My dearest church family and many friends ˜

Thank you all sooooo much for your prayers during this time.  I often think of it as my “time-out” for healing  J  What a wonderful time of communion I have had w/the Lord…..sitting in my backyard every morning for weeks before surgery, reading His Word, renewing my spirit and building my faith…..lifting my hands to the heavens, unburdening my soul, basking in the pure love, peace and assurance He poured into my soul.

There have been so many passages from the Word that have spoken into my spirit at just the time I needed to hear from Him.  The verses that became my theme during this experience have been Psalm 103: 1-5.  I blessed the Lord before my final diagnosis.  I praised His Name even when all the reports continued to be bad news.  I gave Him glory for healing me and for the incredible victories He was going to accomplish in our church family weeks before my surgery.  I thanked Him every single day for His absolutely unfathomable benefits and mercies.  And, you know, I’m even expecting my youth to be renewed as the eagles! J  How awesome is that!! 

I’ll share one little incident w/you.  I’ve always watched whenever I’ve gotten a shot or donated blood.  I like to see what they’re doing….my body, after all!  So when I went for the breast biopsy (ended up having six!), I had every intention of watching what they were going to do to me.  I was lying on the table when the nurse and doctor came in carrying what looked like a huge cookie sheet with long instruments that hung over the sides.  Without hesitation, I immediately reached up, took off my glasses, closed my eyes and started quoting Psalm 103:1-5 over and over in my heart.  His Word brought an indescribable calm/peace!  And, by the way, I’ve decided not to watch during procedures any more J

The Lord has blessed us w/His presence continually during this experience.  Individually and together, Pastor and I have heard Him speak directly into our hearts with specific affirmation.  He has revealed His overwhelmingly powerful…literal…presence to us.  Let me tell you, dear ones, everything changes in His presence!  Every need or question you may have is met in His presence!  You will be transformed in His presence!

I professed my faith and confidence in the Lord to my surgeon prior to surgery.  I told him God had brought him to us and I trusted him completely, and in fact, was praying for him that this would be the best surgery of his career…and, that he would be giving us a good report following surgery! J  I asked the Lord to allow him to “connect the dots” between my professions of faith and the results of the surgery and my recovery.  I assure you, this has happened!  To God be all glory and praise forever!!!

I went into surgery with absolute confidence He was with me every step of the way.  As they rolled me into the pre-op area, I was completely bathed in an indescribably divine peace.  It was awesome!

The first thing I remember upon awaking after surgery was Pastor and Michelle standing on either side of the bed.  I immediately asked Pastor what the doctor had told him and when he gave me the good report, Michelle said a big smile came across my face and a tear rolled down my cheek.  Once again, my God had proven Himself faithful!

Regardless of test results before surgery, I am now cancer-free!!  Absolutely NO further treatment is necessary!  All praise and glory to our God!!

I am totally overwhelmed by God’s mercies to me!  He has responded to the faith, prayers and fasting of His people!  My healing is only the beginning of miraculous, awesome acts of God among us!  We have united in spirit and purpose against the works of the enemy!  No weapon formed against us will prosper!  As we continue, united in prayer and fasting, we are going to see things happen in our midst that can only come from the mighty hand of God!  We will give Him praise and glory today, tomorrow, next week…..and throughout eternity!  Bless His Holy Name forever!

Thank each and every one of you who sent cards, flowers and precious gifts of love and concern.  The meals you ladies prepared have been sincerely appreciated!  We would get excited each day around 4:30 when Angela was on her way to deliver another delicious meal….prepared with much love J  I cannot adequately express to you how this has blessed us!  Thank you to those who filled in for me in different areas of ministry and made sure I didn’t need to worry about a thing!  Abundant blessings to you all!!!

I must also thank my loving family who has stood with me before/during/after this whole ordeal.  I have been divinely blessed with a Godly husband who prayed, interceded and spoke the Word over me daily.  He has been my knight in shining armor leading our family through this experience with complete confidence in God’s Word and all the while remaining lovingly faithful to his pastoral responsibilities (although he’d say “pastoral calling”). J 

 I have been so proud of my children (and, yes, this is how mothers will forever refer to their very adult offspringJ).   Pastor Michael and Kjerstin remained faithful to ministries while making many hurried trips between Sacramento and Yuba City trying to be at the hospital w/mom and back to the church for rehearsals and services.  My son was fasting and praying for me, always expressing faith and often saying, “Mom, we’re believing for a good report.”  And, indeed, we did receive a good report!  Now, both mother and son know from personal experiences that the only report that counts is God’s final report!

Michelle was my constant nurse and companion.  I do not know what I would have done w/o her!  Although a mother of four, she made baby-sitting arrangements so she could stay w/me for at least the first 10 days.  She stayed at the hospital day and night and was my health advocate (which is very wise these days!).  She has incredibly hilarious stories of my reactions to pain medications (of which I was totally unawareJ).  Michelle did everything for me which not only blessed me, but blessed Pastor to be able to maintain his prayer and study at the church and also attend to the needs of our church family.  Although she went home yesterday and I already miss her, I think she’s going to miss our “naps” even more now that she’s back home w/a house full of kids J

As I recount my many blessings, I am humbled to realize that I have truly been highly favored!  There is nothing I have done to deserve such bounty.  It is only because of His lovingkindness and tender mercies!

 Although there is much, much more to my wonderful testimony, I’ll sign off here, confident my miracle is only the beginning of awesome testimonies to the powerful works of God among our church family!  Always remember to give Him praise and glory!!