Surviving With Joy

Surviving With Joy is a true account detailing how God helped me return to life after the deaths of three of my children. I am sharing with you, in gripping detail, the events that took place between 1997 and 2005 as my husband and I suffered the deaths of three of our four children. One was by miscarriage, another as an infant, and the third an eight-year-old child. Do not be dismayed. This is not an “oh-woe-is-me” book, but an “oh look at who God is and what He can do” writing which demonstrates His glory and power. The separation of just one child (or loved one) can be crippling to a family member. But, Surviving With Joy explains how the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit—held me together, strengthened me, and brought me back to a joyful, abundant life just as promised in His word: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” John 10:10 (NKJV). The thief spoken of here is Satan. When God created this world from the beginning, it was not His intention for any of us to die. When Satan misled Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), death entered God’s world. Although death entered His perfect creation, God prepared a way back to life for everyone. That way back to life is Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” John 14:6 (NKJV). The only thing you have to do in order to receive eternal life, is believe in Jesus. If you will read Surviving With Joy, along with the Holy Bible, I promise that you will see Jesus in a different light and watch Him transform your grief into magnificent joy. I also promise that you will be healed from the pain of your grief as you understand that Jesus conquered death: “but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Tim 1:10 (NKJV). Additionally, you will gain a better understanding of death. You will learn that death is a lie straight from Satan. Yes, our earthly bodies will die one day; however, our true spiritual person will live on in heaven or in hell. Heaven and hell are real places. But, only heaven is reserved for eternal life, and heaven is where our Lord and Savior reign today. I am not telling you that your grief will leave you. No, those of us who live with grief, especially that of their own children, understand that there is no sorrow that compares. But, what I am promising is that you will realize that our children have a home in heaven, with God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Savior, and that they entered their heavenly home the moment their eyes closed here. There was no waiting period—it was instant—“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV). However, I am telling you that with God, your joy will return and you will live an abundant life while waiting for all of God’s promises to be revealed. Surviving With Joy also helps you to understand that heaven is meant for all children, especially unborn and infants. Psalm 127:3 states, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Since children are from the Lord, then they already belong to Him. Since children belong to God, we can be assured that they return to Him when they leave their earthly home: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know," John 14:1-4 (NKJV). Of course, this not only means children, but everyone. If you suffer from grief, or know anyone who does, please let God help you claim Surviving With Joy, as well. God’s love, compassion, and power are detailed in the pages of this book and are promised for you and given freely to you. I urge you to read this book and experience God at work. Many of the experiences that I have shared are hard for even me to comprehend, but every word is true. Every detail explained is God’s hand providing my every need just at the right time and place. He’s ready to do the very same for you. God will speak to you through the words of this book and He will lead you not only to a joyful life, but most importantly, to a closer relationship with Him. With Jesus, you can do anything: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV). There were many difficult decisions to make and actions to take in order to survive the separation from my children—one-by-one—and then to continue living a productive, joyful life afterward. God took me by the hand and led me through each and every minute of each and every day. He promises you the same, “And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed," Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV).