I remember like it was yesterday when a last minute invitation to a "women's group Thanksgiving dinner", would forever change my life. At the time, I was looking to make meaningful friendships in this new area we've recently just moved in from out of state only a couple of months prior. It was definitely exciting yet terrifying to share a meal with a large group of women I've never met before. God is so amazing in how he places people in our lives when we need them the most. All we have to do is be willing to surrender our fears and see Him moving.

Laura opened up her beautiful home and welcomed me inside with a beautiful smile and a warm hug and I instantly felt a sense of belonging. Every woman I met that night made me feel like I was part of the family.

Shortly after a quick Christmas break, I joined in in one of the Agape Moms studies along with a few mammas and their children. It felt great! Learning the Gospel and getting to know women who were in similar season of life as me, was exactly what I was hoping for.

We were only a few weeks in when like, I would imagined everyone on Earth, felt like the rug was pulled from under their feet. A huge sense of fear and disorientation came over me as everything that was normal changed, along with no more gatherings with my fresh new found Agape Moms community.

I pulled away from the world. I didn't participate in the zoom meetings or any other outlet that was offered through Agape Moms during that time. I was not in a good place like a lot of us. The only thing I could do was, to seek God more then ever before. I started studying the Bible and praying more everyday. I did continue to follow Agape Moms posts on Facebook and that was encouraging.

Agape Moms Tehaleh Rest in Christ Retreat 2020

When the opportunity surged for the Agape Moms retreat during the summer, I jumped in like it was a lifeline. I don't know about you but I'm a people-person. I don't really like to talk much on the phone. I love to have that in person connection and I was desperate to be in community again with my sisters in Christ. That weekend was all my spirit needed and I went back home ready to pour over my family and so excited to keep growing my personal relationship with God, as more life changing events were about to happen in my life.

One of them would be me taking the leap to homeschool my children. The decision to live life to glorify God in everything we do, can be challenging at times as we change from living life from conformity of the "world". During that fall I found myself homeschooling my children, encouraged and supported by my Agape Tribe and an amazing Christian based co-op I was introduced to by Laura. God knew how important those women in my tiny tribe would be to help me grow and navigate life's hardships and challenges, like I was about find out soon enough.

In February of 2021 my life came falling down and my trust in the Lord was put to test when my husband was put in life support as his life was fading away right before my eyes. One minute he was fine and the next he was dying. It's hard to put into words what took place in that room. But from the minute I walked in that ICU room and found myself standing in a surreal place with absolutely no control of the events happening in my life, all I could do was to completely surrender to God.

The Holy Spirit led me to pray over the nurse and medical staff that was carrying for my husband and in that moment I felt the power of the Holy Spirit like never before, as words were coming out of my mouth in such harmony and confidence.

For those who know me, I'm a baby Christian and the idea of praying aloud in front of people is terrifying and it never happened before but in that ICU room I boldly prayed, I worshiped and rejoiced in Jesus the entire month I was allowed to stay next to my husband.

I did witness God moving mountains as doctors and nurses were expecting the worst. I was warned so many times that he might not make it but my confidence was always in the Lord in his promises. Throughout the ups and downs on that journey, I rejoiced with every little progress my husband made.

God made his presence noticed as my husband miraculously survived multiple organ failure, including respiratory and heart. Everything that was giving to him was so risky like the dialyses and surgery he had to have to save him, could have easily killed him.

But our Father in heaven was looking out for him in every step of the way. Surviving that ordeal then having to learn to speak, move and walk was life changing for him, our family and for a lot of people that Justin's story has touched. The truth is, God heard a multitude of people all over the world praying for Justin. It's no joke when people take their battle on their knees. The power of prayer is so real and it changed everything for us.

In times where so many people focus in everything that brings division and hate, we experienced so much love from so many people. I think this experience healed us all in so many ways. I'm forever grateful to my Agape Moms tribe for loving and supporting me through the most vulnerable season of my life.

Monique Boyd

Monique and her husband Justin live in Bonney Lake, WA, where she homeschools her kids and is a big part of Agape Moms Tehaleh, and currently training to be a discussion group leader. She is a blessing to many!

Note from Laura: I’ll never forget the eve of our first Friendsgiving. My table was set and a few last minute cancellations opened up my packed table. I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to post an invite to Friendsgiving literally the night before the event on Facebook. My logical side said, who would come? Not knowing anyone and on such short notice. The risk for me was small. Maybe no one “liked” or responded to my post, but as I had seen God move over the years, this rarely amounts to anything. The risk is worth it all.

Do you want to know the one person who came? It was Monique. Reading her testimony above and knowing her over these past few short years brings instant tears to my eyes even as I write this. God desires that we be in Christ centered community and that we bring others into it too. Please dear mom, never discount the smallest, most last-minute, unplanned or messy way in which you love on and invite others in the name of Christ. You have no idea how He may use the smallest gesture, and the ripple effects by using you to connect others to the body of Christ, for his glory!

Monique’s Story: God’s Faithfulness in a Season of Quarantine