Michelle, from Australia (submitted Aug, 2004)

Name: Michelle Gorry
Home state or country: Australia

Peter and I married in 2002.  This was our second marrige. I had 3 boys (one severely disabled) and Peter had 5 children.  I accidentally got pregnant straight away so number 9 was born at the end of the year.  Number 9 was born Down Syndrome.  So, 4 of the nine live with us full-time (including the 2 disabled children) and the other 5 used to come every second weekend and some holidays.  Now only 4 come as Peter's daughter has left home and has her own family.  I married Peter with stars in my eyes and no idea of what lay ahead.  Needless to say, the "normal" problem stepparents face of the stepchildren not liking or accepting the stepparent did not happen in our family.  My children loved Peter and his children loved me, in fact they begged us to get married and have another baby!!! 

If we both did not have God in our lives we would never have made it through the past 2 years.  I think the most important thing I have learnt is that the fruits of the Spirit need to be foremost in our lives.  I learnt just how selfish I really was (which came as a shock as I didn't think I was).  I learnt how to let Peter love me, because in the first year I let a lot of old hurts control me and I could not accept in my heart that he loved me.  Our lives are not perfect, certainly not the "white picket fence" dreams I had when I was younger, but we have made the best of our situation and people at church stop us and say how amazing we are and what a witness our large, but loving family is to the world.  My favourite bible verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  So if anyone is having trouble blending a couple of kids together - just think of Peter and I!!!

Your large family and dedication to one another is a wonderful witness to what God can do when love brings us together.  Thanks for sharing from "down under"!  RLD