My Alternate Universe

Boy, now here is a post I never *dreamed* I'd be writing.

I am a single mother of 5 children. Wow. That sounds kind of scary doesn't it?

Without being gossipy or causing scandal, I will summarize by saying that my husband of 12 years announced 6 days ago that he no longer wants to be married to me or be part of my life. To say this was unexpected would be an understatement - It was shocking in a way I can't even describe. As far as I knew, we had a very happy, close, loving relationship. There is so much more to this story, but it would be unkind to post it on this blog.

I tried very hard to get him to reconcile this week. He closed all doors by saying he is unwilling AT ALL to do that.

So, regardless, he is divorcing me and there is really nothing I can do about that, so the kids and I are moving on.

The kids are upset, of course. They are hurt, bewildered, angry. And now I face the difficult task of trying to teach them love and forgiveness in a situation where the person they should most be able to trust in the world has harmed them so significantly and so very deeply in so many ways.

It was also an insane week in other ways too - our AC went out the same day my husband left. It is August in GA and it was 95 degrees in our home. It was out for 4 days before I could get it fixed, and that involved putting in a whole new unit at a cost of over $3,300 dollars. OUCH! I was very worried about the children, especially the baby, who was severely dehydrated. Thankfully all is well now.



Some amazingly kind people from our Homeschool Group / Church bought a window unit AC and came and installed it for us. So we spent as much time as possible in that one room - sleeping in the floor. Here is a picture of the kids [and the collie who can't stand to not be right beside them!] sleeping in the floor.

AND, just to top things off, I got a kidney stone this week as well [I get those from time to time]. It finally passed yesterday and I am feeling much better. But sometimes you gotta say "just dang!"



Here is the toddler monkey sitting on the AC box playing with the baby. I mean, how cute are they? How can I be sad when I have these 5 crazy little monkeys? I am the luckiest woman alive.

In the midst of all this heartbreak though, I feel so loved and protected by God. I *KNOW* God will provide for us, I know that Jesus is standing beside me and holding me up. I know that my children will survive and thrive and that God is even more committed to their well being than I am, even if their father is not.

I spoke with a very good and holy Priest yesterday, and he set my heart and mind at ease. He was so very helpful to my healing process.

We have been so incredibly surrounded by Grace this week. People have helped us in such amazing ways - if I get time later today I want to make a list of all the things people have done. God has truly blessed me with Excellent Christian friends [near and far] who truly, truly strive every day to live out the Gospel of Christ - and to be Christ's hands and feet in a truly remarkable way. God is so good and so kind to me - I know that the children and I are wrapped in His love and protected by Him in such a very real way. He will take care of us, and it will be through His other children that he sees us safely through this storm.

For many years I have had a great devotion to The Chaplet of Divine Mercy. My youngest monkey is named after St. Faustina [her given name was Helena, and I gave that name to my daughter in her honor]. In this hour of shock and sorrow, over and over I say again, and I mean it from the bottom of my soul - "Jesus I Trust In You."

God is so Good.