Our Story . . .

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for a future and a hope…’” Jeremiah 29:11

Taylor and her husband, Jack, are high school sweethearts. They married before their Sophomore year at Gonzaga University and lived off campus as they worked toward the goal of Taylor becoming a teacher and Jack attending medical school. Life took them in a different direction when, senior year, Taylor was diagnosed with a severe case of Bipolar 1 disorder following a suicide attempt. The medications necessary to keep her stable were debilitating, and it took several years until she was able to function highly enough to finish her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and English with honors from Gonzaga.

She worked as a hospital chaplain intern, Religion teacher, and Pastoral studies graduate student until her doctors determined she was well enough to start a family. In 2008, the couple mourned the stillbirth of their first son, Caleb Joshua, at 36 weeks. They became involved in the TEARS foundation, which provides funeral expenses and emotional support for grieving families of stillborn and infant “angels.” In 2009, they welcomed their rainbow baby, Abraham Jack, who is now a precocious fourth grader. In 2011, Samuel Scully arrived, despite a terminal diagnosis at 21 weeks gestation. They are still marveling at Sam’s “washing machine” heart that continues to defy the odds and fuel his very busy second grade lifestyle.

Jack works from home as an associate director in pharmaceutical research. Taylor leads their local Fresh Hope for Mental Health support group while running her website, writing mental health articles, and working on her book. She also speaks in churches, to moms’ groups, and to teens about mental health issues.

Together, they praise God every day for the promised land life they get to live. AMDG