“God takes every circumstance and makes something out of it. You might not see what you can do, but God can see what he can do.” –Laura of Laura’s Lending Closet

HEART 2 HEART VOLUNTEERS

Laura’s Inspirational Story

Laura

I was lucky and blessed to grow up with two wonderful Christian parents. My father and mother were hard workers. Even when times were tough, my father always took the time to take us places and spend time with us. He always tithed, and the only days he would not work were on Sundays. In my earlier years before I got married, I was a tutor at Madison School in Wheeling. I loved, LOVED the libraries and I volunteered at a lot of libraries. I always wanted to be a teacher, but instead I got married and moved away to Wisconsin.

It was 1999, and I had been working at Motorola for 10 years. I was also going to school for business and hoping to take classes to become a teacher. One fateful night, in an instant my life changed forever.  I was in a head on collision with a speeding driver on my way home. My injuries were severe and I was taken to a hospital in Illinois. Because of my severe head trauma I had to be placed into a medically induced coma.  I remained in that hospital for 3 ½ months.

Eventually I was released home, and for a while my husband tried to help me, but I was in a severe depression. Eventually my marriage ended and I moved back to West Virginia. I was able for a while to live on my own. I lived in Montani Towers. I remember I used to take a bus to the Soup Kitchen to volunteer, because I love to help others. But as time went on, I was not able to live on my own or take care of myself. I was placed in a nursing home where I live now. The hardest thing is everyday living - the moment you realize you’re handicapped. I always wanted to help others with reading and writing and to be a teacher, but I cannot read or write now myself. I always thought, but I did not know how bad I had it because I wasn’t as bad as others.

I have been a Christian for most of my life. I believed as a child not how I believe now. What I mean is, I believed like a child believed in Santa Claus. Now I believe because I see how God worked in my life. Heart 2 Heart was an answer to my prayers. I definitely would not be able to do anything if it wasn’t for Heart 2 Heart. I have dreamed of having Laura’s Lending Closet for 15 years. I feel good about this new adventure because I feel as if it is something I can do, and the need is great.

I know what it is like to struggle. After my accident, I used a company in Wisconsin that lent me a hospital bed that I would not have been able to afford. So I know what it is like to struggle physically as well as financially. If I could offer a word of encouragement, it would be this: Never give up, because God is not done with you, yet. He takes every circumstance and makes something out of it. You might not see what you can do, but God can see what He can do. So have faith.