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More to Hear From Laura Story

Written by Terry DeBoer on . Posted in Local

Story235A little known fact about singer-songwriter Laura Story: She once was a student at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“I was there for one semester and got homesick and went home,” recalled Story, 36, from her home near Atlanta. Ga. “But I loved it up there…. it was beautiful.”
(Story returns to Grand Rapids on May 16 – details below).

Who knows where the future may have led the South Carolina native had she remained at Calvin. But as it is, Story developed her faith as well as her musical skills into a multi-faceted career as a singer-songwriter, church worship leader, recording/performing artist and author, while also tending to a husband and three young children.


It’s a juggling act that few could handle. “I feel like I’m still learning a lot as I go along,” she said. “Sometimes I feel pretty overwhelmed, but the Lord really does sustain me.”

A significant part of her pilgrimage is walking with her husband Martin on his health journey.


                        ANOTHER STORY

“He was diagnosed with a brain tumor about nine years ago,” recalled Story of Martin’s initial medical challenge and resulting surgery. “It’s been a rough road living with his vision deficit and a memory deficit and his health not being at 100 percent.”

“It’s that balance for really hoping and praying for change but accepting the life that God has given us today.”

While living through the troubling uncertainties Story wrote “Blessings,” her signature anthem. The tender song prayerfully asks the questions “W
hat if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears?”
The poignant ballad won Grammy and Dove awards in 2012, reached No. 1 on the Christian charts, and spawned a devotional book.

“I really feel like our faith is not so much about trusting God to keep us out of the hard situations – it’s about trusting God to bring us through them,” she said.


The couple has three children – a daughter Josie, who turns 3 later this year, and twin boys Benjamin and Griffin, born last fall.

The artist came into national prominence when her song “Indescribable” was popularized by Chris Tomlin on his 2004 “Arriving” CD. Story signed a recording contract of her own and has released a string of studio albums, the most recent “God of Every Story.”


“It’s about seeing God in the midst of our stories – whether the hard chapters or the joyful chapters,” she said of songs such as “I Can Just Be Me.”

                         MORE THAN MUSIC

Earlier on the day of her local concert Story will participate in a conference at Meijer Gardens sponsored by Hope Through The Storm Ministries (http://hopeconference2015.org). The faith-based organization encourages persons (and their families) facing serious illness or disability. Dr. Tony Campolo is one of the presenters and there are several local speakers.

“I’m really so excited to be part of that event and really believe in what they’re doing,” said the artist who will travel here with her children. “We’re really hoping it will be a time for those who are trying to sort out the brokenness of their own stories and can find hope and healing.”


Her experiences have yielded another book: “When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted To Learn, Truths You Can’t Live Without.” The book’s official release date is in September.

“It’s for so many of us who live lives where God has answered our prayers differently than we thought he would, or maybe not in the time frame we expected,” she offered. “We’ve learned so much through Martin’s disability and we’ve found that there are a lot of people living there.”

The book includes scriptures and song lyrics as well as stories – even some about her own family that she hasn’t previously shared.

“It’s not people reading it and saying ‘Wow, they’ve been through so much and they’re doing a great job.’ Rather, they will see us in our weakness and see God’s strength displayed in our brokenness.”


                                   CONTINIUING ALONG THE WAY

Story serves as one of several worship leaders at Perimeter Church, a large Atlanta-area church where her husband also works part-time. She also has been adding to her Christmas CD (“God With Us”) which will be issued this fall.

The artist has memories of her arena-sized tour of last year - she opened for the inspirational-pop band Casting Crowns for a string of concerts that included a stop in Van Andel Arena.

“I had some morning sickness since I was pregnant with the twins,” she recalled. “But it was a wonderful time.”


Just the Facts:   

What: An evening with singer-songwriter Laura Story

When: 7 p.m. Sat. May 16

Where: Sunshine Community Church, 3300 E. Beltline NE.

The event is a benefit for Hope Through the Storm Ministries, a faith-based group that works with families /persons with serious illness and disabilities.
Tickets: Range from $15 to $25, with VIP tickets at $30. Available at
http://www.itickets.com/events/323906/Grand_Rapids_MI/Laura_Story.html or by phone at 800-965-9234.
Author Information
Terry DeBoer
Author: Terry DeBoer
About:
Terry is a journalist/feature writer for newspapers, magazines and websites, with a background in radio broadcasting. His usual beat is arts and entertainment, specializing in Christian/gospel music. A married father of two, he is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan Contributing Writer: West Michigan Christian News August 2011 – Present Feature writer: -Mlive.com (website and various newspapers) 1988– 2016 -Spotlight New Christian Music Magazine 1997-2008 -Church News Editor, Church Herald Magazine 2004-2009

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