Cecilia and Alan’s story.
“2020 started out like any other year. We were a typical suburban family, two parents juggling full-time jobs, our 3 and 5-year old boys, and their daycare/preschool schedules.
Then the pandemic hit and suddenly we were not only full-time employees but also full-time home school teachers. For nine long months, our house was a constant war zone with toys everywhere, dishes piled up, and screaming kids pounding on our doors while we struggled to engage in work calls. On top of all this, we were scrambling to virtually care for Cecilia's dad who was diagnosed with cancer, an aunt who passed away from another form of cancer, and a cousin in San Diego who suddenly passed away leaving the extended family in shock. 2020 ended in tragedy as we found ourselves attending 3 funerals (two virtually) in 6 weeks.
2021 started out on a low note. We went from being a typical suburban family with stable jobs to experiencing sudden job loss, lack of day care availability for our kids, and the sudden passing of Cecilia's father from cancer.
Yet in the midst of all this, God was faithful, God provided, and God blessed. We spent time with our kids in ways we never could when they were in full-time school. We reconnected with family and friends via Zoom and had quality conversations that we might not have had if it wasn't for the pandemic. We grew closer to our Trinity community group through virtual and backyard meetings, and were hugely blessed to help launch Trinity’s Care Community ministry. God provided a fluke opportunity for Cecilia to visit her Father in Chicago before his passing. God also quickly blessed us with a new job that was so much better than the previous work situation that was lost.
God knows what we need more than we do. He opens the right doors and closes the wrong ones. He rescues us from situations we shouldn't be in. He provides what is needed before we even know what is needed. God provides.
While the pandemic is not over yet, we trust in God's unfailing love, His goodness, and His perfect plan. All we need to do is trust him with the unknowns each step of the way. Psalm 13 reflects our journey and our thoughts - "How long, oh Lord? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."
-Alan and Cecilia