Monday, March 8, 2010

Memorial Box Mondays

Memorial Box Mondays was created by Linny at her blog, A Place Called Simplicity (listed at the right). You can go there to find out more information about MBM's and also read what others have written.

Today I am remembering an event from 1979! We were living in a small town in central Montana where Joel was working as a seminary intern for a local congregation. Our family had moved there for 1 year and then would return to MN for Joel to finish seminary. On one February day, Joel was having a lot of pain that turned out to be his appendix. A friend, Ron, offered to drive Joel and I to a hospital 90 miles away. Another friend took our 4 children home with her as Joel, Ron, and I headed out in a snow storm. It was touch and go at times and we were praying hard that Joel's appendix would not burst before we got there. Sometimes our friend Ron was driving 100 mph across that flat part of Montana....in a snow storm..... I don't know how he could see to drive. Needless to say prayers were keeping us on the road. We arrived at the hospital in record time and a surgeon we had never met before took Joel in for immediate surgery. The doctor said the appendix was ready to burst. We spent 4 days in the hospital because the blizzard closed all the roads down. The doctor offered me one of his family's cars to drive, and he and his wife offered me a place to sleep in their home! Now that is Montana hospitality at its best. I chose to stay close to Joel sleeping on the floor beside him until a cot eventually was brought into the room for me. All the "circumstances" fell into place for Joel that night. A gifted surgeon with a big heart, a good friend to drive like the wind, and a place for our children to stay. I would put a small snow globe in my Memorial Box to remind me of this time when God's plans came together to bring Joel through a medical emergency.

This is especially important for me to remember at this time since I was just diagnosed last Friday with uterine cancer. I already live with Lyme Disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These illnesses have weakened my immune system and caused me to have a multitude of chemical reactions to medications, cleaning supplies, fragrances, plastics, etc. that make surgery even more risky. As we digest this new diagnosis and what it means, as we try to put everything into place for a safe surgery, and as we wait to see exactly what I am facing, we remember that God guided us during a snow storm, a fast car ride, and in the operating room. He will do so in the coming weeks too! I remember that God's grace and goodness get us through the tough times...and that every day is a gift.

7 comments:

Whidbey Woman said...

I'm lifting you up in prayer tonight. Cancer is a scary thing and I am sure you are anxious over how the treatment will go in light of your other health problems. Keep trusting in Jesus. He will be with you every step of the way.
Peace.

Renee said...

Whidbey Woman:
Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. I know you are on a difficult journey with your husband and I am keeping you in prayers too.
God bless.

Fliterary said...

I love hearing of God's faithfulness! His mercies are new every morning, and He will never leave your side. I'm praying for your healing and you feel His gentle, comforting touch.

Praying and sending cyber-hugs filled with His blessings!

Renee said...

Thank you Lisa! Sending prayers your way too.

Shannon said...

Renee...I am praying for you. Praying as you walk through this wilderness. What a perfect reminder your story is! If it is helpful, our journey to Georgia Mei and her open heart surgery is yet another reminder of how God has His compassionate hand right on us. The blog that we used for going to China and her surgery are on the right hand side of my blog.
Basically, soon after we got our referral of her, we found out that she was turning blue and short of breath...that she might be dying even before we got her.
Back in the pre-August 2009 on the "throwing our armsopen wide" blog, I wrote a lot about leaning on God and how He was carrying us while we waited in the unknowns...then we switched to the pandlily (on the right side of the blog) site for our trip because blogger was blocked in China.
If you have some time, God really showed up in the journey.

God Bless you my sister in Christ. I love visiting your site and am praying for you guys!

Cherdecor said...

Renee, I found your blog through Charlotte. I was drawn here by your comment that you have been diagnosed with havning cancer. I had breast cancer in 2001 so I am naturally drawn to people who are suffering from cancer. I will pray for you and help in carrying you along this journey by praying for you. I love your faith in God and your testimony. God bless.

Joan Hall said...

What a lovely story! I am praying for you and have asked friends to pray also. As Whidbey Woman said, cancer is scary, but Jesus is with us always.

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.

Blessings,
Joan