Where I’ve Been
Over the past seven plus years, I’ve endured some incredibly challenging times due to an unexpected traumatic brain injury. Pain that felt unbearable, and moments when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore. Through it all, my family love and mission on earth kept growing. I’ve been blessed to share my journey of how God has guided me through life with people I never would have met if this injury hadn’t happened.
A Life Changing Event: Traumatic Brain Injury
In 2017, I suffered something our family never even dreamed of or thought possible. Something we had no idea existed. A traumatic brain injury that changed my family’s life forever. A traumatic injury or illness doesn’t just affect the person injured; it impacts the entire family.
I have endured excruciating pain for over seven years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has been unimaginable, unthinkable, and sometimes indescribable, rocking me to my core. I have been through trials that tested my faith in ways I never imagined possible. I find my strength in Jesus Christ. Thankfully, I stand upon The Rock, I am never alone and always loved. During my darkest moments of pain, when I thought I couldn’t endure it any longer, Jesus was always there for me. He always reminded me I was never alone and was always loved! My message to you is that you are never alone and always loved, too!
I am with you always, even to the end of the world. ~ Matthew 28:20
Hope in Hardship, Finding Purpose in Pain
If you’re going through a dark and difficult time in life, please know that if you are reading this, God has a plan for your life! He has a purpose for you! I believe you are somebody special and God has a special plan for your life, too!
We may not always see how God is working, but we can often see it when we look back at our lives. I have always said that if my pain from this injury helps only one person, every moment was worth it! It is pain I’d never wish on anyone ever! Unfortunately, I discovered there are many others like me. Some have been searching for answers for years, just like me. At the same time, I’ve been blessed to have many people share with me during my journey through this trial what a blessing I was to share my story with them, especially how God continues to show up in the many miraculous ways!
What is a traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) happens when a sudden, traumatic event changes brain function, ranging from mild to severe. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is basically a non-degenerative, non-congenital injury to the brain caused by a sudden, external, mechanical force that causes brain changes, such as a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body. It can be a closed (non-penetrating) injury or a penetrating injury.
TBI is also called concussion, intracranial injury or head injury. TBI can cause many different symptoms and is different for every individual for every injury. This type of injury can lead to temporary or permanent issues affecting many different body systems. TBI is a broad category of injuries that affects how the brain works. It is one of the most prevalent causes of disability in adults. Healing looks different for every individual depending on many different circumstances.
I am living proof that God can work miracles and overcome seemingly impossible physical challenges through faith and His divine breakthroughs. If you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury or another chronic illness, keep praying and keep believing! I will pray and believe with you, too!
Miracles and Breakthroughs
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
2024 was a year of blessings beyond what my family and so many others prayed for and believed for me would happen! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for and continue to pray for my family!!
God is performing many incredible miracles! God is bringing me BACK TO LIFE!
I know God has a divine purpose for my pain and always has. As I share my story of what’s been happening to me since 2017, I’m beginning to see more of His plan for my life.
More to Come….Stay Tuned!
Please stay tuned to see what God has done and continues to do in my life and can do in yours!! Discover my journey to healing and recovery after a traumatic brain injury, and how God’s guidance led my family through it. I will be sharing my journey through different treatments, my progress, things to avoid, and so much more!
Grow Family Love is my message from my heart to the world!! My mission is to help others love themselves more deeply, so they can love others and especially their families even more!
Please let me know I can pray for you in the comments. Feel free to ask me anything you’re curious about traumatic brain injury or if you’ve had any experience with it. I’m here to help! Let me know what you’d like to know about traumatic brain injury. I look forward to sharing more of my journey to healing with you.
In case you need immediate help or information, check out Brain Injury Association of America. I found encouraging stories and helpful information on their site. Find your state Brain Injury Association here.
Thank you again to everyone for your countless prayers and support to get me where I am today, especially my husband and children. Please keep praying and believing with my family for my complete healing. Keep growing family love!!! 💗
Blessings to you,
Heidi 💖
It’s so amazing that you are sharing your journey, Heidi! You are a living example of Romans 8:28. I pray your story and blog helps many others who have suffered. Thank you for being a light for Christ!
Kirsten, thank you so much for that encouragement! Romans 8:28 has been a promise I’ve clung to—especially in the quiet, painful parts of this journey. God truly wastes nothing. Even in the darkest valleys, He was working, weaving it all together for good.
It humbles me deeply to know He’s using my story to shine His light. If even one heart feels seen, comforted, or drawn closer to Jesus through this blog, then it’s all worth it. We really are never alone and always, always loved.
From soil to soul, we’re homesteading infinite miracles with hearts full of grace.
Let your family love grow, always!
Thank you for sharing your story. My husband is a firefighter and suffered a TBI at work last year. It has been the most difficult year of my life as we navigate through his care and recovery.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart, sweet friend. From one homestead mama to another—you are seen, you are strong, and you are so very loved. You’re so welcome. If my story helps even one person, it was all worth it. To God be the glory!
I can only imagine how heavy this year has been—walking through deep waters while caring for your courageous husband. What a blessing you must be to him. As a firefighter, he’s spent his life serving and protecting others, and now you are doing the same for him—step by step, prayer by prayer, day by day. That is holy work, mama.
Your words touch me deeply, because my family has lived a similar journey. When I suffered a traumatic brain injury, it was my husband and children who carried me through—storm after storm – with faith, prayer, and so much love. Every doctor’s visit, every tear-filled night, they were there. I’m only standing here today by God’s mercy and the unshakable love of my family. My life is a living testimony of His grace and the miracle of growing family love.
I’d be honored to pray for your husband. What’s his name? I’d love to lift him up by name and add him to my prayer list. And if you’d like, you can also share your prayer request here:
https://growfamilylove.com/prayers-and-praises
Please reach out anytime—whether you have questions or just need someone to walk beside you in faith. You are not alone. I’m praying for strength, healing, and a miracle that’s abundantly above all that we ask or think.
And by the way – I followed your sweet homestead on Instagram, too! What a joy it is to see how God is growing love in your corner of the world.
With all my heart,
Heidi
I suffered from my TBI when I was 16 that’s probably why I’m still alive. My brain stem was almost severed. Broken lots of bones and was on life support! I woke up from my coma after 3 months that’s when they took me off life support. That’s probably why I woke up. I still do therapy.
Dear Crystal,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s truly inspiring! I hope this finds you in a moment of peace and comfort. Recovering from a traumatic brain injury is an incredibly challenging and courageous journey. Every small victory you achieve is a testament to your strength and ongoing progress.
I am sending you all the blessings as you continue your healing journey. Please allow yourself the grace to heal at your own pace. Your courage inspires those around you, even if you may not realize it. Please share what has helped you on your healing journey.
Warmest blessings,
Heidi
Glad to hear you’re doing better, and God is using your journey to help others .
Thank you so much, Doug! I’m a living miracle! It is a blessing to share my journey.