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eSentialz are Inspiring Stories of people who are overcoming daily challenges. Whether it is chronic illness or pain, physical or mental disability, or the caretaking of a child with a challenge, their stories have incredible insights because of their reliance on the Lord, who gives them strength. Written by Kent Robson, the eSentialz blog Administrator, below are a list of the current eSentialz stories:

1. Breathe: (eSentialz #1) A story about Becky Stubbs, a young woman whose relationship with the Lord helps her overcome the daily difficulties of her battle with Cystic Fibrosis. In the story, she writes: "...It is only because of Jesus that I am here. He's the only thing that gives me hope and a purpose for my life in the midst of so much disease and pain." Read her story @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/05/esentialz-1-breathe.html.
2. Stand: (eSentialz #2) A story about Melissa Melvin, a young woman whose daily battle with Cerebral Palsy has not hindered her call to minister to orphans in Romania. In the story, she writes: “When people look at me, they might think, ‘Well she doesn’t see straight because her eyes are crooked and she doesn’t walk straight because her legs are crooked. She’s not normal.’ I like to tell people that I am an ordinary person that has limitations with an extraordinary God who has none. My life is a gift that is wrapped in layers of challenge and tied with a ribbon of hardship.” Read her story @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/05/esentialz-2-stand.html.
3. Smile: (eSentialz #3) Connor Scott Millard is a sweet, bright, funny boy who now lights up heaven. He is forever 81/2 years old. For a moment in time, God shared his grace so that others may see, through the incredible life of a child. Read his story @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/05/esentialz-3-smile.html.
4. Imagine: (eSentialz #4): Courtney Hummel was born with neurofibromatosis, a word so big for a baby so small. The tumors that are caused by this genetic disorder affixed themselves to the optic nerves, causing blindness. Before she could open her eyes, she was unable to see. To add fuel to the fire, Courtney was also born with a mild form of cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult for her to walk. So…what does a person do who has limited mobility and the inability to see? Courtney imagined what might be.... Check out this light and airy story about Courtney and her Service Dog Kenneth @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/06/esentialz-4-imagine.html.
   
5. Praise: (eSentialz #5): If you were to visit Northwood’s Community Church in Peoria, IL on any Sunday morning, you might see Jim Eller playing the drums with the band. The scene is not unlike many churches these days, where a group of outstanding musicians are using their God-given talents to create an atmosphere of worship for those who have come. Throughout the building, people are raising their voices and hearts to the Lord. Unbeknownst to most, there doesn’t appear to be anything out of the ordinary. But if you are visually adept, and maybe distracted, you might notice that Jim has something in his mouth. If you continue to look, you will find that his mouth moves, ever so slightly, to the beat of the drum....Read the rest of the story at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/06/esentialz-5-praise.html
6. Persevere: (eSentialz #6): The anticipation of the birth of a baby can be a joyous time. There is a sense of wonder, a giddy excitement, intermingled with short bursts of healthy terror, as you prepare for the little miracle that is a child. Watching it’s movements for the first time as you see the ultrasound; the innocence that is so pure, is the closest thing to being at peace with the world....Read about how one event turned into many, spinning this family into years of turmoil and how the Lord sustained them through it all. Read it at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/06/esentialz-6-persevere.html
   
7. Hope: (eSentialz #7): The first thing you notice when you meet Kristen Jane Anderson for the first time is that she is in a wheelchair. The second thing you notice is her legs, or the lack thereof. As you gather yourself from the surprise, you look up, and immediately take in the warmth, the sunshine that is the smile on her face....She wanted to die, but the Lord gave her new life. Read it at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/06/esentialz-7-hope.html.
8. Believe: (eSentialz #8): There is something very special about the bond between a father and his daughter. He is her defender, endeavoring to keep the bad things away. He is her hero, giving her comfort and knowing what to say. A father nurtures. A father protects. But what does a father do when his protection cannot keep the loves of his life from irrevocable harm? This story is about a family, all of which have a disability. Read it @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/07/esentialz-8-believe.html.
   
9. Serve: (eSentialz #9): What does it mean to serve? I Peter 4:11 says: ‘If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.’ For many years, Mary Ellen Zent has served many people in her own quiet way. Read it @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/07/esentialz10-serve.html.
10. Faithful: (eSentialz #10): Born with Diastomyelia (the splitting of the spinal chord) and Sacral agenesis (without a tail bone), the big words essentially mean that she has spina bifida tendencies, or simply put, the spine did not develop while she was in her mother’s womb. Holly has chosen not to let her disability define who she is and who she wants to be. She has set her eyes on the Lord that made her and He has shown her the way. Read it @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/08/esentialz-10-lead.html
    
11. Press On: (eSentialz #11): There is picture of Becky Stubbs (see eSentialz #1: Breathe), looking down into the camera, her face lit up with a contagious smile. She is 16 years old and she is vibrant and alive, underlying the reality that she has a terminal disease. If you were to meet her on the street for the first time, you would think she was just like any other young, American girl. Read the rest of her story at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/09/esentialz-11-press-on.html
12. Encourage: (eSentialz #12): There is a unique culture, a new medium that someone at some time for some reason named the ‘internet’. It is a new way of communicating; a place where you have a voice and your audience is the world. Those Christians who navigate through its maze of opportunities and understand its place can find that the Lord is alive and well on the world-wide web. Lori Laws is one of those bloggers. She has found a voice, a ministry in the fray, encouraging people day by day. Read her story at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/10/be-still-my-soul.html.
13. Paint: (eSentialz #13): Emily Scott began painting for a very simple reason; she needed money. At the age of 15, she was just like any other teenager who has interests that requires cash and her mom suggested that she paint. This was not an out of the ordinary suggestion because Emily comes from a family of artists. The thought was that she should paint a picture and place it on e-Bay and see what happens. Her first painting sold for $100…and Emily was on her way to internet success. Read her story at http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/11/paint.html
14. Create: (eSentialz #14): Jon Weems is a musician. He is not your ordinary, run-of-the mill weekend variety musician who picks up an instrument and plays a little to pass the time. In poker jargon, he is ‘all in’, laying it on the table for all to see. Jon eats, sleeps and breathes being a musician. No snippet of time goes by that Jon doesn’t think about creating music. And like a warm, comfortable jacket on a brisk fall day, Jon wears the title ‘musician’ quite well. Read his story @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/11/create.html.
15. Share: (eSentialz #15): Jason Koger was driving a four-wheeler, giving three boys a ride, when he ran into a downed power line. Seventy-two hundred volts streamed through Jason's body, creating sparks and completely shutting the electricity in the neighborhood. Read his story @ http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/11/share.html.
16. Gracious: (eSentialz #16):