Welcome, Kendra!

I am thrilled to welcome Kendra D. to our Advisory Panel at Those With Young. She will be writing some for us too. I first met Kendra when we all lived in Titusville, Florida together. She and her husband taught our little Riley (1 years old at the time) in their class at church. God drew our families together in many ways over our time in Florida together. We've both moved a few times since then, but good friendships just seem to be able stay connected. :D Here is a intro to Kendra 101, and you can find out a little more about her on our Who We Are page.

I was a very typical little girl. I played “babies”, forced my sisters to be my “students” when I wanted to play teacher, and dreamed of one day being a mommy and a teacher when I was all grown up. Life, however, has twists and turns that a little girls never dreams of.

In reality, most of my dreams came true in a fairly easy manner. I met the boy who would one day become the man I married while I was still in high school. We didn’t date until after he graduated, but that was fine by me. I went off to college and got a degree in teaching, and began my career in education with a wonderful husband, two dogs, and dreams of the future as a stay at home mom with a house full of children.   In 1999, after a bizarre set of medical complications, and failed attempts at getting pregnant, it was discovered that I had a medical condition that rendered me “infertile”. I plummeted into depths of despair that I never knew I could reach. Only then, did I have to depend solely and completely on my Heavenly Father. God used that diagnosis and my overwhelming desire to become a mom to bring me closer to Him in ways I can’t even begin to describe on paper. It hurt. Man, did it hurt. Some days, my arms would ache to simply hold a child. Somehow, I was able to cling to the knowledge that God loved me, people were praying for me, and that His plans were bigger than my own. In fact, Angela’s oldest son, then only 5 years old, told me as they were pulling out in their moving van, “Ms. Kendra. I’m praying that you have a baby.” The innocence and conviction in his beautiful eyes reduced me to tears and filled me with hope. I needed to trust God with the simplicity of a child.   After two years, I was able to release my pain and anger, giving my dreams of motherhood over to God. Sometimes, I picture God sitting on his throne with a gentle smile saying, “My child, just trust me. I want the best for you.” All the while, He is shaking His head at my futile attempts to manipulate my life. It is only when my stubborn streak breaks and I let go that I allow God to bring amazing blessings into my life.   Now, as 2010 breaks as a new year, I have started a new quest and path of discovery. God did indeed hear my pleas. In His timing, not mine, He filled my arms to overflowing. Yet, even though I have my dream job, I don’t seem to be living up to my expectations. I am not yet the mom I want to be. I don’t mean in numbers of children (4 is a great number), but in the manner in which I parent and guide those children. I hope to share with you how I struggle, fail, learn, and rejoice as I become the mother God wants me to be. My quest is to become a “Quiet Grace Filled Mother”. I will post the devotions that God has placed on my heart as I learn more each week.

Thanks for joining me in this journey.