Testimony

Hi Everyone,

Today Charlie and I joined our church here in Kingwood and as part of that ceremony we were offered the opportunity to give a testimony about what lead us to God, lead us astray, miracles we have witnessed...

I'm not really one to speak about personal things in front of a large crowd of people who are mostly unfamiliar to me, as we attend the smaller, 8:30am service, but I was truly lead to speak and as it turned out it really opened to "gates" and got the ball rolling so to speak.  I never realized how important testimony is - not only on a church level but also a personal level until today, and it was truly amazing!  Following is my testimony that I gave in church today....

"As some of you may know, the past year and half have been very difficult for my husband, for my family and for me on many different levels, but through these difficulties I have found mercy, grace, forgiveness and God’s healing power in so many places...


In the beginning I ignored, and lost sight of what God was trying to do through me, much like someone climbing a mountain…you can focus on how far you have left to go, how each step can be precarious, or you can look up and realize you are one step closer to the summit and while you might stumble, or tire, God’s grace and forgiveness awaits you. It always has…
The first time I mustered up the courage to come into our church, with my head hung rather low I started to take a seat in the back pew…that’s when a very wise man, who happens to be my husband, looked at me and knowing I typically like to sit in the front..said “why are you sitting in the back?” …I said, well, I’m a sinner and I would imagine sinners would sit in the back. He looked at me and said - everyone in here is a sinner, that’s why we have God, and with that we moved to the front.
I would like to thank all of you for making me feel so welcome and I’d like to say thank you to Pastor Jenny and my husband for tirelessly answering all of my theological questions and to my Mother and sister for all they have done to not only help me heal on a physical and emotional and mental level, but also for their help in leading me up the mountain.
It always seemed my heart had a vacant spot in it…now I know why and it feels so good to have a heart occupied by God."

Gaining Strength

Hi Everyone!

Thought I would take a moment to share an update...

The ECT treatments are still on-going, about one every 4 weeks.  I would love to say that I don't think I need them anymore, but honestly I know that I do and I know they help tremendously.  I can feel the difference, which is hard to describe - but it's as if the storm in my mind calms.  It clearly works for me, and for that I am so thankful.

Continuing psychotherapy once a week with Dr. Allen, there is a great comfort level with him which makes talking and healing that much easier...psychotherapy is a lot of work which I enjoy.  It's nice to feel as though I'm actively participating in my own recovery.

Probably the most exciting news is that we (Charlie and  I) had our first Depressions Bipolar Support Alliance meeting.  We started a chapter in Preston County that meets at the Wesley United Methodist Church the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.  We are now starting a Morgantown chapter which will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.  We both brought a lot to the meeting - of course from different perspectives and it went very well. 

I feel like things are coming full circle - the hurt, the pain - all the suffering for so many years is coming full circle and helping others - God works in wondrous ways!

I still don't know the path I will be given the next few months, however, I do know that regardless of the path, it will lead to the same place and I will have continue to try to help others deal with mental health issues..and to raise awareness!

God Bless,
Shawn