I am sure somewhere along the line I will get a lecture for doing this because if you know Dean, you will know he would never ask for help. He has NO IDEA that we decided to do this. I thought it would be a wonderful surprise and blessing to him. He is all about giving to others and doing for others asking nothing in return. I feel like this is an opportunity to now return the favor.

As you may or may not know, my father-in-law, Dean has been dealing with kidney failure for a while now. He is at the final stages and at only 58 years old, we know he has a LOT of life left to live! He has had several fistula surgeries, emergency port in his chest, and several months of dialysis. This has not only been extremely difficult physically but also has taken him away from work for up to weeks at a time.

As the process has continued, some of us have tested to be kidney donors, but only one was a perfect match. His son, Cody. We know that the Lord has orchestrated every step of this process because most kidney recipients wait anywhere from 3-10 years for a donor and we were able to get tested, approved, and scheduled within 5 months!

We are so blessed to be connected with SSM Hospital in St. Louis that has completed all of the testing and has agreed to do the transplant for Dean and Cody.

With this however, comes a LONG road to recovery for Dean which will also mean much time off work. While he has insurance, deductibles are out the roof! Also, he will be required to stay close to St. Louis for around a month after surgery due to so many follow ups and things. With that comes the expenses of being away from home for that time period and needing a place to stay, etc. Along the journey of this, I see the amount it has costed in hotels, gas, food, etc for even just the consults, doctor appointments, surgeries, etc. So I know with this happening so quickly, the stress of it all is going to feel a bit heavier.

He is a very strong man and believes heavily in the Lord providing for him, which we know is true as we have seen nothing but answered prayer all along this journey. However, I know the burden is heavy. The stress of it all can restrict his ability to heal properly and to rest comfortably knowing things are taken care of.

I have had it on my heart for a while now to do this and after much discussion, Cody and I felt like this was an opportunity to allow others to bless Dean. To yet again, show him the Lords hand at work in his life. So many people have expressed to us they are praying and have asked how they can help.

We simply cannot express how much it means to us that you all have been praying and asking for ways to help. Watching him and my husband go through this has been one of the most challenging things. So, what's my role in all this? Try to lift the burden. Many of you have so graciously asked me how you can help us. Some of you may not know him personally, but you have asked how you can help Cody, Maelyn, and I. Help us by helping him. That's our hearts desire.