About

Renewed: happening or beginning again, resuming after an interruption, usually with more intensity or energy

Bliss: Extreme happiness; ecstasy

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May 22, 2007 changed our marriage forever…

This is the day I told Chad I didn’t want to be married to him and was ready to leave. He was shocked that I was pulling the plug, but it didn’t totally catch him off guard. During the previous year our marriage had experienced an extreme amount of pressure and heartache. Chad was serving in a ministry position while I was working full-time. We just seemed to be growing apart, woke up one day and realized I didn’t really know who he was anymore. We had both changed, we had both chosen other people and things over each other.

With our heads barely above water, we tried desperately to make it work. I quit my job to stay home with our youngest child and we became pregnant with our fourth. Eight weeks into the pregnancy I experienced a very traumatic ruptured ectopic pregnancy that put me on the edge of death. Losing our precious baby was the beginning of my downward spiral to depression that seemed impossible to overcome. I had become very isolated from all those around me, wanted to be alone, and most of all wanted God to never speak to me again. I was angry, tired, confused, and deceived. I was away from home two weeks, the two longest weeks I’ve ever experienced. During that time, I had to totally cut myself off from Chad, the kids, family, and friends. In order to stay gone, I had to completely remove myself from the only things I had known for ten years. I didn’t sleep, I didn’t eat, and I was even admitted to the psychiatric unit at the hospital.

I can count on one hand the times I’ve heard God speak to me audibly, but June 9, 2007 I heard Him very clearly. I was in my room cleaning things up a bit, I had just looked at a picture one of my kids had done for me, pushed it aside to hide it, and heard him say, “Jennifer, what are you doing? Call Chad, pack up and go home. Chad needs you and your kids need you.” I broke, uncontrollably crying fumbling through my purse to get my phone to call Chad. My hands were trembling, Chad answered and through my tears I told him to come get me. I packed as quickly as I could and within 15 minutes my knight in shining armor was there to rescue me. With total forgiveness and compassion, he embraced me and told me he loved me, till death do us part. His “I love you” had never meant more to me than on that night, not even on the day we got married. 

As I am very transparent about where God has taken us, my heart’s desire is to give encouragement, provide resources, but perhaps most of all help other couples realize NOTHING in life  has the ability to destroy marriage… Destruction comes through our own selfish ambitions. 

So, join me on this amazing journey as we discover Renewed Bliss…