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That's N-I-C-O-L-E to 94878. Life audio. Yeah. Hi from the Salvation Army, you're listening to Words of Life. These are the words, these are the words, these are the words of life.
These are the words, these are the words, these are the words of life. Hey and welcome back to Words of Life. Today we're taking a short break from our roundtable discussions to hear a beautiful testimony from an incredible young woman who has been in a wheelchair since childhood. Today you'll meet Hannah. Her life is a testimony to God's faithfulness.
And as Hannah shares her story, she reminds us that disability inclusion isn't just about accessibility. It's about seeing people as God sees them and creating places where everyone belongs. Our friend Major Anna Westmoreland caught up with her at her recent women's retreat.
Okay. about that. My dance so much that my chair actually died. Oh my goodness. Yeah, so he goes down.
So they don't want to butt me off the hill.
So finally, let's make it happen. Let's find a way to make it happen. I love that. Let's find a way to make it happen. I love that.
Since I met you yesterday, I've encountered you throughout camp and you're so full of joy. Oh, thank you. And I'm so curious to learn a little bit more about your story and to hear about your life. And so, would you share a little bit about your story? Yeah.
What has shaped you into who you are today?
So as you know, when I was two months old, I quit breathing. It's called the New Mystery episode. With that, it was a little bit of brain damage that happened. My family was always believers of Jesus. They prayed for me.
It's funny because the doctor who was on call that night literally just read a study about traumatic brain injury, and that's what I had. And it was perfect how God put that doctor in the same room where I needed. And then, you know, throughout my whole life, God has been there for me. because they thought I would be vegetated and on a feeding tube.
So it's just amazing. And look at you. Yes. And so it's just been amazing how I've gotten to go to school. And last year I graduated.
Congratulations. That's incredible. And you know, it's crazy to think that If God wasn't there that night. I wanna have been. Here today.
It's just amazing how God works in my life. Yeah. I struggled for a long time with my mental health. Back in 2021, I almost took my life. Because um I felt like No one was here for me.
My family has helped me so much. Throughout my mentor house journey, um I started at the Salvation Army for volunteer hours.
Okay. So I needed volunteer hours for school. And I never left. When have you felt most seen? and valued and known within the body of believers.
I went to church all my life. Um Like, I felt loved and sad, but I w didn't really feel accepted. They didn't try to include me. That that hurt really deeply. It wasn't until I came to the Savage Normale where I felt Safe.
Accepted and um loved and just being mentored, like poured into ourselves. Mm-hmm. What do you think it was that made you feel accepted? in that moment. Just by um Coming here and And seeing that you're not just another person in a wheelchair, like people don't see me as someone in a wheelchair, they see me like you and other people who can walk and can.
That really, that was really good. I love that. You're Hannah. Yes. Right?
Yes. Yes. There's something strong with this. Not all balls. We're all different, right?
So not two of us are alike. Yes, but like you guys just come open with open arms and It's been like quite a A wonderful journey. That's incredible, and I see that in you. I see that joy that's there, and that you're able to, I think, be Hannah. Um my middle name is Hannah Sunshine Joy.
Is it? Yes. Hannah Sunshine Joy. Yes. That's beautiful.
Thank you.
So when when you're when you were named that I think God inspired that. Yes. Definitely I believe that God was with my mom when she was needing me. Hey, you're listening to the Salvation Army's Words of Life. We're gonna take a quick ad break and we'll be right back.
Spending time in God's Word can be life-changing, but many of us struggle to stay consistent. That's why Bible League International created a free guide called Nine Tips to Get More of God's Word in Your Life. Inside, you'll find practical encouragement to help you build a stronger habit of reading scripture. These simple tips can help you slow down, focus on what God is saying through His Word, and apply biblical truth to your everyday life. And while you're growing in your faith, you'll also be reminded that millions of believers around the world are hungry for the same opportunity to read and study the Bible.
Bible League's mission is to equip the under-resourced church to make disciples, transforming lives through God's Word. You can download the free guide today, just text STUDY to 94878, that's STUDY to 94878, to receive nine tips to get more of God's Word in your life.
So, how has your personal relationship with God? shape the way you understand who you are and how you belong. It wasn't until after my mental health crisis where I started to Really understand God and really pray, and really like hold on Him. Like I heard other people saying how God talked to them.
Well, I didn't expect it for him to say, hey, like, talk to you. He talked to me and saying, like stand up, like walk. I was kind of really confused. I'm like, is it me that's talking to myself? Like what is going on?
I thought it was myself talking myself talking to me. But no, it was God telling me to stand up. And while I can with the help of my Mom was pastor and my family, I was able to use my wheelchair and stand up. That's incredible. Yes, it was so incredible.
And so I just feel like my personal relationship was. He told me he wasn't some other people trying to say. You know, God, God can heal you. No, he was talking to me, and he called me to the Salvation Army and said, Come here and You will be accepted for who you are and You don't have to change, you don't have to hide behind a mask. And I just think that.
being able to express myself. I'm being pulled in by people like me, Jimichelle, and Major Robert Lincoln.
So many people here at CAM has poured into me, has prayed in for me. I just feel like it I guess I believe in God, but I believe. He talks and heals, and I believe that everyone is. Here for a reason God loves us. That's beautiful, Hannah.
I just try to be an advocate for those who don't have a voice, or who don't have Jesus on their side, or who don't believe in. I just pray for them. Yes. There's a bunch of people in my in my state who in the wheelchair. A lot of them Sit at home.
You know, doing that thing, just at home. Play video games or Go to sleep. And I have a really good mom that pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and Taught me how to be my own voice. And now you are that voice for others. That's wonderful to hear an advocate.
And your life is so full and so rich. And I'm sure I know for me and for many others an inspiration.
So, Hannah, when God sees you. Where does he see? I like his smiles. Even though I'm stubborn, I just get out. And I do go fast, and I do speed up my little chain and whatnot.
Oh. Yes. Um. I feel like he smiles and says, that's my child. I created her in my image.
I know. Even when Satan tried to take me away. He said, That's my child. The song that we've been singing this weekend is Testimony. This is my testimony, and from death to life, and that's exactly my testimony.
Where the board joins us and says, if I'm not dead, you're not done. That's right. Greater things are still to come. And I truly believe that because I'm here now talking to you. And the doctors told my mom.
Should never be able to talk. Like, I feel like God has a purpose for me and give me a mouth to talk because I talk a lot.
Well, that's good. We pray that you're enjoying and being blessed by this conversation. We're going to take one more ad break and we'll be right back. This episode is brought to you by Bible League International. Bible League's mission is to equip the under-resourced church to make disciples, transforming lives through God's Word.
Right now you can download a free resource to grow deeper in scripture. Just text study to 94878 to get yours today. What would you say to me? And to anyone, really, to try to better understand being welcoming. to people who have disabilities.
So how can we as a community What might be some things that we can do better? Yes. Thank you for asking. Um, you know, one of the things That I've seen from the Salvation Army that I don't see from other churches is: you don't look at the disability, you look at the person. Um, I would say that like try to make sure that they all ramps and um things like having a van, like a handicap van for the Salvation Army.
that can not only pick up me, But pick up older people and inclusion. Because if you don't include, You're gonna miss out on some very awesome people. I just If I can't get somewhere. Let's let's make let's make it happen. Like let's find a way to make it happen.
I love that. Let's find a way to make it happen. I love that. Yes, and that's one thing that I really like that a cool officer, she She approached me a few years ago, and she said Well, y you do know you can go to camp, I said. No, I can't.
I'm in a wheelchair. She's like. Oh honey, these away. And so Hyde came Youth counselors, and then this is my second women's camp. She's like a mimicaway.
We don't know what, but we will make a way for you to be able. We will make it happen, no matter what. I really do appreciate people who do make it happen, who and who do include me, because I know that I'm better for it. That's such a great message. Finding a way to make it happen.
I pray that everyone listening to my testimony. We'll encourage them to step up and say, Well, is she can do it? Then so can I. I know I'm not the only one. It's there for people who have a testimony and is afraid to share it.
And it's scary, stepping out of your comfort zone and not knowing what's gonna happen. The pain that No matter what, I won't lose my footing and cast like I lost. before 'cause that was That's pretty rash. But I don't think I'm gonna be losing it because of how special it is and How it is a joy to be here The Salvation Army's mission, doing the most good, means helping people with material and spiritual needs. You become a part of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army.
Visit SalvationArmyUSA.org to offer your support. You can subscribe to Words of Life on your favorite podcast store or visit SalvationArmysoundcast.org. Join us next time for the Salvation Army's Words of Life. These are the words. These are the words of life.
These are the words. These are the words. These are the words of life. Thanks so much for listening to Words of Life. We want to thank the team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on the show.
Visit lifeaudio.com where you'll find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. They have shows about prayer, Bible studying, parenting, and more. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you next time. Dedicating time each day to spend feeding our minds and our hearts the truth of God's Word is immensely helpful in our growth as followers of Christ.
I'm John Stonghey, and each day I host a show called Daily Devotions with Pastor John. On the show, I spend just a few minutes taking an applicational look at one or two verses of scripture before coming to the Lord in prayer. If you'd like to make a habit of spending more time meditating on the truth of God's Word, you can listen to Daily Devotions with Pastor John at lifeaudio.com or on your favorite podcasting app. I'm Mark Vinette, host of the Historical Jesus Podcast, which presents the new series, Miracles, focusing on biblical miracles from the Old and New Testament. Join me on the Historical Jesus podcast as I explore the interesting, compelling, intriguing, and wonderful miracle stories of the Bible and the many great miraculous events inspired by the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.
