Today I want you to meet my sweet, funny, amazing cyber-friend, Rachel Wojnarowski. Her story is one of God’s redeeming grace and the choice she’s made to chase after His plans and hold onto His hope — with all that she has in her.
I grew up in a wonderful Christian home with fabulous Christian parents. We were faithful to church and I graduated from Christian school. I went on to Christian college and completed the circle by teaching in a Christian school. My future husband was a “preacher boy” and when we married, the plan was that he would take a youth pastor position wherever God led. Only after we married, he had serious doubts about his calling and stopped attending church all together.
After two years of marriage, a precious daughter was born to us via emergency c-section. She experienced oxygen deprivation and required resuscitation, but she lived. Three years after Taylor’s birth, I discovered that her father had been having an affair essentially four of the five years we were married. In spite of that great protective environment I’d always known, and being faithful to God’s house, sin had erupted my “perfect” life and my marriage to this man didn’t withstand. Bad choices were made by both parties and we divorced.
In spite of all the pain and loss of the “perfect” life, God brought a solid Christian man into my life and He has given us a wonderful story of grace and redemption. But in the midst of Matt and I falling in love, my dearest mom fell severely ill, diagnosed with a rare type of anemia. Two months later the diagnosis was changed to leukemia and she lived just six short months after that. Mom was the strongest, most faithful Christian I’ve ever personally known; she was my best friend.
During my divorce and my mom’s death, the discovery process for Taylor’s developmental delays became more intense. Doctors often blamed the delays on her lack of oxygen at birth. But in my heart, I knew there was more to her issues. Nine months after my mom’s death, the diagnosis for Taylor came through: MPSIIIB, a rare, genetic metabolic disorder which causes gradual neurological degeneration. The average life span is 10-15 years and there is no cure, or even a treatment.
Upon receiving Taylor’s diagnosis, my walk with the Lord became intense. I did just what Renee talked about this week in chapter four. I asked all the why’s and the how’s. I wanted God to spill out His plan for my life in one day.
But through His Word, God has taught me that faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.
While God has richly blessed Matt and me with a beautiful family and more blessings than we can count, Taylor’s disease has not changed. Every day is by faith, that God would have His will for her life and ours.
Each day we claim His promises and make the choice to run towards His plan.
Rachel, your story has changed me. The first time you shared it in an email, I got Holy goosebumps up my spine, down my arms and into my toes! Your journey of choosing hope through your past and into the present brought tears to my eyes. I’m inspired by your faith and your surrendered life. To be broken daily, like bread, held up (like loaves and fishes) as an offering of God’s of love and mercy. You my friend are beautiful – inside and out.
And here are some behind-the-scenes “only Jesus knew” details: I didn’t know Rachel’s story. When God prompted me to ask her to be a guest I wasn’t sure what part of my book she’d write about. But HE did! How precious is our Jesus? He knew we needed to hear her story and be strengthened by the way she has chosen courage and one-day-at-a-time steps of faith. The way she is choosing to walk out hope gives us all a picture of what it looks like to live the message of chapter 4 with Jesus. Thank you, Rachel!!
Connecting in Community & Today’s Giveaway: What is God speaking to your heart through Rachel’s story? Also, is there anything from the questions He’s given us for the end of Chapter 4 you’d want to share? I’d love for us to connect here and talk about it.
Rachel has just released a new Ebook, The Scent of Prayer and she is giving away 5 copies to 5 of you randomly drawn on Monday from the comments left below today’s post. Just click “share your thoughts” and do just that.
About Rachel: Rachel is originally a small town country girl who converted to a suburban mother of seven by way of life happening. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy caring for their busy family, whose ages span 9 months to 21 years and includes a special needs daughter. Rachel leads community ladies’ Bible studies in central Ohio and serves as an event planner and speaker for special needs parenting groups. She is a member of the Ohio Writers’ Guild and the National MPS Society; and loves to inspire others through her blog by sharing faith, family, and fun. Wife, mom, reader, writer, speaker and dreamer, you can find Rachel on Twitter and Facebook.
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Thank you for the encouragement your post has brought me today. I needed to regain my hope in that even though we are broken, God has a perfect plan for us in His perfect timing.
Rachel,
Love your story! Thanks for sharing! Love these two lines:
But through His Word, God has taught me that faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.
Huge turning point in my Jesus journey when I realized that believing in Jesus was a 24/7 choice and not just at my point of conversion.
Thanks for the reminder!
Chapter 4 has been a difficult journey back to a very painful childhood. As an adult I can look back and see some of God’s plans for me and where I am now. There is still a lot of work to be done yo be truly confident and securely in His arms. I look forward to the journey and new chapters they will bring as we turn each page if your book and are lifted up my stories such as Rachel’s. Thank you
Praying for you Julie. Praying for God to flood you with His peace as you process your past. Praying for Him to also fill you with His courage and boldness as you turn each page and process each memory. And praying that God will reveal Himself to you in new and exciting ways as you make this journey through “A Confident Heart”.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve been dealing with some things in my life this week that I have really tried to way me down. Reading your story encouraged me to press in and most of all, maintain a heart of gratitude. God bless you and your family
Thanks for having the courage to share. I often have viewed technology as a distraction. But now I view it as a tool to heal,uplift, and deliver. Ladies…keep the faith. We may be miles away but just a prayer away.
Peace and Every Good.
Broken. We are always striving to prove ourselves and our plan perfect to God and yet HE already knnows we are Broken and He has a better way than perfect!! I am so thankful that you have learned that and I can walk in the same path–daily trusting His way step by step.
Thank you for sharing this incredible story with us. It is so encouraging!!! I needed the reminder to trust HIS plan for my everyday life.
Wow!! What an amazing testimony!! Thanks for the reminder that faith is an everyday decision. That is so true, just when we think it can’t get any worse, or we can’t handle anything else, through faith He gives us the strength!!
Thanks for sharing Rachel. This has Helped understand many of the things happening in my life right now, although different but Faith is a key, believing and trusting God no matter what.
Rachels’s story brought tears to my eyes. Tears of sadness for what she’s had to endure, and tears of joy for her faith and strength exhibited throughout her experiences. I’m so glad God led you to ask her to share – He really does know what’s best at just the right times.
Your story is so inspiring and encouraging. Realizing that faith is an everyday decision is life changing. It requires action on our part and not just sitting back waiting for God to do His thing. I love the imagery of running towards His plan. I know He has a plan for me, I just haven’t figured out what it is yet. But if I run towards Him everyday instead of waiting for His plan to drop in my lap maybe i’ll find out sooner rather than later.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Rachel
Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot imagine the level of trust in God you have developed because of Taylor alone, on top of everything else. Until I read your story i haven’t shared the pain of betrayal or the shame i felt of having that betrayal happen not with just one, but two marriages over a 30 yr period. As i lay here recovering from a severe back fracture from a horse accident two weeks ago i too have been going back over everthing asking hard questions God has shown me lots about myself and growth and strength this has caused. And right now your statement that sometimes it takes more faith to trust for my daily walk then for salvation resonates in me. I am in ernest expectation of His miraculous healing, whether instant or as I go. I pray God bless you and your family with every gift of the Father
What an amazing story. I have always believed that when difficult moments happen we have a “fight or flight” instinct that also pertains to our relationship with God. I had a broken engagement when I was in my early 20s, it was awful. Even though I was the one that ended it, and it was what I wanted, what I didn’t want was the aftermath. Lines were drawn, awful things were said that can never be taken back or forgotten. Members of my family left me, siding with my ex. Painful does not even begin to describe the feeling. I doubted God during all of this. Why would He put me through this pain? Why would He want me to suffer through this? My husband was friends with my ex, and our first three years of our marriage were rocky and I always thought it was some form of punishment for leaving God and ending my past relationship. It was really the opposite, it was God’s way of reminding me that I had to fight, not flee. I could not make this work on my own, no matter how much I thought I could. I needed His help and His strength to guide me.
Rachel, thank you for sharing your heart. You are living proof of a loving God. “For he knows the plans he has for you, to give you hope and a future.” We just have to rest in Him, be patient, and know that He is God!
Rachel,
You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your story. You have taken a negative experience and turned it into a positive by your reaction to it. God Bless you and your Family.
Renee,
You continue to amaze me with the stories you are led by God to share with others. What sets you apart is that you have real experiences to share from your own perspective and you link us to other women who also have real experiences so it feels like you know the desires and challenges of each woman’s heart.
God Bless You.
Rachel~Thank you for writing with such honesty and clarity. Your words, “faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision” really hit home for me. I am using “copy” and “paste” to place them in my “To Read Everyday” file. Thank you so much!
It is the everyday decisions of recommitment and turning to God that I need to remember.
Thank you again!
helen
me too, Friend!
PRAISING GOD FOR TEACHING ME WHAT A COMPLAINER I AM !!!!!! YESTERDAY WAS A HORRIBLE DAY. I CHOSE TO MAKE IT THAT WAY. I DIDN’T FEEL GOOD AND I LET HUBBY KNOW THAT. I WANTED TO DO THE GARDEN AND HE WANTED TO CUT GRASS. THINGS LET TO ANGRY WORDS. I KEEP PRAYING FOR GOD TO HELP ME BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS . I STAYED MAD AND MISERABLE GRASS GOT CUT .I STAYED MAD . GOD FORGAVE ME. BUT READING RACHEL ‘S WORDS SURE MADE ME FEEL LIKE A HEEL. I KNOW GOD FORGAVE ME BUT I PLAYED OUT THE SCENE. I PRAY FOR RACHEL AND HER FAMILY. I WAS BLESSED READING HER STORY. GOD BLESS YOUAND YOURS KAY
I have miscarried twice the 1st was as early as 3 weeks 2 months ago I had my 2nd which was 3 days before my second trimester. My husband and I were devastated and had daily argument and fights. My husband a non-christian and I learned about our mistakes and decided to start all over again moving out of state just he and I away from our families it is hard for me because I am very close with my family have never been away from them but it is all Gods plan for our lives I have gotten closer to God and my husband I now know that all I need in my life is God. My husband and I have faith that our God will bless us with a children soon! I want to thank you both for sharing your stories with us and pray that our Lord continues to bless your beautiful families.
Wow! What a story! It reminds me that I must trust God daily not just when I need Him!
Renee, I loved your comment on the video message about not letting the pain, hurt, and disappointments of yesterday creep into my todays which can eventually affect your tomorrows. I am inserting my lack of faith into that statement. If I let my lack of faith yesterday creep into my today, then it can begin to embed itself into my tomorrow.
Wow. What another wonderful story of a woman who was broken, but still clung to her faith. My husband and I have been married almost 16 years, and during the past 3 years have been separated, through counseling, and reconciled, living like loving roomates instead of husband and wife. There have been so many circumstancial evidences pointing to him being unfaithful, but he insists he is not. I still struggle to try and trust him and my struggle is what keeps us apart in our marriage. I try to forgive him daily, but it is so hard not knowing for sure. Thanks so much for all the encouraging stories.
Rachel, thank you for your testimony!! What the enemy tried to destroy you with~God turned it around a100% of BLESSINGS to you! I was left at the hospital when I was born, my mother never laid eyes on me… Then five years later my dad found me and hid me in the mountains and then the incest began!!! So much more, but here’s a great time to give God all the glory for His protection over me as a child!! Through all the years the devil was trying to kill me, Had a powerful born again experience with the lover of my soul, Jesus took something so awful and now getting all the glory for all He has done me!! Bigger the pain~bigger the healing!! God Bless and know that God has a beautiful plan for your lives and you will be giving God all the glory!!!!! 🙂
Praise Jesus for you, sweet Dana.
Thank you for sharing..an awesome God he is to put amazing women in my life to give me hope. With hiccups in my own life thanks for sharing all your hopes and smiles! It would be so awesome one day to sit in a room and visit with such amazing women personally! I have to remember to be patient and trust! 🙂
Like Rachel, my ex-husband had affairs for most of our five year marriage. It brought on a time of questions for God but also was a time for me to really see the depth and strength of my own faith and the reach and richness of God’s grace and mercy. God used that time to draw me into a deeper relationship with him. Beauty for ashes.
More and more I am learning that God doesn’t care so much about the art of prayer or how we pray but just communicating with Him, getting to know Him, looking to Him for help and recognizing Him as God. Rachel’s story is inspirational. I thought my life was tough and difficult but Rachel had and has a lot of difficult and trying circumstances she went through and she went through them with God.
I am learning more and more that things don’t turn out the way we want them too but God is with us in the midst of them. We do have a lot of say in how we process and react in the midst of our circumstances. We can lay down and play dead, covering our eyes and head so we don’t deal with the problems or we can put ourselves and our loved ones and circumstances into God’s hands and allow Him to wipe our tears, heal our hurts, give us courage, hold our hand. God is big enough to take our anger and our hurt and turn them into hope, healing and peace. I am finding that being honest with God and ourselves about our emotions, hurts, confusion, anger, – all of these things will bring us to a place of healing and hope in Him.
Thank you for sharing Rachel’s story.
Such an inspiring story….beautiful family….great testimony of faith in God….may He continue to richly bless your family, Rachel. 😉
incredible encouragement and walking by faith.
Thank you all for being “Real” people and sharing your lives so others may start to have faith, trust , growth and more! So many trust and have faith in this dying world when they need Christ!! I pray thru out everyday to help the lost, comfort the weary , carry the tired and love the sick. And everyday God helps me to see through His eyes to help others get thru whatever binds them. He has given me everything so all I want to do is work for Him more. May the love of Christ touch you all in His realness!!!
I am learning so much from this bible study! I’m learning how to trust God to lead me every day of my life, in the big details and the small. I don’t think I realized how much I was trying to live my life according to my plans. And not the plans that Jesus has for me. This book and bible study are teaching me to “let go and let God”. The funny thing is, Jeremiah 29:11 has always been one of my favorite verses, but it has never made more sense to me than it does now! Than you Renee, for sharing your gift with all of us! Thank you Rachelfor setting such a good example for us to follow! I have felt such a sense of peace while reading this book, as well as the stories that have been shared with us. God bless you!
My husband and I have been married for 35 years and he has been physically unfaithful to me in at least 4 different relationships ( 1 was with a ‘friend’ of mine) that I know of for sure and I have suspected others but did not have the proof. Each time he begged forgiveness and said it would not happen again and I stayed with him. then 2 years ago I found out that he had been making phone calls to another ‘friend’ of mine for over 3 1/2 years. We are still living in the same house and I have forgiven him but I can not seem to put this behind me and wonder if I am just not faithful enough to God in letting Him show me what I should do or what. I have tried giving this to God but I seem to keep taking it back! I feel that I am being made a fool of by my husband because he thinks I should just drop it and get over it. Reading what you went through seems to be helping me understand what i need to do now but I am going to go back and read it about 4 or 5 more times to make sure that it sinks in. Thank you for sharing what you went through with us. I do feel like I am getting closer to God if I could just turn things over to Him and not take them back. I wonder whether I am wasting my time trying to stay in my marriage. He says that he wants it to work, but he wants everything on his terms. I am so confused.
Jan, I am not a marriage counselor by any means, but I prayed for you just now. That God would show you the right path and the best decisions for your life. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you so much for your prayers! I told him that I was tired of trying and the ball is in his court and I think that has scared him into realizing that I have had enough and he will have to put forth the effort to make me want to stay with him and show me that he means it this time. I prayed and prayed yesterday and last night and then today at church. I know that things happen in God’s time and not ours and I know that everything that we go through is for a reason.i have givven it 35 years so I guess a little longer may be what it will take. But i have told him that I will not go through this again!! Thank you so much for the prayers and for sharing what you went through!
God has made me stronger with each storm!
Thanks for sharing your storm and the rainbow on the other side!
Thank you so much Rachel for sharing your story about your amazing faith, and beautiful family. I will be praying for Taylor, and for the Lord to continue to be with all of you, strengthening you daily.
Thank you for praying!
Thanks for sharing your story. Very inspiring and encouraging.
Thank you for reminding us to live a surrendered life.
Rachel you are a strong woman. Thank You for sharing your pain and through it all you found Joy.
Rachel’s story made me reflect on the mustard seed and how that amount of faith will carry us through our earthly existence. Praise God for all that he has done and continues to do. Praise him through the midst of it all!
I’m glad I read this, I wish I could hear more of her story and how she is coping.
My husband and I struggled with iinfertelity for years, with 3 early miscarriages and 1 in my second trimester. We decided to adopt and in December of 2010 we got “The Call” our son Joseph was born, we brought him home 5 days later. 3 months later we found out I was pregnant. Well the pregnancy and delivery (minus an unexpected c-section) went well. The day I got to go home with jacob I got a call that threw our lives into a deep hole. Joseph (13months at the time) was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We celebrated and mourned once again. Most boys with Duchenne live to their late teens to early 20s. Well our hole became deeper last week. We went to see an awesome doctor, who does a ton of research with Duchenne, in San Francisco. He researched Joseph’s genetic make up, well there is only one other documented case as his in the entire world, a boy in japan. After further discussion the doctor revealed that he is hoping Joseph is going to make it to his 5th birthday.
We are at a loss and a have a huge feeling of abandonment. How can anybody be allowed to go through such horrible experiences. Our friends have stopped contacting us and our church tells us they pray for us on Mondays with the prayer team, that’s it!. I have reached out, asked for their support, and have received NOTHING.
I needed to read this. I am glad I’m not the only one that is going through such awful times, but losing hope real quick.
My heart goes out to you, Kim. Joseph must be a little angel sent to you and your husband to give you blessings for the time he is here. Enjoy him, treasure him, love him, make memories with him while he is with you. Maybe journal and take pictures of your treasured time together. (we have pictures of my granddaughter’s little angel who was taken back home to Heaven at 4 months old).
Never give up Hope! We have an awesome God. Keep sending up prayers because our God is the ultimate healer. His Will will be done. We have to trust and believe in Him.
Thank you for sharing Kim.
Oh Kim! I am so sorry to read of your situation. People will fail you; that is for sure. And churches fail to support, simply because they are full of human people. But God will never fail you, dear friend!! Prayed for you just now.
Kim, may i share something extraordinary with you: my daughter just told me the following after i told her of your son Joseph. The evening of little Xoey’s death, (she was 4 months old), my granddaughter and her husband, along with the rest of the family, were gathered in the living room. There was a high ceiling fan with its’ shadow. Another granddaughter happened to look up to the ceiling and told the others to look up and asked if they saw what she saw. It was a shadow of an adult angel with wings holding a baby with wings. Two shadows: the ceiling fan shadow and the shadow of the two angels…which they knew was God comforting them that little Xoey was now in Heaven with Him. One of the granddaughters has a picture of this.
Little Joseph is here to be a blessing and to touch people’s lives in an angelic way. It is my feeling you have been truly blessed as you have been a blessing to little Joseph. One day, we will all understand what we cannot understand down here on earth.
Lois,
Thanks for sharing that. What a touching event for you and your family!
I am so encouraged after reading these posts. Thanks to everyone for sharing their hearts, their struggles and the way that God is working in their lives. It is not only a daily struggle for me to fully trust and put my faith in God, sometimes it seems like it is minute by minute. I think I’ve been let down by people and it’s hard to truly trust that God will always be there for me. I don’t have to be strong enough. He is strong enough to carry all of my burdens and to replace my hopelessness with hope.
“if God loves me, then why…”.I have had a desire to have children for as long as I can remember, but after 17 years of marriage I am childless. Sometimes I wonder why, but I think I have a closer relationship with my Savior because of it since He is my Source and my Comfort.
Thanks Rachel for your story-so full of hope.
I had a rough childhood-diagnosed with a hearing loss at 6 and went thru childhood illnesses. My hearing loss now as an adult is severe to profound. Have 2 or 3 other illnesses/conditions.
My faith and hope has saw me thru so much. I’ve had a alot to happen to me that at times i think it’s a miracle I’m still here. I know God has a special purpose in mind for me otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
He’s revealed that I’m still not trusting him to fill me up completely and to depend on him for everthing-to ask him for help for everything. That is why i was struck most “faith is not a one time decision but a daily decision. I’m fully aware it’s not about me. I sense his purpose for me is to know him and know that God is more than enough. And, to also live my life so others know our God is more than enough.
Blessing and Grace to you all
Wow God works in such an amazing way. As soon I found out about your daughter God touch my heart to lead me to pray for her healing. With God all things are possible may God bless you and your family in such in amazong way. May your faith grow richly in the lor Jesis.
Thank you Veronica!!
Rachel, you and your family are truly inspiring. I have been following a little boy and his dog on Facebook who has MPSIII-A. His name is Lucas Hembree. He is amazing! God has such great plans for everyone, no matter their physical, mental or even spiritual state. He takes the broken to show us, as Christians, how to be compassionate, caring and to help us realize that our idea of perfection is far from God’s idea of perfection! Please know that I will be praying for you and your family and also that I am so grateful for the blessing of your and Taylor’s story.
I know Lucas!! 🙂 isn’t that so true ?! “Our idea of perfection is far form God’s idea of perfection!”
Thanks for the reminder that it is just as important to trust God with my day to day life as it is with my eternal life. I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way!
Rachel and Renee,
You both are such blessings to me! I started reading chapter 4 and when I got to the questions and read.about doing the timeline. I cried and I prayed. I contacted My Christian counselor. I went thru a divorce In November 2011. I started counseling in June 2011 when I saw where my marriage was headed. God was with me all the way! I had so many why and how questions. After praying God would show my counselor what I needed to get thru Chapter 4 I went in one woman and came out a more confident woman. My counselor told me in January 2012 our counseling was over it was time for me to live what I had learned. She hadn,t heard of Confidant Heart book yet she explained to me what my false beliefs were and helped me sort out why I had them. I kept saying as Renee did what,s wrong with me? Why or how did my husband treat me the way he did? I realized that my why,s and how,s came from how I viewed my mom from being mistreated by my dad. I thought in my young mind she was stupid for staying and that she had no value. I was so ready to see why I had false beliefs. I felt bad but I felt good. I felt bad that I had viewed things in the wrong manner based on what the enemy whispered to me. I felt good that I realized the lies and the scriptures my counselor gave me were the scriptures in Renee,s book! I am so excited! I also realized that both of your journeys were shared to help me on my journey! Thank you Jesus! Thank you ladies! Freedom from my deepest fears and pain. Truth is the answer. Much love to you both!
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome story.. You are indeed encouraging and inspiring! You said some things I needed to have a remembrance of…. God Bless you!! I definitely have to get your book!
Blessings upon Blessings to all of you!!
Wow! That’s all I can say. I am just now beginning to learn to lean on God and trust in Him. It is not easy for me, but the more I do it, the easier I’m hoping it will get.
I admire Rachel for sticking in there after one thing after another thing kept coming up. God bless her for it. So often these days we quit before rounding the corner and receiving the prize God has for her. Great Going.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life…Wow, that is exactly what I had to do this week. This is a great reminder to continue to trust Him everyday which seems difficult at times. It was so much easier to trust Him for eternal life than on a daily basis. I do not know why that is the case for me but this week God has really shown me that I can even trust Him with the things I am not to sure about.
Rachel, many thanks for sharing your story. Powerful words “faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.” Amen!
Thanks, Rachel for sharing your story. Our God is a faithful God. Your children are so beautiful and so are you. Praise GOD for reminding you that faith is an everyday decision and for your reminder that we are to trust God for not just eternal life but everyday life. Our God cares about every aspect of our lives. Our God is a healer. shall pray for your oldest child’s complete healing. May God bless you richly.
Thanks,
Anna
Thank you Renee for introducing us to Rachel and thank you Rachel for sharing your story. I agree, faith is an everyday decision and walk with the Lord. I so appreciate your testimony and i pray for your daughter and the unknown days ahead Praise God we have Him to have faith and hope in for without Him we would have nothing. I watched my mom as she also battled a rare blood disorder/cancer that had no cure and gave her 3 to 5 years. By God’s grace and her strong faith and testimony in him she lasted 8 before the Lord finally said the battle was over, it was time for her to come home to Him. Since 1994 my dad has battled heart disease, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, 4 stage melanoma and recovered (except for his heart) and has been fighting stage 4 lung cancer for the last 4 years without chemo treatments. The Dr’s. gave him 1 to 1½ years and as i said it has been 4 and he is still going strong. FAITH – a good strong FAITH in the Lord got my mom through, is getting my dad through and as an only child with an only child watching them and seeing their example has taught me that FAITH too will get me through. FAITH in my GOD. Praying for you and your family.