October 2006: My husband and I were married for seven years and we were blessed with two wonderful children. In October I found out God had different plans for our life. We were pregnant again with a third. We had a great time telling our family at Thanksgiving and by the last week of my first trimester, early in December, we figured we were safe to begin telling our friends too. One day shy of 12 weeks, our baby went to Heaven.
An avid reader, I searched for months afterwards for the “perfect” book that would offer me hope. I wanted to hear in someone else’s words that I would someday smile again. Despite reading numerous books, none of them offered that hope I was seeking. I remember vividly having a conversation with God and promising Him this: “Someday, I’m going to write that book that I so desperately wanted when our baby died.” Despite the fact that writing wasn’t even on my radar as a career choice (or hobby)
October 2011: It was during a writer’s conference when God reminded me of the promise I had whispered to Him years earlier. I told God, “If this is what you want, I will work hard. Please lead me to the people you want to share their heartaches.” I came home and began asking courageous men and women if they would be willing to tell their personal stories of heartache, in their own words, while offering hope to others who are or who have walked that path themselves.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT AND SNEAK PEEK
In October 2014, Hope During Heartache: True Stories of Emotional Healing from Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Death of a Child will be released.
By September 2014, the only thing missing for the book to be published was the perfect picture for the cover. I had been searching for a picture which would depict a message of hope during one of the darkest times in a parents’ life. I was getting frustrated, yet, I should know better. God, my Father, who is always personal, also always has perfect timing.
September 2014: While browsing Facebook on a Friday night, after a terrible storm had rolled through the Midwest, my husband found the perfect picture. I messaged the woman who took the photo and explained to her why I was asking permission to use it. She responded immediately with a “yes” and then shared with me that her family has been touched personally by the topic of the book. I believe that God allowed our paths to cross for a reason.
I shared with you some of the background behind the creation of this book in order to show that God works in some of the most incredible ways. May this book be a blessing to those who need it, those who read it, and those who share it with others who are searching for hope during the heartache in their lives.
Stayed tuned for details on where to purchase the book when it’s officially released.
Cover Photo: Sarah Herr
Cover Design: Emily Lam