Kristina, one of our volunteers, gives hope and spreads sunshine to our families through writing encouraging notes and cards. Though, she wasn’t always the one spreading sunshine. At one time, she was the one who needed the hope that a card or letter can bring. Enjoy getting to know Kristina as she shares her story.
“It would have been so nice to have a ministry like Spreading Sunshine when my middle child, who has Down Syndrome, was little. At 6 months of age she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and almost died. She was in the hospital every 3 months for a period of 2 years. During tests, procedures, prods and pokes, I had to watch or help hold her down while she looked at me with intense pain in her eyes.
At times it was just too hard to bear and I really struggled emotionally. It was hard on our family. My son, who was four years old at the time, started acting out due to his whole world crashing down. He struggled with our family being apart so often and seeing his baby sister being taken in ambulances with Mommy. He was so scared… he would have nightmares that his sister died. He was anxious anytime she got sick and would cry, asking if she would have to go to the hospital.
It was even harder when my youngest daughter was born and my husband had to take time off of work to stay in the hospital with our oldest daughter, because I was nursing. But we made it through. Thankfully, she’s been much healthier and my son is less anxious.
I personally struggled with depression while all of this was going on. Everyone, from doctors and nurses to family and friends, would tell me that I had to be strong for her- for my family, so I held all of my emotions in; it wasn’t healthy. You cannot hold your emotions in forever, it will destroy you. But God was so gracious and has been healing me and I am stronger with His help due to the storms we have faced. (Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me)
As I look back, I can trace all of God’s kisses and fingerprints on our season of storm. I encourage you to read scripture daily, lament to the Lord, and listen to uplifting music. He wants us to share our honest feelings with Him. Let Him be your shelter and anchor. These are all things I do daily now and have been a huge help to me.
Here are some of my favorite scripture passages:
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 4, 23, 91, 103, 118, 119, 143
Isaiah 43
Lamentations 3
Ephesians 3:20-21
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
I pray they bless you too. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.”
During the month of February, Spreading Sunshine is hosting a “Virtual Change Drive” to raise money to help fund our ministry to families facing childhood illness or disability. We want families to know they are loved and are not alone. You can help!!
