What started as a seemingly unrelated visit to the emergency room quickly became the most overwhelming week of our lives. My mom, Wendy, had suffered a silent heart attack as a result of a blockage cutting off blood flow to her heart muscle. Heart attacks often look different for women and go unattended to until it’s too late.

Doctors attempted to place an angiogram stent to clear the blockage, but were unsuccessful due to its dangerous location. The path forward is open heart surgery. A single bypass to restore proper blood flow and give her heart the chance it needs to heal is scheduled for Monday, May 11th at 7:00am... the day after Mother's Day.

Everything has moved fast with unexpected turns. We are walking through this one day at a time. Open heart surgery is an incredibly invasive procedure, and the fear has rattled all of us to our core. We believe with everything in us that God is able. But, this has been hard in ways that are difficult to put into words.

The outpouring of love and support already shown has been such a blessings. The visits, texts, and prayers have carried us through this last week. We are deeply thankful.

My mom, Wendy, has always been the strongest person I know, but she has suffered much in recent years! Through it all, my mom trusts the Lord. Not because she isn't terrified, but because she has walked with Him long enough to know He does not leave. "He can and He will,” is the phrase on repeat for us.

First and foremost, we are asking for intercession and prayer. Please pray for Wendy's surgery, the hands of her doctors, her healing, and peace that surpasses understanding. God is not shocked by any of this, even when we are. We know prayer moves the heart of the Lord.

If you feel led to and are able to help in other ways, we are grateful for any support. Insurance will not cover the full cost of her hospital stay or aftercare, so donating any amount through GoFundMe or privately to the family through other means are both major blessings.

There are many ways that can help practically as well. Meals, encouraging cards, and visits during her recovery would be such a blessing to Wendy and to all of us. If you'd like to help in any of these ways or schedule a visit, please reach out to me (Talia) directly.

We love her dearly. We know so many of you do too. She has been a strong consistent force of love and encouragement in so many lives! Thank you for surrounding her during this time.