Book excerpt: When Kathy Yokeley's daughter, Natalie, was born, the perfect family she'd dreamed of was complete-a loving husband, beautiful little boy and girl, even the family dog. Active in her church, with a career she enjoyed and a happy family, Kathy thanked God daily for a wonderful life and a future that looked equally bright. But God had different plans. When at age twelve Natalie was diagnosed with inoperable spinal cord cancer, Kathy's picture-perfect world came crashing down. Nine nightmare months later, her precious daughter was gone. Not My Plans shares poignantly and honestly one mother's story of loss and pain, but also ultimate healing when the God she loved and trusted allowed her worst fear to come true. It offers no easy answers but honest faith and practical insight for others walking a similar journey. Above all, this story is not of a young life cut tragically short but of God's infinite faithfulness and love in the darkest of life's storms. And it chronicles the amazing ongoing legacy of a life that in thirteen short years left a lasting impact of courage, love, unwavering faith, and unexpected joy on countless others. Those who knew Natalie Yokeley will never forget her. Nor will any reader who meets her in these pages.