all of us overcome!

  • This is such an encouraging story and I’d love to hear more! Adding to my to-read list! I love the perspective of God giving us an opportunity to thrive amidst the challenges.

    • I just shared a handful of the great quotes in the book. I underlined so many powerful thoughts and couldn’t share them all, so it’s definitely a must read!

  • I can’t wait to get my hands on Suffer Strong. Katherine and Jay’s story is truly inspiring and one that gives hope to others. They are abundantly generous in sharing their deep and personal journey so readers will gain insights and new perspectives in their own journeys. God is still in the business of transformation, this couple certainly brings Glory to His Name!

    • I LOVE your comment about God still being the business of transformation! AMEN and AMEN!

  • Wow. So encouraging. Thanks so much for sharing this, Melony!! Praise God for her testimony!

    • Do you remember when she and Jay spoke at Passion? She goes much deeper into how redefining their dreams and goals opened up even more blessings and opportunities!

  • This is so good! I will have to read the book!

    • It’s such a powerful book of the lessons she’s learned in her journey of overcoming.

  • Every time I hear Katherine’s story I am moved and encouraged all over again! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to read the book!

    • Her story is full of struggle, but it is encouraging to hear her speak. Her positivity shines as she shares everything she’s learned. And her words in this book encourage anyone who is struggling to see that struggle as an opportunity.

  • To “Suffer Strong” is an understatement to the inner turmoil that rides along with suffering, pain and healing Of circumstances beyond your control. Melony your capture of this couples overcoming odds against them, shows both your ministry and gift to share, as well as the couples true preservation to God’s promise and to themselves. I always say you are only a victim if you allow yourself to be a victim. It is how you face tomorrow that will make the difference.

    I look forward to reading this book, thank you for what you do! In the world of today, it takes great openness, courage and a strong community of friends and family to keep us centered and focused. iKeep them coming!

    • I LOVE “You are only a victim if you allow yourself to be a victim.” That’s excellent wisdom!

      Thank you for your continued support and emcouragement!

  • What an encouraging & hopeful story! Refining and redefining is something we all need in our lives. Blessings!

    • And what a perfect time during these uncertain times to reflect and redefine things in our lives.

  • Thank you so much for writing and sharing this review, Melony. I really like the message about redefining how to view life events. This past year I’ve certainly had my share of challenging ones and need to do exactly that. I look forward to more insights from Katherine and Jay!

    • You have seen some challenging events this last year! This book is power packed with wisdom about how Jay and Katherine redefined their struggles and found new opportunities!

  • So inspiring! Katherine and Jay, I love the approach you took to look at the good in your lives. God plants seeds for us to grow in ways we would not have known. Thank you so much for sharing. I needed to read this right now.

    • I agree: God carefully but sometimes painfully plants seeds in our lives. He must get so much joy watching as the seed becomes a small plant and then a larger plant. And because of that initial seed being planted, the new plant is spreading seeds which would have never come about but by that initial pain.

  • I love how God takes our dreams and explodes them into a life greater than we ever imagined!! He never wastes our suffering but transforms us into beautiful reflections of His heart. Thank you for your ministry!

    • I just love how beautifully you describe it: “He never wastes our suffering.” What the enemy meant for harm is just clay in God’s hands to create a masterpiece!

  • What an inspiration. To take a life situation and turn it into a beautiful journey. Can’t wait to read this book.

    • Yes, Candi! Katherine and Jay are so generous to share their life journey with us. By explaining how they suffer strong, we learn how to suffer strong when we face life’s tough challenges.

  • I cannot wait to read this book. What an amazing couple with such a powerful overcomer story. Thank you for bringing them to my attention.

    • Katherine and Jay are an amazing couple! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts after you read their book!

  • Thank you for such a beautiful commentary on Katherine’s story! Their story will be an inspiration for many.

    • Katherine and Jay’s story of facing a huge challenge with such determination and perseverance is definitely inspirational!

  • Your synopsis of Katherine’s story was excellent. Challenges, hardship, and loss find everyone, In which direction you take the next step is the critical decision. There is a plan for each of us that is more beautiful than we could plan for ourselves.

    • YES! YES! YES! The direction you take after facing a challenge, hardship, or loss IS a critical decision. I couldn’t agree more that the plan God has for each of us is more beautiful than we could plan for ourselves!

  • What a story of inspiration. Certainly is convicting at this unique time that God is always there and that we should “lean not on our own understanding”–He has the perfect plan for each life. Thank you for sharing this amazing young woman’s story in a beautiful review. I think this book will be a blessing and encouragement for so many.

    • I believe the release of this powerful book is part of God’s beautiful plan at exactly this time in history. Many are suffering with the illness or financial struggles or job loss, and those suffering will find such hope and encouragement in Jay and Katherine’s book. God DOES have the perfect plan for each of our lives!

  • Someone once told me to “lay down your dreams for His vision”. Jay’s words on failure resonate with me as my adult life is not unfolding as my 8-year-old self believed it would. Katherine’s and Jay’s decision to trust God through this adversity is a testimony of obedience, and obedience is a manifestation of unconditional trust. I am thankful for the love this couple has for each other and for the Lord.

    • If I may offer encouragement, Bridget, I would agree with Jay’s words on our adult lives not unfolding exactly like the dreams of our younger selves. But I can testify that the life I’m living after several tough challenges is far better than my younger self could have ever dared to dream. Trust God to reveal His plan for your life and eagerly run toward it.

  • Such a great reminder that God always has a plan, even through suffering. Katherine is an amazing witness and inspiration!

    • Yes! Even though it’s so hard, trusting His plan allows His light to shine through us during the dark days.

  • Melony, what a wonderful synopsis of her book(s) and it has encouraged me to get a copy to read! Of late, much of my study in God’s word has been centered around suffering. I could not agree more with what Katherine and her husband have shared through their journey. They have been an example to us all on how the power and goodness of God helps us to overcome trials …and to not just survive the trials, but for those trials to redefine us to then help us make an impact for the kingdom of God. To God be the glory.!

    • Thank you, Holle! Studying suffering is a bold move on your part! YES! I agree with “if we allow the trials to refine us, it sets us up to have a huge impact on the kingdom of God.”

  • Katherine and Jay’s story is one of great faith and love in the midst of suffering. It reminds me of Mark 5:34, “your faith has saved you.” Their story illustrates how God can transform our situations and our hearts when we trust Him. Their book will indeed inspire many to press on in the midst of pain. Thank you Melony for your wonderful review and introduction to this remarkable couple. Your ministry is such a blessing to many!

    • Faith and love in the midst of great suffering . . . Such gifts during the hardest times. And yes, God does transform our hearts when we trust Him! Beautiful thoughts, sweet friend!

  • Definitely ordering the book soon! It is amazing how God works. It really makes us stop and and look at our own life and see how we can look at our struggles and change our perspective. Great post!!

    • When you read about other people’s struggles and how they fought to overcome, it does make you look at your own life and see what changes you need to make. Perspective is a powerful thing !

  • Thank you, Melony, for this recommendation! I heard the Wolfs speak at Passion, and I was continually amazed by their “overcomer” spirits. Now I need to read their books!

    • Yes, Katherine and Jay are incredible people who have fought hard! I enjoyed hearing them speak at Passion, too!

  • Beautiful review Melony! Mak and I are reading the book now. It is very applicable to many right now during this pandemic and it absolutely applies to our lives with my son Mak’s stroke and brain injury. We were so fortunate to hear Katherine and Jay speak at Passion and meet them too. Mak and Katherine both have the same rare brain disease, a brain avm which caused both of their strokes. She is an absolute inspiration to us and has given Mak great hope as he redefines the second chance at life that God so mercifully gave to him. Thank you for highlighting this book. It truly is a must read for all.

    • Faye, I know you and Mak can relate to Katherine’s story. I’ve loved seeing all of Mak’s progress on his videos. He has worked so hard!

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Hope Heals

Hope Heals

Sometimes you read a book and the only acceptable response is, “Wow! You go, God!” Hope Heals by Katherine and Jay Wolf demanded such a response.

Full of Hope

Full of hope and promise for the future, Jay and Katherine

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0 Responses to Hope Heals

  • Wow! What a beautiful overcomer. Loved reading your story Katherine and how you are inspiring so many. God is so good!

  • As we support a family friend whose son is being treated at Shepherds Center after an AVM brain bleed last month, Katherine’s story continues to give us hope for a beautiful and triumphant recovery!

  • I am so in awe of how Katherine has overcome what happened to her and am so happy she has such a wonderful husband who was with her every step of the way. What an inspiring story and a beautiful life! Beautiful family too.. God is good!

  • What a testimony to the power of hope in Christ!

  • Dear Katherine,
    Your story is so powerful and as another overcomer wrote, I say too, what a testimony to the power of hope in Christ we all have!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!!! I loved your video of Hope Heals Camp and I will look forward to reading your book, too!!!
    God Bless and Keep you,
    Ann

  • Great review.

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Let Justice Roll Down

Let Justice Roll Down

As we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fight for civil rights today, I’d like to high-light another civil rights leader who has continued to fight for racial equality: Dr. John Perkins.   perkins-quote

End to Racism

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0 Responses to Let Justice Roll Down

  • Paul said that the greatest of things was love. And Christ was nothing BUT love-love for ALL people. He never discriminated or said “Yeah, but….”. Having been a nurse for over 25 years I can tell you that we are all the same in the inside. Everyone of us no matter what that color on the outside bleed the same color. I remember so well taking care of a young man with white supremacy tattoos all over his chest. There was a black doctor, an Indian doctor and a Muslim respiratory therapist-and me-working feverishly to save his life. One of his tattoos was very vile toward the black race. The black doctor never even hesitated. I wondered what the man would have thought if he had been awake and able to see the people working so hard to save his life. Have never understood the hatred of another person because of their skin color. I think about what God has sent us out into the world to do and the love and grace that he has shown us…and how the human race messes that up so often. luckily for us He is a God of mercy.

  • Your words are inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

  • It saddens me that we have gone backwards in this issue. I hope one day we can all learn to love and appreciate each other for who we are.

  • Thank you for sharing this post with me on my Facebook page. A powerful message we all need to live. My desire is to live the love of Christ to all. Satan is having a field day in the church. We must stand firm and fight with love (verb) not react with selfish emotion. We can do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.

    • Yes! Yes! Yes! It was so powerful to hear him speak. His passion for healthy and even vibrant race relations was evident.

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When God Doesn’t Fix It

When God Doesn’t Fix It

When God Doesn't Fix ItIn her book When God Doesn’t Fix It, Laura Story details the unexpected path she and her husband, Martin, have been traveling since 2006.

Just two years into their marriage, Martin’s CT and MRI results would dramatically change

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11 Responses to When God Doesn’t Fix It

  • Timely message today. Thank you.

  • Wow!!! Cant wait to read this book! What a message!

  • Thanks Melony. You (and your writings) are a piece of heaven on earth. Keep blogging and sharing the light…

  • I hope I can live a better broken. What an encouraging word! God Bless You!

  • Love this and her song. And I love the unexpected blessings through the trials we face. Thanks for sharing.

  • I commented on this in November stating I couldn’t wait to read the book. Well it took me long enough to sit down and find the time to read it but I did. What an amazing book. There’s so much to take away from this book. I just wanted to keep highlighting things. Anybody can relate to this book. Tbrough all of our trials and tribulations there is a message each one of us can deliver to someone else out there. Your mess is your message. Your pain can be your deliverance. And your broken story will heal somebody else along the way. A must-read for anyone whether you believe or not!!

  • Great book review.

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Overload

Overload

overloadEver feel overloaded by all of life’s demands? Me, too.

When someone asks you how you are, it used to be the common response was “I’m fine.” But now, I often hear “I’m stressed.”

I can relate. But this madness

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The Scars that have Shaped Me

The Scars that have Shaped Me

“A scar is a mark left by a healed wound. My scars signify healing,” writes author Vaneetha Risner.

Yes! They definitely do signify healing.

As one with a “zipperhead” scar from brain surgery, I look at my scar in the

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0 Responses to The Scars that have Shaped Me

  • Scars are tattoos with better stories! Sorry for your suffering. I too have many overcomer scars – they represent strength and courage. God Bless You!

    • Maureen,

      Your scars have quite the story! I’m inspired by all you’ve been through and overcome!

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Hope Prevails

Hope Prevails

“I’ve written this book because I’ve been there,” Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares in her newly released book Hope Prevails. Not only does she treat patients who are in the pit of depression, but she’s been there herself.

Chains of

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One Response to Hope Prevails

  • I love the phrase “hope prevails”. I hate that you had to journey through so much pain to understand your clients or patients, but thankful at the same time. I’m sure your ability as a doctor was more meaningful after your own encounter with darkness shed more light on the difficult challenges of depression. I’m definitely interested in your finished book.

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Switch On Your Brain

Switch On Your Brain

In another life, I might have been a neuropsychologist as I am utterly fascinated with the brain and how it works. Dr. Caroline Leaf, a leader in the field of cognitive neuroscience, has spent her career studying the brain

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5 Responses to Switch On Your Brain

  • So glad you are doing well now, Melony. Paul and I were praying for you. You are definitely an overcomer and a dynamic inspiration to all of us. I love reading books too, so after reading your blog, I just had to order Caroline Leaf’s book. I can hardly wait to read it! The Bible is the book we should all go to first, but other books like Caroline’s can greatly add to the answers we are all searching to find.

    • The best part of Dr. Leaf’s book is how she integrates Scripture into what she knows about the brain. Pruning the toxic thoughts in our minds is incorporating John 15 into our lives. Then, she recommends living out Romans 12:1-2 to renew our minds with His words.

      I love how she takes brain research and shows how scientists are beginning to see the link between what goes on in our brains and the God that created them. “Scientists are discovering precise pathways by which changes in human thinking operate as signals that activate genetic expression, which then produce changes in our brains and bodies. Our genetic makeup fluctuates by the minute based on what we are thinking and choosing. Clearly, then, following the advice of Philippians 4:8 will have a profound healing and regenerative impact on our bodies and minds,” she writes.

      I’d love for you to post your thoughts on her book after you’ve had a chance to read it. Thanks, Kay!

  • Absolutely an amazing review as I know so many who struggle with the negative. And as our world becomes increasingly more threatening I think even the normal optimist has struggled with our global uncertainty. Deliberate, active steps become a critical component of maintaining our peace and joy. Thanks Mel for sharing.

    • I agree with you, Amy, about the toxic information we digest daily by reading or listening to the news. It can easily make us have and believe a doomsday mindset. Limiting the news I intake has helped me not take in and then ruminate on all the destructive situations happening in our world today.

  • I just ordered the book, and can’t wait to read it. We all need positive ways to cope with the world that at times seems to have such negativity. Thanks for sharing, hope 2016 is a wonderful year.
    god bless,
    Angie

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Where the Souls Go

Where the Souls Go

Ann Hite’s* third novel, Where the Souls Go, continues the Pritchard family saga in the Black Mountain series. Annie Todd, Grace Jean’s daughter, is added to the multi-layered mix of a dysfunctional family in the North Carolina mountains.

“Annie

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3 Responses to Where the Souls Go

  • Congratulations to Ann. She took the harsh and hurtful stones that were piled upon her in her formative years and instead of being weighed down by them forever, she used them to lay a foundation upon which she could get a firm footing and literally reach for the stars.

  • Ann had a lot of personal strength to work this out on her own. So glad there is help for bipolar now.

  • Ann’s story is amazing.
    She proves that you can have
    what seems like the world against you,
    But still rise up and overcome. Her ability to
    rise above and build her strength has me speechless
    I can relate to Ann on so many levels and can honestly
    Say.. I understand… my heart is full of
    wow, sorrow, and compassion for her.
    Ann you are inspiring and your story is so many
    Things and I’m so grateful you are sharing it.
    God bless you,
    In loving arms,
    Angie Thomsen

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