Journey from Heartache to Hope

By Chris Piorkowski

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR FAITH AND HOPE WHEN TRAGEDY, GRIEF, AND HEARTBREAK HIT? WHEN YOU DON'T SEE AN END OR WAY OUT, THE SUFFERING IS UNBEARABLE TO DEAL WITH, THERE'S NO MORE HOPE IN SIGHT, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOT WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE?

HOW DO YOU START AGAIN OR WHERE DO YOU GO, AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

Have you gone through the pains o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Feb 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887382838

Chris Piorkowski

Prof. Chris Piorkowski is an award-winning composer, artist, and educator. He completed his graduate studies with a major in music composition for film and multimedia, and he also holds the master of fine arts (MFA) terminal degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He has scored over fifty feature and short films as well as many TV commercials and currently works as an associate professor of film scoring at Liberty University School of Music.

Book preview

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book

to

our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

who has been watching over me since my birth,

providing, guiding, protecting, and holding me

by my hand in difficult times.

Also, to Lisa, who fought her fight until her last breath

while always loving God,

as well as Mary Alice’s dear parents who are now

with the Lord and in God’s hands

and my dad, Mieczyslaw, who recently passed away.

Lisa Merle (Frees) Piorkowski

November 13th, 1958–

October 13th, 2018

Eva-Maria Elisabeth Lott

May 20th, 1937–March 15th, 2021

Frederick Schoonmaker Lott Jr.

May 22nd, 1939–

September 3rd, 2021

Mieczyslaw Piorkowski

May 10th, 1946–August 6th, 2022

Acknowledgments

Thank you to God for His mercy and grace and for guiding both of us through so much pain and all of the trials, and for never abandoning us.

Thank you to TBN and Trilogy Christian Publishing for having faith in our story and giving us the opportunity to share our journey, from struggle and pain to new hope in life, with people all around the world.

Thank you to Dr. Whaley, Dr. Kinchen, and Beth Whaley, as they gave me the opportunity to share the gift of film music with a younger generation.

Thank you to Michael M. Conti and Erich Toll for their continuous friendship and support.

Thank you to Caryn and Brian Homet for letting God inspire them so that Mary Alice and I could meet and fall in love. Thank you to Dr. David Schmal for being such an amazing friend through all the years.

Thank you to all the deans of the School of Music at Liberty University, as well as the staff and the entire faculty, for their prayers and support through the years.

Thank you to Luciano Saber for his friendship and his help in taking care of Lisa when she was released from the hospital.

Finally, I would like to thank my dearest girlfriend, Mary Alice, who is such a strong and faithful woman of God.

I am grateful for her joy, smile, hugs, love, and care and for sharing her story and writing this book with me. She is the most important person in my life, and I love her forever.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14, NIV).

Foreword

Chris Piorkowski couldn’t fulfill an everlasting marriage with his beloved Lisa. She was taken too soon by God. Yet his devotion to her from day one never changed over the long, painful years of being with her through cancer. It is that kind of devotion and purpose that really makes Chris a living example of Christ’s love for us.

—Michael M. Conti 

Pilgrim-Filmmaker, The Unruly Mystic Film Series

When I approached Chris Piorkowski to compose the musical score for the several feature films I directed, I knew he was a brilliant composer. I didn’t realize then that Chris is an exceptional human being.

Imagine a world where you meet someone, a potential love interest, but before you go on a first date, you find out that the person you just met has a terminal illness with very little time left. Would you continue to pursue a relationship with this person? Would the medical condition be a deciding factor?

Chris Piorkowski didn’t give the situation a second thought. He committed to the woman he had just met to be by her side and fight the terminal disease that was consuming her. He married, supported, cherished, and dedicated his life to her until she finally lost the battle twenty years later.

I’m blessed to have known Lisa Piorkowski, a gentle, beautiful soul. And I’m equally blessed to count Chris, this angel disguised as an amazingly talented music composer, as one of my dearest friends. His life story inspires all of us to do better.

—Luciano Saber

Hollywood Film Director and Producer 

Life is a journey, and we were privileged to share briefly with Chris and Lisa on their journey home. Our friendship with Chris and Lisa started less than two years before her physical battle with cancer ended. Amazed at their determination to beat the odds, we were drawn by the Holy Spirit to join in their faith journey, trusting God for Lisa’s healing. We witnessed Lisa share light and joy to her medical team in spite of her basic struggles to even walk and talk. Their personal story shared in this book demonstrates how the covenant marriage vows may be lived out in the way God intended, with love, honor, and faithfulness to each other, in sickness and in health. Still today, Chris and Lisa’s story captures our hearts and challenges us to live each day with meaning and purpose. Yes, life is a journey. And, when our journey’s through, there’s a place more wonderful we’re going to; when we get to heaven, we’ll be home.

—Vernon and Beth Whaley

I have known Chris Piorkowski for many years now, and I’ve repeatedly seen evidence of a kind, caring, and thoughtful man of God. Not only is he an excellent composer and dynamic creative force within the film industry, but the gentleness he showed his wife Lisa and the kindness and perseverance in his love for her was evident as he tenderly cared for her throughout their marriage but especially during the late stages of her illness. His actions and experience both as a husband and caregiver speak to his deep and abiding faith, and by that fruit, his relationship with the living God was evidenced in how much he loved Lisa and how much he sought to be the hands and feet of Christ to her in everything he did. His story is a picture of what we are all called to be—servants of the Most High God.

—Dr. David K. Schmal, D.M.A. 

Professor of Commercial Music

Coordinator of Film Scoring

Michael W. Smith Center for Commercial Music

My wife and I met Chris and Lisa when they moved to our area, where Chris would teach film scoring. We enjoyed the deep conversations we had with them regarding culture, music, performance, food, and life. There were times of laughter, sharing of stories, singing, and prayer. Our hearts were warmed hearing how God brought the two together and the commitment that was made that would last. I was always intrigued by the level of giftedness and the intricacy and passion Chris brings to music and life, matched with the artfulness and gentleness of Lisa. They were able to speak into our lives from the difficult places in their story and engendered confidence and hope for the future. I know their story will deepen your understanding of God’s grace and mercy in the midst of suffering.

—Dr. David M. Hahn,

Liberty University

I have had the privilege of knowing Mary Alice Lott and have witnessed her going through both times of joy and a long tunnel of pain. When life seemed to be the hardest, though, I saw her put her trust in the Lord, who is faithful, allowing Him to refine her faith through the fire. As a result, she became a woman who is like a fruitful vine, and she now shares her hope with others and gives glory and honor to God.

—Yuko Constas

I was one of many witnesses of Mary Alice’s journey through profound grief. Watching her fight to process the many heartaches, work to forgive, continually serve, love and trust God’s purpose through it all was truly a miracle of faith. Abundantly happy now, she is a testament of God’s healing power.

—Dina Gorrell

Mary Alice Lott is a woman who clings to God and His words and who puts her trust in His invisible plans for her. This book demonstrates her perseverance to keep moving forward while beating the odds of what life throws at her. From living through her abusive and failed marriage, being a caregiver for both of her elderly parents, to dealing with the death of her mother followed by the death of her father shortly after. It is inspirational and shows that a person can overcome adversities, get true healing, and let go of the past so that there can be a new beginning.

—Merry Cariaga

Mary Alice’s story will inspire you that God truly is with us in all the valleys and mountains. She is an example of faithfulness even in the darkest moments.

—Beth Kreider

I’ve been an eyewitness to a woman with remarkable character. Mary Alice Lott had a heart of gold, dealing with a difficult and troubled father while helping her mother cope for many years before they both passed away. She also showed a heart for God, persevering through an abusive marriage and trying to do the right thing before the right thing became impossible. I saw her marriage fall apart, followed by the heartache of losing her mother while trying to help a father who could no longer help himself. Through it all, I saw a loving, caring woman who adores Jesus with amazing faith, endurance, perseverance, resilience, and grit while somehow managing to keep her wits and remain faithful through it all. I’m so happy with all that hardship behind her now that God has introduced her to