Thursday, May 6, 2010

The ever so lovely Nie.

I hope that all of you have discovered Stephanie Nielson's Blog called The Nie Nie Dialogues. I stumbled upon her Blog when most people did, in the weeks after her and her husband Christian survived a plane crash. Both of them were in a coma and badly burned. Stephanie was burned on 80% of her body. They both lived through it. That's right, she lived...oh boy, does Stephanie ever know how to live.

Something about their story grabbed at my heart. I cried for them and I prayed for them. I thought of them at stop signs as I drove around town. I would take that moment to pause and pray for complete strangers. They touched my life and still do to this day.

I have celebrated from a distance as Stephanie's set a goal for herself to be strong enough to
hike up the Y Mountain at the one year anniversary of her crash. I have cried as she bravely revealed her new face that she had been hiding for so long. I have shed many tears for the ever so lovely Nie.

I had to share this little video with you that she posted over at her Blog. It is an amazing testament to her beauty and strength. Although I myself am not Mormon, I just love the message that Stephanie has for the world. She is such an inspiration. If you have yet to meet her virtually, I suggest that you take the time to go into her archives and start at the begining. Her story is so enchanting, heartbreaking, and uplifting.

I love you Nie...even though we've never met!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

ACtually before I ever started blogging I discovered NieNie. My heart ached for her and yet at the same time her spirit spoke to mine. I think we all would like to say what we could endure and what we absolutely couldn't , but in watching the grace, beauty and pure joy Stephanie has found in the everyday, we are soon made aware that we can face head on so many things, and still come out on top. LIfe can take everything we hold dear, but if it cannot crush our spirit and our faith, then it will never win..

R Montalban said...

Miracles happen every day, and today is no exception. Only today I read on the news that a 6 year old child in China was saved by his ears! I kid you not (no pun intended). His grandfather left him in the family home whilst he was asleep to run a quick errand. The child went to the balcony to look for his grandfather and somehow fell and only survived because his ears didn't go through the bars. He was rescued when passers by saw him dangling by his ears and screaming! How lucky are his family not to mention the child? Also today, it is our UK general election (that is not the miracle!), and one of the English candidates has survived a light air crash. On top of this, today I met up with someone I had not seen for a long time. The last time we had been in touch they were trying to get over cancer in their late 20's. I met them today and they looked great and this is some 10 years + on from when I last saw them. It was so great to see them, and as they said “I’m alive”! So today your blog had a particularly uplifting effect as I did go onto read Nie's one which is just so beautifully written. Good and bad things happen every day - some extreme, and some not. Goodness, just last month there was a fatal shooting in your own neighbourhood. We just have to know that every dawn also has a day and that in each of those there is always something positive you can take from it, the choice on whether do that of course is up to you..... Nie definitely seems to take the positives and long may her glass (and all of ours hopefully) be full.

Jocelyn Christensen said...

Thank you for sharing this. I am Mormon, but I have never taken the time to check out her site, although I've seen her button all over the blogosphere. Thank you, that was a wonderful video...

Caroline said...

I saw the video as well. SO very moving. She is an incredible inspiration to not only every mother, but to any mother who suffers from a health problem or other disability.
Faith is paramount for our happiness and our feeling of purpose in this life.

p.s. I am not Mormon either (I am Catholic, Holy Water by my front door and all!) but I think she has touched the lives of so many through her faith in Christ.

Tifani said...

Leigh you are adorable as well! Beautifully written post about Nie! I love love love your header on your blog it ROCKS!!!! I also am Mormon and love the outpouring of faith and strength that Nie's blog has brought to everyone near and far, Mormon or not, it goes to show that no matter our religion or back ground we really are all the same!! Thank you again Leigh Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

KristinFilut said...

I've seen her button, but have never read her story. Wow.... What an amazing trial. What an amazing family. What a truly inspirational woman.

Danielle said...

I am so glad that you posted this. I started reading her around the same time as you. She is an inspiration. Her spirit has touched me often although from a far.
I have noticed a few people bashing her lately and saw her defending herself on her blog and it broke my heart. I am glad that you took time to show her as the amazing and uplifting women that she is!!!!

citymouse said...

Wow. I have heard about Nie Nie but have never been to her blog. I am so struck by the courage and grace Stephanie has. She puts even my "big" problems back in perspective. Thanks for posting this.

Susan Anderson said...

I love her, too. She is one of my heroes.

=)

Judson Family said...

I wake up to Stephanie and her sister's blog every morning. The two of them are the reason I wake up a half hour before I have to. I always look forward to what they have to say. :o) I'm a mommy to two kids as well. Nie's story is so inspiring that I can never complain about the challenges of raising my wonderfully rambunctious boys.
Stacy

Becca Jane said...

Hey, came over from Nie. She is one of my greatest heroes as well. I think the more people who can hear her story and feel of her greatness, the better this world would be!

Thanks! Always fun to 'meet' a new mom!

Vanessa said...

I have no words. Wow.

Karen Mortensen said...

I saw this from somebody on FAcebook. I loved it. Really touched my heart.

I cannot believe that people have bashed her etc. It is so sad that when ever you mention God or Jesus and how they help you, people get funny. God forbid you talk about stuff like that.


Thank you so much for your thoughts.

Holly Lefevre said...

I have never read NieNie...I see it everywhere, but after watching this video I see why people do and are so inspired by her and her family...what an absolutely amazing and uplifting tale of courage, and strength and love.

Alexandra said...

Yes. I know. I found her about 6 mos ago.

Incredible. All the way around. And the whole story.

I can say I would'nt be able to do it...but she has.

Anonymous said...

I know! Isn't she truly amazing? I can't even imagine all she's been through. I love her strength and courage. She's touched more people than we could ever know. Thank you for posting this.

Beth said...

I think you can appreciate Stephanie's strength and grace and incredible outlook, whether you are Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Wiccan, Muslim, Atheist, or share any of the hundreds of other belief systems around the world. Her spirit is undeniable, and she is truly inspiring.

Lisa said...

Beth, I so agree with you. Her message is universal. We all need to learn to make the best of the life we have, regardless of religion.

She is an inspiration!

sanjeet said...

LIfe can take everything we hold dear, but if it cannot crush our spirit and our faith, then it will never win..
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