A Bit Much Monday

I had a great weekend at my Mom's! I got a chance to visit with my nephews and my brother for a while. My SIL, niece, MIL, Bridgette and I went shopping and saw a production of "Annie" which was really fun, too.

But, you know what was the highlight of my weekend? Saturday morning, after I had eaten breakfast and gotten ready to meet my SIL & MIL I was sitting around my Mom's house. My mom had just jumped in the shower and I had a little time to kill. Bridge was playing with my nephew Abel. My cellphone rang. I was certain it would be Mike, checking in or telling me how many deer they had gotten at deer camp (8 in their party of 6 guys, in case you're wondering...). Anyhow, it wasn't Mike - it was an old friend - Dale. He's actually the father of one of my best friends who I have lost touch with through many moves. Dale and his wife Pearl are evangelists who live in Iowa and Mike and I touch base with them when they are traveling through our area. They visit us. Pearl called me last year, because she just happened to hear through the grapevine that my Dad died. (News travels fast...she called me the day AFTER my dad died, and they happened to be in Wisconsin...) Anyhow, I haven't heard from Dale himself in years.

Dale told me that he felt God telling him to call me. Pearl had heard that I had MS - she had read it on the internet (probably from this blog) and he called to remind me of who God was and what He was capable of. Now, I don't know if you believe me - but I don't care. I'm going to type this. There was a time years ago when Pearl had an aneurism that burst between the two halves of her brain. They wrote a book about it.

She was in a coma in the hospital in Green Bay, WI for months. In that time, Dale would be by her side and in the waiting room, reading his Bible and believing God that He would heal her. I remember that the rest of the family would be in the waiting room crying because the doctors said that if she ever would wake up (which was a small chance), she would be a vegetable. Dale didn't want his faith affected, so he wouldn't even sit in the same waiting room. He had a private room that he sat in, so they wouldn't bring him down. Mike and I sat one day in that room with him and the doctor came in and gave him a grim report and all Dale said was, "I appreciate what you think, but you don't know my God!" Mike and I looked at each other and thought, "Poor Dale! He has no clue and is in denial." To make a long story short, Pearl came out of the coma after many miraculous things happened with other coma patients in that hospital when Dale prayed for them - and now she can do math problems in her head that she couldn't do before. There are nurses that were assigned to her that have accepted Christ because of witnessing what went on through Dale. Shortly after her healing, they became evangelists. They frequently go to Africa and the Phillipines and speak all over the US.

So...THAT Dale called me, after not hearing from him for a long time. We used to live near them, so naturally we saw them often - and then we moved away...and then they moved out of state...and that's how things go when distance is introduced into relationships. But, we're still close at heart. And, he reminded me of what I once believed. And, I wonder what happened that I don't believe like that anymore? I used to have such strong faith. And I thought I DID have strong faith... But I see a stark difference between the faith I used to have and the faith I have now. I wonder when I stopped. It must have been gradual. I still see so many answers to prayers that I pray in faith, but my faith seems so much more controlled and subdued...hearing Dale reminded me that I need my fire stoked up like that more often!

And, instead of being discouraged a light has been ignited. My fire has been stoked. It's like riding a bicycle. He's right - God DID tell him to call me...I needed a reminder. (I don't even think Dale knows how cold those embers were and how much I needed a "stoking"...) I already feel stronger, because I know I have a tough road ahead of me, but I am more than a conquerer in Christ! I was feeling down and defeated, but I am NOT defeated! Now, I'm ready for the fight!

I realize everything I wrote must sound a bit crazy to some of you. But, the reason I wanted this blog was so that I could use it as a therapeutic way to write about my journey. My journey is oftentimes a Spiritual one. So be it.

Oh - another thing. I had lost touch with Dale's daughter, Connie - who was my best friend at one time. I was living with her when Mike and I were dating. It was truly one of the best times of my life. I've moved around so much, we lost touch. I wrote her many letters a few years ago, and they went unanswered. Dale told me that she had cancer - pretty bad a few years ago, but that he would tell Connie to call me. He did, and she called that same night. She is in the process of receiving healing herself, and I'm so excited for her! She had cancer really bad - but the cancer of the liver (which, for the record - is NOT good!) has entirely cleared up (which is UNHEARD OF...that's pretty much terminal!) and the rest of her cancer is starting to fade. This gives me great hope to believe that God is in the business of doing the impossible.

Okay, I know this is a bit much. Ha...the story of my life...a bit much.

But, this weekend was all about reconnecting and it was really good. Reconnecting with my brother and his boys after way too long. Reconnecting with my MIL and SIL and niece after a few months, my mom after a few weeks, Dale and Connie after a few years, and this level of my faith after far too long.

I love reconnecting - don't you?