Laura Bower
CBN.com -- Laura Bower followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather by serving in the U.S. Army. She was a tactical maintenance specialist during desert storm.
“For me with my family history, it was such a neat thing to be a part of defending our country and defending what we believe in,” says Laura.
After a 10 year military career, Laura returned home. Unfortunately, she had developed severe back and joint problems, which kept her from working full time. She had to go on disability. But Laura wasn’t about to let that stop her, especially with two kids to raise. With a love for horses and ranch work, Laura took a part time job as a therapeutic riding instructor. She works with at risk youth and disabled children
“It’s really helped me to connect with other people in need,” says Laura. “I can see in-depth where a lot of people are coming from in this job. I’m able to interact and be a part of that.”
By now Laura was separated from her husband. Despite her best efforts, Laura’s paycheck and disability payments weren’t meeting her family’s needs.
“Each day was a struggle to get the food on the table, to get the gas to go to school, get the kids to school, go to work,” says Laura. “All the bills were all behind. We were scraping for food and we were scraping for everything.”
Laura turned to Hill Country Daily Bread, a ministry partner of Operation Blessing. Pat McDaniel works there.
“She came in, ashamed, embarrassed, and with a lot of things going on that she didn’t even share in the initial visit,” says Pat. “But when I thanked her for being a veteran and serving our country, she put that pride back on.”
“I was treated with dignity, as though this is something that can happen to anybody,” says Laura. “It was a ‘let’s give you a hand up’ it wasn’t a hand out, it was a hand up. Let’s help you reach what you need to do.”
“When those doors open to the truck that comes into Hill Country Daily Bread through Operation Blessing, that is hope that comes out,” says Pat. “Every item that comes from Operation Blessing is hope in someone’s life.”
“Having someone that can help you step up and out of a bad situation and having that spiritual feeding of the soul, you know it’s incredible,” says Laura. “Beyond incredible.”
CBN Partners provide practical help for families in need. This often opens hearts to receive the message of Christ. If you are not a partner, please join with us today. For a small investment of $20 a month, you can bring help and a message of hope to people throughout the world. Become a member today!
