Testimony for Rachel Wojnarowski
As posted on Renee Swope’s site, Friday, May 18, 2012:
Today I want you to meet my sweet, funny, amazing cyber-friend, Rachel Wojnarowski. Her story is one of God’s redeeming grace and the choice she’s made to chase after His plans and hold onto His hope — with all that she has in her.
I grew up in a wonderful Christian home with fabulous Christian parents. We were faithful to church and I graduated from Christian school. I went on to Christian college and completed the circle by teaching in a Christian school. My future husband was a “preacher boy” and when we married, the plan was that he would take a youth pastor position wherever God led. Only after we married, he had serious doubts about his calling and stopped attending church all together.
After two years of marriage, a precious daughter was born to us via emergency c-section. She experienced oxygen deprivation and required resuscitation, but she lived. Three years after Taylor’s birth, I discovered that her father had been having an affair essentially four of the five years we were married. In spite of that great protective environment I’d always known, and being faithful to God’s house, sin had erupted my “perfect” life and my marriage to this man didn’t withstand. Bad choices were made by both parties and we divorced.
In spite of all the pain and loss of the “perfect” life, God brought a solid Christian man into my life and He has given us a wonderful story of grace and redemption. But in the midst of Matt and I falling in love, my dearest mom fell severely ill, diagnosed with a rare type of anemia. Two months later the diagnosis was changed to leukemia and she lived just six short months after that. Mom was the strongest, most faithful Christian I’ve ever personally known; she was my best friend.
During my divorce and my mom’s death, the discovery process for Taylor’s developmental delays became more intense. Doctors often blamed the delays on her lack of oxygen at birth. But in my heart, I knew there was more to her issues. Nine months after my mom’s death, the diagnosis for Taylor came through: MPSIIIB, a rare, genetic metabolic disorder which causes gradual neurological degeneration. The average life span is 10-15 years and there is no cure, or even a treatment.
Upon receiving Taylor’s diagnosis, my walk with the Lord became intense. I did just what Renee talked about this week in chapter four. I asked all the why’s and the how’s. I wanted God to spill out His plan for my life in one day.
But through His Word, God has taught me that faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.
While God has richly blessed Matt and me with a beautiful family and more blessings than we can count, Taylor’s disease has not changed. Every day is by faith, that God would have His will for her life and ours.
Each day we claim His promises and make the choice to run towards His plan.
Rachel, your story has changed me. The first time you shared it in an email, I got Holy goosebumps up my spine, down my arms and into my toes! Your journey of choosing hope through your past and into the present brought tears to my eyes. I’m inspired by your faith and your surrendered life. To be broken daily, like bread, held up (like loaves and fishes) as an offering of God’s of love and mercy. You my friend are beautiful – inside and out.
And here are some behind-the-scenes “only Jesus knew” details: I didn’t know Rachel’s story. When God prompted me to ask her to be a guest I wasn’t sure what part of my book she’d write about. But HE did! How precious is our Jesus? He knew we needed to hear her story and be strengthened by the way she has chosen courage and one-day-at-a-time steps of faith. The way she is choosing to walk out hope gives us all a picture of what it looks like to live the message of chapter 4 with Jesus. Thank you, Rachel!!
Thank you, Renee, for the privilege of sharing!
I came on over to *meet* you Rachel
And I’m so thankful you’re joining The Better Mom writing team…
What you wrote here hits my heart in a powerful way because our daughter Selah died from a rare genetic disease a while ago and God enable us to cling to Him through that short time between when we learned she had Pompe and when she died.
But honestly, I still battle worry over our other kiddos’ health from time to time…I love what you wrote here about it being an everyday decision to trust Him with life…especially with the little ones we love so much. Every. single. day. To remember I can trust His plan for us. I can trust Him.
Love,
K
Kara, God brings people together in mysterious ways. I know about Pompe disease because of the movie “Extraordinary Measures.” So sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. Yes, that paranoia of having one terminally ill child can certainly strike fear in my heart for the gifts God has given us in our other precious children. It really does boil down to a daily choice. Sometimes even a moment by moment thought choice. Going to be fun connecting more through The Better Mom and our writings! Blessings to you. Rachel
Rachel, Thank you for sharing your story. I hope to meet you at Allume.
Thanks for stopping by, Jana! It’s a great environment; I’m sure we will get to meet.
Rachel, I knew we had divorce in common but after reading your story, I couldn’t believe it. I also dealt with infidelity and my father died three weeks after I filed the papers. We didn’t have children but I do know a little bit about the path you walked.
The words of our testimonies overcome…Keep telling, sister. It’s not what He’s delivered us FROM but TO – His perfect and all-enduring love.
Thanks for your note, Sweet Sister in Christ. Amen to His love. Blessings to you, as always.
Dear (((Rachel))),
Oh, just this: “I asked all the why’s and the how’s. I wanted God to spill out His plan for my life in one day.
But through His Word, God has taught me that faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.”
Exactly. I’m glad I happened to click and read this. *Tears* welling up here this morning as I sit and drink my black tea on a cool snap fall morning. You’ve hit me right where I am–even though where you sit and where I sit are somewhat different–God has used your difficulties to remind me this morning that I’m lying in sack cloth and ashes, and I have so much to rejoice over. Depression has been trying to rear it’s ugly head lately. Thank you for this timely reminder–thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to others–and that was me today. Blessings, dear girl, to you and to your beautiful family.
Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by! I’m so glad you stopped to read the “sip a cup of black tea” version today. We never know how God wants to use us; just one more reason to stomp on the head of depression. Easier said than done.
Blessings to you and yours.
Hi Rachel,
We tweeted earlier about a story you have to share with me at Allume. I stopped by here to “get to know you.” I am move to tears by your beautiful journey. What a gorgeous family you have! I have 4 girls and 2 boys (our 7th is in Heaven through an early miscarriage). I’m looking forward to meeting you and hearing the rest of the story…
Oh how much fun we’ll have swapping family stories!
God is gracious. Thanks so much for coming by!
Rachel,
I just took some time to introduce my hubby to you, my roomie, in two weeks! I’m so encouraged by your testimony, and am so eager to be real life friends. Thank you for sharing your heart in the link up at GraceLaced…I’m going to feature your post tomorrow! Hugs and love to you.
Ruth
You bless me, Ruth! Love your beautiful site and thanks for the wonderful shout-out.
Looking forward to chips and salsa! 
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Hello Rachel,
I read your post this evening on Time-Warp Wife and then wandered over here. I couldn’t help but be intrigued as I too have a special daughter (and 8 children).
Thank you for sharing your lovely and encouraging (though difficult) testimony. I was truly blessed by it.
I hope to get to meet you at Allume, as well.
The Lord bless you!
Lisa Jacobson
OH we must meet at Allume!! Thank you for coming by and sharing. I’ll have an eye out for you! Blessings today!
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beautiful. you are lovely in every way. your eyes are FULL of the light of our Lord. I am so blessed to know you.
{what a precious and beautiful family you have!}
Loved meeting you Darlene! If you say it’s beautiful, I must agree- as you have the eye for beauty, no doubt!
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts.
Wow! I just read your testimony friend. Powerful! Sending you a hug.
Thank you for stopping by, Pilar! God is gracious.
Blessings to you, Friend.
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story Rachel! I understand a lot of what you went through as I had similar life experiences as well. In 2007 I fell down my stairs and shattered my right leg below the knee. I spent 2 years in a hospital bed in my living room while I went through 7 surgeries to repair the damage to my bones. During that time I discovered that my husband of 8 years was having a long distance affair with 2 different women (one I found out about the other I discovered after our divorce). I was done but at the time unable to walk, so we had to live together for several months until my final surgery. During that time my mother passed away from a horrific form of bone cancer and my grandfather passed away 10 days after my mother. I lost my house to foreclosure and had pretty much nothing to my name. To add insult to injury, my ex-husband fought to make sure I took all of my medical bills with me in the divorce. The stress was so bad I had to unplug the phone because it literally rang every 5 minutes. I hadn’t worked in several years and given my career was in the tech industry I wasn’t sure I would find a good paying job since I had been out of work for so long. All of this really was a lesson in acceptance. I recited the Serenity prayer on a daily basis while I struggled to work, deal with agonizing arthritis (at the age of 37 no less) and to care for my 6 year old son who was so traumatized by all he had been thru that he had massive separation anxiety. It was during this terrible time that Django was dropped into my life. I have never experienced love like I have with this man and while I would like to think I would have appreciated it had none of those things happened to me, I’m not sure that’s true. My son, for the first time in his life, has a father figure that loves and takes the time for him. In the last 2 years my son has flourished, is happy, has stopped stuttering and is doing well in school. I feel very blessed and am grateful for all I have!
Kim: What an incredible story you have as well! Thank you for sharing it. I am so thrilled to hear of your current blessings after all you suffered through. God’s grace is daily provision! I so appreciate you taking the time to tell us how the Lord blessed you and kept you in His care. Blessings to you, new friend!
Thank you Kim for sharing your story to show some of us walking through the “fire” that God always has a plan. I needed this tonight.
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Thank you for some great words! As a special education teacher I am always moved to hear stories of how precious special students influence lives. Your family looks beautiful and your site is very encouraging.
Thank you for stopping by and your kind words!
I found your pins and had to check out your site. Thank you for sharing your story! I look forward to checking back to see what God has done in your life!
Dawn from WithaSideofThriftiness.com
p.s. I grabbed your Bible reading button for my blog
YAY! Thanks for doing that. I have a sick one home today but will check out your blog when I get the chance a little later.
Thank you, Rachel! I haven’t done as much in the bloggy world as of recent… my blog has dwindled down to giveaways with some thriftiness. I’m working on launching a new site. We’ll see how that goes! Trying to break away from deal finding blogs. Again, Thank You for the reply… and, I hope your little one gets better… and fast! Happy Friday
How long did you go w/out a diagnosis for your daughter? I’m weary & tired not having a diagnosis for our 21 month old son. He’s barely sitting, not crawling or walking, and I’m so ready for answers. I know the amount of delays are increasing as the months go by.
Oh girl. Goodness. It was so long. Taylor was four before we finally received her diagnosis. Long haul- I so understand how you feel! I would be happy to chat with you sometime about it if it would help you!
Jesus, be with Jessica and this sweet baby of hers. He is yours and we pray that your plan for his life would be revealed to his parents. Amen.
Wow. 4 years is a long time! I’m finding it really hard these days – my 10 month old niece is making all these milestone that my 21 month old can’t do. I know I shouldn’t compare, but that’s easier said than done. Zachary is 21 months old but physically at a 6-9 month old level. But what a sweet happy boy he is! And really, he’s not ever plateaued or declined, it’s just slow progress. Thanks for your prayers.
Rachel girl, I always enjoy seeing pictures and hearing about your family. I think you’re a pretty special woman! ~ Blessings out all the way from Maine today, Amy
Thank you Friend. Many blessings to you.
I came across a pinterest pin “12 Bible Verses for when you feel like Giving Up” . Today had been a good day, but yesterday was another story. I pinned it just for more days that come my way, when I feel like giving up. I also emailed it to my husband.
It was nice to see who you are, and see how much your love for Christ has been a part of you. Losing a mother and then having a daughter with an illness, that there is no cure for can be one to test the waters of Christ. I’m so happy to read you are stronger than ever. I also have a strong faith based life, but find myself needing to be in His Word more than I am.
I’ll be praying for you and your family. I look forward to seeing more posts from you.
E
Thank you for your kind words.God is gracious- His Word sustains like nothing else can. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet note. I’d write a few more words but I’m headed to feed my family their dinner.
Blessings to you!
I’m at the end of a 25 year relationship. Ive Always been a Genesis wife. Like Eve I have always loved my husband no matter what the circumstances But after his last physical assault God released me from that burden & I am thankful!
Bless you Maggie- I hope you are finding strength through counseling and your walk with God. Prayers for you today!! If you need anything more, please feel free to use the contact form on the blog to reach out!!
Rachel,
Of course I forget how truely blessed I am and I want to thank you for sharing.
Life is beautiful and full of many wonderful blessings. With Christ he keeps us standing as long as we put our faith in him and Believe!!!!!!
Rachel,
I connected to your blog through a “pin” on pinterest. Your story hits extremely close to home for me. I am recently divorced after almost 20 years of marriage, and 3 teenage children. Our first baby died 5 hours after he was born, (full term, in fact 5 days overdue) 19 years ago this August. While I was still pregnant with him, after an early ultra-sound (sonogram) it discovered that my baby would be born with clubbed feet. But, the doctor reassured us that once he was born, there would be no problem in getting his feet repaired, and he would be playing basketball and soccer once he entered school. But after 12 long, hard hours of labour his heart rate decreased rapidly, too fast. The doctors used forceps to get him out. It was discovered, once he was born, that the reason the labour was so long was because his umbilical cord was wrapped 3 times around one of his little clubbed feet. The harder I tried to push him out, the tighter the cord was “cinched”. His heart rate went down so fast because of a major loss of blood his little body had due to the lack of nutrients and oxygen that comes from the cord itself. Jesus gave us 5 hours with this precious little boy. I thought that was the hardest thing I would ever have to live through.
Fast forward 16 years. My husband (ironically a former youth pastor) and I are helping a good friend whose husband, a youth pastor, had an affair and wanted a divorce. (he left her for the other woman). My husband was getting closer to her; doing little jobs around her house, inviting her to everything that we did either as a couple or a family. Our pastor at the time warned us to guard our marriage. The harder I tried to do that, the more I fought for us, the harder he resisted. He would tell me I wasn’t being a good friend to her, (I was being a mother to our children, managing our home, and holding a full-time job) that I needed to do more with her and for her. In the meantime, I felt my husband slipping away. A few months later, he told me we were separating. A few days later, my husband and my “friend” started seeing each other. But they were “keeping it secret” until we were divorced. During our separation, I was working very hard on my healing process, and growing in my relationship with Jesus. The more I wanted reconciliation, the more he resisted and he told me that we were separated to get a divorce. Within one month of our divorce finalizing, he married the above mentioned “friend” of mine.
I had lost my husband, a friend, and my job. I am currently struggling to find a job, and trying my best to “hold it all together” for my three teenage children. I have suffered with depression, and its many ups and downs, through all these years.
But there is one thing in my life that remains the same. One thing that has never changed or left me. Jesus. If it weren’t for my relationship with Him, I don’t know where I would be. He, as His words say, has never left nor forsaken me. I may be lonely, but I’m not alone. He has shown me more love, care, peace and hope than I could ever imagine.
I am so thankful for stories like yours, Rachel. Stories of Christian women who don’t “have it easy”, really hit home with me. It helps to know that I am not alone in this walk that I am walking! Thank you for your story, for your faith and for your blog.
Blessings, Heather
Oh dear Heather! As I sit here on my 13th wedding anniversary, enjoying some much-needed R&R with my husband, I read your comment. My heart breaks for you and as I read your message to my husband, I cried, because, well, yes, doesn’t everyone cry over strangers?
Your story is such a tough, tough journey and it makes my heart so very glad to know that you have Jesus. What would we do without Him? I wish I could take the time to write more in attempt to comfort you with human words, but the very best advice I can give you is to read God’s Word- as you have been doing. His love never fails, it never gives up, and it never runs out. Lean on Him every step of the way. I have set my phone reminders to pray for you on Mondays. Much love and prayers to you. Rachel
You are an amazing woman Rachel! Thank you so much for blessing me with your prayers, and tears. I truly am blessed. Jesus has put some wonderful people in my life, and I know that there is more “wonderfulness” to come! I will pray for you too, as you travel your journey as a wife, a mother, author, speaker and blogger; but most of all as a child of God, striving daily to do what He wants you to do.
Beautiful you are Rachel. Loved reading your story, seeing your beautiful family, knowing that God redeems the messes we think will destroy us. “Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.” The gift I’m taking away today. Even though I know this is true, it spoke to me as a fresh reminder today. Thank you.
What a beautiful family you have. Your story touched me. I’m going through a tough situation with my marriage and I’ve been asking God why and when and etc. There are times I know I have to be patient, other times I lose it and I want all the answers now, like you mentioned. God, just tell me my whole plan right now! Ha! God keeps telling me to be patient and I keep wanting to know all the answers, but your story was a reminder to me. Thank you!
Thank you Evelyn!! Many blessings to you!