Carol A. Ranney

As a child I dreamed of being a missionary...a nurse...a writer like my mom was...a parent to children who needed special nurturing. In fact, I was a shy, withdrawn, depressed and lonely kid with very little courage to face the world.

I commend the counselor I found after I graduated from nursing school, Mr. Hal Free, for showing me how to untangle the chains holding me back and helping me believe that I could do anything I chose. Now he's free of his own cruel disease and walking Heaven's streets.

I thank the wonderful Conservative Baptist mission staff who believed I had a calling, even if it didn't fit into any job description or easy niche. And I thank so many others who gave and hand and a prayer along the way.

Lastly, I thank my children: Ismael, Martina, Ana, Aman and Ransung, Jason, Juan, Calvin, Brian, Micah, Amanda, Tashayla and Tashauna, Milton, Matt, Chalwe, Christopher, Ken and Jeremiah, through whom God has blessed my life immeasurably. I love you all so much.