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Personal Update from Debra
By Debra | October 9, 2009
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful 2009-2010 school year. Quite a few changes have taken place in my home over the past year and I finally feel like I’m in a place where I can share some of my story. This is not a normal update and not something I ever thought I’d be posting to my readers/visitors/customers. I pray you receive this well and sincerely appreciate your prayers for my family.
Since starting NotebookingPages.com back in 2006, there have been many ups and downs for my family. Those of you who have been around since then have probably noticed I’ve been less busy with new products and freebies and that the emails are fewer and far between. I appreciate your emails as you have been inclined to pray and touch base with me.
Last year, I was made aware of the root of many of the issues that have been hurting my family. As much as I like to share the happenings of our family as well as what we have found works and doesn’t work in homeschooling, homemaking, etc., some things are just very personal. So, I’ve kept to myself much of the past year for a variety of reasons, but mostly just to protect myself and my children and to retreat with the Lord. Now, with much of this behind me, many wounds healed, I feel it’s time to share. I feel I have a responsibility to share for a number of reasons.
I found out last year that my husband of 14 years had been unfaithful multiple times and for some extended periods of time throughout our marriage. I was totally clueless until the last few months we were together. This information opened up a whole world I never knew about, a world and a man that had been hidden from me. This unveiling helped me to make sense of many things. Lots of “aha” moments. Lots of “oh dear” moments. Lots of just feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under me moments – over and over and over again as I began piecing together so many puzzle pieces from all the years.
Last fall, as I contemplated all my options/choices/etc. and it was evident that reconciliation wasn’t possible, I began turning my focus back to the dreams the Lord placed upon my heart back in 2006 when He first brought the idea and beginnings of NotebookingPages.com to me. Since those early days in 2006, the Lord has blessed me with vision for the future and for my kids, as I’m sure many of you have experienced in your own journey of homeschooling. Specific desires and dreams for ministry, not just for NPC, but for the community in which I would live and for my kids have been growing since those first days.
Now, with all that’s happened and with the knowledge that the Lord was not at all surprised by my circumstances, I see clearly that He has been making preparations for this period of my life for quite some time. He knew what was coming, then and now, and knew what I needed. He put many provisions in place for me and my children. I had to fight to an incredible degree this past year to keep NotebookingPages.com in my possession. I finally came to the point of realizing that this vision God put in me was born from Him and that He would be the one to keep it going. So I released the business/ministry as well as everything else to Him and prayed for the faith to leave it in His hands. Many things did not go well. Many days I did not keep the faith as I should have, but He loved me through it and taught me much. Keeping the business, the dream, the vision, meant losing almost all of what was my “home” (physically & materially). However, in return, I have learned even more how true God is to His word and how when we take the time to really listen, He is speaking and leading all the time. He prepared me as well as my kids during a week of shared quiet times (prior to learning of all that was going on) for this period of financial/material loss we have experienced. We have learned, our “home” is with the Lord; it’s eternal and not something that can ever be taken from us. He never leaves us or forsakes us and He does work all things together for our good.
It’s been a year of many, many blessings as the Lord has shown me His provisions, His hand in preparing me for this time in my life, and His overwhelming love and grace in getting me through some very bitter moments and times where I didn’t feel connected with myself anymore. He has brought new friends into my life as well as many old friends. He’s surrounded me literally with family. My children and I have been living in my parents’ basement for almost one year now and surprisingly we’re all still alive and well LOL. It’s tight as you can imagine! Maybe I’ll post some photos of our creative use of space some time. 
I am also very blessed to have an old friend of mine walking with me now, taking on the role that God intended for him and intended for me. His story and mine met up at an incredible time in both of our lives and once again, as God has shown me over and over throughout this whole period of my life, He is in control and has a plan, a dream, a vision for my future.
Thanks for making it this far in “my story”. I pray that as I dive back into the work and ministry of NotebookingPages.com, the Lord will bless us both. Many ideas have been sitting on the back-burner for years now, waiting for me to have the time to really dig into them. Now is the time. Many things in my homeschooling have had to change. Thankfully, I’m still able to homeschool, although I’m much more limited in time than ever before. We’re trying some new things, doing some old things with new flair, and doing some things exactly the same because it just feels familiar and familiar feels like “home”. Stay tuned to the blog for more on that.
With my greatest thanks and love to my many notebooking friends, customers, and family for all of your love and support these past few years, blessings to you and yours,
Debra @ NotebookingPages.com
PS…
I know many will feel compelled to comment and I welcome you to (I do moderate). I understand the nature of this update is not what you would commonly find coming from me or from any of your other homeschooling publishers. However, one thing I’ve learned is that moms, homeschooling moms especially (maybe?), need to be honest with each other. We need to stop hiding behind these masks of perfection. For years I’ve hidden behind a mask hiding a marriage and issues because of my place in the church and in the homeschool community. I allowed myself to hurt because I feared what others would think. I hope my honesty here in this email will if nothing else help to dispel the idea that any of us truly have it ALL together.
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Topics: Uncategorized | 47 Comments »
October 9th, 2009 at 3:32 am
Dear Debra,
I am so so sad to read about what you have been through. I have no words to describe how I feel.
Thank you for your incredible graciousness, courage, and honesty in sharing your story with us. I pray that our Father will draw you close to His side so that you’ll have the reassurance that He is faithfully beside you, loving and strengthening you, upholding you in His everlasting arms. God bless you and your children. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
And congratulations to you on faithfully holding on to the vision and ministry God’s given you in NotebookingPages.com. May it be a real blessing to you and your family, and may you abound in every good thing.
Sincerely, Coree
Christchurch, New Zealand
October 9th, 2009 at 4:07 am
Dear Debra,
Thank you so much for sharing this past year’s struggles with all of us. I’ve seen so many Christian homes, marriages, and homeschool families attacked this year. In my small town 3 homeschool families last month suffered divorces. I don’t know why it has to be so hard, but I do know that Christian families are under attack. We need to be constantly in prayer for one another, and for our men. They are attacked spiritually in ways we wives often do not understand.
Thank you for sharing. We DO need to know. We can’t be whitewashing everything to hold up everyone’s expectation. I applaud your bravery in dealing with the situation you found yourself in and holding on to your faith, and keeping your children together.
I haven’t suffered the way you have, but after years of tough economic struggle I can say, God is mighty, He is everlasting, and He will hear us and rescue us. Tonight we were reading this Psalm and this verse popped out at me:
verse 6, “The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.” This is from Psalm 116, and verse 8 says, “For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Hey, check out verse 11, “I said in my haste, All men are liars.” But verse 1 remains the theme, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” This whole Psalm 116 is so precious.
God bless you, dear Debra. I found your website because of your beautiful notebooking pages. They are still the most gorgeous copywork and writing papers I’ve ever found. We use them often in our letter writing and in our school. I’m excited about your new projects and products that you are working on, and I share your relief upon hearing that one chapter may be closed now so you can open a new one, expanding on your amazing talents.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Thank you for being transparent! I’m sure it was/is not easy but it is what “we” need. Todd Wilson shared at our homeschool camp this year to share more of our failures with each other and less of our successes. We are to encourage and build one another up. I pray you have a great year and God heaps the blessings on you and your family. I’m thankful you are able to continue homeschooling and creating wonderful tools for homeschoolers! God Bless you.
Gina
October 9th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I, too, have felt the sting of infidelity, but chose a different path. I decided that I needed to forgive my husband, even before the affair was over, partly because I was expecting our fourth child. I knew it wasn’t the first time, but was afraid to be a single mom.
In the nearly fifteen years that have passed I have drawn closer to the Lord and have had two more children. My husband is the one who has become dependent on me, while I have grown distant; not because of the affairs but because of his daily drinking. Forgiving behaviour that has ended is much easier than forgiving for a continuing habit. I covet your prayers. I am accountable to God for my attitudes and actions, not his.
My husband is a good provider and not physically abusive. He also is not encouraging in anything that I do, but very critical. Our children see this and try to make up for it.
It is comforting to know that not every homeschooling family has it all together. At times I have felt so alone, since there is no family that I can share with and cannot share with our church (that is another long story). I am sure that some of the people in our church are aware that things are not quite as they should be and do pray, but only vaguely.
I will try to remember to pray for you and your family, but sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own life, I forget that there are others out there that are hurting just as badly as I am.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:50 am
Oh Debra, for some reason I knew what you were going to say before you said it. My heart is aching for you and the road that you are traveling that is so unfamiliar. I’ve been down that road with my first husband and yes it was one of the hardest times of my life but even though I didn’t realize it at the time, the Lord was helping me through it.
Not much I can say to make it better because I know how it is. Just be strong my friend and know that by opening your heart today you are bringing forth people that will be more than willing to raise you up before the Lord in prayer.
I also pray that your business is left intact and the ideas and adventures you have ahead will prove fruitful for you and your children.
Love coming your way from a fellow Christian sister!
In Him,
Kim
October 9th, 2009 at 6:37 am
You are in my thoughts and of course in my prayers!! We do not tread anywhere God has not gone before us. It is heartbreaking to hear and I am sure not easy to share. Though I can only imagine how many people you will help in being so candid. Please remember many of us out here in homeschooling cyberspace will be praying for you!!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Thank you for your openess. I know there is a great deal of pain and vulnerability in sharing. Yet, your story encourages my faith in the Lord. I have been hesitant to let go of some things that I know the Holy Spirit is prompting me to relinquish. My fear has been that I may need to fall back on them at some point. I needed to hear this, especially today. Thank you for the reminder that our God holds the future in His hands and that with him, we need never be afraid. I pray that He will continue to heal and bless your family and your business. I pray also, that you will continue to share your story and so encourage other believers in the journey.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:48 am
You continue to inspire! Just as you are learning to trust the love and grace and compassion of the Lord during this painful period, so you are able to touch the lives of many others. I trust and pray the Lord carries you and your precious children onwards, upwards and in Him.
With my love and prayers,
Nads
October 9th, 2009 at 7:05 am
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is one of my favorites when the world is spinning for me. My husband drank for many years and the pain and fear was terrible. I wondered for a long time how long I could hold it together for our family. He did finally break free but there are lots of questions I choose not to ask. Its behind us now and answers would do no good. I’m so sorry for your troubles and [forgive me] so joyous you are free. I pray all families in this situation will receive consolation through your courage to share something so personal.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Thank you for sharing, Debra. I will pray.
We use your notebooking pages everyday in our learning and it has really revolutionized our homeschool. We are most thankful for your hard work and creativity.
May He continue to bless you and your children with a clear sense of His Presence and blessing.
Leilani
October 9th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Dear Debra,
I don’t normally have time to read the homeschool blogs and emails that come to my address, but today I took the time and found yours. I am so glad I did. I have been married for 24 years and have begun on my own journey of divorce. I have been in an emotionally and spiritually abusive marriage since the beginning. The church today is divided on whether or not pornography is adultery, so I have endeavored to walk thru a sea of women that exist in his mind and soul over the years. I tried to hide our issues and continue to serve in our church and homeschool community, much like you did.
Now that I’ve taken this path, people are in shock and want me to “hang in there” while still suffering and watching the children suffer. Thank you for being honest and open; it has encouraged me on my journey. I hope that you experience happiness with your children. Thanks for reading my post.
Blessings,
Pam
October 9th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Debra, Your notebooking pages were the first that I discovered and I find myself using them over and over again daily. The fact that you have shared such a personal experience with all of “us” out here in cyberland only makes the pages I use that much more special.
and we should all be as bold as you about sharing!
We all have a story, a testimony or several
God says we should encourage one another and lift one another up. I hope in some small way that the comments you are receiving lift you up.
Many thanks for being so strong and honest about this difficult time in your life. Also, thanks again for the wonderful nootebooking pages that helped me begin our homeschooling in a whole new delightful way!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Debra,
I am glad to hear everything is going well for you now. It does sadden me that your previous friendships are not what they once were. But, thankfully, you have family and new friends to replace those old relationships.
Anonymous
October 9th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Debra,
As soon as I saw the beautiful photo of you and your children I knew that something had happened in your marriage. I’m truly sorry, having gone through divorce not once but twice before the Lord led me to the wonderful husband I have now, I can relate so well. I’m very happy to hear that you get to keep homeschooling your children as well as continue with NP.com
We have had a very rough year in my house dealing with my ex and my two teen daughters who were living with him but haven’t for the last year. last week, the Lord allowed me to see a little bit of how he had been working behind the scenes for our good and it was humbling. I still wonder why the Lord chose to bring my girls home to us now after years of trying to get them but I know that one day I will be able to look back and see why.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, I truly believe that those of us who share such hurtful personal things from our lives give hope and inspiration to others to trust the Lord and believe that they can get though the rough spots of life.
I will be praying for you and your family as you continue to adjust to your new life.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Debra, Although a fairly newcomer to Notebooking I have walked in those shoes. I went clueless for years and then we we had our third child God began wispering to me and I did not understand, but I listened. All of the signs were there but I was blind to it. I was compelled to return to work and within the month he confessed that he was leaving. I was devastated! But God knew and had a plan for me. He led a God Fearing man to me that I would have never suspected a younger man in fact, a very good looking man in fact. With all of this said God does take care of his own and as long as your remain stedfast to your faith he will take care of you too. My Ex even made me get my tubes ties and then left me three months later. God delivered me the man of my dreams and I no longer felt like a woman! But this year was our 16 Wed anniversary to the God delivered man and we now have 7 children. God carried and delivered me through some very tough times as you will see too. When I thought that I could no longer become a mother and my husband wanted a daughter he sent us one right to our doorsteps, And I meane litereally mean to our doorsteps. She even favors my husband. God was there the whole way. I am so sorry that you too have had to endure this but you will be in the from of my prayers for God to take care of you as he did me. And I can tell you that my Ex who was not even faithful to God is suffering tremendously. No Job no home and the woman he left us for is no longer with him. I pray for him all the time. When I though that I had lost my whole world I realized that God allowed to happen to me what I was not strong enough to do for myself. I made it with God’s help and you will too GOD (THE SHEPHARD DOES NOT ABANDON HIS FLOCK!)
Sincerely
Jeanne
October 9th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Hi Debra,
Thank you for your honesty and transparency. You are so right that we, as homeschool moms, feel we have to hid our trials, pains hurts and frustrations. But it truly does bring liberty to ourselves when we our honest first with ourselves and then with our Father. It brings liberty to others to know that our lives are not as perfect as they thought they were. True freedom comes in surrender and you are experiencing that freedom now. Abandoned unto GOD – there is no other place like it! HIS grace is sufficient for you and your children.
My sister and I have been talking about this the past several months. You never hear of anyone’s struggles. All we hear about is how wonderful homeschool is and how wonderful our lives are because we choose GOD’s direction for our families. But we need to hear the reality of the enemy against our families. We need to know that he is real and that he does have a real, strategic plan for us. Then we need to hear how GOD brought you through. So thank you again for being transparent!
As you are brought to my remembrance, I will pray for you, your business and your children. GOD bless your parents for providing a new “home” to you and your family!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Debra,
I have used several of your products and loved them thru the years. Recently I felt I had to give up on homeschooling because of my husband’s terminal illness and my emotional difficulties. It cannot compare to what you have been through but I do identify somewhat with having the plans you hold so dearly being altered in ways out of your control!
You inspire me by reading about how you’ve kept going, and most importantly, you haven’t given up on God which is something I frequently struggle with.
Because of everything you’ve gone through it seems your faith has grown stronger–how wonderful in the eyes of God!!! He must be so proud of you!
I will pray for your family and that you are continually blessed with peace and confidence in the times ahead.
God bless!
Lisa
October 9th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Debra, thank you for your transparency and vulnerability in sharing your story. I am afraid it is a story I seem to be hearing more and more of in the homeschooling and Christian community. God is sovereign and I am thankful that you and your children are doing well. May the Lord continue to lead you, strengthen you and comfort you.
Lorri
October 9th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Thank you for sharing such a personal testimony. God has brought me through circumstances similar to yours several years ago, and I know the agony. We, however, stayed together, which I know is a personal outcome between your family and God. I believe God is going to bless you richly for sharing your pain and honesty. I would guess that there are many people who have helped. Thank you again.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Debra, my heart aches for you! I want to applaud you for having the courage and strength to share your story. People do need to know that not every homeschooling family, not every Christian family, not every family period is perfect! Even when it looks like it is on the outside.
Draw strength and encouragement from the stories these women are in turn sharing with you. Use them like chocolate ice cream and a chick flick after a bad week.
If ever you need to vent/whine/cry/scream/whatever, feel free to use my email. It’s always open.
Danica
October 9th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Debra,
You are so very brave to share this journey you have been on and be so transparent. We homeschool Mom’s can tend to keep all thing’s rosey. I have wondered what happen to Debra from NPC. My heart hurts for you and I will pray for you and your family.
For His Glory,
Dana
October 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am
God bless you. I have yet to meet the perfect family, but I’ve met plenty who put up the facade. It hurts everyone. You are incredibly brave, and how beautiful that you have so many friends that you have never met. Count me among them! I send anyone I can to your site, and I will redouble my efforts. You are so strong!
Best wishes and prayers,
Laura
October 9th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hi Debra,
Thank you for sharing your story. Like others have said, you are right, it is important for others to know that homeschooling families, publishers and vendors are not perfect. We don’t have it all together. I recall sending an email out to my mailing list earlier this year. I debated as to how much of my situation to disclose. Like you, I decided it was important to be transparent and honest, letting my subscribers know what was going on and why things might not be published as originally intended. I found so much support and prayer from sisters I have never met. It was wonderful.
I know I have mentioned to you that I, too, experienced a similar situation. God does provide and protect. He will remain with you and your children. When he is not walking by your side, he will be carrying you through. May God continue to bless you all.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Debra,
I am new to your notebooking pages, having just purchased them this past summer but am excited to get to try them out this year.
My family has been on quite a journey as well. Our divorce was final last month. My ex-husband (boy that feels weird to write!) who has been my best friend for 15 years, and I have known for 25 years (since we were 12), has been separated from me over the past two years. Reconciliation was the goal and what we both wanted until last March when he decided otherwise. At that point, God released me because I had done all I could do. I understand the anger and frustration and shame and disappointment and all those crazy emotions you have likely shared with me the past two years. Having grown up in a Baptist background, murder was an option, but not divorce.
I thought he felt the same way but at some point the enemy whispers ideas that lead to sin.
I too saw how God had been preparing things to be ok. We are still able to homeschool and I am so blessed and thankful. He is a good father and good provider and supportive of homeschooling my three blessings. I have learned that God takes us through the pain to grow us sometimes. (Jer. 29:11–his plans to prosper us sometimes require pain but He is always, always faithful to fulfill his promises and give us peace). I suspect you would say like I do, that you have a perspective you never wanted but can so minister to hurting people now in a way never possible before. Did you ever think you would rejoice in suffering? Neither did I. But if I had to choose knowing my Jesus as I do now or going back to the way things were, I would choose the path of pain any day!
I would recommend finding a DivorceCare and DivorcCare 4 Kids group at a church if they offer one near you. It has been a great thing for my kids and I. I thought I had dealt with so many things already and decided I should do it for the kids but God needed me there too! Of course, be warned that the kids have such a good time they will tell everyone how much they enjoy DivorceCare and there are some interesting looks from that in the grocery store to be sure!
I have a ring on my wedding finger now, replacing the wedding band that should have been there from my earthly husband. But this one has a cross on it, reminding me of the One who is a husband to those who do not have one and to protect my heart. You are a beloved child of the most high king so rejoice in the One who sings over you Debra! Blessings!
Marcie
October 9th, 2009 at 11:41 am
He Debra,
I am so heart broken to hear this. Marriages are under attack. I will keep your family in my prayers. No matter the outcome the Lord is with you!
Casey
October 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Dear Debra,
Thank you so much for sharing your pain and your journey with us, your customers, and with the homeschool community. You are so right that we need to be totally honest with one another and bear each other’s burdens. I will be praying for you and your family and rejoice with you that you have begun to see G-d’s future plans for your family.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I hope your children are well. You are a brave and strong woman. Good luck.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I am praying for your and your children.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I found out a few of years ago that my husband had a couple relationships when we were broken up in high school that he never told me about. I am just now getting over that. We weren’t even together at the time, but it felt like infidelity to me. If it had happened in our marriage…I don’t know what I would have done.
We have become much closer since the revelation, there was always that separation because he knew there was something unsaid.
My prayers are with your family.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Hi Debra,
It has been 5 years since I traveled a similar road.
Like you I was fortunate to have the cramped quarters of my mothers small home. I was able to continue homeschooling my children during that difficult time. Looking back 5 years now I saw then and I see God’s hand of provision and mercy.
Most people were supportive and felt my decision was courageous. We moved far away from friends and pretty much had to allow God to pick up the shattered pieces of my life and put it back together in unexpected and beautiful new ways.
I know for me it took sometimes a daily resolve to forgive and to cling to Jesus. Some days I did better and some days I just hung on for dear life in the midst of the storms of grief, shattered dream, disappointment, my own failures. Little by little, piece by piece God restored.
I love your site, your up-dates in my e-mail and your courage to share your story. I pray God will continue to heal, and restore and bless you and your children.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
i would like to pass along this to u.
Found these articles on a blog. Really good
http://www.amybayliss.com/2009/09/divorce-my-story-of-hope-and-healing.html
Part 2
http://www.amybayliss.com/2009/09/divorce-my-story-of-hope-and-healing_05.html
October 9th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Oh Debra –
Mine is also a story of an adulterous husband, and it has now been 19 years since that awful day when I learned the truth. We reconciled for 30 short days, 6 months later, and I had a second child because of this time. I was then alone for 7 years, and got a couple of degrees during this time of cleansing. I am now married to a good and Godly man for the past 11.5 years. He had 5 children, plus my 2, and we have had 3 more living children and 3 that play at the feet of Jesus. ALL of the children raised in our home (6 of them) are living for God right now – in ministry one way or another! The Lord has healed the pain and blessed me beyond my craziest dreams. You are in a good place, being so dependent upon God. Praise Him for these days of needing Him! My prayers are with you and your children.
Carole
October 9th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Debra,
Thank you for your beautiful post. It is full of your lovely light and the light of the One. You are right in every way. May you continue to be blessed and to bless us all with your honesty, faith and of course, your amazing Notebooking business.
Blessings,
Claire
October 10th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Dear Debra,
My heart breaks for what you have been through. Praise the Lord for how He has sustained you and given you strength to plow through the last couple of years! It is hard enough for you to experience the personal hurt without having to deal with the kids hurts, too. I am praying that you are through the worst and for you and your children to continue not only to heal, but also to thrive.
Thank you for trusting us enough to share this. May our LORD bless you with abundant growth of your business and give you complete peace through your trust in Him.
In His Love,
Dana Wilson
Epi Kardia Home Education
http://www.epikardia.com
October 10th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Wow!! Thank you for sharing your story and for your honesty. You’ll be in my prayers for sure. God ALWAYS completes the work He started in you, and I admire your attitude and desire to follow Him. And it’s good to share that homeschooling families go through the same trials that everybody else. As least we are also aware that we are constantly teaching our children and sharing with them the most important lessons of all – how to live. Please don’t give up. May God continue to bless you and yours.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Dear Debra,
Hi sweetie. My heart and prayers go out to your and your children. You have my sincere admiration for your courage in being transparent and honest about the circumstances that you have found yourself in. You are absolutely right that we need more of that in both the Christian and homeschool communities. I don’t believe that it is a case of rejoicing in the misfortunes of others but it is so discouraging to live in the imperfect reality of your own life and see the “perfect” facade of other families. The enemy can use that to destroy even more families and marriges.
One thing that kept running though my mind all evening after I read your story was that you have had times of feeling like the rug was pulled out from under you. The picture that keeps forming in my mind is that under that rug is bedrock. Everything that you said shows me that you are grounded in the Lord. The “rug” is only a layer between you and God. That is not to say that it isn’t difficult to have it yanked out! OR that it was coming between you and God! Just that your “rug” wasn’t on top of shifting sand but on the solid foundation of Christ. Stand on that (as it sounds like you have been doing), lean on Him and you will come out of this stronger and more like Him. He is able to take ALL things and work them for for His good.
You will continue to be in my prayers as well as your precious children. I will also do as much “advertising” for you as I can! Stand firm my sister in Christ and He will bless your socks off!
Many Blessings,
Misti
October 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Debra,
Thank you for sharing your story. I know the Lord is with you and your children. The Lord can take something so painful and make something very beautiful out of it. I will be praying for you and your family. I look forward to seeing some of your new ideas!
Robin
October 10th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Debra,
I’m so proud of you. Hang in there. It happens to the best of us. This is the real world with real people in it and it belongs to a real God. Sounds like you have forgiven and decided not to be abused any longer. Good for you. I have been there. God is ever faithful. This may sound crazy but it is all for purpose. You will understand it better in His timing. This only proves that we are all flesh, all fall short, none have arrived and none have halos nor wings ;o) It really will work together and be well for you. Keep your hand in His. He fails not!
In His Love,
Your Oklahoma Sis.
Steph
October 10th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I was very impressed and blessed with your testimony today. You were very wise to wait for the Lord to release you to share your story. God has a reason for asking us to be silent because his timing is perfect. May God bless you.
Read my testimony at http://www.mymaleka.com if you get the chance and pass on if you feel lead.
God Bless,
Laura West
October 10th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Glad you have stayed strong with God through this difficult time. Sending up prayers for your family, being a single mum is difficult but trusting in the Lord will get you through.
From another mom who has been there too and realizes once she gave it up to Him, her life became all she’d ever dreamed of.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
God Bless you and your children! I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve all experienced, but thank you for your willingness to be open. I know you will help many people who need someone who’s “been there.” May God completely heal your hearts and faithfully lead you forward. He’s so good!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Dear Debra,
Add mine to the list of devastated marriages. I’m in the midst of the turmoil as I write to you. My husband has been gone for 7 months this week. While God has shown Himself faithful to me during every minute of this time, it’s still so hard to imagine what is to come. The deceit is so hard to live with! I know that God knows all that I don’t. I know that we’ll be taken care of by Him regardless. God will be glorified one way or the other, and in that I find my peace.
As mother’s we life to safe-guard our children from harm and can do nothing to stop the pain inflicted by their fathers. I told my 10yo son that if he learns nothing else in all this painful journey, I hope he’ll see that his mama trusted God. God gave me this scripture yesterday: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
(Isa 43:18-19)
God bless you and your children. My prayers are with you. You are not alone.
Grace in the journey,
Melissa
October 13th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Your last paragraph is so true, and I thank you for your boldness in sharing your trial, your tribulation, and your faith in God through it all. Indeed, we only harm one another and ourselves when we hide behind our masks of perfection!! It is devastating to hear of yet another Christian marriage that has been attacked so vilely. We have an enemy, and he aims to destroy. I will be praying for you and your children, that God would continue to show Himself faithful, and for your spouse, that God would break through the lies, deception, and sin, and bring him to true repentance. May God be glorified in you and through you!
Grace and Peace,
Angel
November 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Hi Debra-
I’ve thought of you so often since you shared your story. My prayers are with you. After much prayer, I decided to share my story as well.
In case you want to hear you’re not alone in your ordeal:
http://livinglifebetweenthetrees.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after.html
Grace in the journey,
Melissa
November 13th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Bless you, for sharing. Your intention is honorable and received.
Happiness to You and Yours,
Stacy
November 21st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I have been reading your information on notebooking with earnest and only today realized you have a blog. I’d sent you an email through your business contact, however after reading this post and all you’ve been going through, I will be praying for you in a new way. God is faithful and He heals the broken hearted. In no way do I say that in a trite way…I believe it with all my heart.
January 10th, 2010 at 1:17 am
Dearest Debra,
I’ve been using your products for awhile but just now came upon your story. My heart breaks for you and your kids, but rejoices at our Father’s provision. Thank you for your transparency. I look forward to reading the next chapters of your story as God writes them.
I’m really enjoying the winter home journal organization pages you sent to subsribers. They were so cute they inspired me to get going with my new year organization. I’m very much looking forward to the Spring ones! The artwork is great…makes me smile!
I will be praying for you and your family. May God pour out many surprise blessings on you this year.