Who is Ministering to Who??!!!

Yesterday, I had my biopsy.

I had complete peace - God's peace that surpasses all understanding - going into the procedure.  I had been praying for God to put people in my path that I could minister to while I was at the Women's Diagnostic Center.  I even put on my gold Victory Sports shirt to remind me to make the most of every opportunity for God's glory!

When my husband and I arrived, the waiting room was sparse.  There was only one person there, and she got a phone call and went outside.  The next person who came in, we knew.  She was the mother of one of Shawn's high school friends.  So, we spent time talking with her.

Then, my name was called and I was escorted to my room.  When I walked in, this was the first thing I saw...

and I knew God was with me!  You see, God has been using TREES to teach me several things for about a year now.  And just last week, I was reminded of Jeremiah 17 (which is exactly what came to my mind when I saw this picture!)

Jeremiah 17:5-8 says....

 ⁵ This is what the LORD says:
       "Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
       who depends on flesh for his strength
       and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

 ⁶ He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
       he will not see prosperity when it comes.
       He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
       in a salt land where no one lives.

 ⁷ "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
       whose confidence is in Him.

 ⁸ He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit."

WOW!!!  God is so faithful, and He reveals Himself to us in amazing ways!  There was no doubt in my mind that I was exactly where God wanted me to be, and more importantly, HE WAS THERE WITH ME!

My radiology tech, Mrs. N, was super sweet and 7 months pregnant with her 3rd son.  I asked her if they had a name picked out, and she said yes - JEREMIAH.  She explained that she and her husband have seen that name everywhere, and they feel God has chosen that name for their son.  Imagine her excitement when I told her about the picture on the wall and Jeremiah 17!!! 

ONLY GOD!  He blows me away, how about you??!!!

It took awhile to get me set up for the biopsy because of the location of the suspicious calcifications.  I was not in the most comfortable position but was told "be very still and do not move!"  When things finally got underway, I told the doctor I was praying.  His response, "well it can't hurt."   My response, "we can't do any of this without Him!"

About a third of the way through, I started feeling strange.  I broke out into a sweat and started feeling lightheaded.  I made my symptoms known right away.  Mrs. N took immediate action and called for assistance.  Another radiology tech, Mrs. S , and Nurse R came to help.  I was covered in wet towels to cool me off and smelling sauce to keep me awake!  Then, I got nauseous and warned them I was going to get sick.  Nurse R came to the rescue and had me smell a rubbing alcohol pad to calm my stomach.  It worked!

The doctor stopped the procedure and checked the samples he had already taken.  He came back and said NONE of the samples so far contained any of the calcifications.  Movement had occurred and they were off.  He gave me the option to stop and reschedule or to try again.  I opted to continue.

So, the entire procedure was started over again!  My room was covered in prayer.  Not only was I praying, but so were the 3 women taking care of me! 

Nurse R did the sweetest thing.  She stood by my side and put her hand on top of my clammy, shaking hand.  Not being able to move and having a wet towel over most of my face, I could only see Nurse R's hand on mine.  I could not see her face. She literally was the hand of God to me.  He brought me comfort through her.  He used the picture of her hand on mine to remind me He was with me and will NEVER leave me, no matter what!

On two occasions, Nurse R had to step away.  When she did, my hand would start shaking and I could feel anxiety trying to creep in.  Then, she would come back and everything would calm down.  It was the perfect picture of God and His presence and strength in our lives!  It was beautiful.

I had been praying to minister to others, but instead God sent 3 women to minister to me!  He knows what we need before we do, and "my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19 

Everything went well the second time.  All 12 calcifications were removed.  I will get the results late Friday afternoon. 

I am very sore and unable to use my right arm for very much.  I actually followed the doctor's orders right after the procedure and did nothing but rest yesterday.  I did not even turn on my computer!  I haven't had a day off like that in a looooong time.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!  God heard every single one of them.  "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16 (NLT)

I will share the pathology results with you tomorrow. 

Loving HIM with all my heart,

Nancy