Intro to “The Book about James” on 3.21.2015 World Down Syndrome Day

Mar21

I’ll be brief this time so you can watch and listen instead of read. March 21, 2015 is the 10th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day. This video introduces the 4th book in my Living Inside the Testimony series entitled The Book about James, written by Julia Gray, the mother of James. It’s an emotional roller coaster of 21 unique short stories about James Gray, Julia’s 9th and youngest child, who just happens to have been born with Down syndrome. So please watch the video and be sure to LIKE us at Facebook.com/TheBookAboutJames

Love Never Fails

Feb13

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but I don’t have to remind you of that. Society and retailers have taken care of that ever since they took down Christmas decorations and replaced then with tons of Valentines. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been married 28 years to the absolute love of my life, and we will be celebrating our wonderfully and enormously blessed love for each other on February 14 just like everyone else who has a special someone to share that day. We don’t take that blessing lightly!

However, I’d like to take just a couple of minutes of your time to reflect on true love, love that never fails. We know the 13th chapter of I Corinthians is considered the Love Chapter, and here’s the reason why as explained in verses 4-8 of the New International Version: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Yes, LOVE NEVER FAILS. So in this month of love, I’d like to leave you with 28 reminders of true love. If I had planned this better, it would have been delivered to your inbox on January 31 so that you could read one verse each day during the month of February. But alas, as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. Reality is this thought didn’t come to my mind until today. I have been enlightened and inspired by a fellow author who already found these 28 wonderful bible verses to encourage your hearts (pun intended).

God says you are...

God says that you are all of these 28 glorious descriptions. Now that’s TRUE LOVE!

I can attribute this lovely picture to www.JenniferDukesLee.com. I saw it on her website with the following quote: “Do you know what a treasure you are? Do you know how deeply loved you are? Maybe you’re like me, in need of a fresh reminder that you were created on purpose, for a glorious purpose, in the name of love. Your Savior loved you to life, even through His own death. He is your ultimate …”

So with that being said, Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy the true love verses and know that God says that you are all of these 28 glorious descriptions.

Merry Christmas…. to Africa

Dec21

Everyone has that kind of relative, right? You know the one who shows up at the Family Thanksgiving Dinner after all the food has been put away or at Christmas time, empty-handed, looking for a handout. My mother’s brother, Uncle Singleton, is not exactly THAT kind of relative though. He’s from a little rural town in Ellendale, TN, but he spends most of the holidays deep in the bushes of Africa, specifically in Kenya, Nigeria, or Uganda being driven by a mission. His mission is to bring the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, to the people of Africa.

You see, my uncle is an International Evangelist, and a couple of months ago, we celebrated his 25th anniversary as Founder and President of Christ International Ministries. How he got from Ellendale to the continent of Africa is a miracle all by itself. If you visit his website, you will find information about his ministry to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus to go and preach the gospel and to assist in the growth of the body of Christ. What’s so interesting to me is that his “only” preparation for such an undertaking is simply being “called” by God. It is a gift. It is an anointing. It is the favor of God. It is most definitely a calling to be driven by such a mission… to preach, teach, and support!

L to R - American Traveling Companion - Dr. Dewayne Swift, Evangelist Singleton Hopkins, Evangelist Sybil Hopkins, 2 women from the village

L to R – American Traveling Companion – Dr. Dewayne Swift, Evangelist Singleton Hopkins, Evangelist Sybil Hopkins, 2 women from the Nigerian village

On his first mission trip to Nigeria in 1989, his contact person was afraid to send someone to pick him up from the airport for fear of being hijacked. There he was in a foreign land all by himself, unable to speak the language, dependent upon strangers to help him to his destination well before there was anything remotely similar to google maps. I don’t think his destination is even on a map today! A brave taxi driver took him through checkpoints with men holding machine guns, and he eventually arrived at the designated home safely. Singleton doesn’t travel to the “city” part of these countries. He goes in the villages and deep in the bushes where no American missionary has travelled.  He has preached in the midst of rebel activity, in refugee camps, and even to orphans whose schools had been bombed. While traveling through one rebel line, the people immediately behind his group were murdered.

The first church Christ International Ministries built in Nigeria

The most recent church Christ International Ministries built in Uganda

Through what seems to be a very dangerous mission, Singleton has witnessed miracles right before his eyes. Blind eyes have gained sight and deaf ears have been opened. Souls have been saved, and heaven rejoices. As his wife Sybil describes it, “These past years have been one of amazement…It has been a tremendous blessing, and I appreciate God for allowing me to have the privilege of leaving this country to go to another place in the world and tell people about Jesus.” They have ministered to thousands, spreading the gospel, and providing aid to the people of Africa. It is rare that we ever see him during the holidays because he is usually in Africa during Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s the best time of the year for him to travel because in order to fund this ministry, Singleton owns and physically labors every day in a small lawn care business. He works full-time on his day job to have the means to fund his mission trips. Because lawn care in his part of the world is slow during the winter months, he chooses to leave that work behind to travel to Africa between November and January. To me, it seems like he brings Christmas to Africa. What a gift!!!

Some of the Nigerians who came to hear Evangelist Singleton Hopkins preach the gospel

Evangelist Singleton Hopkins preaching inside the Nigerian church which he helped build

So as we continue our American traditions celebrating the Christmas season, I ask that you consider sending a Christmas gift to Africa. We have an overabundance of most things here in America, including material possessions, all the modern conveniences that we probably take for granted, and of course the freedom of religion. What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ than to help fund a mission trip to remote areas of Africa, so they too can hear “The Good News!”  You can make a secure online donation to Christ International Ministries by clicking here. Your donations are tax-deductible to this 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

As I mentioned in the beginning, everyone has that kind of relative. My uncle is usually late for Thanksgiving dinner because he is probably in a remote part of an African village preaching the gospel. He doesn’t show up at Christmas time empty-handed either. Instead, he is most likely using his hands to help build churches and schools in those same remote areas of Africa. He’s not looking for a handout. He’s reaching up, all the way to heaven, and he’s teaching the precious souls in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda how to reach heaven too. WHAT A GIFT!

Living Inside the Testimony… in Spain

Aug31

Have you ever met someone and wondered how in the world did he turn out like this? It can be a really good or a really bad impression. Either way, you probably remember him for the rest of your life.

When I first met Alex Galloway, Psy.D, he was working with Memphis Healthy Churches and Christ Community Health Services in Memphis, TN. He is a clinical psychologist who I had pictured in my mind as one who could (and should according to the world’s standards) be earning 100’s of thousands of dollars annually based on his education, skills, and abilities. However, he was devoting his time and energy to the under-served and poor of the inner city. He certainly left a lasting impression on me.

After he announced he was leaving Memphis to join Church Resource Ministries, (CRM) my heart was sad because I had never met anyone quite like him. According to CRM’s website, “CRM empowers leaders to go to the unreached and unchurched, bring transformation among the poor, and mobilize the Church for mission…so that disciples are made among the nations.” The website describes Alex like this: Alex is a clinical psychologist with specialized interest in marriage counseling, trauma recovery, and the holistic care of God’s people. He has worked among the poor for ten years in Memphis and has a passion for the marginalized and victims of injustice. He enjoys encouraging, equipping, and empowering those who minister on the “front lines” with CRM.

I would miss him terribly, but I knew God had a much greater calling on his life. He and his wife, Amy, along with their 3 daughters, would be giving up everything to move overseas to serve in an even greater capacity. Alex wouldn’t be able to do what he does without Amy, whom I may add, has a master’s degree herself. CRM’s website describes her like this: Amy makes a special contribution to the team with her deep love for women in ministry and their families. Her authentic living, transparency about the spiritual journey, and deep passion for Jesus permeate her teaching and ministry. Amy is passionate about prayer and commits herself to praying for CRM and our staff.

If they knew I was writing this blog about them, they would surely blush. If they knew I still had a hard time calling Dr. Galloway simply “Alex,” they would wonder why. If they knew I was mentioning their degrees and worldly earning potential, they would probably ask that I not write this blog post. However, it’s all part of my story: Living Inside the Testimony…in Spain.

Alex, Amy, and their three girls - Karis, Bella, and Lexy

Alex, Amy, and their three daughters – Karis, Bella, and Lexy

Today, Alex, Amy, and their three girls – Karis, Bella, and Lexy – live in Málaga, Spain, where they are establishing a missionary care and training hub. I subscribe to their newsletter, and the latest one is what gave me the idea for this post. Below is an excerpt from their newsletter.

Every wonder WHY we’ve been appointed to this particular era… the era of ice water fund-raising challenges, partisan stand-offs, the redefinition of marriage, and the disintegration of trust between the police and the people?



And what about the turmoil in the Middle East?  It’s horrifying to know there are videos of beheadings (American or not!  Children or adults!) circulating on the internet fueling the religious and ideological wars among religious groups.  We see the footage of entire villages being gassed to death and hear of Iraqi Christians being crucified because they won’t renounce their faith.  Then we close our computer, refill our coffee, swallow our helplessness and guilt, and go on about the day. I mean really, what can WE do about it?



Christianity Today recently posted an excellent article titled, “Crisis in Iraq:  Five Things You can Actually Do to Help” see the attached link:  (http://www.christiantoday.com/article/crisis.in.iraq.six.things.you.can.actually.do.to.help/39094.htm).

Two of their recommendations ring especially true for me.  



1)  PRAY for people living in these war-torn zones.  When I am worshipping on a Sunday morning, I often think of people sitting in refugee camps, young girls held hostage by religious fanatics, or Christians sitting in jail cells… all of them facing daily torture, and despair.  I ask God to sing over them, wherever they are, to send angels to minister to them, to reveal Himself to them in the darkness, and to strengthen their spirits.  And I pray for those receiving the overflow of refugees.  You think our immigration problem is bad – they estimate more than 30% of Lebanon will be Syrian refugees by the end of the year.  Yes.  Thirty percent.  Now that’s a humanitarian crisis that reshapes a whole nation.



2)  GIVE to organizations who are serving on the ground.  I know it seems “easy” or insignificant to just write a check.  But my belief is that our checkbooks can help to remind us and align us more clearly with our priorities and with the suffering around the world.    There is a practical (and I believe spiritual) release of resources that take place when we invest in the poor, the oppressed and the forgotten.

In case you are unconnected to an organization working in the Middle East, Alex himself (and several on our team) are working directly with the crisis in Syria, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon.   Here’s how we are involved:

  • Alex trains workers from refugee camps and NGOs how to do crisis and trauma debriefing.  The trainings and materials are translated from English to Arabic as the workers come from many nations.  They then take those materials and train others… there’s a multiplication effect in resourcing others.
  • Our team provides debriefing and crises care for workers who themselves have been traumatized through sexual assault, deportation, abuse, and/or burnout.  Sometimes it’s a Skype call, sometimes we go to them, and other times they land here in Southern Spain for a period of time.
  • We host retreats where workers in the Middle East and north Africa  come for spiritual care, counseling, and rest.   They are always weary and often their belief in God and His goodness is rattled by the suffering they’ve seen.  They need a landing place, a M*A*S*H unit so to speak, to rest, heal and receive care.

We tell you this not to be self-promoting (though we do have needs), but to give you an opportunity to participate in something tangible you can do for people on the other side of the globe.  And it’s not insignificant – to us or to them.



Join with us in praying and serving our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world!

In Him,


Amy

That is what I want to share with you today, Amy’s message in the newsletter.  Don’t you see now why I wonder how they ended up like this? I’ve heard of overseas missionaries, but I’ve never seen a couple so totally devoted to it like they are. They have given up everything to serve others, and I’d just like to share their message with my readers. You can read more about Alex and Amy at this link that follows. Be sure to scroll down beyond the top story after you click the link to see some really cute pictures of the family’s visit back home to America. Click here: Galloway Updates from Spain.

The Galloways are living inside the testimony in Spain

The Galloways are living inside the testimony in Spain

I have been making a monthly contribution to help them fulfill their mission ever since they left Memphis years ago. If you feel led to make a one time or ongoing, tax-deductible donation to support the Galloway family and their ministry, you may give in the following ways:

ONLINE:  
http://www.crmleaders.org/give  or click here.

BY MAIL:
CRM Empowering Leaders
1240 N. Lakeview Ave #120
Anaheim, CA 92807

BY PHONE:
Call 1 (800) 777-6658 x122 to make a donation by credit card.

Thank you so much for taking the time to live inside the testimony with me by subscribing to my blog. Like I always say, “We all live inside testimonies meant to be shared to help inspire and encourage others.” The Galloways inspire me all the way from Spain! I hope that I have inspired you today.

By HIS Grace on World Sjögren’s Day (July 23)

Jul23

You may have heard me say that I’m a nurse by profession, author by passion, and storyteller by the grace of God. For just a moment, allow me to explain that “storyteller by the grace of God” part. By nature, I’m a very shy person and could go all day without speaking to anyone. I would much rather sit quietly at a computer screen in my own little world than talk to people. My husband’s family lovingly say I didn’t start talking to them until after I had my first child (and that was at age 29 after we had been married almost 8 years.) When I was growing up, people would jokingly say “I didn’t know you could talk!”

But Galatians 1:15 (NIV) says “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased…” so I know with absolute certainty that it is HE who called me not only to write, but also to tell stories!  He is undoubtedly the only reason I have ventured so far away from my comfort zone to this newfound passion for writing and storytelling.

With that being said, I’d like to share a video blog with you that astonished even the video producer because she knows me personally and was shocked when I asked her to actually record me… “talking… in front of the camera… willingly…all by myself…”  That is indeed a testimony of how far I have come to willfully appear in front of a camera like this.

Basically, I have two reasons for sharing this video blog today:

  1. Today is World Sjogren’s Day (and the video is about my 2-year journey to winning a gold medal for a book I wrote about Sjogren’s)
  2. Today is also a day that I realize just how far I have come from being that quiet, shy little girl to being a “storyteller” by the grace of God!

My prayer for each of you is that you become what God called you to be, BY HIS GRACE!

The Storyteller

Click picture to watch my video blog on YouTube

After watching my Video Blog, I hope I have inspired you to move beyond your comfort zone and discover your calling.

Also in observance of World Sjogren’s Day, perhaps you would like to make a donation in memory of one of the women in the book, Judy Kang, who lost her battle with Sjogren’s earlier this year. All proceeds go directly to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation to aid in research and better treatment options for those suffering with this disease. Click here to make a secure online donation in Judy’s honor. To learn more about Sjogren’s syndrome, click here.

Constant Reminders

Jul1

At work the other day, I was chatting with a co-worker (who I will call Jill), and somehow we got off task. Before I knew what happened, Jill was telling me how her mother always told her how much money it took to raise her. It wasn’t specifically in dollar amounts, but even as a young girl, Jill was constantly reminded by her mother that they had to pay for so many things to take care of her. To a young child who doesn’t understand the value of money or that it costs to raise a family, being constantly reminded of this fact simply didn’t mean anything. As she got older, Jill realized her mother was actually complaining about the cost of raising a family.

The more we talked, the more off task we became. Then another co-worker chimed in and said that God gives her constant reminders too. These were of a much different sort. Her reminder that morning was a song “Fix my Eyes on Jesus.” Instantly, she was reminded that no matter how bad her day at work was going, she did not have to stress out about it. Instead, all she had to do was fix her eyes on Jesus, and she knew he would help her through the day no matter how stressful the job was.

That sidetrack at work made me think about God and all the constant reminders that we get from him. Sometimes we’re like little children who don’t understand the value of the reminders. Then there are times when that’s all the hope we have left, and if it wasn’t for the Lord’s constant reminders, we would surely faint.

A magnificent sunset over the horizon after a stressful day at work, the calm after a raging storm, holding a tiny newborn for the very first time so close to you that you can feel his or her little heartbeat, an astronaut’s view of this wondrous earth from the vastness of outer space, and simply falling in love – deeply and profoundly in love for the very first time. All of those things are constant reminders that God is ever-present, and this world and everything in it is what he created in the beginning. Knowing he has the hairs on my head numbered simply blows my mind, but that too is a constant reminder that He knows absolutely everything about me.

So as I continue this journey of discovering the storyteller inside me, I am constantly reminded that I write because He called me to do it. I tell people that I’m a nurse by profession, author by passion, and storyteller by the grace of God. I have a purpose for writing and sharing testimonies with others, and it has nothing to do with me. It’s not a job, nor is it my chosen career path. It’s so much more than that. It’s a “calling” that I have answered. As I share my thoughts through this blog, my prayer is that each of you will be inspired and encouraged by the stories that I share. As I seek the Lord for guidance as to what I should write, I earnestly pray that you will be blessed and inspired. As Revelation 12:11 teaches us, we are overcomers by the words of our testimonies.

Living Inside The TestimonyThat’s how I started my first book, Living Inside The Testimony. And that’s how I will end this post, with a gentle reminder for each of you. Remember that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others. I finally realized that God doesn’t have to constantly remind me of that. Thank you for living inside this testimony with me.

Are there reminders from the Lord that you don’t recognize or perhaps ignore? Are there things in your life that you need to share with others to help inspire and encourage them along the way? Does God have to constantly remind you that HE created you for a purpose? Are you fulfilling that purpose?

I Don’t Know Why I Wonder

May26

Derrich would have turned 34 last month, but that wasn’t the plan God had for his life. Instead, it’s been 34 years ago that his short 12 hours and 31 minutes on earth changed his mother’s life forever! You can even say that his tiny lifespan of only half a day changed the course of history, depending on which book you read.

Angel in My Room

Angel in My Room

You won’t find Derrich Hopkins mentioned in any history book. However, he is the focus of my second book, Angel in My Room. This heart wrenching yet uplifting story is just as factual as any history book. Actually it’s probably even more factual as it was told by someone who was there to witness the entire journey for herself, his mother – Lillie Hopkins.

As the author, I interviewed Lillie and gathered all the details of her story which she had kept quiet for over 30 years. It was simply too painful for her to discuss, but she knew her story had to be told. It’s a beautiful story of love, compassion, and forgiveness. What surprised me was the different reactions from people. I never thought my book would have received such mixed emotions because I naively assumed people would simply believe what I wrote.

Readers’ Favorite Book Reviewer Molly Edwards said “Angel in My Room is a heartwarming, emotionally moving story of hope and life. Ms. Collier’s ability to take profound moments in reality and put them into such emotionally packed words is absolutely incredible. She takes an incident in life and turns it into a testimony. It’s a testimony that in tragic times there is still something that can move you, something that can give you hope and faith. A strong message of pushing forward and moving on is superbly evident in the writing of Ms. Collier. I can definitely say that this is one of the best written memoir stories I’ve read to date.”

Undoubtedly, she is a believer, both of hope in Christ, and in what I wrote.

Thomas Nelson Book Reviewer D. Kinney said “Another thing that bothered me about the book was the mention of the angel in her room. She writes that Lillie’s baby in the form of an angel appeared to her in her hospital room. There is no mention of the possible side-effects to the heavy dose of painkillers she was on or the unbiblical description of a baby with wings. Angels are described as heavenly beings, not as babies with wings. That cherubic depiction is man made. This makes me question the authenticity of the angel Lillie saw.”

Undoubtedly, she doesn’t believe what I wrote.

Why should I be hurt, surprised, or offended if everyone does not accept the book as a true story? It’s Lillie Hopkins’ inspirational story of love, compassion, and forgiveness. All I wanted to do was tell her story to help others struggling with those same issues in life. I never imagined anyone who chose to read it would be skeptical.

However, after I thought about it, I realized that I shouldn’t be surprise. People question The Bible all the time. Some believe while others don’t. Some call it the greatest book ever written. (YES, it absolutely is!!!) Others say it’s just a farce, and we shouldn’t believe anything written in the bible. As a Christian and born-again believer, I believe by faith. It’s just that simple. So why should I wonder why some may not believe what I wrote when they don’t even believe what the bible says.

In this modern world, it just proves that skeptics are everyone. Perhaps people tend to be naysayers more frequently than they tend to be optimistic and supportive. What I have learned is that should not stop me from writing. By sharing my insecurities about my writing with you, I hope you learn not to be swayed by the opinion that others may have about you. Be encouraged to do what you feel passionate about even if that means accepting criticism. Everyone will not be supportive of you or your ideas, but that doesn’t make them any less valid. The truth is the truth whether anyone accepts it or not. Don’t wonder why everyone does not support your ideas and ambitions. If you believe in what you are doing, then it shouldn’t matter if others are supportive or not. I write because God gave me the passion for it, and by His grace, I will continue being a storyteller until He is through with me. I write for Him, not myself, so I proclaim this day that I will no longer wonder.

For more information about Angel in My Room, please visit my website:

Click here to listen to the talk show interview which prompted this book.

I am looking for honest opinions and critiques of my writing. I learn how to reach an audience by listening to readers. If you have already read Angel in My Room, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com at this link. You can leave a review even if you didn’t purchase the book on Amazon. Just click here to post a review.

For any subscriber or follower of this blog, I’m offering a free paperback copy of Angel in My Room. My only request is that you leave an honest review on Amazon after you finish reading the book. Please comment on this post if you’d like a complimentary copy, and I’ll ship it right away. I appreciate you for reading and subscribing to my blog. Thank you for helping me to realize the true reason why I write.

Lillie Hopkins and Betty at a book signing

Lillie Hopkins and Betty at a book signing

What Do You Do When You Lose One?

Apr13

I was filled with great anticipation and nervous excitement exactly one year ago as I would finally get to meet the five fabulous women on the celebrity panel in my book, SHOWgrins. I had grown to love, admire, and respect these remarkable women who I will forever refer to as my “Fab Five.” It was the first time we would all make a national appearance together as we celebrated the book launch which was being held in conjunction with the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation (SSF) National Patient Conference. What I didn’t know at the time is that would be the one and ONLY occasion the Fab Five would ever be together.

From left to right, Lynn Petruzzi, Paula Sosin, Estrella Bibbey, Cathy Taylor, Judy Kang, and me (Betty Collier)

From left to right: The Fab Five at the 2013 SSF National Patient Conference for the “SHOWgrins” Book Signing Extravaganza – Lynn Petruzzi, Paula Sosin, Estrella Bibbey, Cathy Taylor, Judy Kang, and me (Betty Collier)

Yesterday, I received an email from Steven Taylor, the SSF CEO. The subject line read “Judy Kang Passed Away.” My heart dropped, I left my office where I was reading the email, and retreated to my bedroom. I began to grieve in heartbroken sorrow. It was like a slide show running through my mind as I remembered that weekend in Bethesda where I met five of the most incredibly courageous women I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter: Cathy Taylor, Estrella Bibbey, Judy Kang, Lynn Petruzzi, and Paula Sosin.  When I said one name, I said all five. How I loved each one of them. Collectively they were simply the Fab Five, my Fab Five, but now there were only four.

To backtrack just for a moment, Sjögren’s (pronounced SHOW-grins) syndrome is the second most common autoimmune disease affecting approximately 4,000,000 Americans. Because the pronunciation as well as the disease itself is often misunderstood, I entitled my book SHOWgrins to bring about awareness of this sometimes silent and confusing illness. Of the millions of people with this disease, I chose Judy Kang as one of the Fab Five to share her inspirational Sjögren’s journey with the world. My book chronicles the lives of these five extraordinary women who opened their hearts and shared their Sjögren’s stories for everyone to understand more about this disease to help increase awareness and expedite new diagnoses and treatment options. My hope was to inspire millions with their heartwarming stories so that others would be encouraged and motivated to face crossroads in their own lives.

But now my sweet, dear Judy was gone. I had lost one of the Fab Five. I wondered of all the millions of Americans with Sjögren’s syndrome, why had I selected her as one to interview for my book? My heart was breaking, and for a brief moment, I wished I had never known her. Then I would not be in such terrible pain right now trying to pick up the pieces to my broken heart. Then as quickly as that thought entered my mind, I suddenly realized that’s exactly why I had chosen her. She had such a profound impact on my life; she was chosen because her incredible story of triumph and victory over learning to live with Sjögren’s is a story so many struggling people desperately need to hear.

I returned to my office to reply to Steve’s email, but I couldn’t see the computer screen for all the tears swelling in my eyes. My husband walked in and asked what I was doing, and I simply said “replying to an email,” but he knew it was much more than that. With tears rolling down my face, I mumbled the words I should have known I would have to face one day: “One of the women in the book passed away.” I couldn’t even say her name, and now that I’m sitting at this computer screen a day after learning of her passing, the tears are making it nearly impossible to see what I’m typing.

Judy and Betty

Judy and Betty

Judy Kang, a woman of great faith and fortitude, lived her life to the fullest, amidst the uncertainty of not knowing from day-to-day what health challenges she would face, as there were countless of them for many years. Some days she never even knew where her next breath would come from. She summarized her battle with Sjögren’s like this: “In 1996 I was diagnosed with a lung illness which they realized was caused from primary Sjögren’s syndrome. I was on oxygen for 9 years and in 2010 managed to get a double lung transplant. I still have symptoms of Sjögren’s but luckily have a renewed life.”

Her double lung transplant was a journey all by itself. She kept an electronic journal, and the very first entry she wrote while still in the hospital was this: “Whew!  I just finished reading all the journal entries my husband wrote throughout my surgery and “visit” in ICU.  I was crying buckets as I realized what he was going thru and how hard that must have been to be alone. I am amazed at what he did and it just reaffirmed how wonderful he is when I really thought he was in denial of my illness. JY, you really amaze me. You are the best hubby in the world… I have the best family and friends in the world!!  I can’t believe you all followed along and sent prayer after prayer and all that positive energy. You know I was receiving them all because I came out with flying colors. Well, I had NO idea what I went thru because I was so medicated.  But those prayers and karma and positive energy brought me to where I am.”   

She returned home 2 months after the transplant surgery to begin her new normal with the loves of her life, her loving and devoted husband, J.Y., and their two precious children, Ethan and Emily. When her health was better, she even did volunteer work for both the Donor Alliance and the SSF. She has been the guest speaker for many of their events, sharing her remarkable journey which has encouraged and motivated countless others.

So as I reflect back on the courageous fight Judy endured for all those years after being diagnosed in 1996, I can’t believe that for a few seconds I actually thought I would have been better off not knowing her. I simply didn’t want to go through the pain and agony of missing her. But Judy taught me a very valuable lesson. I’m stronger than I was before I met her. The encouragement and inspiration she has given me is absolutely priceless, and I am a far better person for knowing her. When I interviewed Judy for the book, I asked what would her message be to others facing challenges in life. She replied, “Surround yourself with a good support system. Make sure you have a good network of people who understand what you’re going through. Maintain a positive attitude. Keep a good outlook on things. Believe that something will work out. Live your life in a positive way and deal with things as they come. Take what life throws at you, and do your best with it. Never give up, and continue living your life.”

That’s exactly what Judy did, and her message will live on forever. I wanted to go back and read her chapters from the book, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to doing that yet. I will one day, and I’m sure I will learn an even greater lesson as I read what I wrote about this dear warrior and her battle. Others will read my book and be encouraged not only from Judy, but all of the Fab Five. As one reader described it, “I felt the women’s pain, their frustrations, their hopes and their determination to push against the pressure Sjögren’s syndrome has put in their lives. All of their stories are well-told by the author, portraying their life before their diagnosis, as well as the challenges they faced when they knew they had the condition. Their bravery and the love and support of their family against the medical, social and mental stress Sjögren’s syndrome can bring are inspiring and heartwarming. Estrella, Judy, Lynn, Paula and Cathy have all managed to make the best of their situation, and have dedicated their lives to promoting awareness of this condition. Their stories, together with the author’s own journey, inspire not only those with Sjögren’s syndrome, but everyone who has had life-changing challenges and problems.”

The saddest part of this story would have been if I was never blessed with the wonderful privilege of meeting Judy.  I am truly honored and filled with unbelievable gratitude that she shared her life with me and trusted me to share it with the world. I realize that I haven’t really lost one of the Fab Five after all.

From left to right: The Fab 5 and Betty: Cathy, Estrella, Paula, Betty, Lynn, and Judy (never lost and never forgotten)

From left to right: Cathy, Estrella, Paula, Betty, Lynn, and Judy (never lost and never forgotten)

I will forever have very fond memories of all five of these truly remarkable and courageous women. They will never be lost and never forgotten because they allowed me to share their transformational stories with the world. As Steven Taylor told me, “Judy’s story reminds us why our fight is far from over!  Her memory will keep us all moving forward to ensure every patient is diagnosed and monitored so that serious complications can be stopped early.”

For more information about the SSF, visit sjogrens.org.

How I Came to Know I Had Faith (on World Down Syndrome Day)

Mar21

If I was confronted with devastating news that dramatically changed my life forever, would I remain steadfast in my faith in God?

Would you still have faith to believe if you had to endure an unwanted situation which you felt God should have spared you from having to go through because you are a born-again believer?

In observance of today being World Down Syndrome Day, I decided to feature a guest author who had to answer that question for herself. In an article she wrote entitled, “How I Came to Know I Had Faith,” Julia Gray, an award-winning author, takes us to the delivery room where she is faced with the daunting realization that her 9th child was born with Down syndrome.

The Book about JamesThis story, along with many more, will be released next year as the 4th book in my series. But for now, let’s see how Julia came to know she had faith.

Excerpt below from The Book about James, Written by Julia Gray, the Mother of James

Even though numerous ultrasounds had been performed on me throughout my pregnancy, not only did we have no idea of the sex of our baby, we certainly did not know that he would be born with Down syndrome.  It understandably came as quite a shock and, as I have said many times, I was not pleased, with great emphasis on the word “not.”

The doctor and the nurse who were present seemed to have no concerns, and all seemed like a typical birth.  I was at a disadvantage from my very vulnerable position and couldn’t tell too much about what was going on, but I had pretty strong concerns.  James was not crying out like newborns usually do.  Everything seemed much too calm and quiet.

The nurse had placed James in that little plastic baby bed, and as she moved out of my view, I could see James for the first time.  He was in profile, and I immediately saw what was undeniable, but I hoped was not true.  I calmly asked, “Does he have Down syndrome?”  I asked calmly hoping with all my heart they would just laugh at my ridiculous question.  You know, newborns have been through a lot and that can really alter their appearance.  Maybe that was it.

The nurse did respond very sincerely but with a little giggle, “Now, why would you say that?”  That didn’t help like I had hoped it would.  Even though I didn’t want to accept it and wanted to continue in the denial, deep down, I knew.  My dearest husband only confirmed my fears in his response, “Well, look at him.”

OK, a side note on Kevin’s response because I don’t want anyone to think he was some kind of jerk in that life altering moment.  My beloved is just a matter of fact kind of guy.  I’ve often said, “His last name might be Gray, but he sees everything as black or white – right or wrong.”  He is a man of absolutes.  He could respond like that because he already knew that whatever the Lord had given him that is what he would accept.  Later, you will see how he helped me get to that point too.  Just another reason I am so thankful he is going through this life with me.

Back to me…In the next few hours, I wrestled with what I knew to be true.  I wanted to escape.  I didn’t want this to be part of our lives.  I didn’t want to be in this club!  Rapidly the scenarios ran through my mind, terrible scenarios.  I could run away leaving my husband and other children behind.  I could abandon James.  I could smother him.

Are you shocked?  Are you horrified that I would even think that for a moment?  Well I did.  Just for a very brief moment, but yes I did.  I felt trapped, devastated, crushed.

Then a peace came over me.  A very shaky peace but boy, did I need even a shred of light at that time.  I began to realize that I was prepared for this.  God had already laid the foundation for me to be able to withstand this next trial.  Even though I wanted to throw a tantrum and reject this trial, I knew that I would and could go through it no matter how badly I did not want this to be in my life!

The memory of sitting in Bible study one Tuesday morning years ago came to me.  I don’t remember exactly what we were studying, but I do remember that we were discussing how God will send trials into the lives of those he loves.  I do remember being troubled by the thought that my life had been one of relative ease and that I really had not had trials.  The trials I had experienced were ones caused by my own sins, and I just didn’t think those even counted.  Even more troubling to me was that God might decide he loved me very much and start sending trials.  This seemed to be a situation I just could not win.  I didn’t want to be on either side of that coin.  My theology may have been shaky, but it is how I felt.  This led me to wonder if I even truly had faith.  If I was confronted with a serious trial would I still even trust in God?  This question nagged at me for a while but would be solved one dark December day as you will see.

It was December 23, 2003.  Just the day before we had buried our daughter, Meredith.  She had been only an infant, a perfect infant in the eyes of the world.  She would have suffered none of the problems that we were worried James would suffer.  Yet, she was dead and buried.

During her funeral, that had certainly been dreaded, I felt such a calm sense of joy.  There had been a happiness and supernatural peace.  But as I stared out into our yard this next day, there was no peace.

The day was cold, rainy, and overcast, just dreary.  My heart broke as I realized my daughter, the baby I should be protecting and caring for, was in the ground out in this terrible weather.  What kind of mother leaves her child in such conditions?!  Then, in a flash, peace surrounded me once again.

She was not out there alone, in that forlorn ground.  She was there in body only.  My baby was in heaven with her true Father.  A much better place than my aching, empty arms, indeed!  In that moment, in that divine moment I realize that I did have faith.  Faith that got me through that time in my life was faith that would get me through many more situations to come – including accepting James.

For more information about World Down Syndrome Day, click here.

For more information about Julia’s upcoming book, click here.

Click pictures below to enlarge for easy viewing.

James and siblings dressed up

James, far right, along with 5 of his siblings. YES, Julia, you do have faith!!! The proof is in the picture.

James on Madonna Learning Center Poster

Today, James is a “superstar” at school. He was chosen as the only student featured on this 2014 poster promoting his school’s fundraising gala and auction.

Kevin, the father of James, with 6 of his children. Can you look at these happy faces and not have faith?

Kevin, the father of James, with 6 of his children. (James, far left, with arm around his brother’s neck.) Can you look at these happy, adorable faces and not have faith?

An editorial comment from Betty: I saw a post Julia made on Facebook about her husband, and I had to borrow it. “Right after James was born and I was so NOT happy about the whole Down syndrome thing, Kevin said something like, ‘Big deal. I bet he won’t be a Jerk. You can’t test for that.’ I immediately felt better.”  

Wow! I knew right then that Kevin was a keeper. After thinking about James, I started thinking about “The Book of James” in the bible, which is an example of practical advice and wisdom, consisting largely of moral precepts and examples. Then I started thinking about how inspirational it would be if Julia would take all of the wisdom and revelations she has learned over the past 6 years and write a book about James. But then I started thinking about the thousands of books which have already been written about Down syndrome. What else can possibly be said about raising a child with Downs?

Immediately, the answer came to me. No one has ever written a book about James.  The biblical James calls himself “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Julia calls her son James “a gift I never wanted yet now can’t believe I was blessed enough to receive.” I simply call it the beginning of the book about James. It’s certainly not your ordinary book about Down syndrome, nor is it a sappy book written by a mother professing her unconditional love and devotion to a child born with special needs.  Although Julia is a Christian with very strong beliefs and faith in God, you will not find this to be a preachy book with mini-sermons on unconditional love and child rearing the Lord’s way. Instead what you will find is a remarkable and heartfelt story of being given a gift you never thought you wanted, only to discover you cannot imagine living without. In an Erma Bombeck sort of way, Julia’s uncanny sense of humor will take you on a spiritual journey of what was first thought of as a terrible tragedy. The roller coaster of emotions and adjectives that come to mind will engulf you from the very beginning, and you will soon find yourself mesmerized and fully engulfed by her passion and love. Look for The Book about James, coming in 2015.

 

Why Did I Write the First Book?

Feb19

Living Inside The Testimony was my first book; however, I didn’t plan to write it. I had never considered myself an author and had no intentions or aspirations to write a book. However, the Lord had other plans for me, and after I submitted “my will” to become the same as HIS will for my life, things divinely changed, and I embraced this new passion. Here’s how it all began.

I had asked Kartriece Ward, a friend who owns Visions Promotional Agency, to make a DVD for me. It was going to be a personal keepsake of all the pictures I had taken of our dream home while it was under construction along with the audio of my testimony about the house that I had previously shared at church.

Kartriece sent me an email telling me this testimony was “meant to be heard by more than our circle of family and friends.” She said my testimony was “a sense of hope and encouragement during such a time as this…It’s an amazing thing what one willing person’s boldness to stand up and proclaim the goodness of God can do in the hearts of His people and the sense of hope it can bring…. It can help form thoughts and seeds of faith…” She felt sure God would lead and guide me through the entire process so those the Lord wanted me to witness to would hear or see me through whatever platforms He used…. I noticed she had typed platforms with a plural, red letter “s” at the end. Hmmmm…. platforms…. I had not thought about it before. I never (never ever) desired or planned to write a book, but now things had suddenly and dramatically changed.

LITT book coverShe sent the email January 9, 2009, and I dreamed about the front cover of the book that very night. What I saw in my dream was the outstretched hands of Jesus with our dream home coming out of his hands as if it was a gift. That dream became the design for the book cover.

I started writing the book the next morning as soon as I woke up with the words “Elvis died.” How weird that my testimony would begin with that simple sentence which seemingly had no relation to my testimony at all, but I soon discovered that my writing experience would not be what one would anticipate for a first time author. I sat at a blank computer screen and simply started typing. A month later, the book was finished. What started out as a personal home video had suddenly become my new obsession—my passion to share my “personal” testimony with the world, by whatever means the Lord would see fit to use it.

In the end, the book really wasn’t about the 3-year faith journey to purchase the land and build the house. That’s only 2 chapters in the book. Instead, it’s a collection of stories where I share the inspiration, faith, hope, humor, romance, and love that I had experienced throughout my lifetime. The stories revolve around my experiences with my family, friends, and other individuals who have contributed, often unknowingly, to the path God had chosen for my life.

As one book reviewer noted: “Living Inside The Testimony is not your everyday read. It’s far from it. It’s a wonderfully amazing story of Ms. Collier’s walk with God. It’s her living testimony, her daily struggles, her daily acceptance that she is walking with her Father. Ms. Collier’s testimony is told with exuberance and love, helping people to understand that there will be trials along the way, but having faith and hope in your heart will help you to overcome any obstacle. Though humorous at times, and a fast paced read, this is not a book that should be taken lightly. It’s anything but that, and will keep your wheels turning and your heart filled.”  Reviewed by Molly E. for Readers’ Favorite

For more information about the book, please visit my website: http://livinginsidethetestimony.com

Watch the 2-minute book trailer here.

Although I thought this would be my one and only book, now I’m on a God-inspired journey to write an inspirational collection of books, the Living Inside The Testimony ® Book Series. Thank you for joining me on this journey!