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Murphy's Miracle

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Summer

July 2, 2025 Daniel Nowak

School holidays are a long, a 12-week marathon in the USA compared to Australia’s six-week summer sprint break. Australia opts for a six-inch sub compared to America’s foot-long break! As a dad, I’ve loved every moment—allowing the kids to be kids, letting boredom spark new games, adventuring to the library, enjoying plenty of pool time, and so much more. Today’s blog captures some of our family’s summertime happenings and shares a few great links for you to check out. You mean so much to our family, and I try my best to periodically give insight into our world.

The other week, an opportunity presented itself to Nat and I: we got to share Murphy’s story with friends who host an uplifting, courage-fueled podcast based in Nashville. Six months after we were first asked, the time was right. Nat and I received a couple of questions to prepare, but when the hosts—Jack and Riley Kehoe—clicked record, they asked only one question:

“Share with us Murphy’s story.”

After nearly an hour of sharing, Nat and I paused and asked, “Did you want to ask any of the questions you sent?” Tears streamed down Jack’s face after hearing an hour of God’s miraculous wonders in Murphy’s journey, and he shook his head and said, “Keep talking.” Being able to tell Murphy’s story unapologetically and uninterrupted was like therapy for the soul. Since the episode’s release, we’ve been filled with faith again, hearing how Murphy’s story has touched so many lives. God has been so kind. If you’d like to encourage someone today, please share the episode:

  • Spotify

  • Apple Podcasts

  • YouTube

  • Three Seconds of Courage (Book) - Check out Riley’s recent book.

Let’s zoom right back to the beginning of summer…Destin! With generous support from the Tyler Robertson Foundation, our family enjoyed a few days in the sun thanks to a “family grant.” We chose Destin, Florida—where we’ve been twice before—because we loved it. Some might say we’re creatures of habit. We didn’t get up to much besides the beach, the lazy river, swimming in the pool, and soaking up the sun.

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One special surprise on the second-to-last night came when we were out for dinner (Italian, of course). We’d all eaten and were ready to head back to the apartment to wind down and watch a movie. Just before I grabbed the bill, Murphy decided he’d rather keep the French fry basket than give it back. He confidently asked the waitress for it—and she kindly offered it to him! (It’s now a prized possession at bath time, as he uses it for a shark game.) The kids and I proceeded to the car and sat waiting for Nat. If you know Nat, you’d know I wasn’t concerned by her disappearance—she probably found someone to talk to, most likely the waitress. Five minutes later, Nat came out and said she’d booked a family photo shoot for our last day in Destin…What?! Is the waitress a photographer too? Actually, it wasn’t the waitress but a woman sitting next to us. On her way out, Nat felt led to encourage another mum who was dining with her three older sons. It’s always nice to see families around a table and talking, especially when teens and young adults converse with their parents. It didn’t take long for Nat to learn this mother’s story, and she generously offered to meet us at the beach the next day for some pictures. Isn’t it amazing how God places people in and around our lives? Maybe someone you see today could use encouragement—not because you want a photoshoot, but because when we notice something uplifting, we should share it with those around us!

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Next on our summer update are the younger two: Murphy and Ted found a great church offering week-long Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs, where they learned about space, trees, little critters, and more! Sandwiched between the VBS weeks was a visit from our dear friends from Franklin, TN. The Evans came and hung out for a few days to surprise the kids and Nat! It was difficult to keep this a secret, because I’m a hopeless surprise keeper (for the record, I think I’ve told Nat about nearly every present I’ve bought her in the past 19 years!). With the house ecstatic upon their arrival, the eight kids PLAYED for days—pool time, Target trips, board games, trampoline time, hide-and-seek, and much more!

With OKC winning the NBA championship, it was fun seeing all the kids get into the finals to kick-start summer! Hugo mostly fed the younger boys trivia and stats, steering them toward his desired outcome. When it came to fanfare, Nat brought the hype on each game day! Murphy took a while to realize LeBron wasn’t in the finals and that another team was playing. Calista remained impartial, choosing to sing and dance during each timeout. I was simply in it for the family bonding, close games and the snacks.

Outside of NBA viewings, VBS learning, and sun-soaked vacations, we’ve had plenty of home days filled with play. It’s been a pleasure to watch the kids run, giggle, imagine, and create! Nat and I sometimes walk into whichever room they’re in and look past the “mess” to see the children being themselves. It’s the same for adults: sometimes it looks like a mess has been made, but it’s actually fun to take what life throws your way and choose joy.

This same joy was what Calista chose when we told her we wouldn’t be paying for her summer dance classes. Nat and I wrestled with the decision, as we strongly feel the dance floor is Calista’s outlet and that God has given her the ability and passion to dance. However, the cost was too much for Nat and me to cover, leading to a tough conversation. Calista, wise beyond her years, took the news exceptionally well, choosing joy. We didn’t stop there. We reapplied for a partial scholarship, though we weren’t too confident because we’d been denied support in August 2024. A day after sending the email, Nat was thrilled to read that Calista was offered a scholarship covering the entire summer intensive—praise God!

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