Alesia

I grew up Catholic, but my connection with God was never strong. Life always took precedence. However, a series of events completely changed that. First, I lost my dad, which was incredibly difficult. Then, a year and a half later, my mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. It was unbelievable and devastating. The doctors gave her three months to live, but she managed to survive for five and a half years. Those years were incredibly tough to witness. She suffered immensely. During that time, I was also dealing with my youngest child's battle with an eating disorder. It was so severe that we had to send her out of state for treatment. Meanwhile, both my daughter and I were diagnosed with the same genetic disease that took my father's life: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. On top of that, I was diagnosed with Polyposis, which means I have a high risk of developing certain cancers. Needless to say, I was completely overwhelmed. Fast forward to St. Patrick's Day 2022, when I lost my brave mother. Just as she passed away, my daughter returned home from the treatment center, supposedly cured of her bulimia. However, a few weeks later, she overdosed on alcohol and ended up in the ICU for four days. Although her bulimia was cured, her anxiety and major depression were left unaddressed. Thankfully, she survived without any brain damage. My husband and I dedicated ourselves to getting her the help she needed for her anxiety and depression. In August, I had to undergo surgery for another medical issue. During my recovery, lying in bed, I felt completely done. I had always been a fighter, always taking care of everyone, but I had reached my limit. It was at that moment that I heard a voice, and I knew exactly who it was. It said, "Stacey, I'm here." That was my turning point. As I recovered, hope returned to my life. For the first time in my 51 years, I started reading the Bible and actually understanding it. I felt guided to reach out to people, including my father's cousin, who has been instrumental in my spiritual journey. It was through him and his wife that I discovered the show, The Chosen. I watched the first episode featuring Mary Magdalene, and her story resonated deeply with me. To know that Jesus is there for us, even when we're at the end of our rope, continues to amaze me. I've watched The Chosen four times now. I've been baptized, started a Bible study group, and we've gone through Seasons 1 and 2 of The Chosen. We're eagerly awaiting Season 3 in September 2020. The best part is that my daughter is doing incredibly well. She's now a freshman in college, majoring in psychology to help others with eating disorders. In July, we even had the opportunity to travel to Goshen, UT, and be extras for the Season 4 Finale of The Chosen. I can't express how much I love this show and how I've been sharing it with everyone. It has truly become a wonderful part of my new life as a Christian.

When I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, my life took a drastic turn. I was put on prednisone, a medication that weakened my immune system. This meant that during the pandemic, I had to isolate myself at home. It was during this challenging period that I discovered The Chosen. It felt like a divine intervention, a beacon of hope in a time of despair. My husband and I found solace in every live stream and episode. It was a source of comfort during a particularly rough season of my life. I've been a Christian since childhood, but The Chosen allowed me to experience Jesus in a new and profound way. It was as if I was falling in love with Him all over again. My heart's desire is for everyone to experience the incredible love and redeeming grace of Jesus. I am immensely grateful for The Chosen, for bringing Jesus closer to us in such a unique way. It's like a picture of Jesus, vivid and real, right in our living room.

I've spent my entire life as a Christian, consuming every portrayal of Christ in film and television that I could find. Yet, it wasn't until I watched "The Chosen" that I felt a profound connection to the authentic Jesus. From the very first episode, when Jesus called upon Mary Magdalene, I was hooked. I knew this was something special, something different. The series ignited a passion within me, a dedication and determination that I had never felt before. I was compelled to treat it with a reverence that was new to me. I wanted to see this series reach every corner of the world, just like the shepherd boy in the first episode who declared the birth of Jesus, insisting that people must know. From that moment on, I was all in, and I've remained so ever since. "The Chosen" has had a profound impact on my life, deepening my faith and bringing me closer to the Jesus I've always sought to know.