By Samantha Beidoun • Photos by Hilary Nichols
I recently met with Danielle Groth and corresponded with Vicky Lovell, two of the co-founders of Angel Whispers Healing Center in Dexter. Angel Whispers aids in helping individuals and families in mind, body, and spirit. They are in the process of moving into a new space on Baker Road that will be home to an even larger collective for grief care, acupuncture, reiki, worship, and other healing modalities.
How would you describe the mission of Angel Whispers?
Danielle Groth: Angel Whispers Ministries is a 501(c)(3) federal non-profit dedicated to teaching individuals, families, and children the importance of self-love and finding wholeness in mind, body, and spirit through blending faith and energy medicine practices.
How did Angel Whispers get its name?
Vicky Lovell: When my son, Charlie, was four years old, he had to have a tonsillectomy. Before the surgery he asked my dad if he knew who would be with him in surgery, my dad responded with, “Yes, your mom!” And Charlie’s response was, “No, the guy in the sky, the creator of us all!” Our family thought his response was adorable. Little did we know it was prophetic.
He did well during surgery but while I sat with Charlie in recovery, his face turned blue, the sounds of the machines went off, mayhem ensued, and Charlie flatlined. While I was holding the lifeless body of my child, the panicked room included nurses crying and one stabbing his little leg with different shots. Finally, a calm nurse entered the room, placed her hand on my shoulder and whispered into my ear, “May I try one more thing?” She proceeded to put an epinephrine mask on my son. His eyes blinked open and the machine showed his heart had resumed beating. Charlie stroked my cheek and said, “That was so peaceful.”
At that moment our lives changed. I knew it was an angel who whispered into my ear and saved my son’s life. After that I went and wrote Angel Whispers on a piece of paper. I knew I was meant to do something to help people feel the same peace that I felt in that moment which was also the scariest moment of my life. Here we are 16 years later, and we have pursued this calling where we help people reach wholeness in mind, body, and spirit which leads to the peace that we are all seeking in our lives.
What were the pivotal moments that turned you to these modalities?
Danielle Groth: It’s a story I never would have imagined. My son was diagnosed with autism just after his second birthday. We had only recently been relocated to Germany for my husband’s job. I learned so much about holistic health while living in Germany. My family became cognizant of the foods we ate and the ingredients in the products we used. We spent more time playing outside and enjoying a slower pace of life. We found homeopathy and then used it to find my son’s voice. We moved home (to Saline) when specialized schooling and English became necessary for my son’s success. Before we moved home, I had been chasing down an illness of my own, but doctors were unable to diagnose me with anything. My labs were always in the normal range, but I never felt well. The only thing each doctor agreed upon was that I was tremendously stressed and suggested I exercise, lighten my load, delegate, etc. I honestly tried, but life just kept throwing things my way that I could not control or ignore, much less delegate. Then in early 2016, three days after my 47th birthday, the biggest surprise of my life knocked the wind out of me: I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The stress had won. I was broken physically and mentally. That’s where Reiki, EFT (emotional freedom technique), and VST (vibrational sound therapy) found me.
Reiki helped me find healing and my health and life turned around. I left my first Reiki session feeling so happy and uplifted. However, I was skeptical. How could placing hands over my body bring me such peace and relaxation? Nevertheless, I went back for a second session. This time I left feeling hopeful. By the third session, I knew I needed to learn Reiki for my own self-care and my family would certainly benefit. Since becoming a practitioner, I am more relaxed, my cortisol levels are in the normal range, and I have found joy again in my life. Most importantly, I am healthy and cancer free! Reiki also helped me find EFT, meditation, and Vibrational Sound Therapy by opening up my awareness to other stress relieving modalities. My whole family benefits and now I share my knowledge and healing with others.
How did the three co-founders of Angel Whispers meet?
Vicky Lovell: I was the associate pastor at Zion Lutheran Church where Dan McConnell [the third founder of Anel Whispers], and Danielle were longtime members. We met there and realized that we were brought together for a purpose.
How were you and Vicky coined “The Wonder Twins?”
Danielle Groth: Vicky and I started seeing a friend, who had cancer, together (usually we would see people individually). I offered sound therapy and reiki, and Vicky offered prayer. After one hospital session in particular, we all witnessed a very profound healing experience. While marveling about how awesome God is, Vicky and I joked about how it felt to put our two energies together. It reminded us of a cartoon duo from our childhood called “The Wonder Twins.” We joked about it with others, and they all laughed as it was so fitting. The name stuck and we decided to trademark and go with it!
How do you define spiritually?
Vicky Lovell: I believe spirituality is a person’s personal relationship with the divine. We all have the divine within us, so spirituality is beyond religion, doctrine, and rules, and is more about connecting with the love that resides within us knowing that we all come from the source of Love to love.
Angel Whispers Healing Center is located at 3045 Baker Road in Dexter. Feel free to visit during business hours to check out what the place is all about or call (734) 276-2682. More information can also be found at www.angelwhispers.org.
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