Overwhelmed by Love

I have been overwhelmed with messages, emails, texts, conversations, and every form of communication surrounding my upcoming surgery. First off, thank you all for caring so deeply about me and wanting to support me through this season. Your kindness has already meant more than I can fully put into words.

You would think after 23 years of this, nearly 90 surgeries, and a lifetime of recoveries, I would somehow be used to it by now. But the truth is, every surgery carries its own weight, its own emotions, and its own unique challenges.

This one especially feels different.

This will be my first major surgery away from my family. It is the first major operation I’ve faced in five years while fully living on my own and no longer being in school. That brings an entirely different layer to navigate emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and practically. There are still so many thoughts and emotions I am working through as I prepare for all of this. New hospital. New surgeon. New care team. New systems. New unknowns.

And honestly, that can feel overwhelming at times.

But even in the uncertainty, I keep coming back to this truth: I am not walking through it alone.

Many details are still up in the air. I do not yet know how long the hospital stay will be, what recovery will fully look like, or what challenges may come afterward. But what I do know is that I am incredibly grateful for the people surrounding me already with love, encouragement, prayers, and support. You all have carried me more than you realize.

So many people have asked how they can help. And while I never want anyone to feel obligated, I am also learning that allowing others to support me is one of the most beautiful parts of community. If I’m honest, asking for and receiving help has always been difficult for me. I was raised to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient, so needing support does not come naturally. But over the last few years, God has been slowly reframing my understanding of what it means to let people in.

One of my mentors once told me, “Sometimes accepting help is the very way God uses other people’s gifts.” And today at church, I overheard someone say: "When you don’t allow people to help you, you are handcuffing both God and others from doing what they feel called to do.”

That perspective has stayed with me.

So because many have asked, I wanted to share a few practical ways people can come alongside me during this season if they feel led to do so. I’m sure more needs will arise as things unfold, but these are the ones I know of right now.

Most importantly, I would deeply appreciate your prayers — for peace, wisdom for the medical team, strength during recovery, and for God’s presence to be felt in every single part of this journey.

Beyond that, support may look like:

1. Checking in during recovery — yes, I will gladly take visitors.

2. Meals — cooking will likely be difficult during recovery, so meals would be incredibly helpful.

3. House care/cleaning — especially during those first few weeks home.

4. Wishlist — several people asked me to put together an Amazon wishlist, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/137PJMP58A6XQ?ref_=wl_share

5. Prayers for all the things coming up: Financially it'll be a challenge, mentally stay challenge me, spiritually the enemy will fight, physically the body will need time to heal and steength. There is so much behind it!

Please know there is absolutely no pressure attached to any of this. Your prayers, kindness, messages, and presence already mean more than I can adequately express.

Thank you for continuing to walk alongside me through yet another chapter of this journey. Thank you for reminding me that even in hard seasons, I am deeply loved, deeply supported, and never alone.