Carrying the Cross with Love: Choosing the Grief and Joy of Faith($14.00Value)

Description

This book describes the journey of how my faith grew from being a Catholic to embracing my life as a Catholic. When my son, Keith, was born in 2001 with Down Syndrome, I began to realize the mysterious ways that God was showing in my life had a purpose. This child brings so many lives closer to God, where God’s timing and unfolding of his plan occur. Jesus gives us many graces and blessings, if we but ask and have faith he will answer us. While praying one morning, I heard in my mind, “Cathy, will you carry my cross? Do you love me?” When I answered I would, but didn’t know what to do, I was told, “It will be revealed to you.” I had the realization that I had been prepared, called, and needed to obey God’s will to carry his cross. Through clinging to my faith and prayer, I would choose to embrace his calling to carry the cross. I would realize that though grief and happiness come and go, joy is always there, if we realize that the love of Jesus, dying on the cross, is only thing we need. You, too, can choose to pick up the cross and follow him to eternal life. "Cathy's story is evidence that prayer works, that there is real salvation in suffering, and that radical trust in God causes the fruits of his love to sprout where we least expect it. It is a much-needed story of love, hope, and beauty for a suffering and confused world." --Jon Laird, Director of Music, St. Timothy Catholic Church, Chantilly, Virginia "Cathy Edwards's book is a wonderful account of her life. With six children, one of whom has Down Syndrome, and all that goes with that, her faith is unwavering and her call for all of us to come to that faith through believing in the risen Jesus Christ is applaudable. Her storytelling style makes you feel like you are getting to know her over coffee in her kitchen; each new anecdote leading to another, until you feel like you've known her for years." --Mary Moore, award-winning author of inspirational historical fiction "Cathy Edwards is a treasure. Her steadfast faith and generous heart bless all who are privileged to meet her. This book is the story of Cathy's journey of faith and how the Lord used her experiences as a mother to refine her faith through the ups and downs of her family. Cathy writes with joy and tenderness about her very special son Keith and the gift of joy he brings to all who know him. I am blessed to know both Cathy and Keith through Jill's House. I highly recommend Carrying the Cross to anyone exploring faith, and especially to women in any stage of the mothering journey." --Dana Hecht, Vice President of Compliance and Family Support, Jill's House Cathy Edwards attended Catholic schools through college. She sang at the Papal Mass and at Notre Dame Cathedral. She attended Catholic University of America and obtained a degree in Choral Music Education. She taught music and sang as cantor and soloist, while raising a family with six children. When her youngest was born with Down Syndrome, she obtained her master's degree in special education and has been teaching students with special needs for the past twelve years. She volunteers with her church choir and has belonged to the same Bible study group for almost twenty years. Her passion is to help people to know the love of Christ, through music, prayer, and fellowship.