Since I last wrote, things have been different. A cancer diagnosis for my husband.  News that I need a kidney transplant. There were lots of doctor appointments and procedures. Surgery and radiation for my husband; preparations for dialysis for me, and the search for a donor.

You might ask, like so many before you, “How do we cope?” The answer is prayer! Lots of prayer, including our own. And, being firmly rooted in the knowledge that God is our savior and He is good.

We doubled down with our lives. We continued to work full-time and raise our children. For me, a gym regimen of 5 days a week with a 70 lb. weight loss. We taught Awana and went to group bible study.  Steve coached a soccer team, and I was the team mom. We worked hard to keep our blended family running smoothly.

The practical application of marrying a man with four young kids at home was significant. As hard as it was at times, I never doubted that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I wanted to honor God; but as the song “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake says, “… I’ve nothing else fit for a King, except for a heart signing Hallelujah,” and maybe the wisdom and experience from my own family breakup years before. So, I tried to foster an environment of healing and inclusiveness. One where everybody who loved those kids we were raising could be together. We have been successfully sharing birthdays, family photo shoots, Christmases, graduations, and even a wedding. I have even begun to think of Patricia, my husband’s ex-wife, as a close friend and a cherished part of my family.  I have praised her for the way she has loved her children through the difficult times of divorce and separation.

It turns out that God is the ultimate provider. Through His love, my stepchildren’s biological mother, my husband’s ex-wife, has stepped forward to be my kidney donor.  This is so clearly the work of God bringing all of the hurt and pain together in a way that has the potential to heal all of us!  I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, please pray for our family.