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As many of you know, I've had some particularly difficult health challenges these past eight years and though it's finally been discovered what I have, there is no cure and some of the damages done (years prior to diagnosis) are irreversible. One of the things that suffered was my lower back where I had one disc that was herniated and bulging, another just bulging and one slipped. This caused me to have severe back and leg pain for many years. But through it all, God has taught me much about perseverance and what it really means to trust Him and to give thanks to Him, in and for all things (1 Thess 5:16-18).

After undergoing physical therapy and spinal decompression therapy for the past five years, I was told that I didn't have to have surgery yet, but one day I would. We thought this meant I'd need surgery in 10-15 years, not only a couple.

Clinging to God's word has sustained me through many challenges and trials my entire life, and I'm grateful for the power of Scripture and the Spirit of Christ that dwells within me, Who enables me to overcome the difficulties of my trials rather than be disabled and made ineffective by them (2 Cor 4:7-10, 16-18).

On Sunday, February 26, 2012 my back started hurting and I began to have a bit of sciatica...again. I didn't think much of it, as I've been suffering from severe, lower back problems for the past 5 years I took my Flexeril (muscle relaxer) and Meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) that were prescribed to me years ago to help when I have flare ups. Normally, after taking these medications for a one to three days, I'm fine. But not this time. Something was different. And I knew it.

I went to church that morning, but by the time I got home, I could hardly walk. I immediately took my medications, but this time, they didn't help...at all. By the third day, I was in so much pain, I asked Jim to take me to the ER. They took a CT Scan of my back and decided to consult with the on-call neurosurgeon, Dr. Salinas. After the physical exam and the results from the CT Scan, Dr. Salinas had me admitted to the hospital and ordered an MRI of my back.

They discovered that I now had two herniated discs that were completely dry and the fluids that were in them had leaked out onto the nerves and muscles that surrounded that area which caused them to become irritated and inflamed. They also discovered that one of my vertebrae had slipped a bit and recommended that I have a double discectomy (complete removal and replacement of discs) as well as a lumbar fusion. Because of the location of my herniated discs and slipped vertebrae, they had to go in through the front and the back. This surgery was about three and a half hours long.

2 titanium rods and 8 screws view from the back
I have an approximately 4" incision in the front, from my navel down where they removed the dried out, herniated discs and replaced them with new, hollow ones that were infused with bone material. Then they went in the back, with two, approximately 7" incisions (parallel to one another) to place two titanium rods and eight screws in my back to hold everything together while it heals (this will take nine months).

Dr. Salinas was kind enough to be honest with me and tell me that I would be in a lot of pain after the surgery. I was thankful for that because when I woke up in excruciating pain, requesting for pain medication (which, for anyone who knows me, means I'm really hurting) repeatedly. I'd rather have another baby. Seriously, I've had two babies, with nearly dying giving birth to my oldest son, and I'll be honest, the pain from the back surgery was the worst pain I've ever experienced.

I have to wear a back brace that weighs about 2 pounds anytime I'm not sleeping. And I have to wear it for at least three to four months, or the entire nine months; my neurosurgeon will let me know how I'm progressing at my three month, six month and nine month check-ups where they take x-rays to see if my bones are fusing well.

2 titanium rods and 8 screws, side view
I am also currently walking with the help of a walker as I can't stand well on my own for an extended period of time yet. I'm hoping to graduate to a cane soon. My darling husband also purchased me a nice transporter chair so he can take me to church, go for walks, eat out, shopping, etc.

I'm not sure if I'll being doing rehab yet, but if I do, Dr. Salinas said we wouldn't start that until after eight weeks post-op.

Throughout all of this, my darling husband has been simply amazing! Although I wanted him to, he refused to leave my side after I had the surgery and  he slept at the hospital for three (sleepless) nights, caring for me, turning me every 30-90 minutes, helping me to the bathroom and with great love and patience, took care of anything I needed.

He also spent the next couple of days calling, visiting places and researching online to purchase me the best of everything I needed during my recovering: walker, bath chair, transport chair, already made foods and drinks, a sock buddy, a grabber, etc.

As if this weren't enough, the Lord chose to kindly bless us with an amazingly loving Sunday School class who not only offered us faithful prayers, but also three weeks of dinners which someone brings us every other day! And as if that were't enough God continued to lavish us with other brothers and sisters in Christ who have brought me lunch and stayed to fellowship, and sweet friends who also brought us dinner on the nights that were open. We have so much food in the house, I'm sure we won't go hungry any time soon.

I've been so touched by all the loving and encouraging prayers, cards, e-cards, emails, text messages, Facebook and Google+ posts and comments as well as the "get well"flowers and gifts I've received. Truly, when the Body functions as it ought to, everyone is blessed and everyone is moved to give much thanks, praise and glory to our Father in Heaven.

And yes, I'm in a lot of pain and I know I have a long recovery ahead of me, but I know that God will continue to show me what He plans on doing in, to and through me during this time. I'm very excited about whatever He has in store for I know that since He is sovereign, He is good and He loves me, everything He chooses will be for my eternal benefit as He patiently and lovingly conforms me more and more into the image of Christ my Lord.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers."
~Romans 8:28-29



Once the wedding is over and the guests have gone, we’re left alone with our spouse to live out what we've just promised. This is when most of us realize how selfish and arrogant we are and how difficult it really is to love our spouses “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part”.

It takes more than a whimsical “forever after” idea for a marriage to do more than survive; but thrive. A marriage only flourishes if we obey God’s command to love one another with a holy and sacrificial love that puts Christ first and our spouses second.
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves...Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord...Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word...However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
~Philippians 2:3; Eph 5:22, 24-26, 33
Most of us know how to handle ourselves when our spouse gets sick with short-lived illness, but what do you do when your spouse is struck with health troubles that last for months, years or a lifetime?...[read full article]



Does it mean we slap a silly smile on our faces and shout "Praise the Lord!" when we receive news that would devastate any normal human being? Certainly not. That's not joy in the Lord, that's plain 'ol lunacy in the flesh; masquerading as a strong and faithful Christian.

A counterfeit joy infused by self-will never produces the good fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
~James 1:2-4

I'm writing this from my hospital bed. I've been here since Tuesday (February 28, 2012). I'm scheduled to have a double discectomy (complete removal and replacement of two discs) and spinal fusion tomorrow at noon. It's a four hour surgery and from what I've been told by my neurosurgeon, a painful and long recovery.

I'll remain in the hospital for three to four days post-op, then be released to go home with pain medications that they said I may need for a few months. I'm hoping to use them only for a couple of weeks...tops. But we shall see.

As I write this, I'm currently in pain, so much so, though my spirits are high and I'm rather cheerful, the blood pressure monitor tells the hospital staff another story—my body is weak and is under a lot stress due to immense pain...thus the pain pump they've given me to be administered every six minutes.

Since the hospital staff left "Today's Plan" blank, my
darling husband saw this as an opportunity to share
what our plans were going to be. ☺ 
I've been asked by staff why I seem so "cheery" when I'm obviously in pain. And here's where I get to boast in my weaknesses and the power of Christ they are witnessing in spite of it (2 Cor 12:9-10).

Do I hurt? Yes! Am I excited to be here. No! Did I jump for "joy" when I was told I needed surgery? No. Was I honest about it. Yes. So, then, why can I still find peace, comfort and joy in the midst of pain and not-so-good news? Because my strength, my joy is set on the Rock of my salvation, on the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, it is not easily shaken (Psalm 62:2).

I had my moment of tears and fears, but there is truly a time and place for everything. There is a time to weep and there is certainly a time to laugh (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Laughter doesn't always come because we find something amusing or entertaining; sometimes, like these times, they come because we find things incredible and impossible (like Sarah laughed when God told her she would be pregnant in her old age). The mighty works of our heavenly Father are so beyond our capacity to fully understand His glorious ways, sometimes, all we can do is laugh. We laugh not because we find God amusing, but because we're so amazed and so in awe of what He has done and continues to do in our lives.

I don't find joy in my pain. I find joy in my Savior and what He chooses to use my pain to produce—lasting fruit that will be used by God to exhort and encourage other saints and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those He came to save.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Our joy comes from knowing that God uses even the painful, "bad" things in our lives to work for our eternal benefit; conforming us more and more into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). This is why, when we consider our trials a joy, we will lack nothing. For what more could we gain, than to be like our Master?


On September 26, 2011, Ray Comfort, Founder, President and CEO of Living Waters Publications(LWP) launched the “180” movie; a 33-minute documentary that transforms hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and provides historical information that’s helping save unborn babies' lives.

In only four short months, “180” has been translated into 19 languages, has had more than 2.1 million views on YouTube, more than 36,000 “likes” on its active Facebook page, with more than 7,000 people sharing and interacting with other avid pro-lifers and members of the “180” team.

I was recently blessed to interview Ray Comfort, who’s become a modern day William Wilberforce for the pro-life movement. Just as William Wilberforce worked tirelessly to abolish the enslavement of innocent men, women and children, Ray Comfort works tirelessly to abolish the murdering of millions of innocent pre-born babies.

I absolutely love this movie and urge everyone to watch it and share it.

Why do you think “180” has gone viral in such a short time?

Ray: It’s totally unique. In past years, many Christians have done tremendous things for the pro-life cause. But “180” does more than alert awareness, it actually changes people’s minds about abortion by providing information they’ve never heard before.

Most of this generation has been brainwashed by only hearing one side—a woman’s choice.

Is the primary concentration of “180” the number of “likes” or “shares” you can get on Facebook, comments on the movie, or lives being transformed by Christ for the sake of the unborn and the unsaved?

Ray: Our agenda isn’t primarily about changing people’s minds about abortion. I don't want people watching the movie and still be pro-homosexual marriage, pro-pornography, pro-fornication. I want them to have a heart change through the power of the Gospel so that their worldview is the same as God’s. When the engine is on the right track, the carriages of the worldview will come into line.

What are the top two messages you want people to glean from “180”?

Ray: First, it’s wrong to kill babies in the womb. Second, everlasting life is a gift of God to all who repent and trust in Jesus.

How does LWP’s approach on the subject of abortion differ from secular pro-life organizations?

Ray: Genesis 9:6 says that if we shed the blood of man, your blood should be shed. You can’t murder a horse, dog or cat. The word “murder” is reserved for human beings. We’re not animals as evolutionists would have us believe. We are unique in God’s creation in that we have an inherent knowledge of right and wrong.

Dogs don’t set up court systems; they couldn't care less about justice and truth. Only man does that because he’s made in the image of God. Consequently, when you say you shall not kill, you stir up His God-given conscience within you. The word “conscience” means with knowledge. So every sane human being knows it’s wrong to kill a baby in the womb. And that’s why “180” is unique, because it appeals to that intuitive God-given knowledge each of us have.

What is “180” Wednesdays and Sundays and how did they come about?

Ray: “180” Wednesdays was created to keep the momentum going and designed to be a day where those who care about the unborn focus on getting the message out on Wednesday.

Millions of people have viewed it on YouTube and nearly 700,000 DVD’s have been sold; we see this as just the beginning. There are 6 billion people who need to see this movie.

The first “180” Sunday was held on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Calvary Chapel in Downey, California with approximately 4,000 in attendance.

What we’re offering is for either me or someone on the staff to show “180” during a Sunday church service and we’ll give a message afterward. This is extremely effective because there’s no need for registration or advertising. It’s just a matter of the Pastor giving us his pulpit so that with the help of God, we can transform his church from being passive about pro-life and evangelism to being passionate about both issues. We’ll also bring special packets with us which include: “180” DVD’s, God has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, and a pack of 100 Lincoln Trillion dollar bill tracts.

Do you have a personal message you’d like to share?

Ray: Yes. One reason “180” has gone viral is because pro-life people and Christians are seeing the potential of social media to reach people. We can move mountains with a mouse, so get on your Facebook page, your email, Twitter and other forms of social media and send out our “180” link to friends, family and enemies; you could save a life. Go to HeartChanger.com to find out all the ways you can help.

Personally, I’m not going to rest until the legalization of killing babies in the womb is stopped in our country.


It’s imperative that everyone watch this movie, regardless of relationship status. Abortion not only affects young girls and single women, but as I shared in a recent article, abortion can have devastating effects on married women as well.

If you’re currently pregnant or have had an abortion and need counseling from people who care about you rather than how much money they can make, contact these local centers for help:

Real Options for Women, 700 E. Park Blvd., Ste 206, Plano, TX 75074 | Phone: 972-424-5144

Mid Cities Pregnancy Center, 8251 Bedford-Euless Rd, Ste 220, North Richland Hills, TX 76180 | Phone: 817-577-4387 or 1111 W. Airport Freeway, Ste 229, Irving, TX 75062 | Phone: 214-441-3460

Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center, 12959 Jupiter Rd, #260, Dallas, TX 75238 | Phone: 214-343-9263 or 6500 Greenville Ave, #405, Dallas, TX 75206 | Phone: 214-369-6281 or 3901 Holystone St, Dallas, TX 75212 | Phone: 214-905-9068
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