Hearts United

Rachel’s world is crumbling. Her husband, Daniel, has been away for months, caring for his injured mother, leaving Rachel alone to raise their three children. Feeling abandoned and overwhelmed, Rachel reaches her breaking point and decides to leave, packing her suitcases in a fit of rage and despair.

As she packs, Daniel calls with unexpected...

Good morning, Daddy. Daddy, is Mommy coming back today?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I closed my eyes, trying to manage the darkness that rushed up at me and threatened to pull me into its abyss.

After a moment, I could sit down and I placed Michael on one knee. I ruffled his sandy brown hair,...

Things had been going so well; I felt like holding my breath to keep something bad from happening. And, as it turned out, perhaps I should have. Because, of course, in the way of life, something bad did happen. As I picked up Jacob from his nap, I noticed he felt a little warm. “Perhaps a summer cold is coming on”, I thought. I cradled him to...

In Hearts United in Hope Sandra and Ian stand on the brink of their future, clutching acceptance letters from UCLA and USC. Their journey to this moment has been anything but typical—juggling marriage, parenthood, and academic dreams while raising baby Jacob. Now, with their hard-earned triumph in hand, they face the most challenging decision...

Awakened by the slamming front door at 11:17 PM, Rachel finds her stepdaughter Sandra has missed curfew again. Cigarette smoke lingers in the air as tensions escalate, revealing the deep-seated grief and defiance that has taken hold of Sandra since the loss of her mother. With Daniel, her husband, often away for work, Rachel is left to navigate...

Sixteen-year-old Sandra’s world shatters when a pregnancy test confirms her worst fears. Overwhelmed by guilt and terror, she grapples with the devastating impact on her life, family, and future. As she faces the daunting reality of motherhood, Rachel must navigate the judgment of her close-knit church community and the disappointment of her...