Rob and I have been married for almost nine years and from the moment we met, we quickly knew we shared many common goals. We wanted to leave our crazy lives behind and settle down to raise a family. We wanted to reach the point financially where we could afford to have me stay home and raise our children. On May 18, 1997 we had a little girl and we named her Morgan Lee. She was more than we could have ever dreamed of. She was so beautiful and we were so in love with her. She meant absolutely everything to us. In January of 1999, I began working at a day-care where Morgan could come with me. She did not like being there, and I knew it wasn’t the right thing for any of us, but in less than a year I was able to give my two weeks notice. Friday, October 29, 1999 was my last day at work. What a relief. I could finally now take the job I had always wanted, to be a full-time stay-at-home mom.

     I couldn’t believe we had actually done it. I had everything I had ever dreamed of: a wonderful husband, a precious baby, a happy little home, and a chance to make a fresh start. Tuesday, November 2, 1999 –– my second full day at home with Morgan Lee. I remember it like it was yesterday. We had nothing in particular to do that day, so we decided to go visit my sister Jeannette and her son Christian. After a few hours of play, it was time to go home for Morgan’s nap. So I got in the car and headed for home. I came to a stop sign. I could have made a left or a right to go home, and I usually make a left, but on this day I decided to turn right. A few minutes later, I felt a crash and our car flew across the road into an embankment. I quickly turned around to check on Morgan and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Morgan Lee in her favorite hat There was glass and blood everywhere and Morgan wasn’t breathing. I jumped out of the car and just started screaming. I felt horror. I felt evil –– like Satan was there smiling. 

     Morgan only lived a few more hours. We were devastated. We just cried and were in a state of shock. I did not want to live. My family didn’t know what to do. We didn’t have a church home in the area yet, so my sister came to Line Lexington seeking help for me. Soon pastor John King came over to pray with us, and others visited after that. Then we came and heard Lowell Delp preach and he made it so clear. 

The people of Line Lexington sent cards and prayers. These people are so wonderful and do God’s work so well. They literally saved my life. They told me Morgan was ok and that she had a new life now in heaven. John brought us Bibles, and I remember reading in 2 Corinthians where it says that, though our mortal bodies may die, through Christ you get a resurrected body, free of sickness, disease, and pain. Morgan was alive and no longer in pain, and best of all, she was with God. 

     Prior to loosing Morgan, Rob and I were pursuing God but we didn’t quite get it. We knew God in our heads, but now we know Him in our hearts. We’ve since joined the church, were baptized into the Body of Christ, and we’re involved with the junior high youth ministry at Line Lexington. Today I see Genesis 50:20 more clearly than ever: “You may have intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Through advocacy work on sensible cell phone use and safe driving practices, I hear from other devastated parents and I do my best to tell them what I know about the promise of God’s love. Once I had no reason to live, but now I have many, including our 18 month-old Olivia and our 3 month-old Robbie. The Bible says that God works in all things for good. That does not mean all that happens to us is good, because Evil stands at the ready. But God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. None of us know what the future holds, but with the Lord there to lean on, you can make it through anything. I may have lost my daughter –– and I live with that horrible pain every single day –– but I received salvation, and that’s the story I want to tell the world now.