A few days ago, I listened to a youtube video that a dear friend of mine shared this week on Facebook. It was the testimony of Darlene Diebler Rose who was a missionary in New Guinea when World War II began. She and her husband became POWs when they were captured by the Japenese. I don't want to give any spoilers in case you would like to listen to her speak. You can access the video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77AphiQbh9Q. While listening, I was in awe of how God had sustained and carried this woman through so much. And, while my experiences have been very different from hers, I was reminded of the goodness of God in my life. He has given more grace than I have ever deserved.
Today is February 14th. It's Valentines day 2017, and that means that 17 years ago Jeremy proposed and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. We were so young and in love. I often refer to those days as "simpler times." Our bond was instant and our goals were mutual. We prayed that God would give us a family and that He would grant us our desire for me to be able to stay home and raise our children. My Daddy is a pastor, and he has often said, by way of illustration, that he loves my Mama more today than he did when they first married. I feel the same about Jeremy. Our devotion to each other sprouted in mutual admiration and attraction, but its roots have grown deep through enduring the providential trials God has called us to and through experiencing the grace our Heavenly Father has given. 
We have faced many difficult days with each other. Some of the hardest have been days that involved caring for our children. But, thus far, my hardest day on this earth was the day that Joseph died. I remember feeling so fearful in those frantic moments after the ambulance left our house. But I can honestly say that, from the moment Tommy and Stefanie and Jeremy got to me, I felt grace and love. In the midst of experiencing a grief that I cannot imagine, Tommy and Stefanie reassured me and showed concern for my own emotional well being. It is something that I will be forever grateful to them for.
And Jeremy. He has continued to walk this road with me since October 18, 2005. The only way I know to describe what this emotional journey has been like is to say that just about everything in my life is viewed from the lens of enduring this loss. In so many ways, that is a blessing. Because God taught us numerous lessons about His faithfulness and care for us. But in other ways, I will forever struggle with feelings of regret.
Stefanie messaged me last week asking if she could host a fundraiser for Josiah. She is a part time Mary Kay consultant when she isn't busy running the Speech/Language department for the Alamance County School System. This is just further evidence of the loving support she has shown me all these years. She posted this yesterday on Facebook:
"I'm so excited to announce a fundraiser for my sweet friend Christen La Tour Verroi!!! This woman is a hero to me for many reasons. We are connected in so many ways. We grew up as neighbors and her family has been family to mine for as long as I can remember. She kept our first son, Joseph, for us when I returned to work. She laid him down for his last nap and found him not breathing a while later. She tried with all of her might to save him, but it wasn't in the Lord's plan for that to happen that day. That experience could have ripped our friendship apart, but we did not allow Satan to steal, kill or destroy that bond! Instead, we allowed God to strengthen it. She dressed our sweet boy for us at the funeral home so that we could come hold him one last time. She has stood vigil over us in prayer since 10/18/2005 even though she suffered a tremendous loss that day as well."
As Stefanie conveyed, God has been glorified through all we have endured. Instead of being "ripped apart," our bond was forever cemented. Our faith in God's sovereign plan has been strengthened, because HE has given more grace. And that same grace is what sustains me on the very hardest days caring for Josiah.
He Giveth More Grace
Annie Flint Johnson
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
*It would be such an encouragement if you would consider helping us out via Stefanie's fundraiser. She is graciously donating 100% of the profits to support Josiah. To place an order, visit her Mary Kay website here: https://www.marykay.com/stefanienance. She will be finalizing the order on 3/1/17. Please do not enter credit card information on her website. Instead, Stefanie will email each customer an invoice to pay securely online. She will collect payment prior to the order to avoid having merchandise that is not paid for. When you check out online, please type "Josiah" in the comments so that she will know it is part of this fundraiser. In addition, please put your email address in the comments section. If you have any questions you can email her at stefnance2@gmail.com.
Because of His GRACE,
Christy
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