The 12th Mile

by Louise Ann Gibson

When life takes a hard turn and keeps getting harder, where do you find the endurance to keep going? The 12th Mile invites readers into one mother’s raw and hope-filled journey through her daughter’s relentless battle with mental illness—and how God used the unexpected gift of running to reveal His presence, resilience, and care in the middle of the “harder still".

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Louise Ann Photo Collage
Louise Ann Gibson

Embracing Hope in the Harder Still

Look up. Take your next step. Life is a marathon. The hardest miles can make us believe we are running alone. We are not. And seasons of deepest struggle can be ones of profound growth. It is in embracing these moments that we find a hard-won hope! My story — my family’s story — testifies to this truth. The 12th Mile: When Hard Becomes Harder Still is our journey…

Louise Ann Gibson Photo Collage
Louise Ann Gibson
Louise Gibson

About Louise Ann Gibson

Louise Ann Gibson is a passionate storyteller, caregiver, and runner who has spent nearly fifteen years walking alongside her daughter through chronic illness while navigating her own epilepsy diagnosis. With humor, honesty, and faith, she shares how God uses unexpected tools—like running shoes—to equip us for life’s hardest miles. Louise Ann has taught, spoken, and served in schools, churches, support groups, and military bases. She lives in Michigan and loves encouraging weary hearts to persevere.

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About The 12th Mile

When life takes a hard turn and keeps getting harder, how do you keep going? In The 12th Mile: When Hard Becomes Harder Still, I share my personal journey of parenting a child through chronic mental illness while navigating an unexpected health struggle of my own. Through the surprising lens of running, I uncover the power of thoughts, the beauty in resilience, and the hard work of perseverance. I pray that I have communicated our family’s story with humor, honesty, and hope. May the road we have traveled encourage weary parents, caregivers, and anyone facing relentless challenges to take the next step, trust God’s timing, and find strength to endure their own “12th mile.”

The 12th Mile - When hard become harder still by Louise Ann Gibson

Devotions

A sculpture made of colorful boats on a white building

The Master Recycler

  I still had their attention!  Unbelievable! Being a recycler looks very different to them today!   Twenty-eight 3-year-old eyes kept widening as I unpacked the story of Joseph from Genesis 37-50. While the details of his journey had been appropriately adjusted for a 3-year-old heart, my littles got it: Joseph experienced tremendous injustice and persecution…
man riding on black BMX bike in mid-air

Go Big or Go Home

“Louise, ‘Go Big or Go Home’!” Go Big or Go Home? The first time I heard the statement, I thought, That’s a playful challenge! Those five itty-bitty words my friend released into the air seemed to grow legs and immediately walk through my imagination. I laughed! I have heard them many times since—sometimes misused and…
person in swimming goggles in water

Swim to the Wall

Swim to the Wall My mother-in-law (mother-in-love) is now in heaven, but when she was on earth, she decorated the world around her! Sharon was a passionate high school Latin teacher—a really good one! Her students were among the primary recipients of the unique color she brought to her world! And they loved it, lol,…