Throughout the last couple years I’ve experienced my parents getting divorced, and other numerous devastating circumstances that almost ruined my life. I was so hurt and broken. I felt like I didn’t know why I was put in this world. Throughout this past year,2006, God has COMPLETELY restored every single “scar” that had pierced my innermost being and he continually reminds me of His love and grace every single day.

Back in the early 90’s I had just left a very stressful job and found myself in the middle of anxiety attacks and was having trouble sleeping and coping with life and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I was totally overwhelmed and sought God’s help and provision in a seemingly hopeless situation and he truly did rescue me from this situation and brought me to higher ground where I have peace and freedom from the anxiety that I was being attacked with!

As a person who has dreamed about traveling overseas and bringing all people God’s word, I never thought I would attend a traditional school. Last year I found God telling me that I needed to go to school…and to be a nurse. That wouldn’t be so bad, but the one thing I said I never wanted to do was to be a nurse! I couldn’t believe it. Here God was telling me to go to school (I can’t stand school) and He wanted me to become nurse (something I said I would never do). Never tell God never!!! I needed His grace and His mercy. When you have to overcome your flesh to do what you know God has called you to do it can be incredibly hard. And here I had to overcome two things!!! By God’s grace I have finished my first year of nursing school and have survived. There are hard times when I feel like giving up, when I just want to travel and get out overseas to tell them about Jesus, and when I think of the two more years I have to go; I just remember what God told us in His Word: I will never give you more than you can handle, and if I take care of the birds and flowers, I will take care of you. He has promised that He has not forgotten…we are written in the palm of His hands.

My daughter, Taylor and I just got back from an English Family camp missions trip in Poland. We only knew 2 other people on this team of 13. The others were from all over the US and Poland. We were unsure how we would work together, who would do what, the unity of a mixed people, etc. We were a little nervous about this. Pretty much from the 1st day we met as a team, God showed us how we would be using our gifts. We all had special talents, ideas, and we had instant unity. (which is pretty hard to accomplish even after several days of camp). As the week went on, God continued to be there. We were confirmed daily by God why we were put together as a team. How he used each one of us was awesome! The times we shared our testimonies were his perfect timing. We were able to touch many hearts and lives with HIS timing. I have definitely reached higher ground with the Lord. My walk with Him has reached a higher ground; his understanding, patience, and love for all of us was shown very clearly and daily. Because we had a short camp to reach these people, I feel He did not want us to fail or have too many road blocks, GOD opened the road quite clearly for all of us. We had an awesome camp with the Polish people, and believe that many have accepted Christ as their personal LORD and Savior. What an awesome experience HE allowed us to have and see. He has blessed us so much.

My second husband and I were married almost 10 years. He was like a father to my two children. They never had a chance to know their biological father. We were devastated when I found out he became involved with someone I thought was a friend, who also happened to be my superior! I wanted to run and hide. My coworkers encouraged me to walk with my head held high. It was incredibly painful and difficult. I grieved and cried out to the Lord each night. He was so faithful to pour upon me His grace to work in that environment each day and do my job well. Although I have chosen to forgive, I have asked the Lord to release me from this area and my job. In time He will. For now he continues to provide the “great grace” I need to be “more than a conqueror.” I give Him all the praise!