“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…”
When people asked me why I was going on the World Race, my answers always varied a bit.
“I might want to go into full time missions one day, I want to see what’s out there.”
“I love Jesus and I want to see the world, sounds like the perfect combination of both.”
“I know that one day, I’ll have to be responsible for my little sister, Hannah, who has Down syndrome. Now is the time if I want to do something wild and crazy.”
Even before the Race, I was pretty sure the Lord told me that I was supposed to move to Orlando, FL. People thought it strange because everyone knew my home plate was in Maine, and that my love for Boston sports teams would have a hard time of being fed in Florida. I remember writing down in my journal, month 1, in Honduras, all the Lord was telling me. I would move to Orlando, become a teacher, and become a mother. When people asked me why Orlando…
“There’s more job opportunities.”
“I want to become a better family member to my two sisters and their children that live in Orlando.”
“There’s more diversity in Florida.”
Never did I think, “I should be closer to my two older sisters, so that when my mother passes away, we are all equipped to work together to take care of Hannah.”
You know, when sucky things happen, it’s not usually until a lot later, if at all, we realize the purpose for all we’re going through. Let me rewind to this past Sunday.
I was driving to church Sunday morning, and I was slowing down to go through a toll, when my sister Hannah tries to FaceTime me. She seems to always want to FaceTime at the most inopportune times. As I handed the toll person my $1.50, I slide the green bar to tell Hannah I’m driving and I’ll call her later. I pulled over just past the toll to see my sister’s red, snotty, drenched face.
“Mary, mom die,” Hannah sobs.
As Hannah is prone to irrational fears such as vampires, I say, “Hannah stop it, let me talk to her.”
“No really, Mary, mom die.”
A woman from my home church takes Hannah’s iPod and in her thick Maine accent, “Mary, your mother’s gone, dear.”
Sometime in the early morning of Sunday, October 27, 2013, my mother had a heart attack in her sleep.
Hannah found her at around 6:30 am.
I always knew that I would have to be responsible for Hannah one day, but I never thought it would be so soon.
As hard as it is to say, I know the Lord has a plan. I can’t imagine what this process would look like if I were living in Boston, or anywhere else with no support system. I would be trying to move not only Hannah to Florida, but myself to Orlando. I’m grateful the Lord took me to Orlando, and I have a good job as a 4th grade teacher, and the support of my two older sisters.
Many people have been asking what they can do to help and in an effort to be real and open, and not shut off and hide in isolation, I want to be honest with you about what we need.
1. I was planning on moving into a 1 bedroom apartment in the beginning of December. Obviously, plans have changed. Hannah and I will be moving into a bigger, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. The cost is about $250 more per month that I had budgeted on spending. Until Hannah’s Social Security can be legally changed to be sent to me, money will be super tight. I will need money for groceries and gas.
2. I have been collecting odds and ends of furniture for the past couple of months, but I have no kitchen supplies. Hannah likes to drink smoothies every morning, so it is imperative that I get a blender as soon as possible. We don’t have room in our vehicles for supplies, so it’d be best if only people living in Orlando donated the kitchen supplies.
3. I have no idea to cook. I would love if people could send me their favorite recipes and I can start making food for Hannah and I. I do plan on stopping at my sisters houses often for dinner. 🙂 We 3 are taking responsibility for Hannah, I will just be the primary care giver.
4. I will also be going back to work on Monday. My family already has a few people lined up to stay with Hannah while I am at work, but until we can get Hannah into a program in Orlando, like the one she is in in Maine, I need people to hang out with her. If you know anyone in the Orlando area that would like to hangout with my adorable, hilarious, and sarcastic sister, let me know. I’m trying to create a list of people that I can call. Just so you know, SHE LOVES DOING LAUNDRY. Stay at home moms… she could help you a lot! 😉
So other than those things, prayer, prayer, and more prayer. While I know this week has been extremely hard, I know that the hardest part is yet to come. The most difficult part is when Hannah has a belly ache, and she’s crying that she wants her mom. Or when I pour her morning smoothie into the wrong cup, and Hannah quickly reminds me that that is not the cup mom uses for smoothies. Please pray for me as Hannah and I figure out a new routine and schedule. Pray for my step dad, John, who has Parkinson’s, and his sons as they figure out where he will be living. Pray for my sisters Catie and Shane. Not only are they dealing with all of this, they also have families of their own that they need to take care of.
When the Lord told me that I would move to Orlando, become a teacher, and become a mother, I never thought that this is what he had in mind. I know there will be good days and there will be bad days. Days I will be the most positive person in the world, and days that I am broken and want to give up. But through all this, in my heart of hearts, I know, that a beautiful story is unfolding. A story of hope, peace, and perseverance. A beautiful story of God’s provision, grace, and love. An amazing story of redemption, community, and life. A story in which only God’s name can be glorified. I know my mom wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Thank you.
John, Hannah, Mom before Hannah went to Prom 2009
Catie, Hannah, Mom, me, Shane
I don’t want to throw the address out there to send things to, but if you email me at [email protected] I’d be glad to tell ya.
11/4/13
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. I’ve been absolutely blown away by the generous hearts that have been so willing to help my family. For an update, I do not need any more kitchen supplies. I also now, not only have 1 blender, I have 2. When the Lord provides, he provides abundantly. I am still taking any and all recipes that you have. I also love making new friends and am still looking for people interested in hanging out with Hannah in the Orlando area. If you know peeps, send ’em my way! [email protected] 
