Amber Newman's Posts

Book of the Month- When Crickets Cry

Posted by Amber Newman on August 1, 2018 at 8:18pm

Goodreads Synopsis

A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.

It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.

Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.

Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt from blog review:

"It took a little while to finally read about Annie's journey. Annie is the average innocent, little, eight year old girl, who is full of faith and smiles. She is the sunshine to everyone who meets her. Her story through heart disease and transplantation will pull at your heart strings. She reminded me of my much younger self in some ways. Little and naive. Very smart, but not fully aware of her situation."

"There is a lot of medical terminology about the cardiovascular system, however, it was interesting to learn about how the heart functions. You will learn a lot about how daunting the transplantation process actually is. I could really sympathize with this book because I've been through the transplantation process myself. There were shocking twists through-out the novel that really made me realize how truly blessed I am despite all my health issues."

To read my full review please visit my website- A Creative Newmie

Joshua's Legacy: Love Never Fails

Posted by Amber Newman on April 13, 2018 at 9:11pm

Happy blue and green day!

Most of my loyal readers are aware of what life has been like through my eyes, as a recipient of organ donation, but have you ever wondered what it's like to be on the other side? To be a grieving spouse, parent, child, sibling, or friend? You're about to find out. It was my pleasure to interview Cynthia who lost her son, Joshua in August of two-thousand-fourteen. Let's read what she has to say.

Please welcome to my blog, Cynthia from Jacksonville, Florida

What is your sons name and how old was he when he passed?

My son's name was Joshua E Chitty and he was 20 years old. He was left-handed, flat-footed, freckled, flaming red hair, and bright blue eyes. Joshua was a beautiful young man.

How long has he been gone for?

6 years- 8.14.13 He changed his address.

Tell us about Joshua:

Joshua was an only child, so going to school was his big playground. He became the class clown- he really enjoyed being around the other kids. Joshua enjoyed playing all kinds of sports. He just loved the outdoors. He liked old western movies. I did not allow him to watch secular TV, so the Disney channels were always good. We watched them together and laughed and enjoyed our special times together.

To read the remaining of this interview please visit my website: http://www.acreativenewmie.com/home/joshua-s-legacy-love-never-fails

Celebrating 11 years breathing with double-lung transplant

Posted by Amber Newman on March 13, 2018 at 12:48pm

Today I’m celebrating eleven years breathing with a double lung transplant! Even though a decade has passed, this particular day is still overpowered with great emotion for my family and I. The following timeline is unfortunately an accurate account of my life. It was my intention to write only small snippets of happiness.

2004

I am twelve years old when I lose my hearing from ototoxic medication. Over a period of one year, suddenly I am deaf. I am forced to lip read, watch closed captioning, and learn basic sign language. I’m not included in conversations, I can’t speak on the telephone, and I cannot hear the one thing I love most- music. I am also diagnosed with cystic fibrosis related diabetes.

Watching TV makes me happy.

2005

I am thirteen years old when I am added to the United Network for Organ Sharing lung transplant waiting list. I’m wearing oxygen twenty-four seven. I can barely walk across a small room without gasping for air. I am sleeping in a sitting position to avoid coughing every night. I am attached to I.V. medications, I swallow a handful of anti-bitoics and vitamins every day. I am suffering. I am strong, but I am tired. (Matthew 11:28) I have never prayed before, but I am desperate. I ask God to send me Home.

Jesse McCartney makes me happy.

2007

I am fifteen years old when I receive a double lung transplant on March thirteenth two-thousand-seven. Recovery was the most difficult experience of my life. Despite making it this far, I still want to give up. My kidneys are failing immediately afterwards and I am at the hospital three days a week for three hours of dialysis. Four months after my lung transplant I receive a kidney from my mother. I am diagnosed with PTLD seven months after my lung transplant. I am able to bypass chemo therapy after adjusting medications.

My dad makes me happy.

To continue reading the remainder of this blog visit my website- A Creative Newmie

From Fear to Fearless

Posted by Amber Newman on March 12, 2018 at 8:55pm

SMALL EXCERPT:

Everyone experiences fear at some point in their lives. Overcoming addiction, near death experience, spiders, snakes, heights, harsh judgement, anxiety, anger, rejection, or seeking acceptance. These things can show up for only a short amount of time, or in other instances they can be life-long battles. No matter how long your fear lasts, it has the same effect on everyone.

It may take weeks, months, or even years to build up fear and eventually loose sight of your passion, loose sight of your purpose, loose sight of who you are, and what you want. Fear is a one way street, which means it also takes a while to reverse- to gain back your confidence, your determination, and your happiness. Confidence takes time. Determination takes time. Happiness takes time. You need a significant amount of patience, courage, and perseverance. You can and you will discover your will to live.

Fear will consume you if you let. It will not win. Tackle your fears. Take that giant down with a giant leap of faith.

From Fear to Fearless is a blog post from Amber's website, A Creative Newmie. Click here to read the entire post.