JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP)–Blessings sometimes come in ways people least expect them. Just ask Heather Wall Brill, 24, and her sister, Holly Wall Nesbitt, 26.
The two sisters have come through a turbulent year of tragedy and blessings. They recently talked about losing their husbands in a canoe accident a year ago in August in Vermont, moving home to Holts Summit with their mother and forming a music group with sister Heidi.
“If I had a big plan, this wouldn’t be it,” Heather said. “I never thought about living here. But now that I’m here, I feel a peace about it. This is where I am supposed to be.”
These words don’t come easily for a woman who lost her father to health problems months before losing her husband, James, and brother in-law, Scott Nesbitt. She had planned to move to Texas that fall so James could attend seminary.
Holly also was settled in, helping her husband to start a Christian youth camp in Vermont.
“My relationship with God has strengthened so much,” Holly said. “It’s so much deeper.”
After the accident, Heather, Holly and Holly’s 3-year-old daughter, Emma, returned to Missouri. They lived with their mother and three siblings until November.
Last fall, Heather entered Holly and their younger sister Heidi, 21, and herself in a music talent contest conducted by Christian radio station KCVO. They were among the winners, and the three have been singing together ever since as The Walls.
They recently completed their first demo CD, which features three songs with lyrics written by Heather and Holly. The trio has a backup band of five fellow members of Memorial Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Aaron Snell, Jordan Nelson, Greg Nelson, Rowe Arends and Jeremy Duren.
Both Heather and Holly believe their music has helped them cope with their losses.
“I just know that how we dealt with the tragedy was clinging to God,” Holly said. “We don’t know how much time we have. You realize how precious life is. After [the accident] happened, we said from now on it is going to be nothing but ministry.”
Holly acknowledged many difficult times. She remembers when she wouldn’t open her Bible and would cry uncontrollably.
“I prayed all the time, but I had to take baby steps, maybe just reading a chapter a day,” she said. “I was starting over. Now it so different.” Now living comfortably in a house next to their mother, Heather and Holly are moving forward with their lives. Holly is the worship leader at Memorial Baptist and Heather freelances as a graphic designer.
“The Lord has brought wonderful people into our lives,” Holly said. “I’m so grateful and so blessed. You do sometimes feel guilty for how great things are. It’s been God. The Lord is meeting the needs.”
Ken Lumley, Memorial’s pastor, has counseled with Holly and Heather since they began attending the church.
“This band that they have been doing has been real helpful to them,” he said. “It lets them reunite around a good common cause. We don’t always know how they are feeling, but we have tried to communicate that we are more concerned about them than the gifts they bring.”
Despite the tough times, Heather said she doesn’t feel sorry for herself.
“Even though I’ve been through this horrible pain, I’m so grateful and so blessed,” she said. “It’s funny how the Lord moves. It’s not about us. Everyone has a sad story.”
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The Walls can be contacted at (573) 896-8325. (BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: THE WALLS.
