Friday, October 05, 2007

Amy and Melissa

I have some great news on my two friends that have been mentioned so often on our website!

Amy
So many of you have been praying for Amy and following her story over this last year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Amy has FINALLY made it back to California after being stuck in a Las Vegas hospital since May 2006. Her mom, Deb, fought to the end until she beat the system! This past Tuesday, Amy was transferred to a hospital here in southern CA. Even though she is still on a ventilator, still is being fed through a tube and still isn't in rehab- she is at least close by so family and friends can visit her and encourage her. This is HUGE! Pray that Amy will be brave in accepting therapies offered to her. She has a lot of fear of these therapies to wean her from the ventilator and stretch out her arms. The fear is in the pain. I remember the fear and the pain. But she has to do it so please pray for her.
Also pray that she can get out of bed and into a wheelchair! She has only been in a wheelchair just a few times in the last year and a half. Her birthday is at the end of October. I told her that maybe she could make it a goal to get outside for her birthday.

Melissa
Ok- Hang on to your hats for this one! Melissa is our dear friend from church who has suffered greatly since her car accident in January 2005. Melissa was not paralyzed- she didn't even break anything. Melissa hurt her hand. The pain from her hand traveled up through her arm and eventually to all her limbs and her entire body. She was diagnosed with a horrible disease called RSD. There is no cure- and little hope for relief. After countless surgeries, hospitalizations, and unspeakable pain, Melissa and her family were desperate for a breakthrough.
Five weeks ago Melissa was at just about the lowest point she could be. On August 30 she went in for a doctor's appointment with a new doctor. When the doctor came into the room he asked if he could pray for Melissa. When he was done praying he told Melissa and her mom that they should go to his church that night for a special healing prayer time. Now before you start envisioning a huge weird jumping around falling down TV evangelist type thing...it wasn't like that at all! Melissa and her parents were taken into a small private room with 2 other people. These two people prayed for Melissa...and God chose that time to answer. Melissa was seriously, miraculously healed from her disease!! I'm not kidding people! She is fine. I called her yesterday to ask her something and she said, "I can't talk right now. I'm at Disneyland!" Isn't that great?!
I'm sure some of you who don't know her or didn't think this kind of stuff happened find it hard to believe me. I was skeptical and I DO know her and I DO believe in miracles. But I'm telling you...she was healed. How cool is that? I don't know why God chooses to heal some and not others. I really don't know. But I'm glad that I'm serving a God who loves us and can heal us.

Anyway--those are my two dear friends.

Also, we really are working on a new website! So please keep checking it out!

Love to you all-
Kari

I am attaching Melissa's email that she wrote to many of the people who have been praying for her.

First of all, I know this is on my dad’s e-mail account but it’s actually me, Melissa writing! I wanted to share with you the latest in my life.
The pain returned to my arms and legs on August 18
th and, though I really don’t remember it, by August 26th Mom and Dad say I was about as low as they had ever seen me. Then on Thursday morning August 30th, mom took me to be evaluated by a new doctor for an inpatient rehabilitation pain program. Dr. Lawrence is a Christian and within moments of meeting him, he asked permission to pray for me. I agreed and he prayed a powerful prayer of deliverance over me. He then suggested I attend a healing service that evening at his church in Fontana.

Later that afternoon, my grandparents arrived at our house bringing the gift that our friend, Wendy Ellis had prepared. (Some of you have been keeping secrets from my family and me!) There were so many words of encouragement, a beautiful music vase and a very large check to help with my medical expenses. I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Thank you so much to all who contributed!

We then went to the church for the healing/prayer time. After waiting almost three hours, my parents and I were asked into a prayer room with two of their volunteers. They each prayed deliverance from the pain and asked that God would use me to tell others about His love. While they were praying, I felt the terrible pain leave my body and a huge burden with it. I cried tears of joy and knew the Lord had healed me. As we walked out of the building I remember being in awe of God’s goodness and grace.

I know many have been praying and supporting my family and me in so many ways through this great trial. Tonight I just wanted to praise God for what He has done and thank you for your part. Though I’m not in pain, I am still very tired and weak. My appetite is also diminished.

By the way, when I share my good news, many have responded with a joyful, “Áre you serious?!?”

As each day passes, I am feeling a little stronger and am looking forward to a more normal life. Please continue to pray for me and praise God with me for His healing in my life. Thanks and God bless you!

Melissa Logan