As most of you probably already know, we (Michael and I) were involved in a head on collision in November of 2024. The accident was severe and life threatening. The Grace of God was surely with us the whole time. The help of local people, emergency responders, medical staff and our family was amazing. We thanked God for the safe arrival of our Children to support and help with decisions.

We made it home with the help of the kids and started our recovery process. Again, God was there, our Kids employers were so understanding. The kids handled Doctor visits and completed all those things needed to keep the house running. Our neighbors, friends from work and Church were so fantastic in providing food, cards of encouragement and prayers for healing. Nick worked from home and tirelessly took care of us when Nina had to return to work.

By January we were able to walk again, ever so slowly and for short distances inside. Daily prayer guided us and gave us strength. We learned how to help each other with simple daily activities. We graduated from wheel chairs to walkers and started expanding our walks. We watched TV and we talked a lot, held each other, as we tried to understand God’s plan. Our emotions were all over the place, we weren’t angry and we didn’t blame anyone we just tried to heal. And we knew we had God and each other and we could get through it.  

By Mid-February I was cleared to drive first. Ok call me an overachiever but Michael says it was because I don’t complain about pain. We were walking without walkers, carefully and only on level surfaces. We needed a vehicle, Michael found one and I drove us over in a spiffy rental to get it. We’d decided to replace our Tacoma because we both agreed it did its job well. The following week we were cleared to return to work (to everyone’s amazement.)

My return was a bit easier - my commute from the bedroom to the office had very little trafficJ. But Michael had to drive to work and be on his feet all day. His foot continued to swell and pain him – he pushed through. Our goal was to heal as best we could. Our prayer? Help us learn to live with our new damaged selves.

Time passed and we built up our confidence to drive longer distances. We were able to come to Church and grocery shop on our own. We even managed to meet Nina at Epcot and attend an Airshow (we rented power wheelchairs for those.) Michael had to be in Tampa one day - It was on his mind to return some things from a Methodist Church in Brooksville we’d borrowed for our VBS. He asked if I could check and make sure that he could swing by Wesley to pick them up. And there goes God again, I call and I’m presented with the opportunity to serve again. Purpose, plan and there you go! 

Michael retired last year with two aviation projects to build/restore and I continue to work in Insurance. We’re still healing, he’s having fun driving me to church (yes a side-effect is that we don’t like to be apart) and helping me out with the kids there. It’s been a journey of healing and one of renewing our faith. And as always we’re happy to serve where the Lord wants us to,God's always been there for us.  

Thank you Lord for your saving Grace!

Rochelle Mock