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Remarkable stories are my favorites; they’re usually so uplifting. They prove that our own reality is far more impressive than fiction. Take the story of Toccoa’s native son, Paul Anderson, who was told he might not survive childhood due to a kidney ailment. Anderson not only recovered, but he went on to college on a football scholarship and later, world-class weightlifting competitions. And in a Moscow exhibition in 1955, he dominated the Russian weightlifters.

Yet Anderson’s real story begins in 1956 at the 16th Olympiad, in Melbourne, Australia.

It was there, after a bout with a virus and the loss of 30 pounds, he failed his first two attempts and was told he would have to lift 414.5 pounds to win the gold medal. That’s when he made a promise to God: “God, you have given me everything, but up to now, I have given you nothing in return. I’m not trying to make a deal, God, but from here on out, I’m making a real commitment. I must have your help to get this weight overhead.”

Anderson hoisted the weight and held the lift that began his legacy. He later relinquished his amateur status and began a speaking tour to share his faith in Jesus Christ. His story really unfolds when he married Glenda Garland, and together, they obeyed God’s call to meet the needs of troubled youth. In 1961, they established the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia, and the rest is history for the 1,200 broken boys who have been transformed into strong young men over the past 50 years. Read this remarkable story, “The lift that launched a legacy,” on page 15.

Enjoy!

Ann Orowski
Editor

Be sure to check out this month's BONUS Web exclusive content, including:

• 19A—Where to go in Swainsboro
• 24A—More recipes and cookbooks we love
• 26A—Bonus Snapshot submissions: Sweethearts
• 26B—Gardens Plant of the Month: Daphne odora
• 34E—February's Energy Notes: What makes up a utility pole?
• Enter our 2012 Pet Photo Contest!
• February's Online Trivia Contest: Read and Win!

ON THE COVER THIS MONTH:

Olympic weightlifting champion Paul Anderson and his wife Glenda (and a few of the 1,200 teens whose lives they transformed) pose in front of the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia, in 1963. Today, the Paul Anderson Youth Home continues to offer life change and rehabilitation to hurting young men. And Paul Anderson Ministries offers resources and training to today's parents through the familySTRONG parenting movement. See story, page 15. (Photo courtesy of Paul Anderson Youth Home.)