Ashley and Lori's Place -
Then and Now
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Something about us .....
Ashley's Testimony (24k) - in .pdf format
My name is Lori Hegi and I live in Southern Alberta with my ten- year- old
daughter Ashley. My life changed dramatically when I learned she had a disease
called Progeria. Another life changing event occurred three months ago when
Jesus Christ saved me from sin and began a personal loving relationship with me.
As I look back, I can see the work of a caring God in protecting me from danger,
and ultimately bringing me to a place where I could hear what He had to say.
I think back to a time when I was 12 years old. I fell through the ice and was
trapped underneath until a friend managed to reach in the hole, grab my hair and
pull me to safety. I did not understand why or how I lived that day or how we
made it across the half frozen river to the other side. I can remember many
times throughout my life, many accidents and many 'close calls'.
I had lived my life 'my' way and I was good at defying rules and responsibility.
I dropped out of school, ran away from home, stole and lied. I drank and did
drugs.
When I was 17, I became pregnant. During my pregnancy, I temporarily stopped
using alcohol and drugs. I knew I wanted this child growing inside me. Nine
months later, a precious gift was given to me. Her name, Ashley Brooke. Being a
mother motivated me to slightly alter the path I was on, although I was still
depending on all the wrong things to numb the pain and regret from my earlier
choices and from the stresses of living. I still felt alone, as if I had to do
everything for myself. It seemed I had no one I could count on.
When Ashley was nine months old, she was diagnosed with Progeria. My world came
crashing down when I first saw a picture of a 13-year-old with this disease. I
didn't know what to say, do or think. I did know that I loved my daughter very
much and that she meant the world to me. I also felt that somehow we would be
okay. As she grew, she had such strength and wisdom, such love and spirit. She
became my rock, my reason for living. I knew that there must be a purpose for
this to happen. I always thought," Something greater must be at work here." I
hoped I was right…there had to be more to this life.
The next ten years, I relied heavily on the party scene to help me cope with the
reality of Ashley's condition. I became an aspiring Kickboxer, owned a Ninja
motorcycle, rode a Harley and I seemed to collect admirers. However, I still
felt as if I wasn't getting the whole picture. Life still felt meaningless and
empty.
Then came a day, late December, 2001, when I just couldn't go on. I couldn't
live my life the way I was- not one more second. I knew I was alone and that I
had made many mistakes. The more I tried to dull the pain and fill the void, the
more it grew. I felt like I was a failure as a person and as a parent. I fell to
my knees and cried and cried. I realized that I had done wrong. I felt I was a
bad person. The words, "Forgive me, for I have sinned." came out over and over.
I couldn't stop. I was on my knees, face down, tears flowing like rivers down my
face and all over me. I can remember that moment so clearly. I didn't know or
care then, why or to who I was crying out. I had hit my 'rock bottom'. Although
I had trophies, motorcycles, a 'well toned' body and admirers galore, I
realized I really had nothing. I didn't realize and understand then, but God was
listening to me. He had heard my cry and he was answering me. In the next few
days, I began to make some changes. I found a little red Bible in Ashley's room
and began to read it. It started to ease the emptiness I felt inside. I began to
have a new perspective and appreciation for life and what I had.
I suddenly left a relationship without explanation and relocated. I turned away
from everyone and everything associated with my past life, because I knew they
were harmful to me. From experience, I knew that I would find no peace, no
satisfaction, no hope from them. I knew they would leave me feeling empty and
alone. Thankfully, I still had Ashley… my inspiration. For all the times I was
not there 100% for her, she had always been there for me. However, despite all
these changes I still found myself feeling; heartbroken, guilty, alone and full
of sadness.
Then I heard about Jesus Christ. The Lord brought me to a place where two men
were teaching from the Bible. I heard clearly about God's Son, Jesus and how He
came to this earth to save sinners by dying on the cross. They taught that his
death had been for me and that He had miraculously risen from the dead to enable
me to live a new kind of life- the abundant kind. Jesus said," I have come that
you might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10 It was after three
days of hearing this message that I accepted God's gift of forgiveness for sins.
I will never forget that moment, when I understood that God was real and that He
had been wanting me to know Him. I was saved- saved by God's grace and rescued
from an eternity in hell. What a relief!! How great it was to no longer be held
down by my sins. I was free!! And you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free." John 8:32
Now, the Bible tells me that I am seated in Christ. I am still here physically,
yes, but my home is in Heaven. Praise God!! Let me tell you what I've found.
I've found freedom from the fear of death, freedom from satan, freedom from the
weight of my sin. I've found Someone to count on. In reading the Word of God, I
have peace, joy, satisfaction and hope. I have everlasting life, all because of
Christ!
I've learned since then that Ashley is not my rock. Jesus Christ is my Rock and
because of Him, Ashley and I now stand on that Rock together. We'll be safe
there forever.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish but has everlasting life." John 3:16.
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