Your Story Matters: The Day That Changed Everything
My story begins with failure and an impossible prayer. After receiving a letter of dismissal from college, I felt I had failed at the very thing God had called me to do. I was overwhelmed, discouraged, and uncertain about my future. I prayed for a second chance, never imagining that God would answer that impossible prayer in an impossible way.
That answer came through a tobogganing accident at a Christmas party I never intended to attend. The accident left me with a traumatic brain injury, and what followed was three months in the hospital. The first four days were critical; doctors didn’t know if I would survive. There was uncertainty about whether I would be able to walk or talk again and if I would be permanently disabled.
I was frustrated and even angry with God. Why had this happened? How could my life make sense after such devastation? Yet in that hospital room, God met me in the most intimate way. Philippians 4:13 became my anchor: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Those words weren’t just scripture on a page—they became a lifeline, a reminder that even when everything seemed impossible, God was present, listening, and working.
Recovery was slow and difficult. I spent fifteen days in a coma, six weeks with post-traumatic amnesia, three months in two hospitals, a year in outpatient therapy, and years in slow, painstaking healing. Every day was a reminder that even small steps counted. I had to relearn things most people take for granted—walking, talking, and thinking clearly. Yet as I applied myself to recovery, I began to see that God’s faithfulness was real. He had heard my desperate prayer, and He was carrying me through it.
When I returned to college on a modified course load, the challenge seemed almost insurmountable. But I poured myself into my studies and saw a transformation: my grades went from Ds to Bs in a single semester. Against all odds, I graduated. That victory, small in some ways but monumental in others, taught me that even when life feels impossible, perseverance anchored in faith produces results.
After graduation, I moved overseas to teach English in South Korea. Over seven years, I served in ministry opportunities, met people from all walks of life, and experienced God’s faithfulness in new and surprising ways. I later returned to Canada to serve in youth ministry. Then, during the pandemic, I met my husband, whose encouragement reignited a creative passion I thought I’d lost. He encouraged me to start painting again, and that creative outlet became a source of healing, expression, and renewed purpose. Eventually, his support led me to take a bold step of faith: starting Velvet Rose Studios.
Velvet Rose Studios is more than a business; it’s a platform where art and faith intersect. Just as God met me in the hospital and called me to step up when everything seemed impossible, He now calls me to step out boldly through creativity. My goal is to encourage others to step out in faith, to believe that God is listening, and to trust that their story matters. Stories are powerful. They have the ability to heal, to bring freedom, and to remind someone that they are not alone. Your story could be the very thing that gives another person hope in a season of struggle.
Through my work, I aim to show that faith conversations don’t need to feel forced to be meaningful; they can happen through color, canvas, and courage. Every shoe design, every journal, every piece of art is a way to say: I see you. Your story matters. You are not alone. Sharing your story can feel vulnerable, even scary, but it has the power to impact someone else in ways you may never realize. Your pain, your triumphs, your struggles, and your victories; they are all powerful testimonies that can bring healing and encouragement to someone else.
I’ve experienced firsthand how sharing your story can inspire change. I recently shared my journey on a podcast, and even pieces of my experience resonated with people I didn’t know, offering encouragement and hope. That is why I encourage you to share your story. Your testimony is not just about reflecting on your life; it’s about giving someone else the courage to hope, the freedom to heal, and the faith to take their own next steps.
Velvet Rose Studios was born from faith, creativity, and the belief that our stories matter. Mine is just one example of how God can bring beauty, restoration, and purpose from pain and failure. Your story is powerful. It can bring healing, hope, and freedom to someone else. It can remind someone that God is listening, that their struggles are not wasted, and that even in impossible circumstances, faith can move mountains. Step out. Share your story. Let it be a light to someone who needs it today.
