Book excerpt: This book is an invitation. Rather than something to read or a project to complete, it’s an opportunity for us, you and me, to heal together. Maybe you were hit hard by tragedy, one day fine, the next day wounded. Perhaps your losses have been accumulating over time. Both equally painful and needing a healing touch. Reading about my journey is not in itself restoring. However, if my “story” can get you in touch with your “story” then the process of healing will take place. As you process through the pages, be honest with your feelings, thoughts, fears, memories, and the deep parts of your heart that might even make you feel uncomfortable. God knows it all and most importantly, He cares about it. I never sat down to write with an agenda or even a planned out thought. What I did do was express my heart and in the process I felt God draw near to me and I felt some comfort. I hadn’t planned on these writings becoming a book and when I finally felt compelled to do so, I put off getting it published because of how personal in nature it is. This writing is more about what I don’t know than what I do. You won’t find a theological discourse or me trying to answer any of life’s “why,” because frankly I know little in the way of answers. As the reader, you are getting a considerable look into my heart and journey, which is ugly and weak at times, but honest. I hope that through my honesty, you will feel compelled to be truthful with yourself and with God. Also, perhaps you will feel a connection to another person needing healing and therefore less isolated. As you write in this journal and embrace your darkness, our two stories will become intertwined and I pray that by the end, you will feel less alone, one step closer to wholeness, and that your scars will begin to serve as reminders of how strong and wonderful you are.