"Maureen's story is more than a firsthand account of tragedy, trials, and turmoil. Immersed in Scripture, it is the story of a family's agonizing journey and God's unending faithfulness in life's darkest hours. Maureen reminds us that a broken heart is not healed by explanations - it's healed by God's love and the promises in His Word."
- Jennifer Sands, author, speaker, and 9/11 widow
"The author writes personally and deeply. I have recently felt the loss of a close friend who committed suicide. Not many books are available that understand such a loss, but this one does, I found help through it."
- Wm. J. Petersen
"I just finished reading your book a few days ago, and I have been praying that God would continue to use it as you've said He already has been. Thank you so much for writing it. Now this week our pastor was called on to have the funeral for a man who committed suicide. Our pastor is quite young and has never had the experience of dealing with this. He asked for prayer as he met with the widow and adult children last night. They have no experience at all with the Lord and know nothing about the Bible. I told him today about your book and that you were very open and honest about your feelings, etc. So he is ordering a Kindle version from Amazon so he can gain some insight before the funeral on Saturday."
"Our pastor was so thankful to have your book. He quoted a couple of places during the memorial service and it seemed to resonate with the family and hopefully will open them up to listening to the gospel."
- Jean W.
"You might think that a book relating one woman's experiences of disappointment, depression, disease, pain, and deep, deep loss would be a drag. But Maureen Longnecker's book, The Other Side of the Tapestry: Choosing to Trust God When Life Hurts is an engrossing and encouraging book.
The author's honesty and faithfulness through repeated physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges will give hope and healing to any reader. Since there seems to be no hardship Maureen and her family didn't face--and endure--her book can also provide a light in darkness and a map out of discouragement.
The book's chapter titles indicate the uplifting tone and hard-won optimism with which she approaches her theme:
1. Dropping Into a Black Hole
2. Coming Up from the Bottom
3. Admitting That We Hurt
4. Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness
5. Learning to Trust
6. Guarding Our Hearts
7. Choosing to Trust
8. Keeping Our Eyes on Him
9. Dealing With Culture Shock
10. Allowing a Wall to Go Up
11. Losing a Dream in Grenada
12. Settling Into a Routine
13. Losing Hope
14. Grieving a Suicide
15. Adjusting to the Void
16. Spiraling Downward
17. Trying to Get Help
18. Fearing and Hearing the Worst
19. Grieving Another Suicide
20. Experiencing God's Loving Faithfulness
21. Seeing the Other Side of the Tapestry
Anyone who is hurt or needs healing or is looking for reasons to hope will find much to identify with in Maureen's encouragements and much to help in The Other Side of the Tapestry." - Robert R. "Bob" Hostetler
"Maureen Longnecker has dug deep and come up with an achingly beautiful book of trial and healing. Super job of sharing her journey through some difficult times in life; we can all learn from this book."
- Melanie Rigney
"Maureen Longnecker brings encouragement and hope in her book, The Other Side of the Tapestry as she takes the reader on her painful journey of the suicide of both of her parents. Maureen shares how the precious work of the Lord and the family of God brought her to victory when her heart cried defeat. We all face crises in our lives, we all know people facing crisis today. Everyone would benefit from reading and seeing The Other Side of the Tapestry." - Elaine Miller
"Maureen Longnecker is a wonderfully humble and godly speaker...and now author. She has a way of acknowledging pain while directing others toward the antidote. Her gentle confidence draws others in and speaks to the heart." - Erica R.
"Wow! How wonderful, how awful, how amazing, praise God for HIS working in your life/lives and that you are able to share with others. I know that so many are hurting and think they are alone in their pain. You can be sure that I am handing out your book to encourage." - Grace H.
"Just wanted to let you know I'm through chapter 3 and am SO encouraged and refreshed and rejoicing in some truths I hadn't considered in the way you have presented them. Thank you so much for sharing your painful experiences to encourage others!" - Becky C.
"As a trained counselor, THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR ALL COUNSELORS/DOCTORS/THERAPISTS/MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS. There are physical and chemical issues going on that we/you may or may not be trained or equipped to deal with. We/You must work in conjunction with the physicians and the Great Physician as a team in helping and counseling those that God brings to us. Maureen has shown great courage and openness and honesty in her very difficult walk with the King of Kings. She really opens up the truth of the impact of suicide on those left behind. I was greatly encouraged from the very first chapter and was hooked on the book. I lost a lot of sleep as I just couldn't stop reading. I will be getting the printed version for our church youth group and for myself as there are notes and highlights I want to put in for future reference sake if God allows me to counsel others. Thank you, Mrs. Longnecker, for sharing your heart and life and utter dependence on our God and for challenging and teaching with every page."
- Stephanie B.
"I have heard Pastor Chuck Swindoll say that 'God is NOT sometimes sovereign.' What an amazing truth that is! But when you are in the depths of a depression where you can't seem to see the end of the tunnel, let alone any light, that can be a hard truth to stand firm on. I've been there, but I don't think I could ever share my experience quite like Maureen has, weaving the biblical truth that we can firmly stand on during those times when all we can see is a mess and not the brilliant masterpiece that the Lord is crafting. . . Saturated with scripture that will help each reader further trust and lean into the loving faithfulness of God, this book is also a weapon to use against the enemy that tries to keep us in that dark tunnel. I am so grateful that Maureen would give us a glimpse of the back side of her tapestry, but also let us see the glorious masterpiece He has created through the ups and downs, good times and bad. This book ministered to me and I have no doubt it will minister to you also."
- Jenn J.
"Are you fond of the notion that this life is something like the proverbial bowl of cherries, or as dear old mom might have said, a bed of roses? If so, you probably don't want to get into this book. It holds far too much contrary evidence. The Other Side of the Tapestry is an open, full recounting of one woman's struggle through some of the worst that life can bring. Have you ever met with dark times in the lives of those close to you, maybe in the mirror? If so, get ready to meet a fellow traveler. And - prepare to be encouraged when you read this book." - Bob P.
"I finished your book! It was wonderful! I thought it was so good because you showed your intense struggles and even though you still don't have all the answers and may not this side of eternity, you pointed people to the Lord. It was very powerful and well-written and Scripture-saturated." - Debbie S.
"The Other Side of the Tapestry is a clear demonstration of a deep abiding faith in God. Maureen deals with the pain and emotional process of allowing God to use her journey for His glory! Let God and Maureen use these pages to place your feet firmly on the right path and strengthen your life in the Lord our God even in the hardest of circumstances."
- Lisa W.
"Will be praying God uses it mightily and that it will help some to heal the hurt. May God bless what you have shared." - Debbie L.
"I first saw Maureen Longnecker at the 2016 Montrose Writers Conference and was impressed with her beautiful countenance and cheerful disposition despite her having to depend on a walker. One evening I listened to her conversation with another woman about her most recent health problems. Maureen expressed her delight in being well enough to come to the conference.
Knowing I had to find out more about her, I bought the book she had written and brought it home to read. In her book, Marueen describes other trials she has faced including depression, extreme allergies, and the suicides of her parents. Maureen and her husband also had to give up their life-long desire to serve as missionaries. How does one survive all of that and emerge with such a sunny disposition? Maureen answers the question in her book, The Other Side of the Tapestry.
Meeting Maureen and reading her book has encouraged me to trust God no matter what trials may come my way." - Sandy S.
"Bought this book for my grandmother. She raved about this book, how raw and real it was and how inspiring and encouraging it was. Can't wait to read it for myself!" - Amazon Reviewer (USA)
"The book conveys the author's steadfastness and gratitude during difficult situations." - Amazon Reviewer (United Kingdom)
AVAILABLE on Amazon and at bookstores.
www.amazon.com/author/maureenlongnecker