Starting in September, I began to get sick.

At first, I thought it was just a cold, then the flu and then everything in my body started to rebel. I would see my doctor on a weekly basis with new symptoms and quickly worsening conditions.

They would sometimes give me medicine to take but it never helped. They had no idea what was going on with me.

Around the start of November, I began to have trouble walking. I would lose my balance randomly and sometimes have to support myself with chairs to make it across the room. It got to the point that simply walking across campus was impossible.

It all got really bad one night so I called my doctor who directed me to the emergency room. It was then I was told I probably had either Lyme disease or multiple sclerosis because all of my symptoms don’t normally happen to an 18 year old.

I was so scared but I knew God had me and whatever happened He would see me through.

After I left the emergency room, I had three churches praying for me as well as numerous people fasting for me. Four days later, about two days before my neurology appointment, I woke up and was totally fine.

One day I could barely walk, the next I was running with no problems.

The doctors have no idea what was wrong with me or why I’m better, but I do. God moved because of people praying and fasting for me.

A few weeks later, the doctors told me I was “absolutely perfect.” God built my faith in so many ways and taught me the power of fasting. This year, I was planning on fasting for my healing but God took care of that in advance.

I go back to the doctor next week to make sure it’s all gone and I’m fasting for my healing to continue. But I know it’s all gone and I am completely normal.

God is so faithful and true to His Word.

“This kind only comes out by prayer and fasting.”

And it does!

This may seem a little strange to some . . .

Since the fast began, it has been a struggle . . . more of a mental struggle at times.

I hurt my back 19 years ago at work and on the 8th day of the fast, I re-injured it. When I did, I heard a voice say, “this is going to be as bad as the first time.” I know who that voice was (i.e. not God).

I am daily getting better.

I sent a text message to a dear friend to tell them what was going on. When I later spoke with them, they told me that they almost got excited when they got my text. They were excited to see what God was going to do and what Satan was scared about.

You see, Satan attacks at the point of his greatest threat.

My wife has been sick throughout the past week during the fast.

The mental barrage of “why are you doing this”, “you’re wasting your time”, etc. has been heavy at times.

My response is, “21 days. I don’t care . . . 21 days.”

My wife and I both have made the comment that God is about to do something greater in our lives. We’re looking expectantly for God’s next move! It’s going to be awesome!

Since this is a “testimony” explaining how the physical and mental attacks have come, I thought it might be encouraging to those that might be about to give up. DON’T DO IT!

We’re almost there. God always honors sacrifice. He always honors His WORD.

Be encouraged. I know I am. I can’t wait to see what God is up to. (I am literally laughing right now!)

This has been a lesson in “count it all joy (James 1:2).”

Last Friday, I was reading my Bible before the start of the prayer service. I was reading “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).”

A few minutes later, Pastor Stovall quoted this scripture. What confirmation.

Be blessed and look forward to the blessing God is preparing for you to be . . .

God moves in the craziest ways!

I have been in the process of praying and fasting during this time. I have fasted many times in my life, but this time, my husband and I decided to try the Daniel fast together for a week. Our little boys even fasted 1 day a week from a special treat to pray for God’s plan in our lives. (I love that our boys can learn to experience God at a young age.)

Anyway, I made my list of things I wanted to see God do in our lives through this. So far . . . WOW!

Fasting and prayer works! Don’t ever doubt it.

My biggest prayer was to see God set my husband free to forgive someone who hurt him in the past. He has been so torn over this. He informed me the other day that he contacted this person and told him that he forgave him. He told me that he knew he wouldn’t be “free” until he did.

I never expected him to actually contact the guy. You could have knocked me over with a feather! Let me tell you, I could shout!! I sit here with tears in my eyes barely able to see the screen and my fingers are trembling as I sit and think of the awesome power of God!!!

Now my next prayer to be answered . . . for this church to explode with God’s power!!

I can’t wait for the day to come when we are walking into the church and cannot even stand up because of the spirit being so strong in there that we just fall to our knees in worship!!!

God is great and greatly to be praised!!!!

I decided to participate in the church-wide prayer and fasting this year. When Pastor Stovall asked us to submit a prayer request for 2008, I wrote down that I would love to have another baby with my husband before I turned 30 (in December).

At the same time that I started fasting and praying, I also started to tithe regularly; not just when I thought I could or had some extra money to give.

God is so good! I just found out that I’m pregnant!

Plus, our medical insurance was supposed to be effective as of February, but we got a letter stating that our insurance is valid as of January!!

I just know that these things are all God and that He hears even the smallest desires of our hearts.

I have wanted to go back to school for sometime now, but since my husband is in the military it is quite difficult (due to the fact that we always transfer every 3 years).Recently, I was looking at the FCCJ website and saw that they have a program designed just for military spouses. I decided to check it out and everything was looking great until I found out I had to take an exam. I took my first test last Monday and unfortunately failed it by a tenth of a point! I was told if I wanted to retake the exam I could, so I took a deep breath and rescheduled.

I came home after I took the first exam and studied all week long.

My husband and I decided that we were going to do the 3 day fast towards the end of the church-wide fast.

A week before I was scheduled to re-take the test at FCCJ, I woke up feeling so full of God’s love and mercy, knowing I needed to start fasting before I had planned. I spoke with my husband and shared my heart about my need to start fasting right away. I knew that the sacrifice I was doing would allow God to restore me and grant me fulfillment so that I wouldn’t have to worry.

The day of the test, I woke up, got on my hands and knees and prayed to God saying, “Lord I am humbling myself to you. You have given me so much to be thankful for; a wonderful husband and two healthy children - what else could I ask for? You are the pilot of my life, Lord, not the co-pilot.”

Today I went to FCCJ and took the exam again. At first I thought, “Wow! This is an easy exam!” I finished it in 30 minutes and turned it in.

As I was waiting for the results, the professor called me over to his desk and said “I’m sorry, we gave you the wrong exam, you have to start over again!” I took a very deep breath. Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, I started over yet again. And again I turned in the test and again I waited for the results.

After some time, the professor called me to his desk and in a very different tone of voice said, ” Here are your results. Congratulations, you scored the highest anyone can possibly score!”

I cried out, “Are you sure?!” He said “Absolutely. Congratulations!”

Until that time, I had never sacrificed or humbled myself to the Lord the way I did. I am so thankful and feel so blessed that I stepped out in faith for Him.

God is absolutely amazing and I am proud to say that I am his daughter!

The first day of the fast I prayed that my dad would be healed. He was having same heart tests and there was a possibility he would need open heart surgery. On Friday, the week that the fast started, my father called me to tell me that his test results came back and he did not have to have any kind of heart surgery.

I was so thankful to God!

It was that Wednesday that I got filled with the Holy Spirit and received my prayer language. I thank the Lord for saving me from drugs. I have been without drugs for about 5 years now and it is all because of God’s grace and mercy. God truly saved me and my 3 year old son. I thank God that we are here and living a life for Him.

AMEN!

Last year in August I found out my best friend’s son Zach (age 7) had a very rare and deadly cancer. Zach and his sister are more to me than my best friend’s kids; they are my children.

The Hawaiians have a saying: different tribe same vibe. That means we are family even though we are not blood related. That is how I feel about them all.

They live in Seattle. But I had moved from Seattle to Florida at the end of July. In August 2006, Zach was diagnosed.

My family and I were very new to Celebration church. After a Wednesday service I spoke to Pastor Stovall about my Zach. I was crying so much that my son had to speak for me. Stovall told me to believe that Zach would be healed. He said God was the Ultimate Healer!

It has been a long year. Many challenges and struggles. Many prayers, tears, laughter and praise.

I have had so many people from the church praying for Zach.

In November 2006, Zach had a 14 hour surgery. The surgeon removed 70% of his liver and re-constructed his bowels. He went through 9 more months of chemo after this surgery. Not only did his liver grow back but so did his spirit.

The cancer is GONE!

His body and mind are healing. His hair has started to grow back thick. The color is back in his face. His mom and 3 sisters are recovering as well from this long journey.

Now for the AWESOME news.

Before Christmas this year, I went on a Disney cruise made possible by Make a Wish with Zach and his family. Every time I saw him smile or run or play I knew I was witnessing a MIRACLE!

Only God can make a liver grow back. Only God can cure cancer. Only God could bring my Zach!

I have made a website for Zach. I uploaded the pictures from the cruise. Please feel free to see our miracle.

Thank you!!!

This is my first year sticking with the fast and God has truly blessed me! I’ve had two wonderful experiences as a result of this year’s fast.

The first one was a direct answer to one of the 3 prayer requests I wrote down the Wednesday before the fast: Bring my husband and I closer and make our marriage stronger.

We’ve struggled with “arguing” about everything for a long time. Well, about 4 or 5 days after the fast started my husband spoke to me that evening that he didn’t want us to argue anymore, especially with the kids around. I agreed and we’ve actually been able to walk away at the point of it getting heated only to come back later and be able to calmly resolve the issue.

It’s been amazing!

The second happened during the last Friday night prayer service. In 2003 I was involved in a 4 car accident. I was hit from behind two times. As a result, I wound up with 4 pinched nerves at the base of my neck. After 10 weeks of physical therapy I was still dealing with pain and discomfort in my neck and shoulders.

Also, after the birth of our 3rd child, who is now 8, I developed chondromalacia in my knees. Simply put, the cartilage was softening in both of my knees. It was very painful at times and I couldn’t do simple things such as jumping, squatting, or even walking up stairs without a lot of discomfort.

I was 24 at the time.

Well, I went down for the healing prayer believing that God would restore both of these things and He did!!!!

As soon as I was anointed I felt a shot go through me followed by heat in both areas. That night was the first night in 4 years that I’ve been able to sleep peacefully!

Also, I had a physical on Tuesday for a new job I’m pursuing. The doctor made me squat down. I went all the way down with no problem and stood back up quickly and smoothly! I’ve been unable to do that for 8 years!

Praise God!

He is too good to me!

I believe that we go through situations sometimes just so God can show how He can move and orchestrate our lives. I’ve gone through several of these situations.

I bought my first home a year ago, and I felt a total peace about it. Everything really came into play pretty smoothly. I was able to get a good, fixed rate with just a good credit score and nothing down. I broke my apartment complex and miraculously after a month and half of waiting and calling, they found someone to move in that January 2nd where I didn’t owe an extra penny.

I couldn’t believe it.

I closed Dec. 20th of 2006. Three weeks later I was laid off from my job with the home builder I worked for. I think I cried on the way home and then just resolved to look for a new job starting that day. I pretty much thought that God brought me to buy my new home with so much coming into place that this just had to work out.

Let me also point out that I never did stop tithing. I remember tithing on my severance check with almost a laugh of humor verses despair. I continued to tithe on my small, part-time job checks as well. On a side note , I made a resolution to fully tithe during one of my stints of being without a job several years ago while listening to Pastor Stovall at UNF.

In a nutshell, I was out of a full time job for almost three months; I spent a lot of that time praying and reading the Word, just believing for God to work it out. Philippians 3 and 4 on perseverance and contentment. Hebrews 11 and 12 on faith. Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 29 on His plan for us.

Through it all, I used any checks to just pay bills and every bill, including my new mortgage, was paid on time. I didn’t have anything in savings beforehand either, but different things came into play including a bigger tax check than expected. (Apparently, I paid points on my mortgage which got me a higher return than otherwise would. I didn’t remember the mortgage consultant telling me about paying points at all, but in the end I was thankful for them.)

I now have a job that has a $9,000 higher base salary than my previous one, plus commissions.

With the past year in the market, looking back I am thankful for the lay off when it was. Also with the way my taxes have gone up $300 since closing, there is no way I would have been able to afford the home with my previous job.

Sometimes when my job stresses me too much, I have to remember to be thankful for the job and paycheck that He gave me.

One last note, a few months ago after my roommate told me she was moving out, I was thinking how much harder it is being single supporting myself. Then God spoke to me stating that I am not alone; that He is there supporting me as my provider more than any husband could do. I suddenly had tears feeling His comfort and peace.

God brings us through times to encourage others and show His glory as well as encourage ourselves in the future.

My husband has always had a desire to start his own business and two years back he even incorporated, but his business couldn’t take off.

Towards the end of last year and beginning of this year, he wanted to dissolve his company because he wasn’t getting any business and any business he was getting meant he had to work out of state which he did not want because it meant being away from his family.

Well, the first week of fasting he was at work and his co-worker sent him an email about an opportunity with a different company and he asked my husband if he was interested. My husband called the company and before we knew it he had a contract with them. This opportunity will allow him to do business using his company and the prospects of growing his company have started.

We thank God for this opportunity because it allows us to give and be a blessing to others.

At first we were like is this because of the fasting or what? I think it is; the moment you decide to fast the Holy Spirit starts moving on your behalf.

We are so blessed and are overflowing with gratitude and humility. We are praying that we would continue to be generous as God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others and that we continue to give to the cause so that many more people can be saved and receive eternal life.