Such a Miracle

Hi, you will notice on the twitter side of the blog we were actually on Shaw TV. Sometimes I can't believe where this book has lead us. When we started our goal was to serve God and help others and never dreamed we would get the exposure we have gotten. Laura did a great job at the Princeton's Young Life Women's camp. One thing we all can learn from this book is that when we look at someone, we don't know what or where they've come from. So often we judge when we have no right to do so.

Kirkus New York - Review

 The review from Kirkus arrived today. Here it is:

Life coach and inspirational speaker Maddigan tells Laura Gilbert’s story—an unlikely triumph over abuse, addiction and despair.
Gilbert’s childhood was so bleak that it’s tempting to compare her to one of Charles Dickens’ abused, impoverished urchins; born to an alcoholic, pill-popping mother (father unknown), young Laura—nicknamed Squeaks by one of her mother’s boyfriends—endured her tender years in squalid hotel rooms in the slums of 1960s Vancouver. It was a world of rats and filth, brawls and bacchanals. Her mother existed in a state of stupefaction or rage, leaving Laura unfed, unwashed and unschooled. Often abandoned for days on end, Laura stole to eat and her only companions were street pigeons and a stuffed panda. Occasional rescues by social services—plus the good will of neighbors, a church lady, Laura’s loving grandmother and a girlfriend or two—provided temporary relief and much-needed meals, but never a permanent home, ultimately leaving Laura at her mother’s mercy once more. She soon learned to fight back, at one point stabbing her mother in self-defense.
Neglect and mistreatment planted their seeds, and booze, drugs and men eventually seduced Laura as they had her mother, with predictable results. At 18, Laura shared her mother’s helplessness—“[W]e both felt like our lives were a prison sentence.” As Laura becomes a mother, then a wife, her alcoholism grows acute and her self-destructive nature erupts. The cycle of drinking, regret, shame and drinking again will be familiar to anyone who has battled addictions or witnessed their destructive path through families. Maddigan writes convincingly in Laura’s voice, though at times the language feels too casual and naïve for the more sordid episodes.
And while Laura’s plight is moving, the litany of her misfortunes may exhaust some readers’ sympathies. A careful proofreading would have helped as well. Fortunately the sun finally shines in this dark book that culminates in a series of personal testaments—and a reprise of earlier characters—revealing how an unwanted, troubled girl learned to cherish and heal herself.
A journey from squalor to wholeness, occasionally tiring but ultimately uplifting.
-Kirkus

Lunch with the mayor of Chilliwack

Laura and I had a wonderful time with the mayor of Chilliwack, and a few others who are interested in helping hurting women and children. The subject is huge and certainly is not one that can be easily solved, however, without dialogue, heart and God's leading nothing will ever change.

Words of encouragement

Hi everyone,
  This book has brought such joy and encouragement to seemingly many. My cousin told me the other day it was the most inspiring book she has ever read. It was a good reminder to her that our family had good parents and grandparents and we were loved and taken care of. Sometimes we forget not everyone lives like we do. Laura's story, as sad as it is, is a good wake up call. It is important we help those around us and love them the way God intended us to love one another. 

Laura's Mission

We would like to thank the man who donated fifteen books for Laura to hand out on the downtown east side. Please pray that the hope this book brings will help those needing a reason to go on and live the life God wants for each of us. 

Shaw TV

Well, we hit the big time, lol.  Shaw from Chilliwack did a story on Laura. It was fun. Hopefully, it will help us sell books. Have a great day!

Maple Ridge Times

On Thursday the newspaper from Maple Ridge is going to interview us and then on Friday we will be back in Chilliwack for the TV interview and selling books at the park. So far we have had good reviews and I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for your support. Our goal was to serve God by helping others and awakening our moral responsibility to be the voice of our children.