Eveline

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.

I remember hearing some actors from Chosen doing readings on the Hallow app during Christmas. I've always been skeptical about Christian shows and movies, assuming they were cheesy with poor acting. But then, both Netflix and Amazon Prime kept recommending it. So, I decided to give it a shot, just one episode. To my surprise, I was instantly hooked. My friends now joke that I could be a marketer for the show, given my newfound passion for it! I'm currently on my third round of watching it and even participating in a Bible study alongside.

In 2018, I became a widow. The adjustments that come with losing a long-term partner are immense. Throughout it all, I held onto my faith in the Lord and His promises for widows. It was around Christmas time when I stumbled upon the original short episode that premiered before The Chosen was even produced. As I watched it, tears streamed down my face. I was completely emotionally invested in this short film. I couldn't stop watching it, and I started recommending it to everyone I knew. I felt compelled to learn more about the producers and the people behind this incredible project. My heart and spirit told me that I needed to invest in it, not just emotionally, but financially as well. To be honest, I didn't have a lot of money, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I am so grateful that God allowed me to be a part of it from the beginning. I only wish I had been a wealthy widow so I could have done more. But as Dallas always says, "Loaves and fishes!" In my case, I may have only brought a scrap of bread and a sardine, but it still made me feel incredible to be a part of something so meaningful. I continue to recommend the series to everyone I know. Recently, one of my daughters started watching it too. She has now watched the entire available series multiple times. Surprisingly, she has also developed an interest in Middle Eastern cooking because of The Chosen. I never saw that coming, but it's a nice bonus! I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dallas and everyone involved in this project. God's hand is truly all over it.