I was inspired to write this blog because of the agonizing journey that I have been forced to trudge since October 9, 2014. I was engaged to a wonderful man named Jerod who I met in late March of 2014. Jerod and I quickly connected, fell in love, and knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. However, our lives don't always go the way we plan. My world came crashing down on that dark day in October when I lost the love of my life in a tragic car accident. My life will never be the same. Even though I only knew Jerod a very short 6 1/2 months, I felt like I had known him for years. Jerod is actually the best person I have ever known. He had such a love for the Lord and was always so positive and vibrant. He kept me rolling laughing -- except for those first days when I was repeatedly embarrassed because I didn't know how to handle him...yet. ;)

After the accident, I felt so devastated and lost, among other extreme emotions. I felt my present and future happiness also died in the car that day as I started my free fall into the dark abyss.

Throughout these last 4 months, I have started to see a dim but growing glimmer of hope.

I have a strong foundation rooted in Christ, but I have still had my doubts and troubles. I was skeptical that I could find my true comfort and peace in God, but He has been revealing Himself to me in so many different ways. I look forward to sharing these stories in my blog.

I never thought it was possible for anything beautiful to come out of this devastation. But I have already seen God at work in the mess and have a growing faith that he will turn this into something exceedingly and abundantly more beautiful than I could even hope for or imagine (Eph. 3:19-21). I am pre-thanking God for the beauty that I know He will create out of this pile of ashes that used to be known as my happy and comfortable life. I miss Jerod every moment of every day, but I am trying to hold on to God's promises and make my precious Jerod so proud.

This blog will document the ups and so many downs of my journey. I hope that in some way someone can find some inspiration and encouragement to light the path of their own painful journey.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted ...to comfort all who mourn ...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isa. 61:1-3