MIRACLES ARE ALL AROUND
(continued from “Home Page”) My story begins in the summer of 1969. It is a story which is survived by these words from Romans and the grace of God.
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5
The stories I was told of my birth never spoke of a miserable pregnancy, labor or delivery. Considering all that women know today about their unborn child, it is sometimes difficult to understand the day I was born. Even after I was born, my mother and father did not know anything was wrong until finally being told by the medical staff.
I can only imagine what the doctors and nurses thought when I was born; fear, shock, disgust, concern for my survival ~ this I will never know. What they saw was a baby, less than six pounds with uneven limbs, many profound birthmarks, and tumors bulging from her body. The story continues with 42 surgeries, more medical procedures than I can count, misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis, and the triumph of God shining through.
I was ordained in 1997 and have served as a Youth and Family Pastor in the western and mid-western United States. I am currently serving as a Chaplain and Living Donor Advocate at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been married to my caring and loving husband, Bill, for 18 years. We now live in Mesa, Arizona with our German Shorthaired Pointer Kona.
I firmly believe that God’s grace will invade the trials of this life and turn our hearts to joy and peace. I have a passion to relate my story and love of God to all ages. My hope is that you will be inspired by this story and see God’s presence in your life amidst the trials that come your way and live a life of TRIUMPH.
