Justin February 22, 2012I don't have a powerful story to tell, just that I've been struggling to trust in the Lord's sovereignty and goodness lately. 'Blessings' came as an encouragement to me this morning; reading about Laura and Martin greatly touched me too. Laura and Martin, if you ever see this, thank you for pointing me to God; my prayers are with you this day. |
Justin February 22, 2012I don't have a powerful story to tell, just that I've been struggling to trust in the Lord's sovereignty and goodness lately. 'Blessings' came as an encouragement to me this morning; reading about Laura and Martin greatly touched me too. Laura and Martin, if you ever see this, thank you for pointing me to God; my prayers are with you this day. |
gretchen martin February 21, 2012Hi Laura,I'm writing about a family at my church. Kasey, age 7, has been battling Histiocytosis for 4 years and has relapsed 3 times. It is a rare immune/blood disease that is treated with Chemotherapy. Our church, Joy Lutheran in Parker, Colorado is having a benefit concert with local church musicians for her family to help with Chemo costs. The mother, sister and Kasey's theme song is "Blessings". Could you please email me with a note of inspiration and hope for them that I could read at the concert (April 28)? You are such a role model for so many and this family is holding on to hope through your song. Thank you and peace. Sincerely, gretchen martin glmartin10@aol.com |
gretchen martin February 21, 2012Hi Laura,I'm writing about a family at my church. Kasey, age 7, has been battling Histiocytosis for 4 years and has relapsed 3 times. It is a rare immune/blood disease that is treated with Chemotherapy. Our church, Joy Lutheran in Parker, Colorado is having a benefit concert with local church musicians for her family to help with Chemo costs. The mother, sister and Kasey's theme song is "Blessings". Could you please email me with a note of inspiration and hope for them that I could read at the concert (April 28)? You are such a role model for so many and this family is holding on to hope through your song. Thank you and peace. Sincerely, gretchen martin glmartin10@aol.com |
Danny Hardee February 21, 2012i suffered a closed head injuiry in sep 2011. one of the assignments my rehab therapist gave me was to learn a song and sing it. i chose Blessings as it has true meaning for my life, i was able to sing with my wife. we did the song for our church as well. please watch how God has blessed mehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-YLlCa165c |
Danny Hardee February 21, 2012i suffered a closed head injuiry in sep 2011. one of the assignments my rehab therapist gave me was to learn a song and sing it. i chose Blessings as it has true meaning for my life, i was able to sing with my wife. we did the song for our church as well. please watch how God has blessed mehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-YLlCa165c |
Geri February 21, 2012My Blessing is this: God is so great and YOU Laura are one of his true angels. Thank you for writing and singing 'Blessings'. It is the most heart touching song I have ever heard! Over the past two years I was diagnosed with Lone Atrial Fibrillation (I'm a runner), low thyroid, GERD and my change of life. In addition my Dad beat stage 3 colon cancer, my mom had a stroke but is doing well, my husband had melanoma but is well and my sister was in the hospital twice once for 10 days, the other for 5...due to her battle with bi-polar disorder On top of that my oldest daughter's husband was in Afghanistan for a year and just returned healthy in mind, body & spirit the end of Dec. I thank GOD for life and try to remember that through HIM I can handle anything and will continue to grow through the rough times and embrace the good. God Bless! |
Geri February 21, 2012My Blessing is this: God is so great and YOU Laura are one of his true angels. Thank you for writing and singing 'Blessings'. It is the most heart touching song I have ever heard! Over the past two years I was diagnosed with Lone Atrial Fibrillation (I'm a runner), low thyroid, GERD and my change of life. In addition my Dad beat stage 3 colon cancer, my mom had a stroke but is doing well, my husband had melanoma but is well and my sister was in the hospital twice once for 10 days, the other for 5...due to her battle with bi-polar disorder On top of that my oldest daughter's husband was in Afghanistan for a year and just returned healthy in mind, body & spirit the end of Dec. I thank GOD for life and try to remember that through HIM I can handle anything and will continue to grow through the rough times and embrace the good. God Bless! |
Laura M Gardella February 20, 2012The Real Meby Laura Marie Gardella on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at · Do we want people to see the real "us" or do we prefer to hide behind the masks we put on? I don't want to wear the mask any more. Most of you know me as the smiling & giggling girl but deep inside there is heartbreak and sadness. I sometimes have a short temper and yell at my kids I have even been know to use a 4 letter word at times. Sometimes I would rather stay in bed than face the world. I am struggling with bitterness over past hurts that seem to resurface at the strangest times. Why Me? I sometimes scream at God for taking my daughter and the ugliness of the entire thing. Why my girl, why my child???? I would like to have that answer TODAY please. When will the pain subside? Why did my 16 year old son get his girl friend pregnant? Why am I over weight? Well, because I turn to food to fill the ache in my heart. My house is a mess. My kids sometimes go to bed without brushing their teeth and eat cereal for dinner. I don't read my Bible everyday. I definitely don't pray enough. I compare myself to other moms which just exposes my failures once again. I sometimes don't make a very good friend because I withdraw from life when the pain gets unbearable. My husband is neglected in all of this too. With all of that being said, I am also a child of God, loved by an amazing Savior who died on the cross for my sin. I have 8 beautiful children and a gorgeous granddaughter. Jesus died so that all of those things do not have to define me. I will get up tomorrow and be better because I am being honest and God can work with that. The burden was to much to carry. My daughter is spending tonight with my Savior what more could I ask for? Someone prayed for me recently and this was part of it: My arm is to short to reach her but the arms of the Savior are not, He loved her even before I did. He loves me the same way. The Creator of the world does not need me to finish the job He is faithful even when I am not. How many of us sit in church each Sunday lonely, sad, bitter, angry, broken? Do you know someone who is those things? I want to be used by Him, to be free of those chains to be full of love, to be healed and to be joyful not a temporal kind of joy but the joy that can only come from the Father. He gave me hope and a renewed me. My son has given me a beautiful granddaughter who God used as a salve on my wounded heart in the early days of losing Natasha. I am still waiting for the prodigal daughter to return but I am resting in the knowledge she is being well taken care of by our Father who knows much more than I do about these things. He has had a lot more practice at waiting for His children to come home. Will this be the year you come home to the father? I am starting 2011 with a clean slate! Andrew and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding Anniversary at the end of January. The best times in our lives are yet to come. God has great things in store for us as a family and individuals. Trust is what I am going to do more of this year. Trust that He knows what He's doing even when through my eyes it all looks like a GIANT mess. That is His specialty I think~ to take the mess we make of our lives and rebuild them, refine them into something so much more than we could of dreamed for ourselves. May you come to know Him as an intimate friend, father and Savior. When I first heard your song I said to myself "that's my story that's Laura's story" I did not know at the time your name was Laura Story!!!! I love the song, Thank You for showing there is a blessing even in the heartache. God Bless |
Laura M Gardella February 20, 2012The Real Meby Laura Marie Gardella on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at · Do we want people to see the real "us" or do we prefer to hide behind the masks we put on? I don't want to wear the mask any more. Most of you know me as the smiling & giggling girl but deep inside there is heartbreak and sadness. I sometimes have a short temper and yell at my kids I have even been know to use a 4 letter word at times. Sometimes I would rather stay in bed than face the world. I am struggling with bitterness over past hurts that seem to resurface at the strangest times. Why Me? I sometimes scream at God for taking my daughter and the ugliness of the entire thing. Why my girl, why my child???? I would like to have that answer TODAY please. When will the pain subside? Why did my 16 year old son get his girl friend pregnant? Why am I over weight? Well, because I turn to food to fill the ache in my heart. My house is a mess. My kids sometimes go to bed without brushing their teeth and eat cereal for dinner. I don't read my Bible everyday. I definitely don't pray enough. I compare myself to other moms which just exposes my failures once again. I sometimes don't make a very good friend because I withdraw from life when the pain gets unbearable. My husband is neglected in all of this too. With all of that being said, I am also a child of God, loved by an amazing Savior who died on the cross for my sin. I have 8 beautiful children and a gorgeous granddaughter. Jesus died so that all of those things do not have to define me. I will get up tomorrow and be better because I am being honest and God can work with that. The burden was to much to carry. My daughter is spending tonight with my Savior what more could I ask for? Someone prayed for me recently and this was part of it: My arm is to short to reach her but the arms of the Savior are not, He loved her even before I did. He loves me the same way. The Creator of the world does not need me to finish the job He is faithful even when I am not. How many of us sit in church each Sunday lonely, sad, bitter, angry, broken? Do you know someone who is those things? I want to be used by Him, to be free of those chains to be full of love, to be healed and to be joyful not a temporal kind of joy but the joy that can only come from the Father. He gave me hope and a renewed me. My son has given me a beautiful granddaughter who God used as a salve on my wounded heart in the early days of losing Natasha. I am still waiting for the prodigal daughter to return but I am resting in the knowledge she is being well taken care of by our Father who knows much more than I do about these things. He has had a lot more practice at waiting for His children to come home. Will this be the year you come home to the father? I am starting 2011 with a clean slate! Andrew and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding Anniversary at the end of January. The best times in our lives are yet to come. God has great things in store for us as a family and individuals. Trust is what I am going to do more of this year. Trust that He knows what He's doing even when through my eyes it all looks like a GIANT mess. That is His specialty I think~ to take the mess we make of our lives and rebuild them, refine them into something so much more than we could of dreamed for ourselves. May you come to know Him as an intimate friend, father and Savior. When I first heard your song I said to myself "that's my story that's Laura's story" I did not know at the time your name was Laura Story!!!! I love the song, Thank You for showing there is a blessing even in the heartache. God Bless |
Dorris Finnegan February 19, 2012Laura, I have been a fan of "Blessings" since I first heard it. It represents so many events in my life. I claim victory over ALL those things. But today, my heart is heavy. My husband of 18 years ended his life yesterday. He suffered years of depression. We have 3 beautiful girls, 14, 9, and 5.... needless to say we are all hurting but we are trusting God to provide exactly what we need. Thank you for such an awesome testimony for me to cling to. |
Dorris Finnegan February 19, 2012Laura, I have been a fan of "Blessings" since I first heard it. It represents so many events in my life. I claim victory over ALL those things. But today, my heart is heavy. My husband of 18 years ended his life yesterday. He suffered years of depression. We have 3 beautiful girls, 14, 9, and 5.... needless to say we are all hurting but we are trusting God to provide exactly what we need. Thank you for such an awesome testimony for me to cling to. |
Lynn Norwood February 18, 2012I never thought my mom would die. I was her caregiver for ten years as she battled with Dementia. Under the circumstances, she did relatively well until her last three weeks of life. I thought I was being strong before then, but I didn't realize how strong I was until then. Thank God that I was closer to God by this time in my life, otherwise I don't think I could have made it through. I was able to look at my mom on her deathbed and realize it wasn't the end. I knew there was a blessing in her suffering, as hard as it may seem. My relationship with the Lord helped me to realize that death is not what it seems. In fact, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Jesus conquered the grave and we must never forget that. Death has been defeated and does not have a sting. The only power it has is what we give it. Thank God I was able to rejoice when my mom went home to be with the Lord. I will see her again, and until then will look forward to that glorious day! |
Lynn Norwood February 18, 2012I never thought my mom would die. I was her caregiver for ten years as she battled with Dementia. Under the circumstances, she did relatively well until her last three weeks of life. I thought I was being strong before then, but I didn't realize how strong I was until then. Thank God that I was closer to God by this time in my life, otherwise I don't think I could have made it through. I was able to look at my mom on her deathbed and realize it wasn't the end. I knew there was a blessing in her suffering, as hard as it may seem. My relationship with the Lord helped me to realize that death is not what it seems. In fact, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Jesus conquered the grave and we must never forget that. Death has been defeated and does not have a sting. The only power it has is what we give it. Thank God I was able to rejoice when my mom went home to be with the Lord. I will see her again, and until then will look forward to that glorious day! |
Brad Clark February 16, 2012Hi Laura,I'll try to keep this brief...Two months ago we lost my 9 week old nephew to the complications of a volvulous. This involved a twisting of his small bowel which resulted in sepsis and a very quick death. He went from a very healthy and vibrant little guy to a very sick baby in a matter of hours. There is no doubt that the loss of a child is one the most difficult trials to overcome...but God is faithful. What makes this situation even more heart wrenching is that my sister was in a car accident 12 years ago which left her paralyzed from the chest down. Her fiancé stuck by her through all the rehab and they were married soon after. It is difficult to fathom why God would allow her to undergo the risks and damage associated with a quadriplegic pregnancy and only allow her to spend 9 short weeks with her baby after 9 long months of pregnancy. I wanted to tell you my sisters story because of the overwhelming power of your song (Blessings) at my nephew's (Nolan) funeral. When we sat down as a family to plan the funeral it was quickly made clear that the goal of Nolan's funeral would be to display the amazing power of God's faithfulness through such an unimaginable loss. My sister and brother-in-law wanted this service to bring others to Christ and that's exactly what it did. So, thank you for allowing God to use you in such a big way by producing this song and touching many lives. They are currently developing a website www.nolansblessings.com which will eventually have more info and possibly the video of the service...if you're interested. I hope this is clear and please don't hesitate to email me. ~Brad |
Brad Clark February 16, 2012Hi Laura,I'll try to keep this brief...Two months ago we lost my 9 week old nephew to the complications of a volvulous. This involved a twisting of his small bowel which resulted in sepsis and a very quick death. He went from a very healthy and vibrant little guy to a very sick baby in a matter of hours. There is no doubt that the loss of a child is one the most difficult trials to overcome...but God is faithful. What makes this situation even more heart wrenching is that my sister was in a car accident 12 years ago which left her paralyzed from the chest down. Her fiancé stuck by her through all the rehab and they were married soon after. It is difficult to fathom why God would allow her to undergo the risks and damage associated with a quadriplegic pregnancy and only allow her to spend 9 short weeks with her baby after 9 long months of pregnancy. I wanted to tell you my sisters story because of the overwhelming power of your song (Blessings) at my nephew's (Nolan) funeral. When we sat down as a family to plan the funeral it was quickly made clear that the goal of Nolan's funeral would be to display the amazing power of God's faithfulness through such an unimaginable loss. My sister and brother-in-law wanted this service to bring others to Christ and that's exactly what it did. So, thank you for allowing God to use you in such a big way by producing this song and touching many lives. They are currently developing a website www.nolansblessings.com which will eventually have more info and possibly the video of the service...if you're interested. I hope this is clear and please don't hesitate to email me. ~Brad |
RodBrace February 15, 2012please go to the www.baptistbulletin.org jan. issue embracing suffering. We were able to meet Laura and Martin in Waukee ,Iowa at Point of Grace Church . My wife and I were able to meet Laura and talk at length with Martin both my wife and I could understand some of what Martin is going through I had a closed head injury and lost some memory and for a while my complete short term memory, My wife Joy was diagnosed w terminal brain cancer 3 days after the Iowa State Fair and they did surgery and she had about three months with out symptoms but she lost some spacial things and would get lost while driving, she would know where she was at but couldnt figure out how to get out or back home.She heard Blessings in the spring and really liked it then she heard the story behind it and started to pray for Martin and Laura then she was diagnosed and it had a new meaning. She performed blessings 3 or 4 times in public before she passed Dec. 4th a recording of her singing it was played at her funeral before 1100+ people as to the Goodness of God and the life she lived to please her savior.Joy wanted desperately to look Martin and Laura up this Feb. when we went through Atlanta to tell them how much they and their story had helped and impacted our lives but God had different plans for her, her job is done ! Thank you Martin and Laura we will for ever have a bond even if we never meet on earth again we will have eternity to to celebrate his "Blessings" Rod Brace Iowa |
RodBrace February 15, 2012please go to the www.baptistbulletin.org jan. issue embracing suffering. We were able to meet Laura and Martin in Waukee ,Iowa at Point of Grace Church . My wife and I were able to meet Laura and talk at length with Martin both my wife and I could understand some of what Martin is going through I had a closed head injury and lost some memory and for a while my complete short term memory, My wife Joy was diagnosed w terminal brain cancer 3 days after the Iowa State Fair and they did surgery and she had about three months with out symptoms but she lost some spacial things and would get lost while driving, she would know where she was at but couldnt figure out how to get out or back home.She heard Blessings in the spring and really liked it then she heard the story behind it and started to pray for Martin and Laura then she was diagnosed and it had a new meaning. She performed blessings 3 or 4 times in public before she passed Dec. 4th a recording of her singing it was played at her funeral before 1100+ people as to the Goodness of God and the life she lived to please her savior.Joy wanted desperately to look Martin and Laura up this Feb. when we went through Atlanta to tell them how much they and their story had helped and impacted our lives but God had different plans for her, her job is done ! Thank you Martin and Laura we will for ever have a bond even if we never meet on earth again we will have eternity to to celebrate his "Blessings" Rod Brace Iowa |
Kathy February 14, 2012Right now it is that Laura's song is getting me through the hard days. It helps me to put my focus back on God and to continue moving forward. March 6th 2011 my younger brother died. He was just 32 years old. I still cannot understand why so young, At first, I was so angry with God it has only been the past two months or so I have been able to even get back in church regularly. When I first heard the Laura's song I was mad how could she say a blessing could come from God taking my favorite person in the world from me. I still don't see the blessing, but I do listen to the song and I do ask God to help me now the anger is subsiding. I have allowed myself to cry more b/c of her verse about the blessing coming through tears. |
Kathy February 14, 2012Right now it is that Laura's song is getting me through the hard days. It helps me to put my focus back on God and to continue moving forward. March 6th 2011 my younger brother died. He was just 32 years old. I still cannot understand why so young, At first, I was so angry with God it has only been the past two months or so I have been able to even get back in church regularly. When I first heard the Laura's song I was mad how could she say a blessing could come from God taking my favorite person in the world from me. I still don't see the blessing, but I do listen to the song and I do ask God to help me now the anger is subsiding. I have allowed myself to cry more b/c of her verse about the blessing coming through tears. |