I Believe In MIRACLES!!!

I really Do! And if you like miracles or need one yourself keep reading. But if you don't like happy stories and miracles, today's post is not for you.

This is gonna be a long one so grab a cold drink and settle in.

 

To properly tell the story I need to go back to July. While on vacation with my family I had some terrible pain in my mouth from two big abscesses in my gums - we even came home a day early. I called my dentist from my hotel bed to get an appointment the next day. Once I got to the dentist he informed me that I had some serious problems that would need a specialist and that I would need surgery and I would be losing some of my teeth. I was devastated! My teeth have always been an issue for me - they are not pretty and I often have problems with them but they are mine and I don't want to lose them! He also told me that they would probably not be able to put any replacement teeth in for awhile because of all of the bone loss I have. The thought of being a "hillbilly" was terrifying to me!!!! I cried all the way home.

 

Well it was a few weeks before I could see the specialist, I tried hard not to think about it and just pray about it. At my appointment with the specialist he told me the same thing - surgery and 5 teeth would be taken (3 of which be in the front of my mouth). Then he tells me that he can not do the procedure because of my anxiety level. I needed to see another specialist and be put completely under not just a twilight sleep. This is another HUGE fear of mine! So I left the office with another prescription for antibiotics and more tears. I made the next appointment and of course I had to wait 3 weeks to get in. I also made the appointment for my curettage & root plaining that I would have to have before the surgery to remove some of the infection and so on in my gums. If you have ever had this done it is not fun and it is expensive - this would be my 4th one!

 

As much as being a "hillbilly" bothered me and thought of surgery and anesthesia terrified me, I knew I couldn't live like this any longer. The pain was so bad. It not only hurt at the site of the abscesses, it hurt on the outside of my face. It was terrible just to wash my face or try to put make-up on or even to have Gary kiss me! It couldn't be put off any longer. They said with in 18 months I would lose ALL of my teeth if I didn't get this done! I knew I would need all of my faith to get me through this. This was going to cost thousands of dollars - dollars we didn't have. It was also going to effect my teaching schedule (because I will not be seen in public without my front teeth!). This was going to be a really big test of my faith and my courage!

 

I have been a Christian my whole life and it is how I navigate my way through life. But in all honesty I have not been a church going Christian for almost 10 years now. But this past Sunday I decided I was going back, back to MY home church, Desert Breeze. Bryanna & I had already made tentative plans to go to church together but when she asked if we were still going I told her I needed to go alone. Then Gary asked if he could go with me and I felt bad but I told him no, I needed to go alone. My family understood that sometimes you just need to do things on your own. I do not believe that church is a "magical" place that allows you better access to God but it is a place that offers me less distraction while I pray. And this church in particular allows me to truly shut the world out and just focus on Him. And that is just what I did. In fact when church was over I was not ready to leave - I wanted more! I started to leave and then turned back around and went to ask Pastor Ray to pray with me. As soon as he looked at me I started to cry. All I could get out was "I need prayer" he didn't know what for and I didn't tell him. But God knew what I needed and I knew that He was going to honor my faith and my obedience.

 

That night I started working on a small canvas with a scripture on it that God had placed on my heart. I have to admit that I struggled with this canvas - I just wasn't sure I liked it. But I kept going going because it wasn't the art that mattered here, it was the message. By the time I went to bed I had finished it and He shared yet another scripture with me. But I had to go to bed (even though I really wanted to start on it) because the next day I had plans with Bryanna & the girls to do a little shopping. So Monday after Monkey got out of school we headed out. I was glad when the girls were getting tired because my mouth/face were really starting to hurt bad. All I wanted was something soft to eat and to lay down. I heated myself up some leftover mashed taters when I got home and headed back to my bed. (I know you are wondering where the miracle is - it is coming) As I got settled in to my bed with my taters and my laptop (just in case I felt up to perusing pintrist) I turned on the TV - it was on channel 7 - not the channel I had left it on that morning when I left the house. Anyhoo I was trying to find the clicker to change the channel to something more exciting - there was just 2 men in suits talking, probably politics or something I thought. As I searched for the clicker I heard them talking about laser surgery. I didn't pay too much attention, probably talking about lasik or something. FINALLY, I found the clicker and could change the channel! WAIT!!!! They are not talking about eye surgery - they are talking about GUM surgery!!!! Then it ended - I watched only about 3 minutes of this show and now it's ending? "Come Back" I yelled. I wanted to hear more. The man was saying how this laser surgery was painless and a better alternative to traditional surgery. Luckily during the credits they put up the web address. And I had for some reason brought my laptop to my bedroom with me (not normal for me) so I quickly typed in TLC4GUMS.com (this is the miracle part)

 

I spent the next 45 minutes reading the info on this website. It seemed too good to be true. Should I call them? I wasn't sure. So I called Bryanna and asked her what she thought. "Am I chasing unicorns" I said and her instant response was "Mom, I think you need to hang up with me and call them, this is God answering your prayer!" Her & I talked for a few more minutes and she said "maybe they can get you in before you go for your  curettage & root plaining" . I was sure that would not happen since that appointment was on Wednesday at 8am and it was already 4pm on Monday. But I hung up with Bryanna and called them. The gal that answered the phone was named Bryanna also - I thought that was funny. I told her I had just seen a snipit of the program and wanted to make an appointment. She asked what was going on with my mouth and I told her. She said to me "so you are looking for a second opinion?" "NO" I said "I am looking for a miracle" (I really said that to her) and she replied by saying that they serve those up a lot there. She took my info and said someone would call me back in 10 minutes to make my appointment for me.

 

When I hung up from her I got out of my bed and kneeled right there and prayed - "Please, if this is the answer You need to make it clear to me. I am not always smart enough to recognize Your gifts when You give them. And also if you could make it something I can afford I would be thankful" When I was done praying I went and told my Mom not to get on the phone for a bit, thatI was expecting a call. A moment later she called back. She asked about my general history and assured me that I would benefit from this treatment. Then she said "lets make your appointment" I told her I could be there in 30 mins, she laughed and said that she could get me in TOMORROW at 1pm! I couldn't believe it. I was so happy and at that very moment I felt a peace I had not felt in weeks. All of that fear & anxiety that I had been carrying around just seemed to leave. I finally ate my cold taters and filled out my patient forms online and then while I was feeling so happy and peaceful something happened. . . My mouth got so sore I couldn't stand it - it actually almost made me fall down as I was walking to the kitchen! I came back to the bedroom and looked in the mirror and I could not believe what I saw - my face had swollen up on the left side and was huge! I opened my mouth and that abscess that had been the size of a blueberry was now the size of a large grape and had erupted in my mouth!!! I won't descibe it any better than that for you but it was a mess and very scary! I didn't know what to do about it so I cleaned myself up as best I could and just sat there until Gary got home. He asked what was wrong with my face and I told him and I tried to tell him about the new appointment I had made but he could barely understand me because my mouth just wasn't working right. About 2 hours later the abscess was almost totally gone and there was no more pain. I could even touch the outside of my face. The swelling was gone and I could eat normally! Once Gary went to bed I went back into my studio to finish up the scripture canvases I had started the night before. And I slept like a baby that night.

 

Now typically when I am getting ready for a dentist appointment, even if it is just a consultation, I am so anxious and nervous. This day as I got ready I was nothing but calm and happy. I even cancelled my appointments for the curettage & root plaining that I had scheduled for Wed & Thursday of this week. I drove peacefully the 30 miles to the office and even arrived early. They took  me

  back and gave me an "education" on their philosophy and treatment plan. They took time (lots of time) to get to know me as a person and what my needs were and my fears etc. Then the dentist came in and gave me a thorough exam and announced to my delight that I didn't need to loose any teeth!That they could treat me with little to no pain and that if I follow the treatment plan that I could be cured completely of all of this periodontal disease I have fought for years.  So this is all great and I happy but now lets talk money. . . They printout the whole treatment plan with all of the charges. They tell me that if I can pay the whole amount in cash before we start the work I can save 15% (that's like $800+) well sadly I don't have that kind of cash sitting around.  Financing is an issue for me right now since we are in the midst of refinancing the house and can't take out any other credit at the moment. But I felt a peace that I could pay for this treatment in cash somehow before the week's end. So they sent me home with a self  addressed envelope and an appointment to start all of the treatment next week! I was so happy and thankful as I left my 3.5 hour appointment. As I drove home I knew without a doubt that I would be able to pay this off before I got started with the work and yesterday I mailed off my check. I had some money tucked away that I never wanted to use it was from an inheritance that I didn't think I should have (long story) but there it was tucked away safely for such a time as this!

 

So this is the miracle in a nutshell -

Fears and anxieties are gone

Heath is being restored to my mouth

(without invasive surgery, toothloss, and anethesia)

Finances were provided

Pain is gone

but most importantly,

 My faith is stronger than ever and HE answered my prayers!

 

I wanted to show you  my Trio of Faith canvases I made this week.

(I will be selling sets just like this to anyone that would like to have a set for $25 + shipping just shoot me an email at Garbonzobeenz1@aol.com)

 

The canvases are 4"x12" each and are 1.5" deep. I love the "subway art" for scriptures

 

This is the 1st scripture God gave to me on Sunday

John 14:27



 

This is just a quote but I love it!

 

This one is Philippians 4:6 and the 2nd scripture God gave me on Sunday.

These are hanging right next to my table in my studio where I can read them and be reminded of how I do not need to live in fear - I need only to rely on my faith and my Lord. I wanted to share this story with all of you so you could be be reminded that you don't need to be afraid or anxious either HE is more than willing and able to help you too!

Till we meet again. . .