Hope After an Affair: Sarah's Story

When priorities get out of line and boundaries become blurred, it can be devastating to a marriage. Sadly, affairs are becoming more common on television, in politics, and even in the church. But in the midst of this, there is hope! My good friend sent me a link to a blog by a young lady named Sarah. She poignantly recounts the slippery slope that led to her affair, and how God redeemed her and her marriage. I applaud this woman for her courage and honesty. I pray as you read this true story, you will be encouraged to keep your marriage as a top priority (second to God, of course). Nothing on earth is more worth our sincerest efforts!

Click here to read Sarah' story.

Southern Missouri Women's Retreat

I spent the past two weekends at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. It is a very sentimental place for me for several reasons… I attended church camp there as a child and teenager. And I had some very significant encounters with God on those campgrounds.

In addition to going to camp there, my wonderful in-laws live there. They have had a home on the Southern Missouri Campgrounds for the past 28 years. Each year our family spends at least one week at the lake—so, every inch of scenery is filled with many precious memories. For me, it is one of the most restful places on the planet .

Sherry Welch, the Southern Missouri District Women’s Director, asked me to speak at their fall retreats. It was a JOY to participate in those two events. I got to see many old friends and even some of my family was able to attend. My assistant, Lindsey, was able to join me for the second weekend—that was a special treat!















The weather was perfect and the water was as smooth as glass. But even better than that, God was so faithful to meet with us in that familiar place. God always speaks when we take time from our busy schedules and turn our attention to Him! I pray that the Truth from His Word continues to saturate the hearts and minds of all who attended.

PS--If you're a young woman living in southern Missouri, there's a new Facebook group for you! Just search for "Southern Missouri District Young Women's Ministry".

Miracles…

My family has just experienced an incredible miracle!

On August 28, my dad had a cardiac arrest. He was setting up his guitar to play for a church in Archie, Missouri when he collapsed. CPR was started right away, and EMTs arrived on the scene very quickly, but dad still didn’t have a heart beat when they put him in the ambulance. Doctors at a nearby hospital were able to get dad’s heart beating again. They put him on a ventilator and life-flighted him to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

All of the family was called and we were not given much hope—only 5% of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive, and most of them have significant damage to the brain, lungs, and kidneys. Doctors decided to give dad a hypothermia treatment for cardiac arrest victims (lowering the core body temperature to 90 degrees for 24 hours). This treatment helps to prevent swelling of the brain and damage to other organs. Doctors gave medications to keep dad in a coma during this procedure.

After 24 hours, they began the warm up process and removed the coma medications. Miraculously, dad started to wake up and respond to us…we were amazed! Over the next several days, there were struggles to overcome, but dad continued to recover. He was in CICU for 8 days, moved to the next level of care on the 9th day, and released from the hospital on the 12th day!

My dad has no apparent damage to any organ. He is astonished at God’s goodness and knows that God brought him back for a reason. He is looking forward to each day discovering what that might be. In the past few weeks, every one of us has created some precious memories with dad that we will cherish forever. It is hard to believe that he is home and getting stronger every day.

My mom showed us all how to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. She faced every minute by resting in God and relying on His provision in the moment. When we are squeezed by life’s trial, what is on the inside comes pouring out—and my mom is one of the most beautiful women I know. Her great faith was evident in the peace that poured from her being. When my father collapsed, a woman was singing, “We don’t need to understand. We just need to hold His hand.” Mom believed those were words from her Lord, just for her in that moment. She clung to Him tightly and He sustained her every step.

Not only did we witness a miracle of healing, we saw many other miracles too…
· the supporting love of family
· the life-giving kindness of strangers
· the encouraging compassion of health-care providers
· the uplifting support of friends
· and most of all the amazing, sustaining grace and strength of God.