Book excerpt: Growing up, Carla, and her family the Lindgrens, faced many challenges and hardships. Through a series of heartbreaking events, her self-esteem diminished and her feelings of inadequacy as a woman caused her to spiral into a deep depression. Battling obesity and infertility kept her in the depths of despair for fifteen long, agonizing years. Just at the time when she thought she would go over the edge, tragic events miraculously saved her from doing the unthinkable and created the shift she needed and gave her the hope and will to live again. Through her challenges and adversities, she learned her biggest lessons and was able to find joy and happiness. Through Thorns I Thrive is a story of a journey through hell, of heartache and pain, coming out the other side and finding heaven here on earth. It offers inspiration and hope that there is a way out of the darkness, and that love, for oneself, for others, and for God, is the answer and heals all wounds.