Our New Starts

Julie Arduini

Our school year began with a milestone. Our daughter, Hannah, started high school. She’s our youngest, and has had many health challenges over the years. Her first-year things were critical enough we were sat down and told to prepare for mental retardation. The praise is despite the adversities and delays, she began her freshman year without an IEP, in a regular classroom setting.

The transition was scary, at least it was for me.  Her middle school years had been extra challenging with new health discoveries and setbacks. There were the normal issues teens deal with, plus extra situations that although in the end helped give Hannah the help she needed, came with a lot of tears and heartbreak.

With her high school years a clean slate, my problem was could I enter with a clean slate? Would I choose to trust that God had her back and surrender the memories when it sure felt like He was anywhere but close to our pain?

I’d love to write that I began the school year with singing and great expectations. The end of her eighth-grade year crushed me emotionally and spiritually. Letting go of that experience wasn’t something I wanted to do, because I was afraid if I surrendered it, I was going to see it all repeat. I didn’t know how her health would be. At the time, she was having severe headaches none of the specialists could pinpoint. Faith is all about trusting when you can’t see, and we couldn’t see any of the outcomes. And it was terrifying.

I knew on my own, I could never let go of the fear and pain. I dove into the Bible through studies and was intentional about taking time to really study what I was reading. I learned the power of lamentations and living in a fallen world. It wasn’t immediate, I still struggle, but as we zoom in on the end of the year, not only am I okay with everything, Hannah is doing fantastic.

The best part for us is to see her smile again. She is natural joy and when that smile was gone, it was difficult. Her headaches are reduced to weather changes only. She is enjoying new opportunities in and out of school. When conflict arises, she’s talking and working on solutions.

If you’re facing a transition and the last season didn’t go so well, I’ve been there. But in it all I learned that God is present. He cares more than I could ever put words to, and He works all things for good. My attitude is proof!

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her latest release, YOU’RE AMAZING, is a book for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 2 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

You’re Amazing

Book 2, Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’

Julie Arduini/Hannah Arduini

             Jazmin’s a natural at dance until a series of changes make her wonder if she should even keep up with her favorite hobby.

            Lena’s a mom with young children overwhelmed with her schedule when a woman remarks that what Lena does isn’t even important.

            Both Jazmin and Lena belong to Linked, a mentoring ministry where all ages encourage each other and build friendships.

            Can these two surrender the lies they are believing and realize they are amazing?

            A novella for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter team Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

Pre-Order You’re Amazing:

Releases eBook Format February 4. Print Format February 2019.