I never imagined I would find myself living in a place surrounded by houses. I was born and raised on a farm in a rural area of Western Kentucky. My family, for six generations, has cultivated crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco. My high school graduating class consisted of just 27 students, and we had only one stoplight in the entire county. But here I am in Mobile, Alabama, with my wife of seven years and three beautiful girls all under six years old.
I have always tried not to let stress or worry get the best of me. I firmly believe that if we put in our best effort things will work out for the best in the end, especially when we know God is in control. The saying comes to mind that worry is the thief of joy, and with there being so little joy in this world, we do not need to let any of it go. However, the past 18 months have really tested my lack of worry.
Our youngest daughter stopped eating when she was just two months old, and we had to rely on a feeding tube to sustain her. Four times during her first year she vomited to the point of choking and stopped breathing. In those terrifying moments I would perform the Heimlich maneuver while my wife called 911. We spent about 40 days at Children's and Women's Hospital in 2022-23, and there's a chance we might end up there again.
There were moments last year when I feared we might lose Lila. I worried that we would face an event from which we couldn't bring her back and she would return to the arms of God. It is a tough thought to bear, especially for a daughter less than a year old. But I have an unshakable belief that on a long enough timeline everything will work out for the best. There are many valleys to the cross on our journey with Jesus, but I know that His overarching plan surpasses my understanding.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21.
In this profound truth I find comfort.
Will Price Stahl is from Elkton Kentucky, and now resides in Mobile, AL. He has been married to Curry Moore Stahl for 7 years and has three daughters Annie Hunter (5), Caroline (4), and Lila (1). He works for a fire suppression contractor based in Mobile. He spends most of his time with his 4 girls and in his spare time he enjoys cooking, playing tennis, or woodworking.
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