Saturday, May 2, 2009

Different Kind of Makeover

I recently learned the story of Candy Wood Lindley, author of Face of Faith: Discovering a Different Kind of Makeover, through a post on Rest Ministries (chronic pain and illness encouragement ministry). I hope to share more about her story and books at some future date, but I am so moved by the little I do know of her so far that I wanted to go ahead and repost what I learned from Rest Ministries here during our Virtual Spa Weekend, even though I haven't yet had a chance to personally review her book yet. (For those dealing with inferitlity or loss, please be aware that children are briefly mentioned in this article.)

In a world obsessed with perfection of the outer appearance and makeovers of every kind, Candy discovered a different kind of makeover—one that lasts—a makeover of the heart.
Candy’s life seemed to have fallen into place. Blessed with an idyllic childhood and loving parents who doted on their precocious only child with a mind of her own, she grew up with grace and charm in the Old South of the 1950s and ’60s.
As a speech and drama major at the University of Alabama, vivacious, petite Candy channeled her boundless energy and passion to be “on stage.” Marriage, blessed with two darling children, followed … and then the diagnosis at age 30 that changed her life and her looks forever.
Her only chance at survival was a surgery so drastic that, according to her doctors, she would lose the greater portion of her face including the right eye and possibly the left, leaving her severely deformed. Candy awoke with a new face on the outside and a renewed commitment to her Lord on the inside.
On life’s stage, Candy chose to surrender to a different kind of makeover by the Master’s hands.
In her book, Face of Faith, Candy tells her amazing story—a true medical miracle—as she set out to discover who she was apart from her physical looks.
When doctors told Candy Wood Lindley that she had six months to live, she prayed that God would allow her to see her two young children grow up. That was 1982.
Candy was diagnosed with a baseball-sized tumor in the center of her head. Eight surgeries and several years later, she was left facially disfigured but determined to make the most of what she had. In 1987, she was one of twenty-five recipients of Clairol’s national “Take Charge Award,” given to women who have overcome obstacles and turned their lives around after the age of thirty.
This was awarded to her for the production of two nationally released videos, together called Let’s Face It. One dealt with makeup techniques for the facially disfigured and the other with wig and scarf applications for hair loss patients.
In 1997, she was given the Life Inspiration Award by the American Cancer Society. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons gave Candy their “Patients of Courage Award” in 2004, and she accepted the 2005 Legacy of Courage Award from Alabama’s For the Cause.
The co-author of the book is Kathi Macias, a popular speaker and prolific author. She has published twenty-two books and hundreds of articles.
Whether keyboarding her latest book, keynoting a conference, or riding on the back of her husband’s Harley, Kathi is a lady on a mission to communicate God’s vision. Her insightful words—filled with passion, humor, and soul nourishment—refresh audiences from all walks of life, and her Spanish devotionals, “Desde el Corazon del Padre” (with English translations), can be found on www.Crosswalk.com each Monday.
Her newest book, Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World, was released in July 2008 from New Hope Publishers and was named “top pick” in the Christian Living category by Christian Retailing Magazine.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

what an amazing story! I read the first few pages of her first book on Amazon. I'm definitely going to have to get that book. Thank you for sharing!

Danelle
jdsergent05@comcast.net

Matt and Talley Mac said...

what an amazing story!! Thank you for sharing!! ~Talley

Dana Arcuri said...

WOW! What courage Candy has and she is an INSPIRATION!

Eight years ago, God placed it on my heart to use my professional skills as a Licensed Cosmetologist and MakeUp Artist in a whole new way. Instead of working on models or brides, God called me to seek advanced training in corrective makeup for trauma patients and cancer patients with facial disfigurements, scars and hair loss.

The Phoenix Society For Burn Survivors in Grand Rapids, Michigan was having a three day workshop to teach corrective makeup techniques on burn survivors. I would need $1,600 to pay for the tuition, hotel, food, airfare and other expenses. I did not have the money so I prayed about it.

With only one month before the class, I took a step of faith and sent letters seeking sponsorship so I could attend this class. I prayed and God answered.

The checks started flowing in and I was blessed with receiving over $1,400. I did not have enough money to travel by plane, but I did have enough to travel by car.

Our God is an AWESOME God and He miraculously opened the door to allow me to attend this comprehensive three day class called "Hospital-Based Image Enhancement and Social Skills Training." What a beautiful blessing it was for me and it strengthened my faith in Jesus.

I would love to read Candy's book.
She has a fascinating testimony that will be so encouraging for others!

God Bless,
Dana
dana122163@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story! And Dana, Thank you for sharing your story. It's so wonderful to hear how God is working in your life and what a blessing He is to you and your work.

Terri
bumblepiller@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
jdeav61@spamex.com

Anonymous said...

What an amazing woman. Im not sure I would be as strong if faced with the same circumstances. It makes me appreciate the blessings I have and makes my problems seem so trivial.

JennGB said...

i'm adding this book to my 'to read' list!
jenn_brennan@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm also adding this book to my reading list! Wow, thanks so much for posting this, what an inspiration!

Kathi Macias said...

As co-author of this book, I was privileged to meet and get to know Candy. I've written scores of books (the count is up to thirty now) over the years, but never have I come across a story about such a courageous lady as Candy Wood Lindley. Regardless of your life situation, I guarantee that you will be blessed through the reading of this incredible book.

Kristine said...

What a testimony Candy has when one could be crushed under the weight of such circumstances. Thanks for sharing this. She is an inspiration.

Kristine
autumnrains_blog@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
nelliespider@yahoo.com