A Blessing in the Storm... Muscular Dystrophy messed up my life and made me whole: Volume One

By Lori Laws

Everyone has a story. This is mine. Everything in my world was great. It seemed as though the world was at my feet. But there was a merciless invader called Muscular Dystrophy that suddenly took over my life. I initially thought God had forgotten about me, or I thought maybe he was punishing me for the bad things I had done in my life? But I came to realize that what I viewed as a crisis, has actually been a catalyst for an encounter with the Living God. My life now is a much better place!

I was rescued out of emotional bondage! It's incredible to realize I have been prepared for what I need to communicate to others through all of life's good, bad, and ugly experiences. It's a story about learning to make lemonade out of life's lemons. So take a journey with me and discover hope!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori Laws
• Release date: Feb 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452433851

Lori Laws

I love Jesus! I love all things Jesus! I really enjoy lifting up and encouraging others, mostly just to let them know... they're not alone! I live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with my husband, Michael. I am a born-again follower of Jesus Christ. It's my passion to write about my personal experiences to make you realize that God is in the intricate details of our lives...I also happen to be afflicted with a rare Muscle Disease. I am here to share things with you. I am here to encourage you. I am here to let you know there is hope, especially if you feel this isn't the place in life you envisioned yourself! I've been there, and sometimes still frequent there. I know it can be a dark and scary place.When I sit and write...things seem to pour out of my heart, and they hopefully connect with someone who needs to hear the exact words I write. I also enjoy teaching the Word of God, whether in a small group or on my blog PERSEVERE. I'm all about pointing the way...and sometimes that means carrying people to the only One that can truly turn the tides. That's why I write! That's why I blog! And whatever happens next, I will give God all the glory! I will always give God all the glory! Hallelujah!

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What others are saying about

A Blessing in the Storm... Muscular Dystrophy messed up my life and made me whole Volume One

Your book speaks about overcoming obstacles. It speaks about struggles through adversity as well as perseverance, sensitivity as well as insensitivity, pain and suffering, hope and faith. Ultimately, it speaks of your personal affirmations of Gods unconditional love!

Lori is genuine, honest, purposeful and direct with her memoir. Its filled with day-to-day stories and experiences that have carved her into a beautiful woman of God, one who is still learning how to lean and showing others how to do so right alongside her.

Even if you are not a believer in the God of all hope and comfort, I encourage you to read her story. If you are someone who thinks you have it all together, there could be a jewel in it for you too.

A Blessing in the Storm...

Muscular Dystrophy messed up my life

and made me whole Volume One

by

Lori Laws

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 by Lori Laws

Discover another title by Lori Laws at Smashwords.com:

A Blessing in the Storm... Muscular Dystrophy messed up my life and made me whole Volume Two

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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*****

My name is Lori Laws, and this is my first book. I am afflicted with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. This is a memoir of the radical change God has made in my life.

To make a long story short, this disease has brought me into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Since I’ve been saved, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has called me to teach His Word…using my life experiences to make others aware that God is indeed in the details of our lives.

*****

Table of Contents

Foreword by Michael Laws

Introduction

Chapter One… A Merciful Awakening

Chapter Two… A New Beginning

Chapter Three… Serving

Chapter Four… Purpose in the Storm

Chapter Five… I’d Like Some Answers

Chapter Six… Hope is Alive!

*****

Foreword by Michael Laws

There was a time when I thought, like everyone else we would get married and get pregnant as soon as possible. But then life happens and you have to make adjustments. That was the plan unbeknownst to Lori, and I couldn’t wait to get started. The future dream I envisioned was raising a combination scientist and business maven ready to take on the world. Did I mention he was a boy? I wanted to give Lori and this child the best. I never really thought about this mysterious malady Lori warned me about. I was a student of positive thinking and really didn’t pay it any mind.

The reality that unfolded now is focused on Lori’s survival and not my wishes. My active wife was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I was suddenly thrust into the position from lover to care giver, from partner to protector, and from dancer to coach potato. Although I knew I couldn’t live with myself as a couch potato, I knew life would change, but I never really knew how much.

Lori went through a few stages like everybody does. She went through the healthy eating stage. This only lasted a short time. Once she boiled 1 lb of chicken - only to renounce the diet after tasting this bland fare. She thought this would help her malady. Why not?

The next phase was the Let’s try God phase. I have to admit this is the one that really made me nervous, because I have witnessed the I’m saved - Hallelujah zealot, that is long on promise and low on consistency. You know, the newly found Christian that thinks nobody has the love for Jesus like they do; the on fire, hot Christian that lights up the church with the loudest amen’s on Sunday. Only after about a year, they’re silent and plotting to excuse themselves for the slightest reason.

Yes, I was sure that Lori would last about a year, if that, because she couldn’t spell patience. I was amazed that she stuck. I didn’t want to attend the church and build any relationships until I was sure she would stick. No, I was ready to wait and see before I walked in those doors. But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum, Lori found a good church with a band, and she went for two months straight. It took a few more months before I committed, but I decided to take a peak. I’ll admit that I was really concerned with connecting with God again. It’s really funny how things work out - because this woman who refused to listen to the Christian radio station, and somehow misplaced my Christian marriage book, really wanted to seek the Word.

My second concern was that she was starting to watch televangelists that promised healing, and some Christians claiming they could heal. I had witnessed those Christians before. I call them Crazy Christians, and you probably know some of them personally. I remember one exclaiming that a black hole was heaven…that’s right…another one claiming miracle cures with prayer cloths and miracle water - you know…those Crazy Christians that approach you and claim that if you aren’t healed by their prayers and personal intercessions - you don’t have faith.

I was questioned by a few inquiring minds in confidential conversation; why did I stick around? I don’t think a lot of married people have the faintest idea of what loyalty in practice looks like, but let me sum it up: It is death do us part, in sickness and in health. That’s not convenient to some of our plans when we sign up for marriage. Back in the day, I had arranged for secret dance lessons for Lori. We both used to love dancing, and she was the best dancer I knew – seriously, she really could dance. I didn’t think anything could hold her back until this disease hit. I know she had to wonder why I would stick around, why put up with a person that wasn’t as perfect as the day we got married; but Lori is my life, and I’m here to stay no matter what.

Loving a person with a progressive disease is for the strong of heart. I know people who suddenly lost interest in their spouses when they became disabled. They grew apart. I’m amazed at how many excuses people can make up when their life is inconvenienced. But I’m here because I know she’ll be back, and my Lori will be herself again. While that’s my hope, I know it’s a commitment I make or a belief that resonates in my soul. Whatever the reason; my life is hers, my legs are hers, my strength is her strength, and most importantly my God is also her God.

Being a spouse to someone with a progressive disability means you have to stop taking notes; what I mean is that men have a habit of keeping note or credits (call them marriage credits) for doing things around the house. Lori was a cleaning machine, and her disease now prevents her from this work - so I made adjustments. Here are a few examples: She took forever cleaning out our cat’s litter box (standing up and walking with the litter was a challenge)…I bought an automatic litter pan and took over the responsibility. She would get on her hands and knees scrubbing stains on the carpet…I got a SpotBot (this is a vacuum cleaner for spot cleaning).

I really love the fact that she needs me so