In September 2001, Tammy Trent, a successful Christian artist, headed to Jamaica with her husband Trent on what was supposed to be both a vacation as well as a mission trip. Her husband, an experienced scuba diver, went out for a dive on September 10, but never returned.

The following morning, while Tammy waited helplessly for a search and rescue effort to get underway, she watched the events of September 11 unfold, in New York, as planes brought down the World Trade Center. She later identified her husband's body that night as her world spiraled to what seemed like an end. "When I first lost my husband, it seemed impossible to even breathe. Shock, then sadness, and sometimes fear, literally took my breath away," she writes in her book Beyond The Sorrow.

Seven years later, Tammy Trent is releasing a new collection of music, appropriately titled Stronger. Produced by Bernie Herms, Doug Beiden, Stephen Marshall and Brian Steckler, Stronger is nothing short of her testimony and story. It’s both a peek into her personal journal, as well as a response to what women and girls all over the world have shared with her. Tammy demonstrates the uncanny ability to reach women who are in seemingly impossible situations such as adultery, divorce, abuse, trying to start over, trying to conceive and those who are trying to hold onto their faith, even when God seems silent. Stronger, as Tammy explains, is her way of speaking life, saying, "Hold onto the truth and God will see you through this circumstance. Embrace all the possibilities of tomorrow, today."

Tammy has lived through the darkest of hours. She knows what the other side looks like. It’s not perfect, but it can still be glorious. And that message shines bright, filled with hope and peace, in this new collection of songs.

NRT's own Andrew (aka crazyforchrist) recently interviewed Tammy about her latest album and what has led her to this new place.

Let's talk about the title of your new project Stronger. What does that word mean to you?

Well, sitting here today I believe the word stronger says everything about my life and the choices that I've made. I look back at a very broken women who stood on the edge of the water seven years ago, wondering how I would ever live again, and wondering IF I would ever live again. It all seemed impossible, and the pain ran so deep. I struggled to smile. I fought for my spiritual life. But season after season, I became stronger and braver and more courageous. I wanted so badly for others to see how I was coming back to life again. You know, with the covering of Jesus in our lives, it is possible. He can restore us, He can heal us and make us stronger. There's no doubt that I'm still broken, but I've also experienced a great healing in my life, and God has made me stronger.

Do you find that healing is more of a process than a destination?

I think it's both. My healing has been a process. I do believe complete healing will come when I reach my final destination, which is Heaven. But because I choose to trust in Jesus, I don't have to be fearful of the unknown. He's already proven to me how much He loves me. He died on the cross for me. He said, "He'd heal me," so I choose to stand on His promise today while His healing power flows in me. I'm walking in it today. Now, that's something to celebrate!

How has loss of your husband impacted your work?

Because of the depth of the pain I've endured, and the fire that I've walked through, it has truly effected everything I do. I see life so differently. Hope is richer. Peace is calmer. And the presence of God is everywhere! So I sing about it and talk about it wherever God calls me to go. But sometimes I want others to see that all God is asking of us, at times, is to just show up! Show up and then wait on God and watch and see what He does with your circumstances. I guess you'd say that my intentions now, with everything I do, is that people would see a real God living inside a real girl who is just another traveler on this earth.

You worked with four producers on this project (award-winning composer Bernie Herms, Doug Beiden, Stephen Marshall and Brian Steckler). Is it difficult to maintain a cohesive sound with such a wide array of help? And who had the most influence on the sound this time around?

It can be a challenge at times, but if you really know who you are and what you want to accomplish, I believe it can be achieved. I think the guys did a great job by just listening to my heart and wanting to be part of the ministry that takes place AFTER the music. We can all make a super vibey 10 track record that has a commercial sounding beat, but I never sing those songs at a women's conference or at a church service. So I'm not into making a record for the industry's approval as much as I am for the people I'm out there ministering to. I'm listening to their cries. I'm seeing the disappointments on their faces, and I'm walking into the studio saying, "Guys, can we write a song for the woman who's in so much pain over her divorce? Can we write a song for the girl who feels fat and ugly? Can we write a song for the one who just came back to the faith and wants to shout about it with joy?"

I think each producer on this new project Stronger, gave that to me and brought a seamless flow of tracks.

If there's one guy that brought out something new in me, I'd say that was Bernie Herms. He worked my tail off! (Laughing.) Can I say that? But seriously, Bernie's a personal friend and an amazing sought after producer, so I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to work with him. He helped to find the new musical "me," and I'm smiling because of it.

Very cool! Tell us, who or what inspires you most?

Honestly, I think life itself inspires me. I can experience something new everyday, apply it to my life and grow somehow through it if I choose to. There is an artist friend of mine, Wynonna Judd, who also inspires me in so many ways. Here's a woman who has been through so much in her life and has always looked for something to complete her. Now, she's coming face to face with God and surrendering everything to Him in the most honest, real and authentic way I've seen in a long time. It challenges me to continue to be real with God, too.

What is your favorite bible verse?

At the moment, it's Psalm 34:18 (NCV): "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves those whose spirits have been crushed." I think that pretty much meets every single one of us right where we're at in life.

I've been listening to your song "Edge Of The Water," which is just amazing! What's the meaning behind the song?

This song takes me back to the very moment when I was standing on the edge of the water, and I knew my life was forever changed. My heart was broken. I couldn't breathe, and I was desperate for God when nothing made sense. The moment I found out my husband was never coming home again, I thought: I didn't get to say good-bye. I didn't get to say I love you one more time. He was tragically killed September 11, 2001, in a free-diving accident in Jamaica's Blue Lagoon, while we were on a mission trip. Even with tears streaming down my face today and through all the pain, I can sit here and tell you I have no doubt that God is still beautiful. He is still wonderful. He is still so powerful. Look how far I've come. I'm not completely there yet, but because of Christ in my life and allowing Him to carry me when I couldn't walk on my own, I am truly in a STRONGER place as I continue to heal. All of us have went through our very own "Edge of the Water" experience, but the real story is what we do with those moment.

Tell us about one or two more songs on the new album.

"Shine" is probably one of my favorite songs on the record. I think it has to do with the peaceful atmosphere it brings with it, that voice inside of me constantly saying, "You don’t just have to get through, you can overcome anything, you can be triumphant!" I love the vibe, the melody, the "laid-back, roll down the window while driving down the coast of California" feel to it… It’s just another way of saying and really believing, "Everything’s gonna be alright." Not just for me, but for you, too!

"Your yesterdays have got nothing on you. Say bye bye, let it go, turn around and look who’s free… we’re FREE…"

The longer I live, the more important worship becomes to me. The more important surrender is to me. "I'm Letting Go" is a song of total surrender and trust. It’s an authentic moment of worship for me, a place of total openness before the Lord. And I hope it will serve as a catalyst for others like me who have struggled to hold onto something that can’t be held. I hope that as people hear it and sing it, it will take them to a place of total honesty before God and empower them to take the next step, knowing that things will hold up when we let go.

"Holding nothing back from you. Ready to do all the things you call me to. Holy hands are reaching up to you. I surrender, I surrender I'm letting go"