Our Story...His Story

Book excerpt: Rick and Polly Rood began their married life like many other couples-hoping for a life blessed by God, and to be used by Him in his service. Twelve years later, however, their life took an unexpected turn when at age 34 Polly was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, a neurodegenerative illness. For the next nineteen years they navigated this unexpected journey, which included Polly's residing in nursing home for the last eleven years of her life. This book recounts their struggles and fears, as well as their persevering hope. More than that, however, it tells the story of how God graciously carried them through these years of affliction. Rick's prayer is that by telling their story many others might find hope in our gracious and merciful God, both for this life and the next. "Our Story...His Story shows how God graciously wills to strengthen his people to be faithful to each other and to Him in the midst of long-lasting affliction." Mark R. Talbot, PhD. Associate Professor of Philosophy, Wheaton College "I pray God will use this book to encourage many others who are navigating the unavoidable storms of life." Wesley K. Willmer, PhD. Former Vice-President for Advancement, Biola University. Author Bio: Rick Rood is a native of Seattle, WA and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University (BA in history) and Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM in Old Testament). He has served as a hospital chaplain with Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association since 1996, at both an acute care and a psychiatric hospital in the Dallas, TX area. Rick cared for his wife Polly until her home going in 2003. They have a son and daughter. Rick married his new wife Li Lin in 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan. They reside in the Dallas area.