Sitting next to my family on January 18 at the Bedford, Indiana, First Church of God, I was mesmerized by the powerful testimony coming from such a petite beauty. As she shared how she was born at only 26 weeks, her baby picture flashed up on the big screen. It was at that moment, I whispered to my husband, “I know her! I covered that story for the Times-Mail newspaper!”
I remember sitting in the morning news meeting alongside my fellow reporters and my editor saying, “We’ve learned that there is a mom in Lawrence County who is expecting quadruplets! We want to cover the story from the preparation—like how many diapers this couple will need to have on hand for four babies—until the blessed event! A few update stories along the way might be appropriate…anyone interested in covering this?”
I nearly jumped across the table.
“Yes, I want it!” I said, jotting down their contact information.
Shortly after that meeting, I visited John and Mary Heatherly’s home. They were so kind to answer all of my questions. I rejoiced with this sweet family, so happy for them. I learned that the four babies were doing well, and that there were two boys and two girls in Mary’s belly. It was an exciting and fun story to write.
Then we got news that the babies had come early–at only 26 weeks along–on Nov. 19, 1993.
They were tiny, very tiny–each weighing less than 2 pounds.
The two girls, Julia and Laura, survived but the baby boys, Michael and Thomas, died after only a few weeks.
The whole community mourned with the Heatherly family and continued praying that Julia and Laura would grow healthy and strong. And, against all odds, the Heatherly girls made it through those critical days, surviving and thriving.
I kept up with this family for a while–even celebrating with Mary and John when later they had another son, Tommy, but when Jeff and I and our girls moved to Texas, I lost contact with the Heatherly family.
So, as Julia stood at the podium and shared her testimony that Sunday in January, my heart couldn’t have been fuller. I’d always wondered what had become of those two tiny babies, and to hear Julia sing praises to God and give Him glory for her life, I couldn’t hold back the tears.
We reconnected after that service and have been buddies ever since. So, when she asked me to be on her March of Dimes team and walk with her on April 18 as part of the Knox County March for Babies, I enthusiastically said yes.
Thus far, there are 40 people on Julia’s team, and she is raising lots of money for a very worthy cause–a cause that’s so close to her heart. In fact, she would like to work for the March of Dimes after she finishes her Associate’s Degree in Social Work next May.
“My passion is helping others,” Julia shared. “If I can make a difference in someone’s life in any way then that makes my heart happy.”
It’s her second year doing the walk but her first year having her own team–“God’s Little Angels, Minus Two Miracles: Thomas and Michael.”
Her friend Bailey Nier put together the two poster boards. Another friend, Sydney Inman, did the artwork for the shirts. And, her “second momma,” Jessica Grumieaux, gave her the quote for the back of the shirt: “A little assistance makes you stronger not weaker.” In order to choose the right fishing reel, you have to make sure that you are selecting one that will work for the rod you are using. Once you know what rod you are going to buy, you can then start considering what reel to use. Not sure how to go about finding the right reel? No worries! In this guide you will find best types of fishing reels – we’ll break it down for you by providing you with all of the important information you need to know in order to get the best reel. There are three main types of fishing reels: spincast, spinning and baitcast. All three share the same principle: casting a line to the desired locatio
It’s a quote that Julia lives by.
A spunky, sassy, adorable 21-year-old fashionista, Julia doesn’t focus on the things she can’t do.
She never has, and she has overcome many health challenges.
“The doctors told my parents that I would be a vegetable and would not be able to walk or talk or do anything, but with the power of Jesus Christ, I overcame that!
“Pastor Travis said something on the day I shared my testimony that I really loved. He said, ‘Your dysfunction does not have to define your destiny.’ That’s really how I feel! I love being me. I don’t let my disability define me. You know, if you take away the ‘dis’ in disability, the only thing left is ‘ability.’ People, like me, with disabilities are still able to do things like normal people, we just have to do them in a different way.”
Julia is definitely a go-getter. Through her promotional efforts, her March of Dimes team has already raised more than $1,500.
“I’m excited,” she shared. “My sister, my brother Tommy, and my dad are also going to walk with me…Even though I walk with a limp, I’m walking.
“I am so blessed to be on this earth. I will never take for granted the life that God has given me. He saw me fighting for my life at 1 pound 9 ounces 13 inches on Nov. 19, 1993, and He decided to save me. He has a purpose for my life! I can say, I am proud to be alive! With Jesus all things are possible!”
If you want to be on Julia’s team and donate to such a worthy cause, click on this link.
Please pray this with me:
Father, thank You for giving each one of us a divine purpose, and thank You for helping us to fulfill that purpose every single day. We are grateful, Lord, that our dysfunctions, disabilities, and insecurities don’t define us–only You define us. Help us to live our lives with intent, passion, determination and direction. And, help us to let Your love shine big in us. In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
