Stories

Back in 2022 my, then 11-year-old, daughter opened up about being sexually assaulted by a family member. We got justice for her and thought that we were on the road to recovery when things started to spiral downhill. In 2023 we started to notice some self-harm marks on her. We got her in to see a counselor but that did not seem to work, she continued to spiral and started to find comfort in drugs and alcohol. Last August, was the worst. She tried to hang herself from her loft bed with an extension cord. My, then 9-year-old, daughter walked into the bedroom to find her limp with the cord around her neck. We started to perform life saving measures until paramedics got there. She then spent a week in a psychiatric hospital and was released a week before school started. We thought we were on the mend, until her ideation became too much and we had to admit her again in December where she spent her 14th birthday. To this day we are on high alert with even though we have an amazing team of counselors and support, there is still that fear that she might try again and we may not be so lucky to save her. This past year, Toby Mac’s song Faithfully has really struck a chord with me and hits home hard. I have attached the most recent family picture we have, we are missing my oldest son as he was out of state for work, from this past June at a Lainey Wilson concert, grateful to God and everyone who has been there with us and for us through this last year. She is still here and continues to smile bright.

I just wanted to share an update. 1st off, I would like to say thank you to 102.5 for the awesome washer and dryer last Christmas. It has helped our family tremendously. 2nd, July 12th 2025 marks 3 years of sobriety for myself. I give all the glory to Jesus. Without Him, I would not have gotten this far. When I completely surrendered my life to Christ, He took away those desires that I once had. I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason. Back around October 2023, I met this person who has helped me though this journey as well. We would talk about goals that i had, and etc. I have since found a great job, going back to school, and am just living life with my kids. Wanting to show them that mom is present! The one thing I am working on (which some people tell me) is being hyper independent. I feel I have always had to do things on my own, aka with no husband. I would like to say that, the song that has always been a wonderful song for me is Miracle Child by Brandon Lake.

In February of 1991 I found myself in Saudi Arabia just south of the Iraqi border as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. I was assigned as an executive officer of a tank and infantry company team comprised of approximately 130 soldiers. Our mission was to break open the Iraqi lines in order to make a hole for follow on forces of the United States First Infantry Division and the British First Armoured Division. The night before our attack, the task force commander called all of the officers to the tactical operations center to update us on the latest situation. All I remember of that meeting is when he said, “Gentlemen, look around. By the end of the day tomorrow, 50 percent of you won’t be here.” It was a long night.The next morning just before sunrise, we began our move north toward the Iraqi obstacle belts and dug in trenches. Around 10:00AM we watched for 30 minutes as 10,000 rounds of artillery were dropped onto the positions we were about to attack. As I stood in the hatch of my M1 Abrams tank and watched the battle begin to unfold in front of me, I could feel the anxiety in me begin to rise as I now truly began to realize what it was we were about to do. I thought I should pray, but I wasn’t sure what to pray for. To kill didn’t seem quite right even though at its essence that is what we were about to do. So, I prayed this simple prayer, “Lord, just let me do what I was trained to do.” I immediately felt a presence, that to this day I cannot fully explain. It started at the top of my head and flowed down my entire body. I immediately felt calm and a peace beyond any understanding (Philippians 4:7). Shortly thereafter we began our assault through the mines, the wire, and the defending Iraqis. It was quite intense for next 100 hours of Desert Storm while we continued to attack into Iraq. Through it all, I remained calm and had no fear at any time when I should have felt the exact opposite. I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit that came upon me that day and gifted me with the ability to stay calm through the strongest storms. (Joshua 1:9) Through this and other experiences in my 22 years on active duty, I trusted the Lord to be with me as I went forward into the unknown. He is always with us!

My Story? Well, we all have stories. It is what you learn from those stories. I can share what I have learned in my life.Well, God is Good, it’s challenging, people can disappoint, people surprise, you miss parts of your past but look forward to your future. Everyone who crossed paths with you was for a reason no matter how brief. you mean more to someone than you may think. What comes out of your mouth matters. Happiness is a choice and yes it can be a hard one to make. Say I love you even when it is difficult. Don’t go to bed angry. One of the hardest things you will face is craving a conversation with someone who is gone. Forgive everyone that has done you wrong even if that person is yourself. Not everyone will forgive you for the things you have done. Remember in the end all that matters is that you have done your best and know God has forgiven you. Lastly, we are all here together. So have some grace and be patient. It’s not that bad.

In my childhood, I learned to be quiet and invisible. My feelings never mattered, so I pushed them down so far that I lost the ability to reach them. Then I met my now ex husband, who gave me a marriage full of more than one type of abuse. The only reason I left was because he was starting to emotionally abuse our children, and they deserved better. About 2 years before that, I met the person who is now my best friend. They showed me that it was okay to open up to people and that my feelings were valid. So I slowly began to do just that. When I separated from my ex, my best friend was there for me in a way no one ever had been. Divorce meant deportation for their dad, and the decision nearly killed me. But my best friend was there to hold my broken pieces together. They were there for the girls’ first plane ride to see their dad for 3 full months, which was almost impossible to handle. After life calmed down, I actually found myself happy for the first time in my entire life. There wasn’t a gray cloud covering my happiness like there was with everything else. The unexpected happened, and I got pregnant. It was rocky at first, but I was still happy. About a month before I gave birth things started to fall apart. And everything shattered into a million pieces about a month after. I found myself feeling completely abandoned and alone with an infant and all of the hormones that come with birth. My whole life changed and I found myself wondering how I got there. And it seemed like there was problem after problem piling up and I was drowning. I wasn’t used to reaching out for help because my feelings never mattered so I was always able to convince myself that I was making it all up and it wasn’t that bad. Until I couldn’t do that anymore, turning to self harm again and having sudden urges to swallow handfuls of pills to make the pain stop. It still took me a few months to reach out, since my girls were going back to their dad soon and I was worried that it would get worse. So I finally came clean to a doctor, fully honest and vulnerable. Not making it seem like just a bad day. I am now in counseling and on new medication. I also have opened up to more people and grew my support circle slowly. Not fixed by any means, but it’s a start. Recently I’ve been smacked in the face with the ultimate truth; Everything that happened to me happened for a reason. If i wouldn’t have married my ex, I wouldn’t have my 2 girls and I wouldn’t have learned how to stand up for myself. How to talk back and confront people when necessary. How to be okay with using some space in the world and not trying to disappear. The marriage broke me down to build me up to who I am now. If I hadn’t met my best friend, I would’ve never had the courage to leave the marriage because I wouldn’t have had someone to talk to that would actually care. Someone I could go to when I wasn’t okay. Someone who showed me what life was supposed to be like. Then I had a moment of happiness that I will be forever grateful for. And if it wasn’t for the events that followed that sunk me to my lowest, I wouldn’t have reached out to anyone and wouldn’t have gotten the help I needed to start healing, not just covering it with a bandaid and pretending it didn’t exist. The low was devastating, but God set me up so that He could help me heal. Really heal, not just ignore it. So I needed to go through everything to get to where I am. I thank God every day for the plan He had for me, as painful as it is. I now have more people I can rely on, I ask for help if I need it, and I’m starting to work through the wounds that never healed. So if you find yourself drowning with no hope, we have a God that walks on water and there is a beautiful ending for you.

Dear 102.5 team and prayer warriors…”because somebody prayed”… I thank you all for prayers received in mention of my grandson and myself. In January I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks away from the birth of my grandson , for which his prognosis was unknown. My Grandson, born with 1 lung , is a true miracle…beautiful and thriving since birth…THANK YOU …. may the prayers of all carry this little man into a beautiful life… and myself… surgery and finishing radiation… clear for now ..Thank you Lord Jesus and prayer warriors…Miracles happen…because somebody prayed….May God bless and hold you all…

My mom passed away 4 years ago today. And you just played ‘Hallelujah Even Here’ by Lydia Laird – which was the song I kept hearing during some very rough days (when I took care of my mom). Today it literally gave me chills in a good way. During those dark days the part of the song that says something about “nothing left to give is the sweetest offering” – at times I could only offer my tears and prayers to God. He took care of my mom (she had a deep peace and love for Jesus) and our entire family. Life 102.5 is a blessing indeed and certainly is uplifting. Thank you!

Good Morning,I listen to you every day, all day.Your Kindness is Contagious story today got me! I live in Pardeeville and actually work with the father of the young girl who was killed in that car accident. He is not here today, but I will share this with him.This was such a tragedy for everyone here at our work place and in our community. Her family has suffered a tragic loss. What that athletic director did, was amazing! There may have been some who grumbled but he did it anyway! I agree with Andi, that truly was a God Moment! We as a state and nation need more of these, especially right now!!God Bless you all for your work!

I never listened to your station. I was driving my wife’s car and flipped on the radio- 102.5 was on- I was listening to a sweet lady talk about Honduras and the children- also the gangs/ cartels “recruiting” children soldiers but also respecting the Lord and His workers- Here is a brief story: The Lord called me to Honduras in 1997. I have walked the streets alone with just a faithful brother who is also my interpreter. Long story short- By Gods immeasurable power He opened doors that no man could open- one of those doors was to the MS13 and Barrio 18 leadership (The gangs and cartels of Central America) Check out CECOT EL Salvador- I have had the privilege to share the message of Christ crucified with the leadership of these organizations- leading 12 “kingpins” to Jesus- and 1000s of soldiers- please find below a picture of Javier before and after- Javier was a powerful leader of MS13 who I met in a miraculous way- He is now Pastor Javier with wife Issabella- Love never fails- there is a reason the gangs respect Jesus- I would love to share my stories with you- Im heading back to Honduras on the 19th and will be meeting with 2 more bosses ready to take the “pass” and serve Christ- please pray for me, thank you- Pursue love above all else! Paul Ferrara

I was reading Morning with Jesus and was given the challenge for 2025 to chose a word to focus on.I was listening to I Choose The Jesus Way and I came up with the Focus word CHOICE.I choose to be more tolerant, more compassionate, more patient, more understanding.. When things go wrong, as they will, I remember my focus word, take a deep breath and remember I have a choice how I can react.