ENDURANCE “Praise be to the God who comforts us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 | Sherri

Judy and Audrey are moved by Sherri’s journey through life-altering events, including the loss of a child and family addiction. Her unwavering faith and hope in the promises of God strengthen her to serve her community with joy. “Praise be to the God who comforts us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 What do you do when the worst day of your life turns out not to be the worst thing you'll ever face? Sherri is a retired educator, mother of three, and grandmother of three, who opens up about a lifetime of walking through the valley — from losing an 11-day-old daughter to congenital heart defects, to watching her son battle a DUI at 16 and years of addiction, to learning to live with generational patterns of alcoholism in her own family. Sherri shares how her faith, rooted since childhood, carried her through unimaginable grief, how Al-Anon became a lifeline for living "in the middle of the mess," and how she ultimately learned that joy is a choice, not just a feeling. It's an honest, moving conversation about grief, addiction, generational curses, and the surprising grace that shows up in the middle of our messiest seasons. Highlights Sherri introduces herself and reflects on her calling to "shine a light in the path of those coming behind us." The heartbreaking story of losing her 11-day-old daughter to six major heart defects in 1988. How childhood faith, baptism in a West Virginia creek, and a lifelong church upbringing shaped her spiritual foundation. On learning strength and wisdom in the valley, not on the mountaintop. Her son's DUI at 16 and how addiction slowly took hold — including her insight that many addicts are "dual diagnosis" people struggling with anxiety and depression. Discovering generational alcoholism through her second husband's family history, and his 32 years of sobriety. How Al-Anon taught her to live alongside addiction in her family and stop feeling alone in the struggle. The scripture and perspective that carried her: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Choosing joy as a daily decision rather than waiting for it as a feeling. The surprise blessing of her granddaughter, born in 2013, and how God turned a difficult season into unexpected joy. Chapters 0:19 – Meet Sherrie 1:37 – Losing a Newborn 2:49 – Faith Roots and Baptism 4:21 – Strength in the Valley 5:37 – Son's DUI and Addiction 9:11 – Generational Curses 10:26 – Finding Help in Al-Anon 12:46 – Scripture and Purpose 14:25 – Choosing Joy Daily 17:25 – Granddaughter Blessing 20:10 – Closing Encouragement Resources Mentioned Al-Anon Family Groups