Joy Is My Answer: What I Learned from the Refiner's Fire—A Spiritual Memoir

by Laura Stoker

Life’s tests are God’s opportunity to refine us.

“I was brought to my knees by a broken heart. I needed God, and he was there. He carried me unconditionally and without judgment as we know it in this life. My fear of losing a loved one was realized. Afterward, my eyes were opened. Now I know that the things of this world are insignificant in the bigger picture….”


In her candid memoir, Joy Is My Answer, Laura Stoker bravely shares the difficulties of life and co-parenting with a spouse struggling with mental illness. A mother of six, including five girls, Laura is shocked to realize that her oldest daughter may be following in her footsteps in the poor treatment she accepts from young men. Laura sees this as a reflection of her own choices. Ultimately, Laura’s desire to break free from her marriage and create stability for herself and her children tests her courage to its limit. Laura’s faith in God sustains her and gives her the strength and peace needed to overcome the deepest of tragedy and open her heart to true happiness and new love. Her search for further healing and closure leads her to the wilds of the Amazon jungle of Peru where she finds the peace and comfort she was searching for while doing an ancient shamanic ceremony with the Shipibo tribe and drinking the plant medicine Ayahuasca, which has been utilized for such purposes for centuries.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2019

Reviews

[Matt Stoker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my wife, Laura. The reviews from “Ruth” and Michael Clements are my ex-wife, Andra Henderson’s parents. If they read this book, it’s probably the first book they have ever read in their lives. They are upset that I left their daughter after trying for so many years to keep the chaos in-check. I sincerely forgive Andra and her parents for doing anything they can to try to hurt me. If there is one thing that I have learned in my life that I know for certain, it’s that hurt people, hurt people. I have compassion for them and all of the pain they have experienced in their lives. My wife does as well. She feels genuine sorrow for you. This book, like Laura, is awe-inspiring. Laura has endured tremendous trials and difficulty with grace and forgiveness in her heart. I am a very lucky man to have her has my wife, friend, business partner, parent, and lover!!! If she is your friend, you are very lucky as well!!! Laura did not write this book for ego. She is gorgeous and successful, and does not need external validation from anyone or anything. She wrote it to help others. I hope that through reading this, you consider her your friend as well. I believe that you will. Thank you, and much love!

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a book sadly and embarrassingly too similar to this one. Seems to me that this book is based on another. I hate when I waste my money on a terrible book with grammar errors. Please, don’t waste your money like I did. This book reeks of wanting attention.