Edie Hand: Author, “Women of True Grit‪”‬ Morning Cup of Faith

Edie Hand’s legacy is her “Women of True Grit” series (www.ediehand.com), inspiring stories of women sharing their stories and passion from the trials they face to their triumphs. Edie’s books speak about building your pearls of life and having the grit to do hard things. Growing up in Alabama Edie's early life was shaped by the tragic loss of her three young brothers and she battled cancer three times. Edie is a successful author, speaker, business woman, a doting mother and the cousin of the legendary Elvis Presley. Edie shares, "God gave me the wisdom of my grandmother’s 'pearls of hope.' White pearls are for starting over, yellow pearls are for overcoming the stains of our lives, pink pearls are for fun, silver pearls are for wisdom and black pearls, like the ones I experienced with the loss of my brothers, symbolize that we have to come through darkness to get to beautiful places. God gave me great compassion for my fellow man. That is why I have such a heart for others. Purple pearls are for passion and perseverance. Gold pearls are for the test of time." Edie learned first-hand from her iconic cousin Elvis Presley about paying life forward through charities in one’s community. Edie reflects, “I think I learned the most from Elvis about the spirit of giving. Elvis gave a yacht to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and I thought, “Wow, I want to be able to make a difference like that.” Edie founded the Edie Hand Foundation after the loss of her three young brothers and her battles with cancer and she continues to raise funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Edie’s colorful stories and her pearls of wisdom are life lessons on how to turn hard things into beautiful situations. Brenda and Shelley cried during the first ten minutes of Edie's interview: her poignant life story as an overcomer and her faith journey are so deeply touching. You’ll fall in love with Edie’s tender heart and her Southern charm and by the end of this episode you’ll have clarity on which color of pearls you should be wearing. “What’s in my cup today?” Edie laughs. “Honey, my cup is black and strong.” Brenda Epperson-Moore (co-host of "Morning Cup of Faith”) announces the May release of her new uplifting book “Rise Up: Uncover the Darkness and Move Into the Light.” Brenda reveals, “God took me from being a size 16, out of control and angry youth, a victim of sexual assault, rage and the onset of diabetes who grew up with a single mom who sometimes did not know where our next meal was coming from to the joyous person who I am today: married to the love of my life, raising three beautiful daughters, and enjoying a successful career as an actress and singer." Brenda believes that by the time you finish her book you’ll be able to identify what’s holding you back so you can move forward into a new life of joy. Look out for an upcoming Facebook “Live” “Rise Up” workshop with Brenda and Shelley coming soon!