Faith and Healing: My Surprising Growth Moments
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All Scripture references come from the King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV)."
All Scripture references come from the King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV)."
When I look back into this past year, I marvel at the many changes that took place. One of the things I’m talking about is changes in our faith and the faith of our church through Gods healing of a very good friend and sister in Christ. There were some major milestones for our children and I had my own personal growth. I’m sure most of you this year, had ups and downs of life. I hope I can encourage you by sharing with you the effect that this year had on me.
A story of faith and healing
I want to start by telling you a story of great healing and great faith. This was a very tough year for some very special people. My friend and sister in Christ, Anna, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This was her second bout with cancer. So this time when they found cancer in her lungs the doctors determined that the breast cancer returned and it had spread. Additionally, several weeks later, the diagnosis included that cancer had spread to her spine.
This was a very tough scenario for our church family. Anna is an instrumental member of our church. We are a very small congregation and each member is precious to the next. What makes this sister so special is that she brings joy and peace to everyone. She’s filled with such wonderful, godly wisdom. She has an unshakeable faith that sets an incredible example for all of the rest of us. I wish you all could meet her because I know your life would be blessed by it. One of her favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
The prayers of a church family
Her diagnosis shook our church family to the core. Although the prognosis was grim, there wasn’t a single person who accepted the fact that Anna wasn’t going to survive. While we were in services, on several occasions, we came together in a circle and prayed for her as a group and we all prayed individually on our own. I’ve never seen a group of people so focused on the praying for one of our members. If you’ve never seen prayer change a life, this was truly a blessing of faith and healing to witness.
Additionally, this very same group several years ago came together and prayed like that for me. I believe that I’m here to share my story with you because of those answered prayers. God hears our prayers, friends! If we pray according to His will, He is faithful and just to answer those prayers.
During her treatments, this church family grew closer and closer in our common goal. We prayed and supported her and her family. At times when her scans came back, we were shaken right along with them. At one point her doctor told her that she would never be in remission. Other results were encouraging. In fact, after twelve months of long, difficult treatments she was told that the cancer was no longer in the bone and she was in remission. Praise the Lord!
God is so good!
Our church grew closer in our relationships during the period of Annas treatment. We also grew, as a group, in our faith. If you haven’t seen something like this happen, its a wonderful visible example of Gods healing of a beloved sister as well as the growth of the faith and healing of a congregation of born-again believers. God is so good!
Family Milestones
We also had some major milestones for our children. This year our oldest child, Michael Jr finished his four years in the US Air Force. After he came home from the Air Force, Mike enlisted in the US Air Guard and he’s currently in technical school in Texas to learn a new career. Then in the fall of 2019, he will head off to college to study and get his degree in commercial aviation. This is something he’s wanted to do for his whole life. After much prayer by all of us, he has made his final decision as to which school he will attend. It’s important to include God in every part of our lives. We include him in the big decisions as well as the small.
Our daughter, Megan had a major milestone this last year as well. After four long tedious, but prayerful years, Megan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Management. She’s currently working full time at the bank. Megan still lives at home with us, for which I’m extremely thankful. She’s a huge help to her Dad and I. She’s saving money for when she moves out next year.
Finally, our youngest son, Matthew married a sweet girl named Samantha this past August. They live in Missouri. Matt moved out to Missouri to live with his brother when Mike was serving at Whiteman Air Force Base. His plan was to stay with Mike until his time in the Air Force was up, at which time they would both move home. Matt met Sam shortly after he moved to Missouri and the rest is history. Mike got out of the service and moved home and Matt stayed there with his new bride. Both Matt and Sam will be starting new jobs in the New Year. It’s going to be an exciting year for them. I want to emphasize the need for prayer many times during the day. Whether we’re praying for a beloved family member, marriage, school, homework or a job. God wants to be included in all of our decisions.
Lessons as a mother
What I’ve learned from the growth and these milestones of my kids this past year is that they’ve grown to be some pretty fabulous adults and my husband and I are pretty proud and thankful for them. I’ve always been the type of mom that was completely devoted to her husband and children and very involved in their lives. It’s very difficult for me when they live so far away. It’s only by the grace of God that I’m able to not infiltrate their lives by hovering over them more than I actually do. I’m thankful that we text and call and Skype and they want to stay in touch. I’m thankful that they humor me and accept me the way that I am.
No more self-pity
2018 was a year of great personal growth for me. I learned that it was time for me to stop wallowing and feeling sorry for myself. My kids were moving on and I needed to move on also. After seven long years of sadness and not trying new things, I decided that it was time to make some changes.
It’s very hard to do the things that I love without hands. My favorite hobbies are cooking and baking. When I lost my hands, I lost the ability to take care of our household. I can no longer cook and clean and help our friends and family when they need it.
After spending a lot of time with the television, I developed an interest in decorating, crafts and DIYs, which I am also unable to do. However, I have a wonderful and loving family who supports me in my interests. So if there’s a craft or DIY I love and want to re-create, they’ll help me do it.
The turning point
I cannot recall my exact turning point, but I do know that 2018 was the year that I decided that I can no longer say the words “I can’t”! I’ve felt sorry for myself for a long time and this was the year that I was putting that behind me. 2018 was the year I would move on. Of course, you know, I had been praying to God about my life. What was his plan for me? Answered prayers don’t always come instantly. Prayers are answered according to Gods plan and timing, not ours.
My first adventure was a tubing trip down the Pemigewasset River with Megan. The post is called Big Tater Takes on the Pemi. This trip helped me to realize that it was time for me to start my blog. It was then that One Exceptional Life was born with the intention to share my life and adventures with all of you. My goal is to inspire people. For those who are overcoming challenges, I want you to know that anything and everything is possible, especially when you include prayer. If I can go down a river in a tube with no hands and no feet, you can overcome your challenges to.If I can go down a river in a tube with no hands and no feet, you can overcome your challenges too. Share on X
Plans for the blog
Revealing my private life to the world has been interesting. I’m so very thankful for the love and feedback you’ve all given me. I have a lot planned for the blog in the new year and I look forward to sharing some great new posts with you. God has opened up this wonderful venue for me to help and bless others. As you can see, I’ve experienced faith and healing in many parts of my life.
I’m so excited to be changing the four new categories to the blog. We will talk more about amputee life, positivity, overcoming challenges, and Christian living. If you’ve got ideas or suggestions, I would really like to hear them. Comment below, which of these categories are you most looking forward to and why?
We have a lot of adventures in the new year as well, once the ground thaws, that is. So stay tuned. I covet your prayers that I give honor and glory to God in all that I do and say. You all are in my prayers as well.
So you can see, God has answered many prayers this year. It’s been a year of great faith and healing, and growth for all of us. What a wonderful and glorious Lord we serve.
It sounds like you have had a wonderful year of love and blessings! God Bless and I look forward to reading more in 2019!
Hi Sandy,
Yes 2018 was a year of great blessings and 2019 is off to a great start. Thank you for reading.
Congratulations to you for all the new adventures! So encouraging to hear from moms with older kids that things do work out in the end and while we think we may have ruined them at some points, they make it as adults.
Thank you Stacey. I appreciate you stopping by.
Inspirational!! ? Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Margaret!
Wendy – This post has made such a big difference in my life. I had to really consider what my “growth moment” of 2018 was, but in the end, it turned out to be a family situation that resulted in me stepping away from someone I really love. I learned that it’s okay for me to be myself, to have hopes and dreams and goals that don’t necessarily align with those that are closest to me. I’ve been able to let go of that insecurity and embrace new challenges because of that one situation (and the decisions made after). Btw – I love your email challenge!
Sarah, I’m so happy you’ve been able to stand for what you believe in. Shoot for the stars, girl! I know that brings challenges but through prayer and hard work and can reach those goals. Your comments are a great blessing to me. ❤
This is beautiful. I think I may need to borrow some of your faith because mine has been taxed to almost annihilation this year…
Hi Hannah, that’s the great thing about faith, you can always find more. I’m always happy to share.
You GO, Wendy! I am so encouraged by your story of Anna’s healing! And I love your new year’s goal of moving beyond self-pity. I spent several years mourning the career I had trained for, and longed for my whole life, when I couldn’t secure a permanent job in that field – but the new life I’ve built since then is so much more fulfilling on every level, I can’t imagine how miserable I’d be if I HAD stayed in that line of work (which was very stressful) – what I first saw as a huge loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise! 🙂
Sounds like you had an incredible growth year as well. I’m so happy that you are fulfilled in your new career. Thanks for your comments and for stopping by.
I am especially looking forward to reading your posts about goal-setting. Thanks for putting yourself out there and sharing your story. So glad 2018 was the turning point!
Thank you, Lisa!
2018 was a great year! Wasn’t always easy but I am SO happy to see you shine your light again!
Hot air balloon!?! What!?!
Thank you, Carol. Yup, a hot air balloon! I pray I can enjoy the ride and the views without freaking about the height, if I can even get in the basket, that is. ?
Sounds like 2018 although difficult has been an amazing year of growth and God’s unfailing love. Thanks for sharing all of this Wendy and continuing to inspire me.
I appreciate you saying that, Andrea. God is so good!
I cannot wait for more posts about overcoming challenges. I think we learn the most when we can take other people’s challenges and how they handled it and figure out how to apply it to my life.
I love the story about faith and healing. Someone close to me just got the news about cancer, and it was the reminder that I needed that our bodies are God’s, and he decided when our time is up!
Thank you, Jessie, I’ve learned so much by overcoming my challenges and then how inspiring is it to read stories of others who overcame? I’m sorry to hear about your friend. God can heal and he does it even when things look grim. Stay positive and keep praying.