Answered Prayers

In Joyce Meyer's new book "Never Give Up!" the compiled stories of answered prayers is both inspirational and confirming...

The last serious day I had in court with my son was seeing him in a bright orange jumpsuit, shackled and handcuffed and being sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Well that 18 months has come and gone and today, July 17Th, 2009 he had a very different day in court with a very different outcome.

I watched him approaching me while waiting outside of court...I hardly recognized him...Walking toward me in a blue suit, white shirt, and blue stripped tie, and a slight shuffle to his step...He walked tall and proud with his head held high. This was to be his day in court to gain primary custody of his 4 year old son Dylan.

While we waited anxiously to hear the judge's verdict...I took stock of the people in the room. His family, friends and his counselor (who saw Eric at his worst) was here to applaud his efforts and his new found character if called upon. Along with his twin brother, sister, aunts and closet friends all came to show their support and offer their unconditional love.

But it was God in the room this particular morning that paved our way. There was little tension as both sides sat in the same room while the lawyers battled it out.
These of course are the days we pray for. And after being a praying parent for all my children, 15 years of waiting to see a life turned around came to be today. An answered prayer to those who wait on the Lord. Trust and patience are the key words...

The verdict was in our favor...My son has primary custody of his son. And for this mother I could hardly breathe and was overcome with resounding joy. My heart silently wept with gratitude and thankfulness. Our God is an awesome God.

When you grow weary we must remain focused on our prayer life and continue with unceasing prayer. Because miracles do happen. We don't always know when and what the answer will be, but it is God who asks us to trust...So continue to trust and love and be waiting for your miracle...It will all be done in God's time. If not for Eric's generous gift of life (a kidney)I would not be here to see this miracle or tell the story. Thank you again Eric for the gift of life...

And remember "For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God." Saint Teresa...

Time...A Gift ...

Time is the gift I am thankful for today. I thank God everyday for allowing me time to fulfill my purpose and for directing my path.

This week I was reunited with two life long friends who remain connected in my life. Sherri and Otis. These two people filled a purpose in my life. They both taught me to love unconditionally and how to let go of things you cannot change. They both taught me about courage and how to stand strong in the darkest of times.

Thank you both for your time.

When I was very ill and my son was going down the road to hell through his addiction...it was Ottis who helped me keep my sanity and help direct my energy into letting my son go. He taught me that love was letting go and allowing my son to make his own mistakes and learn to stand on his own. A difficult thing for a mother to do. (Well this mother anyway.) But without his continued support and love I don't want to think how it could have ended. To him today I say thank you. Thank you for your patience, your continuous nagging until I got it right. Thank you for just being there. Thank you for your unconditional friendship and love.

My first book "Waiting to Die, Wanting to Live" could not have been written had I not had the courage to do the right thing. Ottis helped me to do the right thing... It was this son that stepped up to the plate and gave me a kidney. Pictured above is Eric (my donor) Ann his counselor and Ottis his mentor and friend. Ottis just celebrated his 30 year anniversary of sobriety...Congratulations on a job well done.
Be of good courage. Psalm 31:24 (NKJV

To Sherri, I don't think there are enough words to thank you for being the most loyal and loving friend...You went through every hospitalization and would always make time for me in my deepest despair. Your support never wavered or faltered...No matter what the circumstances she remained like A Mighty Oak...strong, resilient, and grounded. She was the one who saw me...Thank you my friend for continuing to do God's work and give your love so unconditionally. You are one of God's special angels.

Remember to always keep your heart open for unexpected gifts, like friendships...you never know when you might need a friend to fill a need. The world is full of unknowns, it helps if we are ready.

So remember to take the TIME to reconnect with an old friend or make a new one. And give them the best gift...YOUR TIME...

"So That Others May Live"

This morning I awoke to an email from a friend, the email was written by a soldier named Isaac.

He quickly reminded me of the blood, sweat and tears that are shed everyday in this country by a soldier who has given his or her LIFE so that we remain free. It matters not your political view about the war or wars past. It never changes the fact that soldiers die for your very freedom...

Maybe today would be a good day for quiet reflection and to honor those who give their lives everyday. To all the military both past and present I say thank you...Thank you for standing tall and proud and putting your life on the line..."So That Others May Live"...May God's grace be upon you and keep you safe and well, so that you too can come home and enjoy the very freedoms you have afforded us...May we NEVER take you for granted...

Thank you Isaac for reminding me...Let us all be reminded to remember...

A Daughter's Gift

Hardly noted this week in the news was the death of Dr. Jean Dausett, the French Nobel laureate who discovered the human antigen, or HLA, system on human tissue typing for transplant possible. He died in Mallorca, Spain, he was 92 years old.
Without his discovery of the antigen and how they relate in the process of transplantation, the world would be different indeed. To Dr. Jean Dausett and family I say thank you for all his hardwork and appauld his efforts in making the transplant world a better place.

I would like to end this week's blog on a positive note.
Thursday night is my Bible study and I meet with about 130 women. It is a good day for me as I am focused on my prayer life and giving back in some way.
I was to make the announcements that night, and ran into a friend I had not seen for a few weeks. I inquired about how she was and if she had been sick. Very quietly she said no "I just had surgery.". I asked what kind of surgery and she replied. "I just gave my father a kidney." Well she saw the look on my face I enveloped her and gave her a much needed hug. We both started to cry and I quickly explained my story to her. I was going to the front to do the announcements and she walked off and went to the back of the room. I was suddenly struck that the announcements could wait and I asked her to come forward, she did so, but was very shy and seemed humbled by the whole experience. I introduced Darnell to all and explained what she had done for her father and what my son had done for me. She got a much deserved standing ovation and went to her seat feeling filled up. If we don't ask people questions, or welcome into our hearts we can miss some great stories. Be a friend, lend an ear and your heart. You will be surprised about what you hear. Stay open for those blessed moments.

Darnell is not just a beautiful young woman on the outside, but it's her beautiful heart, and generous spirit that will forever stay with me. A daughter's gift, what courage it took to give this gift of life to the one who gave you life.

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen (Romans 15:33)

The Gift that Heals - Reg Green

The Gift that Heals is a wonderfully compiled book of stories of those who have received a transplant. Written by Reg Green, a father who's commitment to his son's tragic death will inspire the reader and help people understand the need that is out there for organ donation.

None of us like to think about the possibility of death let alone giving ourselves away so to speak. But one person can change so many lives.

101,000 people wait everyday for the gift of life...A gift that will change their lives forever.

In todays world with all our new technology, we are better prepared and informed about organ and tissue donation. Please take a moment and think about your own life and the lives of others. We are here to make a difference in the world. Consider being any organ donor.

My own story is about receiving a kidney from a live donor, my son. In "Waiting to Die, Wanting to Live" the story of a dying mother and a drug addicted son comes together and concludes with the fact that we saved each other. He saved me with his kidney, I saved him because he had to clean himself up to give me the gift of life.
He remains sober, I am still here writing my story and feeling blessed everyday that I have been given more time.

Read the heartwarming and sometimes gut wrenching stories that will change the way you may look at organ donation. Click on my Valuable Resource... The Gift that Heals and take a look at the story of Nicholas and the unselfish sacrifice made by a loving and giving father and his family.