The Light in the Valley

By Patricia Norman Rachal

Mary Boyter has been called a miracle by many, including her doctors. This brave lady was a case study at LSU Research Medical Center in Shreveport, LA for many years because her case of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) is unique to all others the doctors had seen. She has defied the odds and still lives independently many years after being diagnosed. There is no medical explanation for her success in living independently for over 20 years with this debilitating disease. Mary attributes her success to her faith in God and God's goodness. This is her story and is uplifting and encouraging. She tells of her experiences, both good and bad, of helping others, being a seasoned speaker in spite of a speech impediment caused by the disease, being MDA spokesperson and so many other activities she was told she would never do. She shares her ups and downs, successes and failures, humor and tears in a way that will make you feel as if you have known her for years. I hope you will read The Light in the Valley because, truthfully, none of us know when tragedy may strike us or someone we love. I think Mary has found the key to dealing with severe and tragic events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia Norman Rachal
• Release date: Dec 16, 2010
• ISBN: 9781458128164

Patricia Norman Rachal

Patricia Norman Rachal has been writing since 1980. After becoming a Christian she started writing, with her first book an apologetic about Halloween and later poetry. Now her genre includes biography and fiction as well. All of her writings are inspirational from a Christian perspective. In the past few years she has written and edited books for others and loves doing both. Mrs. Rachal has won various poetry awards. She has business education, correspondence writing and English courses, and attended Word of Life School of Ministry. God and family are number one with her and nothing supersedes that importance. Her favorite things to do include Bible study and teaching, spending time with her grandchildren, sewing (especially doll clothes), needlework, reading, writing and ghost writing, and editing.Patricia lives in the South with her husband of 41 years.

Book preview

The Light

in the

Valley

a story of faith and courage

Patricia Norman Rachal

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2010 Patricia Norman Rachal

Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The people that sat

in darkness

saw a great light

And to them that sat

In the region

And shadow of death,

To them did light spring up.

Matthew 4:16 ASV

Table of Contents

Dedication by Mary Boyter

Forward by Leutenant Philip Escude', CPSO

Preface by Author

Chapter One - Regarding Dr. Jack Kevorkian

Chapter Two - No Alibi

Chapter Three - A Word From God

Chapter Four - The Shepherd Awaits Me In Shepherds Pasture

Chapter Five - The Entrance

Chapter Six - Blessings In The Valley

Chapter Seven - As Hard Valley Gets Darker The Light Shines Brighter

Chapter Eight - Hope In God And God In Hope

Chapter Nine - Broken For A Purpose

Chapter Ten - Lou Gehrig's Disease Is Not Mine

Chapter Eleven - Dark Shadows Of ALS Eclipsed By The Light

Chapter Twelve - Spiritual Boot Camp

Chapter Thirteen - Trio Of Success: Promise-Faith-Commitment

Chapter Fourteen - God's Deputy-Miracles In The Sheriff's Department

Chapter Fifteen - God Works In Mysterious Ways And Places

Chapter Sixteen - He Even Works In The Watermelon Patch

Chapter Seventeen - A Hometown Hero-Me?

Chapter Eighteen - How Will I Get There?

Chapter Nineteen - Broken For God's Glory

Chapter Twenty - MDA

Chapter Twenty One - Life Isn't A Picnic Or A Bowl Of Cherries

Chapter Twenty Two - The Lord Is My Refuge

Chapter Twenty Three - Miss Mary by Deputy Natalie Woodard, CPSO

Dedication

I dedicate this book to several people. First, to my children, Beckie, Julie, and Joe. Without God’s help and their care, I would not have made it for long.

Second, to Dr. Robert Schwendimann and the MDA. In addition, to the many organizations that remain faithful to raise money for MDA, I thank you sincerely. Moreover, in particular, I wish to thank our courageous and hard-working firefighters. Every year they are out in the hot weather with their collection boots. I had always donated even before realizing they were doing this for me-that I would have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Research is important for ALS since there is currently no medically known cure. I pray everyone will be considerate and give when they see the firefighters out there working so hard to raise money for research. Remember that, as me, they could be collecting for you. Thank you to everyone who gives so generously.

And, third, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office for hiring me. Thanks to Captain Sherrie Carter for having faith in me and seeing beyond my disability.

I also give thanks to Dr. Frank and Mary Jobe. If it were not for them, I would not know Jesus today. When I went to work as Dr. Jobe’s nurse in 1970, I had no idea how much my life would change. They invited me to church, and after making several excuses, I finally went. I gave all to the Lord, and Pastor Step Martin baptized me at Calvary Baptist Church. Last, this book would not have happened without the help of my friend, and author of The Light in the Valley, Pat Rachal. Much love and appreciation to each of you from Mary Boyter.

Forward

People come and go throughout your life, but few make an inspirational impact on you as a person like Mary Boyter. Many times, we see people without knowing who they are or where they come from.

You see, as a person willing to work in clerical jobs at the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mary’s duties of microfilming and filing seemed quite routine to us. Little did we realize when first meeting her that Mary suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as ALS and Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS thickens the tissue in the motor tracks of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord resulting in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs. Initially, to most of us, Mary was just another part-time employee who we were grateful to have because she was such a workhorse.

I had the privilege of working directly with her for a few years and can tell you that I never heard her gripe or complain of her duties or physical ailments. I never had to make a second request of a task I assigned her. Nor did I ever have to follow up behind her to see if a job had been done properly. On the few occasions Mary would call in because she could not come to work, I never asked why. I knew if she could not come to work she was hurting pretty badly or had some other good reason.

Many people give up on life faced with such challenges as a disease for which there is no cure. Not Mary Boyter-her attitude and desire amaze me. She is dependable, hard working and loyal. But more importantly is her faith in God that has enabled her to combat her ailments relentlessly in order to maintain such an active, productive life. Good luck and God bless, Mary. Your admiring friend, Lieutenant Philip Escude', Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office

Preface

The Light in the Valley is Mary Boyter’s fascinating, personal story of living with ALS. With her courageous faith, she has continued to live a full and fulfilled life in spite of the diagnosis. Normal life expectancy is two years for an ALS victim. Mary was given one year when diagnosed sixteen years ago and is still going strong. She will tell you herself, it is none other than God’s miraculous healing power. To meet Mary is to see the Light. I am honored that she has trusted me to pen her story as she told it.

I have heard Mary comment that people who know her know she is the same at work, church and home. She says of herself, "I am a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of person. Am I perfect? No, indeed! I am human