A Quick Ketch-Up
We are sorry it has been so long since we last wrote, we truly have experienced a bit of “tossed salad” lately (sorry about all the food puns!). Let me start back in the summer. Andy and I saw God do amazing things during the Cru conference in Colorado: Andy helped implement a new enrollment system for our “KidsCare” child programs which put all security and consent forms online and a new part of the registration system that involved a Pre-Check for quicker on-site registration (think airline pre-check); the printing of more than 8000 name tags; and more.
Throughout the summer we watched God answer specific prayers for Becca and Zach as they were preparing to move from South Carolina to Orlando. Becca moved into our house the day after we left for Colorado. She and Zach both found jobs in Central Florida.
They were able to find a rental house just 3 miles from us. Becca had no complications during the last months of her pregnancy. Zach moved from SC into our house just before Andy and I arrived back home.
Cady and Kevin were able to find a great school for Khloe and Rylie and the girls are thriving there!
And Rachel stayed in Greenville where she was a nanny for a young girl and then got a job at the new TopGolf, a golf entertainment venue.
We Relish Our Girls
Becca and Zach’s final weeks with us were wonderful and stressful — when would the baby come? When would they be able to move into their rental home (which wouldn’t be ready until Sept. 1st). Could Becca work up to her due date? Which would come first, the baby or Hurricane Dorian (no kidding!)?
On August 29th, in the sixth hour of the day, Miss Murphy Catherine Greene-Rettig took her first breath. Her momma had a cesarean section (Miss Murphy flipped in the last hour of labor) so Becca, Zach and Murphy got to spend a few days in the hospital and then they came home to our house.
We got a healthy baby and a healthy momma!!
The night that Becca was in labor, I was not well and could not accompany her to the birth center (please see below). Cady stepped right in and stayed by Becca’s side throughout her entire labor. Zach and his mom, Erin were there as well. I am so very proud of Becca!
This is So NOT What I Ordered, or Wanted, or Expected
In April I (Catherine) injured my right rotator cuff and it needed surgery. To say that I was naïve about surgery and recovery is an understatement. With Becca’s baby being due in late August, and us being in Colorado until early August, the surgery was scheduled for the 12th!
The surgery went very well. I slept for three or four days post-op. Andy was my marvelous care giver, keeping an eye on all of my medications and even washing my hair! Cady and the girls came by, did a few chores and Cady painted my toes. Becca and Zach were there to keep us company. Friends brought dinners, we ate like royalty.
Then the salad was tossed!! ! In the second week I developed a rash on my arm inside my sling. The red, itchy rash spread around my torso and the part in my sling flared badly. All of the systems of my body then “reset.” I got a sore throat and cough for three days, I had a three day menstrual cycle. I had rapid cycling hot flashes. As all of these things took a toll, my anxiety grew and depression came with it. Becca was due any minute, my body was rebelling and Hurricane Dorian was heading toward Florida. My head was spinning!
UGH! I had felt this deep level of anxiety and depression a few times before, specifically 21 years ago when Rachel was born. Honestly I was ashamed at feeling these feelings again. I met with two friends who are counselors, talking through the depth of my despair. I went to my primary doctor and got a medication to combat the anxiety. Sadly it just sucked the life out of me. I went back to the doctor and got another medicine which boosted the antidepressant I was taking. God was so good! I felt the difference within 24 hours. The battle did go on — I still had anxious thoughts, but fewer than before and as I spoke them out loud, they lost their strength.
During that 24 hour period, Becca went into labor. I was able to go to the hospital a day later and meet our third grand girl. For the early weeks after Becca came home with Murphy, the three of us were able to rest and recover together!
A Recipe to Wholeness
For those who have dealt with anxiety you know that every minute of the day takes a month. During the two weeks I was anxious and depressed (and sad and defeated and beat up), our local Christian music station (Z88.3 — you can listen on your computer) was a glorious lifeline to the Lord.
Clinging to Scripture helped pull my mind away from swirling thoughts. The NewVersion App on my phone has several reading plans about various topics so I did a 10—15 minute Bible study each day. My pastor recommended memorizing Psalm 91.
Get well cards were bright moments I could relive over and over.
An acquaintance recommended a book that I found gloriously healing. (Suffering by Paul David Tripp) He had six surgeries over two years and struggled with the same feelings I had! I was not alone.
My close friends were in contact on a regular basis. Many chose those days to remind me of their friendship!
People I hardly interact with came to me to say God had put me on their mind and that they had been praying for me.
Our family and friends were praying as well.
After my experience 21 years ago we learned that God had a purpose in my pain, in my ability to share that story. We found that God used it to bring others with depression and/or anxiety into the light. I have walked with several friends through similar situations. If this letter strikes a chord with you, if you are battling anxiety and/or depression and feel alone, I would love to talk to you. Pour a cup of coffee, tea or get a Chai at Starbucks and please give me a call!
The Kelloggs 