Book excerpt: This is the third in a trilogy of inspiring, heartwarming books that tell the story of a Lafayette, La., couple and their child, Eli, who was born with a birth defect called spina bifida. Published when Eli was 9 years old, this volume follows the boy's life from infancy to that of a healthy, happy second-grader. At the same time, on a parallel track, the book chronicles Eli's dad's growth in and understanding of his Catholic faith. In his journey toward the light of a much deeper faith, Eli's dad, Chad Judice, gains an unshakable trust in the Lord, a greater reliance on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a commitment to the church's teachings on Natural Family Planning.