Even There

By Keli-Lyn Lockyer

Keli-Lyn Lockyer has lived it all. Born with cerebral palsy to a young mother who could not care for her.  Adopted into a loving family with underlying stresses.  Adjusting to school as a young person with a visible disability. Striving to prove herself as a world-class para-Olympian. Sexually assaulted and betrayed by those she trusted. Internally struggling between serving her God and serving herself.  Slipping into the dark world of drug addiction while caring for a young child. Experiencing the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages.

Her story is remarkable, not because of the things she has gone through, but because of the victorious outcome she has received after going through them.  Keli-Lyn takes you on a journey. A very special journey as it proves to each of us that no matter how dark the voyage, God never abandons His children.

This book is Keli-Lyn's life. It is a must-read for anyone asking the question, am I too far gone? Her answer will inspire you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: MacDonald Publishing
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781775327134

Book preview

Preface

I wanted to write this book, my life's story, as a way to share my testimony.  Everyone’s life journey is different, and everyone deals with their circumstances and situations in their own way. But, I know (because I feel this way A LOT) that it is nice to realize that we are not alone!

In this book I share (it could cause triggers) my personal experiences. Throughout my life I have experienced great ups and extremely low of lows. I have gained much but also lost just as much if not more.

It is my prayer and my hope that those who read this come away with a sense of hope in knowing that they are not alone. I pray that I touch just one soul through the words of this book. And that soul goes on to touch another and that one another, and so the chain of pay it forward continues.

A quote from my book ...

My life is not perfect, but it is perfect for me. I am strong and sustained by my Lord and Saviour. But to totally understand how I got here and how if not for my faith I would have met a tragic end, I must first take you on a journey. This book is the record of such a journey – my life’s journey.

May your heart be open, and your soul be ready. Peace be with you.

Keli-Lyn Lockyer

1: Welcome to My Life

Let me introduce myself, my name is Keli-Lyn Valyda Lockyer nee Puckett. I am 40 years old and in my short life of 40 years I have been through a lot! I am a Christian and I am happily married with four beautiful children, three girls and one boy.

My wonderful Husband’s name is Andrew Dean Lockyer, born January 3, 1978 (and he loves to remind me that I am older than him!) He has brown hair and blue eyes that twinkle when he is up to no good! We were married September 19, 2009. We first laid eyes on each other on September 20, 2008, our first date which was at a Coffee Culture in downtown London, Ontario. We try to go back every year on our anniversary (or close to it). We got engaged on the first day of spring 2009, it took him three tries to ask me to marry him because I was just not getting it. Our love journey actually began on my daughter’s second birthday, January 6, 2008. This was before we physically met and began dating as we originally met online. 

When I started talking with Andrew he worked for an ice company up on Manitoulin Island. But, once we started courting he moved to London with his aunt and uncle. After we were married, he got his transport licence and started hauling car parts on day trips. He now shunts trailers around in St. Thomas and is home every day for dinner which is AMAZING! The stress of him on the road and away from us 14 hours a day was too much, and we were all feeling the strain!

I love the way he makes me laugh and the way he looks at me like he’s about to burst. My heart soars by the way he is able to joke and tease with the kids. Those are my favourite moments! His favourite thing to do is to sneak up on our oldest Aryanna and scare her!

The day I became a mother I was made whole. God truly heard my forever prayer and had answered it. Yes, it was at a time where I wasn’t quite ready or rather in a good place, but I believe my daughter was given to me to keep the light of God in me. She was given to remind me that even when I was in the dark place of my life, that there was light, that there was a way back when I was ready.

Aryanna Rose is 11 (going on 20) and she has blue eyes with light brown/blonde hair. She is literally the carbon copy of me in every way!! There is no denying that she is mine. Being the first born, she has the I know it all attitude; however, she is also very helpful and has a big heart filled with compassion for everyone she loves. She is extremely talented (mommy toot-toot horn here) in the arts. She loves drawing and uses her great imagination to write mini stories. She also loves animals of all types and says that she would love to be able to work with animals when she grows