Dear Charlene,

I live in Joplin, MO. We have recently been through a harrowing
experience with the EF-5 tornado that came through Joplin.

I have seen a lot of the Twelve Gifts in the people in our community. The one that I found most surprising in myself is courage.

My family and I were attending my youngest sister’s high school graduation that day.  At the end of the graduation, my kids were acting up so my husband took them to the car.  I stayed a few extra minutes to get a picture with my sister and then quickly left.  The storm was just starting at that time.  In listening to the radio, the weather service predicted the tornado would hit north Joplin, so everyone, including ourselves, were heading south to get out of the storm.

We live on the opposite side of town from the graduation ceremony so it took us a good 20 minutes to get home. As we got closer, the sky grew darker and looked more ominous. I, personally, hate storms.  One of my biggest fears in life is to be caught in a tornado.

God gave me a great gift that day. He gave me the most amazing sense of peace so that I could have the courage to function during the storm.

We got to our neighborhood and the winds were picking up. We could see debris flying through the air.  I looked toward my home and saw the tornado.  It had just touched down about 200 yards from my front door.  Amazingly enough, our home was still standing and seemingly untouched. Even more amazing is that I didn’t go hysterical.  The first thought I had was, “Don’t tell Mark because he’s driving and he needs to concentrate on the road.”  We pulled up in our driveway and then Mark saw the tornado.  I told him to unlock the door and then come help with getting our three young children into the house.  I started unbuckling the kids from their carseats and trying to get them out of the car.  We all made it inside to the basement safely. 

Later, a video from a storm chaser revealed that we had about 1 minute from the time the tornado touched down until it expanded to the mile wide EF-5 tornado that had taken out much of our city.  Our home and yard sustained damage sometime after we had taken cover in our basement.

I still don’t know how I had the courage to stay calm enough to do what had to be done to get my family into the house in that one minute window we had before it would’ve been potentially fatal to be outdoors.

I discovered I have courage and enough love for my family to be able to face my biggest fear and still function. We were truly blessed that day!

Jennifer

Dear Charlene,

A year ago, when I was thirteen years old, I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Very recently I read “THE THIRTEENTH GIFT”, and it helped me to find courage in myself and to renew my strength.

Even though I occasionally struggle with overwhelming waves of despair, “THE THIRTEENTH GIFT” gives me the strength and courage to continue life with my head held high .  Thank you so much for publishing this book that has helped me through hard times.

Celeste

Dear Charlene,

I am not sure whether you remember my request of you almost ten years ago…to use the message of The Twelve Gifts of Birth for parents in crisis as part of my photography program and in my work in aboriginal education in Vancouver, Canada. I want you to know that that little step ten years ago has touched many individuals from all over the world.

I am now living in British Columbia where I match professional new immigrants to same-profession leaders.  I continue to read from your book to many newcomers to Canada at the time of their orientations.  It takes so much courage for immigrants to come to a new country no matter their circumstances. New immigrants here are from all over the world. Many cultures are quite stoic in nature. However, your message is received with their hearts. I saw people deeply touched by your words. And that is when I know the world is becoming a smaller place to the children of the world in the work that you do.

The Twelve Gifts of Birth has been bedtime reading for my grandchildren and gifts to new mothers.

I think it is must-reading for all our new lil young’uns as well as the older young’uns on our planet.

Pat Christie

My program information is on this website:

http://www.abbotsfordcommunityservices.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageID=21267dac-cf18-c8e9-f4ab-5092b7c06c25

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A Stone Story

On March 4, my nephew took his own life by jumping off of the fishing boat he worked on.  Needless to say we were all devastated by the loss.

They were not able to recover his body.  The following weekend, we went to our local beach and were still at the water’s edge.  We felt Charlie’s presence and when we looked down, there was a heart shaped stone.  We picked it up and brought it home.  It is a constant reminder that love never dies and that when we are open to the wonder and mystery of the Spirit, we can find the signs to uplift us during times of grief and heartache.

Mary

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