Stories of Impact

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Featured Story

We all do it… We get busy with our own lives

At WAY-FM, we are more than individuals just trying  to make it.  We are a community of believers who are seeking to live out our faith on a daily basis.  This video will challenge you to refocus on who the center of our lives should be. … Continue reading

One Thing Helping This Mom with Her Daughter’s Medical Battle

Jenifer is an awesome member of the WAY-FM family through her financial support and conversation. She saw God work in some really cool ways while her daughter battled some serious health problems. This is her story.

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I want to thank you so much for being so uplifting and such a rock in my family’s life.

My 6 year old daughter, Emma, has been through a lot of medical challenges in the past 2 years. You always bring a smile to our face and remind us that God is an amazing God!

Two Christmases ago, when Wally and crew came to Tallahassee for the Wally Jolly Christmas tour, Emma had just gotten out of the hospital. She had been looking so forward to going to see Wally, but we weren’t sure if she’d be out of the hospital.

A friend reached out to Wally about Emma being sick and Wally made her feel so special by calling her. Then, she got to meet him at the concert and he gave her a Frozen ornament. When we brought her Frozen ornament out this year to hang it on her tree, she recounted with such joy what a wonderful moment that was. She loved so much how he sang a Frozen song with her on the phone, too!

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She loves WAY FM so much and I love that the music you play fills her with the message of a loving Savior!

Last week, we got a call from a WAY FM staff member. We happened to be in the car on our way to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL for the latest of Emma’s surgeries. I explained to the lady that we were on our way to another town for Emma’s surgery. She was absolutely amazing and offered to pray with us.

At that moment, she led us in prayer over the Bluetooth speaker in our car and my whole family was so uplifted by that. She also offered to put Emma on your prayer list.

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After her surgery, Emma asked me if Wally was praying for her. I assured her that not only Wally, but WAY-FM was praying for her.

I just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for making a difference in our life. Thank you for making a difference in my children’s lives. Even my 3 year old son is starting to sing the songs on your station. You are so much more than a radio station to our family. You are hope. You are inspiration. You are a role model to my kids. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Blessings & Love,

Jenifer

Thanks for sharing your story, Jenifer! You and your family are a blessing.

 

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How a Simple Act of Love Changed Lila’s Entire Day

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You never know what other people are going through. Sometimes a simple gesture of kindness can remind them God is here and will never leave us! That’s what happened when one of our listeners joined us for the Drive-Thru Difference! Lila’s story is an incredible example of what a simple act of love can do.

I just went through the Starbucks drive-thru in Madison, Alabama. Little did I know that the person in front of me paid for my drink. I want to thank that angel for showing me light in a very dark time of my life and reminding me God is here.

It meant the world to me!

I have had the worst week of my life. Things with my ex-husband aren’t going well. He keeps taking my boys even though I have full legal and physical custody. I cannot seem to make the FBI or law enforcement understand that what he is doing is wrong.

I just wanted my angel to know that he was a light of Jesus in my darkest times. Thank you so much!

(Photo by calvin w)

Watch How God Showed Up in Amazing Ways with a Prize Giveaway!

Andrew, a police officer and WAY-FM listener, won one of our 1K Christmas Save; a promotion in conjunction with Kirk Cameron’s movie, “Saving Christmas,” meaning he got to help a family in need this past December.

One hour before we informed him of his winnings, he had been on the scene of the fire that wiped out a family’s entire trailer. They lost all their belongings, including Christmas gifts.

We were all floored at how God worked this out! He knows what He’s doing.

Not only was Andrew able to help out this family with the prize money, but a local church got inspired by his generosity and  gave this family a brand new trailer, too.

We received this letter from Andrew later:

This letter is being written to personally thank you for helping me achieve my goal in helping the Sanchez Family during this time of struggle. You and 88.1 WAY-FM played just as an important role in his time of struggle as I did. It is an amazing feeling having God giving me what I want in my heart without me even having to pray for it. God works in amazing ways and your radio station continues to give me aspirations to do AMAZING things for gods people. The Sanchez family was extremely excited receiving the gift cards you guys sent me. Just an update, the Sanchez Family received a new trailer from a local business man that heard what we were doing (photos are attached).

Thank you for keeping in contact with me during these amazing moments, I hope that you and I continue to stay in contact with each other when needed. On a later date and time I will be sending you a copy of the video my department made helping the Sanchez Family. I hope you have a wonderful day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sincerely,

Andrew Cano

Prize Winner

What Happens When Mark Turns on WAY-FM?

This Man's StoryMark’s story shows exactly how important and powerful your support is everyday.

My name is Mark and I am WAY-FM.

The last year and half has been really hard for me.

I lost two full time jobs in under a year and ran out of work several times in between. I put my personal identity in my financial security, and when I lost my job I lost it all.

I lost my hope and the desire to live.

At the right time, the song “Forgiveness” would come on the radio and remind me how much more I have been forgiven by God through Jesus,and how I am to forgive those in my life. I’d hear “Oceans” and remember to trust God without borders, and to know He has me even in the deep waters. “Praise You in the Storm” was a regular reminder that He would pull me through, no matter how messy or bad it got.

When I lost hope, God sent me WAY-FM, the Word on the Way, songs and reminders of redemption, brothers and sisters in Christ, and anchored my hopes and dreams at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.

What happens when Mark turns on WAY-FM? He finds hope. Thank you for being part of that hope. 

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This Guy Helped His Friend Find Laughter After Tragedy

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Steven wrote in to tell us the story of incredible impact you had on his dear friend. We love this because it shows what true friendship looks like, the incredible power of laughter, and just how much of a difference our WAY-FM family makes. Thank you so much for your support. You are wonderful and God is so good!

“About a year ago, I got a tearful call from my best friend.

His wife was killed by a drunk driver.

We were all devastated. My friend hit rock bottom.

After his wife passed there was no more laughter, happiness, or joy. I prayed for him often but I thought I had lost my friend.

One day while we were together I put on The Wally Show Podcast. For the first time in a long time he laughed. He really laughed. He and I both laughed all throughout the show. He asked me where he could find the podcast.

He said he has listened to a ton of them and loves the show! Slowly he has started to become his old self. He told me God has helped him find joy again in his life and The Wally Show was what kick-started it.

Thank you for being on the air and doing God’s work. I have my friend back.”

Thanks for making Steven’s story possible. You are WAY-FM!

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(Photo from Flickr)

Can WAY-FM Help Someone with Suicidal Thoughts?

Luke has a story that inspired a lot of people. And that story isn’t over yet.

He’s been struggling with suicidal thoughts, but praise God, he’s still alive and fighting. Luke says listening to the music we play on WAY-FM keeps his mind in the right place. So, even though he’s in the middle of this story, he chose to support this ministry because it makes that much of a difference.

So many of you responded by coming alongside Luke and giving during our Pledge Drive.

Wally had a really heartfelt response to Luke’s story. And yeah, he got a little choked up.

If you’d like to take Luke’s challenge, you can today. Thanks for listening, loving, and supporting Christian radio and the music we play! You really do make a huge impact!

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(Photo by Alon)

One Woman Found Hope Even When Things Didn’t Make Sense

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Trusting God through a tragedy, even when things don’t make sense, is what we hope we’ll do. But it’s a lot harder when we’re in the midst of tremendous pain. This woman’s story isn’t over, but it’s beautiful to see how God is using something so simple to heal and bring her back to Him.

“My husband of 7 years and I were expecting our daughter, Emillia, in August.

She was 16 days early and stillborn.

We don’t understand why this has happened to us. It’s something horrible that no one should ever have to go through. When I just want to cry my eyes out in the car I turn to your station and feel better.

I’m not as angry at God or blaming myself or regretting things like I have been the last eight weeks. I find comfort in the songs you play. They’re helping me get through.

Although we are nowhere near the end of this journey, having the music to encourage me makes it feel easier in a way.”

Thank you for providing encouragement and truth to people just like this woman. You are WAY-FM!

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(Photo by peasap)

Kenia’s Story Will Show You How to Love Better

Kenia sent us her powerful story of God’s mercy, grace, and love shown through her church. Don’t ever underestimate the power of sticking by someone’s side through a hard time. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Kenia! So glad that our amazing God is at work in your life!

Kenia and son“I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2001 when I was 11.

I was raised Catholic but never had a relationship with God. Growing up, I was always told what I can’t do. I can’t be in the sun, I can’t stop taking medicine, and the most painful of all, I can’t have kids.

Eventually, I lost all my hair. I went to the hospital for heart complication and I gave up. I became a rebel and started getting drunk before the legal age. I would party and not care.

In 2012 I hit rock bottom. I was killing myself. I had horrible demons that I couldn’t fight off without the love of Christ. I started going to New Harvest Church, which is now my current church, and I gave myself to Jesus Christ.

In April 2013, I found out I was pregnant. I prayed and prayed that God wouldn’t take my baby. I stopped going to church for the fear of being judge for have a baby out of wedlock. Months went by, my lupus flared up, and the hospital stays were more frequent. I decided to return to church and instead of judgement, I received care, respect, and so much LOVE! What a fool I was! I thought they wouldn’t understand, when all along, I was the one who misunderstood them.

November 15, 2013 my water broke a month early. Everyone around me was in a panic, but I was not. I trusted the Lord. At 3:44pm my blessing entered the world. The baby that I wasn’t suppose to have, God gave to me. I dedicated him to the Lord and take him to church every Sunday.

In August I was told my kidneys were failing and special measures needed to be taken. Then, a week later, my son was bitten in the face by a dog. My world was turning upside down. My son had facial surgery and my kidneys were shutting down more and more each day. I prayed and asked God to help me understand what was going on.

We had a power gathering at church and I trusted God. I accepted whatever his will was for me. 10 month later, my son’s face is PERFECT with minimal scarring and my kidneys are healed. No doctor couldn’t explain how my kidneys restored on their own with no treatment, but I could. My God never fails.

I just recently found Way FM and I listen to it at work, in the car, and at home. My son is only 1 year old, but he worships in church and in the car when he hears the music. I have been blessed. MY HEALER never gave up on me!”

What Happens When One Little Boy Asks for a Band Member’s Guitar?

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My family has been going through a lot of things lately. My husband was diagnosed with a mental illness and things were really rough. It was to the point where I could not look at him. I wanted to just walk away, and wash my hands of him. It would have made my life easier. I would tell myself that JESUS has mercy on me.

I was listening to the station as I drove and heard about the Matt Redman concert. I was not sure I could go since it was on a night that I usually work. I asked for LWOP (leave without pay) so I could attend. I felt that my family needed this badly. We arrived at the church around 6:15 to a long line that I was not expecting. We got in line and my boys (DeShawn, 11, and BJ, 13) decided to act up.

It was looking like we would not make it into the concert. I felt like I took time from work – not getting paid – for nothing, but GOD is good. We were able to get into the concert and the boys were enjoying it.

On the way back to the car, James Duke, Matt Redman’s guitarist, was exiting the church. He was carrying the guitar that he used in the concert. DeShawn asked him if he could have his guitar. We didn’t know he was going to do that and were kind of embarrassed. Yet, the response that came out of Mr. Duke’s mouth put me in shock. Mr. Duke said, “Yes,” no hesitation. He didn’t try to push him off and he even went and got a sharpie to sign it.

Mr. Duke’s actions helped me to remember, despite the craziness that is happening in our life right now, GOD is still working in our life. We will keep believing and asking God to guide our steps, for He guided ours that day. GOD is good and thank you, WAY-FM, for the concert.

-Deidre Johnson

I knew I was meant to be there

I just wanted to thank you for bringing Casting Crowns to Huntsville tonight. I honestly didn’t feel like going to the show, but my mother loves the band and I went anyway for her. By the end of the night I knew I was meant to be there. Over the past few months I’ve been slowly drifting away from church because of some situations in my life right now.

In November of 2011, I was diagnosed with Good Pasture syndrome which is a rare auto-immune disease that attacks the lungs and kidneys. In 2012, I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure and started dialysis. I was lost and didn’t know what I would do with my life at the age of 24.

I met and married who I thought was my soul mate. She knew about my illness and declared she loved me so much that she still wanted to be with me for the rest of her life. Two days before the Casting Crowns concert we signed our divorce papers. She couldn’t handle being with someone as sick as I am and with the limitations on life I have.

I knew I was meant to be there tonight because I could relate so well with not only many of the songs but also his testimony. I teared up hearing him talk about his recent battle with kidney cancer and then very soon after performing the song about marriage. I felt God more than ever tonight and it helped me come to terms with so much that’s been compromising my walk with Jesus lately. I feel like I can finally return to my home church and deal with being there with my soon to be ex-wife’s entire family.

– John Novalis