A Strand of Pearls

Debra A. Newell

Debra lives outside of Gainesville, Florida in a peaceful, pastoral lake setting she calls “the Sanctuary.” This home and acreage is a gift from her Heavenly Father and is a blessing He used to fully heal her from the ravages of multiple traumas.Not so many years ago, Debra thought perhaps the best of her life was over, that she would never be whole again, able to love, be loved, or do “normal” things. Through grace and mercy, the love of her daughter, friends and family, the guiding hand of a loving Heavenly Father and a sweet surrender, her person and life has been transformed in testimony of the Lord’s goodness.Writing is a passion that emerged at an early age – evidenced in poems, lyrics and short stories, though Debra never seriously pursued writing as an avid hobby or vocation. Debra was first published while in college. Somewhere along the way, writing receded to the background as other pursuits called for more time and attention – a family, advanced degrees, and professional enhancement. After the traumas, writing once again emerged – first as a lifeline, then as a tool for healing, and, now, as a means for telling a story of God’s grace to encourage others.A year and a half ago, at 9:15 on a Tuesday morning, the Lord said to her, “Resign, now.” Her position at the time was prestigious and high paying. In obedience, she did resign, though having no clue what she would do thereafter to support herself and remain a contributing member of society.At that juncture, writing once again emerged as a mainstay, as did training in ministry. Writing and ministering to women who have also been victims is her passion. Debra and a colleague facilitate writing and healing workshops for a variety of audiences.In addition to contributing her story to this book and editing this collection, Debra is currently working on a novel, Jigsaw, forthcoming in later 2007.

Diana Beatty

Diana has had a passion for writing since junior high school, but at that time most of her writing was for the purpose of escape. When her two sons were younger, she wrote stories about them and their friends. Today, her writing focuses on examining various family issues for the sake of healing and clearing the past. She has co-authored a movie script, Shadow Lives, which compares the high expectations her parents had for their lives with the reality that unfolded. She has also written a novel, as of yet unpublished, Nakaya Falls, based on the dark family secrets surrounding her grandfather. She considers herself an accidental poet since her only published works are two poems, Fishing With Grandpa and In Pascagoula. “I don’t go looking for poetry”, she says, “It just happens.”

Karen Haskell

Karen lives in the rural community of Melrose, Florida with her husband of twelve years, Dale. Here, she enjoys the serenity of lake living and the beauty of God’s creation. One of her favorite things is spending time with her three grandchildren.Her life today is vastly different than the one you read about in her testimony. She believes the scripture that best sums up the moral of her story is from Psalm 119:71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” She hopes her story will bring encouragement to others who may be going through similar trials and sufferings.

Eunice Johnson

Eunice knows well the challenges of “faith projects,” of taking God at His word and stepping out, from even before she was a committed Christian. Her story “Faith Projects” recounts her move to the South Carolina capital of Columbia as her first of several such “faith projects.” There she faced, and succumbed to, many of the challenges and temptations any young woman faces when entirely on her own for the first time in her life. In April 1977, however, Eunice was brought to the end of her spiral downward into a life of sin when she chose to receive forgiveness and her new life in Jesus after He had lovingly wooed her many years.Today almost thirty years later, after many detours, wrong turns, false starts in her life of faith since choosing Jesus, Eunice can speak of the faithfulness of God “through it all.” She would like to encourage the readers with these words: “In each new ‘faith project’ He presents me (or you, for that matter), God continues to prove Himself good and doing good as well as sufficient and loving. As I am willing to believe and act on these Truths, He changes me from glory to glory. So, if we– you readers and I– can learn to receive and live each day as a ‘faith project’ given by the Lord, we can be full of joy, pleasing Him with our trusting and grateful hearts!”

Carolyn K. Metcalf

Carolyn is a wife, mother and grandmother of 14. She and her husband, Don, live in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they retired to a couple of years ago. She is busy with grandchildren and church leadership.Writing is not a “first love” for Carolyn, though she enjoys sharing her story here for the readers. “Life is not over until your work here on earth is finished” is a philosophy she lives by. By grace, the Lord keeps providing “assignments,” and she gladly accepts.

Melody Wilson

Melody is a wife and mother of 4, living in a small mid-western town with her husband, and family on a small acreage. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas, and has a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Melody has served on several professional and non-professional boards over the years. Currently, she has made the choice to be a stay-at-home mom.Melody has used journaling as a tool to help her process through tough spots in the past. When first approached about contributing to this project, she hesitated. She wanted to keep the horrible part of her life a secret and in the past.However, the Lord prompted her that there were women who needed to know her story - the horror, hope and redemption – so they too could be encouraged to overcome. She was obedient and the readers are the benefactors.

Amber Whatley

Amber Whatley is thrilled to have her story included in this publication.  Amber earned a Masters degree in voice performance at the University of Florida and has performed in operas, musical theatre, orchestral concerts, and solo recitals.  However, what she is truly passionate about is worshiping God and building up the church.  She currently lives in Marietta, Georgia and worships at Vineyard Community Church.  Amber is excited to see where her adventure will take her next.