1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted, and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:19,981 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. Life Audio. 13 00:01:21,601 --> 00:01:26,511 Speaker 2: Wherever you may be, welcome back to another episode of 14 00:01:26,631 --> 00:01:32,291 Speaker 2: Story Behind Inspiring Stories, Positive Headlines, brought to you from 15 00:01:32,351 --> 00:01:37,821 Speaker 2: GodTube.com and LifeAudio.com. you can get all sorts of Christian podcasts. 16 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,981 Speaker 2: I get so excited. My name is Sean McAvoy to 17 00:01:42,361 --> 00:01:46,561 Speaker 2: bring you these stories every week, mostly because I try 18 00:01:46,601 --> 00:01:50,181 Speaker 2: to experience them in real time along with you so 19 00:01:50,221 --> 00:01:53,761 Speaker 2: that some of the emotions are real. Because just to 20 00:01:53,801 --> 00:01:56,881 Speaker 2: be frankly honest, I get a little worried at some 21 00:01:56,941 --> 00:01:59,061 Speaker 2: of the headlines that are out there. And so I 22 00:01:59,181 --> 00:02:01,961 Speaker 2: love to look at these and it really does my 23 00:02:02,021 --> 00:02:05,161 Speaker 2: mind and heart good. So I hope that that comes 24 00:02:05,231 --> 00:02:08,371 Speaker 2: across to you as well. Today, I've picked out a 25 00:02:08,411 --> 00:02:13,491 Speaker 2: couple stories for you, one about father and one about mothers. 26 00:02:14,011 --> 00:02:17,291 Speaker 2: I don't know what kind of relationships you had with 27 00:02:17,391 --> 00:02:21,491 Speaker 2: the parents that you were given, but sometimes those can 28 00:02:21,511 --> 00:02:25,141 Speaker 2: be complicated. My dad was the best man in my wedding. 29 00:02:25,300 --> 00:02:28,861 Speaker 2: I loved both my parents dearly, but Long story short, 30 00:02:28,921 --> 00:02:32,461 Speaker 2: my mother was involved in an end times cult and 31 00:02:32,501 --> 00:02:36,921 Speaker 2: that strained some relationships with us. But I do love 32 00:02:37,361 --> 00:02:41,791 Speaker 2: stories about when parents put themselves on the line for 33 00:02:41,831 --> 00:02:46,550 Speaker 2: others or for mothers who, well, let's just save that 34 00:02:46,571 --> 00:02:49,411 Speaker 2: for the story that comes up today. I'll be back 35 00:02:49,471 --> 00:02:51,971 Speaker 2: right after this with the story of a dad who 36 00:02:52,071 --> 00:02:56,061 Speaker 2: rescued his daughter from an oncoming truck. Be right back. 37 00:03:04,581 --> 00:03:09,870 Speaker 2: Our first story today is from Michaela Gordonei. As I 38 00:03:09,911 --> 00:03:13,690 Speaker 2: told you, it's about a dad who is recovering after 39 00:03:13,751 --> 00:03:17,791 Speaker 2: his brave rescue saved his daughter from an oncoming truck. 40 00:03:18,671 --> 00:03:23,741 Speaker 2: It was a movie-like moment. A California dad lost his leg, 41 00:03:24,701 --> 00:03:30,901 Speaker 2: saving his daughter from an oncoming truck. The dad, Jordan Stannard, 42 00:03:32,041 --> 00:03:36,161 Speaker 2: was standing outside his vehicle. with his two-year-old, when the 43 00:03:36,201 --> 00:03:40,351 Speaker 2: car came racing toward them. With almost no time to think, 44 00:03:41,361 --> 00:03:44,671 Speaker 2: he threw the toddler into their car, just in time. 45 00:03:45,671 --> 00:03:49,611 Speaker 2: Not a second later, the pickup truck slammed into his body. 46 00:03:51,171 --> 00:03:55,751 Speaker 2: I just remember everyone around me screaming, he said. Some 47 00:03:55,791 --> 00:04:00,971 Speaker 2: people were screaming, call 911. At the hospital, Jordan had 48 00:04:01,011 --> 00:04:06,471 Speaker 2: to have his left leg amputated. but he's grateful that 49 00:04:06,511 --> 00:04:11,431 Speaker 2: the accident wasn't worse and that his two-year-old Sadie is safe. 50 00:04:13,071 --> 00:04:16,661 Speaker 2: If he hadn't thrown her into the car, her life 51 00:04:16,701 --> 00:04:21,161 Speaker 2: could have been lost. I have two daughters, so there 52 00:04:21,301 --> 00:04:24,751 Speaker 2: is no decision. You have to do what you have 53 00:04:24,791 --> 00:04:27,090 Speaker 2: to do to get back to holding your daughters and 54 00:04:27,151 --> 00:04:30,410 Speaker 2: chasing your kids around, to helping your wife out with 55 00:04:30,451 --> 00:04:35,731 Speaker 2: raising the kids, the 38-year-old said. Along with Sadie, he 56 00:04:35,781 --> 00:04:41,481 Speaker 2: has a two-month-old daughter, Shay. Despite losing his leg, hurting 57 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:45,921 Speaker 2: his right foot, sustaining other injuries, and being only weeks 58 00:04:46,041 --> 00:04:50,911 Speaker 2: into recovery, which requires five hours of physical therapy every day, 59 00:04:52,251 --> 00:04:54,691 Speaker 2: Jordan is determined to get back to his normal life 60 00:04:55,111 --> 00:05:00,371 Speaker 2: and run in the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, which he 61 00:05:00,451 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 2: registered for before the accident happened. Amazingly, Jordan was released 62 00:05:06,681 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 2: on July 4th and said he'd be back in the 63 00:05:09,921 --> 00:05:14,971 Speaker 2: gym by Monday. The family currently lives in a three-story 64 00:05:15,011 --> 00:05:21,531 Speaker 2: condominium and now has to find handicap-accessible housing. A GoFundMe 65 00:05:21,630 --> 00:05:25,841 Speaker 2: organizer said, even with health insurance, the financial burden ahead 66 00:05:25,901 --> 00:05:32,341 Speaker 2: will be significant. Rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, housing needs, and time 67 00:05:32,380 --> 00:05:36,091 Speaker 2: away from work will create substantial challenges for the family. 68 00:05:37,751 --> 00:05:42,451 Speaker 2: The GoFundMe for the family has already raised over $ 121, 000 69 00:05:42,091 --> 00:05:48,071 Speaker 2: in a short time. It's wonderful that Jordan can have 70 00:05:48,130 --> 00:05:52,831 Speaker 2: such a positive attitude after losing a limb, and that 71 00:05:52,871 --> 00:05:55,171 Speaker 2: he has gotten so much support in such a short time. 72 00:05:56,431 --> 00:06:01,211 Speaker 2: Hopefully now, the family will be mentally and financially well 73 00:06:01,271 --> 00:06:09,281 Speaker 2: prepared for what's ahead of them. I'm reminded of Psalm 32, 7. 74 00:06:09,281 --> 00:06:13,261 Speaker 2: You are my hiding place. You will protect me from 75 00:06:13,321 --> 00:06:19,701 Speaker 2: trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I'll be 76 00:06:19,741 --> 00:06:30,601 Speaker 2: back with our second story right after this. All right, 77 00:06:30,661 --> 00:06:33,541 Speaker 2: let's get going with our second story today about gold 78 00:06:33,621 --> 00:06:37,871 Speaker 2: star moms. I know a lot of us might give 79 00:06:37,911 --> 00:06:41,130 Speaker 2: our moms a gold star like we got at the 80 00:06:41,171 --> 00:06:43,611 Speaker 2: top of our paper in school maybe, but this is 81 00:06:43,630 --> 00:06:46,970 Speaker 2: a club no mom really, really wants to join. So 82 00:06:47,491 --> 00:06:50,021 Speaker 2: when I hear a story like this, it kind of 83 00:06:50,081 --> 00:06:53,101 Speaker 2: warms the heart and you really get the feeling for 84 00:06:53,621 --> 00:06:56,801 Speaker 2: what is important in life. This is about a story 85 00:06:56,841 --> 00:07:00,561 Speaker 2: by Heather Riggleman about gold star moms who honor their 86 00:07:00,621 --> 00:07:07,101 Speaker 2: sons by remembering other fallen service members across Europe. There 87 00:07:07,261 --> 00:07:12,081 Speaker 2: is a club no mom wants to join, especially the 88 00:07:12,121 --> 00:07:17,091 Speaker 2: Gold Star Club. But when other moms do, they're ready 89 00:07:17,231 --> 00:07:20,251 Speaker 2: to wrap their arms around them, and they decided to 90 00:07:20,311 --> 00:07:24,491 Speaker 2: show the world what it was all about. Back in 91 00:07:24,531 --> 00:07:28,211 Speaker 2: World War I, families with loved ones serving in the 92 00:07:28,231 --> 00:07:32,531 Speaker 2: military hung a blue star in their window. If that 93 00:07:32,611 --> 00:07:34,971 Speaker 2: service member died in the line of duty, the blue 94 00:07:35,011 --> 00:07:38,771 Speaker 2: star was replaced with a gold one. More than a 95 00:07:38,831 --> 00:07:43,701 Speaker 2: century later, that symbol still carries the weight of unimaginable sacrifice. 96 00:07:45,121 --> 00:07:47,901 Speaker 2: A gold star mother is a woman whose son or 97 00:07:47,941 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 2: daughter died while serving on active duty in the United 98 00:07:51,321 --> 00:07:55,481 Speaker 2: States military. It is a title no one hopes to earn. 99 00:07:57,001 --> 00:07:59,941 Speaker 2: Yet thousands of mothers carry it with quiet courage every day. 100 00:08:01,971 --> 00:08:05,331 Speaker 2: Unless you've lost a son in the military, you just 101 00:08:05,671 --> 00:08:10,861 Speaker 2: don't understand, one mother said. We miss our children. Those 102 00:08:10,921 --> 00:08:15,091 Speaker 2: simple words echoed as five gold star mothers traveled together 103 00:08:15,731 --> 00:08:20,531 Speaker 2: through France and Belgium, walking the battlefields and cemeteries where 104 00:08:20,591 --> 00:08:23,951 Speaker 2: thousands of American service members gave their lives during World 105 00:08:23,971 --> 00:08:29,501 Speaker 2: War I. They weren't simply touring history. They opted to 106 00:08:29,561 --> 00:08:33,441 Speaker 2: honor it, carrying the memories of their own sons as 107 00:08:33,501 --> 00:08:36,781 Speaker 2: they stood among rows of white crosses that stretched farther 108 00:08:36,821 --> 00:08:40,681 Speaker 2: than the eye can see. One mother paused at the 109 00:08:40,731 --> 00:08:44,731 Speaker 2: grave of a World War I soldier named Bert because 110 00:08:44,831 --> 00:08:49,071 Speaker 2: his own mother never had the opportunity to visit. I 111 00:08:49,111 --> 00:08:53,051 Speaker 2: come to visit because his mom could not visit, she said, 112 00:08:54,411 --> 00:08:58,821 Speaker 2: bringing more than 100 years of a mother's love. Their 113 00:08:58,841 --> 00:09:03,641 Speaker 2: pilgrimage also included collecting sacred soil from those historic battlefields 114 00:09:04,681 --> 00:09:09,361 Speaker 2: to return to Arlington National Cemetery. As they presented it, 115 00:09:09,431 --> 00:09:13,571 Speaker 2: they spoke words that every military family longs to hear. 116 00:09:14,671 --> 00:09:20,451 Speaker 2: We will never forget. For these mothers, remembrance has names 117 00:09:20,511 --> 00:09:26,410 Speaker 2: and faces. One remembers Derek, who was killed in Afghanistan 118 00:09:26,451 --> 00:09:30,471 Speaker 2: while working on a bomb disposal mission. Another carries the 119 00:09:30,511 --> 00:09:34,521 Speaker 2: memory of Ryan, who died in an automobile accident while 120 00:09:34,581 --> 00:09:38,771 Speaker 2: serving his country. One mother recalled the moment her sister 121 00:09:38,831 --> 00:09:42,651 Speaker 2: called and asked what ship her son, Kyron, was stationed on. 122 00:09:43,811 --> 00:09:49,081 Speaker 2: The USS Cole, she answered. Her sister quietly replied, It's 123 00:09:49,131 --> 00:09:55,381 Speaker 2: in the news. In an instant, everything changed. Another mother 124 00:09:55,421 --> 00:09:58,401 Speaker 2: will never forget reading a news alert on her phone 125 00:09:59,381 --> 00:10:03,841 Speaker 2: before military officers arrived at her door. It read, First 126 00:10:04,101 --> 00:10:10,891 Speaker 2: American Soldier. shot for 2016, killed in Afghanistan. Then came 127 00:10:10,971 --> 00:10:16,131 Speaker 2: the heartbreaking realization, he was my son, she said, remembering Chris, 128 00:10:17,201 --> 00:10:21,021 Speaker 2: who was killed when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. 129 00:10:22,881 --> 00:10:27,001 Speaker 2: Another mother smiled through tears as she remembered Matthew, her 130 00:10:27,021 --> 00:10:32,060 Speaker 2: Valentine's Day baby born on February 14th. She laughed as 131 00:10:32,121 --> 00:10:35,191 Speaker 2: she recalled how he built Lego tanks and soldiers as 132 00:10:35,231 --> 00:10:38,301 Speaker 2: a little boy, and loved hearing Stars and Stars. Stripes 133 00:10:38,361 --> 00:10:42,021 Speaker 2: Forever on the trombone. He left behind a wife and 134 00:10:42,041 --> 00:10:45,101 Speaker 2: a baby daughter who was only six months old when 135 00:10:45,141 --> 00:10:50,011 Speaker 2: he died. The details are different, but every story ends 136 00:10:50,051 --> 00:10:53,791 Speaker 2: with the same empty chair at the dinner table. The 137 00:10:53,831 --> 00:10:58,221 Speaker 2: same birthday celebrated with memories instead of embraces. and the 138 00:10:58,261 --> 00:11:02,021 Speaker 2: same ache that never quite leaves a mother's heart. Yet 139 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:06,881 Speaker 2: amid the sorrow, these women have found one another. It's 140 00:11:06,941 --> 00:11:09,621 Speaker 2: knowing that you know when you tear up or you 141 00:11:09,660 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 2: need to talk to somebody. You know who to call, 142 00:11:12,841 --> 00:11:17,361 Speaker 2: one mother said. Their sons found a brotherhood in military service. 143 00:11:17,931 --> 00:11:24,071 Speaker 2: They found a sisterhood in sacrifice. We often say it's 144 00:11:24,151 --> 00:11:27,921 Speaker 2: something that we don't want other mothers to experience. one 145 00:11:27,941 --> 00:11:32,001 Speaker 2: mother shared. But when you find a mom who has 146 00:11:32,021 --> 00:11:34,181 Speaker 2: a son or a daughter that have given their life 147 00:11:34,301 --> 00:11:39,021 Speaker 2: in service to our country, it brings a level of comfort. 148 00:11:41,061 --> 00:11:46,251 Speaker 2: As Americans go about their day-to-day lives, it's hard to 149 00:11:46,291 --> 00:11:49,191 Speaker 2: remember why we have the freedom to do that and 150 00:11:49,231 --> 00:11:53,430 Speaker 2: to remember the mothers who quietly carry folded flags in 151 00:11:53,471 --> 00:11:57,701 Speaker 2: their hearts every day of the year. Their sons and 152 00:11:57,741 --> 00:12:01,301 Speaker 2: daughters gave their tomorrows so we could live in freedom today. 153 00:12:03,101 --> 00:12:05,641 Speaker 2: But what I love the most is knowing gold star 154 00:12:05,701 --> 00:12:09,381 Speaker 2: moms are in the shadows, ready and waiting to comfort 155 00:12:09,780 --> 00:12:13,961 Speaker 2: other mamas with stories, strength, and the sacred promise that 156 00:12:14,061 --> 00:12:17,501 Speaker 2: love is stronger than death and sacrifice is never forgot. 157 00:12:19,201 --> 00:12:23,271 Speaker 2: While some stars shine in the night sky, others shine 158 00:12:23,331 --> 00:12:26,111 Speaker 2: in the hearts of mothers, who refuse to let the 159 00:12:26,171 --> 00:12:34,701 Speaker 2: light of their children ever fade. I'm reminded of Romans 13.7. 160 00:12:34,701 --> 00:12:37,641 Speaker 2: Give to everyone what you owe them. If you owe taxes, 161 00:12:37,701 --> 00:12:42,981 Speaker 2: pay taxes. If revenue, then revenue. If respect, then respect. 162 00:12:43,761 --> 00:12:51,710 Speaker 2: If honor, then honor. Thanks for being with me today 163 00:12:52,111 --> 00:12:57,401 Speaker 2: on Story Behind. I hope today's stories reminded you that 164 00:12:57,501 --> 00:13:03,671 Speaker 2: parents often make sacrifices that sometimes take away legs, sometimes 165 00:13:03,711 --> 00:13:07,671 Speaker 2: take away loved ones. But these people sometimes go on 166 00:13:07,771 --> 00:13:12,471 Speaker 2: to encourage others in ways that we can't even imagine 167 00:13:12,591 --> 00:13:15,931 Speaker 2: going through. Remember, though, we are all more courageous than 168 00:13:16,211 --> 00:13:20,241 Speaker 2: we know when circumstances come upon us. God is still 169 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:23,011 Speaker 2: moving in the world around us. You can visit the 170 00:13:23,061 --> 00:13:26,561 Speaker 2: links in the show notes to find the original articles, photos, videos, 171 00:13:26,621 --> 00:13:30,281 Speaker 2: and any resources mentioned in today's episode on the God 172 00:13:30,341 --> 00:13:34,401 Speaker 2: Updates blog at gottube.com. If you enjoyed these stories, be 173 00:13:34,441 --> 00:13:37,581 Speaker 2: sure to follow Story Behind wherever you listen to podcasts 174 00:13:38,381 --> 00:13:40,910 Speaker 2: and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement. 175 00:13:42,391 --> 00:13:46,991 Speaker 2: Story Behind is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, 176 00:13:47,051 --> 00:13:52,061 Speaker 2: visit lifeaudio.com. I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me, 177 00:13:52,321 --> 00:13:54,991 Speaker 2: and we'll see you next time on Story Behind.