Submitting Your Story to This Site

Writing it Down | General Guidelines | Go to Submitting Form | Just Contact Linda

Writing It Down

I urge any one of you who has endured such a painful experience to write it down, for your own sake, even if you can't let another soul read it. Great healing can come through writing it out, often helping natural grieving and healing to occur. Many of us get "stuck" in the grieving process. Through keeping a journal or something similar, you may find a blessed release from some of the pain.

I personally believe the key to true healing lies in our Savior, Jesus Christ. He not only suffered and died for our sins, but also suffered for our heartaches. He is the Master Healer, the only source fully capable of healing a broken heart. I pray that He will be with you and comfort you in your time of need, as He has been there for me. He asks us to cast our burdens on Him, saying, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I have felt His loving presence with me as I wept after losing two much-wanted babies through miscarriage. He has eased and healed my pain.

His promises are sure. I pray that each of you might also discover His divine help in working through your pain.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

There are TWO WAYS to send your story to this website.
First, Go to the
NEW MESSAGE BOARD (6-18-06), log in, and post whatever is in your heart. It will show up immediately--no waiting. There are a few questions listed below that might help get you started.
Second, if your story includes a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) point of view in some way (it's okay if it's tangential), please use the form below to have your story evaluated for inclusion within the site. You may still choose to post to the Guestbook instead, of course.
When you send in your story, you give me permission to use it on this website wherever appropriate, either in the Guestbook or within the website pages. I will make every effort to post each story submitted somewhere on the website. If you have questions about the placement of your story, please feel free to ask.
I reserve the right to edit for clarity, spelling, and content if necessary. Thank you so much for having the courage to share.

Try to answer some of these questions:

  • How far along was your pregnancy?
  • How and when did you find out?
  • Was surgery required?
  • What did you feel as the news sunk in?
  • Were others sensitive and supportive, or not? (Medical staff, friends, family?)
  • What spiritual impressions (before or after), if any, helped you understand what happened?
  • Have any of those persistent "why" questions been answered?
  • What did you struggle with the most?
  • Do you have any special experiences which you are comfortable sharing in this public forum?
  • It’s fine, even encouraged, to include negative along with positive experiences in your story. I am well aware that not everyone is sensitive or caring, and that not all prayers are answered immediately. If certain things caused a struggle, or your feelings are still unresolved, say so. It's okay.

    God bless you as you recover and heal.

    Please print out, forward, Xerox or otherwise copy and distribute this letter as necessary to anyone you feel might be interested in participating.

    Writing Guidelines for Your LDS (Mormon) Story:

    1. Include your full name and a valid e-mail address with your submission.
    2. You can be anonymous. Just say so.  You may change personal details (such as others' names) if necessary. But I'll need your real name on file so I don't get all the "Anon's" mixed up.
    3. This site is strictly for true personal stories, not hearsay, fiction, advice, or personal "doctrine" not founded in scripture. Only give your own story, not your sister's, mother's, friend's, etc.
    4. Give as many details as you can, medical, emotional, and spiritual. Try to use specific examples, including impressions from the Holy Spirit, answers to prayers, your testimony, and any scriptures or quotes that have helped you through the grieving process.
    5. Don't forget to include your connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormons) in some way within your story.

    Sending Your LDS (Mormon) Story to this Website:

    I will never give or sell your information to anyone else for any reason. I ask for specifics for personal use in order to keep all the "anonymous" stories straight. I will use only your first name and your hometown when posting your story, unless you tell me otherwise. There are no length restrictions--if the form isn't enough space, say so, and you'll be able to finish when I reply to your letter. I try to respond quickly.

    I don't use my email address on this site, not out of paranoia, but because I have a tough spam-killing program that could take your story and lose it--and that would be beyond terrible. Basically, it traps mail from anyone not already in my Address Book (and I'll add you, when I receive your form). My program recognizes mail from these form without a hitch, so it comes straight through. Please use this form, or for faster service, tell your story in the Forum. Thank you so much for sharing.
    Your REAL first and last name:
    Your e-mail address:
    Your ward and stake:
    Your city and state:

    Please check one:
    Use my first name & hometown
    Use my story as Anonymous
    Use the pseudonym (pen name) I've provided
    Use my full name and hometown
    Other
    List "Other" preference, or type pseudonym here:

    Please check the subject that applies:
    Miscarriage
    Stillbirth
    Ectopic Pregnancy
    Infertility

    Weeks gestation at pregnancy loss:
    This is my story:

    When you send in your story, you grant me permission to publish your story on this website. I reserve the right to edit for clarity, grammar, spelling and content. I may ask for further information if I feel pertinent details are missing. Please double-check your story when it appears. If you wish to add corrections, additions or updates, feel free to send them in at any time. If you don't see your story listed within a month, it's OK to write and ask me about it. Sometimes things get lost in cyberspace, and I'd hate to lose your story.

    NOTE: If you submit an invalid email address, or don't include LDS (Mormon) details, I will be obliged to post your story to the Guestbook or Forum, instead of the main story pages.

     

    Bravenet Forms


    If you prefer to submit by USPS mail, you may use this address:
        PO Box 7922
        Covington, WA 98092

    Please note that this box is not checked more than once a month or so. Send a note through the below form if mail pickup is urgent.


    This form submits straight to my email Inbox, without getting caught by myEarthlink's SpamBlocker. Use this for your general questions, feedback, or offers to help with the site. Please use the STORY SUBMITTING FORM, above, to send your stories. Thanks!