Not What I Was Planning on Blogging About

I was inspired to begin this blog mainly to share information about homeschooling, my experiences, and the lessons I’ve learned.  However, while I was working on setting all this up, I got a call from my doctor.  She had ordered a CT scan to see if I had kidney stones which she fortunately did not find.  What she did find was an abnormality in my right kidney which led her to order another scan, this time with contrast.  The second scan confirmed that I have a mass growing within my kidney.  The next step is to do a biopsy, and based on the results of the biopsy, I may need surgery to remove that kidney.

That is the condensed and abridged version.  At first, to be perfectly honest, I was scared.  Our minds and imaginations always take us to where we shouldn’t even be.  I immediately decided to share this information with all my friends and family requesting prayer.  As soon as many of you, my sweet friends and family members began to pray, I…Then [began to] experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace [ began to] guard [my heart and mind as I] live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

I cannot explain the peace I have right now.  Thank you for your prayers, for all the words of encouragement, cards, and love you have been pouring into my life!  I am blown away and aware of how truly blessed I am.

How I have seen God’s almighty hand every step of the way… El Shaddai

I got the call with the results to my first scan the week before I was to attend the Ladies Getaway at Frontier Camp.  Fortunately, I was able to schedule the second CT with contrast the morning I left and was able to enjoy a wonderful few days of relaxation.  I had been asked to do a devotion one of the mornings.  The Lord impressed on my heart to share about His faithfulness when we are within His will.  If there is one lesson I have learned through this Harvey ordeal is that God is faithful in always providing for ALL our needs.  I have witnessed firsthand how God has provided for so many who lost so much in the flood.  He has also been providing for me and my friends to be able to bring dinner to the hotels twice a week since the middle of September!  He provided a group of amazingly generous people who went above and beyond to make Christmas very special for so many who didn’t have a home this year.  People gave Christmas trees, presents, food, and so much more to bring a little joy into the lives of so many.  As a friend and I were reflecting on this, we agreed, “By serving God’s people through this ‘hotel ministry,’ we feel we have been given front row seats to the most amazing show.”    After I gave my devotion, a lady came up to me and mentioned it all reminded her of God being with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego every step of the way.  She quoted Daniel 3:17-18 which states, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”  It was then that God reminded me that he always answers our prayers just not always the way we think He should.

It is well with my soul… Jehovah Shalom

As I said before, I have peace about all of this.  I don’t know what is going to happen and what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.  I also know that whatever happens, I will not go through it alone.  God will be right there with me in whatever fiery furnace I am in.  Last weekend, at the Home Run Ministries 20^th Anniversary Gala, Christian comedian, Bob Smiley reminded me that God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego IN the fire not FROM the fire.

How He has already provided… Jehovah Jireh

Insurance.  Oh, the world of insurance!  Originally, my pre-op was scheduled for February 6 and the biopsy for February 9.  The hospital called me on February 5 to tell me that my part for this procedure was going to be a little over $3500.  I called Marcus to let him know, and he reminded me that our company had just signed up with a new insurance plan and our deductible was a lot less.  I called our insurance rep and she suggested I call my doctor to see if the procedure could wait until the new insurance was in effect because this way my part would only be $250.  The doctor did not hesitate which was encouraging to know she didn’t feel this procedure needed to be done right away.  Not only that, but because we were not switching insurance companies, only plans, anything I had already paid toward my deductible after January 1, would be applied to the new one of $250, so the $200 I paid for the CT scans will go toward this and I only have to pay $50!!!

Like I said before, I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know my God hold the future, and He is greater than anything I will be facing.

Trusting in Him,

Fabi