Sara,
Not quite sure about how long they've been together. I spoke to OWH and he said he thought it was since fall'05. I'm pretty sure it started off as an EA, not sure when it became a PA. He moved out 18 mos. ago to live with her, so I know the PA was since then. I'm sure it was before then too.
I have exposed. It did NOTHING! ExH is a respected person at his job, yet it seems like the people there accept what he did. I'm pretty sure ExH spinned a nice story about how our M was over anyway, etc. etc. I would have thought with OW being much younger, people would frown on that, yet his own family has accepted her!
Yes, DD moving in has only been a month, but I see no change in that situation.
I hate to say this, but I have lost all faith in God. I prayed so hard all these months and ExH and now DD are gone! I'm not the one that cheated, I'm a good person, was quite religious, (ExH never was), yet ExH is livng well and I am struggling.
ExH has ruined my life...financially, emotionally etc. I posted on the thread regarding 'what are we afraid of". That is exactly how I feel. He has ruined my life!
I've really started exercising, if you can call that a hobby. Keeps my mind off things for awhile, but then the same [email]cr@p[/email] creeps back into my mind.
I just want him to suffer like I did. I don't see that EVER happening though. He ALWAYS lands on his feet!
Oh...I know exactly how you feel. Up until a few days ago I have been so upset and crying every day since I started plan B. I also prayed (very bitterly) to God about how come He hasn't done anything yet in my situation. I was pretty distraught.
I too was the one who went to Church, read my bible and prayed for God to make me a "godly woman". I also asked that God would help my husband to come back to the faith and be the man and father God wills him to be....and for all my prayers I got cheated on too!
But I have to say that after asking God why this happened, I've come to realize that this situation may be the very way that God has chosen to make me a godly woman. And that this may be the only way in which my WH returns to God and gets saved.
Prior to his affair, my WH always thought he was a "good" person too. He always commented on how he had never done ANYTHING that would warrant going to ****** over, etc. etc.
But I can only trust that God will show him that he is just as much a sinner as everyone else and that my WH needs to submit to Christ and be saved. I cannot do this for him, only God can show him now.
So I keep praying for peace and God keeps supplying it. I just asked for God's will to be done and for me to accept whatever He has decided is best. It's been very hard, but I feel MUCH better. God knows how hurt we are and how hard this situation is, I think He just wants us to rely on Him for everything and trust Him with our lives.
When I decided to do this, it seemed to bring a sense of calmness that has freed me from being angry and hurt. I have given my WH over to God and will wait to see what happens.
I know you've been going through this for a lot longer than I have and so you've had to deal way more hurt. But I would just pray and ask God to help you restore your faith in Him. He knows how you are feeling, but I believe He will help you trust Him again.
I don't know if your situation is similar to mine, but my WH has always seemed to have such golden opportunities handed to him in regard to his employment. He, despite having no college at all, makes 56K a year and I, having nearly a bachelor's degree, can only make around half that. He is also WAY more outgoing than I am and seems to make friends pretty easily. I am not able to make friends like that and am not that social.
So I can relate to feeling that your XWH always "lands on his feet" while you struggle. I can only say that despite our short comings, God is with us. That is huge. God is not for men who do this to their wives and they will not always prosper as they seem to now.
Another poster on here (SL77) reminded me of a passage from the bible that speaks about how the wicked seem to always get a "good life" while the righteous suffer. It's in Psalm 73. Here is a portion of it:
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, "How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me--
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
So if our WH's continue on this path, they will not like where they end up. But it will be of their own choosing.
Do you still attend Church? If not, I hope that you consider returning. At least start reading the bible, praying again and ask God for help with your emotions. That has helped me a great deal.
I would get together with some Christian friends too if you can. Go out and get a smoothie or coffee and just relax and enjoy your time with them.
You don't have to let your XWH's sin cause you to retreat into a cave. God has a purpose for you and this situation. Start asking Him to show it to you.