In the shifting (or even collapsing) of everything familiar in life, you don't have to wring your hands in fear. Push past the loss of your "normal" with bestselling author and Bible teacher Laura Story, and step into the new story God is writing for you. You've been faced with circumstances beyond your control. Your plans are altered. But you have the blessing of a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved child in the best possible scenario for your good and growth. So Long, Normal guides you to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so you can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn. In her confessional, conversational style, worship leader, Bible teacher, and Christian recording artist Laura Story weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. So Long, Normal will help you: Process the trauma of the loss of your "normal" Learn to rest in God's plan for you instead of trying to control your circumstances Find true community and encouragement in your struggle with uncertainty Discover three great comforts and three gifts to steady you on your journey Face the future with fresh spiritual eyes and find joy in the unwavering strength of Christ Losing your "normal" is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure. It is possible to grow with grace through tough times, navigating the unknown secure in the knowledge that God is with you-every step of the way.

Is it possible for our faith in God to deepen despite loss, heartache, struggle, and pain? Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story's life testifies that God doesn't promise to save us from all hardship. No matter how hard we pray, sometimes our circumstances don't change. Laura's own story took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The devastating news forever changed their lives and challenged Laura's belief in the little control she thought she had. Her discovery: that her struggles to accept her new situation ended up convincing her even more strongly of God's faithfulness and love. In this five-session video study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Laura shares her deeply personal testimony and renewed hope to help us: Examine the promises of the gospel and what the Bible says about our experiences here on Earth. See how the hardships endured by some of the men and women of the Bible teach us how God works in our lives to bring us closer to him. Understand that the possibility exists for a deeper intimacy with God, whose everlasting promises remain no matter what happens in this life. This study guide includes leader helps, video discussion questions, Bible exploration questions, and personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions. Sessions include: Don't Be Surprised by Trouble - Healthy ways of recognizing the existence of loss and pain without being paranoid or cynical. Best-Made Plans - A closer look at human plans and God's plans and how they might be different. When God Doesn't Fix It - How stories of imperfect lives and struggles can showcase God's faithfulness and what that means for us. Why? The Question on Replay - Finding freedom in not having all the answers. A Better Broken - How to change despite our unchanging circumstances. Designed for use with When God Doesn't Fix It Video Study (sold separately).

Walk alongside Grammy Award-winning artist, worship leader, and Bible study
teacher Laura Story in her continuing journey of accepting God's plan for her
life and living it out in total surrender.

Laura Story's husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor early in their
marriage. In a moment their life plans changed drastically. After wondering about
their ability to be parents and a struggle with infertility, Laura gave birth to three
children, including twin boys, in three years' time. Then a sonogram at thirty-seven
weeks revealed an unexpected issue with their fourth child. No life is without trouble,
but when you face one challenging situation after another, your days can begin to feel
desperately hopeless. Yet God truly uses all things for our good. When offered up to
him, every circumstance can become a perfect opportunity to completely surrender
your will to his.

In I Give Up, Laura uses her story to show why surrender to God is important and
how we can go about doing it. She shares how surrendering expectations is not a
step-by-step process but a willful decision to wait on God, trusting that he and his
word are true. In this four-part study she explains

• why surrender is a good thing
• whom we surrender to
• how we surrender
• how our surrender affects the lives of others

Though surrender sometimes flies in the face of our instincts, hopes, and dreams, it's
never without benefit. A surrendered life includes the surprise of a true joy-filled
existence in which trust is reasonable, reconciliation is possible, and relationships can
heal.

Is it possible that good things can come out of our broken dreams? Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story's life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Their lives would never be the same. Yes, with God all things are possible. But the devastating news was that no cure existed to restore Martin's short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. The fairy-tale life Laura had dreamed of was no longer possible. And yet in struggling with God about how to live with broken dreams, Laura has found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus. In When God Doesn't Fix It, Laura helps you understand that: We aren't the only ones whose lives have taken unexpected turns Even heroes of our faith experienced brokenness Despite our flaws and stories, God can use us in extraordinary ways God may not fix everything. In fact, although your situation might not ever change or get better, with Jesus you can. Not because of your faith, but because of the faithfulness of God.

Laura Story's husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor early in their
marriage. In a moment their life plans changed drastically. After wondering about
their ability to be parents and a struggle with infertility, Laura gave birth to three
children, including twin boys, in three years' time. Then a sonogram at thirty-seven
weeks revealed an unexpected issue with their fourth child.

No life is without trouble, but when you face one challenging situation after another,
your days can begin to feel desperately hopeless. But for God . . . who truly uses all
things for our good, every circumstance can become a perfect opportunity to
demonstrate how much we can trust him. The very act of completely surrendering our
will to His can become the one act that will change your life forever.

In I Give Up, Laura uses her story to show why surrender to God is important and
how we can go about doing it. She shares how surrendering expectations is not a
step-by-step process but a willful decision to wait on God, trusting that He and His
word are true.

In this six-session study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately) she explains:

• why surrender is a good thing
• what we surrender exactly
• whom we surrender to
• how we surrender
• how our surrender affects the lives of others
• what we gain when we let go

Though surrender sometimes flies in the face of our instincts, hopes, and dreams, it's
never without benefit. A surrendered life includes the surprise of a truly full and
satisfying existence where trust is reasonable, reconciliation is possible, and
relationships can heal.

Designed for use with the I Give Up Video Study (sold separately).