AHOSKIE – There’s an previous saying that when life provides you nothing however lemons, discover ways to make lemonade.
Figuratively talking, Patricia Watford of Ahoskie has realized to make chevrons over the course of her 55 years.
Patricia Watford (often known as “Patty P”) has re-released her 2011 e-book: “Reflections: A Nice Miracle By the Storms.” Employees photograph by Cal Bryant
Beset by medical issues since start, Watford’s life took a dramatic flip in March 1998 when an 11-hour operation efficiently changed a kidney and pancreas. Each organs wanted to get replaced as a consequence of problems from childhood diabetes.
Now, nearly 25 years later, Watford feels his life was spared for a motive.
“God permits me to proceed right here. There are such a lot of individuals who had the identical transplants that I had which are not with us. I suppose God nonetheless has a plan for me. He has work for me,” he mentioned.
Regardless of being unable to work as a consequence of imaginative and prescient issues brought on by diabetes, that didn’t cease Watford from returning to high school. Utilizing magnifying glasses supplied by Companies for the Blind, he labored towards a bachelor’s diploma in Christian Counseling in September of final 12 months by way of on-line programs supplied by Grace Bible Theological Seminary, situated in Wealthy Sq..
She additionally makes use of numerous different aids to assist her imaginative and prescient.
“I carry them on a regular basis to assist me,” mentioned Watford, who additionally obtained his Minister’s License in Might of final 12 months.
“I did not let my poor eyesight get me down. I am nonetheless urgent. Now I need to return to high school and get my grasp’s diploma in Christian Counseling,” she added.
In the meantime, Watford could be heard on WRCS (97 AM) the place he spreads the phrase of God and presents encouragement to these in want. It’s not a paid job, however it accepts donations from the general public and the non secular group to proceed its transmission.
Armed with the grasp’s diploma, Watford needs to open a consulting enterprise.
“I am already doing that now, however I need to do it within the college system and I would like my grasp’s diploma to qualify for that sort of counseling,” she mentioned. “I have to be a licensed counselor.
“There may be all the time somebody who wants recommendation; somebody who must be lifted by way of phrases of encouragement,” she added.
Watford mentioned he reads his Bible each evening, on the lookout for verses that supply consolation and love.
“I could not have nice eyesight, however I imagine that God has blessed me with peace, love, pleasure and compassion. I’ve God and that’s all I would like. That encourages me to exit and assist these in want.”
Watford can also be a broadcast writer. In 2011, he revealed a e-book of poetry: “Reflections: A Nice Miracle By the Storms.”
The poetry, which runs 116 pages, is in chronological order, beginning in 1984. Watford mentioned his favourite poem could be discovered on web page 47 (My Religion Has Made Me Entire), the place he writes: “By a few years of needles and pricks in my fingers day by day, one thing inside me instructed me that the Lord will make a approach. Fainting at evening, close to dying, how the Lord noticed match to ship somebody to seek out me and assist me.”
“These poems contact each section of my life,” mentioned Watford, who goes by the pseudonym “Patty P.” “I wrote the e-book as a result of I really feel that there are others in my place who want encouragement. The poems have been my liberation… the Lord was my liberation, he was the reply to all my issues”.
That e-book has lately been re-released with a brand new cowl.
“I plan to jot down one other e-book. I need to do my autobiography. I need to inform the story of my life, however first I need to end college. My purpose is to complete my diploma within the subsequent two years.”
Within the meantime, you’ll proceed to “make lemonade” by retaining a smile in your face and phrases of encouragement in your coronary heart.
