Angela Ray Rodgers - Grace Anna Sings: A Story of Hope through a Little Girl with a Big Voice

Grace Anna, you, my little angel, are truly a gift from God. You have touched my heart and soul with your angelic voice of love and patriotism. I am a better man for having met you and, of course, for listening to your rendition of our national anthem. Semper fidelis!

COL. ERNEST E. GARCIA, USMC, Ret., former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan

Grace Anna truly exemplifies Gods grace. Her life, being, and heart-warming smile empowers us all to be beautiful, grateful, and humble in every way.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN Correspondent

God has inspired me through Grace Annas determination and strength to be what He made her to be. Her beautiful testimony and, most importantly, family made my heart smile. My love, heart, and soul are forever changed because of her silliness, gregarious laughs, and love for music. God bless Grace Anna and her family from the heavens. Grace Anna Sings restored me and reminded me of Gods unfailing love for all of His children.

LAUREN P. OREILLY, The OReilly Foundation and OReilly Auto Parts

Grace Anna is the true definition of joy and strength. She always has a smile on her face no matter what battles she has had to face. She is a hero in my book.

DIYRAL BRIGGS, Super Bowl XLV Champion

Grace Anna Sings reminds all of us that a lot of love can flow through a little heart. Grace Anna might be little, but she has a big heart and lives life in a big way! She reminds all of us that God really does put big hearts in small people and does big things in small ways. When Grace Anna sings, hearts open and heaven cheers.

JON WEECE, Pastor, Southland Christian Church and Author

BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

GRACE ANNA SINGS

Copyright 2017 Angela Rodgers

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5570-3 (softcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5571-0 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email .

Cover photograph taken by Alex Mitro Photography (Campbellsville, KY) and used by permission. Photograph of Grace Anna with her parents and the one of Angela Rodgers on the About the Author page were taken by Alexa Ingram Loy Photography (Russell Springs, KY).

Cover design by Chris Garborg at garborgdesign.com

Typesetting by Katherine Lloyd at theDESKonline.com

Printed in the United States of America

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I dedicate this book to my gentle giant,

my precious peanut, and my steady rock

the three of you are my home.

To the advocates for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who strive to give them the best life possible, you are not alonewe are in this together. To the self-advocates who face challenges most people cannot fathom, who live daily overcoming the oddsyou are warriors.

I n 2011 my husband, US Army Staff Sergeant Jamie Jarboe, was shot by a sniper on his third deployment in Afghanistan. The bullet severed his spinal cord and left him instantly paralyzed from the chest down. Months after his injury, it became my personal mission to learn everything I could to provide the quality of care my husband deserved. Unfortunately, the level of care I was able to provide wasnt enough to save his life, and he took his last breath on March 21, 2012.

Little did I know how everything I had learned would serve a greater purpose. I carried on his dying wish to help his fellow service members by caring for others with paralysis or medical conditions. I remember driving to a rural part of Kentucky to meet with Grace Anna, her mother Angela, her father Jeff, and her brother Isaiah right before Thanksgiving. As a parent, the challenges are definitely familiar to me, yet the adversity of Grace Annas condition and the determination of her family was inspirational.

Grace Anna Sings comes as a compelling story of devotion in a vitally important time. Perhaps never before has the foundation of the familys faith been more important to the future of America.

With each passing birthday Grace Anna celebrates, I feel blessed to have been graced by their presence and know they will forever be a part of my family.

Melissa D. Jarboe

Founder, Military Veteran Project

D ue to mistakes I made as a young woman, I spent a big chunk of my life questioning my path. I was still holding on to guilt for sins already forgiven, but I wouldnt accept Gods mercy. After a failed marriage, I had given up on love and having other children. My son, Isaiah, had not.

When I met Jeff, the life I created for Isaiah and myself changed. It started out full of joy and promise; I allowed someone to love me, and I let down my guard to trust again. After three heartbreaking miscarriages, our world changed. My once-solid marriage came under tremendous strain as we tried to grieve the losses.

Then Gods grace appeared.

Isaiah had been praying for a sibling since he was very young, hoping to have someone in his family beside his parents. His pure-hearted request would shortly be granted, healing hurt both Jeff and I were feeling.

Although doctors held no hope our sweet baby would make it to term, I relied upon God to carry her home to us. What I never expected was how His gift to our family would not only change our lives, but the lives of millions of people around the world.

Grace Anna came into this world, perplexing everyone even before she was born. Doctors had no idea how to explain what they saw as she grew in my tummy. They doubted she would ever take her first breath, but God had bigger plans.

Once she arrived, fighting for every breath she took, she continued to stump doctors and specialists alike. She would spend her future days doing the same, showing others miraculous things come in unexpected vessels sometimes.

We couldnt have known it at the time, but through her resilient spirit and sweet songs, this unique child would eventually change the way the world looks at those who dont fit the normal mold. The world would soon find out it could learn valuable lessons through a girl who defied the odds.

Our family would grow stronger, and the compassion from people around the globe would give us hope for what the world can become. Even when faced with daggers of cruel insults and attacks, love would win.

Grace Annas talent and unbreakable happiness give hope to others where they cannot find it in todays sometimes cruel world. Her physical limitations do not stop her from experiencing life and being a light for the world.

As Grace Anna says, Itll be okay, Momma.

Grace Annas story has been narrowly defined by what is seen through television, the Internet, and radio, but it is only part of her story. The entire story is much more profound than just her talented singing and infectious personality.

Her story was destined to be told in its entirety. A light that shines as bright as hers cannot be hidden; it was meant for the entire world to see and witness. Her story could be the light that makes a difference for someone needing a touch of hope.

Meet our miracle, our Grace Anna, and hear her spirit sing.