Richard kept a secret for 3 years. I was so consumed with caring for our three young special needs foster children that I missed all the signs. Things began to unravel, and the truth started to come to light after he lost his job and we lost our only vehicle. My name is Katie Fountain. My husband, Richard, and I attend the second Sunday morning service here at Crossroads.  I am involved with the monthly Crossroads writers’ group, and Richard attends the men’s book study on Thursdays.

We are in awe at how God has brought so many people into our lives to support and encourage us! I pray our story will offer encouragement to anyone experiencing something similar.

Addictions and mental illness run in Richard’s family along with other health issues. He has struggled with anxiety, depression, and other health challenges. Richard and I met through his sister while I was attending Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. Ten years after we married, we moved to Phoenix for jobs in ministry. 

Four years later, Richard lost his job and all access to much-needed medical care. Eventually, he began self-medicating with alcohol. Although he was able to secure a new job, he was unable to keep it due to ongoing alcohol abuse.

Depression consumed Richard. He started drinking more heavily. He ended up in the hospital, then a detox center. After coming home, he managed very well for a while. We began attending “Celebrate Recovery” meetings. Richard was participating in the Crossroads’ men’s book study. He attended his first Restoration and Freedom Outreach Camp and began seeking therapy and psychiatric treatment. He had an accountability friend from a nearby church whom we were meeting with weekly. He began looking for a new job.

One night, instead of going to the book study, he detoured to a nearby liquor store. Grabbing his alcohol of choice, he headed toward the mall. It was midnight when he returned home, face bloodied. Stumbling inside, he passed out in the entryway of our home. While struggling to clean his face, I cried out to God for help. The next day,severe pain took him back to the hospital, this time with broken ribs.

Richard was running from God. When sober, he would say he couldn't go to rehab because of his financial responsibility to our family. He felt a burning need to get us out of the mess we were in. Richard knew he needed help. After reassurance from myself and my family, he agreed to check into rehab.

He soon realized this first rehab was not a good fit. Without his medications, depression and anxiety consumed him. Again, he was overcome with excruciating pain, resulting in emergency gallbladder surgery. Unable to continue with rehab, I brought him back to our home. It was filled with moving boxes. We had lost our apartment. The following Sunday was Father's Day. We were astounded when the Crossroads men stepped in to help move our things into storage.

My parents opened their Maricopa home to us and offered us their car. Already a full house, we slept on their sofa. One day, Richard drove me to work in their car. We made plans to go to dinner and then to Celebrate Recovery that evening. Richard never made it. I located him and took an Uber there. I found him passed out in the driver’s seat. With the car in park, I somehow moved him into the back seat and drove him to the hospital. He was given IV fluids. He woke up confused and disoriented. Ripping out the IV, he lunged toward me. I called for help. Security, Nurses and Doctors flew in and strapped him down. All the beds were taken, so we slept in the ER that night. The next morning, Richard again decided to check himself into rehab. Together, we chose one that was faith-based. 

It was difficult for me, but this rehab was good for both of us. They encouraged me to attend a support group called “Parents of Addicted Loved Ones” (PAL), open to anyone with an addicted friend or family member. I participated in the Casa Grande group every Monday evening and spent Sunday afternoons visiting Richard. I could see his progress. His next step was sober living. Although he was doing well,  anxiety made sober living an impossible option. He returned to my parents’ home in Maricopa and began attending AA and Recovery Church. He found the IOP(Intensive Outpatient) classes he needed and began searching for a job.

Richard has been sober for over a year. The length of time isn’t as important as his transformation! God has redeemed him. He is a new creation! My own faith has never been stronger. Many people have encouraged me to leave Richard, but God told me to stay!

God met us where we were, broken-hearted, depressed, lonely, imperfect. We surrender each day to God, allowing Him to lead us. We continue to choose love over the world. We have scars that remind us of the past and the miracles God has performed! Richard started his job in May. We moved into our own apartment in July, and God has blessed us with a vehicle. I have been working as an Education Paraprofessional for three years. My work is a safe haven where I can focus on loving my students. As I look back on this season, I believe my job has provided me with a safe escape. I learned about “ Irreplaceable Roles" during my stay at “Hearts of Beauty Camp”, and I realized my irreplaceable role will always be Richard’s support and encouragement. I was made to be his 

Ezer kenegdo, “helpmate” (Genesis 2:18)

Though we don’t know what the future holds. God holds our future, and we walk with Him in faith.

How did we get through this season? The only explanation is that God was there the entire time. He brought many people into our lives, including Pastors Andy, Melissa, William, and Sarah, Dana and Sergio Oliden, and many others. They have covered us in prayer and encouragement.

I have found reassurance through God’s word, and hang onto the words of Philippians 4:6-7 op(NCV)

“ Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Looking back at all God has brought us through, awe and wonder have settled upon us, the kind that says: “You were never abandoned, you were carried”.

Ezer kenegdo

(וֹדְּּגֶנְּכ רֶזֵע

A Hebrew phrase from Genesis 2:18, frequently translated as "suitable helper" or "helper comparable to him," referring to Eve's creation for Adam.

Rather than a subordinate assistant, ezer suggests a strong, rescuing ally often used in the Old Testament to describe God.

Kenegdo signifies a counterpart, literally "opposite to him" or "corresponding to him," implying a co-equal partner.

The concept describes a woman created as a strong ally to her male counterpart—a warrior standing alongside him as his equal, serving as his valiant ally in their shared mission to rule and subdue the earth.

This is a total solar eclipse

This image depicts a total solar eclipse where the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright surface, known as the photosphere.

Around it, the glowing solar corona—the Sun’s outer atmosphere—is visible. The small pink or red spot on the lower right edge is likely a solar prominence, which is hot hydrogen gas arching off the Sun’s surface.

Totality lasts only a few minutes at each location, so images like this are quite rare.