Growing With Eli: Our Journey Into Life and Light

by Chad Judice, Trent Angers (Editor)

This is the third in a trilogy of inspiring, heartwarming books that tell the story of a Lafayette, La., couple and their child, Eli, who was born with a birth defect called spina bifida. Published when Eli was 9 years old, this volume follows the boy s life from infancy to that of a healthy, happy second-grader. At the same time, on a parallel track, the book chronicles Eli s dad s growth in and understanding of his Catholic faith. In his journey toward the light of a much deeper faith, Eli s dad, Chad Judice, gains an unshakable trust in the Lord, a greater reliance on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a commitment to the church s teachings on Natural Family Planning.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Chad Judice is a teacher of civics and American History at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. He is a winner of the 2010 Lafayette Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Award in the Inspirational Category. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education Social Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He and his wife Ashley make thier home in Lafayette, and they have two young children.

"In Waiting for Eli, Chad Judice chronicles in spiritual journey from fear of one's own personal limitations to self-abandonment to the divine mercy of God's providence. The story of his spiritual progression, as he prepares for the birth of his son Eli, functions as a profound testimony to the Gospel of Life and to the underlying truth that faith is perfected through trial and suffering.
The author takes the universal pro - life message of the sanctity of human life and uses it to illustrate how the life of one child can sanctify the lives of the community of believers who witness to the power of prayer.
It is always a singular grace when God inspires us to be courageous and hopeful through the lives and sacrifices of others who persevere, especially one as young as Eli Judice."
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Chair for Committee of Pro - Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Reviews

[Jim Sano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago, I read Chad Judice’s story about his son Eli and was both moved and inspired by his very personal and powerfully honest testimony about the journey he and his wife took to choose life and to actively commit to love. That love was so evident in the whole family, including Eli’s older brother. I finally got to read the third book in this journey, 'Growing with Eli,' and could not put it down until finished it. What a powerful witness of love, trust, faith, and hope in God and each other. I love how open Chad is with his own human struggles and trials and how he found strength and growth in his faith, in his devotions to Mary, his marriage and his family. This story shows, in ways we can all benefit from, how our ability to grow and love those around us is directly related to our relationship and trust in God’s plan vs our own. I love Chad's dedication, vocation, and gifts to make a real difference in people's lives. This is a book you can read over and over and continue to take something rich out of each time. I would highly recommend reading this series and sharing it with others.