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Dear Lifeway Church
I still remember my very first encounter with you. It was 2018 when we pulled up to the theater. Honestly, I was a little confused—“This is church? At a movie theater?” But the moment I stepped inside, my heart was awakened. Smiles everywhere. Laughter in the halls. People who carried joy. And most of all, people who made me feel like I mattered—even if I had never returned again. All of this, I later learned, came because one couple dared to dream. They dreamed of serving th
Kelsay Parrott
Sep 13, 20254 min read
Three Years Ago
Three years ago today, My parents and myself passed the sign that said, "Welcome to Pennsylvania". Loaded with two cars with my parents, everything I could squeezed inside. My heart was just as full—fear, anxiety, anticipation, and a hope that somehow this move to Pennsylvania would be worth it. It was a huge step, and deep down I knew there was no turning back. This was not like when I moved to College or went to a trip. This was serious adulting behavior. The VA was waiting
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 30, 20254 min read
Spiraling on the Bathroom Floor
I haven’t been this miserable in years. On the outside, you wouldn’t have known—at The Bridge tonight I looked fine, maybe even “good.” i was functioning and acting like my normal self. But from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I was wrecked. Body, mind, spirit—everything. My body and mind were betraying me and the enemy was playing in my life like I was his personal jungle gym. The migraine came out of nowhere, like a storm that doesn’t warn you before it hits. It started slowly on Monday,
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 27, 20254 min read
Thank You!
I just want to take a moment to pause and say thank you. Since launching this blog in January, it has been a journey I never could have fully imagined. Over the past several months, we’ve had over 1,200 views—that’s over 150 per month! Honestly, I only expected maybe a dozen people to stumble upon my words at first, so seeing this response has been humbling and incredibly encouraging. I am so grateful to each of you reading, commenting, sharing, or simply spending a few minut
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 19, 20252 min read
Stitches of Belonging
Have you ever received a gift that, in the moment, seemed ordinary — but later revealed itself as sacred? A gift that holds more than its surface, that holds memory, love, and presence? I remember the quilt on the left — playful, colorful, stitched with care. I received it during my first week at Miracle Burn Camp of Iowa, when I was just seven. At the time, I didn’t understand why it mattered. It was just a blanket. But now, I feel it differently. I feel the warmth it carrie
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 19, 20253 min read
The Pool
Pools have always been a place of vulnerability for me. Not just because of the water, but because of what it means—being seen. Being exposed. Letting others glimpse the parts of me I usually keep hidden. It’s not just about scars on my skin… it’s about the history they carry. As a teen, the scars were from my own hands, the cuts on my skin were not by accident and I didnt want others to see. When I went to the pool I would cover up completely and sometimes get turned away be
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 10, 20252 min read
Made For More Crafts
As many of you know, I’ve been given the incredible honor of representing St. Florian Fire and Burn Foundation as the counselor accompanying our camper to International Burn Camp in Washington, D.C. this September. The trip itself is fully funded, but I want to make it **extra special**—for our camper, for our journey, and for the opportunities ahead. ✨ In celebration of this adventure—and the upcoming World Burn Congress—I’ve relaunched my Bonfire store! ✨ Every item is desi
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 6, 20251 min read
Honored and Overjoyed
Absolutely overflowing. That’s the only way I can describe my heart after reading the email I’ve spent most of my life praying would one day arrive. Fourteen years — ever since I was a 12-year-old kid still learning how to love my healing skin in the mirror — I’ve dreamt of this moment. Dreamed of the experience. Of finally being able to overcome and be something better. As a little girl still clinging to life in the burn unit and beyond the unit, I used to daydream about som
Kelsay Parrott
Aug 6, 20254 min read
Still Learning
I’ve been walking this burn survivor journey for 22 years now. More than two decades. You’d think by now I’d have it all figured out—how to pace myself, how to stay safe, how to read the signs before they hit hard. But the truth is, I don’t. And honestly? That surprises me sometimes. Yesterday was a good example. I went out disc golfing with friends. The sun was out in full force, the heat index high—about 90°F with over 70% humidity. I did what I thought was the “right” thin
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 28, 20254 min read
Lessons from Antiques
If you were to ask my family and friends, they’d probably tell you I was born in the wrong century—not just the wrong year, but the wrong century . There’s something about the craftsmanship of the past that pulls me in, almost as if I’m not meant for today’s world. The time, the care, the attention to detail—qualities that feel like a distant memory in today’s world of automation and mass production. When I look at a glass cup hand-blown in the Victorian era or trace my finge
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 27, 20256 min read
Bridging the Divide
I needed the divide bridged—and for the first time, I finally feel like it has been, at least in some ways. You see, as a trauma survivor, compartmentalizing comes far too easily. Compartmentalizing is the mental process of separating painful or conflicting experiences into different “boxes” in your mind as a way to cope and avoid certain feelings or triggers. It can protect you for a while, but after years of doing it, those boxes start to feel less like safety—and more lik
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 23, 20256 min read
Beauty in the Pain
Sunday night, I was out with my parents when I found myself talking with a gentleman who had endured something truly traumatic. As he spoke, I listened with everything in me—while my own body quietly cried out. Every time I shifted my weight, an open nerve in my leg flared. The slightest bump sent shockwaves—eight out of ten on the pain scale—shooting down through my leg, sharp enough to make my eyes water. My body was still worn out from camp, my soul tired, my energy hangin
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 14, 20254 min read
Sacred Camp Moments
Sitting at the campfire, hand in hand with a fellow counselor, I felt the tears fall freely—hot, quiet (or not so quiet) and unashamed. I wasn’t just crying because the week was ending. I was crying because this place, these people, this love—it all means so much more than I can ever put into words. Camp isn’t just a place. It’s a heartbeat. It’s the one week where the world fades, and what’s real takes center stage. It’s where laughter is loud, hugs are tight, and you’re see
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 12, 20252 min read
Care Matters
On June 26, 2025, I was invited to a Phonograph Show—something a bit outside the usual rhythm of life, and exactly what my heart needed. One of the leaders, a dear friend of mine, extended the invitation, and I quickly rearranged my plans to be there. And I’m so glad I did. The show was held in an old wooden building, dating back to the early 1900s. Music filled the air—warm, rich sounds from a bygone era. I sat there smiling, completely transported to a time that feels like
Kelsay Parrott
Jun 26, 20253 min read
Still Choosing to Trust in the Pain
Does this season suck? Yes, it does. Have tears been shed? Absolutely. Am I scared, angry, anxious? More than I want to admit. Have there been sleepless nights? Of course. Do I know how it’s all going to work out? No, I don’t. Do I know how I’m going to make it through? Honestly, no. Right now, I’m hurting. I feel violated, victimized, and overwhelmed. I’m praying—for healing, for peace, for restoration, for return—but I haven’t seen the answers yet. My heart aches, and every
Kelsay Parrott
Jun 22, 20253 min read
From Afraid to Filled: A Pentecost Journey
This weekend marks Pentecost —a moment in the church calendar that used to come and go without much thought from me. We honored it in services as a kid. I remember those well. Some of my memories of those sermons are not the best because I was afraid of the story. But I remember hearing them all the time. I knew about the fire, the wind, and the tongues. I believed in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—but if I’m being honest, the Holy Spirit always felt... distant. May
Kelsay Parrott
Jun 7, 20256 min read
Unexpected Blessings
Have you ever been praying for something serious, and then God shows up in a way you never expected—something that changes your whole attitude in a second? Have you ever been praying for a breakthrough or a sign from God that you were anticipating to be answered in a specific way? I had been praying for a blessing. Life had felt overwhelming—bills, debt, medical challenges, work, volunteer commitments, life in general… all of it piling up. Outwardly, I was joyful. I smiled, l
Kelsay Parrott
May 29, 20255 min read
Angel Armies
One year ago, during a quiet drive, I had a realization that left me speechless. I wrote about it then, but tonight—on another drive—it hit me again. Except this time, it felt deeper. Clearer. More urgent. While praying in the stillness of the evening, God brought back a vivid image I’d seen at the Gettysburg museum. It was a depiction of a vast army—row upon row of soldiers, shoulder to shoulder, disciplined and determined. There was weight and purpose in that formation. Po
Kelsay Parrott
May 27, 20253 min read
Honoring the Fallen
Tonight, as I lay my head down, I find myself overcome with both gratitude and grief—a heart full of mourning, yet deeply thankful. I reflect on the lives lost in battle so that I might live free. Over 1.3 million American service members have given their lives in wars since the founding of our nation. Millions more answered the call—some willingly, others with quiet reluctance. Some stepped forward when others could not. Some gave everything so that future generations could
Kelsay Parrott
May 26, 20252 min read
Greenhouse Walks
There’s something sacred about walking through the greenhouse. I’m drawn to the flowers—the way they burst with color, the way their fragrance hangs in the air like a hymn. Each bloom seems to whisper a story, and together they live in perfect harmony. To me, it feels like a glimpse of the Garden… a reflection of Heaven itself. In 2003, after I suffered a severe burn injury, doctors made a bold and risky decision to change my ventilator in an effort to save my life. The proce
Kelsay Parrott
May 24, 20252 min read
Sensitive Content:
As a trauma pastor and survivor, I find it essential to alert readers to sensitive topics, ensuring they feel safe and aren’t caught off guard. A simple warning can prevent harm, so please approach this content mindfully. If it may be sensitive for you, consider reading at a safer time or skipping it altogether. If something causes distress, please seek help from a licensed counselor, pastor, or trusted friend. Note that it’s impossible to warn for all triggers, so please advocate for yourself and assess the content before engaging. Thank you for understanding and for helping create a safer environment for all!
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