Harder Family

Harder Family

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Update 4/25/26: Where Does Time Go

Job 9:25-27 “Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, without a glimpse of joy. They slip by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops on its prey. Though I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad countenance and be cheerful.”

Today, I was wondering why I felt a little off. Nothing huge, I could just sense today felt heavier than normal. I watched a movie with the kids and Sophia reminded me that tomorrow is the four month anniversary of Wayne going home. It suddenly all made sense. I have heard friends tell me that their bodies remembered grief before their minds did. It made sense, but I had never experienced it until I lost Wayne.

We have been hanging in there. Two weeks ago, my dad got really sick with some virus that caused him to develop pneumonia. Unfortunately, I caught the same bug and was laid up for a week. Laying around not feeling well made for a long week of extreme grief because so had too much down time to think. It’s not like I stay so busy that I don’t ever deal with my grief, but to just be stuck in grief for a few days wasn’t good. The crazy thing is that are still days that it hits be out of the blue that he’s really gone. I lose my breath in those moments as I think about what an amazing man I was married to. 

Despite missing Wayne, we are doing our best to live each day to the fullest. The kids are persevering and doing well. We’ve had to still do some hard things, like ordering Wayne’s headstone. I actually took Sophia and Shan with me to do this task, since I didn’t want to do it alone and I knew it would mean a lot to Sophia. It was the first time I had visited his gravesite since he died. I know that is just where his body is buried, but it still is hard to see. 

Recently, one of my highlights was attending a Mercy Me concert. They have a couple songs that have played a vital role. “Even If” was my go to song during my cancer treatments as I daily surrendered and trusted God with the results. Around the time of Wayne’s death, I heard the song “Make It Well”. The timing was perfect because I wanted to be able to sing It Was Well with My Soul, but it was hard some days. The lyrics of this song spoke straight to my heart. So, when I heard they were going to be somewhat close, I knew I needed to go to the concert. I also had recently watched “I Can Only Imagine 2” and sobbed when I heard that Tim lived after receiving terrible news about his cancer. God was gracious and allowed me to meet him, even just for a brief moment, and share with him how his testimony encouraged my heart.



I heard when you visit West Virginia, you have to eat a pepperoni roll. So, we made a stop and grabbed one while we were in town. 







Meeting Tim Timmons was a highlight.


Singing “Make It Well”


Easter Sunday was a great day with family 🩷






We enjoyed lunch out with friends. So thankful for friends that continue to invite us and be part of our lives! Losing someone is crazy on its own, but it is so much worse when you also lose friends along the way. 


My dad in the hospital. Thankfully, he is in the mend now. I prayed so hard that God would let him stay and live longer. I didn’t want to lose anyone else.



Moana is such a gift. Naomi bought her a necklace and she looks so cute. She used to stay in her playpen, even though she was taller than it, and stare at me. Yesterday, she figured out that she could jump it. 


Moana is my buddy and always hangs out with me. We have been enjoying the beautiful weather on our deck. Wayne and I always enjoyed sitting on the deck and spent time talking for hours. I have tried to find new ways to enjoy the deck and find joy in each day. 

I think Wayne would be proud how we have made it through the last four months. We are doing our best to persevere and live each day to the fullest for Jesus. 


Monday, April 13, 2026

Update 4/13/26: Spring Break Part 2

Psalm 133:3 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

To finish our spring break, the girls and I drove to Washington DC to spend the day there and visit the Museum of the Bible to see their special exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. God blessed us with beautiful weather. We also met up with some friends that we have known for many years. Morgan was in Wayne’s small group when we volunteered with the youth ministry in California. He later attended Moody and we had them over a few times over the years. It was amazing to see them again!




We had to make a quick stop at a walk in clinic for an infection Joella developed. Thankfully, we got it all cleaned up and were back on the road to make our tour time.


















I was wondering why the hotel price was so high and we discovered it was cherry blossom time. I guess we timed that well?


















We found a new version of Where is Waldo…

















Beautiful sunset!






The next morning we woke up early and met up with Susan and Sibin for coffee. What a precious friendship these two (Shan and Sibin) have. It’s sweet to hear them share stories from their childhood. I’m so thankful that God wove this family into our lives!



We stopped at Wayne’s favorite stop along the 64. I may have cried the rest of the way home. The last time we went there was in October when we drove to meet Ruth for the first time. Now I made the journey without Wayne and I just made me sad. But we try to think of positive things so that the grief doesn’t drag us down.

We enjoyed a great spring break and all of God’s creation.

Prayer Requests:

- Please pray for my dad as he heals from RSV pneumonia. Please also pray for my mom and me who caught it from him. 

- please pray that none of the kids get sick. 

So thankful for each of you and your faithful prayers for us over the years.