Alex, Mary and their children: Noelle, Nadia, Nolan, Nylah, Natalie, Neil, and Novena.
My name may not be familiar, but if you are a regular to Sunday morning mass, I am sure you have seen myfamily. We are not the best at blending in, taking a few minutes to file into one of the front pews. My name is Alex, Mary is my wife and mother of our beautiful 7 children: Noelle, Nadia, Nolan, Nylah, Natalie, Neil,and Novena.
We are proud 4-year parishioners of Christ the King. When asked to write this column, my mind swirled with all blessings and leaps of faith God led us to. By no means was it always smooth sailing, but I am proud that no matter the circumstance, my family and I always weathered any storm and grew closer together. Truly, this God-given virtue has become the backbone of our family’s faith: TRUST.
Mary and I were both first generation college graduates, attending the University of Florida. Divine providence guided our steps, and the Lord introduced us in His time, graduation day. From there, Mary and I worked and learned life together, making some mistakes but many loving memories. Eventually through life’s winding roads I entered pharmacy school, where I worked with bright researchers, all while starting to grow our family. Eventually after finishing my degree, I was honored to be selected for a Fellowship. The only issue? It was 16 hours away, and Mary, I, and our now 4 children (pregnant with our 5th) had never left the state of FL. TRUST
We had no family, no friends, no home in the NE (yet). After searching, we finally landed on renting an apartment we had never seen in an area we didn’t know. We downsized, packed everything in a pull-behind trailer, and after packing the entire morning before, made the trip through the night (my first all-nighter). TRUST
It’s such a common expression to ‘have a plan B’, but through my life experience, there is no such thing. We are all ultimately working towards the one plan, God’s plan. Sometimes those bumps in the road are meant to strengthen us, bring us closer together. Other times, they are meant to dissuade our current trajectory. Whatever the reason, it is selfishness to think that our successes are solely due to our actions. Trust in God, He will show the plan he has laid out for you. Easier said than done, but as someone who has gone through so much strain, success, happiness and failure, I cannot stress enough how much letting go and trusting can bring you true joy.
If we have not had the pleasure of meeting you, I would love to introduce my family and meet yours as well!
Alexander Litvintchouk is a parishioner at Christ the King