Who knew...

- at 10 years old I would have a conversation in a campground with my daddy that would change my life.
- at 13 years old my pastor would die, the foundation of my life was shaken to the core and I'd watch a church fall apart
- at 16 year old I would lose my right ovary to a genetic disorder and be told that there is a chance I will never have children
- in 1997 I would meet a lifelong friend and fall in love with her baby-sitter. Dreaming about him for years and loving him when he did not return the same affections
- I would see the Caribbean in my early twenties
- at 21 I would need to have surgery to remove cysts, same genetic disorder, from my left ovary. Further damaging my chances of having children
- at 24 I would move to Virginia and buy my first house all by myself
- in March, 2002 another pastor of mine would die and I would watch another church fall apart
- in March, 2002 I would lose my job, and adequately live on unemployment for 3 months
- I would be single until I was 28.
- in November, 2004 while away in the Dominican Republic, the man of my dreams would fall in love with me.
- in December, 2004 the man of my dream would profess his love for me
- in February, 2005 I would receive a beautiful diamond ring
- in September, 2005 I would be married and buy a brand new house.
- just two short months after being married I would become pregnant
- August 10, 2006 at 38 weeks gestation Dade Juan would be born a healthy 9lbs. 8 ozs. beautiful baby boy.
- while performing my c-section, another cyst the size of a large lemon would be discovered on my ovary. Its removal meant partial removal of my ovary.
- the next two years would bring many financial struggles
- in March, 2008 after having stopped trying for number two I would become pregnant.
- April, 2008 – it’s Twins
- July, 2008 – it’s girls
- October, 2008, we would struggle to get moved into our new home
- October 25, 2008 I would be sent to the hospital with PIH, one hour away from our new home, alone a lot in a hospital.
- November 9, 2008, my water would break at 6:30 in the morning, 36 weeks and 6 days gestation.
- at 10:05 Coralee Virginia would arrive in this world 5lbs. 15ozs; followed two minutes later by her sister Brennan Maria-Elizabeth 6lbs. 13ozs.
- after delivery, I would have continued elevated blood pressure, still swollen, talk of a blood transfusion
- we would come home and struggle to find a new normal
-this is where I, we, would be today.

Who knew, He knew, the One knew.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Jeremiah 1:5

Today is Good Friday. Today is the day that my Savior hung on a cross for many, the least of which was me. To save my soul, to set me free, to allow me to breathe new life, to be set apart and changed; I am in awe of that. I can only muster a hushed voice and say-
“Thank you. Please forgive me for squandering the blessing that has been bestowed on me and not always living a set apart life.”

For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Easter! May the Son shine eternally upon your face.