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Go on an unforgettable journey, with a woman who has unimaginable strength.
Stephanie Nielson began sharing her life in 2005 on nieniedialogues.com, drawing readers in with her warmth and candor. She quickly attracted a loyal following that was captivated by the upbeat mother happily raising her young children, madly in love with her husband, Christian (Mr. Nielson to her readers), and filled with gratitude for her blessed life.
However, everything changed in an instant on a sunny day in August 2008, when Stephanie and Christian were in a horrific plane crash. Christian was burned over 40 percent of his body, and Stephanie was on the brink of death, with burns over 80 percent of her body. She would remain in a coma for four months.
In the aftermath of this harrowing tragedy, Stephanie maintained a stunning sense of humor, optimism, and resilience. She has since shared this strength of spirit with others through her blog, in magazine features, and on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now, in this moving memoir, Stephanie tells the full, extraordinary story of her unlikely recovery and the incredible love behind it--from a riveting account of the crash to all that followed in its wake. With vivid detail, Stephanie recounts her emotional and physical journey, from her first painful days after awakening from the coma to the first time she saw her face in the mirror, the first kiss she shared with Christian after the accident, and the first time she talked to her children after their long separation. She also reflects back on life before the accident, to her happy childhood as one of nine siblings, her close-knit community and strong Mormon faith, and her fairy-tale love story, all of which became her foundation of strength as she rebuilt her life.
What emerges from the wreckage of a tragic accident is a unique perspective on joy, beauty, and overcoming adversity that is as gripping as it is inspirational. Heaven Is Here is a poignant reminder of how faith and family, love and community can bolster us, sustain us, and quite literally, in some cases, save us.
Praise for Heaven Is Here
"In Heaven Is Here, Stephanie chronicles in harrowing detail the unspeakable tragedy that would forever alter her life. But the real story is this: Through all the tears, pain, upheaval, sadness, and struggles, it was Stephanie's faith--and the abundant love of her beautiful family--that brought her back to life. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a reminder of just how strong the human spirit is, and how instrumental faith can be in overcoming what life throws at us."
--Ree Drummond, author of The Pioneer Woman Cooks
"Moving and transformative, Heaven Is Here is one of those rare books that causes you to count your blessings, and it reminds you that even in face of devastating loss, you can rebuild to become stronger. Gripping from beginning to end."
--Liz Murray, author Breaking Night
"How do you find your way back to happiness after your everyday life has been shattered? Stephanie paints a vivid picture of the happy life she possessed before a devastating plane crash--and how she built that happiness again. Honest, insightful, and compulsively readable, this book gave me much food for thought."
--Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project
"For anyone who wonders how they will come through a difficult time, Heaven Is Here proves that human beings were built to survive. Stephanie weaves a humbling and spellbinding tale of how her perfect life was upended on one beautiful afternoon. Her story is a powerful testament of the healing powers of an unyielding faith, the gift of family, and the unshakable love of her husband."
--Lee Woodruff, author In an Instant
I fell to the ground and crushed the brilliant flames that licked at my clothes, my skin, my hair. The mangled wreck of our airplane blazed nearby.
I lay on my back at the base of a tree, looking at the clouds moving across the sky. Through my tears, I noticed a leaf that fluttered in the breeze, bright green against the blue sky, far above the chaos.
A stranger rushed toward me and knelt at my side. He cradled my head in both of his hands and put it in his lap. "It's going to be all right," he said, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
The fire roared in my ears. An oppressive wall of heat pulsed against me. The air was sour—a sickening mixture of fuel, singed hair, and burning flesh. That smell is me. I am burning. How did this happen?
Where is my husband? Just minutes ago, I was in the backseat of the Cessna, admiring how capable he looked staring out the window of the cockpit as we taxied down the runway. Where is he now?
I had pizza dough rising on the counter at home and four young children to feed. Christian and I had planned to pick them up from my in-laws in an hour and a half. I felt an irrational desire for someone to just pick me up, brush me off, and send me on my way. If I didn't get home, who would make Claire's butter and honey sandwiches for her first-grade lunch box next week? Who would know to get Jane off the kindergarten bus in the middle of the day? I pictured her little red head climbing off the bus to an empty porch—no mother to hug her home from school, no little brothers playing in the yard. I imagined the bus pulling away, Jane locked out of the house.
People rushed in and out of my line of vision with a sense of urgency. Some of them wore work clothes, as if they'd been mowing their lawns or working in the garden until the moment our airplane crashed on their street and they'd been called to duty. I felt guilty for interrupting their Saturday. Like me, they all had other things to do.
"Thank you for being here," I said to the man who held my head. "You don't have to stay."
"I'm going to stay," he said. "I'm going to be right here."
Other people hovered around me a few minutes at a time. They tried to reassure me, but it seemed they needed convincing as much as I did. Their lips mouthed words of comfort, but their faces betrayed them.
They are scared, I realized. When they look at me, they are scared.
Until then, some miraculous dam of adrenaline or heavenly help had held back the agony of my injuries. But the faces around me were crowded with worry, and the dam buckled. Suddenly, pain spilled over, crashing relentlessly against me, wave after stinging wave. Every inch of my body throbbed, overloaded with agony.
"It's going to blow!" someone yelled. "Get the hose!" The burning airplane popped and crackled dangerously near a propane tank, and neighbors-turned-rescue-workers yelled back and forth above the noise. I braced myself for another explosion, but the roar of the fire held steady.
My jeans kept the heat tight against my legs. I rubbed my hands against them, trying to pull them off, but my hands didn't seem to be working. I lifted them to see why. Flaps of skin hung from my wrists. My hands themselves were gray and bloody. I saw my bones. I dropped my arms to the ground and willed away the image.
"Hey, you're going to be OK," the stranger said with believable conviction. The doubt in his eyes was gone. "You're going to be all right."
Above him, the leaf fluttered, alive and healthy. A feeling swept over me and took root in my heart.
I am going to be all right.
The dark smoke billowed around us, and blackened the sky, the tree, and my leaf.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Heaven Is Here by Stephanie Nielson Copyright © 2012 by Stephanie Nielson. Excerpted by permission of Hyperion Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
TaylorPTP
Posted April 13, 2012
I Also Recommend:
EXCELLENT!!
This story is a reminder to all of us that we have a choice in this life as to how we deal with life and in this case adversity that most of us would have to do much battle with ourselves to face. This is pretty heavy subject matter. It starts out telling Stephanie’s story before the plane crash, growing up adorable, meeting her husband and having her family. The plane crash left her face disfigured and terribly scarred. It really helps you to understand what it feels like to be a patient and the difference that a care giver who really cares can make. There is great detail written in about the medical side also that showed that much research had to have been done. Excellent!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 9, 2012
Mrs. Nielson is an inspiring author and incredible woman. The crash brought unspeakable tragedy into her life, but with faith in Jesus Christ she overcomes much of the difficulty and uses this tragedy to share her love for the Lord (by writing this book, public appearances, etc.) and spreading a message of hope. It is a beautiful book. Thank you NieNie!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.themiraclesnook
Posted April 19, 2012
I really was inspired by this book . It is the true story of Stephanie Nielson. I like how Stephanie set the book up to tell her story. She has it in parts. She tells the story of her life before the crash. Then she talks of surviving the plane crash. The same crash that has left her beauty scarred. She talks of the medical side of her healing and most important the spiritual side of her healing. I found her faith both inspiring and refreashing. She is living proof that God uses all things for our good. I give this 4 stars.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ireadmanybooks
Posted April 13, 2012
I was sad to finish this book. It was so well wriiten. Inspiring
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.di17
Posted April 10, 2012
Loved the book, such an amazing and beautiful story. I would recommend this book to everyone.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2012
I would recommend this book to all my friends
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 6, 2012
Loved the book, thought it was a well written document of Nienie's life before, during and after the accident. Well done, Nie!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2012
An amazing story of recovery and coming back to life. A beautiful life.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Skidcrick
Posted April 20, 2013
Very heartwarming and touching. Everyone should read this book. Stephanie gives the true meaning to the importance of being a mother. This story will change you if you let it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2013
I was extremly touched by the story. The title is a little weitd but it was a really good read. The stoty is a great message about not giving up hope. I STRONGLY sugest this book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 4, 2012
Everyone needs to read this book. Incredibly inspiring, and very well written. I was on the verge of tears, sad tears, happy tears, moments that took my breath away. She truly is a miracle, and lives life to the fullest.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2012
I was extremely moved by Stephanie's story and the only word to describe her journey of recovery "AC" (after the crash) is as stated above, UNIMAGINABLE. I highly recommend her book and now when I think I'm havin' a bad day...I can think of NieNie and stop right there. Bless her and her husband for sharing their story with the world.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2012
A truley blessed story. Thank you Nie for ssharing your journey! You go gurl!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.booksv
Posted May 21, 2012
This was a wonderful book. I couldn't put this down it was so intriging. I hope she writes a sequal to this.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.okiedee
Posted May 7, 2012
I have been following the Nielson's for quite some time. I always get a great feeling from reading her blog. I find the book very easy to read, and so inspirational. What a family this is...such good family oriented people. Stephanie is a strong woman and so very honest in her writing. She gives me motivation to get things done. I highly recommend this book for all to read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2012
I cried and laughed, and was disappointed to have the book end. Stephanie shows an example of true beauty, and teaches the reader about whats important in life. This book really makes a person count their blessings and work to be better in their own lives.
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Posted April 20, 2012
Fantastic book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 9, 2012
Insirational story a very strong womans journry. This book helps to remind us all of how precious life is and how quickly it can all change. I went thru many tissues!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2012
320 pages seemed like 80. It is a fast and wonderful story - well written, well edited and just plain inspiriting
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Posted April 7, 2012
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Overview
Go on an unforgettable journey, with a woman who has unimaginable strength.
Stephanie Nielson began sharing her life in 2005 on nieniedialogues.com, drawing readers in with her warmth and candor. She quickly attracted a loyal following that was captivated by the upbeat mother happily raising her young children, madly in love with her husband, Christian (Mr. Nielson to her readers), and filled with gratitude for her blessed life.
However, ...