Thursday, September 18, 2008

Transforming...

I (Mindy/Mom/Mimi) am posting for Christine tonight at her request. About two and a half weeks ago...after being at home for almost a month...her longest stretch yet in the last two years...she began to have another relapse. She worked hard to stay home as long as she could, but after five days straight of being violently ill, when she began to vomit blood, she decided couldn't wait any longer. She is in the hospital and has been for about a week and a half. However, this post is not one of sadness or fear...it is not one of hope lost...it is one of joy, and hope...in it's greatest form.

Early today, she opened her bible to Psalm 41:3. This would not be anything unusual if the circumstances had not changed today. Let me back up and share with you the events of the past 24 hours.

Last night, at church, the entire service was dedicated to a time of prayer for healing. Before the prayer time began, Rick, our minister, gave a few words about what we would be doing during our time together...praying for healing for those who needed our prayers so badly. And, from the pulpit, he mentioned Christine. How she could not be there last night, but needed the prayers of everyone. How she has suffered for ten years and how the doctors have worked so hard to find an answer for her and Matt and her precious boys. Then, during the service time, we had the opportunity to be prayed over by the shepherds of our church and Roy and I prayed with James and Ann Bankes. After church, many people told me that they, too, had prayed over Christine during that time together. I also found out today that Emily's small group had prayed for Christine specifically last night during their time together. Now, we have prayed...ALOT...over the years. But what makes this a little different is that so many prayers were lifted up for her just before what doctors thought could be a groundbreaking procedure. When a group of her sweet friends, the mommies of her babies' sweet friends, heard that she was in surgery, they stopped at that moment and prayed. We have really learned what it means to have friends who truly share in our sufferings and our joys.

Today, Christine had a procedure that is very rare; very specialized. It was done by the man who is said to be the best one to do it as well. And while they were doing it, they found something that could very well provide an answer that would be huge in Christine being able to resume life in a more normal way! While looking at her pancreas to see if it had suffered any injury or damage, they discovered that she has several stones in her pancreatic duct that are causing a serious blockage. The unusual thing is that she had her gallbladder removed 10 years ago during her 6 month bout of severe pancreatitis... at the same time this whole nightmare began to unfold. It is possible for the body to make stones even after the removal of the gallbladder if it produces a lot of bile, which her body does. But, it is also possible that when the gallbladder was removed that there were stones in the duct that stayed there. Although one specialist hinted at this possibility years ago, it was never followed up on. Tomorrow morning (Thursday), the doctors will do a procedure to remove the stones. There is also a possibility that she may need to have repeat procedures for her liver problems as well, something that was also noticed in her blood work yesterday. And once again, the doctor who has done those surgeries is said to be the best in the country...right here in Dallas...coincidence? I doubt it.

Will all this cure her completely? We don't know. But we do know this...that the removal of these stones should greatly improve the quality of her life by removing something that is known to cause great pain and illness. And while we were talking tonight, Christine shared with me that one of her greatest praises from today was not even what was found, but what was not. She has kept a personal fear inside now that when they finally did get to have this procedure they would find something life-threatening. And when one of the last words she heard the doctor say to her, before she was wheeled into the operating room, was cancer...that fear began to creep up again. She doesn't usually get nervous before surgeries, as she has had many...but she told me she was lying on that table and just started shaking and fidgeting. And, at that very moment, she said that the Lord brought one of her very favorite verses to mind...the verse that hangs right on the inside of her front door, so that she will see it every time she leaves her home to go out into the world...that verse in 2 Timothy 1:7, that says,
"For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind".
GOD has been faithful in granting Christine peace in the possibility that on some level she will probably deal with her illness for the rest of her life. And while we count her wonderful team of doctors and specialists and great advances in medicine as blessings from God...it is because of that spirit that only comes from HIM, that we will continue to hold to the belief that our LORD can and may choose to completely heal her in an instant...But either way...Christine has come to know Him intimately as her Jehovah Raphae.

I cannot tell you the last time I felt such hope for her. I have always believed that, through all her pain and suffering, God has a greater purpose for her. She has suffered for so long, and the depth of her health problems could have caused death on a number of occasions...yet our Father chose to spare her. Though I am her Mama, and may be a little prejudiced, I truly believe that God has used her life to bless others in ways that we may never know on this earth. We have all prayed for the day that she can get up and be what she has always wanted to be...a wife and mommy whose life glorifies the LORD. She has lived that role up to now, despite her health problems. But she wants more...and I believe she is going to be blessed with more than we could imagine.

And then there are her precious babies...they are her joys, and can put a smile on her face even on the darkest of days. Sweet Jack...he's been through so much, but through it all, he has loved his mommy, whether cuddling on the couch or in a hospital bed. And while he is getting to an age where he is asking more questions and knows that something is not quite right, Christine has believed for some time now that God is preparing in him a heart full of compassion...a heart that truly hurts with the hurting. And baby Sam...while some of the scariest times in Christine's health problems were while she was pregnant with him...they will forever share a precious bond because of that time filled with quiet whispers of hope for the great purpose she knew already existed for his little life. His life has been blessed by having Christine as his mommy, but I can just imagine all the wonderful memories they can make when she feels so much better.

Her verse today from Psalm 41? "The Lord will sustain you on your sickbed and restore you from your bed of illness" (NIV).

Christine said that she was especially touched by the wording in The Amplified Bible version which says, "He will transform you in your illness".

Christine told me earlier today that she believes that all she has gone through has certainly transformed her and will continue to transform her for years to come, refining her spirit and making her more of the person He wants her to be and that she longs to be also. When Matt and Christine got married, she asked her Daddy to say a few extra words before he "gave her away". To get his inspiration, he looked through her Bible. When he came to the passage in Psalm 31, he found these words in her notes..."I want to be the woman in Proverbs 31. I want to be transformed into the woman God wants me to be and to serve Him all the days of my life".
Even then, the LORD was preparing her heart for these trials and transformation, and preparing the heart of that precious young groom who would stand beside her through it all. I have said it many times, but not a day goes by without Christine's dad and I thanking GOD for sweet Matt Pinson...we watch with joy as he daily lives out the vows that he made to our oldest daughter just five years ago. They have weathered much in that short time, and will no doubt face many more trials. But we can say with great confidence that there is no man in the world that we could have chosen who would love Christine in the way he does...in that exact way that we prayed for since she was just a child...as Christ loves His church. We have all walked this journey together, and there have been many valleys. But I have a feeling that we are on the road to days that are much sweeter. I have a feeling that mountaintops are coming into view.

Christine also told me tonight that two words have been on her heart alot lately...words that she has heard often from the Jeffrey women (some of the wisest women we know!). I know that she will have those words in her heart tomorrow, and as this journey continues...They may be simple words, but they are words that can transform our thinking...so please join us and EXPECT BLESSING.

13 comments:

Emily said...

Wow! That is such an amazing testimony. Thanks for sharing it, Minday - I didn't even know she was having surgery. Keep us posted on her condition and on anything we can do to help you guys out. Praying great blessings on your sweet family!!

jocelyn said...

We are praying for you guys. Praise God that the doctors found something--hopefully it will be an answer that will help put Christine on the road to healing. Love you guys!

Cindi Schrimsher said...

Mindy, Your words are perfect - in explaining and in preparing.. us for understanding, and Christine for the blessings you mention. Thank you for sharing - your words, your fears and always, your heart.

Shelly said...

Praising our precious Father---our GREAT physician!! I am praying, believing this is the turning point and that days of blessings, healing and such joy are just ahead of you! What a sweet verse from the Lord that He had just for you yesterday! I am thrilled beyond words to read this report!! Love to you all!

Lynn said...

WE ARE ALL OVER THIS being the answer after so long! I am so grateful that all the prayers that have been lifted have finally landed in the hands of this dr. We are hoping that his hands are guided by God's powerful might and mind. We want Christine transformed and well too! We love you TINE...we love you all.

Ashlee said...

Thanks for such a great tribute to your daughter. I am praying and believing God for a miracle for Christine today!

Lauren said...

Christine,

I have been praying for you and keeping up with your condion for quite awhile now. Even though I have never been honored to meet you in person, you have been a constant source of inspiration in my daily walk with the Lord. I praise the Lord for you and I will certainly pray boldly that this is the answer to your prayers and the beginning of a new glorious season for you to proclaim the glory of God. Thank you most of all, for your unyielding devotion to and faith in the Lord. It has been a rich testimony and serves as an example to me! Love and blessings,
Lauren Cunningham

Leslie said...

WOW! I am so blessed by this post. I have never heard that "Expect Blessing" but that is something I will take with me. I am SO glad there has been a little bit of light shed on Christine's situation! PRAISE GOD!

Kristen said...

What a FABOLOUS post, that was a huge blessing just reading it. I am so thankful for the great turn around that is happening with Christine. I am adding her to my daily prayer list. I am so glad I got to share ladies bible class last semester with her. She is a precious friend and I will be praying for all of you during this time.

Brooks Inc. said...

OH Mindy! I continue to rejoice over what the Lord is doing in the healing of Christine! Thanks for sharign every word of this!

OH Christine...We love you so! Know you remain close in thought and prayer!

Expecting blessing right beside you!

BJB

Jess said...

Last night, I had a very vivid dream about singing with Christine, like we did all through junior high and high school. She was happy and healthy, and we were having so much fun. It kept her on my mind and led me to the blog to see how she was doing...my hopes are high for her healing, and she is in my prayers as always!

-Jess

Melissa said...

Hi! I just happened by your blog through clicking on my interest on being the hands and feet of Jesus, and you were one of the four that I had found. I hope to read and experience how God is transforming your life for His glory.

God bless,

Melissa

PS...I have to read you blog post soon.

Melissa said...

I was just floored by reading this first post. As I read it, my heart was hurting at the thought of your trials, but take heart in the promises God has given to us for healing and redemption. You have a unique testimony to reach others who aren't experiencing God's love personally right where you are at...in a healing recovery. When you feel it is too much to bear, just rest in the loving arms of our Father God who loves you and at the feet of Jesus who is interceding on your behalf every moment of your day. You have sisters and brothers in Christ who are praying you though these trying times. I wish you peace inside of your heart and a love that spills from your heart onto others.

Melissa