Thursday December 13. This date is very special to me because 15 years ago today I married the man of my dreams! I know, so how did I become a single mom? Well it is a long story, so pull up a chair and read a while:

His name was Rick Fox. We met at my church, August of 1997. Both of us had been praying for a while for God to give us the person He wanted us to have. We talked for 3 weeks and then finally went out. At the end of the day (supposed to have been just a lunch date but ended up an all day and night date, lol) we both knew this was it! Four months later, December 13, 1997 I became Mrs. Richard David Fox!

Neither one of us were perfect, but God is the perfect matchmaker just like everything else God does perfectly. Our marriage was amazing! In the short 3 1/2 years God allowed me to have this wonderful man as my husband, we only had 3 arguments. I learned a lot from Rick, communication being one of them. If you will sit down and discuss problems before they become actual problems, then the situation never gets to that point. Thus, a lot fewer arguments.

During our marriage, Rick surrendered to the call to preach. He was amazing at it too! Well the Lord led for him to put a missions trip together, going to Canada. Rick and 3 other preachers from our church left for a week long mission trip to Quebec Canada. They drove there and back. Halfway back, in Hershey Pennsylvania, the driver fell asleep and they wrecked. Rick was sleeping in the backseat of the van. He was thrown from the van, and airlifted to Hershey Medical Center. We lived in North Carolina at the time. A friend of mine's son was also at Hershey Medical Center in critical condition. We flew there together, and others arrived there by driving. God saw to it that I was never alone. I was able to see Rick, and tell him what all had happened. Everyone else survived the wreck, which was an answered prayer. I knew before I ever left home, it was God's will to take Rick home to Heaven. Rick went home to be with our Lord and Savior July 8, 2001. He was never conscious our last hours together, but I have always known that he heard me; knew that I was there with him.

Rick was one that would stop on the side of the road and pick flowers for me, and have them in a vase on the table when I came home from work. It was always spontaneous, so I never expected it. Just one of the many things he did throughout our marriage to show me he loved me, and was always thinking of me. His pleasure came from making me happy, and he was wonderful at it. He was a Sheriff's Deputy, and at his funeral all the deputy's each laid a single rose on top of his casket. I had prayed that morning, and had found the most beautiful flower on the side of the road. I laid it on top of all those roses, my last physical gift I was ever able to give the man who had owned my heart from day one.

It was the worst time in my life, but yet the closest I have ever walked with God. He literally carried me through this time in my life. Many a time I would sit in the middle of my bed and let the tears flow. I am the type person that doesn't cry in front of people. God had used Rick's death in so many ways--people got saved and got right with Him. Rick was in Heaven, a place where there is no more heartache, pain, or sin. However, when God took Rick home to Heaven, he literally took my heart away, and He knew this. That is why when I sat in the middle of my bed and cried, God wrapped His arms around me, and loved me the way only God can. I found comfort and peace in the greatest valley of my life. I would have never survived this time in my life if it were not for God's grace, love, and mercy. When we can't and nobody else can--God can and will. That is my God. That is the God that I serve and Love! No other can even begin to compare.

November of that year I met my son's dad. He was the complete opposite of Rick, which at the time was exactly what I needed. We were married the following September. However, the real him eventually came to light and we divorced in 2007. Lesson learned: if somebody changes to be what you want them to be, it is not meant to be. If you can not be your real self, then that person who you are changing for is not the person God wants for you to spend the rest of your life with. Be yourself, completely yourself. The one that God has chosen for you will love you and accept you exactly the way you are!

I can not complain to much though because I have the most amazing son any mother could ever have. His name is Daniel, he is seven years-old, and he is my heart. When he was only four years old, he accepted Jesus as his Savior December 13, 2009! That is no coincidence. That is God! He had to take my heart for souls to be saved, which is what this life is all about. He gave me a new heart August 23, 2005 when Daniel was born. He allowed Daniel to be born into the family of God December 13, 2009 so that this date would have double special meaning to me!

Today I get to go have Christmas lunch with my little man! I can not think of a greater way to spend the day. I hope all of your days are blessed beyond measure. Mine are  :)