Since 2009, I have been wearing waist-high compression stockings, which use a tight fitting material to prevent blood from pooling in my legs and feet. These stockings have been a lifesaver. Without the use of them, my heart rate and blood pressure become extremely high when I sit up.
Last year, I had many changes in my life including new doctors and new insurance. In December, I decided to ask my doctor to write a prescription for new compression stockings. My old stockings were over a year old and had lost their compression ability. My doctor wrote out a prescription and sent it to the pharmacy. Since I have new insurance, I did not know my regular pharmacy does not supply compression stockings. So, I had to find a pharmacy which accepted my insurance. I found a pharmacy, and had the prescription sent to the new pharmacy. The pharmacy called to set up a time for me to come in and get fitted for the stockings. The woman said they would be open until 7 p.m. I said I would be at the store at 5:30. I traveled to the pharmacy, which was an hour away, to get fitted for the stockings. When I arrived at the pharmacy, there was a note on the door, "We closed at 5 p.m. today. We will reopen on Monday at 8 a.m." With nothing else to do, I turned around and traveled an hour back home.
About a week later, I found another pharmacy which accepts my insurance. This new pharmacy was only 30 minutes from my home. I asked the doctor's office to re-send the prescription to the new pharmacy. Getting the prescription sent was a challenge. Since the doctor who wrote the original prescription was not my regular doctor, to have the prescription re-sent required my regular doctor to re-write the prescription. This would not have been a big issue; however, my regular doctor is only a resident. She does not have a medical license and has to do everything under the supervision of a supervising doctor. To get the prescription re-sent took about a month. But alas, after many phone calls to both my doctor's office and the pharmacy, the prescription and all insurance paperwork was properly submitted.
At the end of January, the pharmacy called me to tell me everything had been approved by my insurance for the compression stockings. I needed to come in and get fitted for the stockings. Upon arriving at the pharmacy, the woman informed me I was to be fitted for knee-high compression stockings, I told the woman, "No. I need waist-high compression stockings." The woman looked at her paperwork and the doctor's prescription and told me, no, the doctor had ordered knee-high compression stockings. I told the woman the prescription was wrong. I needed waist-high compression stockings. How do I go about getting waist-high stockings? The woman informed me I would have to contact my doctor and have the prescription re-written and re-submit all the paperwork to the insurance company. On the verge of tears, I left the pharmacy feeling completely defeated.
I followed up with my doctor requesting the prescription be re-written and re-sent to the pharmacy. After waiitng a month and nothing happened, I started calling both my pharmacy and doctor's office. The paperwork was being held up by my doctor's office because they were confused why they had to re-submit all the paperwork. After I explained the situation as well as my pharmacy calling and explaining the situation, the paperwork was promised to be submitted. After waiting another month, I woke up early this morning in a panic. I was overwhelmed that the compression stocking prescription would never be submitted or it would be submitted incorrectly or it would be rejected by the insurance company. After worrying about it for about 20 minutes, I finally realized I was being an idiot. Worrying will not change the situation, but praying will! I started praying to God, "Lord, You know how frustrated I am about these compression stockings. I pray all the paperwork has been submitted. I pray the insurance company approves this second request. I know nothing is too difficult for You. Please, let my compression stockings be approved today. Amen."
After sleeping for a couple more hours, I called the pharmacy this morning. The gentleman checked on the status of the prescription. After waiting ten minutes, the man informed me the request was just coming through on his computer as being approved. I was praising the Lord for hearing my prayer. I was praising the Lord for answering my prayer. Now, I have to travel next week to the pharmacy to get fitted for the stockings. Then they have to be ordered. So, in two weeks, I hopefully will have new compression stockings! Yahoo! "Cast your burden upon the LORD, He shall sustain you. He shall never allow the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22).
Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
From the depths of Sheol to flying high in the sky, it has been a roller coaster week!
This week has been a wild ride. At the beginning of the week, I had a CT angiography scan. I have had countless CT scans in the past, but I was unprepared for what this scan entailed. A large amount of very toxic contrast material is forced through your vein at a very high rate of speed. If you have had a regular CT scan with contrast, you know about the warm, "I think I peed in my pants", feeling you get following the injection of the contrast material. Your chest tightens up a bit, breathing becomes a bit labored, you feel a bit nauseas and you may feel a bit light-headed or confused. Well, now multiply this experience by a factor of ten and that would be a CT angiography scan. The thought, "I think I am going to die," ran through my head as the toxic contrast material wreaked havoc on my body. I had a bad reaction and was given oxygen because I was struggling to breathe. The tech wanted me to seek further medical attention, but I, in my hazy stupor, assured her I was ok. (Really, I needed to leave the place ASAP because I had to get to a pulmonology appointment.) The toxic effects of the contrast material--flu-like symptoms, severe muscle pain/muscle weakness, nausea, etc.,--lingered on for a couple days. Praise be to God, I had some powerful vitamin C gel infusion (which God reminded me about 24 hours after the procedure), and it worked wonders to quickly detox my body.
At my pulmonology appointment, I was disappointed. The doctor wanted some lung function tests done at my last appointment, but they were not completed. He did little to address my worsening respiratory symptoms and seemed to want to push off everything until my next appointment in a month. When I went to schedule my next appointment, I was informed his next available appointment was in two months! I nearly burst into tears because my respiratory muscles are very weak. I am so tired from constantly using my abdominal muscles to breathe and getting little sleep because my breathing rate is too fast. Waiting two more months for another appointment seemed like an eternity.
In my distress, I cried out to God over and over. "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto You. Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline Your ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily" (Psalm 102:1-2). I kept seeking various options, but each door I tried to open, God made it abundantly clear, these doors were bolted shut. Today seemed like a day of hope. Today, God had mercy on me and made my mountainous path a level walkway.
This afternoon, I decided to call my pulmonologist's office to see if I could change my appointment. I inquired if he had any sooner appointments. No, the next appointment he had available was two days later than my current appointment. (About once every two months, the doctor practices at another location, which is about an hour closer to my house.) I asked if the doctor had any appointments at the other location. The receptionist said he was going to be in that office the week after Easter, but that he was doubled and tripled booked. She told me to call the other location to check the doctor's appointment schedule.
I called the second location. The receptionist told me, "I have a 2 o'clock appointment on Friday, April 21, available." What!? Really!? I was praising the LORD and nearly shrieking "hallelujah!" As calmly as possible, I made the appointment. I am overwhelmed with joy! Not only am I able to see the doctor a month sooner, I also am able to see him at a clinic closer to my house! Wow!!! "Thank you LORD for opening up this door and allowing your abundant mercies to pour forth. 'O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms' (Psalm 95:1-2). Amen."
At my pulmonology appointment, I was disappointed. The doctor wanted some lung function tests done at my last appointment, but they were not completed. He did little to address my worsening respiratory symptoms and seemed to want to push off everything until my next appointment in a month. When I went to schedule my next appointment, I was informed his next available appointment was in two months! I nearly burst into tears because my respiratory muscles are very weak. I am so tired from constantly using my abdominal muscles to breathe and getting little sleep because my breathing rate is too fast. Waiting two more months for another appointment seemed like an eternity.
In my distress, I cried out to God over and over. "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto You. Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline Your ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily" (Psalm 102:1-2). I kept seeking various options, but each door I tried to open, God made it abundantly clear, these doors were bolted shut. Today seemed like a day of hope. Today, God had mercy on me and made my mountainous path a level walkway.
This afternoon, I decided to call my pulmonologist's office to see if I could change my appointment. I inquired if he had any sooner appointments. No, the next appointment he had available was two days later than my current appointment. (About once every two months, the doctor practices at another location, which is about an hour closer to my house.) I asked if the doctor had any appointments at the other location. The receptionist said he was going to be in that office the week after Easter, but that he was doubled and tripled booked. She told me to call the other location to check the doctor's appointment schedule.
I called the second location. The receptionist told me, "I have a 2 o'clock appointment on Friday, April 21, available." What!? Really!? I was praising the LORD and nearly shrieking "hallelujah!" As calmly as possible, I made the appointment. I am overwhelmed with joy! Not only am I able to see the doctor a month sooner, I also am able to see him at a clinic closer to my house! Wow!!! "Thank you LORD for opening up this door and allowing your abundant mercies to pour forth. 'O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms' (Psalm 95:1-2). Amen."
Friday, March 17, 2017
Honor thy father and mother
For over the last year, we have been trying to get our builder to finish repairing our house. It has been a long drawn out process, but little by little things have been completed. The very last thing which needed to be finished was the painting of a set of doors. The doors were installed (unpainted) a few weeks ago. My dad said he was not going to contact the builder because the builder should know that the doors need to be painted. I was utterly frustrated because the builder has many, MANY projects going on. He has to be constantly reminded about every little detail because he cannot remember.
As I was driving home from church on Sunday, I saw the builder walking out of his office to his car. I immediately wanted to pull into the parking lot and remind the builder about our unpainted doors. If my dad was not going to contact the builder, this was my chance. Who would know of my actions? I could remind the builder, and then he would send over the painters to our house. It would appear as though the builder miraculously remembered to finish the project, As these thoughts raced through my head, a very profound message blasted into my conscious: "Honor thy father and mother." Instantly, I knew I must not stop the car, but continue onward. I knew God would see my actions. By stopping and talking to the builder, I would be disobeying my dad. As much as my flesh burned to talk to the builder about the doors, I knew I must refrain and obey God.
As I drove home, I prayed to God. "Oh, Lord, it is so hard to keep your commandments, especially honoring my parents. I want to intervene and set my ways before theirs. Lord, I pray the builder remembers our doors. I pray he sends the painters to our house to paint the doors. Help me to keep Your commandments for Scripture says, 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.' I do love You; so help me obey. Amen."
On Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., the painters showed up unannounced at our house. They uninstalled the doors and transported them to another location to paint them. Ten days later, the doors were returned, painted and were reinstalled. My heart overflows with gratitude to God for hearing my prayer. As much as I wanted to disobey Him to follow my own desires, and to do things my own way, God richly blessed my family by answering my prayer when I decided to keep His commandments. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
As I was driving home from church on Sunday, I saw the builder walking out of his office to his car. I immediately wanted to pull into the parking lot and remind the builder about our unpainted doors. If my dad was not going to contact the builder, this was my chance. Who would know of my actions? I could remind the builder, and then he would send over the painters to our house. It would appear as though the builder miraculously remembered to finish the project, As these thoughts raced through my head, a very profound message blasted into my conscious: "Honor thy father and mother." Instantly, I knew I must not stop the car, but continue onward. I knew God would see my actions. By stopping and talking to the builder, I would be disobeying my dad. As much as my flesh burned to talk to the builder about the doors, I knew I must refrain and obey God.
As I drove home, I prayed to God. "Oh, Lord, it is so hard to keep your commandments, especially honoring my parents. I want to intervene and set my ways before theirs. Lord, I pray the builder remembers our doors. I pray he sends the painters to our house to paint the doors. Help me to keep Your commandments for Scripture says, 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.' I do love You; so help me obey. Amen."
On Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., the painters showed up unannounced at our house. They uninstalled the doors and transported them to another location to paint them. Ten days later, the doors were returned, painted and were reinstalled. My heart overflows with gratitude to God for hearing my prayer. As much as I wanted to disobey Him to follow my own desires, and to do things my own way, God richly blessed my family by answering my prayer when I decided to keep His commandments. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
Monday, March 13, 2017
My epic saga to get eyeglasses continues...
For two and a half years, I have been on a quest to get glasses which have the correct prescription in them. After going to the eye doctor in January, I thought I would finally get glasses in which I could see without developing a bad headache. (For details about the last two and a half years and a short summary about my January visit, please visit my January 5, 2017, post entitled, "Weird day, but Habakkuk saves the day" http://mitowarrior.blogspot.com/2017/01/weird-day-but-habakkuk-saves-day.html.)
After receiving my glasses in January, I immediately knew the prism in the glasses was wrong. Wearing the glasses caused me to develop a headache so severe, I had to go to bed and cover my eyes for the rest of the day. I went back to the eye doctor to let them know the prescription was too strong for me. They tested the glasses and discovered there was no prism in the glasses. So, the glasses were remade with the correct prism.
When I got the new glasses, I again tried to wear them, but again, the glasses made me very ill. I went back to the eye doctor. This time, the new eyeglasses were made correctly. However, it was discovered that the glasses I got a year and a half ago had the wrong prescription in them! There was no prism in the right eye lens. This is utterly comical because my right eye is my weak eye, and the eye which needs the prism. Usually when prism is prescribed, the prism strength is split between both eyes to avoid having a thick lens on one side of the frame and a normal, thin lens on the other side. Well, when my glasses were made, the prism was supposed to have been split between the two eyes, but apparently the right eye lens was not given the proper prism strength. For a year and a half, my right eye has been throbbing in pain, and I am always dizzy...well now I know why.
Later this week, I have an appointment to get an exam to try to determine the correct eyeglass prescription. Hopefully this time, I will get a prescription which does not cause headaches and dizziness, and hopefully the eyeglasses will be made according to the prescription. "Lord, please let my vision headaches be over soon. I would really enjoy being able to see without being dizzy and without having eye pain. Thank you for having a sense of humor and allowing me to observe the foolishness of this all. I am still laughing about this seemingly endless saga. May I be able to glorify You through this all. Amen."
After receiving my glasses in January, I immediately knew the prism in the glasses was wrong. Wearing the glasses caused me to develop a headache so severe, I had to go to bed and cover my eyes for the rest of the day. I went back to the eye doctor to let them know the prescription was too strong for me. They tested the glasses and discovered there was no prism in the glasses. So, the glasses were remade with the correct prism.
When I got the new glasses, I again tried to wear them, but again, the glasses made me very ill. I went back to the eye doctor. This time, the new eyeglasses were made correctly. However, it was discovered that the glasses I got a year and a half ago had the wrong prescription in them! There was no prism in the right eye lens. This is utterly comical because my right eye is my weak eye, and the eye which needs the prism. Usually when prism is prescribed, the prism strength is split between both eyes to avoid having a thick lens on one side of the frame and a normal, thin lens on the other side. Well, when my glasses were made, the prism was supposed to have been split between the two eyes, but apparently the right eye lens was not given the proper prism strength. For a year and a half, my right eye has been throbbing in pain, and I am always dizzy...well now I know why.
Later this week, I have an appointment to get an exam to try to determine the correct eyeglass prescription. Hopefully this time, I will get a prescription which does not cause headaches and dizziness, and hopefully the eyeglasses will be made according to the prescription. "Lord, please let my vision headaches be over soon. I would really enjoy being able to see without being dizzy and without having eye pain. Thank you for having a sense of humor and allowing me to observe the foolishness of this all. I am still laughing about this seemingly endless saga. May I be able to glorify You through this all. Amen."
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.
Several years ago, my mom started watching a preacher on television. He kept repeating, "If you have faith, God will shower you with health, wealth and prosperity. If you turn away from sin, God will richly bless you with all your heart's desires." This sounded great! All I need to do is grow my faith in Jesus and then all my medical troubles will be over. How simple! As the weeks and months passed, I tried growing my faith as much as possible; however, my health continued to be burdensome. "Why wasn't God healing me? I am doing what this preacher is saying, but health, wealth and prosperity have not come my way! What am I doing wrong? I must be a horribly wicked person. If God loved me, He would heal me." As these thoughts swirled in my head, a deep depression took hold on my heart. "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue." (Psalm 120:1-2)
One day as I was reading verses 1-3 in the ninth chapter in the Gospel of John, God answered my prayer. "As He (Jesus) passed by, He saw a blind man from birth. And His disciples asked, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he would be born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'" When I read this passage, I started weeping uncontrollably. I was viewing my illness as a curse and punishment while God was using my dismal health as an avenue to display His works and majesty. Oh, how blind I was to God's abundant love! The health, wealth and prosperity preacher is completely wrong! God does not reward faithfulness with perfect health and abundant riches. No, God desires for us to know and understand Him, so that we can see His works and glorify Him. "Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his strength, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight,' says the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Wow! A tremendous sense of unworthiness takes hold of me when I think how God can use someone as insignificant as me, someone with so little faith to display His abundant glory.
Although it is incredibly hard to be afflicted with poor health, I see it as a perpetual challenge to grow more and more in my love and faith in Jesus. It is so easy to to trust in Jesus when your life seems to be perfect--you have the perfect job, a loving family, excellent health and money abundantly flows into your life. But, how strong is your faith when adversity strikes? Do you cling to Jesus or do you turn your back on Him? Do you allow God to be glorified in your life in all circumstances? Despite desperately desiring better health, I am very grateful God has used my illness to reveal His wondrous works. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept Your word. It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statues." (Psalm 119:67, 71)
One day as I was reading verses 1-3 in the ninth chapter in the Gospel of John, God answered my prayer. "As He (Jesus) passed by, He saw a blind man from birth. And His disciples asked, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he would be born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'" When I read this passage, I started weeping uncontrollably. I was viewing my illness as a curse and punishment while God was using my dismal health as an avenue to display His works and majesty. Oh, how blind I was to God's abundant love! The health, wealth and prosperity preacher is completely wrong! God does not reward faithfulness with perfect health and abundant riches. No, God desires for us to know and understand Him, so that we can see His works and glorify Him. "Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his strength, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight,' says the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Wow! A tremendous sense of unworthiness takes hold of me when I think how God can use someone as insignificant as me, someone with so little faith to display His abundant glory.
Although it is incredibly hard to be afflicted with poor health, I see it as a perpetual challenge to grow more and more in my love and faith in Jesus. It is so easy to to trust in Jesus when your life seems to be perfect--you have the perfect job, a loving family, excellent health and money abundantly flows into your life. But, how strong is your faith when adversity strikes? Do you cling to Jesus or do you turn your back on Him? Do you allow God to be glorified in your life in all circumstances? Despite desperately desiring better health, I am very grateful God has used my illness to reveal His wondrous works. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept Your word. It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statues." (Psalm 119:67, 71)
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
On Sunday, my heart sank as I saw printed in the church bulletin that the memorial service for my friend Laura's husband was going to be that afternoon. "Oh, Lord, I am so tired. Sundays are so hard on me--getting up early and then enduring a morning out of the house. I want to go to the memorial service, but I am so tired. Lord, make it known unto me what I should do. Direct me in the way I should go and make it known unto me with a sign."
As I was enjoying the church service, I kept hearing in my head that I should abandon my place in the middle of the room (a place in which I was using a pillar to prop my head up against) and seek the perimeter of the room, in which there was located an electrical outlet. I kept arguing with myself. "I can go about five hours using the batteries on my ventilator. I do not need to plug it into the wall to avoid any additional drain on the batteries and also at the same time allow the batteries to charge." However, when the pastor was finished preaching, I wheeled over to the wall and plugged in my ventilator.
When I arrived home, I discovered we were in the midst of a power outage. "Oh, thank you Lord for telling me to plug in my ventilator! With plugging it in at church, I have enough power on my batteries to last a couple hours. Also, this is probably the sign I asked for at church. I guess this means I am supposed to go to the memorial service."
Forty-five minute before I needed to leave for the memorial service, the power was restored. Praise the Lord! I now had electricity to charge the ventilator some more to ensure I would have enough battery power to get me to and from the service. Also, I could enjoy some tea now that there was electricity to work the stove and make some food (since most of my food was in the refrigerator, and I had avoided opening and closing the fridge door to not let all the cold air out). Eating, drinking and breathing...life is good!
On my way to the memorial service, I realized I was not exactly sure how to get the the location. Thankfully, traffic was thick, and I was able to use the map on the car's GPS to figure out how to get to the service. When I neared the location, I become a bit anxious. Oh, no, I have no idea where to go. No worries. I heard a voice tell me to follow a car which was a little ways ahead of me. Where that car turned, I turned. As I followed the car, it lead me to the entrance of the gated community. At the gate, the security guard was able to direct me to the memorial service site.
When I arrived at the community center, I again panicked. Oh, no, there are so many cars, and the center is quite large. "Oh, Lord, help me find a close parking space and help me figure out where I need to go." As I approached the front on the building, there was a space near the wheelchair ramp. "Thank you Jesus!" As I rolled up the ramp, I had no idea if I was supposed to go right, left or straight ahead. Before I had time to guess which way to go, a man came around the corner. He asked if I was looking for the memorial service. I said I was. He told me it was just inside the door in front of me. Before I had a chance to slowly wheel up the steep ramp backwards towards the door, the pastor from my church opened the door and grabbed hold of my wheelchair. He wheeled into the room and placed me next to a very sweet man (John) and his wife from Canada.
The service was lovely. At the end of the service, the man from Canada offered to wheel me up to the front to say my condolences to Laura. I also was especially grateful because I was able to meet Laura's beautiful daughter. What a joy and blessing it was to give her a hug. John volunteered to wheel me out to my car. He then also loaded my wheelchair into the car. (What a tremendous blessing he was! May God watch over him and his wife as they head home to Canada this week.)
After this eventful day, I am so glad God directed my way to go to the memorial service. Whenever I needed help in the way I should go, God provided me with direction and assistance. It is truly amazing to be the recipient of God's abundant blessings. Praise be to God! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
As I was enjoying the church service, I kept hearing in my head that I should abandon my place in the middle of the room (a place in which I was using a pillar to prop my head up against) and seek the perimeter of the room, in which there was located an electrical outlet. I kept arguing with myself. "I can go about five hours using the batteries on my ventilator. I do not need to plug it into the wall to avoid any additional drain on the batteries and also at the same time allow the batteries to charge." However, when the pastor was finished preaching, I wheeled over to the wall and plugged in my ventilator.
When I arrived home, I discovered we were in the midst of a power outage. "Oh, thank you Lord for telling me to plug in my ventilator! With plugging it in at church, I have enough power on my batteries to last a couple hours. Also, this is probably the sign I asked for at church. I guess this means I am supposed to go to the memorial service."
Forty-five minute before I needed to leave for the memorial service, the power was restored. Praise the Lord! I now had electricity to charge the ventilator some more to ensure I would have enough battery power to get me to and from the service. Also, I could enjoy some tea now that there was electricity to work the stove and make some food (since most of my food was in the refrigerator, and I had avoided opening and closing the fridge door to not let all the cold air out). Eating, drinking and breathing...life is good!
On my way to the memorial service, I realized I was not exactly sure how to get the the location. Thankfully, traffic was thick, and I was able to use the map on the car's GPS to figure out how to get to the service. When I neared the location, I become a bit anxious. Oh, no, I have no idea where to go. No worries. I heard a voice tell me to follow a car which was a little ways ahead of me. Where that car turned, I turned. As I followed the car, it lead me to the entrance of the gated community. At the gate, the security guard was able to direct me to the memorial service site.
When I arrived at the community center, I again panicked. Oh, no, there are so many cars, and the center is quite large. "Oh, Lord, help me find a close parking space and help me figure out where I need to go." As I approached the front on the building, there was a space near the wheelchair ramp. "Thank you Jesus!" As I rolled up the ramp, I had no idea if I was supposed to go right, left or straight ahead. Before I had time to guess which way to go, a man came around the corner. He asked if I was looking for the memorial service. I said I was. He told me it was just inside the door in front of me. Before I had a chance to slowly wheel up the steep ramp backwards towards the door, the pastor from my church opened the door and grabbed hold of my wheelchair. He wheeled into the room and placed me next to a very sweet man (John) and his wife from Canada.
The service was lovely. At the end of the service, the man from Canada offered to wheel me up to the front to say my condolences to Laura. I also was especially grateful because I was able to meet Laura's beautiful daughter. What a joy and blessing it was to give her a hug. John volunteered to wheel me out to my car. He then also loaded my wheelchair into the car. (What a tremendous blessing he was! May God watch over him and his wife as they head home to Canada this week.)
After this eventful day, I am so glad God directed my way to go to the memorial service. Whenever I needed help in the way I should go, God provided me with direction and assistance. It is truly amazing to be the recipient of God's abundant blessings. Praise be to God! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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