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Even though the surgery was more<br />

intrusive than the couple initially anticipated,<br />

they are able to see God’s provision. The<br />

oncologist assured the couple, “Had we<br />

not gone in and removed this, it would not<br />

have gone well.” Malorie Aldridge shared,<br />

“It was a very big blessing that he had to<br />

have that surgery.”<br />

Through tears and a shaking voice, Mrs.<br />

Aldridge said, “God has been so good to us.<br />

When we found out we were diagnosed,<br />

we called our people and got our prayer<br />

warriors on it and this community has just<br />

put their arms around us.” She went on to<br />

name several teams at Northwest Rankin<br />

and Brandon, the school administrators, the<br />

church, their family, and so many others<br />

who have come together to support them.<br />

She added, “Years ago, Brandon and<br />

Northwest softball teams started a ‘Playing<br />

for the Cure’ game and they are doing that<br />

in honor of KK this year.” The game will be<br />

held March 24. The tee shirts that were sold<br />

to benefit the Aldridge family had a slogan<br />

stating, “Together We Fight.” Malorie shared,<br />

“That’s exactly how we have felt. We have<br />

not felt for one second that we have gone<br />

through this journey by ourselves because of<br />

our community and how much they have<br />

loved us. That is so humbling.”<br />

Coach Aldridge continued, “I’d never<br />

wish this on anyone, but you do get to see<br />

how much people love you by the support<br />

they give you. It makes you want to beat this<br />

thing even more and get out there and<br />

continue what you’re doing.” He went on<br />

to share that he and Malorie consider the<br />

students to be their mission field and<br />

they desire to impact those students and<br />

help them become the best version of<br />

themselves.<br />

“We fully trust in God’s plan. We want<br />

God to get the glory from this whole story<br />

and whatever avenue He chooses to take<br />

us down, we just hope that it’s a platform<br />

where His light can be shone.”<br />

The couple shared about one another,<br />

“She’s been my rock. There are a lot of times<br />

where I don’t have a lot of energy, and she has<br />

stepped up and handled it all,” Coach KK said.<br />

“Days are hard, but God’s word says<br />

when we are weak, He is strong,” Malorie<br />

shared. “I’ve been clinging to the Lord and<br />

watching KK be amazing. He has taken this<br />

on with such poise, and he has not been<br />

shaken.”<br />

Looking back over 2022, it was quite a<br />

rollercoaster of a year for Coach Aldridge.<br />

He experienced everything from the extreme<br />

high of his team winning the state championship<br />

in May, to the extreme low of his<br />

diagnosis. He used the slogan “be where<br />

your feet are” with the team last year. “That<br />

was great for its purpose for baseball, to<br />

enjoy the moment you are in,” he shared.<br />

“But I was able to transfer that just a few<br />

months later to the cancer diagnosis. That’s<br />

one thing cancer will do, is allow you to not<br />

take for granted the things you have, but to<br />

focus on the things that are most important;<br />

family and relationships. Obviously, my walk<br />

with God has grown deeper. I’ve learned, be<br />

where your feet are, so you can grow to be<br />

the person that God wants you to be.”<br />

24 • MARCH 2023

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