My friend Kasey over at Finding Hope asked me to be a part of a series she's hosting right now called, Stories of Hope...and those of you who have read long know, God has given us a story of HOPE through some of the darkest seasons of our life. Here's a sneak peak, then I encourage you to click on over to her site for the rest of the story and to look around at her beautiful little space :)...
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When Kasey asked me to share a bit of our journey with you while she and Jon are off on their "surprise" vacation, I was honored and excited all at the same time! Honored that she asked me to share and excited that they get some time away after a long school year for them both! You see, Kasey and I have something in common...not only did we both marry a 'John' (even if they are spelled differently!) but we both know what it's like to be the wife of a grad student, holding down the fort at home with our kiddos while Daddy works hard toward an amazing goal. You can see now why I'm so excited that they get some time away! I pray this time is precious for them both.
Well, now you know a little bit about me, and by the end you'll know a lot more...
Kasey asked me to share about a difficult time in my life, where I saw God literally pull me through. Tears started coming to my eyes when I wrote that last line because looking back now, that's exactly how it felt. I don't really remember walking through a valley. Instead, I remember the gentle and tender hand of God pulling, pressing, carrying and guiding us through a season of our life that now looking back, seems like a dream.
Let me tell you the whole story...
Four years ago we began knocking on doors.
We looked into every doctoral program within driving distance of our home for John to attend.
His heart began beating to teach full-time at the college level, and so we set out to "make it happen."
A year later we sat in front of many closed doors.
Doors that so many said should have been open to him.
Doors that closed for weird reasons, like an admissions counselor retiring and losing his application, or another university deciding to allow less applicants for that specific year...just weird...
See the rest over at Finding Hope...
