Here’s a note we received from one of our Southland staff members, Candy Williams, who loves and serves every day helping people with their needs... and does it with a smile on her face and a joy from the Lord. We asked her to share a bit of her story and encourage you to do the same. We love how she ends her note by inviting us into her life.  You’d never know the daily struggle she pushes through in order to minister to others:
 
July 4th, 1999 was when it all started.  It was something that would change the rest of my life... radically altering how I lived each day.  For the next three years I struggled through several different illnesses, finally landing in the world of chronic pain: Fibromyalgia.  I didn’t have a clue what it was but knew I didn’t like it.  After the diagnosis I spent hours at the library and on the computer trying to figure out what this thing was and what it was doing to me.  Eleven years later pain and fatigue are just a part of my day.  I’ve tried, pills, pills and more pills.  Each one only brought along side effects - other symptoms that were worse than the pain.  Today I have an exercise program which doubles as time with God to pray over the pain.  It is His grace and love for me that help me up and keep me going each day.  Psalms 57:1, “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

If you struggle, feel free to email me your story, receive encouragement, or ask for prayer.

Sincerely,

Candy