Pastor Jeff welcomes Carrie Leake, wife of Rolling Hills Student Pastor, Dane Leake, for a heartfelt conversation on this episode of Every Day Matters. Carrie shares a glimpse into their family life, three young kids, a backyard full of chickens, and a home filled with gardening and homeschooling. She also opens up about growing up in a pastor's home and the moment in college when she truly surrendered her life to Christ, setting the foundation for everything that came next.
Carrie reflects on two of the hardest seasons of her life. Just weeks after she and Dane got engaged, her father was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. She moved home to help care for him, leaning on Psalm 42 as her lifeline through his decline and eventual passing. Years later, she and Dane walked through his battle with severe depression, a season that stripped away their plans and forced them to trust God with Dane's healing above their calling to ministry. Through it all, Carrie learned that God's past faithfulness fuels our hope for the future.
Now on the other side of both seasons, Carrie and Dane have rebuilt their family rhythms around Sabbath, healthy boundaries, and deep community. Her encouragement is simple: stay rooted in God's word, and don't be afraid to invite others into your hardest moments. Because when we live surrendered, every day really does matter.
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