Katherine Wolf - Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love

Praise for Hope Heals

As I read this book, tears streamed from my eyes even as joy flooded my heart. Jay and Katherine are a raw yet refreshing testimony to the unshakable trustworthiness of God amidst the unimaginable trials of life. This book reminds all of us where hope can be found in a world where none of us know what the next day holds.

David Platt , author of the New York Times bestseller Radical and president of the International Mission Board

Hope Heals is a beautiful, true story that illustrates the love and protection God has for us even in the darkest times of our lives. Katherine and Jays dedication to each other and the Lord through their most devastating season is inspiring. This book will help your heart believe that He sees, He knows, He cares, and He is still working miracles today!

Lysa TerKeurst , New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

Jay and Katherine Wolf have had our respect for years, but they have our hearts too. Theyll soon have yours. Hope Heals isnt just a beautifully written book; its a duet by two people who love Jesus and love each other. Its a book filled with a score of authentic high notes and painful low ones. This book isnt just a moving story; its a song sung by two humble people and what theyve learned about love when the cadence of their lives unexpectedly changed.

Bob and Maria Goff , balloon inflaters and author of the New York Times bestseller Love Does

I stumbled upon Katherines blog near the beginning of her recovery. The words of a sister fighting for her life captivated us all. Now years later, she is fighting for our livesfor us to live the fullest we can with all that weve been given. Do not miss this!

Jennie Allen , founder and visionary of IF:Gathering and author of Anything and Restless

I know Jay and Katherine, and I welcome this book, not just as a stirring account of facing tragedy but as a beautiful story of a couples relentless lovefor God and for each other.

Philip Yancey , bestselling author of Whats So Amazing About Grace?

The book you hold in your hands is so powerful, for if awful things happen to you, you now have a guide... Hope Heals may well be your most treasured companion through great trial and pain... Do not assume youve heard it all before. Theirs is a story so raw, visceral, and impossibly real that you cant help but identify.

Joni Eareckson Tada , bestselling author and founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International

Hope Heals

Copyright 2016 by Katherine Wolf and Jay Wolf Requests for information should be addressed to: Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition March 2016: ISBN 978-0-310-34455-1

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

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, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The names of all patients referred to in this book have been changed to protect their privacy.

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, www.alivecommunications.com Cover design: Micah Kandros

Cover photo: Emily Blake Photography

Photo insert: All photos courtesy of Jay Wolf III unless otherwise notedInterior and photo insert design: Kait LamphereFirst Printing February 2016

For James and Johnour daily reminders of healing and hope...

CONTENTS

by Joni Eareckson Tada

Before You Begin...

So there I was, sitting near the back of the room, listening to Jay and Katherine share their story. I wasnt expecting anything too new, given that Im also in a wheelchair and Ken and I have a similar story. Plus, I have heard hundreds of couples talk about overcoming accidents and injuries. But this time, something felt different...

Part of it was the way they looked. Jay sat next to his wife, looking handsome, measured, and reasonedthe picture of thoughtful intelligence. On the other hand, Katherine spoke raspingly and loudly, and with sweeping gestures that made me fear she might fall out of her wheelchair. This was a fascinating couple to watch.

A brain stem stroke did all this? I wondered what they would say.

As Katherine shared about her first Thanksgiving out of the hospital, she described a poignant scene. The kitchen and family room were filled with people laughing, setting the table, and fixing dinner. Katherine sat in a corner, slumped in her wheelchair with her chin on her chest, staring at it all. She watched as her family fussed over her baby. Then, as if reliving the moment, she said, slowly and in a half whisper, I looked at the scene before me and thought, I dont think this world will work for me... It wont work.

This world wont work for me. How many times have I felt and said the same thing, given my own struggles with paralysis! Tears flooded my eyes, for here was a woman who had reached into the most tender part of my soul... and touched it. From then on, I was totally gripped by everything Katherine and Jay said from the platform. Although our situations were different, her story was my story. Her pain fit. She was able to look right through me and say, I understand. I get it. I resonate with you.

Isnt that what we all long for? Someone who will meld our heart with theirs? Someone who can validate our pain and assure us that if God got them through their mess, Hell get us through ours?

Besides, we all identify with pretty things that get broken. We sigh and feel sad when youth becomes horribly marred. We shake our heads and say, What a shame! if fate scrapes a beautiful smile from a fair innocent, leaving a damaged grin. We hate when that happens.

And this is why the book you hold in your hands is so powerful...

For if awful things do happen to you, you now have a guide. You have two seasoned warriors in Jay and Katherine who understand. You have two friends who can escort you through the grief and loss and out into the broad, spacious plain of peace and contentment. Hope Heals may well be your most treasured companion through great trial and pain. So please, dont plow through it too quickly. Read the Wolfs story prayerfully and act on their counsel intentionally.

And I need to make a correction. Katherines grin is far, far from damaged. Spend time with her and her husband, and you begin to understand what true beauty is all about. You understand how hard-fought-for their smiles really are, and that makes Katherines grin the sweetest, most endearing expression you will