This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I’m talking with Bonnie Hirst, who shares with us her story of heartbreak and faith in her new book, “Test of Faith: Surviving My Daughter’s Life Sentence”. I cried during this book, which is not something I do often. After attending a writing workshop, the pain that she went through eventually evolved into her book as she poured all of her experiences out onto the page. She credits that with being a major turning point in her life.

Today we talked about:

• How writing the book helped pull her out of her deep depression.
• How she keeps in touch with her daughter now.
• How she recognized the blessings that had come into her life, even though her daughter was still in jail, through writing her book.
• Now that it’s been 10 years since her daughter was arrested, we discussed how she’s dealing with it now a decade after her life drastically changed.
• How she dealt with her faith being shaken after her prayer was not favorably answered...
• ...and how to help a family member or friend during their times of grief.

Bonnie S. Hirst loves feel-good movies and stories with happy endings. When life tries to shorten her stride, she prays, cries, talks with her guardian angels, reads self-help books, and writes. She can often be found kayaking on a calm mountain lake.

If you want to win a copy of Bonnie’s memoir, text the phrase REALTALKGIVEAWAY to 44222. This does not add your cell phone or email to any newsletter; it’s just an easy way to keep track of entries! And once you enter once, you are entered for ALL future giveaways!

Send a note to Bonnie's daughter here: Lacey Hirst-Pavek WCCW 345340 MSU 9601 Bujacich Rd  Gig Harbor, WA 98332

For important guidelines on how to send gifts to your incarcerated loved ones, or on how to send gifts to Lacey, please see this helpful page from PrisonPro: Sending Books, Letters, and Photos to an Inmate: Important rules you need to know.

Connect with Bonnie S. Hirst on her website, Facebook and/or Instagram. Connect with Rachael on the website, Instagram and/or Facebook.