Firm Foundation by Bonnie Shue McDonald: How Faith Became the Framework

What happens when a family's ordinary life is interrupted by trauma?In this episode of My Friend Writes, Kim Mosiman sits down with author Bonnie McDonald to discuss her upcoming book, Firm Foundation: Resilience After Trauma. Together they explore the life-altering events that inspired the book, the long road from calling to completion, and the surprising ways God uses our hardest seasons to help others heal.Bonnie shares the story of her son's cardiac arrest, the emotional challenges of writing about family, and the powerful metaphor that became the framework for her book. As a longtime youth director, realtor, wife, mother, and grandmother, Bonnie offers a perspective grounded in faith, practical wisdom, and hope.This conversation is about far more than writing a book. It is about obedience, resilience, protecting your peace, finding your voice, and trusting God with the assignments He places before you.If you've ever wondered whether your story matters, struggled through a season of loss or trauma, or felt God nudging you toward something you aren't quite sure you're capable of doing, this episode will encourage you.In this conversation, you'll discover:• How trauma reshapes both life and faith• Why Bonnie waited years before writing her story• The unexpected "divine download" that transformed her manuscript• The importance of protecting your peace as a writer• Why community matters for authors• What resilience looks like after life's hardest moments• How God uses our stories to help others healBonnie's book, Firm Foundation: Resilience After Trauma, releases June 18.After you listen, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read Bonnie's companion essay on my website or Substack. In it, she reflects on what it means to make room for God in the middle of an often chaotic world. She shares the daily rhythms that help her stay connected to Him, why she leaves her phone behind more often than she picks it up, and how protecting her peace has become an act of faithfulness.You'll also find show notes, links, and resources from today's conversation.Subscribe to My Friend Writes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode.