Author: Sarah Hein The Pioneer

If you live anywhere that it is cold and gloomy, you know exactly how it feels to believe that winter will never end! A few weeks ago we had windchills that were -55! We’ve had rain, ice, and snow—all in one day. Schools are closed and kids are going stir crazy. And I’m not sure… Continue reading Hang in there!

There are moments when you want to be WIDE awake.  You know, like when you're driving late at night and being wide awake is a matter of life or death. But what about those moments when you don't want to be wide wake? Derek didn’t sleep for five years. Correct. I said FIVE YEARS. He barely… Continue reading Are you WIDE awake?

  Dec. 14, 2012 is the sixth anniversary of Derek's minor surgery that exposed an ugly, ugly disease. From that day forward, my knees hit the ground praying. This whole time, through the toughest years of our life, I have refused to pray for and believe in anything but ultimate healing for our whole family. Looking… Continue reading Hollywood Laughter

What a day! December 4, 2018 will go down in my journal as one the longest days of my life. Unexpectedly, both Derek and my Dad had surgery on the same day. Both made it through their surgeries. Thank you, GOD! I literally lost my voice and Derek couldn't hear me. Add spotty cell phone… Continue reading On Eagles’ Wings

This Thanksgiving, I have an unusual thanks to give. Recently, I met a wonderful person who was struggling with a rare disease. Wanting to encourage her, I sent her to my blog and hoped that by reading my husband's journey she would be empowered to never give up. To be honest, I write these blogs,… Continue reading The Thanksgiving Letter

We didn't come this far to quit now. October 12 marked one year from Derek's second brain surgery. We both avoided the day because we knew this journey wasn't over. Even though the SSCD surgeries fixed some important structural issues and Derek has made remarkable progress, Dr. Yang and Dr. Gopen from UCLA  agree that… Continue reading Circle Dec. 4th

Life is hard. Just turn on the news, and you will see. Violence, bullying, illness, loss of respect, the list goes on and on. It can be downright depressing. Truly a hopeless feeling. How do we stand up to the ugliness that has surfaced?  That is the question many of us are asking. I don't… Continue reading Fight back- GIVE!

Today was a win. No matter how you look at it.  Derek had a minor procedure to determine if he has high pressure in his spinal fluid. He does not have high pressure. It's normal. We are choosing to thank God for this. Though his pressure continues to remain unknown, we will not give up,… Continue reading A Birthday Blessing

Any parents out there wiping away tears as you help pack up your college-aged children? Is your mind racing of all the challenges, obstacles, and adversities your kids may face? I completely understand. Moving our middle daughter, Whitney, who is a junior in college, brought on a mix of emotions. As we faced the challenge… Continue reading The Stuck Mattress

Have you ever had an experience—hardship, illness, broken relationship, addiction, financial loss, business loss—that didn't have the results you hoped for? Some might think you aren't doing enough. Eating healthy enough. Praying enough. Working enough. Believing enough. But what if this experience happened so that God could reveal something He wanted you to see—and that… Continue reading Setbacks