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Asking for Prayers
To family, friends, fans and followers:
I am asking for your help. This is my nephew Karsten. He has been fighting a long battle with MS, including many severe seizures. He has been in the hospital for over 2 months now, and the doctors recently said he has exhausted all possible treatments for MS, and even a new chemotherapy. But nothing is working and Karsten continues to grow weaker. He is no longer able to talk, eat or swallow, he is completely blind now, he can no longer move, and he’s been intubated for breathing after a tracheotomy. He’s also been receiving dialysis due to weakened kidneys.
While this young man’s body may be weak and broken, he has a strong heart for God. His only request has been for prayers, and so I am sharing his request. Please lift him and his family up with your prayers and love, knowing that God is mighty and capable of all things. Thank you and God bless. – Amber
For more information on Multiple Sclerosis and how you can help, please visit the National MS Society.
Flowers for Mom
Flowers for Mom
As Mother’s Day was approaching, I found myself dreading it. This would be the first one without Mom, and it was hard to face. Since her death a couple of months ago, grief has hit me in waves and unexpectedly at times. For the most part, I’ve tried to push the thoughts out of my mind in order to keep functioning, to continue doing the day to day things of life.
Yesterday, as I was helping my son with his school work, a thought came into my mind out of the blue. The realization came hard that I can’t call my mother anymore, that I won’t hear her say “I love you”, or her words of encouragement telling me to “keep trying” or “well done”, and that I’ll never have another chance to tell her how much I love her. Never again will I be able to give her flowers, something that always put a beautiful smile on her face.
I thought back to this past Valentines Day. I remembered the smile on Mom’s face when my son and I surprised her with flowers and candy. A few moments later, Dad also surprised her with flowers and candy. Her eyes twinkled like the stars with happiness as she proudly placed her flowers on display. I was reminded of how when I was a child, I used to pick dandelions and other wildflowers for her. She always smiled with pride as she placed them with care into a glass or vase, something like I do now when my son brings me flowers.
As the tears began to fill my eyes, my son looked at me for a moment. Very thoughtfully he said, “It’s ok to miss her. We always miss what we love when it’s not here anymore”. Then he placed his hand on my chest and said, “But what made her special to you will always be in here. That won’t ever be taken away because God put her there in your heart for you”.
Then a new thought began to form in my mind. I was thinking about how even though I found comfort in knowing that Mom was no longer in any pain, and that I would see her again in heaven someday, there was still a lot of sadness and a sense of loss. That’s when it occurred to me, I have lost something! I have lost something that was very precious to me, and I miss it very much! I realized that when you lose something important to you, it takes time to adjust to not having it.
My life is different now, a part of it has changed. It may be hard to accept it and adjust to the change, but change is a constant part of life. And my son is right, even though Mom’s body may be gone, she is still here with me, right here in my heart! Just as all those flowers from over the years have died and are gone, but the pictures of them are still in my memories and the joy they brought is still in my heart.
As I have stated in many of my previous posts, my faith and trust in Jesus is what gives me strength to carry on. And I am so thankful for everything He has done for me. Going through this grieving process is not easy, but I know He is helping me through it. He touches my heart on a daily basis through the comforting and encouraging words of others around me, like my son. He reminds me often of the beauty of His creations, when the rain is followed by sunshine and flowers. And His Word constantly lifts my spirit with the promises of His love for me. His Word also tells me to be helpful and encouraging to others. That is why I am writing this post.
I know that I am not the only one with a grieving heart. The world is full of hurting people. But it is my hope and prayer that my words may find their way to touch another heart that is hurting, to let you know that you are not alone. I want to tell you that there is hope, that even in the midst of pain, you can have peace and comforting. Jesus never promised that life would be easy, but He did promise that with Him, the burdens would be made bearable. A part of my heart may be hurting in missing my Mom, but Jesus gave me another part of my heart where there is joy in remembering the love we shared.
At first, I didn’t think I wanted to celebrate this Mother’s Day. I thought it would be too painful. But I have decided that even though I know there will be tears, I am going to celebrate it anyway. In memory of my Mom, and in honor of God’s gift of having known her love, I am buying flowers to give away. I am also giving away copies of my book, Faith, Hope & Miracles. And I will be spending the day with my youngest son, building more joyful memories to fill our hearts, and praising God for creating mothers.
I don’t know exactly what it’s like in heaven, but the bible says that “…with God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). So I’m asking God to give flowers to all the mothers who are in heaven, and that they know their love is remembered.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom! You are forever in my heart. – Amber
Thank You For Your Prayers!
I just wanted to give a quick update, and a VERY BIG THANK YOU for all your prayers!
I just received word, my son is out of surgery and in ICU. He is doing well!!!
He was born with Aortic Stenosis, a defective heart valve. They have waited for years for technology to improve in replacing these valves. He now has a mechanical valve which should last a lifetime, and without further surgeries.
I am a very thankful mother this morning! God blessed me with three beautiful sons. My oldest went Home and walks with Jesus. My youngest went Home for a visit, but was returned to us. Now my second son has a new heart. And I pray it will always be filled with a love for Jesus!
With all my heart, I thank you all so much for your prayers! I know God hears, and answers. He has surrounded with caring and kind hearts that have lifted me up and encouraged me with hope! He gives me courage to face the storms, and strength to go through them. Thank You Jesus! – Amber
Press Release
“Am I at home on earth, or am I still in heaven?” This was the question asked by a little boy after being revived from a fatal accident. Do you believe in miracles?
In honor of Thanksgiving, “Faith, Hope & Miracles” by Amber Leggette-Aldrich will be made free on Amazon.com (Kindle version) November 22 and November 23, 2012.
This is a true story of a family’s journey from tragedy to miracles and blessings. After witnessing the death of her 8 year old son Christian in a tragic accident, Ms. Aldrich describes in detail his miraculous revival, followed by more miracles in his recovery.
“In 25 years of being a paramedic, I have never seen anyone with these kinds of traumas that survived”, said 1st responder Glenn Stevens of Matanuska Borough Emergency Services during the 2012 Alaska EMS Symposia. Dr. B.J. Coopes, head of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Providence Hospital in Anchorage Alaska said, “There was nothing normal about the resuscitation or recovery in Christian’s case”.
But perhaps the most astounding elements are Christian’s encounters with Jesus and what he saw in heaven during the 40 minutes before he was resuscitated.
Christian slept for about an hour and then woke up again. As soon as he began to stir, I took his hand and he opened his eyes and looked at me. He asked, “am I at home?” I said, “no honey, you are in the hospital”. He said, “no, am I at home on earth, or am I still in heaven?” A chill went through me as I began to realize the full scope of what I was hearing. I told him he was on earth and that everything was going to be alright. He became extremely agitated and grabbed me. He looked me right in the eyes and said, “Why did you take me away from Jesus? I didn’t want to come back, I wanted to stay with Jesus!”
In her 1st book, “Faith, Hope & Miracles”, Ms. Leggette-Aldrich shares the emotional impacts of her son’s journey in a way that is sure to inspire and encourage the reader. Is Jesus real? Does He still do miracles? Is there hope? You be the judge.
5 Star Reviews for “Faith, Hope & Miracles”:
“…The strength of this family’s faith was awe inspiring, as it was apparent from the start that the writer’s belief and trust in God is what kept her going. It made me reconsider just how strong my own faith really is…I used to wonder if miracles really happened anymore, but now I am positive they do! Thank you for sharing this beautiful work with the world Ms. Legette-Aldrich!” (Jason Robinson)
“I could not put this book down. I could actually feel the fear, pain, suffering, and yes, hope, of Christian’s parents. My heart went out to them. What a miraculeous recovery!…” (Yvonne Leggette)
“…Amber Leggette-Aldrich, (with her gift of superb authorship from God), is the gracious, fluent, flowing, experiential and narrative author of this wondrous story…As you read this marvelous story, you will be so blessed and will feel the emotional experiences of life-accident-death-miracle—>life.” (Don & Clara Zachary)
For a limited time only, get a free Kindle version of “Faith, Hope & Miracles” by Amber Leggette-Aldrich at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J0Z2FQ
The Trials of Life
(Originally posted on July 11, 2012)
The Trials of Life
By Amber Leggette-Aldrich
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
“…May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no “baseless fabric of a vision,” but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite… May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you. But notice how this blessing of being “stablished in the faith” is gained. The apostle’s words point us to suffering as the means employed–”After that ye have suffered awhile.” It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way. So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.” (Spurgeon’s Devotionals)
Suffering. Not so pleasant a thought. Certainly it is not something that anyone would desire. Yet it is through the suffering that we, as Christians, are made strong. Think about a chunk of coal. After many years of tremendous pressure, it becomes a beautiful diamond. It is from the pressure put on us during our times of trials and suffering that we are being perfected for God’s Kingdom. It is through our faith and trust in God that we have the strength to go through the storms, knowing that there is victory on the other side.
In my book, “Faith, Hope & Miracles”, I shared some of the toughest trials a person could go through. But my faith gave me the strength to go through it all. I endured the suffering because God gave me hope in the knowledge of His eternal love. There were times when I said, “In spite of the storm, I am strong”. But now I know that it is because of the storm that I am stronger.
After the storm comes the rainbow. God gave me the privilege of witnessing and sharing in a precious miracle. It has been a privilege and joy for me to see the impact in people’s heart in sharing that miracle. What a blessing it is for me to share God’s love and goodness, not only when life is good, but even more during the trials!
“Faith, Hope & Miracles – the true story of a journey from tragedy through blessings” is available on Amazon in Kindle version and paperback copy.
Faith, Hope & Miracles Ebook
Trials and Triumphs
Amber Lea
Faith, Hope & Miracles 