THUNDER BAY – Candace McLean’s personal story has made it into the latest book in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, entitled Answered Prayers, released October 18, 2011.
The book features 101 stories of hope, miracles, faith, divine intervention, and the power of prayer. Last year Candace began hosting a radio show in Rhode Island, interviewing best-selling authors and leaders in the personal transformation field.
One of her guests was author LeAnn Thieman, best known for her involvement in “Operation Baby Lift”, and co-author of 10 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. LeAnn shared moving stories of people’s personal experiences with miracles from her most recent Chicken Soup book at the time A Book of Miracles.
Candace understood how special and meaningful those stories were, because six years earlier, she had had her own miraculous experience; one that she had been reluctant to share with anyone except those closest to her. “I hadn’t planned to tell my story to LeAnn, let alone on the air. I remember we were coming up to 2 minutes before break and I looked down at my list of questions, and realized I had already asked everything I had planned for that segment. I searched my mind for something to ask or say, but the only thing I could think of was my story. I was terrified to share it, especially in such a public way. But once I did, I have to say it was a relief. I had held that story in for so long.”
Candace’s story involves discovering she was pregnant with her now 6-year old daughter, Irelyn. LeAnn Thieman was especially moved, and suggested it would make a great addition to the next Chicken Soup book she was working on.
Each year, Chicken Soup for the Soul receives millions of submissions, and only a couple percent are ever published. Candace’s story had to go through the regular channels in terms of story selection, but made it as one of the final 101 stories for Answered Prayers.
“I am thrilled that my story made it, and I have come to learn that miracles truly are a part of our lives. Over the last few years, I have heard similar accounts through my hospice volunteer training, through interviewing guests on the show, and through my hypnotherapy practice. I’ve had several new clients walk in and say, ‘Look, I have to tell you something that happened to me that I’ve never told anyone before…’”
“I’m honoured that people feel comfortable to share their experiences of such a personal nature with me. I understand where they’re coming from. And yet in sharing, it seems to offer them a sense of relief too.”
“I am hopeful that my story will offer others reassurance that miracles are indeed possible.
Never stop believing in them.”
For more information visit www.candacemclean.com