Holly Michael's Writing Straight

~ Connecting and Inspiring Along Life's Crooked Lines by Author Holly Michael

Holly Michael's Writing Straight

Tag Archives: Healing

Miracle Mom Story

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Holly Michael in Family, Inspiration

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

family, God, grace, Healing, Hope, Jesus Christ, Love, Mercy, Miracle, mom, mother, Wisconsin, wounds

Packing for a church visit to St. Peter’s Anglican in Albuquerque, New Mexico I was stressing over several chapters and a nonfiction proposal due to an editor in a few days. My husband assured me he’d drive there and back so I could write.

Then the phone rings.

My sister Jane.

Bad news.

Our mom had a A-Fib heart event that landed her in the ER, then the ICU. Jane said she was lucky to have survived because her heart had been pounding like crazy for too long. Here she is in the hospital:

mom

She looks happy and healthy, doesn’t she? Though the condition is chronic and she’ll have to take meds for life, the doctor said it’s a miracle she survived.

Miracle # 1

I spoke to my mom via Facetime. Jane sent the above picture, assured me she was fine and advised me to go ahead with my travels.

A few days after the event, the condition flipped and my mom’s heart went back to normal. No more meds. She’s fine.

Miracle #2

Then, that evening, my mother had a major stroke, was without speech and paralyzed. She was rushed to a larger hospital in Green Bay, given meds that they said could:

1. Kill her.

2. Heal her

2. Do nothing at all.

33% chance any one of those things could happen.

Thank God, the medicine worked.

Miracle #3

Here she is two days after her stroke, about to be released from the hospital:

mom1 Again, doesn’t she look happy?

The baby in her arms?

My youngest brother’s wife had a baby in the hospital the same day my mom was admitted (a hospital an hours drive from her home). Grandmother and grandson were released on the same day. A great-grandchild was born a day later.

Miracle # 4

Can you see God’s grace in all of this?

I phoned my mom yesterday, planning our visit home to Wisconsin. There was something different in her voice. A peacefulness I hadn’t heard in years.

When I asked her how she was feeling, she said, “In a lot of ways, better than before all of this happened. Not only physically, but something has changed in my heart…in ways I can’t even explain. All of this was meant to happen.”

The truth is, there have been family issues, wounds from the past plaguing her and our entire family.

My mother said that from her hospital bed she saw hugs between her children that she never thought she’d see.

My sister says she’s different. “Everything is different, ” Jane said. “You’ll see when you come home.”

Miracle #5

I haven’t been home for a very long time. We’re looking forward to going back.

Miracle #6

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The Destination: Update & Prayer

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by Holly Michael in Prayer Request

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

Angels, Healing, Heaven, Jesus, Mary, prayers, Vicky Sclafani

Yesterday, I posted about my friend Vicky, who is miraculously surviving a massive coronary and organ shut down. She is still with us, but confused and agitated at times, her nurse reports. She still doesn’t always remember where she is and what has happened to her, often thinking she’s on a bus or in a strange house, wondering when she’s going to reach her destination. I really appreciate your prayers and support in the comments section. They comforted me and made me realize that I didn’t include a prayer of my own in yesterday’s post.

So…

…knowing, when two or three gather in His name (even across the internet), He is there. Please pray with me:

Father, be with Vicky now…mortal arms often failed to hold her up when she was weak…and this fragile, gentle soul sometimes stumbled and fell. Jesus, wrap your Heavenly arms around Vicky now, as she once hugged and assured the tsunami orphans in India…

…shower Vicky with Your Mercy and Grace. Lord, heal her broken soul, her wounded heart, and restore her to complete fullness and wellness. As I can not sit at Vicky’s bedside today, please let your holy angels be her visitors. Please send Mother Mary, whom she loves, to sit with her and comfort her through her pain and confusion. Lord, don’t allow her to stray on the mountainside, alone and confused. O Good Shepherd, call to her, bind her wounds, heal her, and bring her to green pastures. Thank you Lord.

Troubles and trials often betray us
Causing the weary body to stray
But we shall walk beside the still waters
With the Good Shepherd leading the way

Those who have strayed were sought by the master
He who once gave his life for the sheep
Out on the mountain still he is searching
Bringing them in forever to keep

Going up home to live in green pastures
Where we shall live and die nevermore
Even the Lord will be in that number
When we shall reach that heavenly shore…

(Ferdinand Ortega – Green Pastures).

Below, Vicky in India with us in 2004, giving a Certificate of Deposit to an orphan that will help this child with college or marriage costs in a couple of years.

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Books: The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch by T.M. Gaouette

06 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by Holly Michael in Books, Weekly Book Review

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Blog, Book Review, Christianity, Faith, foster children, God, Healing, Holly Michael, Hope, T.M Gaouette, The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, www.writingstraight.com, YA Novel

Book Review and Five Author Questions

Featuring The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch by T.M. Gaouette

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13). My favorite Bible verse, on the first page of The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, lassoed me straight in to T.M Gaouette’s YA novel.

We meet Benny, a foster child who trusts no one and lacks faith in God. He’s been moved from place to place and arrives at Sunshine Ranch apprehensive and even unwilling to unpack his bags. Then, we’re introduced to the other foster children, all with diverse issues: depression, sadness, loss, abuse, neglect. Their means of coping  is uniquely crafted to each well-developed character.

The foster children need The Sunshine Ranch and they need David and Martha Credence, foster parents who have opened their large white farmhouse and generous hearts to them. Even through David and Martha’s own adversities, the couple gently guides the group of teens toward a loving God, helping them heal from old wounds and deal with new issues.

Dynamics change when new kids arrive at the ranch, and Benny, especially, is challenged at many levels. When the children discover the Credences may lose the ranch, their decisions, difficulties, and hopeful efforts will engage and entertain readers.

Though The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch is a YA novel, once you meet the characters, readers of all ages will be intrigued to discover how things will turn out. You’ll root for each child and for the Sunshine Ranch, while enjoying T.M. Gaouette’s rich prose and vivid descriptions.

Young readers dealing with depression, loss, and challenges will find hope within the pages of The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch. This heartwarming novel leads readers, along with the characters, on a route toward God, toward His love, and toward healing and the hope of living a fulfilled life. And for those already rooted in Christ, the novel will surely be a faith-strengthener.

So, come along to The Sunshine Ranch and to the themes of adversity and God’s transforming and healing power.

Questions to T.M.

Holly (Q1.): Author’s often write what we know. Where did you get your ideas for the theme and storyline of The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch?

T.M. (A1): The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch was inspired by a culmination of things. News stories about foster homes where children are abused just break my heart, but you never hear about the wonderful homes where foster parents actually love their children. I’m also an advocate for overcoming adversity and try to negate the idea that if you have experienced abuse in the past, it will affect you negatively in the future. And ultimately the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has a plan for all of us, is our strength. Maybe some of it is a reflection of past emotions, but ultimately the story I wanted to tell was one of strength, generosity, love, and faith.

Holly (Q2): You begin with “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13)” What special meaning does this passage hold for you?

T.M. (A2): This scripture is the crux of the story. It’s a truth that we should never forget. That no matter how bad things get, God is your strength, and with Him you can get through anything.

Holly (Q. 3): You were born in Africa, brought up in London, and now living in New England. How does this diversity in your background enhance what you write?

T.M. (A. 3): It gives me valuable insight into cultural diversity, I believe. Experiencing different people, places, and cultures has afforded me the opportunity to add color and depth to my stories, whether it’s in the dialogue, characterization, or settings within my stories. I love having the experiences stored in my memory, ready to use when needed. The smells, the emotions, the incidents, the characters are all there, waiting to be brought to life in one of my novels.

Holly (Q. 4): Are you a full-time novelist? Tell us something about yourself.

T.M. (A. 4): I’m a Catholic wife and mother of three. I pray that eventually I’m afforded the pleasure of writing novels full-time. For now, it’s part time. I’m also a contributing blogger for Project Inspired – a Christian website for tween and teen girls. I work from home and homeschool.

Holly (Q. 5): Any other books coming out?

T.M. (A. 5): Yes, actually I’m working on three right now. It’s ridiculous, I know, but when I have ideas I just start working on them, so I usually have a few books at various stages of the process. The next book out will be the first of a four-part Kung-Fu faith series, titled Freeing Tanner Rose. That should be out later in the year.

T.M. Gaouette is a freelance writer, ghostwriter, blogger and fiction novelist. She was born in Africa, brought up in London, and is now living in New England with her husband and three children. Devoted to Him, Gaouette is dedicated to glorifying God through her stories for children and young adults. She believes that life is too short to waste on the superficial and that adversity should be used to make one stronger. More importantly, Gaouette feels that the Lord has given us all special gifts and opportunities to make a positive difference.

Order The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch online by visiting the author’s website,  Barnes and Noble or through Amazon. Any online or local bookstore can order it too, if they’re not already carrying it! This title is also available on Kindle.

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Holly Michael

Holly Michael

Done this: Regular freelance ghostwriter and online editor for Guideposts for Teens/Sweet 16 Magazine, creator/editor of a magazine for Wal-Mart Corp., journalist, newspaper features writer, published in a variety of national magazines and local newspapers, script writing/editing for corporations. Doing this now: author of fiction and nonfiction, blogger, and editor of Koinonia Magazine. I’m the wife of Rt. Rev. Leo Michael, an Anglican Bishop in the Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite. Mom to three great kids: Nick (#81 Rajin Cajuns), Betsy (Super cute professor) and Jake (T1D & NFL player) Also, enjoy my travels extensively across the United States and internationally.

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