On May 21, 2002, our 11 month old daughter, Rhyan, failed a second hearing screen. In one moment the future we had envisioned for our child was destroyed. While my husband, Matt, was rock solid, I was in complete shock. I had no idea how to even start dealing with the news. She showed absolutely no response to volume or pitch. While holding her in the sound booth, I simply broke down and sobbed. Even to this day I'm not able to tell her story without tears.

Immediately following Rhyan's failed hearing screens, we asked our loved ones to pray for us. We desperately needed God's strength. Over the course of the next days and weeks we most definitely felt those prayers. I knew without a doubt that God had the power to restore Rhyan's hearing if that was His plan. I knew it. But, I also knew that if this was a trial that we had to go through, then He was going to walk (and sometimes crawl) through it with us.

Our sermon at church the Sunday before her diagnosis was about going where God wanted us to go no matter how frightening or painful. On June 24, 2002, five days before Rhyan's first birthday, we began the journey of going where God wanted us to go, no matter how frightening or painful. With an ABR that tested the extent of the hearing loss, Rhyan was found to be profoundly deaf in both ears. We didn't get the answer that we wanted, but we did get the perfect answer. There weren't any mistakes made when Rhyan was created. We knew at that moment that her life would be even more special and wonderful than we ever could have imagined.

It's so amazing to look back on trials and see their purpose. After 9/11, when Rhy was only a few months old, the company Matt worked for went bankrupt and we were without an income. We didn't understand at the time why Matt was laid off, but now we can see where we became so much stronger in our faith during that time. That strength had been vital during our struggle with Rhyan's deafness. Everything happens for a purpose.

Today I try to live my life to see His purpose in every situation or circumstance. Rhyan's journey to the hearing world has touched many lives of the people we hold dear. 'Whisper' is our testimony to the rest of the world. We're so glad you've joined us.