Excuse me if I'm a little nervous, I have never
spoken in front of a large crowd before.  I'm
usually on the shy side. I want to share a faith
story and a Christmas story with you.
On December 13, 1999, I was rushed into the
emergency room at St. Peters hospital with
pancreatitus.  I thought I was going to die with 
all the pain I had.  I don't remember anything
because within an hour I went into a coma state
of mind........my family and friends were there
praying for me. They were not ashamed to pray
out loud for my healing.

My daughters and sisters-in-law would come and
read scripture to me everyday.  My sister would
come in and sing to me.  My husband would come
and talk to me, just like he always has.

Twelve days later, on Christmas day, my husband
came into my room all dressed up.  All my kids
were there too.  My daughter said, "Dad, do you
have a date?"  My husband replied,
"Yes, with your Mother.  She is going to wake up
today."  And I did.  On Christmas day I came 
out of the coma.

It was still touch and go from December 31st 
till about the second week in January.  During
that time I had to have five major operations
to remove pieces of my pancreas.  The doctors
called my family in, to say I wasn't going to 
make it. Every time the doctors removed a piece
of my pancreas, I would get an infection.  
My fever went up to 108, so I had to be on 
an icebed for three days.  They had to do an
emergency trach because I quit breathing.  
That month I had to learn to walk and talk again.

Today I can say that all that happened was out
of everyone's hands.  That through my family's
and friend's continued faith, and remembering
'The Footprints Prayer', about God carrying
us, I am 95% healed.  Even my surgeon said,
"If this doesn't renew your faith, nothing will."
So taste, and see the goodness of the Lord.

I heard something once that went like this...........
The quickest answer to your prayers......
Is your knees to the floor.  Amen.
 
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; 
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; 
yea, I will help thee; 
yea, I will uphold thee with the 
right hand of my righteousness