Letters From Home Purposely

Compassion can shape lives. So many babies have been born in adversity. Their start in life is so difficult. And yet God has a plan. Adoption is so often part of that. And sometimes, the most hopeless story, can be the one God uses to display His great power, and His gentle compassion. Arie Mahler shares his inspiring testimony, from a tiny village and Sulawesi jungle birth, to his upbringing in Seattle, and his current calling to direct the Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood, Washington. Your faith will surely be buoyed as you are invited into Arie's heart and family.

Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/42lp2g9

Topics Shared:
Born on the island of Sulawesi in a grass thatched roof hut
His mother passed away shortly after, due to complications of childbirth
He was left in the hut, and bitten by a wild animal
His uncle brought him to a missionary orphanage in Manato, a 3 days journey
Dr. Donald Gish and uncle, went and got Arie to bring him back to the orphanage
Grandpa Gish and Nana Evelyn
They didn’t think he would make it through the night
Miraculously nursed back to health
On the Cover of the Newsletter for the church in Seattle where he would be adopted
One year process for him to be adopted by his new Seattle family
His parents first meet him at Daily’s Drive In,
A godly upbringing
His Dad gets cancer when Arie was 16
A pivotal transition
Young marriage and family
The quest to find his birth father
Healing and answers
Becoming Papa and Gram
A sweet reunion at a memorial

THE P.S. Questions Answered:
As a coach and parent do you have advice on figuring out the whole sports life church home
balance?
Who is the greatest NBA player of all time? The Greatest Shooter?
What is the greatest need in the church today?
What legacy do you wan’t to leave behind?
How to get involved in The Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood,
Washington and what it is all about.Guest Links:The Compassion Center Website: https: //alderwood.cc/compassion-center/
Alderwood Community Church Email: ReachUs@amcc.orgRelated Episode:
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/podcast/the-search-for-redemption-holland-webb/
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lfhpodcast@gmail.comFor Bingeable Series, hover over the “Episodes” tab:
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Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present.

Has your spouse or roommate ever stumbled upon a private addiction and confronted you? What if you were a young and new pastor who loved working with kids? Today’s guest walks us through how his secret porn addiction was discovered, how he asked for help, how it affected his church and pastoring and how the Lord strengthened his marriage. Our God is a God of reconciliation and restoration. Vulnerability and asking for help open the door.

Acts 20:24- (NIV) “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/40YnnMI
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Topics Shared:
Awana kid
Saved and baptized at age 9
Retired military father, absent
Teachers didn’t believe in him
He thought he wasn’t smart enough for college
Growing in faith in teen years Looking for his soulmate in high school
“Find me somebody to love.”
Found many father figures at church
Became a youth pastor at age 19
Married young
Struggle with porn
Wife discovers
He shares it with the church
Plan for restoration
Finding a new church
Brandon Heath ‘God isn’t finished with you yet”
Ultimate Healing

Some of the P.S. Questions Answered:
What would you say to parents who are raising kids while in the military?
How has walking in other people's shoes transformed you?
If you had limitless time or talent, what other ministry would you like to participate in or start?
What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

Neil Mathew’s Website and Podcast
Website:https://www.opspodcast.com/Podcast: Other People’s Shoes Podcast

Guest Quote:
“I was so intoxicated with the role of a pastor, I forgot what it was to be a pastor and to be a shepherd.”

Related Episode:Ep. 3 - “Secret Addiction & Open Healing” Judianne Charbonneau (young mom)------------------------------------------

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/

*FREE APP* Letters From Home Podcast has its own downloadable app., with all of our episodes in one easy place. Search our podcast name in the Apple APP store, and in the Google Play store. All free!

We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story. lfhpodcast@gmail.com

For one splashy bright monthly Letters From Home Newsletter: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/newsletter/

For Bingeable Series, hover over the “Episodes” tab: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/episodes/

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Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present.

Do you believe in Miracles? Is there anyone in your life whom every time you see them, you are reminded with a resounding swell in your heart that God is a God of miracles. Shauna’s story is this. Her story is traumatic, impactful, full of hope, full of faith, and wonder. You will see her struggle as she asks God, ‘why did you save me? Why am I alive?” You will also see how her experiences, and faith journey has led her to the beautiful ministry she serves her loving God in today.
Philippians 4:13-“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Kdqgmu

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Topics Shared:
Traumatic miracle birth
Growing up on 3 sides of the track
Witnessing her mother being abused
The incident
Finding forgiveness
Safe space found
Saved at age 8
Bumpy teens
Young arranged marriage
Abusive cheating teen husband
Becoming a Mom and divorced at 17
Life as a single Mom
Drug season
Hasty marriage
Mental abuse and pregnancy
Traumatic delivery
Losing 7 liters of blood
Left the hospital after 8 days
Why did He save me?
A long depression
Losing everything
Homeless with two kids
A new chapter
Paying it forward
Call to Coaching
The P.S. Questions:
What are 3 of your most helpful tips as a life coach?
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Shauna Parker’s Links:
Website: https://shauna-parker.com/
Instagram: @shauna.parker.coaching
For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/
*FREE APP* Letters From Home Podcast has its own downloadable app., with all of our episodes in one easy place. Search our podcast name in the Apple APP store, and in the Google Play store. All free!
We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story. lfhpodcast@gmail.com
To join our Facebook Group for bonus live stories and convos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3475957805750898
For one splashy bright monthly Letters From Home Newsletter https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/newsletter/
For Bingeable Series, hover over the “Episodes” tab: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/episodes/
We're on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live :)... all you need to do is type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and it should pop right up.

Newly Quadriplegic. Can you imagine at age 19, after a boating accident, waking up from surgery to the doctors telling you that you will never walk again? Despair settled in. This is the beginning of Joe Delagrave’s deep transformation. His journey to forgiveness and faith is one you will never forget. He brings us into his happy but imperfect childhood, his WSU football days, his boating accident, a life-changing prison visit, and ultimately his inner heart working, that gave him the drive of an Olympian. He is a keynote speaker, Team USA Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Medal Winner and well-loved child of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XPOXuS

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Topics Shared:
Soaking up affirmation from coaches
His goal in high school was being a college athlete
Supportive parents
Birth father in prison, missed Joe’s entire childhood
It wasn’t 15 years for some crazy offense, it was choices over and over
Drugs, check fraud, not paying his rent
At 13 God spoke to him about being a speakerHis battle between pleasing people or pleasing God
Football Scholarship to Winona State in Mn.
Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin and the back sloughs of Mississippi
Boating accident
Spinal cord injury levels
Joe’s neck snaps at the C6 and C7, and he blacks out
Rescue boat, ambulance, then med flighted to the local hospital
The Asia Test proves his spinal injury
Airlifted to LaCrosse Hospital for surgery to fuse his C6 and 7
Complete quadriplegic or incomplete quadriplegic?
Don Beebee House of Speed shirt cut off
Opening his eyes to Prov. 3:5-6, and a newly-abled worldSurrounded by loving family
The God of 2nd chances
Functioning as an incomplete C6 and C7 quadriplegic
God softens his heart toward his dad
Visiting his birth father in prison
Reconciliation and forgiveness in one life-changing encounter
Marriage, babies and adaptive sports
Discovering wheelchair rugby
An athlete againPreparing, making and medaling in the Paralympics

Resources:
Website- https://www.joedelagrave.com/
IG- @jdelagrave14

Joe’s Quotes:
“Are we on fire for God, or on fire for what people think? A lot of times those two don’t coexist very well.”
“As my athletic career was taking off, my relationship with Jesus was completely going the opposite way.”
“We never know what kind of impact we make by simply being kind.”

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For more everyday extraordinary faith stories: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/

Can you imagine being falsely accused as a pastor? Then add to that, false charges filed against you where even the FBI gets involved. Markus Watson walks through what he and his family went through at their church, and though months later, exonerated by the Presbytery was voted out of his church. Incredulous. Markus has arisen from that devastating chapter with several new chapters in his life. He is currently the primary podcaster and host for Fuller Seminary “Spiritual Life and Leadership”, the best-selling author of “Beyond Thingification” and the pastor at a new church. Through it all, he is reminded, that no matter what trial he goes through, he knows he is God’s beloved. His story will grip your heart, and change your perspective on so many levels.

Jer. 31:3-“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3wdso7n

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Topics Shared:
Raised in faith
Aspiring Hollywood actor
A change of plans
Fuller Seminary
Pastoring his first church
Emergency meeting while on sabbatical
Accused of porn
Forensic analysis of his laptop
Turns into a potential criminal investigation
The FBI got involved
How the attorney knew he was innocent
Exonerated by the Presbytery
Voted out of his church
Flourish San Diego
Beyond Thingification
Pastor at Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church

Markus' Quotes:
"The FBI had my laptop."
" 'Lord, I don't deserve your love.' What a terrible message to be telling myself over and over and over again."
"I spent a lot of time in the Psalms, Psalms of lament."
"I had this image of myself having lost everything, sitting in a prison cell."
"We had double our normal attendance that Sunday. Everyone will show up for a scandal."
"The thought of being a pastor again felt like being thrown into a snake pit."
"We can't love someone if we are judging them."

Markus Watson's Website:https://www.markuswatson.com/
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For more inspiring stories:https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/

Disclaimer: This story contains sensitive content that may not be safe for young ears. Consider putting in earbuds if you have kids present.

While deployed to Kuwait, Jerry Dugan wrote to his family the “in case I die” letter. His whole hard life had led to this moment. You will see the wonderful way the Lord protected him, changed him and his family, and how he was able to come home. He is truly an honorable man, but one who wasn’t always proud of his family name.

At 14, in his mind, his family name stood for trouble, heartbreak, bullying, racial microaggressions and brokenness. He had already been through so much in his young life. Jerry shares with us the life-changing prayers and loving God that lead him to a new family honor, and helped him to change the generational patterns that informed his childhood.

Jeremiah 1:5-"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3CTvYYb

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Topics Shared:
Biracial childhood
Tiger Mom
Performance-based acceptance
Performance-based affection
Top Gun style bet to break up his parents
Heart-breaking divorce
The Army brushed a lot of things under the carpet
Suicide ideations and suicide attempts
Intervention
Loving foster home
Bullied by uncles in Ca.
His gentle father flips the switch to military policeman with army training
A turning point
Deployment to Kuwait, 1/'03-3/'03
Writing the 'in case I die' letter
War homecoming and seeing his kids for the first time

Quotes:
"When you are 7 or 8 years old and the amount of affection you are getting from your mom, the kind of attention you get from your mom is solely based on your performance in an activity, that sets a weird expectation."
"In the movies they always have that 'in case I die' letter they hand to their buddy to hand off, but I was so convinced I was going to die, that I wrote my letter. I disguised the wording just enough so it didn't freak my wife out when she read it, but it was there. Everything I wanted to say to her was in that letter. I folded it, and I mailed it that night. It was one last mail run before we crossed the border."
"We as a church can do better, back off the condemnation, and demonstrate more of the Jesus who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors and treated them with dignity, treated them with respect because he honored their dignity."

References:
Beyond the Rut Website & Podcast:
https://beyondtherut.com/
https://therealjerrydugan.com/
Jerry Dugan's Ted Talk:
http://therealjerrydugan.com/category/biblical-marriage/
Marriage Episode with Meg Glesener:
https://beyondtherut.com/meg-glesener-healthy-marriage-btr-236/
The Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
& Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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For more inspiring stories: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/