She Magazine DECEMBER 2015 | Page 47

KENAN WALKUP GRANGER As we learned in last month’s issue, God is no stranger when it comes to performing miracles. These extraordinary moments happen when we least expect them… most often during times when we’re ready to “throw in the towel” and accept our circumstances for what they appear to be. Then God steps in with His perfect timing and everything falls into place. God has a plan for each of us; and, while we may often forget we operate in His time, His plans always unfold for our greater interests. Kenan Granger learned all about God’s timing and promises this year, and she is full of praise as she prepares to accept with open, loving arms the blessing He has given in His perfect timing. 2015 certainly hasn’t been the best year for her, but it’s ending with a rather beautiful gift. . . . As long as I’m taking care “ of my husband and children and baby, it’s all ok. . . This is my purpose at this time. Like many young girls, Kenan envisioned becoming a mother one day. “I never had a set number of children I wanted to have, I just knew I wanted a large family.” neighbor, who was like a grandmother to the Granger children, passed away. Not Once she grew older and married her sweetheart Cole, Kenan received her wish long after her passing, Kenan and Cole’s house sold in three days, leaving the family and became mother to three beautiful children with unique personalities. “Ansley in a scramble to find a place to stay. When they found a house, the deal fell through is my ‘little mommy’ (a 28-year-old trapped in an eight-year-old body) who wants and they were stuck once again searching for a home. “One door would open, then cookbooks and sewing machines instead of toys. She cooks and bakes, sews and when it would shut in our faces. We were heartbroken. A new baby was on the way crafts with me. Charlotte is our free spirit, our happy-go-lucky, hippie child who and we were living in a small apartment with three kids and several animals.” Out loves all things whimsical. And, George Cole is always making us smile and laugh. of what appeared to be thin air, a house perfect for the Grangers became available, He is 100% boy!” and the family moved in a week before the baby’s predicted arrival. While she loved being the mother of three, Kenan longed for a fourth child to While things certainly haven’t gone as smoothly as she would have liked, Kenan complete the family. Life was put into perspective, however, when she suffered a is grateful she has the baby’s arrival to look forward to as this year comes to a close. miscarriage. While heartbreaking to experience, she and Cole were determined to “Even though everything seems like it hasn’t been going as planned or as great as stay strong and keep the faith. “We weren’t going down without a fight. I knew God you had hoped it would, I get a little kick or feel the baby moving. At the end of the wouldn’t give me a desire for a bigger family and not fulfill that promise.” Things be- day, as long as I’m taking care of my husband and children and baby, it’s all ok. I’m came even more painful after her second miscarriage in February 2015. “During this doing what I’m supposed to be doing. This is my purpose at this time.” time, we kept asking God, ‘What are you trying to teach us?’” God brought solace Kenan admits that, while looking back at this year and how everything has in the form of a friend. “Five years prior to my first miscarriage, a friend of ours mis- played out, it all seems sort of like a Hallmark movie. “Everything gets tied up at carried. She told me that she believes God gives us trials to help other people cope the end with a bow. Everything was terrible, but God has wrapped it all up perfectly with the trials they will go through.” Kenan and Cole still longed for a fourth child, at the end of the year. God had it the whole time, even though we tried to control although they were prepared to accept that it may not be in God’s will. it. This year has been a very humbling experience. If it weren’t for my faith, this In March, Kenan noticed her body wasn’t returning to normal after the miscar- year wo uld have been even more difficult. It was shut-down after shut-down. I can riage. That’s when she discovered she was pregnant again. “I didn’t want to tell understand how people could very easily get depressed. If I didn’t have my faith to anyone. We were very skeptical. We tried not to get too excited.” Life also brought fall back on, I’m not sure what kind of person I would be right now or how angry I other challenges. In April, Kenan’s family suffered a huge loss when their elderly would possibly be.” CONTINUED... SHEMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2015 47