Story

Hi everyone. I never imagined I’d be in a place where I’d share our story publicly, but life has been overwhelming this year, and I’m trying to trust that maybe God puts us in certain places for a reason — even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’re reading this, thank you already.

My husband Sam and I both work full time. I’ve been at my job 16 years, worked my way up to a position I am proud of, even though it doesn’t make us wealthy. Sam has been a teacher for 15 years and pours his heart into his students and coworkers. We’re not people who sit back or expect handouts. We’ve always done everything we can to stand on our own. But somehow, even with both of us working, we’ve fallen behind in a way we can’t climb out of.

This year broke us in ways we didn’t see coming.

A huge part of it has been Sam’s stepmom. Her dementia has gotten so severe that she hallucinated constantly — seeing people who weren’t there, believing Sam’s dad (who passed away three years ago) was on the roof, screaming at things no one else could see. And every single holiday this year — Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, my daughter’s second birthday, even Sam’s 40th — she had a breakdown or ended up in the ER. Sam spent his entire birthday in the hospital with her.

She demanded Sam come over every day to do things like move her garbage can a foot, get her mail, turn on her TV. And if he set boundaries, she called nonstop — sometimes 29 calls in a row — until he gave in. When he finally had to go no-contact for his own health, she still didn’t ask how he was or how our kids were. She just wanted her mail again.

The stress put Sam into physical pain. He just had an MRI and found terrible arthritis throughout his back. He’ll need surgery, but we’re waiting on insurance to tell us the next steps. Even when he tried to tell his stepmom that news, she didn’t care.

On top of all that, we’re drowning financially.

We love our home, but after ten years here, our mortgage has doubled and is now going up to $1,500/month. Our health insurance — which we absolutely can’t go without because of Sam’s back — is $600/month. Electric is $250. Water is $100. Car insurance $130. Preschool is $450 a month. And then groceries… well, everyone knows how expensive those are now.

My income is about $3,000 a month, Sam’s is about $1,900, and somehow that feels like nothing anymore. We make too much to qualify for any assistance and not enough to get by. I’m always choosing which bills to pay and which to let slide. We don’t vacation — the only trip we take is to a timeshare that my dad lets us use for free.

Our car broke down last year and we had to get a loan to cover that cost.

We try to give back where we can.

I volunteer during the Christmas season  ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Sam steps up for anyone — coworkers, students, strangers. He literally offered part of his liver to an old coworker if she ends up needing it. That’s who he is. That’s who we are trying to be — people who do the right thing, follow God the best we can, raise our kids to be kind and faithful, and trust that good comes back eventually.

But right now… we’re at a breaking point. We just want to breathe.

What your help would go toward:

We want to be completely transparent.

1. Bills

Just basic stability — mortgage, utilities, insurance.

We’re not trying to get ahead, just stop falling behind.

2. Groceries

Being able to buy enough food without second-guessing every single item. It would mean the world to not have to pinch pennies on something so essential.

3. Christmas for our kids

Our son Max learned Santa isn’t real this year, and it broke my heart — especially with how hard the year has been. We want him to still feel the magic, the warmth, the joy. We want both our kids to feel safe and loved, not the stress we’re carrying.

If you’re able to help, even a little, we would be humbled and grateful beyond words. And if you can’t donate, just reading this or praying for us means more than you know.

Thank you for listening to our story. I truly believe God works through people — and maybe, just maybe, this is one of those moments.