If you have been following us for quite some time you know that I, Michelle, love to share what we refer to as Glory Stories, to share how God works in my life. However, for several reasons it took me forever to start sharing. For the most part, every time I sat down to write, the Glory Stories would allude my thoughts. But, the other reason it took so long and why I have not posted one in quite a while is fear… fear of rejection, fear of being laughed at and fear of judgment. These fears are still with me, yet, the joy in my heart from the things I have seen, experienced and prayed for are totally outweighing my fear.

Today I have decided to restart the Glory Stories.

I wanted to start where I left off with a story that brought me the most peace I have ever felt in my entire life. It was in November of 2015 when my father was still alive but dealing with so much pain and suffering from his cancer.

On Monday morning November 30th 2015 at 6:45am as the light was just beginning to softly fill our bed room the phone rang. And in our house if the phone is ringing before 8am something is not right. I fumbled for the phone and with my heart racing I said, hello.  It was Kayleigh, our daughter telling me that my dad was in an ambulance and being rushed the hospital.  My heart sank and I gasped for air. My worst fear!

What happened, whats going on?  Turns out my father was too week to stand up and bleeding internally. All of this caused from his chemo treatments. That day my papa bear received two blood transfusions and the news that the chemo had eaten away his stomach and GI lining. I immediately notified as many prayer warriors as I could. A little side note, prayer warriors, if you have never heard that before, are family + friends who will pray along side of you and spread the word to get more prayers going for the same cause. Then next day came with 8 more blood transfusions, the bleeding was not stoping.

As I stood in my kitchen, looking out the window, cooking a huge batch of chili for our missionaries at the camp (where Brandon worked and we lived at the time), tears rolling down my face. I had one prayer to God, please heal my father. And like a child I asked God for a sign that my father would be ok.

I am very specific when I ask for signs so I know it when I see it. I asked God to see a deer.

The bleeding did not stop and there was no deers to be seen. My hope was wavering and so was my faith. While I was sitting alone eating lunch 2 days later on December 2nd and thinking about my papa bear, I received a text from a dear friend, Olivia. She was checking on me and my father.  I told her I had no idea what to do. I think she could sense my despair.  She replied saying, “Have you ever done the Our Lady Undoer of Knots prayer?“.

I had never even heard of it so Olivia sent me the link. (It is a novena – A prayer you say every day for 9 days. Here is the link so you too can pray this wonderful novena Our Lady Undoer of Knots prayer).  I went upstairs to get ready for mass that evening and I just collapsed in tears on my bathroom floor. I reached for my phone as I sat on the rug with my back against the bathtub and began to pray the Our Lady Undoer of Knots prayer. I prayed with my whole heart. I then picked myself up off the floor and got ready for mass. We headed down town, enjoyed a beautiful mass then walked around our little Hallmark town enjoying the Christmas lights before doing some grocery shopping.

Finally heading home up the mountain at 9:30pm with a car full of groceries, my head dropped down and tears once again filling my eyes, we saw it!

Brandon slowed down and there along side the road was a deer. Beautiful, majestic, young and vibrant. The deer was  only about a year old. As we got closer, proceeding with caution incase it ran into the street, it turned to look at us. It then proceeded to gracefully and slowly walk into the street. We came to a complete stop and less then a foot in front of our car it passed. Not in a rush or a hurry, just peaceful and quiet. It was at that moment that my heart felt safe.

My fear and anxiety about my papa bear disappeared, overwhelming peace filled my entire being and I had no doubt he would be ok. 

Then came the next morning… I received a call from my papa bear! The doctors believe the bleeding has STOPED!!!! Oh Hallelujah Hallelujah!!  Of corse I was crying again + tearing up now as I write this. God is so good!!

God has always spoken to me ever since I was little, particularly through nature. He has never let me down. I knew the journey with my papa bear was far from over and could turn bad at anytime, but I had a great sense of peace knowing that God is listening, in control and is with us.

Love You All + Thanks For Reading,
– Michelle