Miracles happen and happened to us - Our Cardboard Testimony

I posted this note on my facebook account. Many of my friends do not understand our faith or why I have become so "religious." My prayer is that they read this and have a better understanding. Read on...


My husband Bill was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a month ago. Right now he is treating it with medication and a major change in diet. This diagnosis has been difficult for him. We were happy to find out at a routine doctor appointment rather than him having some kind of horrible diabetic medical problem. The good news is we know about it and can change our lives to make sure he's maintains good health. This diagnosis presented a lot of things for my husband. He loves sugar. He was a Mountain Dew boy all the way. So when you have to quit cold turkey on those sugary treats that bring you joy... it can be frustrating. One other side effect of the diabetes was his vision. When he dropped his sugar levels from the 500 range where they had been to a normal range... the capillaries in your eyes get messed up. So he could not even read the Nutrition labels or small print like that. Mind you, he's had 20/20 vision his whole life, so again major adjustments were to be made. We bought some contacts and that helped him during the day. Bill and I have been attending a church in Colorado here for about 3 years. I had never been a "church" person ever in my life. Church bored the crap out of me and it just seemed to ritualistic. I understood there was a God and I understood that Jesus died on the cross for me, but both Bill and I wanted to know that on a deeper level. We wanted to know what that meant for us in our day to day lives. As we pursued a closer relationship with the God who made us... we found our church and an amazing family of people who are also pursuing their own spiritual journey with God. The church we go to believes that the Bible is truth. Regardless of what media and society says... I believe it too. However, it does not say in the Bible to use what you know and what you believe to judge, manipulate or undermine others. My favorite commandment in the Bible is when Jesus told people this: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22: 36That is what my church and my church family has taught me. That loving others is the best and truest form of understanding a personal relationship with God. It is not about "church" or "religion" it is about the basics of life and that is to love others and love God. It's a very personal journey. When you pursue it... supernaturally God changes your heart and fills you with sustainable joy. Not fleeting, but something that sticks with you. It is an amazing thing and something worth pondering. I am digressing... back to our miracle. Billy has been very frustrated about not being able to see... he has been back tot he eye doctor 2 times to change his prescription to so he can read small print. He works with computers at work and he looks up parts and inventory thing so not being able to see has been debilitating for him. It is hard to see my husband so frustrated. Last Sunday, we had a special dinner at our church our Pastor prayed over my husband and annointed him with oil. We had tons of people standing around him praying. I have witnessed prayers for others and healing for others... so I was really hoping our prayers would be answered in some way. I did know God could cure Billy with one mighty touch. I was excited to see what he might do when we prayed on Bill's behalf. The very next day, when we were getting ready for bed and watching Sports Center... Bill had his contacts off and told me... I can read the TV. Now mind you.. he always reads the small print at the bottom looking at EVERY game that is going on and memorizes all scores and such... so this small print is important to him too. So being able to read these scores was the reassurance he needed to know God was working in his life. I believe that God knew my husband's greatest frustration and healed his sight instantly. It was the confirmation I needed that when we seek God he will meet us right where we are. He cares specifically for us. And knows our greatest need. So with that testimony, I would like to encourage all my friends to remember. Whether or consider yourself "religious" or not. Say a prayer today to the God who created you and has an awesome plan for your life... and specifically ask him to meet you where you are. He loves you and so do I!

My husband Billy...

A long time ago, before there were motor vehicles...and telephones and electricity Billy and I met on a country road near an apple orchard(just kidding). We actually met in a small town bar. :)

This October 28, 2008, Bill and I will be married 8 years. He was a mystery boy who just dropped into Winona Minnesota. I was in my 4th year of college... having bartended the entire time with a bunch of the guys on Bill's softball team. He walked in one early evening when I was hanging out with some of my girlfriends, not knowing at that time what a "God moment" was, it is the only way I can describe the first time I saw him. Winona Minnesota is a small town with a whole bunch of churches and about 2x's the amount of small bars. Being a bartender in a popluar bar with cheap beer, I knew everyone in town. If I didn't know people's names I knew someone they knew. But on the day he walked into the bar, he stood out so predominantly from everyone else. It was almost like the background around him became fuzzy and Billy was totally in focus. He had super blonde hair after playing softball most of the summer, very tan and stunning to me. He was definately "prince" material. I remember saying to my friend... who is THAT GUY? Man is he cute! I've never been one to be passive or quiet (for those who know me well) , so my friends and I immediately welcomed him, sat and chatted with him to get the low down on who he was where he was from and what the heck he was doing in Winona. He told me his name was Bill... and I said... "Oh... Billy." He said, "No. My name is Bill." I told him he had to be kidding the fact he was from a small town of one thousand people in Iowa he had white blonde hair and a farmer tan... he was totally Billy to me. My friend Billy.

What I loved about him was how laid back and non "dramatic" he was. He answered questions truthfully, there was much truth in his eyes and peace to his nature. I was really happy to get to know him and found being with him a ton of fun. Our first official "date" we made some steaks on a little grill at his house. He tells me now that he knew he "dug" me when he decided to go buy himself some new silverware and plates so we could eat on nice dinnerware. How sweet! We also went to the apple festival in LaCrosse Wisconsin where he bought me a bucket of beer (very loving expression in Wisconsin) it was a blast. But the moment I really knew I was "in" with Bill was when he let me drive his prized light blue 1970 something Chevy Nova. We began what I can call a long friendship, courtship and a really fun wedding/reception.

When I look back on how God orchestrated our meeting and our relationship, I am blown away. Every anniversary Billy and I have we like to look back at our life and talk about all we have accomplished together. We glory in the fact that we are a team. No matter what life throws at us, no matter what our mistakes are throughout the year, we put them in the past, thank God for all we have done and were blessed with and look forward to another year as each other's best friend and team mate. I could not think of anyone else on this planet who understands me more than my husband, who is more patient and understanding. He works hard and understands the balance between work and family. I am so glad I met him, I am so glad he walked in that bar and came to Winona on a whim. I am so glad God sent him to me to be my husband. I can't wait for the next 8 years and what we have to look forward together. Thanks Billy. I love you.

Elected officials... can we get some better ones?

Wisdom is important. Wisdom about a lot of things. The thing I would like to say I am pursuing mostly in terms of wisdom is my own personal relationship with Jesus who died for me and a God who loves me. It is the thing I am studying the hardest. When I put my trust and my life in front of the God who created me, it is my best decision.

But to make an informed and confident exciting choice in the elections lately really makes me sad. I am beginning to read more, search more and gain more information about the candidates. I have to weed through truth and opinion. I talk to many people about all of their emotional reasons for voting for either one. I know who I am going to vote for, I really want to be well informed though.

In the past, I believe that media and mass communication had integrity and ethic. I believe we don't have it anymore. Sensationalism and whatever makes the most money has won the battle when it comes to media. Sex sells, then write about it...gossip sells, then tell everyone... people's mistakes brings home the bacon... then exploit them. Who cares what the ramifications of those decisions are... we're making money.

I was a Mass Communication major in college I have a B.A in that respect... and the thing I remember the most about what I was taught is that what you "report" in a mass context must be truthful, based on fact (not rumor) and have a ton of evidence to support your articles. Get the facts and write about them. End of story. I am by no means saying the media should not print things that we should know about upcoming elected presidential candidates. I think we should know some of the things that aren't so pretty, but I think they should print them in an unbaised manner followed by their supporting evidence. I see what they report... and it's not always unbiased or supported by anything but rhetoric and fancy talk.

The past couple of elections I have not been fueled or excited to go to the polls. I am honored that we get to vote for our president. I am honored I live in a country where we have that freedom. I am happy we have our military in place who will stand up for those very specific rights and our forefathers decisions were based on religious freedom.

But I would really like one day to go to the polls with two candidates fighting for the presidency... in which I am proud of both of them. Whether they were Democrat or Republican... they were good people. Not proud in a pat in the back kind of way, but when you look at their lives, they are a mix of the left and the right. They value life, they don't "play God" and judge others, they've worked hard, they value families. They love their spouses and families and they can give credibility to politics again. They are a straight shooter. They don't mess around. I would like someone who REALLY is looking out for this awesome country we live in... but has expectatins of us as well. I want someone who will make positive prayerful decisions that protect our freedoms... peace out friends...

Run Forrest Run!

Well, today is an amazing day. I have reached a "first" at 36 years old. I have reached a "first" with the crazy but "good for you" sport of running. I recently ran/walked a 5K run in Durango. I did it with some of the most encouraging loving people I know. Everyone from my church. Now, please keep in mind I am not a runner by any means.

In gym class in school, my first introduction to running. I was told to sprint (which my very short legs do not do very fast) or to run fast around a track for a mile or two. It always seemed to me that goal was to be the first person to cross the finish line so I was always racing to catch the first person. What my gym teacher never told me was about something called a "personal pace."

A friend of my at the race told me once you find YOUR personal "pace" you could run forever. So as I've hopped on many a treadmill, I would run so hard and fast I thought my lungs might burst. So, as a result I would have to walk. It kind of bummed me out because I think it looks like fun to run and I am in awe of people who can run fast for long periods of time. The body working together to do such an amazing thing blows my mind... and the endorphines... well they are a thumbs up from Jesus for sure!

So, today I did it. I hopped on the treadmill. And ran at a slow but steady pace. My legs loved me, my lungs did not burn, my blood was pumping and I was having blast. I could not believe after about seven minutes or so I thought for sure I could run forever. It was SO COOL!

Then I started thinking about applying this to my life. How often do I try to run at someone else's pace? How often am I looking ahead to see who looks to me like they are "ahead" of me? I wonder how much more joy and peace I would have if I a took things at my own pace lived my life that way. God did not intend for me to look around. He intended for me keep my "eyes up." Yeah God!!

Jeremiah 29:11-13For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Facing our Giants...

I read this book a while back by Max Lucado called "Facing your Giants." It was mostly a book about the life of David. It was refreshing to me that David... a man after God's heart was a total mess up. He had some of the most amazing and awesome experiences in life, he was a hero with Goliath, he was made a king, he had some amazing friends.... but he had low points too, he was a murderer, he sought after Bathesheba a married woman, he wandered throught the desert when his brother was trying to kill him. He had relationship issues and tough stuff to deal with.

I have seen the mountaintops as well, been blessed totally by God and had a great life. I have a great husband, awesome friends, beautiful kids. In it all, I am totally grateful and excited about each new day. But what do I do when I am in the tough spots? What do I do when it get's hard? Am I after God's own heart in the good bad AND ugly?

Just last week Billy was diagnosed with diabetes. It came as such a shock to me because my husband has been a pillar of health in this family. We filled out application papers to adopt a child from China and when we filled out the medical stuff, I even said to Billy... we look pretty good on paper. We laughed about it because our whole lives we have never had any real medical conditions to think about. I prayed and asked God to give me peace... which lasted 24 hours. The second day of our news before we got some more information via blood tests, I started to panic. Can I just say for a minute that fear sucks? It does. But it crept into my brain like a little weasel. I started to think about the longevity of Bill's life, what he/we could have done better to prevent this, my kids and their health, etc. I kept asking God to give me wisdom. But I really believe after a lot of prayer that God allowed this to happen for a variety of reasons. He allowed me to see the important role my husband plays in this family of ours. He allowed me to spend extra time preparing healthy meals and healthy choices for my family, he allowed my husband and I to team together to work through whatever he will need to maintain a healthy and thriving lifestyle living with diabetes. It has brought us closer together as we get focused on new eating habits. I asked people to pray for me and when that happened, the fear left. The fear is gone every day is a new day and I am excited to see what's next. This is one giant I will not face alone... fear is no match for my God. With one word... He can make the mountains bow down. Thanks God for helping me face my Giants.

Change and the Champion

Matthew 18:3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.


Today I was thinking about the concept of being "changed." Recently I have lost about 20+ pounds. I started in January of 2008 and as of today I am a different person than I was last year. I still have about 15 pounds to go but because it took me about six years to gain all the weight from having my children... I've given myself six years to lose it. So 1 year- 20lbs... I'm doing ok. What blows my mind is how it happened and what happened to me during my pursuit of being healthier. I am about 5'2 and it's always been a struggle for me to lose weight. If I eat an entire sandwich like any average sized human being, I gain five pounds. If I eat half the sandwich I maintain my weight and if I eat a quarter of the sandwich and work out I might lose a pound or two. It's always been an uphill battle for me when it comes to weight. In January, I was really wanting to be "healthy". I told my prayer partner Jill that I needed prayer in this area. She prayed for me. Everything she said during the prayer made sense, my body is a gift from God, God wants me to be healthy, God loves us so he wants us to use our body to glorify him etc.etc. It all made sense in my heart... so I decided to start working out one hour a day... for me and my body. It was my own little hour to myself. It was a dedication to myself and the body he gave me. Mind you, I have gone down this path before and had no luck. Working out.. eating right... still I maintained the status quo. I was not convinced God was going to give me the boost I needed. I had this feeling he wanted me to "get to work... " So, I began my workout regimen and saw the pounds literally started to drop. Every week, I went up and down and up and down. (I even prayed for the Holy Spirit to multiply my workout) Eventually there were more downs than ups and here I am today 20lbs lighter. During the process I realized that although I do not consider myself an athlete nor have I ever been called an athlete by anyone growing up that this focus on getting my body healthy and asking God to help me made me feel like a champion. But when it comes to losing the weight. I give all the glory to God. It was my spirit inside telling me there was a champion waiting to get out. A changed person who knows God intimately. A changed person who looks forward to the joy that comes each morning. A changed woman with the love of God in her heart. Now... I have 15 more pounds to go and I saw this verse... how else God... do you want me to change? What's next? Can't wait!

Just Me - The Champion

I love my husband Billy first and formost. He rocks. I have two awesome kids who on a good day make me laugh and on an OK day make me want to pull my eyelids back over my head. I am most days tired and busy so I love naps in the afternoon. I love laying in bed with Grace saying her bedtime prayers and listening to Toby say his prayers ending everything no matter what he's talking about with "and bless it to my body" Amen. I love dancing with my family in the kitchen, I love eating Chinese take out with Bill and going on dates and playing Phase One. I love photographing my family and remembering to get the film developed (and picked up). I love it when my laundry is done. (it's rare) and I love it when my house smells good. (lots of candles) I enjoy the sun and a cool breeze right when you need it most. I like it when Bill does the dishes and picks up his stuff around the house. I am especially interested in that kind of stuff. I love it when my kids and husband give me a round of applause after I cook a meal they like. (a trick we learned from my awesome friend Linn) I like new clothes, new lipgloss and new hair (color or style). I like spas, beaches and playing in a pool. I especially love God and pursuing the plan He has intended for me and my family. The End.