Heather Hornback-Bland - God Said Yes

Table of Contents

As a person who has been at the receiving end of a surgeons scalpel too many times, I can tell you that Heather Hornback-Blands God Said Yes will be an enormous encouragement to those struggling with health issues and faith questions. Its a riveting read and a roller coaster of emotions, an honest, transparent page-turner!

Don Piper, coauthor of 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven Is Real

Heather Hornback-Bland has faced incredible adversity in her life, pain that almost anyone else would find unbearable. But in the midst of it all, she found joy in the gifts God had given her. In God Said Yes, we get a glimpse of how we can do the same.

Dave Dravecky, former Major League Baseball pitcher and cancer survivor

Heather is a medical miracle and a true tribute to Gods faithfulness. Youll find yourself intrigued and blessed by her story.

Dave Stone, senior minister of Southeast Christian Church

Most Berkley Books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs.

For details, write: Special Markets, The Berkley Publishing Group, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

I would like to dedicate my life story to a few people. First and foremost, thank you to my Savior Jesus Christ for loving me unconditionally and for showing me in my best and worst days he is with me. His grace is my shining light every day. Second, to my husband, DeWayne (BUDA), you are my very best friend and you truly have shown me I am lovable and given me the courage not only to do this book but to know that it will be a story of hope to those who hurt. I look forward to the rest of my life with you and thanks for loving my heart, my soul, my scarred body, and my mind. You are worth everything I have been through. Also, to my precious daughter, Mackenzie, you are the brightest point of my every day and I am so proud of you. You are beautiful inside and out and one of the most compassionate people I have ever known. Being your mom is the greatest gift Jesus has ever given me. I love you forever and a day, Baby Girl. Last but not least, Mom and Dad. You both have been my example of a Christ-centered love and you knew that DeWayne was my forever lovelike Dad is yours, Mom. You have given when it was too hard for anyone else and shown me how to depend on my Savior like you always have. I pray every day to be a spouse, a parent, and a friend like I have watched both of you be. Mom, my accident may have started out a tragedy, but our walk is a true testament to trusting that joy in pain is a real blessing.

HEATHERS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book has been a long walk with many people and this is where I want to share my heart with several that have been on this journey with me. Some of them have always been by my side and some are in and out of my lifebut they have each been a piece of this book whether their names are in it or not.

To Ninie, thanks for the time, love, and support you and Tom have given me. Ninie, thanks for the hours of writing and praying, the laughter and tears to make this the best book. I believe God knew you would tell it as honest and straightforward as I always hoped it could be. THANKS.

I want to thank Southeast Christian Church for thirty years of growth in my faith and I want to thank a few specific people. Bob, wow, what a true teacher and faithful friend you have been to me. Mike, you are one of my best friends and you have been such an inspiration in my life. You are a true example of having grace through lifes storms. Greg, you crazy guy, thanks for sticking by mefrom high school through todayand showing me to trust that God has always had a plan for my life. Dave, God bless this new road youre on and keep your heart on Christthanks for always caring about and supporting me. To Debra and Debbie, thanks so much for your behind-the-scenes support and for showing me faith in prayer all this time. Also, to the VINE, you rock my heart; and, Rachel, thanks for sharing this with metrust in Gods plan for you. Dare to DREAM! Also, to the high school kids at Christian Academy, thanks for showing me my true speaking voice.

To all of my doctors, nurses, lab and x-ray staff, the friends I have made in all the different hospitals is a gift. It was a miracle how God placed so many people in my life that not only cared but also never let me quit. I also want to say to those who bailed when insurance failed or they saw no hope: God showed me the way to get to the next day and placed new people to pick me up. To those few that have gone above and beyond, THANKS will never be enough.

To some friends that keep me sane, like Laura, Rachel, Vicki, Sheri, Susan, Linda S., Linda P., ReRe, Tammy, Kelli, Kim, Bill, and Kelly, it has been a rough road but a blessed one because of you. You have seen me at my worst and loved me through it, and I am a better person for the things each of you has brought to my life. I have had so many people come in and out of my life, and as much as that hurt, I am now stronger and better for it. Mom has always told me two things: (1) If you can count your true friends on one hand, you are truly blessed, and (2) people always disappoint. For anyone I have disappointed or for those that walked away, I wish you all the happiness life has to offer.

Malcolm, Jimbo, Ann, and Carolyn are new to my crew, but I look forward to all the memories to come. Kenny W., I am so thankful that you are such a special part of my life. Thanks for giving me courage and friendship all these years. You have helped me keep it real. To Melanie, Whitney, and Savannah, you girls stay true to your hearts and Ill always be here for you. Matthew, you stay true to yourself and stay strong with your walk. You are a little hottie! Go #11! Phil C., thanks for loving us. We miss you. Shawn, thanks for all your help and for being a friend. I believe giving people like you will be blessed greatly one day. To the M word and V., love like you have never been loved, dream like never before, and trust one another and cherish a real soul mate!

To my father, Will, I am glad you are in my life now and I am praying for you and my family out west. I can never thank my siblings and familystep, half, and whole, Mamaw and Poppy, Jimmy, Sissy, aunts, uncles, and cousinsenough for keeping me real. For loving me and for supporting me. To my cousin Suzie, never forget Coal Miners Daughter. I love you all for the things each of you has brought to my life. Also, to my grandmother, grandpa, my son, Christopher, and Aunt Nina, I miss you everyday, but I have a peace knowing I will see each of you again.

To Jamey, I want to thank you for the greatest joy and gift in my life: Mackenzie. I hope you and Terri are happy; and, Terri, thanks for being such a good stepmom and friend to Kenzie. I am glad she has all of us.

To Rebel, thanks for always loving me and for believing in me. God made us so different but he has brought us full circle. I love you and will always be one of your biggest fans. Tim, thanks for loving her so well and for loving Christ so much. And to Jack and Sam, your aunt Heather loves you heart and soul.