QUALIFIED

“You and your girls Eleri and Adley are qualified for the state health care program.”  Those were the words I heard this afternoon on the other end of the phone.  Relief, joy, unbelief were all emotions that ran through my body.  For those of you who know the details, this is NOTHING short of a miracle.  I was told by every person I talked to from the state that we would not qualify for numerous reasons, but they suggested we apply anyways.  I’m not sure how this happened except by God’s magnificent and powerful arm of salvation!  This means many things for us.

1.  We do not have to purchase healthcare for the girls and we will only have a $5 co-pay for every Dr. visit and prescription.

2.  My pregnancy and delivery will be COMPLETELY covered including the asthma medications that have been costing me $180 a month.

I “knew” that God was bigger than the government, money, and situations we find ourselves in, but now we’ve EXPERIENCED it in a real way.  True belief is not only knowing and agreeing with the truth, but it’s also acting in it as well.  We pray that God will cause us to remember that HE is our strength and our salvation.  What peace that brings.  Thanks for your prayers.

12 Weeks and Growing

This is news for us that not only took us by surprise, but also filled our hearts with joy.  We were not anticipating another child anytime soon but we believe that God’s timing is much better than ours.  I should be about 12 weeks pregnant.  I haven’t gone to a Dr. yet because we’ve been trying to figure out our healthcare options.  Since we are “self-employed” by living on support, we had to purchase our own insurance.  Unfortunately in the state of Virginia, they do not offer pregnancy coverage automatically when you sign a policy.  A 6 month rider is required and if you get pregnant before that time is up, you are not covered for any of the maternity costs.  When the news came, along with the joy came a deep concern for how we would pay for this baby that could cost us up to $20,000 (if there were any complications).  God reminded me immediately that as is said in Luke, do not worry about your life….your Father in Heaven knows you need these things.  This has been a constant comfort to us as we’ve pursued many dead ends in options that would help lower the bills or even pay for them.

 

Today was an encouraging day though.  Someone yesterday told us about a program called “Birthright” and there is one in the hospital across the street from us.  They offer free pregnancy tests and then they can help refer women to the clinic that helps low income families with no insurance.  After my appointment, I went to the clinic office and expected more bad news.  To my utter surprise I discovered something that to us seemed too good to be true.  If we don’t qualify for Medicaid or the state healthcare program, they will set us up on a payment plan that will be max $2,000 including delivery AND hospital stay.  I left almost in tears as I felt God’s faithfulness once again.  We were reminded of the Psalm that says “I’m certain, that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be courageous and let your heart be strong.”

Secret Whispers

Some days are long, others are hard but then there are the moments that sweeten every hour before and after.  We’ve all been sick this week with the flu so there has been lots of couch time together over books and movies along with all the coughing and sneezing.  Eleri had that special touch last night when we were sitting on the couch together.  I was playing a game of scramble on facebook and she would ever so gently move the hair away from my ear so that she could tell me a “secret”.  These secrets went something like this:  ”I love you and dad the most mom” or “you are VERY special to me”.  I don’t know if it was the message, or the whisper, or maybe even the touch, but I know that I did feel loved and special and valued for all the snot-nosed wiping and middle of the night bathroom breaks.  I guess that’s what being a mom is all about! And then there’s been those whispers from God again “I love you!” through meals that people have brought this week, phone calls to find out how we are, a check left in the mailbox, friends wanting to buy my month’s prescription, and even 2 guys willing to come help us hook up our stove so now we can cook again.  Funny how the more you listen for whispers the louder they get.  Thank you God! 

HEALTH CARE AND OMAHA STEAKS

Thursday night was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” as they say.  We went to pick up my asthma medication only to find that it was going to cost us another $180 for the month even though we thought we satisfied the deductible the month before.  Frustrated and upset with the entire healthcare situation we’ve been in, we went home to read the “fine print” of our plan.  There in bold letters “generic ONLY medications covered”.  A quick google search gave us the information that Advair is not a drug that has a generic and this drug happens to be the only one so far—-after many other drugs—-that keeps me breathing well.  There were many tears.  In fact tears that soaked my pillow as I fell asleep.  We really felt that maybe God didn’t love us very much anymore.              

 

The next day brought rain.  It hadn’t rained in weeks.  I love the rain.  It’s like a visual reminder that God is pouring his love down on me.  During devotions I cried out to God asking him to show me in some way that he loved me, oh and it would help if he’d let me know just how much.  Eleven thirty a.m.  a friend offered to buy me lunch.  Eleven thirty five a friend who’s a Dr. talked with me and said he’d call a few drug companies to get some free drug samples for a “missionary who didn’t have healthcare that would cover the prescription”.  One p.m.:  arrive home from lunch to find a chest of omaha steaks on our porch with the anonymous note:  ”Just for you…because we love you.”  I called David sobbing while the reality hit home:  God loves me way more than I knew and he cares a lot that I know that.             

 

 

I can’t tell you how many times on this journey to church planting that in our desperation, God has shown up as our lover, our provider, our friend and even our teacher.  We feel overwhelmed by his love tonight and at rest knowing that he has even prescription drug coverage under control.  To be continued… 

Christmas 2007!

I had hoped to do a better job of keeping everyone up to date on our holiday adventures.  However,  because I got sick, everything kind of got tossed aside.  I did get to bake at least one batch of cookies even if it was done on Christmas Eve.  My mom was the most amazing cookie baker ever.  I remember most Christmas seasons making at least 15 different kinds of cookies!  It was so much fun.  Someday I’ll be there but we’re taking tiny steps:)  Some of the highlights of the past 2 weeks was  visiting the live manger scene at a church up the rode from us.  It had to of been the most frigid night of the year and even the camel was complaining!  It was a special way to explain to the girls the meaning of Christmas though (even if we suffered frost bite afterwards).  I think Eleri was more into the camel then anything else.  She wanted to know where they live and why they can go long times without water.  It was pretty cool giving my child her first geography/zoology lesson.   
Eleri performed in her first choir concert ever.  It was so exciting for us since we are both musicians by degree and also because we have directed children choirs before.  Eleri had a hard time in front of all the people so she did what kids do best…sit down and suck your fingers!  Of course we were only slightly embarrassed seeing all the other kids were able to sing, but God sweetly reminded us that he loves Eleri just as she is even when she’s timid about trying something new.  (I never thought I struggled with pride until I became a mom and then I’m constantly being humbled by my kids!) This was our second Christmas ever being away from our extended families in OH.  The other time was when we visited Brussels in 2005 to see if God was calling us to  Europe.  We missed family this year but we also felt a peace that God is forming our little family here in Norfolk.  The celebrations were simple, but also very significant for us.  Eleri and Adley came to the Christmas Eve concert and were able to participate with us.  It was so beautiful at the end when they turned out all the lights and we held our candles singing Silent Night to signify that Christ coming into the world has become our light in the darkness.  We were able to take communion and it was touching to watch Eleri and David as he explained to her the meaning of the bread and juice.  It’s our prayer that this is just a foreshadowing of the relationship our girls will have someday with Jesus.  We pray that all of you had a very special holiday as well.  Our thoughts and prayers have been directed to many of you during this special season.  If you sent us a card we so appreciate it and have it on our mantel in the living room.  Thank you for traveling 2007 with us and we look forward with anticipation and joy to 2008! 

We’re Back…even if we’re sick again!

I’m sitting in bed tonight for the third evening in a row VERY sick. I can’t remember feeling this awful accept when I was sick 3 weeks ago over thanksgiving. I ended up going to the Dr. today though and she suspects an infection that has lingered over the past few weeks. Sooo, I’m on antibiotics now and hoping that this will be the end of it. Our instructions from the Dr. are to clorox wipe our whole house down and try to stay healthy! Hopefully all will be well for Christmas.

Tonight was our Neighborhood Noel. For those of you who aren’t aware of that title it’s something that a group of us thought about from Tab and we felt it would be good to get to know our neighbors better this holiday and to develop meaningful relationships with them. We asked each of them to bring a toy for the local Union Mission to a party hosted by one of the ladies on the street. I’m so bumbed that I’m not there. David was able to take the girls and go and I’m so excited to find out how it went. We love our neighbors and there’s nothing more special when you can share intimate relationships with those you live around and watch how God is working in their lives.

Well back to making Christmas cards. Being sick is good for that!

Training Days

“Mommy I’m sweating.” Are you hot Eleri? “No Mom, I’m cold.” You know it’s going to be a strange day when it begins like that:) Actually it was a hard day not because the kids didn’t know if they were hot or cold but because they couldn’t share anything, wanted exactly what the other had (nearly EVERYTIME), and tried to dictate what they would eat and when!!! Somedays the word “training” excites me. Other days (like today) I wanted to run away. Then the pharmacy wouldn’t let us take home Adley’s allergy medicine because they couldn’t get the insurance to go through right on the computer. So, another day of an angry girl because she doesn’t feel well. It’s hard to believe that between David and I we spent almost 2 hours in the drugstore waiting today. Oh well, another hour and it will be tomorrow. I’m just praying that it doesn’t hold any biting of your older sister’s finger because she wouldn’t share her banana!

Change of plans

Well tonight was supposed to be our family christmas photo shoot. We had friends coming over who have a nice camera to have dinner and then capture the special moment. Just when you think you have it all planned things surprise you….ever feel like that? Adley started to have a runny nose this afternoon, and by the time our friends showed up she had a full blown fever and looked about the most miserable I’ve seen her. I feel so bad for her! I must admit that I struggled being ok with the situation. After all we had to forego the shoot—-she was in no mood for a picture, and it feels like we’ve been struggling with SO MUCH SICKNESSS! I reminded myself that 18 months is the time for lots of immunity building, but it was only until I exchanged my will for God’s that I began to have some peace tonight. We’ll keep you posted. God is using sickness to really grow us this year. Can’t wait to see the outcome….

Back on our feet!

Thanks so much for praying for our family. Adley did get better shortly after the last post, but I came down with the flu and was sick all of last week. It was actually a blessing from the Lord because we got, or should I say, I got a lot of rest and down time which I haven’t had in a long time. Can I just say that David was entirely an angel and not only played the role of dad and wife, but he also was nurse, doctor, thanksgiving chef and whatever else we needed him to be. I feel so grateful to God for my family and the love they so quickly give. You can continue to pray for us as we look at our lives and try to manage the five major categories that face us each day. They are: 1.Family 2.Internship 3.David’s Seminary 4.Support Raising 5.Preparation for Brussels. We are asking God to give us insight and wisdom into what we can trim down so as to be able to function well in each area. It was a good reminder by my body falling apart that we can’t do everything even if we’d like to. We have confidence that God has good in store for us though, so thanks for asking with us what this needs to look like.

Please Pray

Our dear little Adley has really been struggling for the past 6 weeks with lots of health problems. It all started out with teething that turned into the croup, that became an ear infection, that lead to a yeast infection from the antibiotics, followed by another bad cold, and then hives that have been occurring all over her body for the past week. We have her on some medicine that has stopped the hives, however, this morning she woke up with a really high fever, lots of congestion and quite lethargic. She also just threw up and I’m not sure if it was from her coughing, or if her stomach is upset too.

As you can imagine, we are quite overwhelmed at the moment. Work is very busy for us now with the holidays approaching and the outreaches and services we are helping plan. I feel as a mom that I can’t keep up with anything, and I especially feel discouraged about not knowing what to do to help Adley. Please pray for wisdom to know how to get help for Adley if she needs it, for peace to get through this time, and for strength and courage. For those of you who were praying about the mouse situation, there is praise because it has been caught! Thanks for journeying this road with us….