Empowered to Overcome

April Lawson, minister, teacher, former model and pageant queen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of fifteen. Her love for Christ has continued to grow immensely over the years, and she has purposely chosen to share her testimony of God's greatness with others all over the world. In the pages of this memoir, April shares her story of God's miraculous healing as a tribute to how great God has been to her. At the age of twenty-two she survived a massive brain hemorrhage and, subsequently, paralysis. April had to relearn how to walk, talk, eat, and to compensate for cognitive and sensory loss. She also had to deal with the psychological aspects of having survived a brain aneurysm and of regaining her independence. April received extensive rehabilitation treatment at The Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research and continued to believe that God would use this situation to enhance her character and strengthen her faith. April's doctors strongly suggested that she not return to school; however she refused to give up! This was not the first time that she had faced a very difficult and ominous situation, and God had spared her life. At the age of fifteen, April attempted suicide and was found unresponsive. In both situations, April was not breathing and was technically dead. April is profoundly grateful to God for sparing her life both times and shares her story of God's miraculous healing as a tribute to how gracious God has been to her. She hopes that her testimony will encourage others of all ages and backgrounds to never give up and to fight to succeed against all odds. April obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Prairie View A&M University and pursued her graduate studies in theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She attends Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, where she serves as a hospital prayer ministry volunteer.