God's Love at Work through His People
God's Love at Work through His People
Nate asked in church, “How have you seen God's love work through Faith Church?”
I wanted to share this during church that morning, but I couldn't get my thoughts together fast enough to make sure I covered everything. This post will have a dual purpose—to answer Nate's question above and express my sincere thanks to everyone involved in my life over the past two months.
I am guardian to my sister, Patty. She is 67 years old with the mind of a five-year-old, and add in some dementia. She is physically challenged as well. On April 19th, she was sent by ambulance to the hospital with what was determined to be a twisted colon. She had emergency surgery, and part of her colon was removed. Two days later, in another surgery, she had the rest of the colon removed due to complications.
Patty had no idea what had happened to her. Even after I tried to explain it to her in her language, she did not understand. So, I knew it was my responsibility to be with her as much as possible during her hospital stay, which the surgeon estimated to be 3 to 4 days, then when she was moved to a rehab facility for a few weeks, and when she went home. She needed to be coaxed to eat and drink more in order to gain strength and heal her body. That was my job, along with keeping her spirits up. I also had to repeatedly show her how to change the channel on the TV and call for the nurse when I was not there.
Her hospital stay turned into a month due to insurance struggles and repeated appeals to get her into rehab. My days at the hospital were from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. I did this every day until I had my shoulder surgery on May 16th. You must be wondering how I handled all that time with her, the frustration I was feeling about the insurance, and suddenly, I had to leave her for my surgery. YOU, Faith Church, (and others) who prayed for Patty and me during this time are what saved us! I felt God there with me every moment when I wanted to let all my frustrations out. HE took them away from me! I am eternally grateful for your prayers. The strength and patience that I received were priceless!
Patty is finally home from rehab now. There are adjustments to caring for Patty, even for the aides who work with her at her foster care home. Please continue your prayers for them. I am not spending as much time with her now since I need to heal and begin physical therapy on my shoulder.
I am not going to mention all of the people who helped me during this time because I don't want to forget anyone. But, old and new friends from Faith Church and family provided many meals for me after my surgery. I was also given money, gas cards, phone calls of encouragement, rides to wherever I needed to go (when I couldn't drive yet), and even cleaning my condo! Some joined me at the hospital and took me to the cafeteria for dinner. Others came to visit Patty. One couple even took Patty to the church service at the Rehab Center! My son, Dan, took over and stayed with Patty after he got out of work. I am so thankful for social media that spread the word quickly to all of you prayer warriors every time there was a crisis. And I was so touched the morning I returned to church when so many came up and welcomed me back! You are the loving, caring family I have needed so much during these difficult months. I appreciate all of you and have certainly seen God work through each of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! May God bless each of you!
Yes, God does work through Faith Church!!
