My friend died twice, yet she lives-

A story of Christmas Miracles

My friend, Carol Carillo, came in to visit me yesterday. She wanted to let me know why I had not heard from her in a number of months...and she brought me a Christmas card.
Her story was a story of several miracles. She told me she died this past Sept. 7.
I looked at her, astonished. Afterall, she isn't dead if she is sitting, talking with me and telling me this story.
Carol continued with her story, stating she woke up one morning while having a heart attack. It was what her doctors referred to as a "Black Widow" heart attack.
She was rushed to Yakima Regional Hospital and a stent was put in place. After a stay in the hospital, Carol was able to return to Sunnyside and the doctors told her that her arteries were clear, with no blockages.
But, she began experiencing further health issues and was visiting the heart center in November when the medical staff determined she needed to be rushed back to the hospital.
I was mesmerized by this point.
It turned out Carol needed heart surgery again. Thirty percent of her heart was no longer functioning.
It gets more shocking at this point because she informed me she went in for a second surgery and a defibrillator. Carol died again, while in surgery.
She said to me, "Jennie, it is a miracle I am alive!"
Another miracle occurred yesterday morning. Carol, burdened with all the concerns that come with unpaid medical bills, received a call from the hospital.
"Someone paid my bills," she said. In full!
The hospital would not divulge who paid all her medical expenses, but she considers whoever it was to be quite the saint.
In addition to all of these miraculous blessings, another (or maybe the same) anonymous donor has paid for two years of her continued studies in nursing.
"It's not like I am anyone special," she modestly exclaims. But, Carol is a woman with the soul of an angel...she is special to me and others because she is caring, kind and selfless.
And, one more miracle has resulted from her death...her daughter, whom I know she had been very worried about over the years, has become her best friend.
Carol also told me she has been very blessed by Sandy Bos and the staff at Prudential Real Estate. She told me that they have been providing every meal for her since her heart attack, including Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, just more than a week after her second death, Carol is getting about town as best she can...for the sole purpose of letting her friends know she wants them to have a Merry Christmas!
She told me her Christmas wish list is very short. She just wants anyone suffering from a severe illness to have hope.
Because, you see, Christmas miracles really do occur.

Mike Hagen's Strength Team visits town

Okay, this week has been busy chasing down an awesome group of guys, who have a great passion for sharing the Lord with others. Beginning Wednesday, Mike Hagen's Strength Team (www.strengthteam.com) was in town. My church, Neighborhood Assemblies of God Church (www.neighborhoodchurc.org)planned the event for the last year. In all 15 school assemblies were part of the team's agenda. They, of course, could only mention the Lord at two assemblies. But, they were able to draw the attention of all these children, packing our church each evening. Tonight was the final demonstration and I have to say it was awesome. The team members visiting our area included the founder of the team and former Seattle Seahawk Mike Hagen, former Florida State football player Clarence Lee, former linebacker for the Washington Huskies Herb Hartso, Ronnie Moss and former wrestler Greg Mead.

These guys deliver a message of strength in both body and heart. They may perform fetes of physical strength, but there fetes of "heart strength" and character far surmount any physical accomplishments. They have hearts for Christ. They may seem crazy to some, but I like to say they are crazy for Christ. They reach out and grab the attention of hundreds, if not thousands.

As of last night, almost 500 people who attended the church's nightly demonstrations had accepted Christ. That is a fete that is most amazing.

So, anyone ever getting an opportunity to meet with or attend one of the Strength Team demonstrations, I truly encourage it.

A little fodder for the soul

Today's entry is inspired by Max Ludado's Grace For The Moment. For April 20 he has given thought to The Fire of Your Heart... He asks what ignites the fire of our heart and give several examples. For me, it is writing. What is it that you love to do? He asks us to seek out the things that are important to us and pursue them. I have chosen to pursue my dreams. Have you? The scripture reading of the day for this particular inspirational thought is: My God, I want to do what you want. Your teachings are in my heart. - Psalm 40:8 Perhaps, God has created the fire in your heart and you are afraid to succumb to it. Seek His wisdom and He will guide you through that fear. He knows what will happen just as He knew what would happen with His Son. He knows what is best and we need to always keep that at the forefront. He loves us. May you feel His hand in yours, helping you along the way in each step you take toward the fire of your heart.

Heavy Heart

It was a difficult day. Difficult to keep my focus. It seemed every little detail was being picked apart by me, my editor, life. I even had my toughest interview ... The kind I had only heard about. And, she was the one to request the interview! But, I felt God holding me together. I felt him as I talked to my aunt for the first time in close to 18 years. I talked to my cousin, too. I told them how sorry I was for allowing life to get in the way of my contact with them. I told them how sorry for the loss of my uncle. My aunt assured me she knew I loved them and so did my uncle. She said they had not exactly been the ones to pick up a phone and call. But, we all kept track of each other via my grandparents. So, God allowed me to feel the forgiveness and love He has for me through her kind words. My cousin was more upbeat than I expected. But, she always was an optimist. And through her optimism, I was reminded that life is too short to dwell on the past. After exchanging contact information, I turned to my Bible and read through Psalm 147. How comforting it is to know He heals the brokenhearted and bandages all wounds. It is a promise we all know in our minds, but reading it seals it in the heart. The pain and loss is only for but a short time in the great patchwork of life as God has granted it to us. He will take us home and that moment will be but a thread in all of eternity.