I’m excited to have award-winning, best-selling author, Jody Hedlund, on my blog today.
Her latest release, Unending Devotion, hit shelves this past Saturday. I’m reading it right now and absolutely loving it. In fact, I was so desperate to read it yesterday, I gave my son some books to look at in his stroller and read Jody’s book while I walked the dog. Multi-tasking at it’s finest.
If you are a fan of historical romance, don’t miss Jody’s books. She’s one of the best!
Secret #4: My Hardest Life Experience so Far
By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund
Life has a way of throwing some hard things our ways sometimes, doesn’t it?
I’ve had a number of hard things come my way, including the death of my dad when I was twenty-two years old. He died of a heart-attack when he was only 50. It happened so suddenly and unexpectedly that I never had the chance to tell him goodbye.
And while that was hard, even more difficult was when I gave birth to my twin babies.
At that time, we’d just moved to Michigan. I was busy unpacking boxes, had a two year old son, and was hugely pregnant. I thought I had two months to finish getting ready for the new babies.
But boy was I mistaken.
During a routine doctor’s visit at thirty weeks gestation, I discovered I was in labor. I hadn’t felt any contractions and my water hadn’t broken, but I was well on my way to having the babies. So the doctor ordered an ambulance to take me to the closest hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) so that after the babies were born they could receive the best possible care.
Fortunately that hospital was only thirty minutes from my home. But unfortunately I was going to have to be in the hospital for the duration of my pregnancy. Having a husband with a brand new job, a toddler who needed constant care, and knowing very few people in the community, complicated the situation immensely.
Family rallied to our support. Both Moms offered to come and stay with us during the difficult days ahead.
But my twins were determined to enter the world early. And after only a week in the hospital, my labor continued to progress against the best efforts to stop it.
My twin daughters were born NINE weeks early. They weighed 3.0 lbs. each. One of them had to be on a ventilator to help her breathe. And both of them were hooked up to numerous machines in an incubator.
When I was finally allowed to hold one of my daughters, I could fit her in my hand.
The first time I walked into my new home after being released, I cried of a broken heart. I was so distraught to return home empty-handed and leave my babies at the hospital.
But somehow I managed to survive the month of half-living at the hospital and half at home with my toddler (who wasn’t allowed in the NICU).
Now my daughters are 13 years old, healthy, and beautiful young ladies.
The hardship still haunts me. But I’ve learned that difficulties come into our lives to help us become more grateful for our blessings.
How about you? What’s the most difficult experience you’ve faced in your life?
Publisher’s Weekly calls Unending Devotion “A meaty tale of life amid the debauchery of the lumber camps of 1880s Michigan . . . exciting and unpredictable to the very end.”
To celebrate the release of Unending Devotion, Jody is giving away a signed copy. Leave a comment to enter the drawing. Valid only with US or Canadian addresses. Giveaway ends:
For more secrets about Jody and additional chances to win her newest release, visit her Events Page to see where she’ll be next in her “Fun Secrets About Author Jody Hedlund” blog tour.
Also join in the Pinterest Photo Contest she’s hosting. Find more information about it on her Contest Page.
Jody would love to connect with you! Find her in one of these places:
Website: http://jodyhedlund.com/
Blog: http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Author Jody Hedlund
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jodyhedlund
If this is your first time visiting my cyber home, I would LOVE to send you a welcome packet. You can find a sign up button at the top and at the bottom of this page. So go whichever way you choose. 🙂
Jody – wow. My twins were born at 37 weeks and they weighed in at 6 lbs. 13 oz and 6 lbs. 14.5 oz and we were able to bring them home right away – but what ensued was the craziest eighteen months of my life. I can’t imagine delivering early and then living between hospital and home, plus taking those babies home and going through the stress of having two infants. There were times in those first eighteen months that I truly thought I would lose my sanity. I’ve never experienced anything like the 24/7 of parenting twins. Now that they’re 2 1/2, it’s become so much fun. Their personalities are shining and they make us laugh every day. Even with all the extra work and the sleepless months, I wouldn’t change the experience for anything in the world. During my hardest days I would think to myself: If God blessed me with twins, than He knew I could do it – and do it well. I have a group of mothers of multiples that I’ve connected with and it was one of the best things I could do. There is strength in numbers! Thank you for sharing your story.
My mother died a month before I was six. How I have longed for her and have no memory of her. Such trauma for a young heart to bear, growing up with, “If my mother had lived, ….”
My husband’s parents met each other at a lumber camp in Michigan! Her father was the camp foreman and she was a cook. My husband’s father and his brother went to Michigan to think they were going to buy and run a sheep ranch. Instead, they were married and he brought my husband’s mother back to Wisconsin with him. My husband is number 6 of 10 children. Three are deceased, and his parents before we married. French father and Belgium mother. I have enjoyed hearing their story.
The winner (thanks to random.org) is Jennifer Major! Thanks for participating everybody!
THANK YOU!!!
In honour of this most surprising win, cuz I never win nuthin’, I will go shopping and buy a new dress for when I meet the book.
*grin* Congrats, Jennifer! 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE Jody’s books! Have this one on my nightstand as I type!!!
Jody, I LOVED hearing your story. We’ve talked before about how extremely difficult it is to have a baby in the hospital, especially with others at home. THANK YOU for sharing your story… you’re such a strong momma!!!! Much love to you friend!
Great post! I’m happy to hear your twins are now healthy, vibrant girls. (I taught 7th grade–those middle school years are so fun!)
The hardest thing I have been through was helping nurse my dad as he died of cancer. I worked during the day and then helped my mom at night. Thankfully, my sister was able to help during the day, so we’d trade off. My mom, sister, and I surrounded him, praying and singing praise songs as he went to be with Jesus. Those 18 months of caring for him were hard but held some of the best conversations I’ve ever had.
I haven’t read anything by Jody, so I’m adding her name to my “must read soon” list. 🙂
laurelprincess12 at gmail dot com
I don’t know if the giveaway has ended, but I’d love to win one of your books, Jody! I LOVE the cover of this one!
And I know–those scary experiences when our children are small stick with us for the rest of our lives. I remember long nights with my baby asthmatic daughter, glued to the baby monitor, listening for any signs of coughing. I remember one trip to the ER in which I just had to give her up to the Lord, because I knew I couldn’t keep her breathing till we got there. His hands are stronger than mine.
And oops, my email is heatherdaygilbert@gmail.com!
Oh, Jody, I’m a crying mess over your story. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to leave your sweet babies at the hospital. Not to mention the fear you must have lived in from the moment you knew you were in early labor.
Congrats on the new release!!
I think the hardest thing I’ve had to overcome was definitely nursing school. I was having a hard time passing my classes and I couldn’t have done it without the Lord’s help!
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. The Lord has brought me through several hardships, including miscarriages and raising a child with special needs. He is good to see us through. Suffering draws us closer to Him. Sounds like an awesome book!
Jody,
Thank you for sharing your story…so beautifully.
I, too, lost my dad suddenly when I was in my 20s…Although, we knew he was w/ God…it was a challenging time for me and my family.
Katie,
Thanks for inviting Jody on your blog today…and special thanks for the chance to read her latest novel.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Good afternoon!
It’s always good to hear about how other survived through their problems… God is faithful! There is hope!
Thanks for sharing, Jody!
And thank you for the giveaway. I’ve been on Katie’s lovely blog before 🙂
g.gclermont AT gmail DOT com
I forgot to mention this, but I’d love to be entered in the drawing. My e-mail is:
wetalk2biz(at)q(lower case Q)(dot)com
I’ve been through a few difficult times. I think the most difficult season for me was during our time of infertility. Month after month of hoping, only to have it falter when the cycle started again. Coming to the place where I was ready to adopt, because becoming a mom was more important than being pregnant, but not having my husband on board with that. The heart break. The ways God met me there. It’s a long story, but we are now the parents of two amazing, adopted boys. They are the joy of our lives and the constant reminder of God’s sovereignty and love for us.
Jeanne,
I felt your heartache reading your comment. When we want something so badly (especially a child), the pain of not realizing our hopes and dreams is excruciating, isn’t it? As I mentioned in another comment, I had three miscarriages, and so experienced to a small degree some of that pain. But nothing to the level you did. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been blessed with a family of adopted children. I’m sure you’ve all been blessed as a result! Thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks for sharing your story. I can only imagine how hard leaving your babies must have been, but praise God you did get to bring them home eventually.
I have faced many hard things and overcome all with my Saviors arms around me. But one of the hardest was sitting down with the man who abused me and telling him I forgave him….and mean it. So much healing has come from that experience that I would go through it again if need be. God is good.
Hi Melissa,
Yes! Forgiving those who have hurt us is truly one of the most painful and humbling experiences. Boy, I admire you for doing it and I’m glad to hear that healing came from the process!
I have gone through many difficult times over the years, but I think the worst time was when I lost my mother, then 13 months later lost my dad, and one month later lost my husband. I was not able to say goodbye to my husband as he died suddenly also. The same with my dad as he lived several states away and died of a heart attack. Three of the most important people in my life were gone just like that. It has been 20 years now, but I still miss them. I am thankful for my faith that has helped me through all the difficult times.
Happy for you that your preemies are now happy, healthy teenagers.
Don’t need a book, as I already have it and just finished reading it. Very good and enjoyed it very much.
Hi Noreen,
Oh my goodness! That would be very difficult to loose so many loved ones in close succession. I’m sure you must have been very lonely for a while. I know I sure would be!
Thank you for reading my book! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
One of the most difficult times I experienced in recent years involved my daughter. She was just shy of one when she had her first seizure. At the time, I thought she was choking. In the months that followed, she underwent dozens of awful tests and experienced 2 more seizures. It was a dark and scary time for my husband and I, but I’m happy to report that today, at the age of 3 1/2, she is seizure free and medication free. God is GOOD!
jen
jenmitsch@hotmail.com
Hi Jen,
I can only imagine the fear that you and your husband must have experienced! And I’m sure the seizures must have been frightening for your daughter too. I’m so glad to hear that she’s doing well now!
My cousin Karen is going through the same thing right now. Just a week ago she gave birth to her third daughter prematurely. Her due date was the first week of October. Karen said the same thing as you, that it was the hardest thing to come home without her. The baby (Aubrey) was born without a heartbeat, and there’s been several areas of concern since then. But Karen and her husband are trusting God completely that Aubrey will get through this and come home healthy and whole. It’s encouraging to hear how God worked in your similar situation. I think sometimes He allows us to go through a trial such as this so that we can learn to rely on Him more, then watch and see what He does. =)
Thanks for sharing this!
Oh Karen, I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin’s situation with her new baby. I hope that she’ll find some hope in my story. I’m so grateful for the modern technology that can do so much now! Praying for her!
Wow, what a difficult time that was for you! Your daughters are living proof of God’s goodness and grace. I had two miscarriages in the years after our son was born, and I was heartbroken at the losses. I thought there might never be another little one in our family, but God’s timing had purpose, and eventually there were two more pregnancies and two wonderful daughters.
(No need to enter me in the book draw, Katie, as I already have Jody’s books.)
Hi Carol,
I can totally relate to your miscarriages. I had three. And each one was incredibly painful. I didn’t think I’d have anymore children either, and that was heart-wrenching. Thanks for sharing, Carol!
Hi Jody, Katie,
Wonderful post – love learning things about some of my favorite authors.
The older we get, the more inevitable it is that we’ll deal with hard stuff. Prodigals, children, beloved pets, financial crisis, break-ups, friendship splits, life is hard in between all the wonderful stuff.
I lost my dad suddenly while I was gallivanting around Italy with a friend. When I received the call that he’d had a stroke but was doing well, I spoke with him. He didn’t sound like my dad – his speech was slow and slurred – but he told me to stay and have fun. I warred and waffled and made my friend’s life miserable for the next 3 days but finally determined to stay. Then I got the call that he’d stroked again and to come home. I scrambled to change my ticket, got to France, got stuck at the airport overnight, and in that Paris airport bathroom, I received a call from my family asking for my blessing to take him off life-support. I lay on the floor and wept, knowing that I should have gone home a week ago. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Still hurts my heart. It took me forever to deal with my grief, to confront my guilt, to forgive myself even when everyone else already had.
But God is faithful to His children and He still holds my hand when I sit in that dark corner and think a little too long and hard about the woulda coulda shoulda’s in my life. And inevitably, that makes the wonderful stuff in between the hard stuff is that much more precious.
Blessings,
Becky
Hi Becky!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s death and how hard that was for you. It’s difficult living with regrets, isn’t it? But like you said, it truly does make the wonderful stuff more precious. Thank you for sharing so openly. I appreciate it!
Jody, thank you for sharing. Although a difficult beginning, I know you’re proud of your twin daughters today.
I’ve been through numerous difficult experiences over the years, but one of the most difficult was when our oldest son was hit by a car at the age of 8. He suffered a skull fracture and initially we weren’t sure if he would live. But praise God, he survived. He is deaf in his right ear as a result of damaged nerve endings, but if you were to meet him, you would never know. At 34, he is now serving the Lord as a youth pastor in Wichita, KS, and is a wonderful husband and father.
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed your other two books and am looking forward to read Unending Devotion.
Wow, Teri. I just can’t imagine my son being hit by a car. That would have been a horrible experience to live through. I’m so glad to hear that he lived through it and that God has blessed his life so much!
I would love to win a copy of Jody’s book. It has been on my wish list since I first heard about it. I have heard lots of great things about it from other authors who have reviewed it! I must read this book! Thanks for entering me.
Good morning, everyone!! It’s great to see so many of you here on Katie’s blog today! And lots of twins or moms of twins!! 🙂
Thank you to those of you who’ve shared a little bit about your biggest hardship. I appreciate getting to know more about you all!
I love reading all your heartfelt comments. I also have had my share of grief. My first husband was senselessly murdered when I was 27 and our daughter four years old. I love writing and I have read most new writers first attempt at writing is to pour out their demons. It’s hard not to want to write about that experience though. One of these times I will find the right story premise to illuminate the experience. Judy
Oh my goodness, Judy. I just can’t even begin to imagine how hard your situation must have been, the grief, the shock, the struggle to explain the murder to your daughter. I wonder if writing about those past “demons” is therapeutic to many? Just a thought! Thank you for baring your heart today!
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Jody! I’m a twin – I have a twin brother. We were born almost 6 weeks early and my mom didn’t know she was gonna have twins! We are now 51 years old. 😀
Wow… the hardest thing I’ve gone through… there are a few… but God has been faithful through each and every one, and grown me through them. I suppose it’s what we’re going through right now, with our daughter struggling in her faith, and having not walked with Jesus completely for quite sometime. She wants to ‘come back’ but the pull of the world is so strong for her…
Thank you for the chance to win.
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
I’m amazed to hear that your mother didn’t realize she was having twins until you were born! But I suppose ultra sounds weren’t quite as available at that point. And I hear you on the pain of having a wayward child. Mine are still pretty young, but I have thought if that were to happen, I would be truly heartbroken. Praying for you!
I love learning knew things about Jody. She is a remarkable person. One thing I disliked about her latest book… It ended!
Thank you for sharing, Jody. I can’t imagine how difficult that would be.
I lost my mom to cancer when I was 19. She was sick for the four years before that, battling it off and on. It was very difficult to watch her suffer and grow weaker and weaker. But even though it was hard and I wish it hadn’t happened, God pulled me close and taught me a lot through that experience.
Katie, I don’t need to be in the drawing either. 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your mom when you were so young. I was about 21 when my dad died and it was really hard as I mentioned. But I honestly think it would have been even harder to lose my mom at that critical age. I still miss my dad at times, but God helped me grow a lot through the experience too.
I am sorry for all of your hardships, but glad that you can see through them to the blessings. For me, it was very tough when my dad passed away, but the hardest thing was when my husband of 15 years passed away at age 47 (with a 13 year old son at home). Since then I have re-married and I have a beautiful, loving 7 year old son!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a good book!
Hi Susan,
I can’t imagine having a husband who dies so young. That must have been very painful. But how wonderful that God has blessed you with a new marriage and daughter! Thank you for sharing today!
Blessings my Dear!
Thanks for a chance to win!
Great post! Thanking God for another victory! Amen!!!
I’m entering for my daughter! Thanks for the chance to win!
I had a few troubles with my daughter after she was born…in and out of the hospital. It was one of the hardest times of my life. God is good, though, and He got us through it!
Please enter my name in the giveaway!
Hi Debbie,
Having trouble with our precious children is never easy, is it? I’m glad to hear that you made it through the hard time!
Thank you so much, Jody for sharing that story with us. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you and your family. I’m so glad to hear that everything worked out, though!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh wow, what a story. But praise God for the twins’ good health today!
I’m not really sure what my hardest life experience has been…but it might be my first year after college. Went through a pretty hard breakup–and even though I knew it was right at the time, it threw all my plans for the future up in the air. 🙂 But I can look back now and thank God… 🙂
Hi Melissa,
Those early breakups are so hard, especially at the time when we’re going through them! I’m glad that in hindsight, that you can see it worked out for the best!
My twin daughters were born a month early, and they both had an extended stay in the hospital as well. Like you, it was so hard for me to leave them. When they finally came home, they were on apnea monitors for 6 months. Plus, it was around the clock feeding and care. Those first few weeks are a blur….but such a blessing in retrospect as well. Our family rallied to help, my husband and I learned to pull together like never before, and I felt the presence of God in a big way! Even looking back on the days when a walk to the mailbox was the big thing in my day, I know I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you for such a thought-provoking post. You also brought back a lot of memories. 🙂
Blessings,
Amy O’Quinn
oquinn1(at)windstream(dot)net
BTW, they are lovely 21yo college seniors now, and we have four more children– all the way down to age 6. God is so good!
Hi Amy,
Love hearing that you had twins too! That first year of my twins life was incredibly difficult too. It ranks up there as one of the hardest times of my life, along with when they were in the hospital. I struggled with sleep deprivation and constant worry over the fragility of my preemie babies. AND juggling the needs of my two-year old. AND changing like a hundred diapers a week! 🙂 I’m grateful to be way beyond that now! And like you, it didn’t completely scare me away from having a couple more children! They truly are a blessing.
I think the hardest thing I’ve had to face was my time before I knew the Lord. I was so lost, and I will always be grateful that I’m saved by His amazing grace!
icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com
Wonderful, Ira! Thank you for sharing!
I lost my dad six years ago after him going in and out of the hopsital for many years prior. It was rough facing that, but God carried me through that and has given me the peace that he’s not sick anymore and that I’ll see him again.
jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jenny,
Losing our parents is so hard, especially when we have to watch them suffer day after day. I’m glad to hear that he’s at peace and that you are too!
I’ve had some pretty hard things that I’ve faced, but since I’m only 19 I’d probably have to say that it was going through an illness that I almost died from. By God’s grace I’m here today and everything is under control, but that was a pretty rough patch in my life.
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Elyssa,
Oh my! I’m sorry to hear about your illness and that you almost died from it! I’m sure that really put life into perspective, didn’t it? You really learn to savor each day as a gift!
In my nearly 28 years of life I feel I’ve endured my share of hardships including the death of loved ones. But what sticks out in my mind is loosing a job that I loved (due to the economy) and on my last day there finding out my husband lost his job as well. We’d only been married a year. Though it was definitely a difficult time, I wouldn’t trade that experience because after going through it I was able to look back and see how God was leading in our lives.
Hi Shelly,
Wow! That really must have been a scary and depressing situation to find yourself in, both you and your husband out of work at the same time! At the time, I’m sure it was incredibly difficult. But isn’t it neat how we can look back at the situations and see all God taught us through the difficulty?
Thanks for sharing today!
Jody, I had no idea you were a mom of preemies too.
My kids were all early; 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. I totally get the grief of being home without them. Thankfully, only one was a NICU baby, but he was so plump, at first glance, no one could understand why he was in there. His oxygen levels were too low. Take heart, my “home at 4 lbs” baby is 6’2′.
I bathed all of mine in a mixing bowl.
My hardest life experience? Other than my dad’s health issues (2 open heart surgeries, prostate cancer, 2 hip replacements…) it would have to be watching my beautiful daughter walk down the Prodigal Road with no desire to come home. Yet.
Hi Jennifer!
Oh wow! You had lots of early babies! I’m amazed that only one was in the NICU.
And I’m so sorry to hear about your Prodigal Daughter. My heart breaks to hear that. I know it’s becoming such a common problem today. And no one is immune, even the very best of parents. Praying for you!
What a difficult experience to go through. I can’t imagine how tough it must have been dealing with all that was thrust upon you at one time, Jody. I’m so thankful you had the support of your family. And I love hearing how everything worked out and how those precious girls of yours are now healthy, happy teenagers now.
Katie, please don’t enter me in the drawing. I already have two copies of Jody’s wonderful book, one to read and one to share. =)
Thanks, Keli! They are definitely busy, healthy, busy, beautiful, busy, social, busy, sweet girls. Did I mention BUSY? 🙂 I need to hire a secretary to answer the phone for them!