Writing my book was an emotional, cathartic, heartwarming, rewarding experience. I would be typing away as tears poured down my cheeks. Time and again, Patrick would look at me and say, “Are you okay?!” And I would respond, “I’m good, I’m good.” It was emotional to relive the pain and loss, awe-inspiring to reflect on all the service and sacrifice on my behalf, and overwhelming to reflect on all the Lord’s tender mercies and miracles in my life. It is crazy to me is that my book only really covers my first 16 years. Since that time, I have continued to see the Lord’s hand in my life in countless acts of love, service and more miracles. I won’t go back and cover the last 14 years since my lung transplant, but I did want to recap 2013, because it was the year I received my kidney transplant from my angel sister and became among the 3% to have received both a lung transplant and a kidney transplant – and among even fewer to still be alive with both!

I am humbled and grateful everyday to be alive. I am grateful my unique circumstances have blessed me with the perspective of what really matters in life, have filled me with nothing but love for others, and have forged an unbreakable friendship with, appreciation for and dependence upon my Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you to all of you who have been part of my miraculous journey and for helping make it possible. I love you all!

48 Comments

Rosalie Pace says

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Hi

I just wanted to say that I appreciate your strength and love fore life and most especially for our Lord. I am a cancer survivor, at least so far (almost 6 years now after a 20 year old cyst in my lower jaw turned to cancer and destroyed my lower jaw and the bottom of my mouth). But I am still here and so are you. I can’t eat so much but your recipes I really enjoy for what I can eat and so do my two girls. I love to cook for them. Looking forward to trying out more of them. Thank you so much.

- Jen says
  
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  Hi Rosalie! I am so glad that you and your girls are able to enjoy some of the recipes! Thank you for sharing some of your story with me, I admire your positivity and strength. God bless you and your family.