On a quiet Missouri farm, Marvin Wilmes’s childhood is shaped by the warmth of a sprawling Catholic family and the gentle rhythms of rural life....
Marvin Wilmes
Marvin Wilmes discovered his passion for writing while serving in the United States Marine Corps, where the discipline of service met the power of storytelling. That passion led to a 12-year career in journalism, during which he owned and operated a community newspaper. In 1997, Marvin transitioned into human services, dedicating another 12 years to supporting others through life’s challenges.
At age 55, a life-altering diagnosis of bladder and prostate cancer brought that chapter to an abrupt halt. Now, 15 years later and still a cancer survivor, Marvin continues to draw strength and purpose from his journey. His diagnosis marked the beginning of a deeper personal odyssey—one that inspired him to write Beyond the Horizon, a memoir chronicling his battles with grief, loss, and resilience during the first three decades of his life.
Today, Marvin is committed to sharing stories of hope and healing, believing that even the hardest journeys can lead to profound transformation.
Marvin Wilmes discovered his passion for writing while serving in the United States Marine Corps, where the discipline of service met the power of storytelling. That passion led to a 12-year career in journalism, during which he owned and operated a community newspaper. In 1997, Marvin transitioned into human services, dedicating another 12 years to supporting others through life’s challenges.
At age 55, a life-altering diagnosis of bladder and...
Books
Rising Beyond Hope
A Memoir of Grief, Loss, and Faith
From the series:
Odyssey of Hope Series
On a quiet Missouri farm, Marvin Wilmes’s childhood is shaped by the warmth of a sprawling Catholic family and the gentle rhythms of rural life. But when a series of losses—his beloved dog, a cousin’s tragic drowning, the death of President Kennedy—shatter that innocence, Marvin’s faith begins to falter.
As he grows, the questions deepen: Why...
Read moreChoose Your Retailer
A Quest for Freedom
Guardian Angel. Battlefield Memories. Destiny Arrives.
Roger Wilson is a seeker of truth. He and his best friend, Mark Myers have a bond unbreakable. His new friend, Wayne Bennett, is struggling to believe in something larger than himself.
An odd messenger named Zeke may have something more to say on both friendships as Roger is given a...
or
Learn More
Blog
Rising Beyond Hope (Odyssey of Hope Series) — Chapter One
Chapter One – A Cocoon of Innocence
Matthew 13:3–9
If you have read the introduction and first chapter of Rising Beyond Hope, Book One of the Odyssey of Hope series, you already know something about my storytelling: I don’t just remember events—I remember how they felt. And in Chapter One of Rising Beyond Hope, I step back into a season where life wasn’t yet loud, sharp, or complicated. It was soft around the edges. Warm. Safe. Like I was...
A reflection on the strange, gentle spark that keeps showing up even when the road is dim.
Introduction: Hope as a soft, stubborn light
Hope isn’t a thunderclap. It’s a soft light tucked into the chest, a whisper that says: not yet, but perhaps. It arrives in ordinary moments—an unexpected smile, a friend’s message, a small act of kindness—and it reframes what seems to be loss or exhaustion. The wonder of hope is that it can grow in places that feel almost empty, turning even a narrow corridor...
Ah, yes, it was fun and frustrating at the same time. My interest in producing an audiobook was piqued five years ago when I began following Derek Doepker creator of Audiobooks Made Easy. They still aren't, but it was a nice side hobby to explore.
A year ago, I laid the audiobook track down in 19 different files in a free app called Audacity, but then came the real challenge with audiobooks. Editing. My radio background had me working with magnetic recording tape and razor blades to make...
Join my mailing list
Be the first to hear about new events and exclusive content.