Comments

Lyn Asks This Month’s Question — 28 Comments

1. I’ll bet. That took courage!

2. I had always assumed that I would get a college degree. I made a impulsive decision and got married at 18, getting a job and having 2 kids. 10 years later, stuck in a low level job and unhappy in a marriage to a narcissistic man, I went back to college, 1 class per term. It took me 6 years but I got that BA degree, got a better job, and got rid of the man (that led to many more challenges as a single parent!).

3. I lived in Sierra Leone, West Africa for 4 years, working as a nurse in a hospital there. I had not been out of the US before that, so that was the first challenge. There were a lot more over those 4 years, it was a great experience, I learned a lot.

4. Hi Lyn,

   I faced two wonderful challenges at about the same time. I was always spiritually close to God as a lad and felt a call to serve, which I did in different ways. At seventy years young, I became a licensed Pastor, proving God’s persistence always prevails.

   The second challenge was similar to yours—I became a published author. For twelve years, I composed a historical Christian novel in my mind during my forty-five-minute commute to work and back home. Once I retired, I finally had time to put words to paper and submit the manuscript to publishers for consideration. The first book in my Secret Saga series was published earlier this year, and the third book launches soon. In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined I’d be a Pastor or a published Christian author.

   Pastor Tim Keenan

5. I hear you. I’ve had a hip and one knee replaced and will have another next year. I have my husband and daughter but I consider my church as my family too. I know you’ll find what you need just pray for guidance. Hugs

6. BRAVO!!!

7. Glad you persevered. It’s amazing to me how some people want to tear down others! Hugs

8. Our daughter suffers from Major Depressive Disorder so I know a little about what you went through. I think the teen years are the hardest. Hugs,

9. Going through a very nasty ugly divorce. Earning my degree during that time. Enduring the betrayal of longtime friends. Jesus held me up all the way.

10. I was told to consider other options than college when I was in highschool. I graduated with Bachelor’s degree. I went back to work full time after being a homemaker for almost 30 years.

11. Somehow, we made it through my daughter’s teen years, but I was really not up to that challenge. Only a lot of prayer kept me sane! My girl has several mental disorders, including schizo-affective, epilepsy, a learning disability and autism. Her autism wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood, but her behavior kept me wondering. As an adopted child, we had little knowledge of her background, which may have helped us. Unprepared, my husband and I struggled with bizarre behaviors and her hallucinations. Now she is 27, married and with a baby. We thank God every day for her life and faith. Only He could have brought this child into womanhood and a mostly peaceful life. Praise God for doctors who have listened and gotten her on a healthy path.

12. Biggest challenge was learning how to survive divorce and loosing custody of my children, and building my self esteem back up. It took me years to overcome my ex getting custody of my girls because I had no job and no place to live. I stayed with friends parents until that got to be much, then stayed with new friends, until I lost my job. Hanging my head and calling my mom to help me. Moving back home and staying with them until my step mom kicked me out of my mom’s apartment and moving in with my grandmother. Getting and almost losing a job before I found my footing and then learning how to find myself and not believing that I was stupid and worthless. But I did it through hard work and good friends who refused to let me believe all the crap my mom & my ex said about me.

13. Yes when I had to go through my cancer treatments I prayed and believed and Jesus brought me through it!

14. I guess I’ve lived a pretty level life. But the family curse of arthritis has caught up. My sister has it in both hips, one fixed, won’t have the other done. I have it pretty bad, fallen a few times. To think I did ballroom dancing & competitions for 15 years. I’m trying to figure out logistics of having surgery next year as I live alone with 5 kitties, one with diabetes. My surviving friends live in other states. I’ll figure it out.

15. My biggest challenge was getting my college degree as a working single mom with two small children. It took me years, but I did it! And my kids came to the graduation as a kindergartner and a fourth grader. I wanted them to see all the hard work that paid off.

16. I have had a couple of challenges that were doubted. One was becoming a teacher (in my late 30s) through the alternate route and another was getting a Master’s degree at the age of 58. I retired from teaching after almost 23 years. Neither of these were easy but I saw them through to the end, I didn’t give up.

17. I decided to run my first marathon when I was 48! Those closest to me said I could do it, others thought I was crazy, and some said, “How far is that?”. I even had an anonymous post on my blog telling me I wouldn’t finish. But finish I did and I went on to run 3 more.

18. I started smoking when I was 13 years old and never thought I would be able to quit but just before getting married when I was 28 I quit, using what at that time was the 7th day adventist (sp) plan. You gave up meat and all caffeine for two weeks in addition to smoking. My co-workers claimed I was unpleasant but it worked.

19. I went to nursing school when in my 30s and had two small children at home, and I wouldn’t have made it if my husband hadn’t been supportive.

20. Painting around 80 windows/storm/screens. At 60ish I questioned myself. Husband said don’t try it. I seen windows in my sleep and was tired of maneuvering them in the garage. I was very anxious that I was not able to get them finished by the time the cold came. I did it and said never again! We either need to sell the house or get new windows. Kicker! We got new windows the next spring! At least I should have let them need painting again! Still an anxiousness when I think of it.

21. My biggest challenge was following God’s call into pastoral ministry. I am now semi-retired after 27 years of serving churches by preaching, teaching, caring, praying, visiting, being present for births and deaths and everything in between. God is good and faithful and provider me many mentors and friends to encourage and keep me accountable.

22. I think my biggest challenge was when I was diagnosed with cancer. Lost sleep, thinking I might not see my grandchildren graduate, fear. I had it all. As I progressed in my treatment, I realized that it was the devil sitting on my shoulder and making me believe these things. I did survive that first time and again, 10 years later when they found more cancer and pre-cancer cells. I am so thankful for the prayers that were prayed all over the country for me. I am feeling good and am very grateful.

23. I was quite sure I could not pass algebra in high school despite it being a required course. My mother was adamant that “can’t never could” and that all I had to do was change my attitude. It was a struggle, but I did manage to succeed.

24. I was betrayed after 40 years & had to start my life again.

25. Leaving my husband after finding out he was spending his evening with his old girlfriend after we put our 2 daughters to bed. I was terrified to be on my own with 2 daughters at 19 years old. They are my pride and joy. My oldest gave me 2 grandchildren, a girl and a boy who make me proud everyday. My youngest works in a cardiologist clinic for over 25 years. I am one Proud mom of both my girls!

26. My biggest challenge, as for most, I believe is the day to day challenge of getting by. It’s sounds depressing but not at all. Just saying, the struggle is real.

27. As a German American immigrant, I wanted to be a teacher from age 10. As I started college, our church youth leader and choir director said I was going to college for my M.R.S. degree. Now as a retiree belong to a library sponsored book club, I realize this was a common male thought in the 1960s not just our German immigrant community. Then in 1973 on my wedding, while in town for a last minute errand, a young man I had dated – wanted to know if I had made a success out of my life. I chuckled, I was 23 – yes I graduated from college and had taught school a year, but a success too early to tell. Teaching was my dream – I taught for 35 years, but in a variety of roles. To triumph I had to be flexible. While I had a secondary teaching certificate to teach grades 7 -12, I taught grades 1 thru college. My love was German, my minor was high school English. I also taught Journalism and Creative Writing. It was through the help of my parents and a school counselor, I faced met the challenge to be the first in my family to graduate from an American college.

28. my job was part of a reduction in force 60 people lost their jobs and I was one of them. Total blindside. It was NAFTA related and some funding was available as a result. Two of us took advantage and went back to college to change our career path. there were so many hoops to jump through to secure the funding but we plunged through it. I was heading back to school with a kindergartner and a preschooler. my travel was 59 miles away and included some late night courses in the curriculum. I would leave home at 7:00 am and get home at 10:00 pm for two nights a week for one semester. I relied on my husband to take over dinners and bedtimes. studying was a challenge with my preschooler tucking in next to me to do her work too mommy. but we did it graduated with honors 2 weeks before my daughter graduated kindergarten. I look back now 25 yrs behind and say wow that changed the course of our lives but well worth the journey. If there’s a will there’s a way became my motto and I repeated to so many who questioned a challenge ahead of them.

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