I grew up with an awareness of the power of our emotions and had studied the power of the mind for quite a while. I knew that happiness is a choice and that we are responsible for so much of what is going on in our lives.
But when 2008 began, I was about to put everything I'd ever learned into practice, and embark on a journey of learning a whole lot more. After a downhill ski accident, an injury on my foot turned into an unexpected flesh-eating virus (necrotizing fasciitis), an internal virus that infected the skin and tissue from the top of my foot up to my knee. On January 31, 2018, I was admitted into the University Of Utah Medical Center for emergency surgery, where my leg would never be the same. At least I had a leg. Before they wheeled me in for surgery, they warned my 25-year-old husband that I might not come out with a leg from my knee down. They explained that if this type of virus gets into the muscle, there is nothing they can do to save that area. Miracle #1- I got to keep my leg! Long story short... My leg was debrided of the dead skin and tissue from my knee down. Three weeks in the hospital Five surgeries Major skin grafting Learning to walk again Intensive physical therapy One very scarred leg One very wounded soul One very dark world But the light did shine again! Counting Miracles Staying close to God Forgiving Forgetting Being Grateful Trusting in the healing power of Jesus Christ Moving forward with courage Changing my thoughts and emotions Loving and accepting I learned that I could choose to be happy amidst hard things, and I learned that when we change what is going on inside of us, amazing things can happen. I learned and grew so much on my journey to discovering light again. As a result of my love for the principles God had taught me, I started writing. God showed me that the key to joy and happiness truly does start on the inside, and that the principles to discovering these two emotions are constant and must be discovered if we want to think more like Him and be more like Him. I love life and have a deep love and gratitude for Jesus Christ, who makes us stronger and brings us out of darkness when we turn to Him. I love singing, playing the piano, dancing, reading, writing, meditating in a hot bath, being active in exercise and sports, and most importantly, spending time with my husband and my three children. We live in Burley, Idaho, and we like to play games, bake, watch movies, and spend time outside boating, camping, fishing, and playing sports. Visit my Product Page to get a closer look at "Nephi's Handbook for a Happy Life" and "Fourteen Days to Light, Hope, and Healing." |
I'm Alicia Banta
Christian. Mom. Wife. Writer. Lover of Life. 
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