testify to love

I was thinking last night and today about God's blessings and love during my pregnancy. Many of you know how difficult it was for us financially throughout the whole pregnancy. I wanted to just testify of God's love and blessings upon us.

We got married December 4,2006 and really with not a lot of money. We only had a bed and entertainment systmem with 2 t.v.'s. We had some kitchen appliances,enough to cook and eat with. So we started out very meager and still are that way. About a month before I found out I was pregnant we got on our feet financially. My husband is a State Trooper here in Alabamba and well they don't get paid what they deserve (in my opinion). We really wanted to get on our feet and start sowing into the ministries God put on our heart. When I took the pregnancy test and had missed my period, I was in a panic mode. How were we going to afford to pay the bills? How was I going to get past all the pain in pregnancy? A flood of thoughts emotions hit me all at once. Some background info: Mike had insurance,but it was taking a little more time with the State to get me on it. We missed the date they had set for me to get on it and I had to wait 8 or 9 months. Well, you see I got pregnant way before those 8 or 9 months. So I was asking God 'What are You doing? Don't You know I'm not on insurance? Mike doesn't make a lot?' Isn't that just like His children,doubting His power and soveriegnty? After my first visit they wanted us to see if we would qualify for medicaid,but we sort of figured we didn't. We finally got around to going to the office for medicaid and she told us we were $200 over the limit. $200. She told us if his paycheck changed at all for us to come back and we could get on medicaid. We left and I was so angry. I was angry at the people who cheat the system(not all,but I do know some personally that do) and I was angry at God. I thought how could God do this? He knows we aren't going to be able to make it. We were paying $479 a month in rent,which was our biggest bill. We were also paying the last few payments on our used truck.

I was a ball of emotions,but I kept things together somehow. I think it was around late July that our landlord came to my husband with a proposition. She had no idea we were struggling financially. She wanted him to be the courtesy officer at the complex where we live. She said in exchange we would get free rent. My husband was literally blew away. He came back upstairs to tell me the news. I was shocked,but I was still mad at God. God knew all along that He would provide a way for Daniel to get here,He just wanted us to trust Him. So instead of paying $479 each month,we could pay the mandatory payment of $500 each doctor's visit. I was very happy about it,but I still just couldn't get over the fact there were people on medicaid that didn't deserve it. One God day rebuked me about it. He told me that I shouldn't think the world would honor me just because I am a good person and that I should not put my faith in the world,but in Him for everything. I realized what I was doing and I repented to God and in front of my family. From that point on I knew God would supply our every need just like He said in Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. " He also gave me this verse in Matthew 10:30-32 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

There were many times that Mike worked overtime and the check was "late" in our eyes,but God sent it right on time. There's an old song that talks about He's 4 days late,yet He's right on time. Some of things that God did for us many would not even think possible if I shared it. Because at times I thought no way,this can't be. He truly took care of us. He provided for us beyond belief. We got the clinic paid off by the 7th month, which they required and we even got the hospital paid off. Since we weren't on insurance or medicaid they gave us a "cut". By the time I delieverd Daniel we needed to pay $2,500 or we would owe $4,000 instead and if it ended up a C-section then we would owe another $1,000 within a month. With God's help we got the $2,500 paid. We paid the last $1,500 like 2 weeks or so before I had Daniel. God literally gave us the money. For Christmas we received $300 dollars from a family we are very close too and that helped pay the hospital off. God time and time again just paid off our debts and proved Himself true. At one point, I felt sorry for those who did not know the goodness,faithfulness,grace,and mercy of my God and my Savior.

That wasn't the end of it either. Once we had Daniel we definately were struggling. We did not expect a C-section,but I ended up with one. So we had to pay $1,000 dollars a month from January 26th. We did not know how we would do this. Our bank account was overdrawn already from the previous paycheck,so half of the check that hit at the 1st of February would not be ours. Mike's parents did not have the money to give us and my parents had already gave us $500 once Daniel got here. It was rough. We weren't worried though,we just knew God would pay for it,we just didn't know how. My parents had $1,000 that they could spare us and offered it to us. At first, Mike almost let his pride get in the way,but thanks to God he accpeted it. They said not to worry about paying them back,which was very generous (my parents are awesome to say the least!).

The hospital was horrible about keeping up with payments and bills,so we kept a record of what we paid and such. By the time we went to pay off the C-section, we had oh about $8,000 dollars in bills they sent. We were going to talk to them and see if they had not kept up with our payments because some of them we knew we had paid. So we go into the billing office and Mike is at the counter talking to the lady. It took longer than I thought it would to just give them a $1,000 and then be able to go talk to the head lady. Daniel was asleep,thankfully,but I was wanting him to hurry before he woke up. He walked back into one of the rooms and I thought finally! He came out a few minutes after leaving and proceeded to tell me what happened. He said the lady at the desk said that we did not owe anything to them. He asked her how because we had a unexpected C-section. She said I'm not sure,but it shows your balance at zero. He asked to talk to Kathy(head lady) about this. He showed her all the bills we got and she said they are all paid off. He told her that he wanted to see it for himself,so she showed him the computer and our account information. Sure enough we owed them nothing at all. Zelp,zilch,zero. She even wrote on the bills what they were for and it was paid in full. I almost fell to the ground. I could not believe what I was hearing. And people say miracles don't happen today? Ask my husband and he'll tell you otherwise. We left and immediately called our parents and friends to praise God! God literally paid the way for Daniel Paul to be here with us.

What is even more awesome is that God knew ahead of time that my parents would need that $1,000 a month after they gave it to us. How wonderful is our God? How awesome is He? He is so majestic! He is the Holy One of Israel! He is my Redeemer and my Refuge! Praise You Lord! Praise You in the highest! Looking back God was doing so much we just could not see at the time. We were not walking by faith at first,but by sight. And it says the just shall live by faith. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17 He is still blessing us continually. I hope this will encourage someone to look to Jesus,the author and finisher of our faith!

I want to write later about the labor and birth of Daniel Paul,which was amazing as well!

Testimony

I really don't know what I want to use this blog for. I'm leaning towards posting things God gives me to share and just scripture. I've never had one of this so I'm new at learning how to work everything. I'll give some background for those who may not know me very well. My name is Heather and I live in Southern Alabama. I grew up in Southeast Mississippi with my parents,older brother,and younger sister. At age 10 I received Christ as my Savior. I was raised in a Southern Baptist church until I was in the 7th grade and then we started going to a small Missionary Baptist church where my brother was Youth Leader. I was a shy girl who didn't say much. I wasn't popular in high school,but some "in crowd" were people I grew up with. I wasn't into partying or things associated with it. My best friend was my sister,Haley,and my Mom,Bhrenda. I was a nerd in some people's eyes. I lived in the country and loved every minute of it. After I graduated high school I wasn't sure what I needed to do. I dreamed of being a housewife,but had no finance or boyfriend for that matter. I dated a lot and some were serious,but none of them were the right fit so to say.

I begin babysitting for a couple and tried to help out at home with money. It was about this time that I met some people that would forever change my life. I went out to a devotion with a childhood friend of mine for fellowship really,but I was introduced to something that really opened my eyes. These people were different,but not different. The difference was they had a relationship with Christ,like on a daily basis. Of course I had a relationship,but I wasn't discipled. Once I begin going to the Missionary Baptist church I prayed and asked forgiveness of my sins when I would sin,but something was missing. I did not understand how much Jesus wanted to pursue me,how much he wanted to reign in my life,how much he wanted to work in my life. I continued to go out to the devotions with Johnathan and I would just observe how these people worshipped,prayed,and lived daily. They lived crucifed lives daily. I did not at that point. While going to devotions I met my future husband,but at the time had no clue God would put us together. I made strong friendships and it was a big part of my life. I still cherish many of the friendships.

I attended a church with a guy I begin to date and I was blown away. Actually I was taken back in my memory to church camp. While I was going to the Missionary Baptist church we would go to church camp and have an amazing time. We could do things there we could not back at church. We felt free and alive in Christ. So while attending that service at Riverside Full Gospel I felt free and alive. I continued to go there and left the other church. God delievered me from somethings and begin to put a desire in me for Him stronger than death. I begin to read my Bible almost all day long sometimes. I begin to learn scripture and hide it in my heart. I begin to pray meaningful prayers. God begin moving in me and it was evident.

In 2003 I went to Honduras on a mission trip and 2 doors were opened. I was offered a job as a secretary for a preacher I knew from childhood and the thought of college was introduced. I started working for Bro. Don H. and then I started classes at Southeastern Baptist College that following August. I met many people and made many friends. God ministered to me there and allowed me to minister to others. I grew while attending SBC and I continued going to Riverside. I joined there drama team in 2004 after a broken engagement. We experienced some radical times and some intimate encoutners. I was humbled to be a part of the Joshua Generation. In 2005 I begin dating with a friend,Mike. of 4 years and realized this was the man God had for me all along. After many heartaches,heartbreaks,and wondering where?who?when?how? I had found my future husband. In May of 2006 I graduated from SBC and Mike proposed June 2,2006. He then graduated the Highway Patrol Academy June 22,2006. After looking for a home and figuring out other things, on December 4,2006 we married. It was one of the best days of my life! I know Mike and I have one of the joyful marriages. God stretched us and molded (still is) us.

In May of 2007 we found out we were expecting a baby. It was shock to me. It really hit me hard. I was so afraid of the actual birth I let it cloud my vision. God helped me through this and my pregnancy was amazing. God taught us to rely on Him for our every need. Somethings if I told them,people wouldn't believe it happened. On January 26,2008 Daniel Paul was born. He is amazing,fun,sweet,precious,and handsome. This isn't the end of my road to glory. Through my years I've lost loved ones and friends. I've been tested,tried,rebuked,rewarded,and tempted. I've been through hard time and been through good times. I've seen mighty acts of God and I've grown so much. I've got a lot further to go. I am just living for His glory. So there's some about me. I guess it's my testimony.