Hello Again!
First and foremost, THANK YOU everyone who viewed my site, read my post and/or followed my blog over the last week! It was an incredible encouragement for me as I move forward with this new chapter in my life. I was absolutely thrilled to see all the different countries that were represented in the visitors/views statistics shown by wordpress.com for my first post. Wow. All I can say is thank you. I pray I can be a continuous source of encouragement for you now, and in the future.
So, I tried to get real “techie” for you all today and create a video blog! I may have underestimated that undertaking, and bit off more than I could chew. But as the saying goes, “What doesn’t make you throw your computer across the room, makes you stronger.” Right? Yes, I think that’s how it goes.
All joking aside, this really was a fun learning project for me that I’m so excited to get to share with you tonight! The vlog is about 34 minutes long and includes a brief overview of my life and testimony, as well as a little piece of encouragement for the week ahead. I hope this post will allow you and I to connect on a more personal level than writing alone! Enjoy!
Love in Christ,
Helen E. W. Strickland
Get to know Helen – Video Blog from Helen Strickland on Vimeo.
{Included Music (Listed in Playlist Order): Sarah Reeves – “Good Good Father (Acoustic Piano Version)”; Relient K – “Empty House”, “Let It All Out”; Hillsong UNITED – “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”; Relient K – “Heartache”, “God”, “When I Go Down”; NEEDTOBREATHE – “Washed by the Water”}
Helen Elizabeth Peters & Your Best New Self Ministries 
Thank you so much for discussing your testimony, especially how you’ve chosen to trust God’s plan for you. A few years ago I lost my significant other in a car accident… Now, I’m an incredibly blessed young wife but am struggling at this very moment with anxiety and fear as my husband just left for a six week business trip. The terribly painful feelings of loneliness and loss creep up at times like this. However, your video encouraged me to be constantly reevaluating who comes first in my life: God or my husband, and to always trust His plan. Thank you, Helen. 🙂
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First, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can imagine that they too might be something I will face in the years ahead, if and when I ever get remarried. I’m thankful that my video could encourage you and in your times of loneliness. One of the girls I will discuss later in one of my blogs is the following quote that I want to inspire you with today…”Loneliness and Solitude are two things not to get confused, because in my solitude I spend my time with You.” God’s there. He’s Listening. And He’s going to be with you during these next 6 weeks! I promise.
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Thank you for sharing this! Seriously you were made to do this. The platform that God has given you through tragedy is a beautiful representation of His goodness. What an incredible impact you are having on others.
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THANK YOU! I’m a words of encouragement kind of girl, so this just fuels my fire in the best way possible! Thank you!
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First, your Salem baby is the most adorable! He seems so calm and just loving 🙂 Thanks for sharing so much of yourself in your vlog and allowing us to get to know you. I am currently kind of towards the beginning of my transformation journey. It is, uh, tough to say the least but my faith and love for God pushes me to keep praising and trusting Him. Some days, I am on the floor with my face as close as it’ll go praying and bawling for hours it seems, but the joy and blessings He has shown me through my own storms won’t let me give up or give in. I, too am not a morning person but it’s one of the times I choose to pray. It’s funny to see myself popping up full of energy at 5 or 6am to pray. I couldn’t think of where that spunk came from, then I look up to the sky and say ‘That was you, God’ haha. It was awesome getting to know and hear about some of the moments you have that many of us can relate to. I am encouraged.
Were all of or any of the songs from Hillsong? Beautiful music choices!!
Blessings from Pennsylvania
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I just finished reading this comment and currently have the biggest smile on my face! Take in every moment of your transformation period. Good, Bad and all the in-between. It is such a sweet and purposeful time in your life that will keep you going when times get tough. Praying and sending encouragement your way for the days ahead!
And Yes! Salem Baby is the SWEETEST thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of loving, ha! He showed up on my doorstep one year after my transformation period started. I guess God knew I needed a friend in my lonely time!
And as far as music is concerned, these are all the songs on my favorite playlist! I’ll add the songs onto my Vlog Post!
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Thank you for making this video. I have enjoyed getting to know a little about who you are. I am on an incredible journey getting to know and trust Christ better and I truly believe that were placed in my path by Him. I look forward to many more posts.
With love,
Suzette A
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Oh! I’m SO excited for you and your journey to trust Christ! That is such an exciting place to be…I will never forget how wonderful it felt when that moment clicked for me and I ran after Him at breaking speed. Praying that He sets your heart on fire for him and that you can be a brilliant light for others!
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This was everything I needed and more tonight! I can’t explain how much it hit home. Currently going through a tough break up with the same questions and hurt. I feel a sense of refreshness after listening! Thank you so much! Xoxo
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I’m so glad I could help! There is so much wisdom to be gained in our saddest and most difficult moments. Keep your head up! I promise God hears your questions and hurt and has an action plan set for life! #BeEncouraged
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I wanted to thank you for being willing to share your heart and story. I never expected to be so deeply moved and convicted as strongly as I was this evening as I listened to you pour out your testimony. My heart breaks for the path you are walking but you so gracefully and genuinely point to His hope and light as your strength…..that purpose and perspective have hit me hard tonight. I can only imagine how many others feel the same……God is already using you mightily….and I am so thankful for your care to reach out and your obedient heart. May He bless you richly sweet little sister and continue to grant you unexpected peace and joy and love as you continue this journey. Thank you for the reminder that God does see and know us right where we are….I so needed that. ❤
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This makes my heart so happy…Thank you so much for your encouragement! And I’m so thankful my message could speak to you! That’s all that really matters as I start this chapter of my life.
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Hi Helene, you life has touch me in so many ways. I love seeing your pictures and reading your stories of past and present on Instagram that one night I literally cried myself to sleep watching your wedding video of you and your late husband..though I truly love my husband and all those apart of my life but your video displayed God’s love and affection that I hadn’t felt for a long time. Some nights I go to sleep feeling so sad, but that short wedding video touched my heart! One day I saw a picture of you and your late husband in a pool and from the side he looks like my son! We tagged you on Instagram! I am so looking forward to reading your blogs! Your strength and courage truly inspires me..
With much love,
BettyM R…
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Wow. Thank you so much! This touches my heart so profoundly! Thank you for watching our video and keeping up with me via social media. I’m truly humbled to know that I could lift your heart when it felt so heavy. Thank you so much for your sweet comment friend!
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Love your heart and your truth!! Your journey is definitely one to be shared!
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Thank you so much friend!
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I just cried! Watching your vlog and seeing how you’re not afraid to share emotions, feelings, or your love in Christ is truly inspiring! I have not been the Christian I was raised to be. I’ve stumbled as most of us have. I’m ashamed to say I did get mad and question God in my past. I’ll never do that again! Thank you for your honesty, your heart, and your testimony! You are so strong and I will strive to be closer to God and live for his will, whatever may come! I pray for you still, and have since the day your husband went missing. Thank you for sharing and helping me to realize my love and faith again! You’re a blessing and I would be proud to spread your encouragement and love for HIM. I’m happy to call you my friend. Above that, my sister through Christ!
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This was so encouraging. Many pieces of your story related to my personal story. Thank you for sharing!!!
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It is unbelievable how strong you are in your faith after going through such a tragic time. I cannot even express how much I needed this right now. Through confusion and being afraid to move on from my current marriage, your testimony has really shed light on the importance of having a relationship with Christ and putting him first. It truly felt as if you were speaking directly to me and I was meant to hear your testimony. I look up to you in so many ways and really admire your grace and strength! God bless!
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I just want to hug you now! This was so encouraging. So thankful that God blessed us with sisters in Christ.
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Beautiful Helen,
I am so encouraged by this vlog ! It’s amazing to see you out ministering in such a short time of your husband passing. But the truth is – you’ve been ministering the whole time ! I truly believe that this whole thing you’ve been through was like a labor in spirit , that is birthing this beautiful perfect ministry you have . This is going to reach more people than you have even imagined , just prepare for increase . I pray that literally everything you touch in the name of Jesus will multiply and bear much fruit. I’ve been watching and praying for encouragement and protection over you ever since I heard about the search for Craig. I’ve shed so many tears for you and was there at the service over live stream . I am so thankful for you. I am so thankful for your ministry . The world needs beautiful , talented women to speak up in the name of Jesus and be examples of what God can do with a surrendered life. This is what you are . You are His perfect example . He is using you now , but you will not even recognize yourself in a year from now . He is going to activate so many things on your behalf literally taking you from glory to glory . I carry you in my spirit , and just want you to know how loved and how precious you are . I wrote a song shortly before Craig’s passing , and I didn’t know why I wrote it . I actually didn’t even feel like I wrote it . It came out as is ,while I was just in a real attitude of prayer . When I heard of your story , I understood why.
I went into the studio and recorded it as a demo , but was too afraid to send it to you . I knew you probly had a lot of things coming your way , and I wanted to be sensitive ( as I understand sometimes people wanting to send you music can feel like pressure and not a blessing)
I would still love to send it to you over email if that’s possible .
Anyway – again, thank you so much and God bless you as you continue to press on. Your blog made me question things today as well. Is my life really about God? Is there anything that I withhold from Him? He showed me an area of my life with a specific person in my family that I hold onto in my heart just a little too tightly . Thank you for being used by God. You are amazing.
❤Bethany Cruz
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I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for following GOD and trusting HIM and posting this video so that HE may bless others. I am going thru a very difficult time, and I wanted you to know that I was greatly encouraged by your words and testimony. He is using us and moving us in ways that we cannot understand. But GOD does. Thank you my friend.
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Hi Helen,
I am ashamed to say that I was originally among the people who found your smiling & positive behavior during the search for Craig a bit odd. But the more I followed the story and learned of yours and Craig’s relationship both with eachother and with God, the more I began to realize that my initial impression couldn’t have been more wrong. Your faith in God and your ability to stay positive and to seek Him during the darkest days are honestly so inspiring. I”m looking forward to your future blog posts! 🙂
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