Sandra Shoemaker
Assistant Executive Director of "Visions of Hope'
My name is Sandra Shoemaker, I have been married my High School sweetheart 27 years, we have 5 wonderful Children and 13 Grandchildren, that God has blessed us with. I have worked in the mental and geriatric health field for the past 25 years. I am a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Illinois, currently working at Jack Mabley Developmental Center that serves adults with intellectual disabilities. I have two sons, Michael JR, active duty, and Matthew, reserves, serving the U.S. Army.
Our oldest son, Michael JR was injured on March 29, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He received multiple head injuries, having shrapnel in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes of the brain. The Doctors removed his skull from front to back on the right side of his head. His right knee was severely injured, several broken bones, temporary hearing and vision loss, and sever TBI. Michael died four times, and his best friend was killed when a MARK 19 round exploded. We spent many weeks at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. We met many families caring for their wounded soldier and leaned on each other for support. When new soldiers arrived we offered advice and comfort.
While organizing our son’s Welcome Home Benefit, Patricia Marshall contacted me through an acquaintance, and requested our presence at a cook out she was hosting for Visions of Hope on June 6, 2013. We met Ted Chaplik on this date also. We were moved when Patricia and Ted told us their mission for Visions of Hope and our military. We have seen firsthand the horrific sides of the war, and the number of wounded soldiers coming in to the United States each week. We support our military and I am honored to be a part of “paying it forward”, to the men and women who give their all for our freedom.
My favorite verse; “Only Two Defining Forces Have Ever Offered To Die For You
JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
One Died For Your Soul And The Other For Your Freedom”
My Favorite Song: “Amazing God”
This song held me together during our son’s hospitalization and rehabilitation.
A Poem “Where Was God”, I read by an unknown author. It relates to 9-11 in a very beautiful way. I took that poem’s help and created the following poem relating it to our life changing events which happened on March 29, 2012.
“Where Was God On March 29, 2012”
How many of us have heard that question, “Where was you God when our soldiers died?”
Well, I know where my God was the morning of March 29, 2012 and he was very busy!
He was trying to discourage the soldiers unloading spent ammunition when he spoke though their leader who yelled “STOP”.
He held the explosion away from reaching the ammunition shed that had its door open only a few yards away, He saved several hundred soldiers that way.
He sent his children that are the best trained for this disaster and had them save the six still alive, by giving them strength and knowledge to help those who could not help themselves.
As my God picked up one soldier, his child, and carried him home, reassuring this soldier that the worst was over and the best was yet to come. God, told my son it was not time to die, not once but four times he told my son that there was more to be done.
He still isn’t finished though. He held his loved ones who were left behind in his arms as they mourned their lost one, and comforts them daily and eases there pain. He gave comfort and strength to the six wounded families, each day we saw his miracles, signs from above, as his children grew stronger, and tiny baby steps, holding his children as they recovered. He gave the Doctors and Nurses the knowledge and skill to help with this miracle.
He sat down and cried when the Westboro Baptist Church pickets his son’s funeral, that his children could have so much hate in their hearts. They say they choose him as there God but he is saddened by their actions again that day. He sent the Patriot Guard to shield his children as they mourned their lost loved one.
He still isn’t finished; he stood beside Michael as he learned to breathe again, talk again, walk again, and eat again. He covered him with protection and kept the infection away. He gives his children wisdom and strength to reach out and help others. The Families we met on this journey were a blessing from God, to help each other along the way.
Many times each day I would pray, “I know he’s your son, please don’t take him away”. My prayers were answered with each miracle as Michael grew stronger each day.
I still believe My GOD is beside me each day; he comforts me and guides me through what is to come.
So when anyone asks, “Where was you GOD that day” you say, “EVERYWHERE”! And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing this family has seen, I see GOD’S miracles in every bit of it still today.
Assistant Executive Director of "Visions of Hope'
My name is Sandra Shoemaker, I have been married my High School sweetheart 27 years, we have 5 wonderful Children and 13 Grandchildren, that God has blessed us with. I have worked in the mental and geriatric health field for the past 25 years. I am a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Illinois, currently working at Jack Mabley Developmental Center that serves adults with intellectual disabilities. I have two sons, Michael JR, active duty, and Matthew, reserves, serving the U.S. Army.
Our oldest son, Michael JR was injured on March 29, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He received multiple head injuries, having shrapnel in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes of the brain. The Doctors removed his skull from front to back on the right side of his head. His right knee was severely injured, several broken bones, temporary hearing and vision loss, and sever TBI. Michael died four times, and his best friend was killed when a MARK 19 round exploded. We spent many weeks at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. We met many families caring for their wounded soldier and leaned on each other for support. When new soldiers arrived we offered advice and comfort.
While organizing our son’s Welcome Home Benefit, Patricia Marshall contacted me through an acquaintance, and requested our presence at a cook out she was hosting for Visions of Hope on June 6, 2013. We met Ted Chaplik on this date also. We were moved when Patricia and Ted told us their mission for Visions of Hope and our military. We have seen firsthand the horrific sides of the war, and the number of wounded soldiers coming in to the United States each week. We support our military and I am honored to be a part of “paying it forward”, to the men and women who give their all for our freedom.
My favorite verse; “Only Two Defining Forces Have Ever Offered To Die For You
JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
One Died For Your Soul And The Other For Your Freedom”
My Favorite Song: “Amazing God”
This song held me together during our son’s hospitalization and rehabilitation.
A Poem “Where Was God”, I read by an unknown author. It relates to 9-11 in a very beautiful way. I took that poem’s help and created the following poem relating it to our life changing events which happened on March 29, 2012.
“Where Was God On March 29, 2012”
How many of us have heard that question, “Where was you God when our soldiers died?”
Well, I know where my God was the morning of March 29, 2012 and he was very busy!
He was trying to discourage the soldiers unloading spent ammunition when he spoke though their leader who yelled “STOP”.
He held the explosion away from reaching the ammunition shed that had its door open only a few yards away, He saved several hundred soldiers that way.
He sent his children that are the best trained for this disaster and had them save the six still alive, by giving them strength and knowledge to help those who could not help themselves.
As my God picked up one soldier, his child, and carried him home, reassuring this soldier that the worst was over and the best was yet to come. God, told my son it was not time to die, not once but four times he told my son that there was more to be done.
He still isn’t finished though. He held his loved ones who were left behind in his arms as they mourned their lost one, and comforts them daily and eases there pain. He gave comfort and strength to the six wounded families, each day we saw his miracles, signs from above, as his children grew stronger, and tiny baby steps, holding his children as they recovered. He gave the Doctors and Nurses the knowledge and skill to help with this miracle.
He sat down and cried when the Westboro Baptist Church pickets his son’s funeral, that his children could have so much hate in their hearts. They say they choose him as there God but he is saddened by their actions again that day. He sent the Patriot Guard to shield his children as they mourned their lost loved one.
He still isn’t finished; he stood beside Michael as he learned to breathe again, talk again, walk again, and eat again. He covered him with protection and kept the infection away. He gives his children wisdom and strength to reach out and help others. The Families we met on this journey were a blessing from God, to help each other along the way.
Many times each day I would pray, “I know he’s your son, please don’t take him away”. My prayers were answered with each miracle as Michael grew stronger each day.
I still believe My GOD is beside me each day; he comforts me and guides me through what is to come.
So when anyone asks, “Where was you GOD that day” you say, “EVERYWHERE”! And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing this family has seen, I see GOD’S miracles in every bit of it still today.