Pam Vredevelt - Angel Behind the Rocking Chair: Stories of Hope in Unexpected Places

Gods greatest gifts to us are always wrapped in struggle paper, and this book will help you unwrap yours. You will laugh and cry as you read, but even more, you will be deeply encouraged. This book truly is healing water for the thirsty soul, and that is exactly what I would expect from Pam Vredevelt, a woman of unique wisdom and beauty.

D R . T ED R OBERTS
SENIOR PASTOR , E AST H ILL C HURCH

This is a sensitive, well-balanced book designed to encourage, inspire, and uplift the reader. Its sure to impact your attitude and outlook on the situations youre living with in a positive way. You will want to read the insightful chapters again and again.

H. N ORMAN W RIGHT
BEST SELLING AUTHOR

These inspirational stories will convince you that God is near in the darkest of times, eager to answer the cry of your heart with a miracle or with a flood of grace to sustain you in circumstances you dont understand. If youre feeling a bit overwhelmed, grab my friend Pams book and pull up a chair by the fireyou wont be able to read it without having your heart warmed and your faith strengthened.

R ON M EHL
PASTOR AND AUTHOR OF T HE C URE FOR A T ROUBLED H EART

There are times life takes you down paths you do not want to travel and puts burdens on your shoulders you do not want to bear. Pam Vredevelt tells of her journey through such dark times with authenticity. She acknowledges her strong, turbulent, negative emotions and at the same time, the Lords presence in the midst, meeting the deep heart needs. For those of you who know something of the valley of the shadow, you will connect with this book and its message of life out of death.

P AMELA R EEVE
AUTHOR OF F AITH I S

Pam knows that life is as hard as the ground we walk on. But she brings us to a place where we can take our shoes off and jump into cool, refreshing water. It doesnt change the hardness of the ground, but it sure helps our journey. Not only does Pam write well, but she has a knack for letting us peek into her life and others for the sole purpose of displaying Gods great love. The surrender story in Pams life helps us to surrender as well.

A NNIE H ERRING
SINGER AND SONGWRITER, FORMERLY WITH S ECOND C HAPTER OF A CTS

Empty Arms: Emotional Support for Those Who Have Suffered Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Tubal Pregnancy

Mothers and Sons: Raising Boys to Be Men (with Jean Lush)

Women and Stress (with Jean Lush)

Surviving the Secret: Healing the Hurts of Sexual Abuse (with Dr. Kathy Rodriguez)

The Thin Disguise: Understanding and Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia (with Dr. Frank Minirth, Dr. Debra Newman, and Harry Beverly)

To schedule Pam Vredevelt for conference speaking you may write:

Pam Vredevelt (Conferences)

P.O. Box 1093

Gresham, Oregon 97030

ANGEL BEHIND THE ROCKING CHAIR
published by Multnomah Books.

1997 by Pam Vredevelt

Most Scripture quotations are from:
The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) 1973, 1984 by International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House

Also quoted:
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1960, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The King James Version (KJV)
The Living Bible (TLB) 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.
All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version (NCV) 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing,
Dallas, Texas 75234. Used by permission.
The Message 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson
The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition (Phillips) 1972 by J. B. Phillips Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from The Amplified Bible Old Testament
1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation.
The Amplified New Testament 1954, 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked (MLB) are taken from The Modern Language Bible
1945, 1959, 1969 by The Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown
Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

M ULTNOMAH and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission.

For information:
M ULTNOMAH B OOKS
12265 O RACLE B OULEVARD , S UITE 200
C OLORADO S PRINGS , CO 80921

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Vredevelt, Pam W., 1955 Angel behind the rocking chair/Pam Vredevelt. p.cm. eISBN: 978-0-307-79701-8 1. Consolation. 2. Christian life. 3. FamilyReligious life. 4. Vredevelt, Pam W., 1955Family. 5. Down syndromeReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.
BV4905.2.V68 1998 97-30277 248.86dc21

v3.1

To those who have lovingly supported us as we have walked
a new path.

To the compassionate people in this world,
like the ones at the P.R.I.D.E. school, who are committed to helping those with special needs reach their full potential.

To Easthill Church, for embracing our family, shaping our lives,
and reflecting the goodness of God.

John and I would like to thank our parents, grandparents, and extended family for the ways they have supported and encouraged us since Nathans arrival. Their love and prayers have given us strength for the journey.

To the P.R.I.D.E. school staff for teaching us how to assist Nathan in his early years of development. You have shined the light on our path during dark days and given us hope for the years ahead.

Our sincere thanks to Pastor Ted and Diane Roberts, who have encouraged us in so many ways, but especially as they have coached us in the refinement and release of ministry. And to Pastor Ron Mehl, who, from across town, has touched our lives with his agape love.

There are some special youngsters who deserve a standing ovation for their availability to be Nathans personal pal in the church nursery. To Lindsey Marsh, Janise Jensen, Sarah Berquist, Jessie Vredevelt, Tony Contreras, Katrina Ekwall, and Anna FerrarBravo! for a job well done. And to Roxie, Reggie, and Becky our gratitude for making Nathans introduction to regular preschool a smashing success.

John and I will be forever grateful to those who have lightened our load and made time-outs possible for us when our stress score was off the charts. Hugs and thanks go to the following people for loving our children while we refueled our tanks: Margaret and Leroy Nikander, Kelli Douglas, Celeste Miller, Bethany Smith, Jane Freeze, Eileen Kennedy, Doug and Marilyn Hume, and Sugar Carpenter.

To Larry Libby, my editor, who gave me the confidence to start writing again. The book was completed because he believed it was a redemptive message worth sharing. When I turned the manuscript over to him, I said, I feel like a student handing my canvas, paints, and brush to the master artist. His creativity and word skills I believe are unparalleled. I consider him a mentor and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to co-labor with him.