Carried by Faith: Major’s Miracle Story

April 25, 2023February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Major McLaughlin in the hospital — Major McLaughlin reading get well cards with his mom, Malynda, from friends and family during his weeklong hospital stay at Children’s of Alabama.

On October 2, 2021, Brady McLaughlin and his son, Major, geared up for a camping weekend with friends at Oak Mountain State Park. While on a bike ride, Major’s bike tires lost traction and he fell. During the fall, the bike handlebars hit Major which of course was painful but there were no obvious injuries. “I carried him to my truck, and we sat in the air conditioning for a few minutes to cool off,” Brady Mclaughlin says. However, once they returned to the park, a lethargic Major threw up. After he threw up for the second time, Mclaughlin and his wife, Malynda, with the guidance of Major’s doctor, decided to take the almost 7-year-old to Children’s of Alabama Emergency Department.

Doctors at Children’s realized that Major was lacking oxygen in his blood. A CT scan revealed that the bicycle handlebars hit Major’s kidney “perfectly the wrong way,” McLaughlin remembers. Major had suffered a shattered right kidney and an uncontrolled urine leak. Urologist David Joseph, M.D. discussed the injury with Major’s parents. “There were a lot of questions and unknowns, but Dr. Joseph told us that surgery needed to happen right away,” McLaughlin said, adding, “It is a miracle that Dr. Joseph was there for Major that day since he is a world-renown urologist that has been practicing for 35 years.” There were many unknowns going into emergency surgery and when they asked for a prognosis, the McLaughlins were told “we don’t know if he will make it out of surgery.” Immediately family, church family, and friends surrounded Major in prayer. People from all over- some the McLaughlins didn’t even know thanks to social media- started to pray for Major’s healing. “I have never seen a mobilization of prayer from God’s people like I did for this,” McLaughlin says.

The McLaughlin Family — The McLaughlin family experienced supernatural peace and comfort while at the hospital. L to R: Maxwell (age 5), Brady McLaughlin, Vera Bethlehem (age 2), Malynda McLaughlin, and Major (age 7). The family recently welcomed a baby sister to the family, McKenna.

The surgery lasted nearly five hours and resulted in Major’s right kidney being removed because of multiple fractures. What carried them through the hours of uncertainty? Their faith in God. “We had nowhere else to turn except to God, nor did we want to go anywhere else except for God because we know He is the ultimate healer and provider,” explains McLaughlin. The family clung to God’s promise found in Isaiah 53:5. They also listened to two worship songs during Major’s emergency surgery- “Land of the Living” by Pat Barrett and “Too Good Not to Believe” by Bethel Music. McLaughlin firmly believes that Major’s story is a testament to the fact that “God is still working miracles today- right now.”

As he looks back on Major’s accident, McLaughlin remembers the supernatural peace and comfort God poured over his family. “Major didn’t even cry once while in the hospital,” he says. During the weeklong hospital stay, McLaughlin regularly updated social media with prayer requests and praises. “We had multiple people reach out telling us that they hadn’t connected to God in years but Major’s story stirred them to reconnect with the Lord and pray for the first time in years.” Major is now completely recovered and living an active life.

-Melissa Armstrong

We need you to share your Miracle Moment! Email [email protected] Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

April 25, 2023January 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” Psalm 73:26

July 30, 2019 started as a normal day for Darryl Fuhrman. It wasn’t until he started his daily workout video that things took an unexpected and frightening turn. “I was about eight minutes into my workout when my heart literally stopped beating and I expired,” Fuhrman shares. By God’s grace, his mother (who has been a nurse since the Korean War), stumbled upon him and immediately called for help and began administering help in the waiting time.

Darryl Fuhrman playing football at Alabama — Darryl Fuhrman is a former college athlete himself. He played football for the Alabama Crimson Tide under Coach Ray Perkins.

Fuhrman was taken to UAB and after many days full of uncertainty and countless heart monitors, Fuhrman underwent surgery. The doctors planned to crack his chest open and give him an artificial mechanical heart valve. Before the risky surgery, Fuhrman came to terms with the fact that he might not wake up. He wrote letters to family and friends describing the goodness of God no matter the outcome of the surgery and encouraged them to continue strong in their faith- to forgive quickly, love freely and serve the Lord. “I often thought during that time what dreams may come, or will I finish the race,” Fuhrman says. His surgery was successful and he is thankful for his recovery.

Darryl Fuhrman is a native of Southside, Ala. The devastation experienced in Tuscaloosa and surrounding cities on April 27, 2011 spurred Fuhrman to start Lettermen of the USA.

Since that harrowing experience in 2019, Fuhrman hasn’t stopped giving back. He is the Founder of Lettermen of the USA(LotUSA), which is a 501 (c)(3) organization that serves those in local communities that are in need. “LotUSA has teamed up to help serve honorably discharged veterans, wounded veterans, disaster victims, and former college players in need.” Fuhrman adds that since LotUSA was founded in 2012, the organization has been able to help more than 13,000 people. Since waking up after his surgery, Fuhrman feels that every day is vital in the mission of serving others.

On March 11, LotUSA is hosting the 2022 One Yard at a Time Gala at The Club in Birmingham. Proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit and serve discharged and wounded veterans and former college athletes in need. The Voice of the Crimson Tide, Eli Gold, will be the Athletic Honoree and Lt. Gen. Willie J. Williams, USMC Retired will be the Military Honoree. To learn more, visit www.lotusa.org.

-Melissa Armstrong

We need you to share your Miracle Moment! Email [email protected] Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

January 4, 2022December 28, 2021 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Allison Allen has many roles in life- the former Broadway dancer is a wife, mother, speaker, and Bible teacher that is passionate about sharing Jesus with women everywhere. Allen will be in Birmingham on February 10 to speak at Samford University Legacy League’s Scholarship Luncheon.

Allison Allen is the author of two books. Her latest release, Thirsty for More is available now. Learn more about Allen at www.allisonallen.net.

From a young age, Allen remembers having an active imagination. Always a fan of musicals, she went to Carnegie Mellon University to work towards a degree in acting. “The only way I can fully explain my Broadway journey is that God is a better door opener than I could ever be,” Allen says. She originally auditioned for a show that was not a good fit for her. However, during that audition, “one of the producers thought I would be right for the Original Broadway Revival of Grease,” she explains, adding, “Through another round of topsy-turvy vocal, dancing and acting call-backs, against the odds, I found myself cast in the show.” Allen performed on Broadway for almost two years and “performed the hand-jive approximately 650 times.” During her time on Broadway, Allen played many parts- including the roles of Marty, Patty and Miss Lynch.

During one of her performances on Broadway, one of the executives of Women of Faith was in the audience. “He knew that Women of Faith had a position for one-woman dramas within their conference schedule and asked me to audition,” Allen says. For two years, she performed dramas written by Nicole Johnson and in her final year, she wrote and performed the one-woman piece on her own. “I grew so much by being able to be around such master communicators,” she adds. Soon after her time with Women of Faith, Allen began speaking at conferences and events around the country. “I count it among the great joys of my life to run alongside women as they get a clearer view of who they actually are in Christ.”

On February 10, you can hear from Allen when she speaks at Samford Legacy League’s Scholarship Luncheon. “So many women are crippled by hopelessness and shame all while Jesus is inviting us to step into the Story He is writing,” Allen says. She will share about her time on stage and “how God, in His great mercy, moved me from having to act my way through life, to being able to embrace authentic bravery.” Allen will also explore how to lean into the theme verse for the luncheon,“Be doers of the Word,” (James 1:22). To learn more about the Scholarship Luncheon and make reservations, visit www.samford.edu/legacyleague.

-Melissa Armstrong

December 2, 2021November 28, 2021 by Laurie Stroud

Encouraging Word

We’ve all seen the stories of someone coming from behind with the win, the underdog that had odds stacked against them and overnight success stories. Some might say in these moments it’s luck, God’s favor, hard work and resiliency, or a combination of all. No matter what, it is faith put into action.

I know during this pandemic the world is hurting and changing daily. Does that take away the dreams and hopes for what place we still can hold in our community? Absolutely not! We see people invest and cling to what they love and hold dear to their hearts. Sometimes it’s binging shows or cuddling up with a book or listening to the music that helps them escape. Worship can take us on a journey in music and help us process our own experiences and feelings.

As we’ve all moved game pieces around to meet our current situations, the challenge to still dream is there. In Matthew McConaughey’s new book Greenlights, he talks about how sometimes you hit the green at the right time and the opportunity and opening is yours for the taking. Other times, you create the “greenlights” and I know for many of us that’s where our faith takes over. What’s the promotion you always wanted to receive but it sounded lofty? The person you wanted to hire but felt the price tag would be too high? The relationship or networking that seems unreachable? Do you believe it can happen? Leadership stays visionary. Empowering people with encouragement helps them to believe in themselves and not allow current forecasts to predict the outcome of the weather.

What “greenlights” have you hit at the right time that you can capitalize on? What “greenlights” do you want to create? God’s kingdom is not rocked by what’s happening in the world and we don’t have to be rocked either. Dreaming gives us something to look forward to, whether its tomorrow or five years from now. Our faith is the green light to believe that the impossible is finally possible.

–Ace McKay

“Roxanne & Ace” Mornings on 93.7 WDJC

December 14, 2022October 4, 2021 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

While Lisa Ledbetter was a foster parent for 11 years, she didn’t know she would end up adopting four abused and neglected children and would also perform life-changing work for other such children and families by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer.

When Ledbetter’s seven-year-old foster son, Kamden was involved in the court process, Judge Jim Kramer assigned a CASA Volunteer to his case. The CASA Volunteer was Larry Beaury, known by Kamden as “Mr. Larry.” Beaury observed Kamden and his biological family and supervised visitation with them. He wrote court reports to the judge regarding Kamden’s well-being and his interactions with his family and other such important investigative tasks. According to Ledbetter, Beaury was meticulous in his work, was a positive role model for Kamden and truly cared for him. “He helped change his life,” said Ledbetter.

Mr. Larry with Lisa and Kamden — Lisa and Kamden Ledbetter with “Mr. Larry” who became a volunteer for CASA of Shelby County after reading about the organization in Birmingham Christian Family.

“Larry made such a difference in our case, not just for Kamden, but for me and the birth mother as well. He went above and beyond to do what he could to help him and to ensure that he had a safe and permanent home,” said Ledbetter. Through the process, that safe and permanent home became Ledbetter’s, thanks to her adoption of Kamden. Ledbetter says that Kamden was once very sensitive and uncertain of his future. Because of CASA, “Mr. Larry’s” work and through adoption, he has found a sense of peace and permanency.”

Beaury, who became a CASA Volunteer upon his retirement said humbly, “I am an advocate for children, and I want to do whatever I can for the benefit of the children we serve.” He did admit though that he was blown away when he once asked Kamden during a supervised visitation who he loved and he said, I love my mother, Lisa (his foster mother) and I love you.” That was all the proof he needed to know he had done a good job. Inspired by her and Kamden’s positive experience and “Mr. Larry’s” work, Ledbetter applied to become a CASA Volunteer herself. She went through their 5-week training course and is now a CASA Volunteer. Since that time, she has been assigned a case with an abused and neglected teenage boy. She reports that he has opened up to her and they have made a good connection. She feels she has earned his trust and that is important in the life of a child that has been abused or neglected.

Ledbetter says she has found CASA to be extremely rewarding. “It fulfills that deep need in me to serve children and families and it has given me the outlet to do that. It has also given me a sense of community and pride -a sense of accomplishment. It feels good to know I’ve really helped make a difference in my little part of the world,” said Ledbetter. Thanks to CASA, Ledbetter is now trained and equipped to help other abused and neglected children in the way “Mr. Larry” helped Kamden. While Kamden’s court case is over and has a happy ending, “’Mr. Larry’ still calls and checks on Kamden and his face lights up when I tell him he has,” said Ledbetter. Judge Jim Kramer recently said, “I have seen cases closed and end on a happy note because of the work of CASA Volunteers. They are an extra set of eyes and ears for me, and I would like to have one in every case I have.”

Sadly, there are not enough CASA Volunteers to serve the abused and neglected children in Shelby County. To find out how you can become a CASA Volunteer and make a difference in the life of a child like Kamden, please visit www.casaofshelbycounty.org. You do not have to have a degree or be “qualified” to serve. CASA provides all the training you will need to serve abused and neglected children in our community. CASA is funded in part by the Children’s Trust Fund and a Shelby County Community Grant. They also raise money through fundraising events such as the one they held on Sunday, October 24, 2021 in Columbiana when cooking celebrity Brenda Gannt hosted a “Barbecue with Brenda” to benefit their program.

-Beth Chapman

Exec. Dir., CASA of Shelby County, www.casaofshelbycounty.org

Chapman shares that Larry Beaury, “Mr. Larry,” first learned about CASA while reading Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) magazine!

September 29, 2021 by Nathan Ingram

Calling all mommas of every kind! Join us for our conference October 30th from 9am-12pm

(Based on the content of Ginger’s best-selling book, Don’t Make Me Count to Three!)
Do you find yourself threatening, repeating your instructions, or raising your voice in an attempt to get your children to obey? Are you discouraged because it seems you just can’t reach the heart of your child? Through personal experience and the practical application of Scripture, Ginger encourages and equips moms to reach past the outward behavior of their children and dive deeply into the issues of the heart. Ginger’s candid approach will help moms move beyond the frustrations of not knowing how to handle issues of disobedience and into a confident and well-balanced approach to raising their children.

Ginger Hubbard, bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words for Moms, and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That, speaks at women’s events, parenting conferences and home school conventions across the country, and co-hosts the Parenting with Ginger Hubbard Podcast. For more information visit www.GingerHubbard.com

April 25, 2023September 24, 2021 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham

“I will speak of your goodness, all day long I will speak of your salvation.” Psalm 71:1

I have been publicly preaching and teaching the Word for almost twenty years. Speaking the Gospel is my profession, my calling, my daily life. But one day I woke up with no voice. I had been intubated. I was on a ventilator. I had undergone a tracheostomy. I was connected to a life support machine known as ECMO. While the world moved on, I was still in a hospital bed for over six weeks fighting for my life. I was mostly sedated and unconscious through most of my battle with Covid pneumonia.

Pastor Ahlemeyer Preaching — After battling COVID for more than five months, including 48 days in the ICU, Rev. Michael Ahlemeyer returned to his congregation and preached on August 8, 2021.

When I finally “came to” and was semi-alert, the first thing I realized was that my voice was gone. I couldn’t really talk. I also couldn’t move a muscle. Literally. I could not roll over in bed and I could barely lift up my arms. I’ve had to learn how to do everything all over again. Stand up. Sit down. Brush my teeth. Use a spoon. Write. Type. Climb the stairs. There was a hole in my heart.

But what bothered me the most was that there was a hole in my throat, from the tracheostomy. Daily I was reminded of this new reality when it was cleaned and bandaged – no matter how hard I tried to forget. Even when I finally went home my superhuman wife Jaki continued to care for the wound. Talk about being married for “better or worse.”

In time, no voice has turned into a whisper, and with more time the whisper has turned into a hoarse voice. As of this writing, I am still more or less at that point. The medical folks say in time my voice will hopefully come back. But in those dark moments of the night, literally and figuratively, when I’m all alone, I wonder if it will ever truly come back.

So while I was still in bed, this familiar verse always came to mind: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) I have had a lot of time to be still and think during my hospitalization and convalescence. I couldn’t do much else and I’m still limited. Being left with your thoughts can be a tortuous time, I can assure you of this fact! But it can also be a blessing, I can equally assure you of this fact. In the end, I want to reassure you that it was more of a blessing than a curse. I also want to remind you of what you already know from the Word. The goodness of God even in bad times! The goodness of God even in ICU.

If anyone ever told you while you were in ICU to “rest up,” they have never been in ICU. Every hour it seems someone comes into the room poking and prodding you. Taking medicines, taking x-rays, taking vitals. So, during the night I was often awake left to wrestle with God like Jacob. I never got angry with God. I never asked, “Why me?” But I wrestled with God over many things. One was my voice. Or lack thereof.

But back to the time left alone with God to think. One question was my voice in general, but more specifically what made a pastor’s voice unique? What makes the pastor’s voice different from other voices? Here is the answer. “The only thing a pastor has to say is what God has to say.” This is a quote from Dr. Steven Lawson, Teaching Fellow for Ligonier Ministries.

Pastor Ahlemeyer Family — Pastor Ahlemeyer with wife Jaki and their three children. Read more of his Pastoral Letters from the ICU on his Facebook page, Mike Ahlemeyer.

Point? The Word of God is different in a unique way. It’s the reason why the pastor preaches in a pulpit, wears an alb, and dresses in a clerical collar. Signifying that this Word proclaimed is no mere word of man, but He speaks the Word of God.

The bottom line between human language and a divine message? You and I can only describe things with our words. God’s word actually makes things. It has power. I can tell you not to worry. But in the end, that doesn’t mean much. When Jesus says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you,” He actually makes that happen. Recall the Creation story! When God spoke His Word He did not just describe light but created light. When God spoke He didn’t just report about the water below and the sky above, He placed the fish and stars in their ordained place and space. When God spoke it wasn’t just a chronicle of the earth, He filled the world with a creation fearfully and wonderfully made – including you. God’s Word does what it says. It transforms us and makes us saints from sinners. It renews, restores, and reconciles. It resurrects! On the last day, Jesus will stand over your grave and speak a word of Life. You and all those in Christ will be made new again! This is what makes the Word of God so special. It creates! Life from death. It makes certain defeat, undeniable triumph. It makes our lowly bodies to be like His resurrected body. In my toughest hours of uncertainty this was my hope. God can make all things new! His living Word I have preached with a loud voice for almost two decades, but only when I was silenced in ICU did I really begin to understand this promise of how the Word actually works and what makes this Word so special. Speaking on our own we can only describe, when God speaks He can create beauty.

I found it ironic one day when I was in the hospital, that while I looked at myself in the mirror, that the hole from the trach – now a scar – is in the exact same place where the white tab of the clerical collar rests on my neck. It was never my frail voice. It is never your voice. It was and is and will always be the voice of the Living God who created and makes new again. This is what we proclaim as witnesses. New beginnings. Either new beginnings for a gracious season here in this life for a few more fleeting moments, or the eternal beginning for life everlasting.

When you look in the mirror at yourself at home and look at the pastor preaching the Word in your church home – remember something special is happening – God is alive and active and making you a new creation! To God be the glory!

-Rev. Michael Ahlemeyer

Senior Pastor, Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, www.vestavialutheran.org

We need you to share your Miracle Moment! Email [email protected] Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

April 28, 2021 by Laurie Stroud

Every Family Deserves Hope

I have lived in Alabama for nearly fifty years. Growing up in this state comes with certain expectations and things to anticipate. We are required to choose an allegiance when it comes to college football. Pollen season is always going to be severe and our four weather seasons often just blend together. Being from Alabama also means that we are accustomed to storms. Our state, our families, and many of our memories are tattered due to extreme storms experienced in our lifetime. From hurricanes to tornados, we seem to get the best and worst of stormy weather so much so that we are constantly mindful and prepared for the storms.

The same can be said of life. Regardless of your geographic location, you can and should expect storms in life. John 16:33 tells us that “in this world we will have troubles.” Our troubles often lead to stress and stress can lead to so much more. A local pastor explained it to me this way. When I am in the storm and stressed…

My resistance to temptation is lower
My emotions are all over the board
My productivity suffers, and my life can even seem to lose its meaning.
I feel distant in my relationship with God.

After recent storms in our state, I watched the rebuilding efforts of neighborhoods and communities as they came together to put things back into order. Again, the same is true for our lives as we rebuild and replenish from the storms of life.

Ways to Replenish Our Soul

Quietness. Psalm 23 reminds us, “He makes me lie down in green pastures… He restores my soul.”
Enjoyment when we stand on Proverbs 17:22 in that “a cheerful heart is good medicine.”
With People. Hebrews 10:25 encourages us, “Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another.”

When the storms come- and they will come- remember the final part of John 16:33, “but take heart, for I have overcome the world.”

-Micah Andrews

When you donate to the Foundry,

you’re supporting a charity,

you’re saving a life,

you’re restoring a family.

Every Family Deserves Hope

FoundryMinistries.com

Carried by Faith: Major’s Miracle Story

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