As I sat down to answer a few emails before the start of our next session, I could not help but notice the stunning woman sitting just a few feet away. She had the most beautiful deep chocolate skin, Shirley Temple curls that framed and angelic face and big brown eyes that sparkled with so much life… So much joy!
We were attending “Move People To Action”, a four day conference for public speakers seeking to connect with their audience on a deeper level. I knew Angela had a story to share and I wanted to hear it.
As we engaged in conversation I realized that nothing about the woman before me could have prepared me for what she proceeded to share.
As I listened, my heart ached and tears filled my eyes. As a mother, one of my greatest fears is losing one of my children. I cannot even begin to imagine the agony and desperation I would feel. So as I listened to Angela tell me of the day she lost her two 8 year old sons in a tragic car accident I was filled with a deep grief and a burning desire to hug this beautiful woman.
Wanting to honor her and her trust in sharing her story with me I remained quiet and listened with all my heart.
Angela’s voice quivered a little as she described the events of this horrible day but what touched me even more profoundly was her incredible calm. Clearly she was at peace with her sons’ passing … And she found joy in sharing with me these two little angels who had graced her life with so much love in the short time they were in her care.
On April 1, 2000 Angela, who was a Reserve in the US Air Force, was on duty in Japan when she received the news that her husband and their four children had been involved in a terrible car accident. The family car had plummeted 25 feet after hitting a guard rail that did not even slow them down, and landed upside down onto two parked cars in a Salvation Army parking lot. Her two sons were killed instantly. By the Grace of God, her husband Surie and their two daughters survived. They were taken to separate hospitals where they received the care they needed and began the long road to recovery, both physical and emotional.
Angela then pulled out her book as she continued, “I’ve seen the hand of God in all of this. He has assured me in simple yet unmistakable ways that my boys are by His side in Heaven above.”
Angela’s book is titled “Miracles in Action; Turning Pain Into Power and Grief Into Peace”. She turned to a series of pages — one showed a drawing by one of her boys, another had a letter from her other son written shortly before the accident where he assured her that he is well and asked her to keep the family strong …
I held my breath …
The evidence before me was undeniable. These little boys knew their time on earth would be cut short and knew they needed to let their parents know that they were in a better place.
Surie and Angela had already experienced much grief and had their faith tested in astonishing ways. They are an inspirational couple and a living testimony of the infinite power of love, courage and faith.
Tears flowed freely at this point.
“How beautiful and awe inspiring! But how can you be so serene, joyful even as you talk about this with me ?”, I asked.
“Faith and God’s amazing Grace.” She answered simply.
After a small beat, she inhaled a deep breath and continued “God had prepared me for this years before it came to be. I have experienced things even more painful. So painful that I cannot speak of them now. I share it all in the book. This book has been God’s gift to me and my family and through me, to anyone who will take the time to read it.”
I began reading her book that night and had a hard time putting it down.
“Miracles in Action” is the story of this inspirational woman’s life, of tragedies so surreal they defy comprehension and of the powerful victories that come with a complete and unfailing surrender to God. It is a story of incredible courage, deep and unyielding faith, and the awesome power of forgiveness. It is a story that will touch your heart in the most spectacular way and give you hope in ways you have never experienced before.
Along with the book Angela has created a work book for anyone who has experienced hardship of any kind and is longing to find peace.
“Miracles in Action” is a book for everyone, young and old alike, regardless of your life’s journey and I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy today, read it and share it with all your loved ones. You can order a copy of the book and workbook on Angela’s website here
Angela is currently working with a Los Angeles based production team on a documentary film inspired by her book. If you would like to contribute to this beautiful life changing project please visit Angela’s GoFundMe page here
If you ever have the honor to meet Alexandra I’m sure you will be touched by this wonderful force of life! She is a gift to all who know her and those who meet her through her book. To find out more about this amazing woman please visit her website at www.miraclesinaction.com
God Bless!
Angela sounds like a remarkable woman. I hope sharing her tragic story helps others and herself.
She is truly spectacular Donna, and is helping so many in sharing her story, both through her book and public speaking. The joy she radiates in person is all encompassing and powerful.
The thought of losing either of my children is heart stopping. To lose them and then go on to be an inspiration to others is a testament to her strength. I can only imagine that part of what drives her is that she has living children need her. Thank you for sharing her story Valerie.
You are most welcome Debra. She is driven to move forward by her other children and she has opened her home to new foster children as well. But what is the most awe inspiring about her is that she has truly found joy again and has a way of infecting others with it. Her faith and resilience are an inspiration to all.
What faith she has! I think it is wonderful that she is sharing her story and helping others through it.
She is an inspiration Lynda! Faith that deep and unyielding is a powerful and precious gift!
She is a very strong woman.
She most certainly is Jason! And a generous one as well 🙂
What a beautiful inspiring story! Miracles in Action is definitely going on my must read list. Angela is an inspiration to all, thanks for sharing her story with us.
I know you will get so much out of reading her book Kari Ann! She shares her story with the desire to help us find comfort no matter what hardships we experience in life.
I know that stories like this are very touching and supposed to be inspirational, but I just find them SO SAD. I can’t imagine losing a child, let alone two!
These stories ARE extremely sad Jenn, no matter how inspirational they are. I too cannot even begin to imagine loosing either of my daughters, but God forbid something tragic were ever to happen I pray I would find peace as Angela has. She misses her sons like crazy, but rather than remain stuck in that moment she chooses to celebrate the wonderful times she had with them. I think it is the only way that loss can be somewhat bearable. And her faith is also so profound I would love nothing more than to know faith so deep.
What a sad story 🙁 Bless her heart and soul. I could never even imagine the pain that she went through and still does. Thank you for sharing her story!
You are most welcome Kim. I am grateful neither you nor I can imagine that pain as it means we have not experienced such a devastating loss. Angela is astounding with her strength and faith and the generosity with which she shares her story. If nothing to remind us all how precious life if and to hug our little ones close as often as we can.
Thanks for sharing her story! I can’t begin to imagine the agony of losing a child, but I know the emotional pain must be excruciating. She sounds like a very strong and remarkable woman.
I can’t begin to imagine that kind of pain either Lesha and I know that it is truly by God’s grace that she has been able to accept their passing. The letters her sons each left for her are also such an extraordinary miracle.. that they were able through those to let her know they are Okay is so mind boggling!!
I love books that show God’s grace here on Earth. Miracles are real!
Amen Beth! Miracles do indeed happen, each and every day. I don’t think that Angela could be so at peace with her children’s passing were it not for God’s amazing grace!
My heart throbs reading this story. I will definitely be purchasing her book. What a remarkable woman. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain she feels from loosing her boys.
She IS remarkable Cyndi, and such an inspiration! She has touched heart in a profound way and reminds me to cherish each day without question… to let go of the disappointments and to see the beauty in everything I experience even if I can’t always make sense of it. God Bless!
Such a sad and powerful story. Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome Digna! It is so sad and yet so amazing because of Angela’s ability to truly relinquish her pain and hand it over to God!
What an amazing story. Angela is really an inspiration.
She is an inspiration indeed Mellisa! And truly a gem of a woman.
How inspiring is this woman? Wow. I can’t even fathom picking up the pieces after something tragic like that. What an amazing story.
I’m with you Tiff, I can begin to imagine such a loss, even less moving on and embracing life fully again after suffering such a tragedy… Angela is an extraordinary woman and a beautiful example of the awesome power of complete surrender to God.
What an amazing strong woman. I can’t even imagine..
It is a good thing we can’t imagine that kind of pain Michelle. And such a grace to be given the strength to pick up the pieces and learn to laugh again after such a devastating loss. Angela is amazing and a real blessing to everyone around her.
Reading this just gave me chills. What a remarkable story.
I know Liz. As I listened to her share her story with me I was breathless…. And so awed by her gentle presence, the peace that so clearly envelops her… She is truly a remarkable woman.
What a story! My heart aches for her and I think she has the most amazing attitude.
Oh I know Kerri! I don’t know how would I respond… She does have to most amazing attitude and is truly an inspiration to all.
Hello Valerie,
Congratulations on your book, The Freshman 15 Survival Guide!
It was a pleasure meeting you at that conference as well! Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. God trusted me to share this amazing testimony, but it wasn’t until I surrendered that it became my pleasure. Living through and writing about the passing of my children wasn’t easy to, but the story, the miracles were so worthy to be told I had to push through my grief hopefully to help others.
I truly appreciate everyone’s encouraging responses. Thank you so much for those who ordered my book Miracles in Action, and those who plan to.
Many Blessings,
Angela
What a tragic yet inspiring story. I lost someone very close to me in a car accident 9yrs ago and still hold on to anger about the situation. I could not imagine blossoming after the loss of a CHILD the way Angela has.
I am so sorry for your loss Marcie. Angela is a spectacular and inspiring woman and I am so grateful to have met her. I cannot imagine losing a child and finding peace with it. She is a true testament of the power of complete abandonment to God’s will and trust in His love and support!