“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” James 1:17

A Wonderful Gift

My energy levels have been low so it’s taken me some time to actually write this letter to you. But I’ve “written” it so many times in my mind, that I decided I must get it down in black and white and send it to you!

I want to begin by thanking you for your love, prayers, and support during these days. I have truly felt carried. It’s hard to find words to express how grateful I am. I am beyond thankful! Going into the surgery, I felt at peace and had absolute contentment in my mind, my emotions, and in my body. I’m very thankful for the 24-hour prayer chain that All Nations organized. Thank you to all who participated.

Right after the CT scan when we saw that the cancer was back and had grown significantly, a friend sent me a verse from the Book of Revelation that said “things are not what they seem.” The words leapt off the page to me. I knew God was speaking to me through that phrase. I began to pray into it daily. I didn’t know what it meant exactly, but I knew there were unexpected things ahead. That certainly proved to be true. In spite of doing three increasingly detailed scans before the surgery, there were things that weren’t as they seemed.

My surgeon said it another way. She said as surgeons, we’ve “seen it all,” but in my surgery, there were new things. From the very first incision, things were not what they expected to find. I told them we had many peple praying for them—especially for wisdom to know wha to do and when to do it.  At several points they stopped and wondered what to do!  I believe God spoke in those moments and guided them. They made all the “right” decisions!

They thought the surgery would be at least four hours long, possibly longer. It was finished in two hours! They were sure I would need blood transfusions. I didn’t. A problem they found that had developed in the two weeks since I did the MRI explained the extreme pain I was in during the days before the surgery. 

They can never say 100%, but it seems like they were able to remove all the cancer. From the moment I started waking up, I felt so much better than in the previous six surgeries. I knew it had gone well. I knew God had carried me through! I knew my recovery was going to go more smoothly this time.

I’ve had excellent care. I was in ICU for two days. Now I’m in the ward. I should be able to go home soon. The doctor had thought I would need radiation, but she’s changed her mind. She wants me to go home and heal! Rest, recovery, and restoration are my prescription for the months ahead! I told her that sounded heavenly!

God has truly showered me with gifts in recent days—precious answers to your prayers. Thank you! 

Oh Lord, our hearts are full with thanksgiving toward You for this good report from our sister. Thank You for hearing our prayers and doing this great work!