Photo of the Week (a photo with a story behind it)

This photo of the week is going to have a bit of a story along with it. I remember years ago when I was a teenager and was praying about what the Lord would have me to do with my life, I was confident He wanted me to become a Nurse. I had expressed an interest in becoming a missionary and as soon as I began telling people that I believed God wanted me to to to college to study to be a nurse, several began to panic. The first thought that came to their minds was, money. Not money to pay for my education, but the money I would begin making once I completed my education and was given an opportunity to work as an Registered Nurse. I was quite disappointed to hear such a response from people who were important to me. But, as I continued to pray, God continued to lead in that direction and I completed my Nursing degree in 1994. While home from college during a summer break between my Sophomore and Junior years of college, I went forward in my home church and made it public that God wanted me to be a missionary. Of course, everyone was happy to hear of my willingness to go where ever the Lord would lead me.

I could bore you with all the details between then and when I met my husband, a missionary on deputation to Siberia, Russia, but the main thing is, I never forgot the "main thing" of becoming a missionary. That cautious advice given to me years before, was filed in my mind, and actually did stay with me. I was always cautious and slightly fearful of falling into working as a Nurse and never becoming a missionary. I never worked a glorious Nursing job making millions. :) Instead, I followed the advice of my pastor and went back to college to take some Missions courses. For that, I am also very thankful. It was there at that college I met my husband. 

The outstanding memory for me now, as I share my testimony with young people regarding finding the will of God for their lives, is just thankfulness for God's PERFECT leading and will. As much as I desired becoming a Nurse to help people any where I might have found myself on the globe, I would have never dreamed the Lord would use my Nursing education as He has. 

This photo is of one such opportunity. 

To the left of me in the black shirt is my friend who is a professor at the Medical University here in Krasnoyarsk. She teaches English medical terms to Russian speaking medical students. To the right of me in the white shirt is a friend of my friend, who also is a professor in the Medical University. I don't remember when I first met my friend but our friendship grew out of our common bond - a love for the medical field.

She has been a blessing to our family and others in helping us find proper medical care. She has even made phone calls to help locate doctors who will treat our friends and church members.

Several years ago now, she contacted me about a need the medical professors had for a textbook in order to make their jobs easier and assist them in teaching medical terminology in English to their Russian speaking medical students. She wanted to know if I would be willing to help her talk through terminology in Russian to properly translate it into English. I agreed and we spent hours completing the translation of the textbook. The professors of the University were so grateful that on the day this photo was taken the ladies asked me to meet them in the city so they could present me with a gift as a thank you for the work we did.

Again, how amazing it is to be in God's will and to see first hand how He can use us in ways we would have never dreamed imaginable. As we approach fifteen years in Russia, I can say that now I use my Nursing education every day. It has allowed me to meet and witness to people I may not have ever met had I not become a Nurse. Every day I am grateful that I followed His will. Can you say that young person? Are you fully surrendered to do His will and be whatever HE wants you to be?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." I Thes. 5:24

Katya's Story (Part 2)

I have been a long time competing this story of Katya, the mother of a lady who attended our services, who found out she had cancer. Katya's last few months of life were eventful but peaceful as she gave her life to Christ. If you are just now reading this post and have not read the first part of Katya's story, here is the link:


For those of you who remember Katya's story, finally, here is the continuation...

Through the regional hospital, Katya was referred to a gynecologist at one of the two main cancer hospitals in the city of Krasnoyarsk. We were thinking that the ultrasounds they had done on her probably revealed a mass in or on the female organs and therefore they referred her to the gynecologist at the cancer hospital. No one told us this for sure but we assumed this was the case. During her visit with the doctor, he explained to her that there was no room for her to be admitted but that she could pay money and he could admit her anyway. They have so many beds for patients who receive the free medical care but then for those who pay they also can get a bed because they are going in as 'paying' patients. That would be fine with everyone, if everyone had to pay. However, when you offer free care to most and in order for some to receive care when the space is limited you charge them, not many people look kindly upon that. Katya was told there was an "unusual spot" showing up on the ultrasounds but because of the amount of fluid in her abdominal cavity it was difficult for the technician to see completely what she was looking at.

Katya sitting in the chair with her two granddaughters on the floor to the immediate right.
This was a Sunday morning during services held in our home.

Here is where Katya's story gets interesting...David had just been to football practice on a Sunday afternoon where he found out that one of his players' Mom was about to take a trip to the United States. When he inquired as to what she would be doing in the US, the player explained that she was a doctor at one of the two main cancer hospitals in the city. He also mentioned that if we ever needed any help in the area of cancer patients to let him know and that his mom could help us.
 God had already taken care of Katya's need when this football player came to practice that past Sunday afternoon! Through this player's Mom, we were able to get her seen again by the gynecologist that told her there was no bed available for her. Once she completed two more tests, Katya's records were reviewed and she was given a specific date to go to the other cancer hospital for a 'commission' meeting where several doctors would begin the process necessary for her to be admitted and the surgery to be done. Praise the Lord for the doors HE opened for Katya!!

Once the day arrived, and after spending some time at one hospital, my husband drove us to the other cancer hospital where the surgery would be done. Katya and I waited in line to be invited into the room where the doctors would discuss her case and at that time talk to her about the upcoming surgery. About an hour and a half later, they called her name. We went into the room and Katya sat down anxious to hear how soon they would schedule her surgery. The date was scheduled and Katya reminded the doctor that she was the same doctor who did a surgery on Katya's sister not too long ago. Thankfully, this doctor is known for better than usual bedside manner so they chatted a little. Finally, we were done and happy that Katya could walk a little to try to relieve some pain from sitting and waiting to be seen. We were also hungry! Thankfully, while we were in the hospital, my dear husband drove to get us lunch. Katya was like a little child eating a wrap from KFC! She had not been able to keep much food down with the fluid built up in her abdomen which pushed on her stomach and other organs making even breathing difficult. But, she sure enjoyed some food with us and this memory became a favorite one of our time together taking Katya to the hospital.


...to be continued. Part three, coming soon.