My 4 year anniversary is coming up and I wanted to write this tidbit on what marriage has taught me thus far. I don't know about you but anytime I think about marriage I can't help to reference to my favorite movie the Princess Bride. But today I want to share with you something close to my heart. You see, life and marriage may not always be easy, like some people may think it is. Marriage is hard work and it takes time to build that relationship, to get to know your spouse. It is something you have to work on daily and stick with to get make it work.
To the left is my husband, Justin, and I, almost 4 years ago when we got married. When one gets married they say to each other in their vows promises to each other meant for life, that they will be there for each other... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health... We all have heard these words a million times but one may not really realize how powerful they truly are?
My husband and I had a scare this last year, that flipped our world upside down. I was expecting with our second child. We were so excited but one day, my husband was in a lot of pain that he couldn't bear. The hospital weren't sure what was wrong, they just saw enlarged lymph node in his back. We found out later that it was testicular cancer and it had spread to his back. The whole family on both sides felt devastated and unsure of the future. It was a hard year and time for everyone and we just had to keep pressing on. And just believe God had this.
4 years ago, when I got married, I didn't think cancer would be one of the sicknesses before either of us would be 30! I don't know about you, but when I think about the different sicknesses my spouse or I could got in the next 20 years plus years of our marriage, cancer wasn't on the top of the list. In my mind that is something I thought about people mostly getting when they are older. But God had other plans.
In July 2014 my husband had a surgery to remove the cancerous mass. And we just prayed hard it was a type of cancer that was easily treatable for the cancer in his back. Once the mass was removed they were able to do test on it, and thankfully, it was a kind that was curable and treatable easily!!! :)
The hardest part for me during all of this, was that I was super pregnant once my husband began his chemo treatments. I knew with him being the main source of income we were going to have to trust completely in God, that He had all of this covered. I also knew that I would not be able to get a job anywhere being so pregnant and ready to pop. And if I did get hired, I wouldn't be able to work there long before needing a maternity leave. SO we trusted that God had this because it was the only option. I honestly do not know how we would've made it to this day to cover all health care cost, enough food, cost for bills, the small things like toilet paper and toothpaste if it wasn't for God. Philippians 4:19 says And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We had so many people fund-raise, donate monies, food and personal items that we needed. There were times we needed things that I had just realized that day we had run out of, I wouldn't get a chance to tell anyone I needed something, but then someone would call me up saying they had a box of things for us. And what would be in that box, that very item that we needed. God had spoken to many to help us with things we would need before we would realize it was a need! God literally was providing our every need during this time. We placed our complete trust in God that he would as well.
During this entire time I just kept praying God would continue to help us in everything we needed but I was praying so hard He would heal my husband, Justin. I just wasn't ready to be alone with our soon to be 2 girls. It was hard some days caring for my husband when he would be sick from his chemo treatments as well as caring for our daughter. And I kept thinking what am I going to do once our new baby is born?!?!?!
My OBGYN and I talked about a C-Section do to previous complications with my first child and setting a date to have it during one of my husband's off weeks of treatment. So 2 treatment weeks into my husbands chemo I was 39 weeks along and our beautiful baby girl was born. Through all the pain and hurt we were feeling she brought some happiness and joy into our life. I thank God for our baby girl everyday especially then when we needed something to to bring joy into our hurt hearts.
Being home with 2 kids under the age of 3 and a very sick husband was extremely challenging but we survived. God continued to help us with our every need blessing us time and time again. Justin finished his all 4 weeks of treatment throughout a 12 week period of time. We went 8 weeks of no pay in this time and were relying completely on God to provide our need because there literally was no other way.
November 6th, 2014 my husband, Justin and I received the best news we heard in months. Justin was finally CANCER FREE!!!! It was a joyous day for everyone!!! Philippians 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
I have learned from my marriage what it truly means to be there for someone through sickness, the hard times, and when we are poor. But even through all this, I came to know God in a whole new and deeper level then before. When we lay our life, our marriage, and our family in God's hands, we are putting complete trust in Him that He has got this. I will now, always and forever praise and trust in my God because I know he is the God who provided, heals and cares for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
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