Testimonial ~

Heal My Wounds, Leave My Scars…
A Mother’s Testimony of Tragedy to Triumph & Forgiveness - S.T.A.C.I.E Foundation Brochure here

Our day began like any other day. I woke the girls for school. Kristie road the school bus, it just wasn’t cool to be seen being dropped off at school by your parents. I kissed Kristie goodbye, told I loved her and left to take Stacie to school. She didn’t like riding the bus. That morning I dropped her off as usual, kissed her goodbye and told her I loved her. That was the last time I saw Stacie alive. I spoke to her again around noon, after she arrived home from school.

Stacie and Kristie were brutally attacked in our home in Manassas, VA. Stacie was viciously stabbed and killed. The perpetrator then waited in our home for over two hours for Kristie to
return home from school.

After finding her sister dead in her bedroom, Kristie was forced to the basement, bound with her own shoelaces, raped, strangled, wrists cut, stabbed, and her throat severely slashed. She was left for dead. No Witnesses – or so he thought – Kristie survived!

Forgiveness, Lord?

About 3 years, after the attack, I heard God's voice gently saying to me… “Forgive the man who killed Stacie and attempted to kill Kristie...” My response was immediate. “NO!! God, how can you ask me to forgive such a heinous crime against my daughters?” God’s answer was profound… “Lorraine, I sent my son, Jesus Christ, to live among you, to teach you. He was sinless, yet he carried the sins of the world on his shoulders. He was sent into the very world I created. He was flogged, tormented, mocked and crucified on a cross, while I watched. My love is unconditional. Trust in me!” I’ve never forgotten that!!

In December ‘05, my daughter Kristie asked me to come to South Carolina and spend Christmas with her. I’d not celebrated Christmas in six years; no Christmas tree, no decorating, and no gifts. I was an EMT and spent my last few years at the squad, every Christmas Day, where I felt I could give, of myself, to those in our community, what so many had given to us, in 1999.

I spent Christmas with Kristie and on the long, lonely trip home I begin to struggle with God about the grief and pain. . . I cried out to God, as the pain was severe. My heart ached for Stacie, and Kristie, and God listened ever so patiently…. He reminded me: I had wonderful memories and sixteen years, with Stacie. But it wasn’t enough. “God, It’s been almost 7 seven years… I’m tired of fighting this battle!”

God said, “Don’t be afraid or discouraged…for the battle is not yours, but mine. You will not have to fight this battle… stand firm and see the deliverance, I the Lord will give you… I, the Lord, am with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 (paraphrased).

I prayed and asked for that deliverance and peace God said I could have. Suddenly, the most incredible serene feeling came over me, a feeling of freedom! Free from the anger, depression, sorrow and guilt. As I drove, onward, I glanced in the rearview mirror and floating in the wind, was a veil. It was only a few brief seconds, but I realized the veil that had shrouded me in grief for seven long years, had been lifted! God had answered my prayers. There is power and great significance in numbers… God has answers to all life's questions. They are God’s word and His truth…. The Bible.

I still struggled with forgiveness. I’d spoken to many people about forgiveness, but I couldn’t bring myself to that point. I’d even asked my pastor, who told me, ‘I was not responsible for forgiving him.’ I lost of lot faith in that man, and it was God, who reminded me, I was putting my trust in man. My trust needed to be in God, so I begin to pray specifically for God to teach me to forgive this murderer. I knew this was something I could NOT do on my own. For God tells us in Philippians 4:13. I begin praying specifically for Paul Powell and reading the book of Acts. God showed me how to forgive, as we walked together, thru the Valley of the Shadow of Death, again.

Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge... but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge: I will repay.” Says the Lord. “Who overcomes the world? Only those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

~ AMAZING GRACE ~

On January 29, 2008, the ninth anniversary of the girl’s attacks, I was laying in bed thinking about where I was nine years ago. I heard God say again… “Forgive the man who murdered Stacie and attacked Kristie. Without hesitation, I responded, “Yes, Lord, I forgive Paul Powell! At that very moment, I felt God’s arms around me! I knew I was at the place, where God wanted me. Now He could use me, to do his will. Tragedy to Triumph through Forgivness….

“I've forgiven, I’ve not forgotten!”

Lorraine Reed Whoberry ~ Mother of Stacie & Kristie  -  Article published in Christian Voice magazine May 2008

By His Grace ~ For His Glory

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