empty…

from despair to deliverance

I left the hospital with empty arms, haunted by the coldness of lost life. Despair, lies, and emotional bondage swirled in my mind and heart. Before I knew it, I was spiritually captive to my grief, like a prisoner of war.

Trapped in Satan’s bondage, we often unintentionally sabotage the calling and purpose which God dreams for us. Battling broken dreams and misplaced faith, we shake our fists in the face of God and beg to know “Why?”

Foreword by Dr. Ben Carson

If we had no trials or tribulations, we’d be in heaven. Unfortunately, for now we sojourners are bound to an imperfect planet filled with sin and its consequences. This book will help you realize at your times of greatest sadness and loneliness, that you are not alone. The One who knows all, who sees the beginning from the end, not only loves you but will guide your life and fill your emptiness. Remember “it’s always darkest before the dawn”, and God controls both the darkness and the dawning. When we feel empty, this is God’s greatest opportunity to fill us with accomplishment and joy.

Only in the scope of eternity will we fully understand the complex pieces of our lives. As an adoptee, I know I will be forever grateful for the ‘life-line’ of a wonderful Christian family. My adoptive parents experienced a season of emptiness with the devastating losses of two premature babies. That loss provided room on their ‘line’ for me as they opened their hearts and home to a tiny, orphaned baby girl. I’m moved by Donna’s masterfully woven account of her personal journey through tremendous suffering to joyful triumph. Her story is filled with insightful reminders of how to find God in the midst of deep suffering. Empty is a must-read for anyone who searches for wholeness in a life fraught with pain and loss.
- Kandus Thorp, Vice President of Hope Channel; Host of Let’s Pray! Host of My Story, My Song

Some books are hard to put down, and this is one of them. Our struggles in life can only begin to heal when we are honestly vulnerable with our thoughts and feelings towards God, others and ourselves. If you are searching for healing and hope, you will find it in this book. Read every word and let God speak to you.
- Janet Page, World Headquarters, Associate Secretary of Prayer/Pastoral Spouses/Families

No family is perfect; all families are going to have ups and downs. But I had everything because I was a part of a family consistently focused on Christ. Christ spent His time focusing on others. We can decide to use our free time entertaining ourselves and complaining about why bad things happen, or we can follow Christ’s example. My children would be extremely blessed if they were able to experience a childhood similar to mine.
- Tyler Willey, son of Rod and Donna Willey

My mother experienced probably the most tragic loss a woman can have, the loss of a child. What she held dear in this world was ripped away from her, not only once but twice. In the process of this horror, she somehow remained resilient to trust her dreams would be fulfilled one day. Her faith and patience were rewarded with the blessing of four adopted children. My parents raised all of us as though we were their own and instilled in us what it meant to have a loving family who supports and encourages one another. I can’t think of a better reference to this support than when I came down with a chronic illness that wrecked my life to the very core and caused severe stress in the family and specifically on my mother for two and a half years. Through this trial of despair in my life my mother was always there to accommodate my weakened existence and she never stopped supporting my efforts for recovery, and for this I am forever grateful. In terms of credibility on tragic loss and understanding suffering, my mom tops anyone I know.
- Bryce Willey, son of Rod and Donna Willey

Being adopted at birth, I never experienced the emptiness of not having a family. My birth mother knew she wouldn’t be able to provide me the substance I needed to live a full life. Christ has filled my life with the greatest family I could have ever asked for. Having emptiness only means there’s space to be occupied. My mom always said this space is Christ’s if we will let Him have it. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift — that’s why we call it the present. When we continually give each day to Christ, He will fill it to overflowing.
- Brock Willey, son of Rod and Donna Willey

Most people consider “empty” as a tragedy, but for me, it meant the chance of a lifetime. It is in empty spaces that God has room to work. Because my mom and dad tragically became empty, there was a place for me, a place set aside by God. This place is my family. I am very proud to be adopted twice, once by God and then by my parents. My mother always made bad situations look different; she never believed in accidents and taught me to always remember the best moments of each day. And that’s what she has done in the pages of this book.
- Tawnya Rogers, daughter of Rod and Donna Willey