Tragedy comes to everyone. Many feel ill-equipped to deal with loss. Through the testimony of David and Marie Works, whose daughters Stephanie and Rachel were killed (he was severely wounded) at New Life Church on December 9th, 2007, readers will be shown how to find and experience God in the present moment.
This never-before-told complete story of the tragic December 2007 Colorado shootings includes 8 pages of personal photos from the Works family, including the tragic events of December 9.
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On a snowy Sunday morning in December, David and Marie Works and their four daughters were about to leave church—a typical scene for thousands of families—when suddenly a gunman appeared, shooting at anyone who got in his way. Rachel and Stephanie Works were killed, and David was critically wounded.
The shootings at New Life Church are one of America’s greatest recent tragedies. At the heart of that tragedy is the Works family. A mom and dad left to cope without two of their daughters, two sisters left to grieve the loss of their siblings. How do you make sense of a gunman who goes to church—determined to kill thousands of people? Is forgiveness possible? Is “moving on”?
For the first time, David and Marie Works reveal the complete story of that fateful day, how they’ve coped since then, details of their emotional meeting with the gunman’s family, and what they learned when a parent’s worst nightmare became reality. For anyone facing their world turned upside down, Gone in a Heartbeat tells a true story of hope and fearless faith.
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“Get down, there’s a shooter out there!”
Before driving to church on December 9, 2007, with their four daughters, David and Marie Works hear a breaking news report about a shooting that occurred hours before—only 70 miles away. They have no way of knowing this story will soon be part of their own.
After staying late to talk with friends following the service, all six family members are finally piling back into their minivan when they hear gunshots. Suddenly a laid-back Sunday turns deadly serious. People run to avoid cross fire. Family members are separated in the chaos. A security guard subdues the shooter, but precious lives have already been lost: those of Stephanie and Rachel Works.
Gone in a Heartbeat is the story of two girls who had big plans for the future—world travelers who only wanted to make a difference with their lives. A story that shares a family’s grief, but also shares how their faith in God allowed them to forgive, to face each day, and to have hope for the future.
When tragedy strikes, will you be left standing?
