iwerewolf

ahamoments

wtl

freak4jesus

A difficult time in life

By KATHY GRESEY, kgresey@nwnewsgroup.com
Monday, August 7, 2006 1:55 AM CDT

Two nights before Lake Villa resident Kristen Anderson tried to commit suicide, she went to a New Year’s Eve gathering and did not come home.

Before she left for the gathering on that night in 1999, Kristen asked her parents to extend her curfew to 3 a.m. They wanted her to return 30 minutes after midnight.

“We just said ‘no,’” her mother, Jan, said. “That wouldn’t be a good idea.[Kristen] pretty much knew she wasn’t going to come home that night.”

And Kristen didn’t.

A 17-year-old senior attending Antioch Community High School at the time, the friendly and popular girl had become rebellious after a series of people in her life had died, and older boys began giving her trouble.

Kristen said she remained silent about a rape that occurred because she had a hard time accepting it. She didn't know how to talk to friends or family about her problems.

“I walked around, and I was like, ‘Life sucks,’” the now 24-year-old said. “I had a bitter, negative attitude.”

When she finally returned home around 10 a.m. New Year’s Day, Kristen's parents decided to punish her by taking away her Christmas presents and car privileges. They grounded her until “further notice.”

The material and social punishments hit the teenager hard. She slept the rest of the day.

Jan. 2, 2000

After waking the next morning, the Andersons went to church in Antioch.

That afternoon, Kristen’s father, Bill, went shopping for appliances, and her mother started to un-trim the Christmas tree.

Later, while Jan took a short nap, Kristen went for a walk.

When Jan awoke, she saw a note on the washer: Mom, went for a walk, need some time to think. See you later, love always, Kristen.

Hours passed, but Kristen did not return home. Jan walked to nearby Lehmann Park to try and find her daughter. She also tried to reach her by pager.

What the worried mother did not know at the time was that her daughter was near the park, sitting on the edge of a freight car, contemplating whether she should take her life.

“I was right there by her,” Jan said, “but I couldn’t see her. I tried calling her name.”

Loss

After picking up a paycheck and buying a pack of cigarettes, Kristen went to Lehmann Park. But she left because it was dark, and she didn’t want the police to take her home.

She walked toward the train tracks and hopped onto the edge of a freight car, something she had never done.

“I started thinking about why I wasn’t going home, and I really thought things weren’t going to get better,” she said. “I didn’t want to kill myself, but I wanted [my life] to be over. There was a real battle in my mind.”

Part of that battle was spiritual, Kristen added. Having grown up in the church, she realized that God wanted her on this planet. But she did not know what she was meant to do on earth.

For roughly half an hour in the freezing cold, Kristen contemplated whether her life was worth living. Then, she heard a train coming and compulsively laid her body on the tracks.

“I didn’t want it to have time to stop,” she said. “I laid down right before the train.”

Fifty-five freight cars passed over Kristen's body; both of her legs were severed.

Kristen said that as the train passed over her, it felt like a powerful wind was pushing her body down. When the train stopped, she didn’t know whether she was dead or alive.

“I really didn’t know what to think,” she said.

Conductors on the train saw Kristen before impact. They called 911.

Bill Chebny, a volunteer Lake Villa firefighter, was nearby at the time and heard the train sound its horn.

“I just got this funny feeling in my stomach when I heard that train horn,” he said. “And then my pager went off.”

While Chebny and others headed toward the accident site, a still-conscious Kristen was coming to grips with what had happened.

After realizing her legs were detached from her body, the injured teen became frightened.

“I started freaking out,” she said. “And then I got really peaceful.”

Kristen said she didn’t know whether she was dying, but when others arrived on the scene, she began to get angry inside. She didn’t want help, and she didn’t want to be alive.

“I remember all this like it was yesterday,” she said.

Chebny recalls examining Kristen, asking her where she felt pain.

“In the calmest voice ever, she said, ‘I know my legs are gone, but I don’t have pain anywhere else,’” he said. “I was taken aback.”

The Kristen Anderson story

Kristen Anderson's story will be told in the Weekly Journals over five weeks.

Part one: Meet Kristen and learn how a typical girl began to lose hope about life.

Part two: Read how Kristen came to the conclusion that her life was not worth living on a cold night in January 2000.

Part three: Enter the world of a recovering amputee and discover how she found Jesus Christ.

Part four: Learn about an event that aims to help Kristen finish school and begin ministry work.

Part five: Discover how the community comes out in support of a 24-year-old woman

iwerewolf

ahamoments

freaks4jesus

An incredible journey

By KATHY GRESEY, kgresey@nwnewsgroup.com
Monday, July 31, 2006 5:48 PM CDT

Annie Christie - achristie@nwnewsgroup.com Kristen Anderson reflects on the positive changes in her life beside the Lake Villa train tracks where she lost her legs at in a suicide attempt six years ago. Anderson's life-changing story has affected many.

On the first floor of a sand-colored brick home in downtown Lake Villa lives a 24-year-old woman who no longer has her legs.

Though Kristen Anderson cannot walk, she is able to go places where no one has been.

Recently, she obtained an associate’s degree, and now she intends to earn a bachelor’s degree. She has a positive outlook on life and likes to help others. She is bursting with a desire to spread hope and joy around the world.

What makes Kristen’s story unusual is that she was not always so happy.

Six years ago, at age 17, she tried to take her life by lying on train tracks. Seconds later, 55 freight cars rolled over her body.

She lost her legs, but she found a new life in the process.

This five-part series will take you on Kristen’s journey. It will include information on how you can meet her and help her finish school.

It will explain how a typical little girl with everything she ever needed nearly became another teen suicide statistic and, in the process, found Jesus Christ.

Growing up

The youngest of three children, Kristen Anderson grew up in a family that provided her with all of life’s necessities.

She had a roof over her head and plenty of clothes. She got good grades and regularly attended church.

Kristen admits she had few worries.

“As a kid, my life was really typical,” she said. “It wasn’t plagued with problems. But as I got older, I started to search for what my life was supposed to be about.”

In 1995, the Lake Villa resident began her freshman year at Antioch Community High School. She started playing soccer and picked up a part-time job at a pizza place. She began dating the would-be prom king and hanging with a different crowd.

Her circle of "popular" friends grew. But bad things started happening as well.

Within two years, three of Kristen’s friends died; another committed suicide. Her grandmother passed away and two older boys began pursuing her to the point of harassment.

Kristen found it difficult to talk about her problems and she started feeling guilty about what was happening.

“I didn’t know how to handle it,” she said. “I was just super stressed out, and I started getting sick, physically.”

Kristen’s mother, Jan, said she realized her daughter was under a lot of strain. But she never realized that the physical sickness was related. She said Kristen rarely looked to others for help during that time.

“She was the kind of person [who] was always there for her friends,“ Kristen's mother said. “But she never really leaned on her friends for help.”

Kristen's grades began to slip; she started getting rebellious.

“I started losing a lot of hope about life,” she said. “And then I was raped.”

A breaking point

It wasn’t until five years after her suicide attempt that Kristen spoke out about the rape.

That happened before her senior year, she said, and was committed by a man whom Kristen described as an acquaintance whose family had a prominent place in the community.

“I knew who he was, and I trusted him,” she said. But she didn’t tell anybody and never filed a police report because she had a hard time accepting it. At the time, she felt it was her fault.

Partying, drinking and smoking enveloped more of Kristen’s life. Because she was still getting physically sick, she began taking prescription drugs.

She started skipping classes and lying to her parents, but Kristen still found it important to please everybody.

“I blamed myself for all of these things that were happening to me and all of the world’s problems,” she said. “But I always had a smile on my face.”

Two days after New Year’s Eve of 2000, Kristen decided to take her life.

“Basically, I was just living in the day,” she said. “It was almost like I had died inside, and I was just walking through life. I just didn’t feel like I had anything left.”

The Kristen Anderson story

Kristen Anderson's story will be told in the Weekly Journals over the next five weeks.

Part one: Meet Kristen and learn how a typical girl began to lose hope about life.

Part two: Read how Kristen came to the conclusion that her life was not worth living on a cold night in January 2000.

Part three: Enter the world of a recovering amputee and discover how she found Jesus Christ.

Part four: Learn about an event that aims to help Kristen finish school and begin ministry work.

Part five: Discover how the community comes out in support of a 24-year-old woman

iwerewolf

ADMINISTRATION

Literal Meaning: To pilot or steer a ship

Description: The gift of Administration is the divine enablement to understand

what makes an organization function; and the special ability to plan and execute

procedures that accomplish the goals of the ministry.

References: 1 Cor. 12:28, Acts 6:1-7, Ex. 18:13-26

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Literal Meaning: To craft, design, build

Description: The gift of Craftsmanship is the divine enablement to creatively

design and/or construct items to be used ministry.

References: Ex. 31:3, 35:31-35, Acts. 9:36-39, 2 Kings 22:5-6

DISCERNMENT

Literal Meaning: To separate or make a distinction, differentiate

Description: The gift of Discernment is the divine enablement to distinguish

Between truth and error. It is able to discern spirits, differentiating between good and

evil, right and evil.

References: 1 Cor. 12:10, Acts 5:1-4, Matt. 16:21-23

EVANCELISM

Literal Meaning: To bring good news

Description: The gift of Evangelism is the divine enablement to effectively

communicate the Gospel to unbelievers so they respond in faith and move toward

discipleship.

References: Eph. 4:11, Acts 8:26-40, Luke 19:1-10

GIVING

Literal Meaning: To give part of, share

Description: The gift of Giving is the divine enablement to contribute

money and resources to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and liberality. People

with this gift do not ask "How much money do I need to give to God?" but, "How

much money do I need to live on?"

References: Rom. 12:8,2 Cor. 6:8, Luke 21:1-4

HELPS

Literal Meaning: To take the place of someone

Description: The gift of Helps is the divine enablement to accomplish practical

and necessary tasks which free-up, support and meet the needs of others.

References: 1 Cor. 12:28, Rom. 12:7, Acts 6:1-4, Rom. 16:1-2

APOSTLESHIP

Literal Meaning: To be sent with a message

Description: The gift of Apostleship is the divine ability to start and oversee the

development of new churches or ministry structures.

References: 1 Cor. 12:28-29, Eph. 4:11-12, Rom. 1:5, Acts 13:2-3

CREATIVE COMMUNICATION

Literal Meaning: To communicate artistically

Description: The gift of Creative Communication is the divine enablement to

communicate God's truth through a variety of art forms.

References: Ps. 150:3-5,2 Sam. 6:14-15, Mark 4:2,33

ENCOURACEMENT

Literal Meaning: To come along side of

Description: The gift of Encouragement is the divine enablement to present truth so

as to strengthen, comfort, or urge to action those who are discouraged or wavering in

their faith.

References: Rom. 12:8, Acts 11:22-24, Acts 15:30-32

FAITH

Literal Meaning: To trust, have confidence, believe

Description: The gift of Faith is the divine enablement to act on God's promises

with confidence and unwavering belief in God's ability to fulfill His purposes.

References: 1 Cor. 12:9, 13:2, Heb. 11:1, Rom. 4:18-21

HEALING

Literal Meaning: To restore instantaneously

Description: The gift of Healing is the divine enablement to be God's means for

restoring people to wholeness.

References: 1 Cor. 12:9,28,30, Acts 3:1-16, Mark 2:1-12

Hospitality

Literal Meaning: To love strangers

Description: The gift of Hospitality is the divine enablement to care for people by

providing fellowship, food, and shelter.

References: 1Peter 4:9-10, Rom. 12:13, Heb. 13:1-2

INTERCESSION

Literal Meaning: To plead on behalf of someone, intercede

Description: The gift of Intercession is the divine enablement to consistently pray

on behalf of and for others, seeing frequent and specific results.

References: Rom. 8:26-27, John 17:9-26, 1Tim. 2:1-2, Col1:9-12, 4:12-13

KNOWLEDGE

Literal Meaning: To know

Description: The gift of Knowledge is the divine enablement to bring truth to the

Body through a revelation or biblical insight.

References: 1Cor. 12:8,Mark2:6-8,John 1:45-50

MERCY

Literal Meaning: To have compassion

Description: The gift of Mercy is the divine enablement to cheerfully and

practically help those who are suffering or are in need, compassion moved to action.

References: Rom. 12:8, Matt. 5:7, Mark 10:46-52,Luke 10:25-37

PROPHECY

Literal Meaning: To speak before

Description: The gift of Prophecy is the divine enablement to reveal truth and

proclaim it in a timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance,

or edification. There may be immediate or future implications.

References: Rom 12:6, 1Cor. 12:10,28,13:2,2 Peter 1:19-21

TEACHING

Literal Meaning: To instruct

Description: The gift of Teaching is the divine enablement to understand, clearly

explain, and apply the word of God causing greater Christ-likeness in the lives of

listeners.

References: Rom. 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28-29, Acts 18:24-28,2 Tim. 2:2

WISDOM

Literal Meaning: To apply truth practically

Description: The gift of Wisdom is the divine enablement to apply spiritual truth

effectively to meet a need in a specific situation.

References: 1Cor. 12:8, James 3:13-18, 1Cor. 2:3-14. Jer. 9:23-24

INTERPRETATION

Literal Meaning: To translate, interpret

Description: The gift of Interpretation is the divine enablement to make known to

the body of Christ the message of one who is speaking in tongues.

References: 1 Cor. 12:10, 14:5, 14:26-28

LEADERSHIP

Literal Meaning: To stand before

Description: The gift of Leadership is the divine enablement to cast vision,

motivate, and direct people to harmoniously accomplish the purposes of God.

References: Rom. 12:8, Heb. 13:17, Luke 22:25-26

MIRACLES

Literal Meaning: To do powerful deeds

Description: The gift of Miracles is the divine enablement to authenticate the

ministry and message of God through supernatural interventions which glorify him

References: 1 Cor. 12:10.28-29, John 2:1-11, Luke 5:1-11

SHEPHERDING

Literal Meaning: To shepherd a flock

Description: The gift of Shepherding is the divine enablement to nurture, care for,

and guide people toward on-going spiritual maturity and becoming like Christ.

References: Eph. 4:11-12,1 Peter 5:1-4, John 10:1-18

TONGUES

Literal Meaning: Tongue, language

Description: The gift of Tongues is the divine enablement to speak, worship, or

pray in a language unknown to the speaker. People with the gift may receive a

spontaneous message from God which is made known to his body through the gift of

interpretation.

References: 1Cor. 12:10,28-30,13:1,14:1-33, Acts 2:1-11

wingedraver

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ok so i have been looking to get pluged into some communities on LJ to get deeper n my faith with those all around me. A wonderul paster once told me that we all must get luged in because lone ranger christians get picked off but the body stands as a whole. Anyways i was looking for communities on Lj and i have come across some that my spirit and god tell me are totally against him and his way. I do not know what to do about it. One of these communities is homos4jesus ( think) obviously it is a sight about people who are proclaiming to be non-sining christians while living in complete sin. Another community is christianity. Some of the people on here are talking about the world and relationships as if they were heathens and god had nothing to do with how we did either of these. I am having a hard time dealing with people who proclaim god's name and then act in total opposition to their proclamation. I am not say i am perfect i know i am perfect but i feel as though i know when i sin and am wrong and i ask for forgiveness and i follow jesus with my whole heart. I read my "directions" and know his word intimately. This jsut feels so wrong to me. I was just wondering what you guys thought

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Early this morning, Alex Corder chose to take his life by shooting himself in the head with a .22 as he was getting ready for church. Shortly after, he was declared braindead and his spirit left this world.

As he was only 19, please pray for his mother and father, Debbie and Max Corder, and his brother Rush, who is 23 and alone in California.


Dear Father in Heaven,
Please strengthen and comfort Debbie, Max, and Rush right now. I pray for you to bless them through their family and friends right now who are grieving with them. Help them to stay strong with your presence, Lord. Show them your love for them. I thank you for Alex's short presence in our lives Lord. He was a temple of your love who lived to praise your name. Bring comfort and peace to his surviving family. Bring them all together safely during this trying time and show them your abounding love through your son's peace. Amen.


May we all grieve for the Corder's loss together as children of God. God Bless you and your family today.

"Live every day as if it were your last because one of these days it will be."

iwerewolf

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sorry about the double post, just posting this in a another community for those of you that are memebers of both.

We're still in the Angels series at church, and something that was said tonight made me realize this, I've never thought about that before. But it's a cool thing when you do think about it. :)

Satan can't attack us directly because God has taken direct assault off the table.

If you want to look that up, just check out the book of Job. That's what we looked at tonight in talking about "Understanding the protection of God."

josielin

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Hello. I am new to the group. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Josie. I am 18 years old and from Raleigh, North Carolina. I have been a Christian since I was in 9th grade. I admit to not being a perfect Christian but who is? I am currently in my senior year of high school. I was supposed to graduate last year.
This past Easter my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years proposed. I am happy to call him my fiance now. He is currently in community college taking a 1 year course to be an automobile engineer. Next year I hope to also take courses at the same community college for Photography...hopefully. Even though I had my heart set on going to the University of Tennessee but they don't have courses I want to take. It's a big struggle right now.

Well I just wanted to say hello and tell a little about myself. I will look forward to having future conversation with you all.

Have a nice day. :)

josielin

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Hello. I am new to the group. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Josie. I am 18 years old and from Raleigh, North Carolina. I have been a Christian since I was in 9th grade. I admit to not being a perfect Christian but who is? I am currently in my senior year of high school. I was supposed to graduate last year.
This past Easter my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years proposed. I am happy to call him my fiance now. He is currently in community college taking a 1 year course to be an automobile engineer. Next year I hope to also take courses at the same community college for Photography...hopefully. Even though I had my heart set on going to the University of Tennessee but they don't have courses I want to take. It's a big struggle right now.

Well I just wanted to say hello and tell a little about myself. I will look forward to having future conversation with you all.

Have a nice day. :)

flotron8

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I'm new to this group and want to post here because the big topic in my life this week is CONNECTING.

I'm saved but struggling with being a Bible counselor to pornography and masturbation addicts. Besides lust, Jesus liberated me from alcoholism, cocaine addiction, chronic debt, agnosticism, ignorance and mendacity.

I still need to find a way into a successful Christian fellowship.

We are all members of the body ...

iwerewolf

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A friend of mine is getting married on the 17t, a wedding I had planned on going to since she announced her engagement back in '98. But due to my current unemployment/finacail situation, I wont be able to make it. Last week, she sent me an email telling me her Grandmother Mary had a stroke and wont be able to make the wedding either. She has been upset about this since they heard the news last week. Upset not only about the fact that she wont be able to come, but also because of the stroke. So she has asked me to not only pray for her, but to pass the word along and ask others to do so as well, and so I am.

Thanks from both of us. and sorry if anyone gets this as a multiple post to their friends lists, I'm going to post it to a couple places.

iwerewolf

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I orignially posted this on another community and didn't think to share this here so now I am. :)

A couple weeks ago one of the church pastor's gave the message to my group and one of the things he said was cool and I just had to share it. He said:



God is the coolest of the cool.


:) Never thought about that before. :) and on that note, I need to run and to finish my jello mold thing for my group's picnic. :)

scully0683

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Thank you to all who have kept me and my friend in your prayers. I called her the other night when I got back from college. She by the grace of God is not pregnant.

~Scully

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers