Hi Friends! My blog is woefully neglected these days, but for good reason. My husband is being severed from his job next month, and we are trying to figure out what we’re going to do next: where he (or I) is going to work, where we’re going to live, and how we are going to pay for stuff.
Life has been stressful, to say the least. But we are still counting our blessings, because we still have lots to celebrate–with the birthdays of my two beautiful boys topping the list, and some exciting writing projects besides.
We celebrated Sam’s fourth birthday on January 21st with his first official “friend party”–a simple, but wonderful affair! Never underestimate what a few balloons, cupcakes, and friends mean to a child! (Sam was so excited that he claimed every day after January 21 was his birthday, until we finally took the birthday banner down on February 12!)
Then a few weeks later, on February 11, we celebrated Seth’s second birthday with a quiet day at home and some angel-themed activities–angels being Seth’s current obsession! Never underestimate the value of family time, some DIY cookies, and a blow-up angel to a toddler! What special moments these two birthdays were in the midst of a stressful season.
On the writing front, I have finished my third book, a modern-day novel about Psalm 109, with Paul Coneff and Straight 2 the Heart Ministries, and am currently working on edits. (Here’s a link to our first book, The Hidden Half of the Gospel, in case you have yet to check it out!) I look forward to announcing an online release date within a few months! (Titles are still being discussed, but following you can see a few options we are considering.)
Finally, I have recently partnered with a new Adventist mental health blog called Ending Pretending, which appears on the AbideCounseling website–to write two articles about depression that I hope you’ll check out:
“I Thought I Could Never Tell. I Was Wrong.”
“When Life Feels Too Hard to Handle”
Well, those are the headlines, for now. If you want more updates about how I am handling the stress in my personal life, you’ll find them in the second article above (“When Life Feels Too Hard to Handle.”)
But let’s keep this post nice and light. Thanks so much to all you who continue to read and support me in both writing and in life. Your encouragement, and prayers, really mean so much! Blessings, Friends! Until next time.
Lindsey Gendke 
All the best and good, good luck to you and your husband as you work through this big transition period. I can relate to your husband’s situation, although at least he has had some warning. I lost my job just before Christmas last year and I’ve been in an intense job search ever since. Plus dealing with all sorts of challenges with medical insurance and health. We are not given things we cannot handle — the strength is always there. Keep us posted! And the boys are just adorable. Cinda
Thanks so much, Cinda! And I am very sorry to hear about your job struggles, plus the added health challenges. Wishing all the best to you. Something better must be around the corner!
It’s so funny this came up in my inbox today, b/c I was just looking at your blog last night, seeing our last post in November. I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve been up to date with your blog, but it’s been so good catching up via blog posts – and I hope to stay more current! Thanks always for your honesty and vulnerability. Lots of prayers for you all for the big life changes you have ahead! God has you, for sure! (I love the ideas of the ‘angry prayer’ book! )
Thanks, Kate! It is great to hear from you, and I look forward to catching up with your blog as well. It is always a pleasure to spend time with kindred spirits, be it in person or a blog! I hope and pray all is well with you and your family!
Wow, can I relate! I found your blog via Abide counseling’s blog. As I read through a handful of your posts, I kept thinking – Wow, this sounds familiar! So I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I’m also a writer who has struggled with depression and anxiety. My kids were also 2 and 4 when we faced the end of my husband’s previous job – which was also a high-travel situation. We’ve recently transitioned into a more stable job, with more opportunity for creating those all-important social connections you mentioned in another one of your posts. I know all too well how stressful these seasons of uncertainty can be. God definitely paved a path for our family in the last year, and I pray He’s already done the same for you! I was recently encouraged by God’s promise to be “the stability of your times…” in Isaiah 33:6. Blessings to you!
Joelle, thanks so much for taking time to comment and share your encouragement! It sounds like we would have a lot to talk about if given the chance! Thanks for recognizing the stress of this season of life. I am also very blessed, but have to work to dwell on the blessings, not the negatives. Thankfully, we are starting to see how God is paving the next pathway. I will hopefully write an update post soon, but God has lined up our next job for next year, and we are glad to be back in TX. He is taking care of us! Glad to hear you are in a more stable season. God bless you as you continue in your journey! Thanks so much for reading!