We were invited to attend a Labor Day BBQ with my husband’s co-worker at her church. Having just moved to Texas from Arizona 3 months earlier and knowing no one yet, the invitation was accepted. It was on that day my husband cemented his decision to allow Jesus to be Lord of his life and the pastor led me to the Lord. <\/p>\n
When we moved, I was pregnant with our second child, the first was 2.5 years. I had never been away from my family and I was newly married. My husband’s job moved us to the outskirts of Houston in May of that year. I was a social creature by nature and this invitation to a BBQ sounded nice after speaking to no one, save the new OBGYN I had to find upon arrival to a new state. <\/p>\n
Our daughter was born in August so at that BBQ our new baby was brought with us. I cornered the pastor to ask him some questions… but he stopped me and asked me the most important question of my life, which was, “If you were to die right now are you 100% certain you would go to heaven?”<\/p>\n
Well, that question baffled me. I mean, I wasn’t a murderer, I never stole anything and I was faithful to my husband. Why wouldn’t I make it into heaven? <\/em>The answer was given to me and that was… I had never acknowledged Jesus as Lord, realizing I was a sinner in desperate need of a savior.<\/p>\n I remember getting on my knees next to my sleeping baby and praying my heart out to a God who LISTENS. Confessing my sins (sins I did not even realize I had done… lying, cheating, talking back to my parents-all forms of disobedience, etc.) it all flashed like lightening in my mind and I realized I was indeed in need of a savior.<\/p>\n Many people say salvation isn’t a feeling. I beg to differ. For me it was like a light shown down from heaven and surrounded me in a tunnel if warm, beautiful light. I literally felt ALL my burdens and sins being peeled from my very being and taken up. The peace I felt was indescribable. I FELT<\/em> the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I felt new. I felt cleansed. I felt washed by the blood of Jesus, my Redeemer and Savior Forever! <\/p>\n After that day my husband and I raised our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Was life easier after that? I’d love to say yes, but the truth is, life isn’t easy. But a life with Jesus is more abundant and free; I have Jesus to talk to, to lean on, it is where my help comes from… and believe me, I have needed a lot of help!!<\/p>\n In 2014, my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, at the age of 45. Needless to say, our lives were flipped upside down. Our family’s Bluegrass band <\/a>was in full stride- with all glory going to God- and thought life was pretty good! Enter cancer and leaning on Jesus was more important than ever!! <\/p>\n In 2015 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and then 2016, Lupus. No one really understands how a person gets Fibromyalgia. I have read it could be trauma induced… perhaps the trauma from the news of my husband’s cancer plus a HUGE uprooting of our family to be closer to the city for weekly treatments, a busy life that suddenly changes to busier, etc. was more than my body could handle. Maybe…<\/p>\n Personally, I think it was so I would learn to slow down to help my man. I mean, I NEVER sat down back then. There was always SOMETHING to do. My husband had slowed down out of sheer necessity, and he needed<\/em> to me to walk at his pace. Enter my health issues. ha. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. God has a plan and a purpose… <\/p>\n Back in 2021 he underwent a bone marrow transplant. The days, weeks and months that followed were harrowing at best. It has been a bumpy ride and leaning on Jesus is a way of life for us and always will be. Now that he is better, back at work, and tending to our 10 acre mini farm, etc. I wish I could say I miraculously got better, too. <\/p>\n Alas! Not the case. Some days I am slower than he was when his RBC fell to the 7.0’s and below and would need another transfusion (and he used to get them every 7-10 days for years, just to survive). <\/p>\n Having graduated all but one from our homeschool of 28 years, life isn’t quite as busy. 2020 killed off any remnants of our family’s band, too. All my boys are now grown, in the military and scattered across the states and have families of their own. My other 3 daughters are married and have husbands and children to attend to. Now, I plug along, taking mornings slow, doing stretches, weights and walking<\/a>. I lean on a heating pad for my back during lunches, taking a rest and (trying to) allow my body to decompress. I do this in front of the TV to keep my mind off the pain. (A good TV series is always appreciated!!) I do chores throughout the day as my body allows, trying not to throw myself into a flare and walk mornings and evenings as weather allows.<\/p>\n It is my personality I fight daily… like speaking with animation and dramatics and the need to constantly be moving so my body doesn’t lock up. It’s a challenge on most days, but I lean of Jesus, read the Bible (KJV) and allow HIM to bring me my comfort and direct my days.<\/p>\n Now that my husband is better, his attentions have turned more to me, and he always wants to know if I am having a good day or a bad one. He helps me and he cares. We have been married over 36 years, and I am so thankful for our salvation and marriage.<\/p>\nAll I had to do was ASK JESUS TO SAVE ME<\/em>. Was it that simple??? Yes. It. Was.<\/h3>\n
I am happy to report that his cancer is in remission! PRAISE THE LORD!!<\/h3>\n
Remember that personality trait I mentioned above?? Yep, I still fight the urge to do, do, do.<\/h3>\n
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