"I am determined to greet each day that I am blessed to behold with the things of which I am certain: that God is in control, His Word will sustain and strengthen me, His Spirit will revive me, His promises will never fail, and His plans will unfold as He proclaims.”
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From Day 40: Soaring Over the Valley
About the Book
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Soaring Over the Valley contains forty short stories about my personal journey through a rare type of salivary gland cancer that was diagnosed in 2023. Each story is God-inspired and includes Bible passages, reflective questions, and simple prayers to help readers focus their hearts and minds as they battle with cancer or a similar health challenge. The book offers a message of hope and healing, showing readers that even in the darkest of times, God's faithfulness and miracles can provide light and strength for the journey ahead.
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What inspired me?
Throughout my cancer journey, I experienced a roller coaster of emotional and physical pain due to the changes in my physical appearance, speech, sight, and taste. I started out writing a memoir about my life journey. As I was writing, I sensed God whispering, “Write a devotional book about your cancer journey.” I told him that this was too hard for me. It wasn’t like I didn’t
know how to write. I released my first non-fiction book, Practical Ways to Better Mental Health: Food and Lifestyle Strategies, on the connection between mental health and nutrition one month before my diagnosis. Even so, the nudge grew stronger, and I started to write, using my journal entry as a starting point. My love for journaling substantially contributed to my ability
to remember the many details of my experience with the cancer journey, helped me to retain God’s spiritual truths, and provided the strength I needed to progress through this adversity.​
What I hope you will gain
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Soaring Over the Valley was written to help readers gain insight into my journey and discover ways to increase their strength, courage, and endurance while soaring over any adversity they may face, present or future. The number 40 holds significance in the Bible, symbolizing a period of testing and transformation, making it a fitting framework for readers to reflect and grow spiritually.
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About Kathleen J. Gooden
Hello friend! I am Kathleen J. Gooden, author of Soaring Over the Valley: 40 days of God-inspired Devotions. This devotional writing is a personal reflection from my daily prayer journal and quiettime spent in reading the Bible, studying and praying. My love for journaling played a major role in helping me recall all the details of my cancer experience, which helped me to retain God’s spiritual truths, and provided the strength I needed to progress on this journey. In 2023, I was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer which affected my face, my smile, my look, and my outlook. Like many people receiving such a diagnosis, I wept among other emotions that will be described in this devotional. But through it all, I grew from weakness to strength, despair to victory, and darkness into light as I saw this diagnosis change my trust and confidence in God. Soaring Over the Valley was written to help people find strength and confidence needed to soar over any adversity that they may face in their lives.
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Be Blessed,
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Kathleen J. Gooden
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But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
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How the Book is Organized
​Each of the 40-day devotions includes three sections:
1
Read
I have provided a Bible verse for each day and a short story about my health journey. While a scripture from the Bible is provided, I highly recommend and encourage you to open your Bible and read the other verses in the surrounding context.
2
Reflect
After you have read and pondered each day’s material, reflect on the question while allowing God to speak to you through His words. Take time to answer the question honestly and thoughtfully. You may want to consider a journal to keep your responses
3
Pray
Each day concludes with a simple and short prayer to help you focus your heart and mind on what it requires to soar over the valley or any adversity that you may face.
What People Are Saying
