ONE STEP CLOSER, A Bridge From Grief to Healing, by Elvia Atherton
One Step Closer was written for you to help you walk through your own process of grief. Elvia shares her very personal journay in a most poignant manner. Using her journal as the framework for her story, she takes you on a journey from devastation--her young son's untimely death and its aftermath--to a place of healing, acceptance, and resolution. Her transparent honesty and sensitivity will be your guide from tragedy to wellness. The tools she presents to her readers are immensely practical and can be utilized by anyone. Her faith in God has brought her to the amazing realization that every step she takes is truly just One Step Closer..... From the back cover.
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"Such a heartfelt biblically sound practical guide for navigating through the grief process could only have been produced by a fellow Christian who has already made the journey. The reader will profit greatly by Atherton's testimony of the awesome power of the indwelling Spirit strengthening and sustaining her along the way as another one of His followers being used by the Lord to trample those evil cosmic forces of darkness under Elvia's feet." "One Step Closer"ought to be required reading for anyone aspiring to enter the Christian Pastoral Ministry and those who have been Spiritually gifted with that of mercy and compassion. I wish I had access to this insightful resource years ago. I intend to keep several copies on hand to give to Christians who are grieving over a loss through the sudden death of a loved one as well as those experiencing other losses such as the unexpected death of their marriage. And--in humble reliance upon the Lord's blessing, "One Step Closer" can become a powerful evangelistic weapon in His Arsonal Christians can utilize in the relentless spiritual warfare raging throughout this dark sin infested planet."
Pastor MIKE CUNNINGHAM, New Covenant Baptist Church, South Burlington, Vermont
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"One Step Closer was written by my lifelong friend, Elvia Atherton, as a result of some of the darkest days of her life. Each of us at some point will likely face the loss of someone they love. Elvia invites us into her personal journey of recovery following the sudden death of her young son, Brian. She shares with utter transparency and bold honesty how God led her through grief, healing, restoration and, ultimately, peace and joy. Her story is a powerful, practical and personal look at the real struggles of recovery from loss. It is an invitation to break free of every hinderance to posessing and enjoying God's best for us, in us, and through us." "Elvia's story awakens new hope and brings new understanding of how the grace of God sustains us through our trials, taking us into a deeper reality of His faithfulness. One Step Closer calls us to the promise of greatness we all carry despite what we go through and toward a new hope for tomorrow. She takes us into her personal journal, sharing invaluable lessons she learned of how God provides light for each step toward healing. She tackles the issues that are a part of loss: fear, anger, brokenness, and forgiveness. With personal insight, she navigates us through the truth of God's Word and points us to the healing love of our heavenly Father. Elvia's no nonsense, straightforward challenge to go beneath the surface opens up truths that are mind-changing, life-challenging, and spirit-transforming. She addresses common questions and fallacies about the grief process and shares her depth of understanding of our need for utter dependence on God." From the foreward.
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"Elvia has been knocked down but not out...quite the contrary. Although she has been through crushing and unthinkable times, she has come through the crucible of life with the compassion and authority to be able to comfort others with the comfort God has given to her. Refusing to become bitter or allow grief to back her into a dark corner, she has emerged with fresh faith and trust in God. She has found and embraced a deep and lasting peace which nothing earthly can disturb. Elvia discovered that there is God's part in the process, that there is our part in the process, and how important it is to understand both." "One Step Closer is one of the best books on healing from loss that I have ever read. Throughout the pages of this book, I found myself between tears, reflection, and personal application. Although it was painful to see someone I love so much walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I have been blessed and inspired as she contended to go to a higher place. Dissatisfied with shallow levels of 'healing' that try to pass off as true freedom, she courageously plunged into the depths of all that God had for her, choosing His ways over hers. My heart has been forever impacted by her life and I believe this book will be a powerful tool in the hands of hurting people who are ready to move forward. Thank you, Elvia, for sharing your story, your pain, and your journey toward restoration and destiny with such practical truth and personal transparency."
Rev. DIANA L. KRIESEL, South Burlington, Vermont
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"Many years ago I lost one of my dear nephew's in a tragic accident and the Lord became my constant source of comfort but I still miss him today and always will. My sister had a very hard time of it after her son died and searched for healing in many places. Depression became a constant companion with her. I wish I could have shared with her Elvia's lovely book filled with hope and I am sure I will. Elvia has been given a special gift from God to help many who are going through a deep loss, be it the death of a loved one or any other significant loss. The steps she has been given can guide many through grief to healing. Thanks for sharing the book and especially Elvia with me."
Sister KAREN POZNIAK, SNDdeN, BCC, Chaplain Educator Fletcher Allen Health Care Karen.Pozniak@vtmednet.org
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“Four years ago I met a man whose son was one of four kids tragically killed in an auto accident. Because of his pain, he told me the kind of god he had come to grips with was one who wasn't in control of everything. I told him that kind of god is not really God at all. Elvia Atherton's book, One Step Closer, is a brief but refreshing rebuttal of the popular idea that the things which hurt us most must somehow be outside God's control. Her response to the tragedy of losing a son has been to turn to a sovereign God to learn more about Him rather than to deny His power and run from His call of relationship. She communicates a much needed message for today's me-istic culture.”
Pastor ARCHIE WALKER, Bible Central of Enosburg Vermont
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"One Step Closer by Elvia Atherton is a unique book on dealing with grief and loss. I have never run across anything quite like it. Elvia uses a style and approach in a very practical manner. She provides all the nugget’s that are needed to work through grief. For a self published book I found the quality to be exceptional. Another nice thing is that Elvia is not an expert on grief, but an extraordinary everyday person who has produced something better than that of many people who have been trained in the field."
Pastor STEVE SEIPKE, First Baptist Church, Montpelier, Vermont
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"Thank you so much for bringing Elvia to our church to speak; it was very emotional for me (and I imagine for anyone else who has lost a loved one under similar circumstances). I felt that her story was a true blessing, as was her book, as I have struggled to deal with and understand my sister's suicide four years ago. Elvia's courage in sharing her story, and doing it in such a beautiful way, really spoke to those of us who heard her that day. Her message reminded me that our Lord is in ultimate control through all the challenges and trials that come our way, and as Guy Rossi said in a recent sermon, "Satan is only a lackey on a leash." Thank you so much, Mike, for introducing Elvia to our church family."
DORIS MAYNARD,scarlettsix3@myfairpoint.net
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"Elvia Atherton was a recent guest speaker at Gazebo Apartments, an independent and assisted living facility in South Burlington. Elvia spoke about the loss of her son, Brian, and of her book, "One Step Closer". Our residents have suffered great losses themselves and to hear Elvia speak of her loss, to find forgiveness towards Brian's friends that were with him the night of his death, her strength, her faith in God and her spirit was truly amazing and uplifting. I have purchased two of Elvia's books and have sent my older sister's each a copy. They both have lost children. My oldest sister lost her 34 year old daughter due to a drunk driving accident 16 years ago and my other sister lost her son, at the age of 44, due to a massive heart attack the day before Elvia came to speak to us here at Gazebo. Both of my sisters have read "One Step Closer" and have found it very comforting and a wonderful book for anyone suffering from loss. They both commented on Elvia's heartache and her strength and in reading her book have also found a way to deal with their grief. This is not a book to be read once but over and over when trying to cope with our loss. I am grateful that you introduced Elvia to us and I encourage anyone who is grieving for any reason to purchase "One Step Closer" and let the healing process begin.
MARIE CHASE, Activity Director Gazebo Apartments Pillsbury