Finding Light in the Darkness: A Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Unexpected Miracles

There are moments in life when a darkness descends upon you, a profound shadow that isn’t merely conceptual but feels physically tangible. It presses down, heavy and suffocating, on your chest, on your spirit, on your very being. We’ve all experienced it in various forms – perhaps it’s the crushing weight of a relentless trial, the gut-wrenching uncertainty of unemployment, the debilitating grip of depression, or the ceaseless churn of overwhelming stress. This isn’t just a mental state; it’s a profound, visceral experience that truly WEIGHS upon your soul, making every breath feel like a monumental effort and every step forward an impossibility.

During one of these suffocating periods, my husband, Cade, found himself on his knees, desperately seeking solace and direction. He prayed, pouring out his heart, but felt nothing—no relief, no guiding whisper, no flicker of hope. In that moment of utter emptiness, he did the one thing I’ve since learned is absolutely essential in inviting miracles into your life: he stood up and got moving. Driven by a desperate need for guidance, he reached for the scriptures, opening them with a fervent prayer that something, anything, would speak to his troubled heart.

A Glimmer of Hope in Exodus: Darkness That Can Be Felt

It was in the ancient text of Exodus, specifically chapter 10, verse 21, that Cade’s eyes landed on a passage that resonated deeply with his current struggle. He read, “And the Lord said unto Moses, stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.”

That description of a darkness that could be felt mirrored his own internal landscape perfectly. He knew that darkness intimately – it felt like an all-encompassing void, a pervasive gloom that seeped into every corner of his mind and heart. But then, as he continued to read, the narrative took an astonishing turn, revealing a profound truth that would fundamentally shift his perspective and ignite a beacon of hope:

“And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt, three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days, BUT ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD LIGHT IN THEIR DWELLINGS.”

A wave of revelation washed over Cade. “Wait, what?” he thought, “Even in the midst of such profound, suffocating darkness, there could still be light?” And the most powerful part of that realization was the specificity: “it would be light in MY own dwelling!” The Israelites, surrounded by an impenetrable gloom that halted an entire nation, still experienced light and warmth within their own homes. This wasn’t just a historical account; it was a personal promise. The idea that he, too, could have light in his own personal dwelling, his own life, amidst his present trials, was an overwhelming surge of hope. It was an affirmation that divine power could create a sanctuary of brightness even when the world outside was cloaked in despair.

A Divine Message: Refinement and Purpose in Adversity

In that sacred moment, a powerful sense of Heavenly Father’s love enveloped Cade. It was a clear, undeniable spiritual impression, as if a voice spoke directly to his heart, affirming: “You are my son. I am fully aware of you and the righteous desires of your heart. Just hold on, persevere through this, and actively look for the light within the darkness. I am in the process of shaping you, refining you, into the person I need you to become. Soon, you will receive the blessings and the things you stand in need of, but not until this period of refinement is complete.”

This message was a game-changer. It transformed a period of perceived punishment or abandonment into one of divine preparation and purposeful growth. The darkness wasn’t an end; it was a crucible. The trials weren’t pointless; they were shaping him. This understanding brought not only peace but a renewed sense of purpose and the strength to endure. It shifted our entire perspective from questioning “why us?” to embracing “what can we learn?”

(It’s incredible to reflect that all these cherished photos were taken right before we moved into this very house – the one that became the central pivot point of this entire journey. We can hardly wait to share that part of the story with you!)

Embracing Light and Resilience: Our Journey Through Hardship

Armed with this newfound understanding, we consciously began to seek out moments of light in our daily lives, no matter how small or fleeting. This wasn’t about ignoring our challenges, but about actively choosing to see the good that still existed. We learned profound lessons during this period of intense trial. We discovered what it truly means to serve others when you feel like you have absolutely nothing left to give, realizing that true service often comes from a place of shared vulnerability, not abundance. We learned to rely completely on the Lord for all things, developing an unwavering faith and an abiding hope in His divine plan, even when our own plans lay in ruins.

Our days were filled with simple, yet meaningful moments. We spent invaluable time together, finding joy in mundane tasks, like making dinner from our food storage cans. This wasn’t just a temporary measure; we ended up living almost exclusively off our food storage for just under two years. It was a testament to our reliance on basic provisions and each other. Yet, astonishingly, despite the financial strain and the uncertainty, we were immensely happy. In fact, looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the happiest and most unifying times in our lives. This period of forced simplicity and profound reliance forged an unbreakable bond within our family.

This crucible of experience proved absolutely essential, preparing us for what was to come. It was during a moment of utter desperation, as we grappled with how to sustain ourselves through this trying time, that Cade received a prompt from the Spirit. (For a deeper dive into understanding what the Spirit is and how it communicates, check out our Instagram story for more insights.)

The Blog: From Passion Project to Providential Lifeline

At the time, I had started a blog simply to share recipes with friends. It was a hobby, a creative outlet. Random people would occasionally comment, but there was never any intention of turning it into a business. Then, one day, Cade, inspired by that spiritual prompting, posed a question that would change the trajectory of our lives: “Why don’t we see if this blog could actually carry us through? Could we try to earn a little extra money from it, just enough to cover the basics and help us survive?”

And so, we did. We poured every ounce of our energy, our creativity, and ten times the prayers into that blog. What began as a simple recipe sharing platform transformed into a genuine miracle, a providential way for us to survive. It wasn’t merely a business endeavor; it became a beautiful, tender mercy, a testament to divine intervention in our lives. I distinctly remember the exhilaration of the first time we earned $100. We were so excited that I decided to take our family out to celebrate with fast food – because that was all we could possibly afford. And, in a twist of ironic fate, we all ended up coming home with food poisoning! 🤢😂 Despite the unpleasant aftermath, the memory remains a cherished one, signifying a turning point, a tangible sign that our efforts, coupled with faith, were yielding results.

A New Chapter: Stability, Growth, and a Guiding Whisper

As the blog continued to grow, attracting more readers and becoming increasingly busy, another significant milestone arrived. Cade came home from an interview—his third interview, to be precise, for a new job. I was pacing the floor, my heart pounding, anxiously awaiting news. Our eyes met across the room, and he simply nodded. He had found steady work. The relief that flooded over me was immense. I’ve never embraced anyone so tightly; in that moment, I never wanted to let go. It was a hug filled with gratitude, exhaustion, and the profound joy of answered prayers.

It’s interesting how you pray and pray for things to work out, for a specific blessing to materialize, and then when it finally begins to happen, you can sometimes get caught up in the rhythm of the “new normal.” Life began to feel more stable, more outwardly prosperous. We were out and about, enjoying life, still praying diligently for a secure and fulfilling job for Cade. I can recall with perfect clarity the exact moment I received a powerful impression, a quiet yet firm instruction: “When this blessing comes, you had better be prepared to hold on to this story, to cherish it, so you never, ever forget the journey. And you’d better be ready to walk away from the blog, no matter how big it gets or how tempting it is to stay. Don’t forget that your deepest desire was always to be a mother.”

The joy and the tears that flowed in that moment are almost impossible to describe. It was a complex mix of gratitude for answered prayers, a touch of sadness at the thought of leaving something we had poured our hearts into, and an overwhelming sense of clarity about our family’s true priorities and purpose.

The Tug-of-War: Business Success Versus Motherhood Dreams

With Cade’s new, stable employment and the continued growth of the blog, we suddenly found ourselves with two significant “jobs.” The blog, which had started as a simple hobby and then became a crucial means of survival, was now blossoming into a demanding enterprise, threatening to consume my life. It’s incredibly challenging to navigate the dual roles of a business owner and a devoted wife and mother. Oh, my goodness, how easy it is to become distracted, to lose sight of original intentions, and to feel utterly exhausted by the relentless demands of the online world.

Deep down, this wasn’t my ultimate dream. While I loved the creativity and the community the blog offered, the relentless pace and the public nature of it began to take a toll. Yet, when you’ve poured your entire heart, your blood, sweat, and tears—and most importantly, your desperate need to survive—into building a business, it creates an intense tug-of-war within you. The decision to potentially walk away from something so deeply invested in, something that had been a literal lifeline, becomes one of the hardest choices imaginable. It felt like tearing a piece of myself away.

You see, from a very young age, I’ve always harbored a profound desire to be in the home, to raise my children, and to create a nurturing environment. It was the path my own mother chose, and I witnessed firsthand the immense and lasting influence she had on our lives precisely because she was present, actively involved in our daily upbringing. This deep-seated aspiration for motherhood was always at the core of my heart. I was ready, truly ready, to step away from the blog and embrace that dream fully. But there was one crucial thing I felt I had to do first before making that definitive transition…