Meg Apperson - Sky Full of Stars: Learning to Surrender to Gods Perfect Plans

Praise for

Sky Full of Stars

Meg Apperson knows what it means to sufferand yet she also knows what it means to find a way to the place of peace amidst suffering. That is what marks this book out as special. Through these powerful pages, Meg helps us see the heart, wisdom, and economy of God at work, even in the toughest moments of our lives. This hope-filled book is going to help many peopleincluding you!

Matt Redman

Grammy Awardwinning songwriter and worship leader

Megs story uncovers the delicate layers of pain found while living and brings forth a sense of purpose that sits right alongside this pain. In telling the journey of her medically complex daughter, Avery, and weaving her past traumas within her current realities, Meg grapples with using her voice, letting go of control, and trusting outside of herself to come through these difficult days again and again. Ultimately, in Sky Full of Stars, Meg Apperson overcomes the wrestling in her spirit by the steady strength she finds in God and her resolve to trust in Him anyway.

Laesa Faith Kim

Author of Cant Breathe

Having navigated my own years of heartbreak relative to losing a child and infertility, I find on the pages of Megs book a deep soul filled with revelation, wisdom, and comfort all wrapped into one work of art. Her honest and transparent stories have something for everyone when life is complicated and questions abound. This is a read-it and share-it-with-others gift to the world!

Lynette Lewis

TEDx speaker, author of Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos, and pastors wife

In her book, Sky Full of Stars, Meg Apperson shares with you her journey of recognizing the light even as darkness is all around. A story of letting go of dreams and embracing hope and healing that any mom who has a child with differences can understand.

Michelle Sullivan

Author of Eli, Included

Meg Apperson shares her truthher life. Its raw. Its vulnerable. Its powerful. A must-read for any healthcare professional, advocate, or human being walking through hardship. This story of hope will revitalize your faith and open your heart to seek goodness in the depths of darkness. As an occupational therapist, Megs words are a graceful reminder that we may never know, to the fullest extent, our clients pain and suffering. As an inclusion advocate, Megs words set my soul on fire in pursuit of a more inclusive world. As a childrens book author, Megs words empower me to represent children who are underrepresented. As a human being who has suffered with Panic Disorder, Anxiety, and self-worth, Megs truth reminds me of Gods goodness and that even in the deepest valleys there is light, He is steady, and I am strong. Meg, Avery, their family, and this book are a gift to the worldmay it be read by many.

Dr. Nicole Julia, OTD, OTR/L

Author of The Able Fables

I already felt a part of Megs journey by following her online. But now shes pulled back the curtain of her life in an even more profound way. Her vulnerability has been and is one of the greatest inspirations to my own online voice. The beautiful human that God has made Avery and everyone in her family to be glows through every inch of what Meg shares. I feel Meg and I are lifelong friends from reading her book. I cried out lies of perfection through the pages, pain Id been holding on to in my own story. Her book is a safe place to feel understood. God is healing places in my heart through Megs words. A reminder that my messy life is also beautifully laced in Gods grace, just as Megs, just as Averys. Even as war wages around us, she reminds us that we are not an accident, but chosen and loved by God. She shows the intricate way Gods love has wrapped around her family, and I believe it will give hope to all her readers.

In this time of pain, confusion, hurt, and unknown for so many in our world, I believe this book is not only timely, but a way people will see their darkest nights are lit up by Gods love. A way to know our pain isnt punishment, but preparation. A way for all of us to trust God in all of lifes hills and valleys. Hope that Gods redemption is real and for all of us.

Stefanie Rouse, MMFT

Founder of Cultivate Relationship Ministry, Christian speaker, and lifestyle, faith, and travel blogger

We are told in Scripture that We must go through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God. We often wish this truth away, but Meg Apperson brings us home to it again. Thank God she does. The story she has to tell in this book is raw and unapologetic, yet it reveals the God who is always therejust on the other side of our agonies.

Stephen Mansfield

New York Times bestselling author

Copyright 2020 by Meg Apperson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, website, or broadcast.

All Scriptures are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Salem Books is a trademark of Salem Communications Holding Corporation

Regnery is a registered trademark of Salem Communications Holding Corporation

ISBN: 978-1-68451-063-4

eISBN: 978-1-68451-103-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019957978

Published in the United States by

Salem Books

An imprint of Regnery Publishing

A division of Salem Media Group

300 New Jersey Ave NW

Washington, DC 20001

www.SalemBooks.com

Cover design by John Caruso

Books are available in quantity for promotional or premium use. For information on discounts and terms, please visit our website:www.Regnery.com.

I feel it is my duty to remind all readers that there are always two sides to every story. I am an imperfect, partial human beingnot a memory fundamentalist. I remember certain events one way, but there may be other aspects of which I am not aware that could have been added to give more scope to this book. I cannot share what I do not know.

That being said, I have tried to give as full an account of these events as possible. For the sake of fairness, in terms of poor behavior and to make this book slightly more readable, I have dropped everyones lowest grade except my own. If you find yourself being depicted in this book in a way you do not like, please know that I do not claim to have the monopoly on redemption. I believe Jesus can make all things newincluding you. And if youre wondering if Im writing about you, then I probably am.

Avery: third child of four, one in a million, born broken, being restored, longest eyelashes in the world

Cody: father, generous, helpful, athletic, strongest man I know

Macson: oldest of four, profoundly intelligent, the reason Im still alive

Lolly: really named Laura after my mom, second-born with an attitude to match her fiery red hair, most likely to rule the world

Ryan: youngest of four, our surprise baby who came crashing into our world when I thought my baby days were long over