I am the eldest of three daughters, born and raised in Southern California. I have the privilege of inheriting a lineage of God-fearing relatives, some ministers of the Gospel. Walt and I met in Costa Mesa, California while attending college and were married in 1989. We have four children, four beautiful granddaughters, and a wonderful grandson born February 14, 2022.

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Our family’s journey took us from the coastal region to the inland areas, up to the high desert, and then back to the coastal area of Newport Beach, California. Sometimes I wondered if this experience was similar to Abraham’s journey mentioned in the Holy Bible. As our boys grew and left our home, Walt and I were becoming empty nesters, having only Teagan, our youngest child and only daughter with us. Challenges were confronting us to move during Teagan’s freshman year of high school, so Walt and I decided to return to Costa Mesa/Newport Beach. We recognized Teagan spent most of her life in the high desert. Although it was familiar to her, we discussed our plans to move, and she agreed and was excited to make new friends at a new school and live by the beach. We wanted to give our daughter a better life with more opportunities.

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Unfortunately, the challenges we were confronted with followed us to Newport Beach, which made our move and living arrangements unpleasant. The hope we had for Teagan, for her to enjoy the remaining years of high school was somber. Not having all the members of her family together under one roof made this season more difficult and lonelier for our daughter. Nonetheless, Walt and I continued to encourage her, love her, and keep her close to us.

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Teagan successfully graduated from high school. Amidst the hardships endured, she overcame them by learning to depend on God and was well on her way to a new chapter in life. Just when we thought the new chapter in our lives was going to be promising, the devastation hit.

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This is my story of what our family endured, how we overcame circumstances, and how we came to forgive.
I hope you will see and be blessed.
—Janette

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“O taste and see that the LORD is good:
Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8 (KJV)