This is such a special episode.

Not only has Curtis' mother Ellen been through her own fair share of grief and pain, but she joins us today to talk about what it's been like to be the mother of a grieving son, and to be so close to all that has happened to Curtis, Michal, the kids, and now Crystal and her kids.

This episode is packed full of faithful wisdom from a life of pursuing God.

You can see why Grandma C is so popular with everyone who meets her!

Join us to hear even more nuance and insights about Curtis' life and the ups and downs of the past few years.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

5:56 Grandma's cancer

12:11 Grandpa's testimony

13:23 Ellen's testimony

15:13 Musical ministry opportunity

18:44 Uncle Dan

24:17 Curtis' father after Vietnam

28:39 Leaving a rough family situation

33:46 Never remarried

40:09 Life lessons from Mom

51:02 Being the mother of a son going through divorce

53:22 Meeting Michal

56:09 Michal gets sick

1:06:26 Mom started the adoption trend!

1:10:01 The joys of life

1:15:29 Prayer

This might be the most complete version of our grief story we've ever told.

What an honor to share it with the people at Fostoria Church of the Nazarene.

Curtis starts right from the beginning...

Him at 6 years old, packed into his mom's VW, driving away to start life anew.

Through a messy divorce, remarriage and Michael dying suddenly.

Into Crystal's story of abandonment, remarriage, then widowhood.

Through coming together in miraculous ways, only to have Michael's kids' dad die right before Curtis and Crystal were supposed to get married.

Guys God is in this.

He's in the hard. He's in the hurt.

Let Him do a miraculous work in your life by trusting Him and running into those hard places.

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Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

6:12 Curtis' story growing up

15:25 Hidden family problems to tragedy

27:06 Crystal's story of grief

35:05 God's story weaving our lives together

42:44 More tragedy

46:19 Breakthrough

48:18 Run to the hard

WE FINALLY GOT MARRIED!

After an absolute roller coaster this past year that delayed our wedding including more trauma, more grief, and more death, we are so excited to finally be married and start a new life together with all of our amazing kids.

In this episode you'll hear how it all happened - including a big surprise - what our plans are, and how we're adapting to this new reality.

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Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 We're married!

2:11 Major God breakthrough

7:16 Breakthrough + Tragedy

15:48 The wedding

20:45 God's work through Chris and Crystal's brother

24:25 The elephant in the room

27:11 The God wave

31:05 In tune with God in relationship

39:50 20 more good years?

43:20 God moves in Crystal's life

50:46 Surrender