MY STORY

Like many reading this, we did not have much, as the world measures wealth, growing up. You know, the big house, brand name clothing, new cars or even money to go to the doctor. Yet, mom and dad made red beans, oranges and love, go a long way! We were rich! We were happy! When I step away from my life’s clutter, I then find the “inner quiet”. It’s a place where God speaks to me; a resting place. He makes me happy. This blog may be just a cabinet to file away my thoughts and visit every now and then. I don’t know. What I pray is you also can find that your happiness lies within. Not the “within” from where fleeting worldly lies take you. If you know Christ as your Savior, you have the “within”! May this blog be a reminder He truly does live within our heart…that is where happy is.

Monday, January 7, 2013

TEARS OF JOY! #2 UPDATE

This is an update from Jessica (Jess), Casie's sister.  It was Faith Assignment #2 and on a prior update.  God's FAITHfulness is seen again and again and He is glorified!  Please continue to keep Casie in your prayers.  Thank you, Jess for you and your family's example of faith!

Hi Ms Kathy! Here is an update.

Casie had her second surgery to remove her ovaries, lymph nodes and arteries in her pelvis on Dec 18th. The surgery went very well. She had very little pain after the surgery and some swelling but that was it. The doctors stated that this surgery would send her immediately into a menopausal state with bad hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Casie has not had a single symptom of any of that. The doctors cannot explain it but consider it a blessing for her.

On Jan 3rd, Casie had her 2 week check up with the surgeon and we received the best news ever. Her pathology came back negative for cancer. The cancer has not spread!!!! Tears of joy were definitely shed with this news. The next day, Casie continued to get more good news. The hospital in which she had her first surgery paid her doctor bill for the first surgery!!! What a blessing!!!  The good news continues, she received a call that same day that she has an appointment on Jan 15th at the Sarcoma Center at Vanderbilt in Nashville for a follow up. This is one of the best hospitals in the nation. Not only that, I work as a nurse for Vanderbilt, so she will get to stay with me for her appointment. Yay for more family time!

I cannot put into words how happy we are for what God has done for my sister and our whole family! Noone can deny that God has been in control of this situation the whole time. We are so very thankful and give all the praise to Him! Also, on a personal note, I have to say I am thankful that God sent sweet angel Briley to the world because without her story and the faith of her family, I do not think I could have ever made it through this time in my life. My faith has been renewed! God has never left me even though I wouldn't acknowledge that He was there. I am now aware of His presence in my everyday life and feel so much more at peace. God is good and I will continue to share with others what he has done for me and my family!
  
Jess

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

#16 - FROM A DISTANCE

According to distancefromto.net it is 9,375 miles between the United States and Malaysia.  According to God, miles and hearts of His children are connected by His message.  It doesn’t matter whether one mile or thousands of miles apart, He will send that perfect message at the perfect time for someone who needs encouragement, a tear wiped or just to laugh.  It is their FAITH ASSIGNMENT!

Below is an email received from a lovely young lady who loves the Lord.  God used her through Briley FAITH’s story to send an encouraging word to someone.  This time that someone was me…

Hearts connected and the miles disappeared.  Thank you, Lord for my new friend from a distance.

Hi Kathy,

I'm a 24 year old Chinese lady from Malaysia, a small country in South East Asia. I came across Briley FAITH's facebook page through another child's facebook page who also suffered from SMA. I was very inspired & touched by the posts, especially the beautiful pictures of Briley, her parents & her sweet brother. I'm currently in my final year as a medical student & will be taking my final exams on 25th Jan. I was supposed to graduate in June last year but went into a state of depression. My dad suffered a severe stroke in 2007 & he is currently unable to move his left side of his body. Since then, my mum has been the sole breadwinner of the family. Praise the Lord that I was able to continue my studies after a few months of treatment. SMA is not very common in my country & I have only seen one case of SMA during my posting in pediatrics. It was a case of SMA Type III.

Ur blogs have truly inspired me & my prayers are with u all. May the Lord continue to guide u all in ur lives. Briley is in a better place now. She is with our Lord & Saviour. She is a true inspiration to all. I felt like giving up after my illness, but God pulled me through. And after reading through ur blogs, I'm sure that God will guide us through all challenges in life. Thanks a lot!!

Ng Le Shin

  
If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

#15 - THE STORY GOES ON!

Brittany realized God had a purpose for her life.  When He used Briley FAITH’s story to build her faith and confidence, she became a willing vessel for God’s glory!  Brittany’s first “Faith Assignment”, was #7 posted on November 12, 2012.  It was about how God used her and other volunteers to feed many at Thanksgiving.  I suggest you go back and read this amazing story.  But, God did not stop there and Brittany continued what God had called her to do; to feed the hungry and help the poor.  Here is another “Faith Assignment” she shares as her walk of faith continues…

Last night my friend, Christina and I met with another family to donate gifts to her family for Christmas. We filled her car and trunk with presents and food for her three children... She hugged us and told us her appreciation... Yesterday while finishing up their shopping her little girl had asked for a baby alive walk on around doll... So last thing on the list I went back to Walmart.  This doll... was nowhere to be found so I found a very nice older lady that I explained my situation too and how I need that specific doll for this little girl. It's was a $45 dollar doll that obviously every little girl wanted because there was only one left.. I was actually thinking the doll would be cheaper and hesitated to buy it because I’ve really had to watch my money with how much we are spending on each child.  As I approached the check out a lady approached me that I didn't know saying she overheard by conversation with the lady that worked at Walmart... She said she just wanted to hug and me and actually followed me through Walmart to the checkout.  She went on to say how she was having what she thought was a "bad" day and then heard my conversation about the "doll" and how I had to have that "doll" for a little girl that I got picked from school counselors for Christmas.  She went on and said I had inspired her.   She then told me THANK YOU and said she was going to go fill her buggy up with toys and donate them!  With her tears in her eyes she hugged me again and walked off back to the toy section in Walmart.  Christina and I came to my house afterwards and finished wrapping and met this young single mom to deliver too.. This has been hard work for me and the many others who have helped me but I will have to say.... The end result is so worth every second of the hard work and I know that lady at Walmart and myself were placed in that toy section and that exact same time for a "reason"!   It's amazing how God works!

I am finally done!  Well,  I've seen a lot from no heat, no indoor plumbing, tarp for a door and more!  This has really opened my eyes with an urgency to share these stories of how we need to help here in our own community.  

Because Brittany answered God’s call, over 221 hungry souls were fed and Bibles and groceries were sent home with them!  Because Brittany took a step of faith, many children have jackets and clothes to keep them warm.  Because Brittany said “Yes” to God, toys delivered put smiles on many faces and an electric bill was paid so a mother and her child could stay warm.  Because Brittany shared her story, it inspired someone else to carry out their purpose.

The story began with an infant and her purpose.  Without one word Briley FAITH told of God’s grace and faithfulness.  Brittany took the “Faith Baton” and ran with her purpose, then hands it off to a lady at Walmart.  The story goes on as long as we say “Yes” to God.


If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.