Wow, God

January 22, 2006... this was the day I prayed with all my heart to get rid of my addiction. I told God I was ready and I put it in his hands. The very next day something happend to me that caused me to give up my addiction permanently. I know in my heart that God had something to do with it and I never went back. Over 4 years clean.

This actually happened over 20 years ago, but has been coming to my mind lately.  I was working very long hours in a greenhouse for the summer, typically 12 hour days, and hanging out with YWAM on Friday nights, usually in Boulder.  It had taken a while to break the ice there, but we were beginning to make an impact.  One night, after a long day at work and a great night in Boulder with the team, I hopped on my bike to ride home...and woke up, well, sort of work up, in the hospital.  I could hear, but I could not speak or move.  I heard a woman's voice ask if she should shave my head...I was freaking out but I was totally paralyzed, and blind.  I heard my mother enter the room and she assisted the nurse in preparing me for stitches in my head.  I couldn't feel anything, only hear.  What I did not know, was, first, that they had told my mother to expect me to be a vegetable for the rest of my life.  I had been hit by a car and suffered a serious head injury.  Second, was that my sister had called YWAM to inform them of my accident, and that they had gathered in the living room of the center and were earnestly in prayer for my healing.  They prayed for one hour, and at the end of that hour, they stood up, and so did I.  The dr. about fell over.  They gave me a battery of tests, pronounced me well and sent me home.

Here's the story of my "Wow" moment:

http://juliegumm.com/wordpress/?p=1536

About a year ago, my family had come to visit for my dad's birthday.  I'm a doctor, and I was "on-call" so everyone had to come to our house.  That evening, it was dark, as everyone left, I noticed that my mom was driving her car with my dad in the passenger seat.  My brother was driving in the other vehicle with his wife, my other brother and his wife.  I focused on this for some reason, not usually something I pay attention to... I went inside to read the paper.  I was on my first story, a few sentences in, and I got an urge to pray for them on the way home (about an hour away).  I said a quick, cursory prayer- "God please protect them on the way home, thanks, yay God"-type of prayer, and started reading again.  I couldn't focus.  2 or 3 sentences later, I felt a strong urge to pray- come on, Ellen you need to REALLY PRAY if you're going to pray at all.  I only prayed for a few minutes, but it was honest, focused, and heartfelt- please protect them, help them to be safe from deer (we live in the country), etc.  I finished and started reading again.  A few sentences earlier, my phone chimed that I had received a text- my sister-in-law, in the second car, "We almost hit a deer!"  I got chills and goosebumps!  It takes a minute or 2 fo a text to come thru... I had the urge to pray probably RIGHT AT THE TIME that they would've been avoiding the deer.  Both cars avoided it, and my sister-in-law said it was SO close, that the deer's breath fogged up the passenger window.  All I can say when I tell that story is- WOW.

I was adopted, and about 8 years ago I prayed to find my birthmother so I could thank her for the beautiful life I had. I was in an AOL adoption chatroom where I could chat with others who are adopted or have given children up for adoption. Through this chatroom, I found someone who could find my birthmother. Two days later, he said he had a match, but sadly she had died young, and after paying several hundred dollars he'd give me more info. I didn't have that kind of money right away, and the next day he emailed me and said that anonymous people from that chatroom that I have never met had paid the fee so I could contact my birthfamily. I have found aunts and two sisters who all wanted to find me, and they told me it was my birthmother's dying wish to find me. I am now twice blessed with two amazing families in my life! To pay back the birthmothers from the chatroom, I flew to several different states during summer vacations (I'm a teacher)to witness to them and show them the love of Christ. Life is such a gift!

I definitely have a WOW story . My husband and I are celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary today, amazing how time changes a relationship. We were married for 6 months when we decided we wanted to try for our first child. We never imagined at 21 and 22 that we'd have any issues. Unfortunately though we did. We endured four and a half years of battling infertility while watching our friends and family members welcome over 35 babies. CRAZY STUFF. Every treatment we tried failed, including an In Vitro cycle. We were devastated. We both had such a longing to be parents that we couldn't imagine our lives without children but if it wasn't God's will - it wasn't God's will. The doctor gave us a less than 1% chance of ever conceiving - let alone carrying a pregnancy to term. Talk about a kick in the stomach. Five months later we were new members in a new church and were just feeling very down. A wonderful woman, who I call my "church mom" asked if we'd ever been anointed with oil - which we hadn't. A month later, before the anointing, we were pregnant - MIRACLE! Unfortunately that pregnancy was ectopic (tubal) so it ended quickly. I was devastated again, I thought the infertility side was rough - the pregnancy loss took more out of me then I thought existed. We decided to talk to the pastor about anointing, not to take away our infertility but to calm our hearts and allow us to trust that God's purpose in our lives would shine through in the end. That was June 3, 2007. By July I was pregnant and I now have a beautiful 2 year old boy. Not only that...but when he was 10 months old we found ourselves pregnant again. One boy, one girl - three pregnancies in three years. My God is the Ultimate Physician - the worldly doctors have nothing on Him! Nothing is impossible with God!

For the past 7 years I have lived in a very deep dark depression. One that led me to suicidal thoughts and actions more times than I care to remember. On the a day in 2007 I was coming home from college, I was 40 at the time, I felt an overwhelming saddness that was burning inside of me. I decided that I would make it look like an accident and drive in front of an eighteen wheeler. I slowly moved over to the center lane getting ready to take a ride across the median hopefully landing in front of an eighteen wheeler. No I did not think of what would happen I just wanted to be dead, not hurt anymore. I hit a bump in the road. As I hit the bump I heard these words "don't do this I have plans for you." I immediately started crying drove home. I knew that I had to do whatever it took to get well. I graduated a few months after this happened with a BS degree in Elementary Education. Since this time and especially when realized what the depression was and is all about. God has wowed me so many times. He is slowly revealing his purpose for me. One is where I am teaching which is in a critical needs school. I love my job. This story may not WOW! you but it does me everytime I share it. I have a lot of WOWs! to share but this one is the best.
God is Good!
Stephanie Dunn

God chooses to answer prayers in abundant ways beyond our imagination and comprehension. My dearest friend Dean is an entrepreneur and free-lance digital designer. Much of entrepreneurial life is either feast or famine, with not much in between. He has been experiencing famine for quite a while. A few weeks ago I asked for prayer for Dean and his business, that he would find the work he needed and even more so that he would be abundantly blessed. This week he received preliminary confirmation for a body of work that will take about 2 years to complete and bring him nearly $750,000 in gross revenue. Praise to the God who blesses us above and beyond anything we can anticipate or imagine. Wow, God! Thank you!

A little over 2 years ago our 7 year old daughter suddenly had a grand mal seizure (epileptic type) and had never had one before.  She was unresponsive but semi-conscious.  We rushed her to the er.  They did not have any idea what was wrong and left us alone with her.  She would not respond to our voices and several times was combative.  Her eyes were rolled in the back of her head.  I thought either she would be like this the rest of her life due to brain damage or she would die.   My husband and I knelt on either side of her bed there in the er and gave it all to God.  After being there almost 2hrs with no answers she began seizing again and again.  They airlifted her about a 2 hour drive away to a children's hospital.  As they were putting her on the helicopter our local dr told us "it's bad."  She aspirated in the helicopter.  That night (a Sunday night) our pastor stayed at the hospital with us and had our church hold only a prayer service for her.  That next morning they took out the breathing tube.  A few hours later apx. 24 hrs from when everything began she opened her eyes and smiled at me.  She was in ICU for 2 days.  The 6th day she came home.  She was on seizure meds for 2yrs and has never had another seizure.  She is the same little girl she always was, singing and dancing all over the place.

I know God intervened that day due to our obedience in prayer and our fellow church members.  We heard later people all over our town had been praying for her who did not even know her.

Our dr told us 2 weeks later that he did not expect to see her smiling face and such a wonderful outcome.  She was what they call "status" which can result in death.  He also commented how calm I was as the mom in the er he said he had never seen a mom remain so calm in such a situation.  I know it was b/c the Lord was keeping me calm and carrying me thru it.  During it I thought I was losing her and would be having her funeral.  But God told me to get that thought out of my mind and I did.  And God prevailed.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Thanks for letting me share.

When I was 15 I decided to commit suicide. My mom had a large bottle of tranquilizers (hey, it was the 60's!) in her bathroom medicine cabinet. They'd been there, in the exact same spot, for a long time. Every time I looked in the medicine cabinet, there they were. So one night I decided to go in there and get them, and take as many as I could. I went into the bathroom, opened the medicine cabinet, and they were gone. For the first time ever, they weren't were they'd been forever. So I closed the medicine cabinet and went to bed. The next morning, just for curiosity's sake, I went into the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. There they were. Right where they'd always been. Right in the exact same spot. Either God sent an angel to remove them, or He prevented me from seeing them. Either way, I'm alive today. Thank You God. I Love You, God.

We wanted to have another child, but for some reason could not get pregnant.  Saw the doctors, and they couldn't figure it out.
One day we were out Christmas shopping, and my daughter (who was 3 and a half at the time) told my husband that she thought that I should have a child for my birthday.  Mind you, my birthday is in May.  Somehow in her 3 year-old brain, she got mixed up between Christmas presents and birthday presents.  So my husband encouraged her to start praying for this.  
The short version of the story is that my little 3 year old prayed off and on for a year and a half that I would have a baby for my birthday.  My birthday came in the spring - no baby, not pregnant.  We were all getting discouraged, but she kept praying.  A few months later, I was pregnant.  And the due date?  My birthday.  Now, we have two beautiful daughters, both gifts of God.

My 6-year-old son, John, is graduating Kindergarten in the morning (06/02).  This is my WOW story because John-John has autism.  He attends public school in a typical classroom despite being non-verbal.  

I have watched God work through my special boy to touch the lives of many.  But I've also watched him work very hard.  And now, he has beaten the odds and is moving on to 1st grade with the rest of his classmates.  Great job, John-John!!

I could never do the story justice in so short a space- BUT how I found and met my birth father was SO a God moment- no other explanation could ever be given

This is a Family wow moment of the supernatural power of our lord Jesus. My sister annette, brothers Joe and Nick and myself lennie G, were sitting around the kitchen table late one night about 10:30ish enjoying our niece and nephew. My sis said very emotionally that its a shame our mom and dad didnt live long enough to enjoy their grandchildren(they never met them). All of a sudden my sisters cell phone rings and she answers "hello"-  nobody was there, no answer. So she looks at the phone to see whom it was that called, and it was our parents old phone number from like 15 or 20 years ago. So sis freaks out and starts crying, finally she told us, i asked her if she happened to have thier phone number stored in her cell, sis said no way i just got yhis and they've been dead many years. sso i called the number to inquire, a young woman answered and i asked if she or possibly anybody there may have accidentally called my siss number. i told her the story as to why i was asking and she freaked too.he assured us no one was there but her and she did not use the phone.
Our conclusion was and is the God allowed her to uniquely contact us to let us know she and dad are in fact right there with us enjoying their grandkids. Well the tears really started to flow after that. very freaky situation but as we put it in perspective it all seemed to fit. Praise Jesus.

My "wow" story is about my 24 year old son Josh. On Superbowl Sunday night, February 7, 2010, he was in an automobile accident. His car veered off the road first hitting a mailbox on a steel pole. He had his cruise control set on 55 and never had a chance to hit the brakes or think about what was happening. It all happened so fast. He continued through a field another 200 feet or so and hit a tree head on, still going 55 mph. His airbags never deployed, the car was totaled, and pieces of the car were strewn about the field and roadside. That night,in a rural area, it just so happened that people were outside having a Superbowl party. Otherwise, he would have sat in the dark, in this field until someone found him. Of course that was God! They immediately called 911 and helped Josh get out of the mangled wreck with barbed wire now wrapped around the car from a fence it went through! Since I have a friend that died a few years ago from hitting a tree head on like this, the phone call we received just before midnight was very disturbing. We prayed and cried all the way to the ER. We got there to find Josh had a bad break of his humerus bone on his right arm and lots of bumps and bruises, but he survived! The doctors told us that is one of the strongest bones in the human body, so you can imagine the force of the impact!His face was very swollen and purple, and he had a minor fracture in the right eye socket, but all the tests they ran showed no damage to the brain and no internal damage. The next day they put a steel plate in his arm and 22 staples! He has also had some trauma to deal with after the accident and was afraid to drive for awhile. He is still dealing with badly bruised nerves in his right arm that keep him from full use of his right hand. Please pray that God will bring complete healing to his arm. Josh is not only right handed, but he is an excellent drummer and wants to be able to continue to praise God with his drums! To me, I say "wow" that God spared my son! I praise God for having His hand on him that night. I know it could have been so much worse. Thanks for letting me share this with you! Beverly

I do have a Wow, God story that still gives me chills every single time I think about it – something that happened to me several years ago.

This was about 8 years ago – I had reached a very very low place in my life.  My daughter was diagnosed with autism and I felt like there was nothing I could do to help her.  Things at work were getting very stressful for me.  I felt like my marriage was falling apart.  I was so depressed and had convinced myself that my family would truly be better without me.  Keep in mind that at this time, even though I’d grown up in a Christian home I had fallen far away in my faith.  One day something had happened at work that just seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back.  I told my boss I had to leave work because I was just too upset.  On the drive home to my apartment I was bawling my head off like I’d never done before….thinking about how I was such a horrible wife and horrible mother.  I was useless at work and at home.  And then I made up my mind that it was time to end my life so my family could move on without me.  I truly felt that it was in their best interest for me to be out of their lives.  Once I’d made the decision to take my life I calmed down and I prayed to God that he would take care of my daughter…that he would see to it that she got the services she needed to help with her autism.  It is almost eerie at how calm I was.  I knew exactly what I was going to do – the note I would leave so my husband would not be the one to find me – I worked it all out in my head.  I pulled up into my parking spot and walked upstairs to the apartment.  I noticed that my door was slightly opened…and thought that was weird.  When I walked in the maintenance man was there in my apartment doing routine maintenance work.  Work he could have been doing at any other time of the day – or any other day of the week for that matter.  At first I was very angry.  I went into the living room, where he couldn’t see me, and was wondering how I was going to carry out my plan with him there.  He had ruined everything!  And then it clicked.  It wasn’t just chance that he was there.  He was sent there by God to stop me from killing myself.  A couple of minutes passed and he popped his head into the room, said he had to go get a part from the office and would be back in about 5 minutes.  When he left the apartment I took that opportunity to call my husband at work.  I told him that I needed him home right then.  He didn’t ask a question – he said he’d be right home.  (this too is unusual, because my husband usually wants to know the details before he does something out of the ordinary).  About 5 minutes later the maintenance man returned to the apartment.  My husband got home before the maintenance man left so I was never alone for more than 5 minutes that day.  I know for a fact that God sent the maintenance man to my home that day and I thank Him daily for doing that.  A couple of weeks later, after I was seeing a doctor and feeling better, I went to talk to the maintenance man.  I wanted to tell him how he had been used by God that day to save my life.  Unfortunately I found out that he no longer worked at that apartment complex and I had no way to reach him.  I often wonder if he was an angel sent down to help me and once his mission was complete he moved on to help somebody else.

So that is my story.  Needless to say I did return to church and was water baptized not long afterwards.  Even though my story is personal in nature I don’t mind sharing it in hopes that it will help somebody else one day.

Thanks for letting me share.

Two weekends ago I was in a pretty deep funk. My wife and I just separated two months ago and I lost my job March 12. I was roaming around in a store looking for a distraction and asked God to help me. I then received a phone call from my brother who had meant to dial our father and dialed me "by mistake". We proceeded to have a fantastic conversation that left me positive, happy, and believing that "mistaken" call was God answering my prayer. He does here us and He does love us.

In a way..........I am my own "Wow God" story.  My Dad was killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver on June 28 1968.  I was born Jan 17 1969.  Mom was not very pregnant when Dad was killed; but because of a loving God and a strong Mom I was not miscarried and was born perfectly healthy just one month premature.  Wow God and Wow Mom!!!

KLove, Thank you for bring God's Love to me and my daughters through the beautiful music you share.  WOW GOD!  I'm in the military, my husband has been communting about 2 1/2 hours every weekend to be with us for the last year.  Less than a year ago I asked about tranferring to a base where he lives in San Antonio.  I was told there were not positions and probably would not be.  I considered retiring, but in my heart could not see myself doing so.  A few months ago, I received a phone call saying I was needed there, only problem is I would be needed this summer.  Not a problem for our family.  We'll be moving in a August.  WOW GOD, thank you for the opportunities you give us in our lives and thank you for bringing our family back together.  An extra perk is that my oldest daughter is also there attending college.  Thank you, thank you, thank you GOD!

That Wow, God! moment in my life was May 5th, 2007. I struggled all through High School had a giant called Math I had to face. I graduated high school in 2000 then decided to go to college. It was very hard for me because I was told I was too far to be helped in Math. I completed every course for my degree except two math classes. So I took one last year and prayed God would help me through. He provided me with a Math instructor that never told me I couldn't I would go to his office and he helped me every day. I know this whole year was a Wow, God moment and the day I graduated from college with a bachelors degree was definitely a Wow, God moment. Thank you God for providing me with Mr. Withee and for others praying for me all the way through!

Ok so i was at home and my mom was comming home on a cold icy day (im 14) and when she comes home she tells me a wow story. she was driving down a road on cruise control. she takes her cuise control off and jusst starts to spin in her car. whille she spun there were two options, there was a little dip between the two roads enough to make her flip or hit a pole. and the wow moment is when she keeps spinning goes off the road and slides and lands on a nearby road, and she and the car is ok. thankfully there were no cars and no people there. god had to help her over that or she couldve died if she hit the pole or fliped. thank god for all the things in her lives and he does save lives. he saved my mom.

thank you god.

At the end of April I saw a friend at church and asked her, how's she doing. "Oh, better don't ask, I don't even want to start to talk about it. " I didn't have the time to ask further, but I prayed in the following week for her and sensed she feels incredible pressure. The following Sunday our pastor asked us to pray for the person sitting next to us. The person next to me was just this friend of mine. So I asked if I could pray for her, which she agreed to. So I prayed God would take away the pressure she is under and that He would make a way for her where she still doesn't see it. Two weeks later we met again and I asked her again how she is. "I'm fine! God is so good! You were so right about the pressure you were praying for. I had so much pressure - I couldn't handle it anymore. In the week after your prayer I got a nervous breakdown during work and told my colleagues to make their stuff in this project I am in alone. But now my bosses are putting me into another project. I am so happy now, cause that was really God working, I really didn't see a possibility to get out of this thing." I sat there and thought only: Wow, God!

I am stationed in Japan. Years ago I was so sad that doors were continuing to close on me for foreign mission trips. Everyone was going except for me. I had actually planned to go to Russia this summer to be a counselor at a camp just south of St. Petersburg. That door never opened. I guess I wasn't spiritually and or mentally mature enough for the others. Well, just recently I flew with my friend Christy to Tokyo for Passion World Tour 2010 with Louie Giglio and this weekend I will be flying with my church (Koza Baptist) to Manila, Philippines to spread the word of Christ to Gentle Hands Orphanage and the slums of Manila. From all the other doors closing these two opened! Thank you God <3

I have 2 'WOW' stories.  The first one takes place in 2007.  But have to go back to Sept. 2000 when my 'Mom' passed away.  In July of 2007 was my 20th High School reunion in NJ. I live in NC. 2 weeks after I got back from NJ, I received an email via Myspace that changed my life forever.  It was from my biological mom!  I was 40 at the time and never knew I was adopted! I checked everything out and it was legit!  We met for the first time Thanksgiving of 2007 and have kept in touch ever since.

My second 'WOW' story. 23 years ago I met my daughter's father. When she was a year and half old I made him leave.  I never heard or seen him since. In 2001 I turned my life over to God. I was divorced by then with 3 children. I asked God that if there was a man for me, to bring him to the church.  I wasn't going to go and look for him. In 2006, I received an email from my daugher's father (she was 16 by then). Now remember I hadn't heard or seen him in 15 years at that point.  He wanted to be a part of her life again.  I was very deadset against it until God spoke to me and reminded me that He had given me a second and third and more chances.  Well that changed things.  Ted traveled from NJ to NC once a month to see our daughter until Sept 30th, 2007.  That was day he got saved at my church.  That was also the day God told me he was going to become my husband. We will be married for 2 years this coming July!  When you love someone and let them go, if it is meant to be God will bring them back to you!

It was May 1, 1999.  I was and am still guardian of my oldest granddaughter.  I let her paternal grandmother have her overnight every other weekend so their family could spend time with her.  On May 1 they didn't bring her back home when they were suppose to.  When I called the phone was transferred to a neighbor that informed us that they left in the night in a U-Haul.  She was 10 months old.  When the police finally showed up they informed us it was a domestic and not a federal issue because she was with family.
The amazing part of this story is that we found her on the 7th day (God's perfect number) and called police on dead cell phones when the car they left in was spotted as my husband that was searching in another state was lost.  As they were searching I was the one that stayed on my knees praying that God hear my plea to return her to us before she no longer knew us and He was faithful as He always is.  I never want to forget the feeling of knowing how he can do anything.  They had taken her to another state in a very populated area, needle in a haystack.  Today she is 12 and we have been so blessed by her.  God is the Reason.

We lived in Calif. with our son Jared, two years old, and daughter Kristen, six months old, when we decided to tour the Western states to visit family.  Kristen became ill as we were arriving in West Yellowstone, Montana on a Friday afternoon.  We decided to stop in at the local clinic before checking into our motel.  The physician there diagnosed her with pneumonia and gave us an oral antibiotic to give her.  That night, I had a very vivid dream that I was reading a magazine, complete with pictures, detailing the signs and symptoms in children with meningitis.  I woke up, realizing Kristen had them all.  I called the doctor back first thing Saturday morning, something I would never normally do (I'm a "hold off until Monday" person.), especially to question a doctor's diagnosis (something I had never done before or have never done since).  He was a bit put off and re-stated that she had pneumonia, but if we didn't believe him, we could drive the 90 miles back to Bozeman, where the nearest hospital was, and have her examined there.  We packed up and headed back to Bozeman, and sure enough, Kristen had meningitis.  She received treatment immediately.  As soon as she was settled into the hospital, my husband and I went to the local library, looking through any magazine I had come into contact with, current and past issues.  We never found that article - or anything like it - in any magazine.  I knew we wouldn't, because I KNEW it was a vision from God.  He gave me the dream, leading to the complete healing of our precious daughter.  But it doesn't end there.  Three years later, when our son entered kindergarten, there was a little deaf boy in his class.  It turns out that he became ill at home the same time that Kristen became ill in Montana.  He was hospitalized for two weeks before they figured out what was wrong with him.  They found out he, too, had meningitis, and lost his hearing because he didn't receive the proper treatment soon enough.  It has been 28 years now, but still gives me chills when I remember God's awesome intervention in our daughter's life.

After 5yrs of marriage my husband & I spent a solid year of trying to get pregnant with no success.  Last summer, I had been experiencing a nagging abdominal pain for several months that was more annoying than painful, and after finding the right doctor we explored all options before exploratory surgery.  The result of my surgery revealed to us that I had a minor medical condition that could have been deadly had I become pregnant, but it wasnt keeping me from getting pregnant.  at age 30 God was telling me that even though I had been praying for a baby I needed to trust His timing, for it is good and pergect.  I am almost 31 and still not pregnant, but I have the peace of God with me knowing he sees our future and it is in His hands-Praise God!  I pray this helps someone else struggling right now with infertility-God is with you!

This is a testimony of how Through His Eyes Africa came to be, how God was working in my life, this is about Him.
2007 You just never know the impact you can make on someone’s life
While working at the Humane Society I attended the local news station twice a month for Pet of the Week. There I met Meteorologist, Derek Van Dam. One morning he asked if I would stay and watch his piece on Swaziland. I wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about but I could tell it meant a lot to him. I stayed and I’m glad I did; that simple invitation to stay and watch changed my life. Sometimes you just don’t know what kind of impact you can make on someone’s life, this was a defining moment for me as I watched this young man of 25 dedicating his life to helping widows and orphans in a third world country.  As a child, I had always been drawn to Africa and often mentioned that I would be there one day.  Derek invited me to his church, New Covenant in Clio Mi. There I followed his trip through his blog, met with him upon returning from Swaziland and found myself on the next trip. Derek has been a great inspiration for me and I cherish his friendship and am thankful he listened to God that morning and walked across the room to ask me to stay.  
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

January 2008 Went to Africa on a mission’s trip
I traveled to Africa with 6 others from the church I attended; there I stepped out of religion and into a relationship with Christ. This journey left a deep impression on my heart. I knew I would never be the same. God was molding and changing me. This was the defining moment when I lost my life as I knew it. I came home and never acclimated back to the states; I had heard that this is the hardest part of a mission’s trip and as I think about it, I wouldn’t want to acclimate back into the life I so cozily lived because then it would all be for nothing. Oh, I tried, I struggled to get back into my life……..it no longer existed for me though. God had changed my heart.  I now cared about the things that He did and my old life just didn’t fit anymore. Africa for me is a place I fell in love, with the land, the people and most of all God; Africa became a part of me that added to the person God wanted me to be.
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.



October 2008 Followed God’s leading to quit job to begin nonprofit ministry
One morning in October of 2008 while staying at a hotel for my job, I knelt to pray; I cried out to God that I couldn’t get past what I experienced in Swaziland;  it had been 10 months after returning home from my first missions to Africa and it still felt like just yesterday.  I remember all too clearly the eyes of the children, those eyes haunted me long after I left; in them I saw innocence, hope, despair, a deep longing as if they were asking me to help, I saw Jesus, and I knew this is where I needed to be. I knelt before God and told Him that as much as they needed more people to help in Africa, I needed to be one of them. I stayed in prayer for a long time that morning; you know those times when His will and yours are in complete unison and you feel like you never want to come out of prayer; this was one of them. He told me to begin a nonprofit ministry to help in Africa, to leave my job and trust Him.  I’ll never forget the the relief I felt, the assurance that everything would be ok. I had no idea how I was to accomplish this, only that I needed to follow Him, He would work it all out.
Although my heart had been lifted and I knew what I must do I still didn’t want to disappoint my friend who got me the job and didn’t quite know how I would tell her.  I left to go downstairs to work and my friend came to tell me that I didn’t need to feel obligated to stay at the company on her account. She was graciously releasing me from my obligation. I never mentioned to her that I hated that job; I never mentioned it to anyone, only God. After she left me, I looked up with a smile in declaration of His speediness and thanked Him.
Matthew 10:38 "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

October 2008 Downsized everything including home
God lead me to downsize and get rid of my house and belongings. I don’t think He calls everyone to do this, but for me it was necessary. I thought it would be difficult to leave my childhood home, the home I also raised my own children in, but it was actually quite freeing. I’ll never forget the day we left; it was like a huge weight had been lifted from me. In preparation of leaving, we gave many things away. We held a garage sale with ridiculously low prices, it was great as it piqued people’s interest, which gave me an opportunity to tell them the changes God was making in me. Many stayed and talked and were interested in hearing about the people of Swaziland. I gave my blog address to anyone that would listen.

Luke 12:33-34 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

April 2009 Refinanced motorcycle to buy a bank foreclosed home
We left our home and moved into a rental that a friend had offered to us; she was kind enough to allow us to stay, knowing it was only temporary.  God directed us to purchase a home that was a bank foreclosure; we found we needed to add about $5000 to what we had in order to purchase something in our area. The idea was to no longer have a mortgage so that we could do this work for Him and not be so financially strapped. I prayed and was lead to refinance our Harley Davidson to attain the rest of what was needed.  At first I didn’t like the idea because it seemed we were defeating the purpose but I knew God’s provisions were with us.
Matthew 6:26-34 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Discovered new home was a church about 50 yrs ago
Within two months we found the home that felt right and was later informed that it was a church about 50 years ago. For me this was confirmation that we were in the right place. I loved how God was working in my life and the home He provided for us.

Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

July 2009 God told me to pray for husbands safety
I traveled back to Swaziland with a group of 25, while traveling home God woke me to tell me to pray for the safety of my husband, I am thankful as God intervened and saved my husband’s life.

Rob was in motorcycle accident/lost income
When we landed in Atlanta I learned that my husband was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. He was run off the road by an oncoming car and was knocked out in an 18 foot ravine filled with water. He had broken his back, ribs, and sternum, suffered a collapsed lung, brain bleed and his aorta was separating from the chest wall. My team came together to pray for Rob while waiting for our flight at the Atlanta Airport. I arrived to the hospital just as the results of a second test showed that the aorta was perfectly fine. The medical professionals blamed faults in testing but I know there is great power in prayer, the Lord saved Rob in that ditch and He saved him again while lying in the hospital fighting for his life. Rob spent about two weeks in the hospital and several months in rehabilitation. It was a difficult time for us as our lives had drastically changed; Rob may never do many of the things he used to or even work again but I am so thankful that he is alive and prayed that God would somehow use this for His Glory.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Because we refinanced the bike, we had full coverage insurance on it which paid the loan in full, provided medical care for Rob and also paid his income.
God’s faithfulness in providing for us was evident; we had lost Rob’s income due to the accident but because we refinanced the motorcycle we were obligated to put full coverage insurance on it; after about 6 months of negotiation, the insurance company agreed to pay Rob’s medical bills and income. The totaled bike can be restored and the loan is now paid. We are not sure if Rob will ride again but he is alive and making progress.

God provides and changes hearts
The accident left a very large bruise on Rob’s chest in the shape of Africa, this made me smile, not that my husband was hurt but because Rob was never keen on the idea of me going to Africa but because he loves me, he supports my desire to go. I had been praying that God would change Rob’s heart for Africa and I could see him softening, for me this was confirmation that God was at work within him too.

Though His Eyes Africa Begins
I traveled back to Africa to make connections to begin the nonprofit and I was amazed at the amount of people willing to show me where and with whom this ministry can connect to make a difference. God showed Himself several times during this trip and the vision that He revealed to me was beginning to come full circle.

I had been praying that God would show me who He would have for this medical team that would help to develop the programs according to the vision He had given me
Before I left for Africa, a long time friend of mine that is an RN at Genesys Hospital had been following my updates on Facebook and asked about our missions; she was scheduled to go on one to Nicaragua and it was canceled the week I left. I let her know that I would connect with her when I returned, She informed me that she had a group of people that she worked with that was excited to go too.; I met with this amazing group of people and out of it our medical team was formed; each one of them have special gifts that they bring to THEA . I smile when I think about God’s great provision in choosing them, they are more than I could have ever hoped for.

The honest desire of my heart is to stand before God one day and like Jesus, tell Him, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
hiseyes.org

In Dec 2008 my husband and I had been laid off.  We have both found work since, but the problem is they pay collectively $30k less.  We are preparing to lose our house and move into a vacant home of my Great Uncle's in IN.  My husband and I have always wanted to get them into Catholic school but can't afford to do so in our upscale area now.  Moving to IN, the tuition will be only $4990 per year for both (that's only for one kid here).  When we went last week, to see the school and meet the staff, we were honored to accept the $1000 discount for enrolling the same day.  God has made a very difficult situation very acceptable and we are so thankful!  HE has blessed us in so many ways.  Thank you so much!

My WOW story is... we live in NC and my in-laws live in MD. When our kids were younger they would go up and stay for a little bit to visit with their grandparents. On one occasion when my youngest was 4 years old there was an accident. A lady swimming there told us that her son who is autistic wanted to go swimming and asked so many times that she gave in. While driving to the pool she told her daughter that she felt like GOD was with her and brushed it off to her work with VBS during that week. While in the pool she felt my daughter brush up against her and turned around to see what was going on. She lifted her out of the pool screaming who's child is this. My oldest went running(only 9 yrs old) along with their aunt and uncles.She was not breathing, her uncle gave her mouth to mouth until she started breathing but she still was not responsive. They laid hands on her and began praying. After a few minutes she started coughing up the water Then was transported in ambulance to hospital.We made the quickest trip to MD ever that night.She was in hospital but was released the next day. All in all that was a pretty big WOW however it gets better. It was that one instance that made me seek GOD. I was unsaved and knew there was something missing but didn't know what it was. I started going to different churches but finally found a church that really turned my life around. On August 20, 2000 I gave my life to Jesus. God used this horrible situation to open my eyes. My daughter is great and had no lasting problems other than being a bit scared of the water. Thank you LORD for watching over my children even when I didn't understand they needed it.

Listening to your show!  My husband and I just adopted 2 brothers, 7 and 5.  7 yr old is low function Autistic and 5 yr old is high function Aspberger.(Never spell it right)lol  Both red heads and the center of our world. It took 3 1/2 years. We feel totally blessed by God!
God Bless you all,
Bonnie
Illinois

Two weeks ago my cousin committed suicide.
Raised catholic, I was very troubled by this not knowing where his soul would rest. That night I prayed and prayed to God to take his soul and take care of him and show him the love and acceptance he needed to feel here on Earth.
Please note that this praying was taking place around 2 AM while I was trying to sleep but I was so bothered I could not.

My Youngest Son has a bear that when you push the paw it plays the song "Jesus loves the little children".  

The Bear went off about 3 or 4 times (2 AM) I was thinking, why is my 17 month old son up at this time of the night. I went into the bedroom and the bear was on the opposite side of the crib of where my Son was lying - fast alseep.

I believe this was God's way to tell me that my cousin is in his care. - Jesus loves the little children, no matter what!

Beth Brobst United States
My WOW story is... we live in NC and my in-laws live in MD. When our kids were younger they would go up and stay for a little bit to visit with their grandparents. On one occasion when my youngest was 4 years old there was an accident. A lady swimming there told us that her son who is autistic wanted to go swimming and asked so many times that she gave in. While driving to the pool she told her daughter that she felt like GOD was with her and brushed it off to her work with VBS during that week. While in the pool she felt my daughter brush up against her and turned around to see what was going on. She lifted her out of the pool screaming who's child is this. My oldest went running(only 9 yrs old) along with their aunt and uncles.She was not breathing, her uncle gave her mouth to mouth until she started breathing but she still was not responsive. They laid hands on her and began praying. After a few minutes she started coughing up the water Then was transported in ambulance to hospital.We made the quickest trip to MD ever that night.She was in hospital but was released the next day. All in all that was a pretty big WOW however it gets better. It was that one instance that made me seek GOD. I was unsaved and knew there was something missing but didn't know what it was. I started going to different churches but finally found a church that really turned my life around. On August 20, 2000 I gave my life to Jesus. God used this horrible situation to open my eyes. My daughter is great and had no lasting problems other than being a bit scared of the water. Thank you LORD for watching over my children even when I didn't understand they needed it.

I was pastoring a small church and one of the members, who was very elderly, had not been able to come to church for many years even prior to my becoming pastor.  I began visiting her, and found her arthritis was so bad that it seemed cruel to knock on her door because she had such a difficult time getting out of her chair and letting me in.  One day I felt God speaking to me about visiting her.  I kept putting it off thinking that it was probably more difficult for her to answer the door than it was to sit alone without visitors.  I kept arguing with God about the visit.  Well, God won and I stopped.  I knocked at the door and after a few minutes I heard her making her way to the door, unlocking the chain and the dead bolt took several minutes.  I was greeted with a smile when she opened the door.  She let me in and made the long journey back to her chair, which was only a few feet away.  We sat and talked for a while.  I mentioned another pastor who had been retired for many years and had moved away.  The lady said, "He just moved back, and lives right behind me.  You should pay him a visit."  I agreed to call on him and went to his house after praying with the lady.  When I got to his house his wife said that it would be a few minutes before he could see me.  I sat in the living room and waited.  The pastor came down the hall in a wheel chair. He was a rather large man and the wheel chair was quite small.  He appeared to be crammed in the wheel chair.  His wife explained that his wheel chair was broken and they were fortunate enough to find another, but it was very uncomfortable for her husband and he was a bit embarrassed about the tight fit.  It was then that I knew why God had wanted me to visit the first lady - just a couple of days before a man at my church had told me that he had an extra large wheel chair that he was wanting to give away if I knew anyone who needed it.  I went and got the wheel chair and delivered it to the pastor.  Always listen to that still small voice, He is speaking to you because He plans to do big things and is including you in His plan.

My WOW moment came just before Christmas 2009.  On a Thursday, my boss called me into our conference room at 4pm to tell me he thought it was time for us to part ways.  There was no reason, just it was time.  I was shocked but somehow amazingly calm about it all.  The next day was to be our company Christmas lunch and it made sense now why I wasn't being given any details.  Anyways, I turned in my passwords and keys and went to my car.  I got in and looked up and said "Okay, what do You have in store for me now?"  That evening I called my daughter and cried on her shoulder.  The next morning, I had an email from her telling me of a job listing she had seen which looked perfect for me.  I looked at it and it did seem perfect, but they needed a resume which I hadn't needed in the last 20 years.  So I put one together quickly and sent it off.  The job listing was posted the day before at 11:15, so I didn't want to wait too long.  That afternoon, I got a call for an interview on Monday.  I went to the interview on Monday and Tuesday was offered the job.  So, on Wednesday I went to my old job to clean out my office and started work on Thursday at the new office.  They were having their office party that Friday and invited me.  Interestingly enough, it was at the same steakhouse that my old job had their Christmas lunch just the week before.  God really had me in His hands through all this.  The new job has much less stress while doing the same work.  Plus, my parents developed some health issues and my new boss had no problem with me taking time off to be with my parents.  I'm not sure the old boss would have allowed it.  I am so thankful and still in awe of all God has done for me!

Our church started a new ministry last year feeding the local community through a free meal once a month on the last Wednesday each month. We call it "Loaves and Fishes". There have been many blessings related to this ministry, but one of the recent big "Wow" moments happened to me about two months ago.  

We had been been getting alot of donations of food to support the ministry and we started to exceed the storage resources that were already at the church.  One Sunday morning during our worship a team member started to report how we were going to have a steady supply of bread and desserts from a local pantry.  I started to say in my heart but not outloud, "OK Lord, I guess it is time we start asking to see how we are going to get a freezer, I'll have to discuss this with the team."  When the service ended, one of the team mebers came up to me and said, "Guess what... Chris wants to know if we want her freezer which she doesn't need." I of course responded affirmatively, and then I started to cry.  Ps 37:4 "He will give you the desires of your heart." He knew my desire before I had even asked! Affirmation of Jer 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Thank you KLOVE for your ministry.

My WOW story is a three part, long-in-the-making story.  When I was born, I had jaundice so bad that my body temperature stayed above 104 for days on end.  I was constantly in and out of ice tubs for long periods of time and had to have six complete blood transfusions in order to stay alive.  My parents were told I would never survive.  When my middle son was around a year old, my wife had a car accident in which his car seat came loose and he slammed into the back of her seat and bounced back.  He was in the hospital for a few weeks and in bad condition.  The doctors said his brain had been damaged from the forceful movement and that he would probably be severely brain damaged for life.  When my youngest was born, he had a hole in his heart, severe asthma, sleep apnea, and several other health issues. Several doctors said he probably wouldn't survive past age 2 and that if he did, because of the long periods of lack of oxygen to his brain during his periods of stopped breathing, he would never be able to attend regular school because he would always be behind so far he would be a just short of a vegetable for his short life before he would die by age 6.  
He has had ear problems on both ears that has caused him to have four surgeries to repair his ear drums after seven sets of tubes.

I am here to tell you all this because of the power of prayer and an awesome God who heals just to show the doctors He can. I am 33 years old, holding down work and heading into the National Guard soon.  My middle son is carrying a high 3.5 average and if it weren't for his lack of trying last year, he would be in advanced classes in a sepecial program for gifted kids. He is in the US Navy Sea Cadets and is heading to bootcamp next month.  My youngest will be 12 in a few weeks and is doing good in school.  He has still had his issues with school work but is on target with his grade level in most subjects. He sings in church occasionally, has shared Christ with several people one-on-one, and is a blessing to most everyone he meets.  

My God blesses all around us every day. I constantly find new reasons to sing his praises.

Three summers ago my mother wasn't feeling well one week - kind of like having a severe flu.  SHe knew something was wrong when a bulbous mass started to grow on her inner thigh. (It grew out of a simple body pimple.) It grew to the size of a small tomato in just a few hours.  Dad rushed mom to the local hospital where the mass was lanced.  However, the wound was not healing after well after a few hours, and they learned she had cellulitis - flesh eating disease.

The scary thing was, was that her younger sister, my aunt, dies at 36 years of age from flesh eating.  She was gone in 48 hours.  She had nicked herself with hairdresser scissors.

Mom was air-lifted via helicopter to a hospital in Toronto, and dad called me and my sister around 2am in the morning because the surgeon was telling him to 'call everyone'.

It was the longest - and fastest - 3 hour drive ever.

Mom was in surgery when we got the hospital - dad, my sister, her husband, and other close family friends were praying in the ICU waiting room.

The surgeon managed to remove a 12 inch by 12 inch 3 inch deep piece of flesh to keep the celulitis from spreading and becoming necrotizing.

THe doctors were successful: they stopped the spread of the disease, and managed to save her leg. After an intensive half year recovery, today mom is fine and healthy - you'd never know.

The real story, however, is that this lead to the reunion of family: mom read Facing Your Giants (Max Lucado) in the hospital. She asked dad to hand her the phone and she called her parents whom she had not seen since her sister's funeral, and had been estranged from many years prior.  SHe told them that she was in hospital, that there is a possible defective gene that her other two siblings should know about, and that she loves and forgives them for all the years of abuse.  My grandparents were at the hospital three hours later, and today my children, know their great grandparents.

There are many other side stories to this main one
that includes God's hand in preparing mom and dad for that day,  and the days that followed mom's reunion with her parents.

One is that dad was supposed to be working Michigan the week mom got sick - but he was bit by a nasty spider and had such a horrible reaction that his doctor advised him to take the week off and recover.  

Another is that my dad has excema on his hands, that, when really bad, can spread to his fingers.  The doctors were concerned about him having come into contact with my mom; so they advised him to go see the health nurse at the hospital where mom was recovering to receive anti-biotics.  The nurse asked dad if he was taking any medication, and dad replied yes, and listed the meds he was on b/c of the spider bite - the nurse was dumbfounded b/c she was going to give him the equivalent, and hinted that dad's system was well-protected ahead of time which maybe aided him in not being contaminated himself.

When mom and dad took a trip up to their beloved cottage three months after her being in hospital and recuperating, someone on the lake was playing 'Amazing Grace' on the bagpipes on a pontoon.

My daughters are pen pals with my Grandma, and have welcomed them into their lives immediately.  AS my grandfather ages, my mother can now care for him, and help her own mom with his care and household tasks.

There is more too - all I know, is that God is good, generous, and I stand on his promise of generational healing and blessings. This story never ceases to set me to tears of joy!

My husband and I tried for about 2 years to have a baby, doing fertility for 2 months.  Last September we gave it up.  Every January our Church does a 21 day fast.  When we started it, my husband said we need to pray hard for a baby so we did.  A week into it, we got a call about adoption.  We talked about it and agreed.  The next week my husband was on call and got the most calls out every, which helped with the adoption fund.  God has steadly provided the money we need.  When the mom was ready she called me.  We stay in touch weekly and I get to go to all of the doctor appts.  Levi Joseph is due Sept 2nd and doing very good!  This was all GOD!!!

I have had a few Wow God moments in my life.  Here is one!  I have a son, Scott, age 34.  A few years ago Scott got a pilot license and purchased an open cockpit bi-plane.  He was so excited, I was very proud of his ackomplishment because that had been a dream of his.  I was also very very scared for him.  Each time he was headed out to fly I would send him a text message and just say "ask God to ride with you", he would always reply "K".  I always thought that he probably did, even though he is not YET a Christian.  On Sept 21, 2008 he went out to fly, he took the time to stop by a resturant and visit with us for a few seconds and for some reason gave my daughter, my husband, and I a hug.  That was very very uncommon.  I told him the same thing I always did, and he once again said, K.   He went flying, we saw him fly over our home.  A bit later he called my cell, my husband answered and he said, "Dad, I have crashed, both my legs are broken, and I don't know where I am".  Needless to say the next 15 minutes seemed like an eternity until we found out where he was, got 911 on the way and got to him.  When I got to him his first words were, "Mom, I didn't hurt anyone".  His engine had stalled at 3000 ft. with no where to land he was forced to try and find a small open field so he could go down without hitting any homes or barns.  There were people out in yards watching him go down.  Forthunatly, he was wearing a parachute because of it being an open cockpit plane.  He was so concerned about others that by the time he ejected himself from the plane and nose dived it to the ground he was only apx 300 ft above ground.  The shoot went up, but did not inflate.  He landed feet first at about the time the plane did.  It was a pile of rubble, and Scott was alive.  Both his legs were a mangled mess and it was heart breaking as I looked at him thinking he would never walk again.  I said, "Scott, God was with you in that plane", his response... "why didn't he start the engine".  I didn't have an answer, but he was alive and that was a Wow God miracle.  There is alot more to the story about that night, but the Wow thing to me is still going on.  That night we had 25 people in the ER.  Scott's friends began to come out of the woodwork the next day, continuing to tell me they were praying for him, these are folks that I would have never guessed prayed, I learned alot about his friends, and I could see that they were all being drawn closer to God as they all prayed and prayed.  Our family and friends gathered round us for weeks and continued to pray for us.  Scott had broken both bones in both legs, crused his right heal plate, and broke his back in 3 places. He underwent 4 major surgeries, had blood clots in his lungs and spent about 3 weeks in the hospital. He had many internal trauma issuses but nothing major.  No spinal cord damage, no head trauma, no bleeding anywhere.  He was amazing.  It was a big news story, because not many have survived such an event.  We felt so blessed that we still have him.  He now tells me he loves me everytime we talk, He has attended church with me many times over the last year and a half.  Unlike the past.  Even though the road has been hard.  Scott is now back to working 12 hr days, on his feet, riding his Harley, and yes, he is back to flying.  He has another plane and I'm sure he will continue to say "k" when I say, "ask God to ride with you".  He tells people that he knows God was with him.  There is so much more I could say, but this is the Wow God, that I wanted to share today. Please continue to pray for Scott Sharp, the young man that was injured in a plane crash in Pendleton County, KY on Sept 21, 2008.  Look it up on youtube if you want to see pics.  Thanks

Good Morning,
This is our WOW story. April 17, 2010 was a day we shall not soon forget. My husband and I have 3 children and 9 grandblessings ages 8- 8 months. Our twin grands were celebrating their 3 year old birthday that day so 8 of them were at our house about to eat dinner. We had let all of them swim for a while and I called them in to eat. My oldest daughter counted heads when they all came in and all 8 were there. My son-in-law was in and out the back door bringing gifts in from the party but he did not see anyone go out. PopPop was in the kitchen washing his hands, looking out the kitchen window. He is a Captain in the Fire Department and an EMT. He screamed, "who's in the pool!!!". My daughter in law shreiked, "TRYSTON!!" The 16 month old was the one he had seen floating in the pool when he looked out. (I can't even see the pool when I look out that window, only he could have seen it). His rescue training kicked into high gear...he flew out the patio door, busted through the pool gate, dove into the shallow water and brought Tryston up over his head and handed him to his mama. He threw up water, cried and held on to her for a while, while his mama and I cried hysterically. My RN daughter assesed him and he was fine! To see what God did that day amazes me. The fact the PopPop saw him, rescued  him and he is fine! Needless to say we had a Praise service that night!!! THose babies were singing and dancing to Jesus Love Me and Jesus loves the Little Children!! We also sang, "How Great IS OUR GOD!" The next morning in church, that was one of the songs we sang..our family was standing and raising our hands to our loving HEavenly Father!!

Three summers ago my mother wasn't feeling well one week - kind of like having a severe flu.  SHe knew something was wrong when a bulbous mass started to grow on her inner thigh. (It grew out of a simple body pimple.) It grew to the size of a small tomato in just a few hours.  Dad rushed mom to the local hospital where the mass was lanced.  However, the wound was not healing after well after a few hours, and they learned she had cellulitis - flesh eating disease.

The scary thing was, was that her younger sister, my aunt, dies at 36 years of age from flesh eating.  She was gone in 48 hours.  She had nicked herself with hairdresser scissors.

Mom was air-lifted via helicopter to a hospital in Toronto, and dad called me and my sister around 2am in the morning because the surgeon was telling him to 'call everyone'.

It was the longest - and fastest - 3 hour drive ever.

Mom was in surgery when we got the hospital - dad, my sister, her husband, and other close family friends were praying in the ICU waiting room.

The surgeon managed to remove a 12 inch by 12 inch 3 inch deep piece of flesh to keep the celulitis from spreading and becoming necrotizing.

THe doctors were successful: they stopped the spread of the disease, and managed to save her leg. After an intensive half year recovery, today mom is fine and healthy - you'd never know.

The real story, however, is that this lead to the reunion of family: mom read Facing Your Giants (Max Lucado) in the hospital. She asked dad to hand her the phone and she called her parents whom she had not seen since her sister's funeral, and had been estranged from many years prior.  SHe told them that she was in hospital, that there is a possible defective gene that her other two siblings should know about, and that she loves and forgives them for all the years of abuse.  My grandparents were at the hospital three hours later, and today my children, know their great grandparents.

There are many other side stories to this main one
that includes God's hand in preparing mom and dad for that day,  and the days that followed mom's reunion with her parents.

One is that dad was supposed to be working Michigan the week mom got sick - but he was bit by a nasty spider and had such a horrible reaction that his doctor advised him to take the week off and recover.  

Another is that my dad has excema on his hands, that, when really bad, can spread to his fingers.  The doctors were concerned about him having come into contact with my mom; so they advised him to go see the health nurse at the hospital where mom was recovering to receive anti-biotics.  The nurse asked dad if he was taking any medication, and dad replied yes, and listed the meds he was on b/c of the spider bite - the nurse was dumbfounded b/c she was going to give him the equivalent, and hinted that dad's system was well-protected ahead of time which maybe aided him in not being contaminated himself.

When mom and dad took a trip up to their beloved cottage three months after her being in hospital and recuperating, someone on the lake was playing 'Amazing Grace' on the bagpipes on a pontoon.

My daughters are pen pals with my Grandma, and have welcomed them into their lives immediately.  AS my grandfather ages, my mother can now care for him, and help her own mom with his care and household tasks.

There is more too - all I know, is that God is good, generous, and I stand on his promise of generational healing and blessings. This story never ceases to set me to tears of joy!

Years ago when my children were small (4 and 5 years old) they participated in a pro-life movement with us and our church and they were holding up signs that said "abortion kills".  Well I snapped a picture, developed it and through it in a drawer with all of my other pics. - Well now my children are young adults, and one Christmas my son, who was low on funds, bought a picture frame and took some pics from that drawer (one of them being the pro-life pic)and made a collage and gave my daughter this as a gift. Shortly my daughter went into the military and was gone but took that picture with her.  Approximately over 3 1/2 years ago she was making wrong choices and I was praying God would just do something in her life that would shake her up but not harm her or anyone else, but just cause her to stop and look at herself and quit what she was doing and come back to God.  Well within 2 weeks of praying, I got news from her that she was pregnant.  Behind her tears she told me that she had an appointment for the abortion clinic, but she went back to her dorm and started praying and crying and looked up and saw that picture that my son had put together for her with the one picture that said "abortion kills" and she said that's when she knew that God answered her prayers and she had to cancel her appointment.  Praise God we have a precious little 2 year old granddaughter who is the love of our life.  We are currently taking care of her while my daughter is serving in Iraq right now.  How amazing it is to me that His hand was in my granddaughter's life during that pro life movement when my children were little and in that simple quick picture!

My Wow Moment took place 2 weeks ago when my beautiful daughter Jessica graduated from college. I was a single mother when Jessica came into this world, and I didn't know if I could be the mom she needed be to be. But, God spoke to me after she was born and let me know everything was going to be aright, if I just put my trust in Him. I made a vow to God to truly trust in Him, and 2 weeks ago He brought back all the wonderful memories of my daughter's life and I could just see God saying "Thank you and now go enjoy the many blessings."
Thank you God!!

Today is the rehearsal for graduation at my high school. I am a junior, my older sister is a senior, and my younger sister is a sophomore. Yes, that's three girls all in a row. However, this is about my older sister. When she was less than twenty four hours old, she had to have surgery on her lungs. Throughout her childhood, she had two other major surgeries; from which she still has scars. She spent a large amount of time in the hospital up until about seventh grade. Throughout all of this, my parents remained strong. My sister was in the hospital for weeks at a time due to pneumonia because her lungs couldn't function correctly. She started playing soccer in kindergarten and volleyball in fifth grade. She has been active in sports her entire life, and is now an incredibly strong young woman about to graduate high school. It's hard to believe that the little girl I remember running around as a tomboy and picking on me with the neighbor boys is about to move out of the house that we have all lived in together our entire lives. She may not know it with all of the arguing we do, but I truly look up to her because of all that she has been through and all of the accomplishments she has made in her life. Only through God's grace can I imagine that one child could go through all of that and still come out as a strong, beautiful young woman. Congrats, Grad. I love you!

The Lord healing where there was no hope. A friend Dane had his daughter who was a young mother went to the hospital. She had a black spot on her belly and when into the hospital. A doctor coming off shift saw her saw the problem and say it was very serious, she had a flesh eating bacteria. She had the operation but was given a 5% of living. She was later transferred to a different hospital and was given a 0% chance of living. Dane and our our pastor gathered together to pray and to read the Bible and Pastor Matt felt the word they were reading and prayer that she was not going to die then, that God had a purpose for her. Well she lived, has returned to a nearly normal life and is raising her son. Only God can get the praise!

I'm working on a political campaign. The man that is running is a Pastor and a strong Christian. I felt God tugging me to take a step out on the water. I was scared because I understood the dynamic of the race. There were mountains to move. It seemed insane to take on this task but last time I took a step onto the water God changed my life. The dynamic of the race was a muslim against a pastor so this was more then just a political battle it was a spiritual fight. There was fear because I knew I would be a threat to satan and we would see dark things but I took the step anyway.

I was sitting in prayer yesterday morning telling God, "Okay, you brought me here, give me assurance that I'm doing the right thing. Show me, God! I've been sitting idol for the last week show me your WILL and give me assurance, please. We want to give you the Glory, God. Move through us and the candidate and myself are ready to give you the stage front and center however you will use us. God, move I pleaded" Yesterday while at Memorial Day services I was able to speak with one of our team members. Her mom was very ill and said that the cancer was all over her body and she pretty much had no hope. They did test and they came back negative that there was no cancer. She said I think this was 'divine intervention' saying I was supposed to be helping with this campaign. I had the thought later and laughed a bit in conversation with God because he answered my prayer. I found out last night that another valuable team member's relative was free of cancer too and she was coming onboard. I also found out the other candidate that was supposed to test us in the primary was running against us in the primary. I almost came out of my skin. Called my friend and just praised the name of Jesus and the miracles, and answer to prayer he has given us. God's moving and WOW, God he is so faithful!

Here is my Wow Story.. well, it wow'd me!

Im a single mom of two girls, 11 & 7. Three weeks ago my landlord (my uncle) came to the door to ask me to move. His son is getting married and he would like the apartment. He wants it for July. It's now May 5th...a little less then 2 months to find something. My heart grew heavy.. I love it here. This is my life here. I have been here for 15yrs. This is all my girls know. My stomach began to ache...My girls had these blank stares on their faces as he spoke. I held together, I understood.

When he left I had the hard task of reasurring my girls that we will be okay. They were so upset. Needless to say, there was a lot of crying over several days. I assured them that God is faithful and he will help us.

The next day, I grab the paper an start looking. One look and I am in shock. There isn't anything out there that is not a few hundred dollars more then I am paying now. The places that were in my range were in neghborhoods I had no desire to bring my girls too. I needed something safe. I also needed certain things for the health of my girls. All of us are chronic asthmatics. So.. can't live where there are animals, no space heaters...etc..

After looking for 2 weeks I was feeling pretty defeated as time was marching on. Figuring I was going to have to move to a place that I didn't really like. Then I saw and add for a place about 3 miles from me. The bonus was I could take my washer/dryer and it was a gated community too, off street parking. So, I went to go look at it. When I get there I see there are basketball & tennis courts. My thoughts are well this will be out of my range but I'm here. Lets look. We go in.. and the place is fantastic. Fully applianced kitchen, dishwasher and all.. walk in closets, loads of space, large rooms, plenty of closets. It's central heat and air conditioning. Really nice. So, she tells me the rate and of course its 250 more then I pay now. So I then ask.. "well.. how much extra is it to use the facilites?" She looks at me and smiles then says.. "it's all included, and did you know there is an indoor and outdoor pool?" I shook my head no....(wow #1) the kids gasped with shock....."oh and did you know there is a club house, game room, gym, sauna and hot tub too? I shook my head no...(wow #2) "well thats all included too"... "and ohhh.. did I mention that HEAT and HOT water are included in the rent???" (WOW!!!#3) well nooo.. i didn't.. and where do I sign!

Thanks to our awesome, faithful God, we not only have a safe place to move too, but a place that will provide us with enjoyment beyond anything we ever imagined that we would have.
Thanks God!

I just wanted to let you know what God has done for my sister. She had struggled with drugs for years and lost everything, but today she is doing really good. She is at a place called transitions and it is a christian home for women and it is absolutely amazing what God is doing in her life. She has rededicated her life to God and going to church's telling her testimony and I am just at awe at what God has done in her life. God is just awesome! Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! There is hope for anybody. God bless you!

I would like to add to this story a very important part...That morning we had read Psalm 127...  The part that stood out that evening was verse 1: Unless the Lord guards the city (pool area) the watchman stays awake in vain. You see, we had watched and counted heads so carefully that day. God was watching!! Praise His Holy Name!

Dear Lisa & Eric,
I was listening to your WOW stories about infertility issues and I just had to share mine as it has such a funny ending, but be patient, it is long. I married a wonderful man over 20 years ago. At the time, I was out of fellowship with God and my husband was not saved and had not been brought up in church. We wanted to have children and right away began trying. After 6 months of trying, I took an ovulation test and showed that I was ovulating. We then tested my husband, and found out that he was sterile and had a vericocele. It was surgically repaired and 3 months later, he was tested again and again he was sterile. The dr. suggested adoption and said my husband would never be able to father a child. We were devastated. During this time, we had started to attend church and I rededicated my life. I started praying for salvation for my husband. 4 months after being told to adopt, my cycle was late, which had NEVER happened with me. When I told my husband, he later told me that when he was in the shower, he prayed and told God that he would give his life to him and serve him the rest of the days of his life if he would grant us a child. 2 days later I found out I was pregnant! What a miracle! The next Sunday, my husband practically ran down the aisle and gave his life publicly to God! 2 months after our son's 1st birthday, I found out I was pregnant again with my daughter!  My husband is a deacon, a Sunday School teacher and just such a godly man. I have just marveled at how God has worked through him. On a funny note, I had been on birth control after the birth of my daughter,(I was scared of having more children!!!!) I came off the pill 2 years ago and had my tubes tied. When the Dr. did the surgery, she found that I only had 1 ovary! My children were truly miracles. My surgery did not seal the place where the other ovary should have been, so I had to go back on the pill! At this point, my "sterile" husband had a vasectomy!
At 47, we thought we had all the little blessings we needed! I hope my story will inspire people to never give up.

  My Teacher, Mr. Knapp, told our 6th grade class a story about his missions trip to Panama. When they were leaving a village, a storm started. they were riding on a bus through the woods. alot of trees were falling, some missed the bus by inches. a tree fell in front of them, and they tried to go around it but got stuck in the mud. they decided to pray. 5 minutes later. An man came around with a blue tractor. but there werent farms anywhere around. her had a chain and he moved the trees on the side of the rode and got the bus out and drove away.

My mom and dad got divorced when I was around 7 yrs old.  About a year after the divorce my dad married a woman with 7 kids and shortly after that moved across country with her and the kids without a word to us.  We arrived for visitation one Saturday to find his house empty.  For the next 12 years or so there was no contact at all between my dad and me and my brother and sister.  No phone calls, no birthday cards, it was as if he had disappeared.  When I was around 21 or 22 I had a dream that my grandfather (my dad's dad) who lives in town with me had come to me and said that my dad was in the hospital dying and he wanted me to go across country with him to see my dad.  I couldn't...I was too angry.  The next morning I woke up and went to church.  The pastor was preaching about Honor your father and mother.  He spoke about how no matter what they do or how they behave they still deserve the respect of a father and mother.  I went home and spent the rest of the day crying.  I went back to church that night and told my pastor about my dream and asked him what i should do.  He told me to write me dad a letter and ask him to forgive me....I was outraged.  He is the one that abandoned me, why should I ask him to forgive me.  My pastor replied..."for the bitterness in your heart".  He was right.  I wrote the letter and mailed it.  About a month later it was the day before Easter I had another dream.  I dreamed that my dad sent me lilies for Easter.  I woke up Easter morning to find lilies on the kitchen counter.  They were from my husband but my dad called me that night.  That was the first time I had talked to him in about 12-13 years.  After that we were able to build back a relationship that lasted almost 20 years.  It wasn't perfect and was stressed by distance, being so far away from each other, but I was able to regain a relationship with my dad. He passed away from leukemia about 9 mos ago and 2 days before he died my grandfather called me just as he had in my dream to tell me my dad was dying.  I thank God for giving me that dream all those years ago.  I know it was his way of telling me not to waste the precious time I had left with my dad.
Don't take one day for granted and never let anger or bitterness keep you from the ones you love.

My grandmother and aunt raised me but when I was about 6 or 7 my mom came to pick me up and take me with her to her boyfriends work I don't know what he did there cause he was drunk he was drinking beer the whole time there was dump trucks everywhere and the lady in the office asked my mom to go to the store with her well instead of taking me she left me there and the guy asked me if I wanted to get in the dump truck and honk the horn so I did and then he asked if I wanted to go around the block so I said yea well the truck didn't have a passenger seat there was beer cans everywhere and we had been in the truck a while so I started asking when were we gonna be back and he kept saying we're almost there and then we stoped at a store and I got my mom a tape and me some candy and we got back in the truck and some guys at the store seen me get in the truck with him and it didn't look right to them so they took off trying to get him to pull over and called the cops and they followed us until the cops caught him and the officer came to me and asked questions and I gave him my grannys number cause she made sure I knew that kind of stuff and I told him to call my granny so my whole family came to pick me up except my mom and now that I'm older which I tried to block it out for the longest time but now I can honestly say thank you GOD because he was looking out for me that day that's the only reason I made it home that night.

I heard a story from a missionary friend of mine about a time that they were traveling. They were on a narrow bridge when the wife started feeling weird. She couldn't move, she was dizzy, she couldn't speak. Her husband was freaking out, he didn't know whether to turn around or go across the bridge, he needed a hospital. So they pulled off the side of the road. A truck pulled up behind them and a man got out. He told them that he knew where there was a hospital and to follow him. When they got to the hospital there was no wait, they had first rate service immediately. Everyone seemed to know the guy in the truck. When they went back a few days later to thank the guy (He had given them his name) no one at the hospital knew his name, he had no listed phone number or adress! They are almost sure he was an angel.

In 2005, about three months after my wife and I both were saved, anither Wow moment, my then 9 year old sun, and my 16 year old were swimming, when my 9 year old basically drown. My oldest son Jacob, pulled Colton out of the pool and he was not breathing. Jacob, who had blown his shoulder pitching baseball brought him to the ladder to attempt to get him out of the pool and as he got to the ladder slipped, and did sorta "drop" Colton onto the ladder. This at that point Colton spit some water out, and began to breath faintly. At the E.R. Colton was not responsive, but was just screaming, they said due to pain. Colton was flown to Memphis to a children's hospital, where he was kept in a medically induced coma for three days, to give his lungs time to heal. I am cop, and looking at my son hooked up to some many machines, I realized how I could do nothing, but I knew that my God could. We prayed and prayed, and so many others, people we did not even know prayed for Colton. the doctors were concerned of brain damage, due to not knowing how long he had been without oxygen. When it came time to "wake" him up. My wife and I waited, and God answered. Colton woke up, asked about Jacob, (I guess because he was in the hospital, he thought Jacob wa too), asked what day it was, and asked about football. We cried, and thanked God for giving us back our son, he was ok. I am now a part time Youth minister, along with my sweet wife, Jacob will be a senior in college, and is going into the youth ministry, and Colton, now 13, well I coached him last night in a baseball game. He is a normal 13 year old, and a living reminder to us everyday of the power of God. He has blessed us greatly. To me, that was a WOW moment. God is good, all the time.

We knew our youngest son was a VERY "busy" little boy from the time he turned 2 years old. When he started kindergarten, his teacher seemed to be at a loss when it came to dealing with his marked ADHD. Frequently, we would receive a call from his school asking that we come and take him home because of his disruptive behavior. We were told that he would probably require special education classes because of his inability to remain focused and stay on-task. With the much prayer, structured activities and medication he blossomed. Last week, our "little boy" turned 22 years old. He is a senior in college and began his internship as a youth minister. The gifts of joy, boundless energy and creativity now afford him the blessings of serving Christ in a way that none of us had even dared to dream of 20 years ago. It's a God thing!

My husband and I were married for 2 years when we had our beautiful son. About 2 years later we wanted to expand our family. To make a long story short, we endured 6 years of infertility and waiting to adopt domestically. We decided in January 2006 to drop out of our adoption process and enjoy the child God had blessed us with. On January 2, 2006 I was driving to work and I started talking to God. I told him it was okay if I did not have another child grow inside of me but our family has so much love to give. What I found out later at that exact moment there was an amazing family in a local hospital who had given birth to a baby girl that morning and was looking at our adoption book choosing us to raise their child. Just about the time when we were calling it quits God took over and brought this child into our lives. He was not through with our family however. Three months later I became pregnant. My girls are 1 year and 9 days apart and will be the first to tell you that they are such an amzing gift from God.

I just rededicated my life to the Lord this January and he has been working miracles in my life everyday. I am so thankful for all he has done but felt I should share my testimony, for to me it is a wow God moment. I know so many people who are trusting God for a miracle regarding so many illnesses and sicknesses and some days it seems so hopeless. My Wow God story is just for a word of encouragement that God is, and always will be our ultimate healer. I am currently 25 and have suffered from migraine headaches ever since I was 12 years old. I have been unable to touch chocolate or any cheeses, or other items that would "trigger" a migraine within minutes. These headaches had even gotten so severe that they would cause stroke like symptoms for days on end, or in milder cases, just a day or so hidden in the bed from the pain. Recently, these headaches were coming on at least once a week with no relief whatsoever.My friend Pam and I had been praying for my healing because after having them for so long, to me they were an accepted part of my life. How silly was I to think that God for one moment would allow that to be part of my life.  One night at a Monday night prayer service at my church, my pastor invited anyone who needed a healing to come up front, that the Holy Spirit was telling him that someone would be healed that night. Believing, and knowing with all my heart that God is my healer I happily hopped up front. After praying with everyone we all took our seats and claimed our healing. Needless, to say from that night, 2 months ago, I have been migraine free. I just enjoyed my first chocolate cupcake since my teenage years at a youth service last wednesday night. Actually, I enjoyed 3 I am able to eat anything and my healing stands the tests. Doctors have no answers, just that it is a miracle. I know that in times of sickness it can be discouraging, but know that our God is still moving and that with nothing more than one touch, God can heal anything. I pray that everyone who hears this shall stand strong in faith and keep believing for our God is so awesome. There is nothing impossible with him. I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!!

About 3 or 4 years ago, my ex-stepmother left my father, and due to gas prices skyrocketing, and going to church in Greenbrier, almost 60 miles from the house, dad had to fall out of church, and take my brother and I with him. During that time, I fell into many different things that were not glorifying to the Kingdom of Christ, and I began to struggle more and more during that year, falling farther and farther behind on the road to Christ. I began to follow the wider, more beautiful road that leads to death... and thats where I was headed. I got in contact with the Greenbrier church in July of last year, when they invited me to their camp, one that the youth leaders and the youth group up there put together, and that was the best week of my life.

During the night worship services, which were simply amazing, and were blessed with His presence every night, I began to pray for forgiveness and healing, but feeling the addiction, I also prayed for broken chains, and during that week some time the chains were cut loose.

However, still living 60 miles away, I went home a different person, and wound up almost back where I was. Then in March this year, we went to The RAMP in Alabama, and they began to prophecy over us, and telling us how people are struggling with exactly what I was dealing with, and I felt they were talking directly to me, and no one else, and they began to pray and I began to weep and I fell to the ground in worship, and while I was worshiping and weeping, I saw the chains of the addiction fall off, and not only fall off in pieces, but under His blood they were dissolved, never again to reattach themselves to my wrists, I was truly free from the chains of bondage and addiction, and to this day I am walking in the freedom. Our God is Truly amazing!!

My sister committed suicide in October, 2006.  We didn't know what to do or even what to pray. My brother, Tim, called his friend in Delaware, left a message.  His friend called back and she left a message. Two days after our sister's funeral, my brother's daughter, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy at 30 years of age. More phone calls, more messages. Two months later, December, 2006, my brother's ex-wife was murdered by her domestic partner. More phone calls, more messages. Two months later a good friend of my brother's passed away. Again, more phone calls, more messages. In March of 2007, our other sister's ex-boyfriend committed suicide. More phone calls, more messages. It was Saturday, March 31st, my brother, the one making the phone calls, had a heart attack. The following day, our father had a stroke. So my brother is in the i.c. unit, our dad is in the emergency room in the same hospital. Dad had to be airlifted to a different hospital. The following day, Monday, my brother was released from the hospital just in time to say so long to dad, dad passed away that night. You guessed it more phone calls, more messages. Well, here comes the WOW moment, my brother's friend from Delaware received a phone call from a somewhat familiar number. She had been dialing the wrong exchange, instead of 412, she had been dialing 724. Well the person on the other end of the phone said, we don't know who you are or who your friend Tim is, but I am a pastor of a local church and we have been praying for your friend Tim and his family for the past six months.  WOW !!!
Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. WOW !!!

My WOW...

A few years ago I was struggling with faith.  I was at an event with my son and he got ill, so I had to drive him home.  It was three in the morning and 55 miles away.  I was very tired.

After 20 minutes on the road I had this urgent need to pray for our safe return home.

I prayed, "Please God, guide and protect us so I may lead my son to safety.  Please keep the deer and other drivers a safe distance from our vehicle.  In your holy name I pray.  Amen".

Within five minutes, I passed a deer standing at the side of the road waiting.  As soon as I passed, I looked in my rearvierw mirror and saw the deer cross the road.

The very next Sunday my family returned to church and have been faithly serving our Lord since.

Thank you K-Love for the enspiring music!  We love you!

At the Christmas party two years ago, I had met my friend (who will remain nameless for privacy)who little did I know had so much going on. We had exchanged screen names, and for some reason, though we had only met once. She was able to open up to me, and let things out.In mid-conversation, right after I had made a serious comment, she was logged off. Knowing how sad and hurt she had been... Feeling like I lost a friend I had just made hours before, and scared that something might happen to her my heart just started racing. Tears started coming, I was a mess. I couldn't sleep, as I layed in bed, I really had thought that I may have a heart attack. A couple hours later I believe God must have knocked me out :-P I needed the sleep, and Im glad He provided it for me. Waking up the next morning, it all came back. I was worrying, my heart racing, and I didnt even know what to say to God. So I headed to our woods, to be surrounded by Gods amazing creation. And I just sat down in the snow, and said "God, I dont know what to say, please help." Silently I sat there for about 15 minutes. And a squirrel started leaping acrossed the branches. All of a sudden, Im not thinking about the problem. Im amazed by Gods little critter. (easily ammused :-P) And as I watched him, the squirrel started ripping the bark off of the tree. He would tear at the bark, decide he didnt like it, and hop to the next tree. Finally he found just the right tree and for the next 5 minutes or so, he worked hard. Tugging and working hard for a little guy, he ran down the tree. Stopped, looked at me, just stood there, and than finally ran off with a mouth-full. As he dissapeared from site, for a split second I felt the pain and worry come back, until I remembered the verse that talks about how God takes care of the birds, how much more will He not only take care of me, but my friend as well! God loves her more than I did, and though I only knew her for a day, I really did care about her. And so that was saying a lot. Come to find out, her comp. was broke, and her sister had taken the comp back from my friend. So there was no problem at all. But I went from tears of fear, to tears of joy from Gods amazing love. Thats a story that will always stick with me. God speaks through a still small voice... in my case a squirrel   

Here is a sort of Wow! story....

There is a gentleman in my church, Tony, who is profoundly mentally handicapped. He can not speak much and mainly communicates through hand gestures & pictures. But the one word he knows and can say really well is Amen!

He is so enthusiastic when worshiping! I smile every time I watch him during services. I don't know Tony all that well as I have only been at that church for 4 months, but he knows my daughter, who has been at that church for 11 years (but he didn't put the 2 together that she and I are mother & daughter).

This past Sunday, i was so sad. The topic of the sermon was, of course, Memorial Day. I had someone I love very much die 2 years ago and it still hurts. Services like that one make me cry and get very depressed. (I suffer from bipolar disorder and can get very, very depressed so things like this don't help.)

I was sitting there in church with tears in my eyes and sniffling. Tony, who was sitting off to my left and about 2 or 3 pews down from me would reach over to hold my hand when we would get up to sing.

We then went outside to do a flag raising ceremony. I was standing with some friends of mine when Tony, who was standing a bit in front of me, motioned for me to come stand next to him, so I did.  He put his arm around my waist, I put my arm around his and laid my head on his shoulder. We stood like that for a little while during the ceremony. Then as we sang, he took my hand and we stood there and held hands.

It was the best thing that could have happened to me that day. I haven't had anyone want to hold me or hug me or anything like that (except from my daughter). It was so nice to have someone who didn't know me hardly at all to show me that kind of affection. It was if Tony could tell how sad I was (and not just because of the tears).

Anyone could have just given me a quick hug or a gesture, but here was this man who barely knew me put his arm around me and was so sweet to me.

I thank God for him and his Amen!, for his enthusiasm and caring. God made Tony like that on purpose... to teach us all a lesson in humility and love.

Thank you God for putting Tony and others like him in our lives. They are a true blessing from You Lord.

This is definitely a "wow God" story. Our oldest son decided a long time ago that there was no God and was searching for the right thing for him. He read everything he could find on different religions and ended up deciding that Wicca was the place for him to be. I knew that I couldn't push him towards God so I prayed and prayed every day and asked other people to pray for him to find his way back to God... he decided this at age 8 and here we were at age 17 and he still said there was no God and and and (can I just mention that he is very gifted and has always been more mature than other kids his age). People tried to tell me I needed to push him more but I knew only God could make him see the truth so I kept on praying. Anyway, the day before Mother's Day 5 years ago, he came into my room and said "mama, I need to tell you something" He had a girlfriend at that time and the first thing coming to my mind was "oh no, she's pregnant"... oh you of little faith... lol... I was NOT prepared for the next words "I rededicated my life to God and Jesus"... you can't even know how I felt... after that, it went fairly fast... he portrayed Jesus the year after that in our church's passion play and one day he said "Mama, God is calling me to serve him, I'm going into ministry." He is now going to college to become a minister and serve our Lord! WOW, GOD!!!

This happened a few years back.  I had dropped off my daughter at school.  On the way to work, I had what I can describe as a panic attack.  I have never had one before or since and the weird thing was that I was scared for both my daughter and her best friend at school.

I prayed for God to protect both of them and instantly got a sense of peace.  I didn't think much more of it until I picked my daughter up from school. She gives me a note that they had a lockdown because a stranger was spotted on campus and arrested.  Her class was at recess when this occurred.  My daughter and her best friend were in the restroom when their class went in and didn't know.  Her teacher was in the process of counting the kids and had not discovered they were missing.

Another teacher told my daughter that she had a feeling to check the bathrooms so she left her class with a parent volunteer and came and found my daughter and her friend.  

When I think about this, I praise God for providing safety for both my daughter and her friend.

Several years ago our little girl had a problem with her tear ducts draining. She was about 2 years old at the time. We had taken her to the doctor several times and they had tried different medications to try to clear it up. After the last trip, they said she was going to need surgery and tubes inserted to take care of the problem permanently. I can't tell you how much I didn't want her to have surgery. So I began to pray fervently for the Lord to heal her. We were no longer giving her medication because the doctor said it wasn't doing any good. So, as I said, I was praying and the night before we were supposed to go in to schedule her surgery, I prayed over her harder than I have ever prayed before, and the next morning, her eyes were clear and her tear ducts weren't clogged. It has been about 8 years since then, and she hasn't had the problem one time since then. We serve and Awesome God!

This is my WOW story.In July of 2008 I was away on a business trip. I woke up one morning with an incredible desire to speak. A desire to share,encourage,inspire and motivate others. But I was a little confussed because I didn't have anything to share that would do these things. After several days of arguing with GOD about this desire I prayed for HIM to show me why I felt this way. Approx 1 month later I was sitting in the Dr. office with my wife of 15 years (Kendra) as we found out she had breast cancer. We left the Dr. office and went to a resturant to sit and cry,laugh,cry some more and try to figure out what to do next.
    As we were talking I told Kendra that what scares me the most is our kids faith will be tested. They may blame GOD. My two kids (son 12) (Daughter 9)There faith is so strong. They know all the right words, all the bible stories but this is coming to our home and they will surley be tested. We have alwasy had family meetings (some meetings are,Whats for supper or other things but we always meet).
Kendra and I left the resturant and returned to work. As I sat in my office trying to understand what was happening I began to pray for GOD to help me tell my kids in a way that they would understand and not blame GOD.

Later that evening, as I stood looking at the empty seats where I would tell my kids that their mom has cancer I continued to pray for GOD to direct me. As I stood there and prayed I suddenly heard these words (You need two cups). As I heard this Kendra walked into the house and said I'm ready to have the meeting and I want to tell the kids. We called the meeting and Kendra began by telling the kids "Moms sick" As she talked I began asking GOD "Ok I need two cups??? GOD what does that mean? Kendra fisinshed talking and gave me the look like ok it's your turn. I went to the cabinet and pulled out two drinking cups. I placed them on the counter. I sent my daughter after markers,scissors,paper and tape. She returned and we cut the paper into strips. I then told my daughter to write "WE HATE CANCER" on a piece of paper and we taped it around the cup. My son then wrote "WE LOVE JESUS" on a seperate piece of paper and we taped it onthe other cup. We were then told that we needed to write a message and put them in each cup. So we all wrote a message to cancer and we then wrote a message to GOD. After doing this my mouth began moving and words were coming out but I wasn't prepared to talk. I had no idea what to say, it was just coming out. When the meeting was over we prayed and gave our problem to GOD. We then went to bed. The next morning I got up at 5:30am. When I walked into my kitchen I saw my two kids standing at the cups adding messages. I got ready and left for work. As I drove to work I became overwhelmed when thinking about what GOD had done the night before. The message GOD taught all of us that night was you have to know what you are fighting and who is on your team and you can't get them confussed.
I got to my office and walked in and sat down. When I sat down GOD said, "Ok you wanted a story, you said you didn't have anything that would inspire,encourage or motivate others, well here it is and you are supposed to share it. I thought, The desire to speak, I just sat in my office and praised GOD for the two cups and the lesson it taught my family. We spent 1 year in our journey with cancer and what a year it was. GOD used my family in so many ways to show is greaness through us. I was worried about my kids faith but as our journey continued I watched as their faith grow stronger. The cups still sit on the counter in my kitchen and the kids decided that is where they need to stay. Even after the cancer treatments ended I find my kids from time to time putting messages in the cups.

Something I learned in all of this is We all need two cups. It doesn't have to be cancer. It can be marriage,money,health,family,work or what ever. You just rip that cancer papaer off our cup and put your issue on the cup. But you have to remember who is on your team and what you are fighting and you can't get them mixed up.

  Remember the desire to speak? I now speak occassionally and churchs,youth groups and devotionals. Every time I speak I take the cups and share them with the audience. They will put messages in them. When I return home from speaking my kids read through the messages and pray for each one. GOD has taught my family so much through this journey with breast cancer. I would never wish anything bad on anyone but I do pray that all can experience GODS love and grace as my family did through Breast Cancer.

Thanks for all ya'll do

   REMEMBER "YOU NEED TWO CUPS"  

My "Wow" story happened approximately two years ago. Although I have been divorced 9 years, my former husband still carries great bitterness and hatred toward me. We have two daughters together, who live with me. Out of the blue, he stopped paying child support; he said his goal was to bankrupt me. He didn't pay child support for eight months, and I struggled to hang on to my home and provide for our daughters. I was on the brink of foreclosure, which was a very scary feeling, and prayed so much for God to help me. I phoned my mortgage company to discuss any other options available, such as a modification. I was assigned a certain employee to talk with, and we had played phone tag for quite awhile. We were finally able to connect one afternoon as I was driving home from work. She was located in a different state than I was in, and I was so thankful she was kind. She chatted a little bit, and told me that she had actually gone to elementary school right down the road from my house, where my daughter was now attending school. She was running the numbers, and she said it looked like she would be able to grant a modification, without having to increase my payment amount or interest rate, and that my daughters and I would be able to keep our home. I broke down crying then, because I felt she was truly an angel sent by God to help us. I felt this even more so when I got home and got my mail that day, and had a letter from my mortgage company indicating they would not be able to grant me a modification and would be proceeding with foreclosure. God saved our home that day, and I am so thankful that He never lets go of me.

Hey I just have to tell my family's WOW story!
When we were all kids, every year we went on a wilderness camping / blueberry-picking trip.  One year, we were in the middle of no-where - easy 100mi from anything.  When we went to go home, we came to a gate, that we hadn't noticed on the way in.  It was Sat. and the logging road we were on had been locked up for the weekend.  What were we going to do?  My Dad is a very handy guy, and tried for hours to break open / smash / pick that lock.  It was NOT COMING OFF!  With his tools, he even tried to take the hinges apart.  He finally gave up in frustration, and we looked at a weekend of more camping and nothing to eat but blueberries.

After all the 'fuming' one of my brothers asked "Dad, did you pray about it?"
My Dad, completely humbled, stopped right there and we prayed together.
He got back out of the car, and walked to the gate, still thinking we were going to camp again.  He touched the padlock and it FELL APART in his hand!

*****PLEASE READ*****
On April 15th of this yr, my four children and I were coming out of a little country road to cross a US Hwy. I didn't see the car that was traveling down the hwy at about 65mph. It hit us on the rear passenger side so hard that it broke the axle and bent the frame. The impact threw the van up into the air, landed us upside down and slid it into a ditch. My 8yr old son was ejected about 30 feet. All of this sounds horrible but God had it.

Three of my children and I had a few bruises and very minor scratches. We were discharged from the ER within 6 hrs. My son that was thrown out had 2 one inch cuts on the back of his head that required 10 staples and he had a good case of road rash. There were no broken bones, head or any other kind of internal injuries. He stayed one night for observation by my request and we were home by lunch the next day.

By the way, 11 people have died at that very intersection.

The details of it all would fill pages and pages. There have been no nightmares. We all were very minorly sore. They said the soreness and bruises would get worse with time but we only got better.

Satan requested our lives on that day because I had been talking to my athiest aunt for 2 mts and I'm raising kids that are gonna rock this world for God. But it backfired in so many ways. Our story is flying across this country.

A few days later I was thinking about God being able to keep what we commit to Him and I really did think "Wow God, you REALLY did it. It really works just like you said!".

The day after the accident, my niece sent some pictures of the van to us at the hospital. On the hood of my van is a huge image of Jesus.....not just a hint of an image...there's no denying it's Him. ( I would send it if there was a place for it. Email me if you want to see it.) That week I had just learned the song by NeedToBreathe that says....."Yahweh, Yahweh, Great is your glory when you go before me!" God doesn't need to prove himself, but He gave me that image to share with whoever will listen.

This my WOW story.

My wife and I had only been married for a few years and we were going through some rough times arguing a lot and just not getting along eith each other.(we were both young) One night I was at wits end with what to do and we were both at our breaking point. I remember I went into the living room and I placed my face into my hands and I began talking to God. I told Him that I did not know what else to do I was desperate to find an answer. I was contiplating us going our seperate ways. In my speaking with God I said that I know were are not to test God with anything but our tithes but I said I needed a sign from Him that this was His will for us to be together. No sooner then I finished my prayer my phone rang and on the caller I.D. it said Christian Life. I answered the phone and it was the pastor of our Church. He reconized my voice and asked how everything was going he then apologized saying that he had meant to call someone else and must have dialed my number by accident. Well I knew it was no accident God answered my Prayer. I ended the conversation with the Pastor and went into the room with my wife and we worked out our differences. I thanked God of course for always being there for me.

This year we will be married for 14 yrs. Although we have had our bumps in the road I always remembered that this is the His will and we have always managed to work it out.  

God is good.

A few weeks ago my dog (who was our first "child") got very sick and had to be taken to the vet. They found what they called a "mysterious mass" and that they were pretty sure it was cancer. Lymphoma is what the vet told us, and even gave us our options (basically to prolong her suffering). He said we needed to go to a different office to get an ultrasound to be sure. I cried and prayed my heart out. I asked God, "please heal her God! If that's not your plan, I understand, but please at least make sure she doesn't suffer. Pleae, God don't let her suffer!" I prayed so hard (as did my family). I had to ask my dad to pay the $150 for the ultrasound. The part that broke my heart was that I had to ask my dad to use the money set aside for my son's 6th birthday party. That broke my heart, but in my eyes there was no choice. (I knew he would have a great party for free). The ultrasound was about 3 days after the initial vet visit (a few weeks before the birthday party). When we were sitting in the office waiting, I had a strong feeling that my dog would be okay. We got called back for the results of the ultrasound, and THERE WAS NO LONGER A MYSTERIOUS MASS!!!!! I cried right there. I couldn't believe it. They couldn't find this mass! I knew my prayers were answered. I thanked God countless times. I still do. My dog is just fine now. And the icing on the cake is this: We had a pool party for my son at my dad's house. Unfortunately, we have been smack dab in the middle of days of strong thunderstorms. It was due to storm it's heart out the day of the party (this past Sunday). I asked God if there was any way that he could make the rain stop just for 2 hours so that my son could swim at his pool party. Now this may not seem a big deal, but I was very worried that my son would not have a very enjoyable party. It was storming (lightning and everything) when we left our house, and about 10 minutes from my dad's house..... the rain stopped and the sun came out!! (This was not in the forecast!) My son got to swim safely, and it turned out to be the best party he ever had!! I have thanked God over and over. I am still amazed by everything that has happened. All I can think is "That's What Faith Can Do".... God bless.

MY GOD WOW--

In 2003 my wife was diagnosed with cancer, a rare type of sarcoma in her abdomen. The tumors were large (one the size of one of those small basketballs, another just a bit smaller). She only weighs 120 lbs so these growths had pushed all of her organs to one side and were intertwined within her. The Doctor told us that one kidney would have to be removed and probably more surgeries in the future. Survival rate is 30% for this disease.

I had not given my life to Christ at that time but I still prayed relentlessly for weeks leading up to the surgery. As they took her into the Operating Room, I asked the doctor how long of a surgery this would be. He told me about 8 hours. If all went well, they might get done sooner but he said, "If you see me come out in any less than 6 hours, that would mean that it has spread more or is worse than we thought and we'll do what we can and close her up".

When I saw the doctor come thru those doors after only about 4-1/2 hours, my heart sank and I nearly passed out. My knees wobbled as I tried to stand to face the doctor. He said, "The cancer had detached itself from the organs. It all came out cleanly and completely and did not damage any of the organs". She got to keep both kidneys. The doctor was in a bit of disbelief.

Seven years later she is still cancer-free and living well. I've since turned my life over to Christ. I believe this was God showing me one of his many WOW moments. He used my wife and her illness to bring me to Him. Praise God.

I am so thankful for God protecting my family Saturday May 29th.  It keeps going over and over in my mind.  My brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece were on vacation in Arkansas.  They had just left their hotel and were driving down the road when a logging truck pulled in front of them. Some type of an arm device with a claw on the end to unload and load the logs swung into the side of the Van window and went right through it right where my niece was sitting.  She had her seat belt on and in the instant before the crash had swung around in the seat and bent way down to put her shoes on. The piece that came through the van would have hit her right in the head had she not been bent down in that instant.  My brother said he's sure it would have killed her.  My niece and my nephew are fine.  My sister-in-law is very sore with neck and back pain.  My brothers leg got pinned between the seat and the car door and they had to extracate him from the vehicle, however nothing was broken, just swollen, brused, and sore in his leg and very sore in his back and neck as well.  I am so thankful that it wasn't worse! I can't wait until they get back home so I can give them all a big hug!  
My father-in-law passed away in January, my brother-in-law passed away during an emergency surgery in March which was quite a shock to us all.  My son-in-law has had three deaths in his side family over the last few months. I'm so thankful we didn't suffer another loss!  
It is another reminder that we never know when our last moment on this earth will be.  We need to make the most of our time together and be bold witnesses for Christ while we can.

Thank you God!!!!!!!!!

I thought life was good. I had a healthy son, my husband was making a great income, I was working part-time and going back to college. We decided it was a good time to have one more child, so I quit my job and focused on school trying to time the pregnancy with graduation so I would have 6-8 weeks before becoming teacher. The pregnancy was confirmed in November... my husband got laid off in January... and in February, we were told we were having triplets - naturally. How does someone in that situation react to such news?! I was scared to death and had to swallow a big pride pill and get on all of the government programs we could qualify for. As you can imagine, there was a whole lot of "Why God?" Why this blesing without the means? Over the next couple of months, I started a walk with God I never thought possible. I had fallen away from church years ago, but I knew that now, more than ever, I was going to need to "cast my cares on Him." 37 1/2 weeks later I gave birth to 16 lbs worth of babies - all healthy. This June21st they turn 16. Since their birth, my walk has taken me down painful roads with troubled youth and almost 4 years of service as a youth minister and complete removal of any embaraassment or fear of talking to anyone who would listen about His love and faithfulness. Wow! God really is with me... always.

In January of this year, I was let go from my job under false accusations. My former employer stated that I had helped a client commit vandalism, which was totally false as I would never do such a thing. They used this to deny me unemployment and my husband was out of work at the time too, with no unemployment. We had no income coming in, my mother-in-law would only help us with electricity, water and gas and the benevolence fund at our church provided only food as they were overwhelmed. My small group helped out when they could and the situation was desperate. We prayed and prayed that God would provide us with employment as we had no money and the bills were piling up. Bill collectors were calling and there was nothing we could do about it. We were down to our our last ten dollars and the neighbor asked my husband if he could do some minor repairs to her house, and she gave us money for that. Then, during the same week our neighbor asked my husband for help,God provided me with a job after nearly four months of umeployment and my husband with a job a month ago! Praise God for His goodness. And through this trial, God taught us how to wait and rely upon him. He taught us patience and how to manage our money in a godly way. Now, we are getting caught up on bills and are on a track to get debt free. I just want to share this in case anyone else is in our situation. People may not be able to help you, but the Lord will always provide for you in His timing and His timing is perfect.

My husband Darrell accepted a position as a Bi-vocational Youth Minister.  We both had full time jobs and we lived an hour away from this church.  We felt it was of God so we accepted the position.  We wanted to move closer but we could not leave our grandparents who lived next door.  We prayed about it and left it in God's hands.  After traveling an hour from work on Wednesday's and an hour each Sunday morning and Sunday evenings for a year, my Aunt came to us and told us she would like to move closer to her parents and care for them as they were getting older (my grandparents) and wanted to know if we would be interested in sailing our home.  She lived over 3 hours away, so she put her house on the market.  At the time all of this came together it was the beginning of the declining housing market.  We prayed for her to get a buyer.  The housing market we so bad, but we took God at his word and we started looking at houses that would get us closer to our church and our ministry there, but still be close to our work as well.  We started looking and there was nothing available that suited our needs.  So we continued praying.  My aunt still had no luck, we were almost about to throw up our hands and just quit.  Then one day we found this cute house 24 minutes from our Church and 25 minutes from our work.  It was perfect, once we realized how perfect it was our hearts almost sank, knowing our Aunt didn't have a buyer, we knew this home would slip right out of our hands.  Me, my husband Darrell, our Christian Real Estate Agent and our children all held hands in the breakfast room of this beautiful home and prayed for God's will to be done.  Not 15 minutes after we prayed my Aunt called and said someone drove by her house and called and wanted to look at her house.  2 weeks later this very person bought her house, and we bought the house we prayed for.    My husband stated that sometimes when he prayers he doesn’t feel  the presence of God, because he just goes through the motions.  This particular day when he prayed, he said that he felt the presence of God.  This day has dramatically changed him, he now can say “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20.

On another note, a neighbor 4 houses done from us befriended our children and our boys  witnessed to them and they told our boys if we would  not have moved into this neighborhood they would not have known they needed to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!!!!!

We have friends who are missionaries serving at the Christian Academy of Guatemala. With all the activity there this past week they have been in our thoughts and prayers a lot. When we finally heard from them yesterday they shared a story that still has me saying WOW! Her oldest son and a friend had gone hiking on THE volcano last Thursday. This is a favorite place for them and the family has hiked there many times. They finished their hike and were off the volcano at 1:30pm. The volcano erupted at 3. Thank you Jesus for protecting these teens, who went on to graduate high school on Saturday.

I was 15 years old when my life changed. My mother was a christian and one of my sisters. I didn't want anything to do with God at that time in my life. Well, it was October, time for Halloween and there was an haunted hay ride trail that I wanted to be involved with because my best friend was going to be apart of it. So I just told my mother that I was going to an event with the Ambulance Corp group that I was involved with while she went to church. Well I painted my face black and had black clothes on and was along the road of the hay ride and would pop out when the tractor with people would pass by. I was having a blast until I got too close to a tractor. My foot got stuck by the rear wheel and that huge wheel brought me down to the ground and completely went up my right leg off my hip. I was screaming on top of my lungs but people thought that it was part of the hay ride since it was too dark to see me. Finally someone saw me and I was rushed to hospital on a stretcher with a brace on my leg, arm, and neck. I didn't cry I was in a stage of shock until I met my mother at the hospital where I balled out crying telling her that I'm sorry for lying to her. But she was so calm and told me that everything was going to be ok. I thought I broke my leg in like 5 places because over 4 thousand pounds was on my leg (the tractor filled with people). After taking x-rays my mother prayed for me. The doctors were in a stage of shock because they couldn't find anything broken. Not my leg, hip, arm, nothing! I just had some bad bruises but glory to my God that he protected me. I accepted God a couple of weeks later and thanked God for having mercy on me. He is awesome!

I've been a Christian for 5 years now and God has been moving SO much in my life. My freshmen year of high school i had been a self injurer and an anorexic (since fifth grade), five years later with my freshmen year of college behind me I am no longer dealing with those issues. It's still hard for me to see myself as beautiful as God sees me but I'm getting there. I'm 239 days free of self injury and I'm so close to being set free of trying to control every area of my life.

PRAISE GOD!!

about 2 years ago my life was totally out of control.  My husband and I were not getting along at all and I just knew our marriage would end. Things between us got physical once and my teenage daughter witnessed this. I ran up several credit cards and was in debt bad and my husband had no idea.  I was contemplating suicide because I thought I had no other way out of the situation.  I started to watch a young woman in our Church and saw something in her that I wanted in my life.  She was always so happy and always had uplifting things to say to everyone.  I knew it had to be God in her heart that I was seeing.  So I went to the alter several times in our Church and prayed that God would just take over my life and take my pain and problems from me.  I gave it all to Him. I was saved a couple of weeks later and then Baptized.  My husband and two children 16 and 10 still were not Baptized nor had they committed their lives to the Lord.  
Well, my husband and I started doing better in our marriage slowly but never separated.  He started reading his Bible without my knowledge and turned his life over to God.  I helped organize a "Youth Retreat" for some churches in our area and my son attended with me and made his profession of faith.  My daughter was the tough one that didn't come around until much later.  The day that my husband and son were scheduled to be Baptized my daughter came to the alter and gave her life to the Lord and was Baptized with her father and brother in the Amite River close to our home that same day.  This is one of the most memorable days in our lives and I really believe that God had that Wow moment in our lives. I know because of the Grace of God my families lives have been changed forever.  As for the young lady that I watched in our Church, well she and I are now best friends and I can't imagine my life without her in it.  She sings in our Church and has been a mentor for my daughter who now sings in our Church and other functions also.  We never knew our daughter was interested in singing but we are very glad she came out and shared her beautiful voice with our community.  God answers prayer and he has definately answered mine.  

This is a Wow Story from a friend of mine.  You can see the actual painting at lead2paint.com


On Friday night, February 19th my sister and her son Kadin
had a tragic drowning accident. My nephew and his dear
friend Austin  fell  through thin ice on a pond at my sisters
home. My sister jumped in to save them. The water was
extremely cold and it was dusk. I know my sister tried so
hard to save her son and dear friend from a watery grave
however she gave her life trying to save the boys.

On Friday night I was spending  time painting.  As I was
painting, what entered my thoughts and emotions lead me
to paint some extremely....dark images....
So dark in fact I left the room with a sick feeling. I now
realize this painting was being painted at the time of my
sister and nephews and friends death. I found the picture
disturbing and called a friend about it and could not
continue to paint...it was about 6-7 pm.

I was inspired to paint around 8 pm so I begin a entirely new
painting on a blank canvas I kept thinking "paint  something
more happy" .

Later that night I received a call from the police stating my
sister and the boys were "missing" and frantically fled to find
them...but ...God had already called them to be with Him.

Looking back,I believe I was "lead to paint".During the time
of there passing...both these pictures are so different. I've
tried to make sense of the tragedy and truly I have only
begun a grieving process. For now I may never paint again
as it is painful to me, however, in time I hope my sisters
memories will give me comfort as the Lord takes the extreme
pain I have in my heart.  

And so , please view my 2 paintings  "at the time of death"  
and "Jesus is calling"

I loved my sister and nephew with an undying love and do
not know how I will go on. I believe even though "I will praise
him in this storm"  God will be glorified through this situation.
My sister was so tender, so Godly, so ...Close to me I pray
that God will awaken at the right time what I am to be
"lead 2paint"                         Karen          

My brother-in-law got home from Iraq on Easter Sunday. About two weeks later he was playing softball with his unit. He was pitching and got hit between the eyes by a line drive. It shattered his nose, brow bones, and sinuses, He had shards of bone in his brain, a tear on his brain, and bleeding and swelling of the brain. He remained conscious the entire time so you can imagine the pain he suffered. I have three teenage daughters who were at church at the time playing volleyball. When I told them about it the youth group stopped what they were doing and had a prayer circle right then. That started one of many prayer chains we had going for him. He went into surgery at 6 a.m. the next morning. They did brain surgery, facial reconstruction, and surgery on his sinuses. The surgery lasted for 8 hrs. In less that 24 hrs he was out of ICU, and home recovering in 2 days. He had major brain surgery on 4/18 and is working, driving, enjoying and living life with his family!!! Tell me that's not a WOW story!!! GOD AND THE POWER OF PRAYER IS SO AWESOME!!!

I just heard the story of John-John and his family and had to share my own family's story. My sister, Sonja, is 14 and was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy at the age of two.  The doctors told my parents that she would never be able to walk, talk, or function like a "normal" child.  Well, we call her the miracle child because through prayer (lots of it!) she can walk, talk, and is going to be an 8th grader in the fall.  Granted, her walking is with a limp and helped through many surgieries and she does have halted speech but it is a miracle nonetheless!
She has taught me so many things, such as being patient, compassionate and loving.  Sonja is the goofiest, most tenderhearted girl I have ever met.  She can tell if Im having a bad day just by looking at my face and will stop what she is doing to hug me.  She has this gleam in her eyes constantly that I love.  She has also taught me to be corageous and grateful for my well-working body.  Sonja has endured so many surgieries and this past January was spent entirely in a hosptial from surgery complication but she was still positive and brave.  I love Sonja, she is my best friend and she is such a blessing in my family's life. Thanks ALL to God!

This past year during Spring Break I was blessed to be able to go to the Mariann School in Kenya with a group from my high school.  Before I left, I was talking to my girlfriend about my college decision that I had to make very soon.  I said I knew that God would make it obvious to me which of the two schools He wanted me to go to (University of Arkansas- Fayetteville, or UT Knoxville).  She told me that when she and her friend have a tough decision to make, they pray for elephants.  Jokingly, I said, "Ok. If I see elephants, I'll choose UT Knoxville, and if I don't, I'll choose U of A."  She said alright.  Well I went to Kenya and came back and kept telling her about how on safari we saw the biggest herd of elephants that any of our group had ever seen.  She laughed and said, "Do you remember what you said about elephants before you left?"  I was clueless.  I had completely forgotten from the awesome creation that I saw while there.  She reminded me, and I made my choice from that.  I am now going to UT Knoxville for Architecture in the fall.  I'm excited to see how God will use me.  Bwana Asifiwe! - Praise God!

Good morning everyone, and God bless us all.  

I want to share the story of my cousin Arlin.  She is 30 now, but since she was a little child we knew she was special.  

She has a degenerative eye desease called "retinitis pigmentosa".  She have never given up anything.  She was excellent in her schools, in fact, she was No. 1 in her elementary, and was on the top 10 in her High school.  She studied Law in the Catholic University, got 2 Master degrees, and now she holds a PHD in Law!!!  All that in less than 30 years, and without seing hardly anything.

God has always been a very important part in her life, and she is one of the most hopeful, and never-giving-up persons I know.

All these for the Glory of God!!

J.J.

This is a "Wow" year for me.  My precious daughter, Angi is getting married in July.  Her life has touch thousands of people.  When she was a baby, God saved her life when she suffered an alergic reaction to medicine that nearly killed her.  Growing up she always seemed like a very normal yet happy and fun girl to know.  As she grew her heart for Jesus turned into a calling to missions.  She set a goal at 14 and never looked back.  At 24 now she recieved her masters degree from Liberty U.  And did it with a perfect grade point average.  She has been to 12 countries and served the Lord with her humble, loving and fun spirit by touching thousands of peoples lives for Jesus. She is preparing now to marry her love of 5 years, Solomon, who is from Thailand.  They will be settling there to run his father's Christian school. God has richly blessed her life.
Thank you Klove for holding this Mom together with your music and minstry this year.

When my now ten year old daughter was three years old, she had a surgery to remove her tonsils and adnoids.  I really think her daddy and I were more nervous than she.  The hospital we were in had a small red wagon that they wheeled the children into the operating room in.  I asked Reagan if she wanted to sit in the red wagon and take a ride.  She insisted that she could not get in the wagon...  Later, after practically begging her to get in the wagon so the doctors could take her away, she said, "Momma, there is already someone in the wagon."  I calmly told her there was no one in the wagon, but she insisted there was.  When I asked her who was in the wagon, she said, "Jesus!"  I know Jesus was there ready for her to hop in and take a ride.  We had been praying for God to be present on this day, and He absolutly was!  WOW!!

I've always known God is with me and talk to Him everyday.  Growing up, there was a lot of emotional abuse in my home from my Mother.  After I moved out, every time I would think of my Mother I would feel anger, hurt and resentment.  I knew this wasn't right and prayed that I would forgive her.  One day while driving home I told God that He was going to have to forgive her for me because I couldn't do it on my own.  I had tried and failed numerous times.  A few days later I was driving home and thought about my Mom and realized that I felt no anger, no resentment, nothing but peace.  God had removed 20 years of horrible feelings without me even noticing!  It has been 6 years since then and I now have a great relationship with my Mother.  I thank God regularly for allowing this to happen.  What an awesome God we serve!

God Wows!  Nearly 8 years ago (only 2 months after I gave my life to Jesus and was baptized in the water), God blessed our blended family with a son.  He was born a month early and had trouble breathing.  The nurses rushed him away and they hooked him up to oxygen and monitors.  A neonatologist came in to see him and for several days they x-rayed his lungs.  After several days and x-rays later, there was a large spot on one of his lungs that was not shrinking or going away, but it wasn't getting bigger either, and the neonatologist determined that he had Congenital Lobar Emphysema, which can be life-threatening in newborns.  The treatment was a lobectomy, the sooner the better.  It was only the second case the neonatologist had seen in his 17 years of practice, and it is very uncommon.  My husband was devastated.  We each had a daughter from prior relationships, so he was so excited to have a baby boy to raise, play sports with, and to one day, serve our country if it was God's plan.  He was so scared that his physical activity would be affected by having part of his lung removed as well as having a scar to deal with.  Our son was able to come home when he was just 4 days old and seemed to be breathing and cried just fine.  We took him at 2 weeks old to have a CT scan done so the surgeon could map the lung for the surgery.  Just a day or so later, the doctor called.  Our son's lung was healing.  The spot had drastically shrunk.  He went in for 1 more x-ray after that and the spot had nearly disappeared.  The dr. re-diagnosed him with Pneumomediastinum, which usually resolves itself on its own and no treatment required.  The dr. did not diagnose him with this originally because apparently the spot should have changed in the 4 days they were x-raying and monitoring it in the hospital.  Some may think this is no big deal, just a misdiagnosis, but to our family, and everyone that prayed in those 2 weeks when we were watching him and preparing for surgery, this is definitely a God thing!  Thank you, God, for our little blessing, football player, wrestler, gymnast, and swimmer, and a lover of Christ.  He has recently expressed his wishes to be baptized, and we are planning this in the upcoming month.

Hi there, my name is Myra and I was adopted at birth. I was raised by the most awesome Christian family and could not have asked for a better life. However, as I got older, that wonder and question was always there, who do I look like? My mother was also adopted so she always understood my question. I registered on many adoption registries on line over the last 20 years and never had any luck. My state is a closed record state, however, I contacted the adoption agency and they have a service where they can connect birth parents with adoptees. I decided to persue it and within 48 hours I was on the phone with my birth mother! I found out I have a half brother and sister on that side and then through by birth mother I contacted my birth father within 6 weeks. I have 3 more half sisters and another brother on that side. The biggest blessing is that they are all God's children and believers in Christ. I have met my birth mother and her other children, but have not met my birth fathers side of the family....yet. God is good all the time and I am so blessed to know that there is enough room in all our lives for each other.

Hi my name is mary i live in lincoln nebraska. i am the mother of 3 autistic boys and love it!! I to have a jon jon in my family and he is more autistic than the other 2. He will be going into the second grade and is doing well for him. He has been in school since he was 8 months old!! When he was born we knew he would be more serverly autistic than my older 2. Each day was a struggle to understand him but finally i tried something of a different sort, I let him teach me!! Yes i said teach me!! He couldnt tell me what he wanted so he would show me what he wanted. He would goto the fridge if he was hungry,give me his sippy cup if he was thirsty and would rub his eyes if he was sleepy. It was really amazing what i learned from him!! Jon Jon still struggles but now has learned to read a bit and knows all his letters numbers and other things!! He is a 1st grader going into the 2nd grade next yr!! His teachers and paras (people that work with him) are definately an answer to prayer!! He loves to listen to klove and even sings to the songs thanks for what you do!!

I have had many WOW moments but the shortest one to share is when my husband and I were 16 and dating. He was taking me home which was a long stretch of nothing on a small highway.  We were about to approach going up a steep hill when all of a sudden, he started pulling over to the shoulder.  I asked him "What are you doing?" and he said "I don't know. I just know I am supposed to pull the car over." Before we got stopped on the side of the road, we saw a big semi truck coming over the hill (fast) that was in our lane trying to pass another vehicle!  Had my husband not been obedient, I doubt we'd be here today!  

My "WOW" God moment happened about 3 1/2 years ago.  My sister had been married to a man who was alcoholic.  She had endured many years of verbal, emotional and mental abuse.  My brother-in-law was a tortured soul.  He says he was saved and I hope to see him in heaven one day.  They had separated in 2000.  Over the years since he had done and said many horrible things to my sister let alone the irresponsibility with his children when they visited.  Finally, in 2006 his disease won and he basically drank himself to death.  My sister found him dead in his apartment a week later.  Here comes the WOW part.  I was with her that day and she asked me if I would come to her house to help her tell my nieces.  I went ahead of her and parked my vehicle outside to wait because my eldest niece was at home alone and I did not want to scare her.  I began to pray and ask God to help me help my sister through this and to give me the words to help tell my nieces.  Next thing I know, someone had pulled up in front of the house and was getting out to go to the door.  I got out and asked if I could help them.   The gentlemen introduced himself as the pastor of the church that my sister and her husband had attended many years prior.  When he told me who he was he must have seen the shock on my face.  I asked me how he found out so quickly.  He had no idea what I was talking about.  He said he had been meaning to come by the house for about 3 weeks and was just around the corner and felt a need to come.  When I told him what happened we both decided it was a God thing.  When my sister arrived and I introduced her to him you could also see the shock on her face.  

God did not necessarily give me the words to help my sister through this situation but he certainly did provide someone who did.

Thank you Father for your new mercies everyday!

Wow Wednesday... just two words... Abby Paskvan   she has been given a gift from God of an awesome singing voice.  I first heard her sing 5 years ago at our schools Christmas concert.  In 3rd grade she wowed us all with her solo.  How did such a full voice come from a 3rd grader.  Wow!  Now 5 years later in the eighth grade she releases her first CD in Tennessee and in one month she is in the top 20 on local christian radio.  You can hear for yourself at www.abbypaskvan.com   be prepared for the wow

I felt compelled to share my story with you all at KLOVE, since I feel that your station helped me come to Christ.  My story begins with a little insight on some pretty serious things going on in my family lately, my aunt has been diagnosed with the worst kind of brain cancer and has been given 2-18 months to live, my sister's husband's cousin is only 28 years old and has 2 small children and has been diagnosed with lung and bone cancer and not given a very good prognosis either. After spending the weekend at the hospital with my aunt after her brain surgery, I went to work on Monday 5/24/10, I am a firefighter/paramedic, at the fire station and had alot on my mind, thinking and praying for my family and thinking about ALOT of things.  I got to work and was just having a very hard time keeping myself together, I felt like crying every few seconds.  So, I felt that I wasn't able to stay at work the rest of the day.  I called my coordinator and he got someone to come in for me.  Now, let me say, I have a Leiutenant here that is a very devout Catholic and we have been talking more and more each shift, about all kinds of things, not just about God, but everything.  He was aware of my family's "situation" and has been praying also, so when I went into his office to say that I was having someone come in for me to work the rest of the shift, naturally he wanted to know what was going on and why I was so upset and wanted an update about my aunt's condition etc.  So we were talking and he told me that maybe I needed to "work" on myself and ask for strength so I would be better able to help my family work through these very difficult times.  I really took this to heart.  So I was driving home and I was listening to KLOVE and praying for strength and understanding, strength and understanding.....when the song "Better Than A Hallelujah" by Amy Grant came on and out of the blue I could palpably feel God come into my heart....I for the very FIRST time, in my life, felt that I was able and ready to honestly and wholly accept God and Christ into my life first and foremost.  I felt a physical CHANGE. I felt that I fully understood now that God wants us to cry to him and be close to him and GIVE him EVERYTHING, He loves and needs it all.  Doesn't matter, good or bad, he LOVES us unconditionally and has a reason for everything, whether we understand it or not.  Now, I need to tell you that I have always gone to church and always believed in God, but sometimes, I've felt, note entirely sincere about everything or entirely sure about my "walk" with God.  I know I haven't always been the best Christian or kept God first.  But that day, Monday 5/24/10 at approximately 10:30am, I...was....SAVED.  I can't stop smiling, I want to run outside and shout to everyone what happened to me! I'm taking this all one day at a time, I'm not sure where this new life/walk with God will take me, but I know this is AWESOME.  I am a changed person forever.  Thank you KLOVE for your wonderful and inspirational messages and songs that always seem to be just what I needed to hear anytime throughout my day.  Thank you and PRAISE GOD!!

My husband and I were married in August of 1997. We moved out of our apartment and into our first home in April of 1998 - this was the goal we had set in order to start a family. We tried for many months to get pregnant, and had many friends having babies, but we could not afford to seek medical help because we had no infertility coverage on our insurance. Finally in July of 1999 I learned that I was pregnant and in March 2000, I delivered a very healthy - and big! - baby boy. As our son grew up, he constantly asked for a sibling. November 2009, I felt an urging from God to get up from bed and write down the thoughts running through my mind. As I had always battled my weight, I promised God that I was no longer going to just survive by continuing to make choices for myself that were not working and instead I wanted to follow God's direction in my life - MY choices were not good enough. I had begun having very frequent issues with my gallbladder that had plagued me for the last half of my pregnancy with my son and sought out a surgeon. January 4th, 2010 I was in the hospital and the surgeon was ready for me early - it was time to get my gallbladder out, but there was a test that they had to run first. Fifteen minutes later, the surgeon re-enters my room to cancel my surgery...I was pregnant. With no medical intervention and after releasing my issues to God for the final time, He blessed me with a miracle baby! At 17 weeks I had to find a new surgeon to perform my gallbladder removal and was blessed to find a surgeon much closer by the referral of my OB. I sit here now - 25 weeks pregnant - carrying a healthy little girl. She moves and kicks all the time and I am abundantly blessed to be able to give my ten-year-old son - in September - his heart's desire...a sibling. He could not be more thrilled...neither could we.

Wow, God!

when i was at a new school and i had no friends and i was very shy and then i mat me friend that was just like me and then i was thinking that wow god thanks

My youngest daughter was born when I was 29 weeks pregnant. The closest children's hospital was 91 miles away and I had three other daughters in school so I was only able to go see my new baby on the weekends.  The doctors told me that she would not come home for at least 11 weeks.  After 5 weeks of seeing her only on weekends I couldn't take it anymore.  The following week was spring break and we were going to spend it with her.  On Friday afternoon I prayed that God would allow me to bring her home with me then.  I felt in my heart that God had said yes to my request.  On Sunday I informed everyone at church that my baby would be coming home the following week.  My 11 yr old daughter asked me not to tell people that because there would be questions when we came home without the baby.  I asked her, "Where is your faith, she's coming home?"  On Monday morning I received a phone call from a nurse at the children's hospital informing me that my baby had made amazing progress over the weekend and she was ready to come home.  My Kristen is now 9 years old and in perfect health.  From time to time I catch her talking.  At first I thought she had an imaginary friend and I asked her who she was talking to.  Her answer was "Jesus".  She loves the Lord and doesn't forget that He is the reason for all good things.  She was doing a questionnaire once and one of the questions was "What is the best advice you've been given?" Her answer was, "Be friends with Jesus."  And that's exactly what she has done.  I thank God every day for my baby.

In December of 2005, my family was visiting my aunt and uncle after a whirlwind week of family gatherings all across MI.  We were almost home and looking forward to some time relaxing as a family that night.  My little brother (then 3 and 1/2) was thirsty and went to the kitchen to look for a drink.  Finding a cup with some blue liquid, he drank some, thinking it was kool-aid.  Unfortunately, it was actually a science experiment my cousin was conducting for school. It was a crystal growing solution containing copper sulfate (the main chemical in DrainO).  My brother was immediately nauseous and began throwing up.   Poison Control directed us to take him immediately to the local ER and even called ahead to alert the doctors he was coming.  The ER was not equipped to run a stomach scope on such a little guy and plans were made to transfer him via ambulance to DeVos in Grand Rapids, about 3 hours away.  By this time, my brother was lethargic, unable to keep any foods or liquids down and very pale.  We had started praying the moment we found out what happened and called our church to start the prayer chain.  Within a couple of hours, prayer chains across the state were praying for my brother. About that time, as people were praying specifically for him, the ambulance stopped for fuel.  My brother sat up and asked for food! He continued to improve all that night. The docs at Devos ran tests the next day and found that he had sustained only minor burns in his stomach, but his throat was completely clear.  He was on meds as a precautionary measure for a couple of weeks, but has never had any repercussions from the incident. Today, he's a happy, busy 7 year old who loves math and riding his bike.  Praise the Lord for answered prayers!

My "wow" moment was about 4 years ago when I thought I was in love. He was very abusive and I could no longer handle it.  I started praying more than I have ever prayed before and I finally was able to have the strength to leave. I moved away from all of my family and friends to a diffrent state.  There is where I meet my now husband.  We worked together and dated for almost 3 years and just got married in December.  I know God had to put me through what I went through so I could meet the love of my life.

I heard about the Wow stories this morning and couldn't help but think of my family's very recent Wow, God! story!  My step-dad was told last May that he had Stage 4 Colon Cancer that had spread to his liver (15 liver tumors!) & wouldn't live to see Christmas.  Last Thursday, he had his ileostomy reversed and was given the greatest news after he was out of recovery...He is OFFICIALLY CANCER FREE!  So many people have been praying for him.  Not only for his physical healing, but also that he and my mom may see God's hand in this.  He definitely did & they definitely know it!

Wow, God!  Just, wow!

I have a wow, god story.
I was at youth one Wednesday night. In prayer I felt a strongly urge to pray for a friend and his family. So I did the more I prayed the more the spirit began to move in me I said “God, began to work in him speak to him and take away whatever distracts him from you“. Later that night I was on face book I looked at his status and it said “ask me how my vow of silence went” it was the same time I was praying. I guess dating, girls was keeping his eyes off of god. I knew the promise he had made. He would not date anyone for now on and only his future spouse. I was like wow.
  Over winter break of 09 I had a dream the same guy was moving across sea he was on a boat moving back to Asia. And now when he told us he was moving back to Asia he told us in April. I was speechless.  But in this dream he came swimming back. And swimming in water is swinging in blessing. He maybe moving away but I know he is coming back again. Were pretty good friends. I’m not sad that I wont see him for a bit. The reason is because it’s this peace that is set within me that he is swimming back and he is coming back soon that God would never prove me wrong he comforts me and guides me through it all. Today is his last day here with us. and he is leaving tomorrow.

In October 2006, I was a second-year Family Medicine Resident in training.  I was caring for a young pregnant patient during her second pregnancy.  She had tragically lost her first child just one hour after birth due to a congenital kidney disorder.  Her second pregnancy went very well and we were both excited to bring her healthy little boy into this world.  When it came time for the delivery, she began pushing and the problem became obvious.  Her pelvis was too small and the baby was too big.  As a result, the baby got stuck for several minutes.  After the baby was finally delivered, he was unresponsive and not breathing.  He was thankfully revived but began having seizures from the trauma of his delivery.  My patient and her family, who were all in the room during the delivery, shut me out of her and the baby's care from that day forward.  In some ways I think they blamed me and I respected their wishes.  I never heard anything more about the baby boy or his mother but I knew they both went home after a long hospital stay.  For years I worried about my patient and her little boy.  I prayed that they were both happy and healthy but I never knew....until GOD WOW-ed me!
I was at the annual Komen Race for the Cure in Sept 2009.  An old friend came up and asked me to take a picture of her and her friends.  I stepped back and looked at the group through that camera lens and I was shocked.  I recognized a woman as my patient's grandmother and she had a three-year old boy with her.  I cried and told her who I was and asked her if this was the little boy I delivered that day in October.  She hugged me tight and told me the little boy and his mother were just fine and not to worry anymore. I know GOD brought that little boy to me that day to give me PEACE and to reassure me that HE is always watching me and caring about me.  It took three years, but HE answered my prayers.  I will always have FAITH. WOW!

     Our God wows me all the time.  When I heard the call for "Wow, God!" stories on KLOVE on the way to work this morning, I couldn't figure out which story to share.  The story that I keep coming back to is a simple story really; it is a story about a watch.  
    Several years ago, I was working for a week in an office that was several hours away from my regular work place so that I could help with a 4th Wall Summer Tour mission trip.  I was shopping, and I bought a watch from the clearance rack.  It was a pretty little thing - silver with a blue face, and it was a great deal at less than $5.
    When I got into the office, I tried it on, and it was at least a link too big.  I sighed inwardly, knowing that I'd probably never take it to have the links removed.  I told myself that the way it fit had kind of a funky charm, and that I liked it anyway.  
     Later that day, we had a company softball game.  I took off the new watch, put it in my make-up bag, and locked the car while we played.  When the game was over, I got back in the car.  I took out the watch and put it on, and it fit perfectly.  I was stunned.  Later, I found the 'missing link' in the change purse in my wallet that was also locked in the car.
    I don't have the watch anymore, but I do have that 'missing link.'  It seems like such a small thing, but that, I think, is the truly "Wow!" part.  It taught me that the LORD ALMIGHTY cares about me.  He cares about my heart.  He cares so much that he is willing to take action on something that has no grand, glorious, magnificent, miraculous result... it was something sweet and lovely that meant nothing to anyone but me.  It takes something significant to wrap my brain around that truth.  He always reminds me when I forget, too.  
    "Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth, would care to know my name..." ~Casting Crowns
    "Nations fall when you speak, and you have spoken over me..." ~Bethany Dillon
    Even now, thinking about this 'small' miracle He worked to touch my heart, I am moved.  
    So, "Wow, God."  
    

My "Wow" moment involves God, Lisa, and Jon Rivers, and it's a moment I'll never forget. My mom had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had a very dire prognosis. I relied heavily on K-Love to get me through the day, but I had to wait until I got in the car to listen, and then I could listen all day in my office. I could never listen at home because my old radio couldn't pick up the signal in the very rural area in which we live. One day my radio quit working, so I raced to the local store, praying I would get a radio that would be able to pick up K-Love, but not wanting to spend a lot of money. I actually prayed at the store, and when I got it home, as I was plugging it in, I prayed again. I really needed K-Love with me morning, noon and night. I pushed the power button, and without ever tuning the radio, I heard the voice of Jon Rivers saying, "Positive, Encouraging K-Love". I was completely blown away. I called my mom and told her we'd just received a hug from God. Then I called K-Love. I actually got through! The only time that's ever happened! Lisa answered the phone. I told her what had happened, and she cried with me, and prayed with me. Then, she played Chris Tomlin's version of "Amazing Grace" for us. What Lisa didn't know was that throughout my mom's treatment, I told my mom how she awed me with her most amazing grace. She always said it came from God. Shortly after that, my father died unexpectedly. I think he wanted to go first so he would be there waiting for her. She followed just two months later. "I Can Only Imagine" was played at my father's funeral, and Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace" was played at my mom's. The radio continues to play in my home, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I never turn it off, and every day it fills my home with amazing grace. Thank you, God, for reaching out and touching me in such a dramatic way, and using K-love to make sure I knew You were there.

My Wow God moment happened almost eleven years ago. I did not have a very good home life. There was drugs, alcohol and all sorts of things going on around me. Although I did exprience on them I never got addicted. I met my godmother a day before I turned 15. I have been going to church since I was 11 but it was just to be friends. In October of 1998 I was at church and I hit on some little kids and cussed out my pastor. Well they had to kick me out for the rest of the year which was only 3 months. I went to other churchs but just not as often. But when january of 1999 came i didnt start back at my church right away. My parents didn't want me to go back because they thought the church had treated me badly. But I did go back without their knowledge they thought I was going to another church. But in July of 1999 they found out i was going there and they asked me why. So I told them it wasmy fault and not theirs. I went to a lock-in they had and my Godmother asked me to come over some times. I thought she was lying because when everyone found out how much trouble I got it they didn't want me around. Well when she got home she told her husband about me and the came and picked me up. I spent the rest of the summer with them amd the weekends during the school year. while I was with them I didn't get into much trouble but at home I was constantly in trouble. When I was 17 I ran away from home with some friends got drunk smoked a half carton of ciggerattes and put them out on my arms and legs. My parents figured out where I went they called thepolice and got a hold of my friend. They told them they better have me home in two hours or they will get charged with kidnapping because they were over 18. So they did. My friend and I got sent to Cumberland Hall, that is where they send troubled kids. I was ther for about 3 weeks and while I wasthere they found out I had by-polar which is where the chemicals in my brain are unbalanced. When I got home the medicines they pput me on made me so depressed I tried to kill myself at church. So they sent me back to Cumberland Hall. While I was there the second time they got me on medications that were doing good. All through the summer I was doing ok. But in October of 2001 I Got into trouble at my highschool. So they sent me to an alternative school. I was there for 2 months before I got into trouble again. I about broke the bus drivers helpers arm on the bus and I sliced the seats on the bus. They had to call the law to get me off the bus. When the policemen tried to take the medal piece away I cut his hand. He had to have 17 stitches to close the cut. When he found out I had by-polar he dropped all the charges against me. Instead of Cumberland Hall I got sent to a detention center for a week and then to Cumberland Hall for three weeks. I was away from home at Christmas that year. Thats when I realized I had to change or the next time I got into trouble it was jail for me. I started slowly on getting better. They found the right medication for me. And in 2002 when I turned 18 I moved in with my godparents and now Im living for the Lord. All I can say IS WOW God

I'm from southern Louisiana and my "wow" moment was last year for hurricane Gustav.  We were in an area that had to evacuate and the night before we left, as hard as I tried I just couldn't sleep.  We left to go on a 13.5 hour drive up to Arkansas around 4 in the morning and I had only had around 2 hours of sleep.  I got in my truck to follow my husband (he was pulling our camper with the other truck) and we went on our way.  With the help of God, I made that 13.5 hour trip on only 2 hours of sleep and managed to not be sleepy at all along the way.  Once we arrived in a campground in the Ouachita mountains in Arkansas, we got set up and rested for about an hour.  My husband and some friends that made the trip with us then decided to make a mile and a half hike up the moutainside to get a look at the view.  I am quite a bit overweight and am usually hesitant to take such a long walk (espacially up a mountain trail that was kind of rough).  But, something kept pulling me to go with them, so I did.  They also were surprised to see I wanted to go.  It was a hard trek up the mountain because the trail hadn't been kept up in a couple of years.  But, we managed to get most of the way up enough to see a magnificant view.  I honestly don't know how I made it up other than God leading me.  Once we reached the area that we were looking out from, for reasons I still don't understand, I just broke down in tears and was shaking.  The only way I can describe how I felt is that God had his arms around me.  I just sat on a large rock at the top and cried and cried.  It was an amazing feeling.  As I was crying, I felt like someone was holding me though no one there was actually touching me.  It is one trip that I will never forget.  It has changed my life.

I have many WOW, GOD moments, but will share 2. I was raised in church but only had head knowledge. A family tragedy involving a fire burned a little boy 2nd and 3rd over 90 percent on his body and he lived.  During that tragedy I saw faith in God in a very real way.  I said the sinners pray sometime later and started going to church. Went back in the world and to the bottle...failed marriage...misery and pain....back to God.  I wrote a letter to Dr. D. James Kennedy that laid in a file over 2 years and one day there was a message on my answering machine they wanted me to be on their broadcast.  The burned child and his mother were part of the story and the program was broakcast on Palm Sunday exactly 10 years to the day of the fire.  I never knew why God wanted that story told on that day, but He definitely did.

Recently I learned that my hubby was having inappropriate sexual conversations on the internet and I was devastated.  I had pretty much not shown him love for over a decade, but when I was praying I was asking God to fix him in my piousness.  In an instant, my life flashed before me and I saw all my sin and my husband's sin was never a part of this conversation with God.  After reading the book, the Shack, I often talked to Papa, because God the Father was portrayed as Papa,who was a large black lady that nutured people, often by cooking big meals.  After confessing all my wrong in my marriage, I asked for forgiveness and another chance.  I believed God would give me another chance because He doesn't want marraiges to end, but I still worried and fretted, but also took steps to start putting my marriage back on right footing.  One morning I asked Papa to forgive me for asking for a sign, but I needed to know everything would be OK.  The following Saturday was Palm Sunday and my husband went to the mailbox and there was a card from a former co-worker......the least person I would ever have thought to hear from and she said we had been on her mind for a couple weeks and she had been praying for us and if we kept Jesus as the center of our lives we would be OK.  I was Holy goose-bumping and crying and praising and I called my best friend to tell her and as I was telling the story to my friend I was shocked even more as I explained to my friend that this lady was a very large black lady that was always jolly and nurturing people and cooking for people, just like Papa int he shack.  God is good and He WOWS me all the time.

Well this just happened yesterday, but I'm sure I'm going to rember it for a long time.
I'm homeschooled and had to move from IL to IN 3yrs ago, which put me behind in my studies about 6months to a year. And this year I should have gotten my diploma, but since it looked like I would grad. this year, it looked like I would start collage in the spring. I had been praying that God would just help me get all caught up for about a 3yrs now.
  And yesterday I enrolled in a GED class, and Signed up for collage at Ivy Tech, which will let me start in the fall, and will give me a yr to get me GED. So thank you God for showing me the light at the end of the tunal!! and I'm not behind any more. Once I let God take over, everything came so easly. 8)

A few years ago my husband and I signed the contract for our first life insurance policy. I had no idea how we were going to pay the monthly premiums, but my husband was facing several surgeries, and with a daughter headed to college soon it was the right thing to do. An hour after I signed the papers, the phone rang. It was a school I had applied to for an assistant directors job more than a year earlier. They asked if I was still interested in the job. (Yes of course) I got the job and the pay increase covered the cost of the insurance plus a little extra. I knew God had led me to that job. Now a few years later even more amazing things have happened because of people I have met at that school and I now realize the school job is yet another stepping stone in the path set before me, not the final destination. I'm anxious to see what' next.... (all in God's time)

This is pretty cool because my friend and I are this WOW story. Our church used to have all 3 campus' have high school and middle school youth group at one caumpus. For some reason they spilt it up into campus youth groups. My friend was kind of depressed because all of her friends went to a different campus. So she started praying that God would send her a friend in her grade. At the same time, I was dealing with a lot of trouble from people I thought were my friends. So I prayed for a friend and so did my mother. Just before school started, my mom made me go to one of the youth groups. There I met my friend, and we answered each others prayers. The Lord awes me in so many ways and I am so glad for the people he puts in my life.

Today is Tuesday, but I did a Make a Difference MOnday this afternoon. I decided to stop at Sonic on my way home to take advantage of the Buy 1, Get 1 Free milkshakes. As I was placing my order at the speaker, I told the young cashier to add 2 milkshakes to whoever placed the next order and I would pay for them.  "Just happend" that it was in the car next to me. I didn't tell her not to tell the people who bought the milkshakes, so the carhop came out to the car and told the lady in the car.  

She got out of her car and came over to mine and said "thank you" for the milkshakes. I replied What milkshakes? Then she realized that I was teasing her. She had her 11 year old daughter with her. She told me that the 11 year old didn't live with her, but she had an 8 year old & she cared for the mother, grandmother of the girls.  As we talked she told me about how she was praying to get her life together, reading the Bible, and thankful for God's blessings. I asked her if she had a church home. She said no and I suggested that she find a good church. She said she couldn't go to church because she was very nervous. I asked her name and told her that I would pray for her. She asked mine and said that I was a very nice person to do this for someone else. As I continued home, I prayed for her and asked the Lord to fill her needs.  So who got the blessing, the lady or me?
Thank God for KLOVE.  Patsy in Mississippi

That Lady's adoption story was really great but nobody beats my husband and mine story. We got our three kids, siblings, with FOUR hours notice. A three year old boy, a ten month old girl, and a newborn girl.

My WOW God story....It was early Dec 2004, my family was at church. Instead of me being in the sanctuary helping the children rehearse the Christmas play, I was in the nursey keeping babies as the nursery worker was out that Sunday. All of the children who practiced the play walked by the nursery on their was back to Sunday School classes....all but my son. I stopped an adult teacher and asked where my son was, they assured me he walked by with everyone else, but they would check. My son did not walk back to the SS class with everyone else. Another adult took over the nursey as we started looking for Logan. Logan had hit his sister with the shepherds staff and the teacher took it from him, so sulking, he crawled in one of the pews....that was the last time she saw him. We searched the sanctuary,several adults looked under every pew,  under the choir stage....finally down all the halls and we ended up outside looking for 4 year old Logan. After 15 minutes with no luck,our assosiate pastor turned to me and said, it's time to call the police....our church is a half a block off a state hwy and now seemed like time was of the essence....I stayed pretty calm, trying to think like a little boy who was upset, where would he hide. I had went back inside looking through closets and unusual places. I was asked to come outside and describe to the police what he was wearing and what he looked like and when I walked outside and the local police, sheriff's dept, State troopers, fire dept and half the town outside our church I finally panicked....This happens to other people, not me. I was overwelmed with all the people who showed up in minutes to look for him....I suddenly realized I was a mom to a missing child... we searched the neighborhood, which consisted of more churches and the crowd grew. Finally, someone said, no one call Logans name but his mom, he may be scared becuase he hears lots of people calling him. As I had walked blocks from the church, I just stopped and said, Oh God, he's gone, Lord please show me where he is. I immediately felt a peace come over me....God told me to go back to the church, I did argue for a bit with God, we looked at the church God, God insisted I return to the church. I walked back to the church. I continued looking for him, when finally I just sat down on the church steps. I still felt peaceful, I prayed again, Lord, show me where he is....I got up and walked to the back of the church where there was a playground and I overheard an officer on his handheld say he had been found. I ran to the officer and asked where he was, the officer didn't know I was MOM....I said, it's my son, where is he....he told me he didn't know, I was to go to the front of the church. I ran to the front of the church where I was asked to go inside.....the church service was in progress still.....a family had sat on the last pew and their four girls were sitting on the floor with coloring pages on the seats of the pew when they heard someone snoring.....they alerted their dad and he got down and looked under the pew and Logan was asleep....they wanted me to go in a wake him up as to not startle him by a stranger waking him...I got him awake and took him outside and the crowd burst into clapping as sleepy eyed Logan could not figure out why everyone was cheering and why there were so many police and fire trucks and all.....Well the pew that Logan was under, I had checked under myself (several times) as did other adults that told me they had looked under that same pew....I believe God put him back there safe and sound and He waited for me to ask Him to show me where Logan was...to this day Logan, almost ten now, will tell you he was not asleep under the pew : )    

When my niece was pregnant, she was thin and didn't start showing for a long time.  She worried that something was wrong.  During this time, she had to go out of town on business and was away from family and friends so she had no support system for a few days.  On the plane ride home, she sat on a aisle seat and a man sat by the window with no one between them. My niece slept until the drink cart came by.  When she woke up, the man sitting in the window seat said to her, "Congratulations on your pregnancy."  She said "thank you but how did you know?"  He said he had been praying and asking God if he should talk to her and God told him to tell her the baby was all right and everything was going to be okay.  I still get the chills when I tell this story.  She said he was an ordinary man who said he "crunched numbers" for a living and had a daughter who was also pregnant.  My niece thought he was an angel sent my God.

My WOW God story is short but sweet.  Four years ago I was a single mother going to school full time working on my masters while working 3 part time jobs.  The bill for my tuition came in and I was $1300.00 short.  I pulled out my bible and began reading scripture and praying.  Fifteen minutes after I was done praying my phone rang.  It was my friend who is an accountant.  She had done my tax return months prior.  She told me that the IRS had just called her to let her know that she made a mistake with my tax return.  My refund was $1300.00 short and they would be sending me my refund withing 5 business days!!!  
All praise and glory to our Lord God Almighty.

I get chills everytime I can share my story.  Approximately six years ago my husband and I began going to church.  Shortly after that I had our last child.  Five months past my husband moved out, became involved with addictions, affairs etc.  I began to wrestle with God and question WHY would God not Change my husband and make him the husband I needed him to be?  Then through Church and rejoice ministries and prayer I realized God needed to change me!After four years of tears, desparation and prayer we divorced.  Then one day I was driving on the interstate and I saw a sign "Be still and Know that I am God"  I realized I had to let go and let God.  A year after the divorce my husband returned home humbled and broken much like the prodigal son.  Everyday I thank God for my miricle and I realized 2nd Chronicles 7:14 states "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  Our land, Our home Our family is being healed and restored.  WOW I Praise God for my miricle everyday.

I have two "WOW" stories.
1) It was 1984 and I was working for the Lottery, I had been delivering lottery tickets all day. I was coming home on the interstate, had just put my seat belt on and put my cruise on.  As I started down the interstate, I came upon a semi truck slowing down in the right lane, he was only going about 25 miles an hour. I took my cruise off, and proceeded to go around him. Got around him and got in the right lane, put my cruise back on, and was thinking about what I needed to do when I got back to work. I glanced up in my rearview mirror, and said "My Dear God, he's going to hit me", he was barreling down on me. He then swung out to the left lane, then he came back at me with his right bumper and hit my left quarter panel. That locked up my brakes, and I started spinning around, it looked like everything was going in slow motion. I started to pray, I looked at all of the oncoming traffic, and it looked like they wre all standing still. As I hit the median, I flipped over 5 times and landed upside down dangling from my seat belt. Another trucker saw what happened, he stopped and ran over to where I was upside down in the median. He kept trying to get me out, and he asked me over and over if there was anyone else in the car. I said no, only me. As he laid me down on the ground, he told me he saw two people in the car. A woman driver, and another man sitting in the passenger seat. Again, I told him I was the only one. He asked me if I was hurt anywhere, nothing hurt, I was a bit shaken up. Another State vehicle stopped after seeing my state vehicle upside down. They both wanted me to go to the hospital, but I told them I was alright. The person in the state car took me back to the lottery office. I did end up going to the hospital to be checked out, I didn't have a scratch on me anywhere, only a sore neck. I told the doctor my story, and he mentioned with what happened, I should not be alive. I knew right then and there, that God had plans for me, and the person the trucker saw had been an angel.

My second "WoW" story
2) My husband and I lived in Grand Junction, CO. and his mother and father were living in Apache Junction, CO. She became very ill, but the rest of the family didn't know for quite awhile. They went to Alaska, camped out in the back of the truck, sleeping under the stars. They continued to visit different states, and was gone for over a month. When they came back, we were told that she had lung cancer. She refused to have chemotherapy, and I watched a vibrant women waste away to nothing. That was the hardest thing for me to watch, we lived close enough, that for the next 2-3 months we drove down to see her.
She got so bad that she needed to have hospice come into the house. On one of those visits which was coming close to the end, she had been heavily medicated, which made her sleep for hours. My husband's sister, my husband and myself were in her room, talking and praying. She woke up after three hours, looked around and we could see she was quite agitated. Jane said "Mom, you had a real nice rest, how do yo feel" She continued to get more and more agitated, and started to cry. She finally said, that she had seen God, and he wouldn't let her stay with him. She said she knew it was him, she was in a room, or so she thought. Didn't know anyone, but there was a bright light around his head. She knew it was him, she went up and he took her hand, and told her she needed to come back, he wasn't ready for her just yet. He had somethings she needed to come back and say to her kids. She called in all of her kids around her bed with my father in law beside her. We kept asking her questions, she didn't want to answer them. She wanted to get right to what she came back for. There were some of the kids, who believed, but didn't go to church, or live the way God intended us all to live. She had a message for each and everyone of us from God. We were all speechless, we cryed and cryed. At that point I was no longer afraid to die, I knew without a doubt, I will be going to live with my father. She passed on two days later after we had left to go home and back to work. Since that time, my husband has turned his life over to the lord. I listen to KLove everyday while I put my makeup on, in my car on the way to work, and coming home. Your music, keeps the Lord in my heart and always in my mind. Thank you so much KLove.  

our wow moment is. 23 years ago my wife and i wanyed to start having a family and for years nothing all the (DR) with no prevail. in this time though we gave our hearts to the Lord started going to church God called me to preach, but we still wanted a family and 5 years later God gave us a little girl. and right away we wanted more the (DR) siad that probally would not happen and my wife got with child and one day i was sick and stayed home from church one sunday night and on her way home a driver under the influnce hit her in the side of our car and my wife lost that baby. our hearts was broke and God just made himself so real three years latter God gave us triplets tey was borne very early a woman carries a child 40 weeks our babies was borne at 23 weeks we spent 9 1/2 months in the hospital and the doctors told us not to expect alot, but now they are 14 years old Ariel had open heart surgery and abby has a mild form of seriable palsy but she plays the drums in my church. my son Eli he was to never know his (ABC) or count to no more the (50) but he got into the national hoprners society God has been so good to me my oldest daughter Rachael all 4 of our children hjelp my wife and i in the ministry. im not that good at tyyping so i hope my wow moment makes scence. God bless you guys that do the raido. your the best Klove ias a good sent listen everyday at work and in a bad place its good to hear the word of God speak in  song

When I was between the age of 14 to 15 my god-mother, father,mother and god-father(in this exact order) died. I was left homeless and living in the street or in the houses of the friends that allowed me to spend the night not to mention I was seperated from my little brother. I was at a point in my life that I really didn't care what happened to me all I wanted was my mother. I missed her so much and couldn't understand why GOD had taken everyone from me in such a short period of time. I was so full of hate and anger that all I could do was cry and get myself into trouble. One day around 2am I was sitting on a bench and I looked up and asked why wouldn't he take me,because I didn't want suffer anymore. I was tired of seeing everyone else go home to their parents and me to a bench, and a feeling that came over me that was just so relaxing and I heard a voice tell me you are not alone my,at that moment I thought I was crazy so I paid it no mind. The following even night I went through my things and found my mothers bible and for some reason when it opened Psalm 23 was the verse it opened to. I didn't understand why until 15 years later when I found the card handed out at my mother funeral, that was the prayer that was on the back of the card. To me that was his way of showing me he might of taken them but he didn't leave me alone. He helped me understand that day that he did walk me through all those years eventhough I suffered I didn't suffer alone he suffered with me. That was the day I knew my life belonged to him. Now I am a mother and I made a life for myself thanks to him.
Thank you GOD

It’s funny how God works.  Not funny ha ha but funny in that it’s so unexpected and surprising.  
My friend Marcia is afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and recently she had to go to the hospital in an ambulance.  Marcia, like me, is an animal lover.  She has a cat named Princess.  Princess is a de-clawed, strictly in-door cat.  Apparently while the EMTs were getting Marcia into the ambulance, Princess darted out of the house.  No one knew she escaped until later.
Marcia recovered and returned home but Princess didn’t.  Marcia missed Princess and needed her for comfort and that “healing purr.”    Our prayer groups at church prayed, I prayed, and Marcia prayed.  Princess didn’t come home.  The chances aren’t very good for a de-clawed, house cat living alone in the semi-wild neighborhood.  
When Princess had been gone for nine days, I told Marcia I would be over to search.  I asked her to make a flyer with Princess’ picture on it.  I intended to ask the neighbors if they had seen her and to search the neighborhood.
Marcia lived in a quiet neighborhood, away from busy streets and fast cars. The question was: were there other animals that might attack Princess?  
With flyer in hand I began my search.  First I looked in the bushes right outside the house.  No Princess there.  I went to the side of the house to search.  No Princess in the bushes there, but wait… my eye caught a cat sunning on a ledge.  I checked the flyer.    It was like God placed Princess right in front of me!  While people prayed, God took care of Princess and then He used one small act of kindness to bring her home.  Surprise!

This is a long story... I was born and raised Catholic when I was 17 I was told I would never have kids. 10 years later I was married with 3 boys and pregnant,My husband and I were having trouble and little did I know we both had our addictions his just happened to be drugs, he turned violent and finally after speaking with the priest I was advisd to get a divorce,which I did I was so tired of fighting it, after going through with the divorce being catholic I didnt feel comfortable going to church so I stopped.  
In return my 4 boys missed church after about a year they started asking me if they could go to at a Baptist church with their friends and I couldnt believe they would ask me that. Over the next 2 years my oldest sons which are twins would ask me weekly to let them go to church, finally I agreed they came home so high on life and Happy. Within a few months they convinced me to let their brothers go and the youth pastor advised me they wanted them to come also they started picking my kids up and going both wed and Sundays. Then they started playing in the youth Praise team and started playing on Sundays then my oldest twin Robert started asking me if I would come listen to the youth team play during church so I did and have been hooked ever since. My oldest son Robert was saved at youth camp the second year which he has always been a fisher of men before then since he has brought not only our family but also his girlfriend of 5 years now her whole family alot of friends to know Jesus and be Baptized! about 6 months after being saved he was diagnosed with kidney disease, I cried constantly and he just kept going with each thing he endures he just kept going telling me that God would take care of him for me not to worry. I wish I had his faith but I still struggled then one day at the age of 16 I asked him dont you ever cry doesnt it even bother you and he said yes it bothers me but mom I love you and I know that if I die tomorrow I have a wonderful father waiting for me with a wonderful home in Heaven! and I asked him what about his girlfriend and told him that she needed him and he said mom Brittaney knows God comes first! He still battles one day at a time and is waiting to be put on the transplant list  once he gets to that point .
In the mean time he is a junior at Baylor University  and him and Brittney which has been going to the dr with him for the past 3 years will be getting married June 26th and he still continues to bless people and be all of our inspiration and  a wonderful fisher of men ! thats my wow story and Thank You for all You do KLOVE !!!

My 6 year old daughter is my wow story. I was only 22 1/2 weeks pregnant when my water broke and Sarah needed to be born to prevent me from getting infected. My doctor told me that she would not be able to survive this early, but what that doctor didn't know was that when I found out I was pregnant with her I had a long talk with God about it. I was very afraid because I had already delivered a little boy that has cerebral palsy and had to bury another son and I just couldn't handle it again. During my talk with God he told me to be at peace because this little baby is in his hands and will be ok. So as I went back for my emergency c-section I was the only calm one in the room because MY GOD was in control not my doctor!!! Sarah is now 6 years old and just graduated from kindergarten, she uses a walker to get around but thats ok!! She sings to God every day with all of her heart and sometimes I catch her looking up into the sky with the biggest smile on her face, I think she is smiling and her Angels and God!!

Wow story- My whole life is a wow story.  There is a bible verse that says where "would I be if it were not for Him".  On June 1st I woke up with terror. I will be having a total hip replacement on June 21st and the other on August 16.  You see, I am 42 years old and I was born with hip dysplasia. My mom tells me she didn't want me and that she tried to have an abortion twice but it didnt work. So, she tried to hide her pregnancy and wore griddles.  She tells me this is why I was born with hip problems.  
As a child, my great-grandfather pastor of a church in Dallas Tx prayed for me. He told me God is good and that I would walk even when doctors said I would not. He was right.  I walked with pain up until 19 or 20 years old. I was told I needed a hip replacement.  However, I had a talk with God and asked for a healing.  God granted me a pain free life for little over 20 years and I walked without even a limp.  
I recedntly been prayed for.  My horrible pinch nerve in my left leg went away thanks to God.  But, I am still in terrible pain and I'm very stiff. I believe God is healing me a different way this time.  I have a great doctor but fear snuck up on me on the 1st. On the 1st I had a pre opperation appointment.  A man walked out of the office and made a declaration to everyone. He said "I'm walking, I haven't walked in a year". This man didn't know anyone in the lobby.  I believe God sent this man to ease my fears and remind me that God is in control.
I forgave my mother years ago.  Despite everything, I've always felt I am God's favorite child.  God has always shown up in amazing ways.  I am scheduled for two total hip replacements this summer and I know God is with me. I have an amazing surgeon, husband, church, friends, and children.
I thank my friends in Christ, Westover Hills Assembly of God in San Antonio Texas.  They have been wonderful.  The WHAG music minstry to which I belong have been praying for me.  During my time of need they are taking turns cleaning my house and bringing dinner to my home.  This gives my poor husband some relief as well.  Thank God for showing up in amazing ways.  

this story began in 1994, I got sick, thought I had the flu, was misdiagnosed by my primary not once but twice, in addition he gave me the wrong medication to fight the illness. It actually made the condition worse! I had Systemic Lupus. This created a condition called Interstitial Lung Disease. I was literally suffocating to death. Over the next seven years, God healed this disease in a step by step process. I was sent home from the hospital in Feb. 1995 to, as the doctors put it: "make me as comfortable as possible for the duration!" I was dying and they did not even give me six months. Here is the God story... He put information in my possession, which I dug into, researched, and digested. I also dove into a study in the bible of how God used women in the bible. Because of the nutritional knowledge God gave to me, within six months my doctor was so stunned at how my condition went from certain death to a manageble yet uncurable disease. His comment to me was, "Cindy, no one comes back from where you were, NO ONE! What are you doing?" I explained it to him and continued along this course of nutrition, three years later, I was to have a lung biopsy to determnine the severity of the condition with my lungs. I was petrified! Fear of my lungs collapsing was consumming me. I was told I needed to have one more Pulmonary Function test done before the biopsy. I was at the Dana Farber-Deaconnes Hospital in Boston. I trusted these doctors completely yet I was filled with even more fear when they told me I was to do the test first. I thought my lungs would surely collapse after taking this exhaustive test. What I did not realize at the time is that God had another plan unfolding. I took the test after I felt the peace of God overwhelm me, and heard that still small voice say, remember I am with you. I took the test! The technician had a completely puzzled look on his face and at completion, asked me what I did differently. I told him nothing and asked why. He proceeded to tell me I had consistantly scored 30 to 32% on these tests for the last three years, and today... well 92% is normal, and I scored 95%. I just had the biggest smile, and I immediately voiced my thanks to the Lord. Of course he still questioned me... and I told him - I prayed and God answered! I left the hospital with the entire team of doctors and research specialists scratching their head looking at my chart and watching me walk out of the hospital with so much joy I could not help but express myself. They kept asking me what I had done differently - and I had to explain to them that there is a God, He is mightier and more powerful than anything or any one! HE chose to heal my lungs. Oh the joy that filled my heart. I still had Lupus, and it took another prayer service and being layed out on the floor under the power of the Lord. I could feel my blood surging through every inch of my body and it was ON FIRE! From that point on I no longer needed the Prednisone, the Chemo drugs, the NSAIDS... He was still healing my body! I was then diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. With Lupus you have no immune system. I was shell shocked, but not afraid. I had been through too much, and knew I was not going to die. It was an inner peace, placed in my by God, with the knowledge of the same inspired by the Holy Spirit. I then went to an Awake America Revival, as part of the choir because I could not afford the tickets. I was living on $800.00 a month, I had NO money. I had fallen, torn the ligaments in my leg, was wearing an aircast... went to the revival day 1. On day 2, as I was getting ready to drive to Providence RI for the revival, I went to put on the cast, and I heard God speak as audibly as I hear anyone else, and He said, You don't need it! I finished getting ready, stood up never thought about it again. As I am walking around doing last minute straigtening up, I realized I had absolutely no pain in my leg. When I walked into the civic center, my pastor just happened to be there, and I was just jumping for joy. He smiled this enormous smile, and said... only you Cindy... and just laughed with joy! I knew at that time I needed to go to the revival in N.J. @ the Meadowlands. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was going to heal me there! I did not pay my bills for the month... (don't recommend doing that) and I went to N.J. The last day of the revival, the last healing service I received my healing from God. It was His plan... I went down to the main floor, and the Pastor from Pensacola saw me, and I could feel his sight hone in on me like nothing I had ever felt before. He just made a bee-line over to me, held me tightly, and said, "This is for you..." laid his hand over my face and flew backwards, I could hear chairs being kicked out of the way and I landed about 5 - 10 feet from where I originally stood. I don't remember anything after that, I don't remember getting up, I know I was not injured, I do know I was healed!!! I had it medically confirmed and my doctor was just stunned! I had the opportunity to really witness to this doctor. I told him that God takes care of His children and I believed He sent me to him for this very reason. I thanked him for his overwhelming kindness and compassion when treating me and that I could not have had better care anywhere. That God wanted him to know about the vitamin therapy and I suggested that  he consider this as a form of therapy for his patients. He walked out of the exam room, went to his office and closed the door. Two minutes later his charge nurse came in asking me what I had said to him that she had never seen him react the way he was reacting. He went into his office and cried! I told her what I said, and she was just as stunned. She said no one had ever thanked them for the work they do, for the type of service they provide, no one has ever done that. I told her I could not have asked for better care and I hated to leave, couldn't he continue as my primary? of course that was a no but it was worth asking. Isn't God just so amazing? There are many other details within this story, and God was with me every step of every single day and every single night. I will always Love HIM! ALWAYS!

I’m in my early twenties and still falling in love with Jesus Christ since January 5, 2003 when I gave my heart to Jesus. My wow story has to do with a lifelong commitment and covenant I’m making in public today on June 4, 2010. I thought I wanted marriage with a man, but nothing compares to being Jesus’ bride forever. The more I dwell in God’s abounding love then the deeper I get in my walk with my Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. I’m content with my lifelong choice and I pray for God to get the glory. The main reason I stay in a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ is because Jesus is always alive, Jesus is always near, and Jesus Christ is always bringing a smile in my heart. When I’m down He’s there to lift me up and when I’m lost He finds me. I love Christ very much that I want to stay in my spiritual status with Christ and that is married forever to Him, a wonderful and perfect man, perfect mate, and perfect God. Jesus Christ has never once failed me nor has He broken my heart. Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection is what I know is called true love. He died to save me and He did it out of love. With Jesus’ love in my life I have a reason to live and a reason to share my special gifts/talents to people around the world. God tells me that it is better to give than to receive. I would love to share one of my lyrics/poetry to everyone here. I choose this lyric because I want God to really use me as much as He can before He calls me home in His Perfect Timing. I pray for my lyrics/words are a blessing.

Song Title: Use Me   Lyricist:  Lorna Fortuno

Verse 1:  Jesus, speak to my heart, for I’m your servant.
Open my mouth speaking words of wisdom.
Use my feet walking to the lost preaching
the good news you bring.
Lord, use me, for I don’t want to be wasted.
Live in my heart showing compassion to others.
Let my eyes see the truth.
Allow my hands to make rhythm making a joyful noise.

Chorus:  I really love you Lord enough for you
to use me as much as you need.
I’m crying in tears of joy knowing you have
saved me many times from death.
You are my Savior and only Redeemer
redeeming me from the eternal flames.
Now, I enter into your holy presence.
You are Lord of my life forever,
so use me as you please.

Verse 2:  Use me now and forevermore on
this earth I’m living in until you call
me home into your heavenly Kingdom.
I’m choosing to be your disciple following you
as I carry my cross daily.
You are alone my guide and leader
directing me on the right path to the narrow road
leading to everlasting life.
Chorus

Bridge:  Lord, I lift you up;
I’m walking on holy ground.
You are glorifying and praiseworthy,
for you deserve my deep respect.
I’m singing Hallelujah giving you praise
even through the storms, temptations, and trials.
Glory be to your holy name,
for you never make mistakes.
You are my Perfect Father.
Jesus, lead me to the Promised Land
overflowing with milk and honey.
I trust you walking by faith and not by sight.
Chorus
©Copyright 2009, Lorna Fortuno.  All rights reserved.

My Testimony - John Patrick Toomey

As a small child, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder known as CEREBRAL PALSEY. After cat scans, doctors visits, the doctor's told my parents that I would never live a normal life. I would never bounce a basketball, ride a bike, drive a way, etc, to just put a Nintendo in front of me and let me become a video gamer. I was played in a learning disabled class in school and everyone had given up on me.

It wasn't until the 9th grade that I was able to enter main stream classes, and ride the regular bus with everyone else, etc. What they didn't realize, that playing video games, 8 YEARS of physical therapy a long with God's healing power, I was able to regain most of my fine motor skills. My hand eye coordination improved to the point where I was able to prove everyone wrong. I am now driving, I can play basketball (even though I am not that good) and do anything anyone else can do!

By the age of 10, one of my sisters committed suicide by swallowing an entire bottle of Tylenol. There was no note, no real clear reason for her death. It wasn't long after that, my father caused a house fire by falling asleep cooking french fries, then my grandmother passed away right in front of me, all within 2 years. The strain on my parents marriage became too much, and they got divorced, but later got re-married and are still married to this day.

It wasn't until 9th grade (1996) in my ROTC class, where two of my friends asked me if I were to die, where would I go. I was basically locked in the classroom by these two guys, and after a long time, not really sure how long, I finally received Jesus.

It wasn't long though before I fell right back into sin. I bounced from church to church depending on who I was dating, with no real foundation. Those things were not broken off my life until 2003 at a college ministry retreat. Since then I have also been robbed at gun point twice while working at a grocery store, which I still work to this very day….


In May of 2003, I met my wife to be at a church function. We were playing capture the flag and she ran into me and fell down. I always joke around when I tell people how we met, and tell them that she fell for me the very first time she saw me. She went back to her dorm room that evening and told her roommate that she could not stand me. A week later, we were dating, and have been together every since.

My wife and I are now members of  Winston Salem First! (http://www.wsfirst.com) I am also now a student at the School of Urban Missions (http://www.sum.edu) pursuing a B.A. in Biblical Studies and a calling to the ministry!

This is my God Story from several years ago. I went with some friends to a Christian rock concert in Chicago, about a 300 mile drive. I was driving my '68 Mustang (deep dark blue). After driving a few miles, we stopped for gas and I filled up the tank. When we got to Chicago, I had less than a half tank left.

During the concert, the artist (Barry McGuire) had a free-will offering and asked us to pray. While praying I was asking how much I should give and I "heard" God saying to me, "I gave everything for you." I told him I have less than a half tank of gas and I need some money for gas. He said, "I gave everything for you." I kinda struggled with it and said, "Ok, but you've got to get me home somehow," and I felt assured that He was going to come through somehow. When the bucket came around, I put all of my money in it.

I knew I was being tested and I put all my trust in what God was going to do. I didn't tell anyone that I needed money for gas. After we took off, I realized I didn't have any money for tolls either. I asked my passengers and they had none, so I had to flag down my friends in the other car to borrow money for the toll booth. That was kind of a scary moment.

On the way home, the other car stopped for gas. We stopped, but I didn't ask for gas money, because I felt that God was gonna pull us through and perform a miracle of gas-milage. Remember that it took more than a half-tank to get to Chicago, plus I even used more gas before filling up on the way. So I just kept praying and believing.

Needless to say, we got all the way home without having to fill up. I shared with my passengers that they had been part of this miracle that God showed and we prayed and gave thanks. I was able to give everyone a ride home, and get to a gas station the next morning. Praise God for little miracles!

A few years ago God decided to teach me about stewardship. I became a Christian in 1990, and shortly afterwards God asked me to pick up the bass and join the worship team.  I played nearly every Sunday for seven years. Along the way I bought and sold a few basses and dreamed about someday owning a really nice bass.  I even spent a year building my own instrument, with all the features I wanted on it.

After seven years we moved to a new church, and I held back from joining the worship team.  I told folks I wanted to rest a bit and just get "plugged in" with my family at the new church.  But a lot of my hesitation was because the worship team at this new church was REALLY good.  I didn't think I could play well enough to be on this team.

After about six months, the subject of me joining the team came up at our small group study.  I admitted my concern about being good enough and was encouraged to try anyway.  That night I resolved to call the worship team leader.  We had lunch later that week and I joined the team after attending just one practice session.

On Friday of that week, I received a call from a local pastor and bass player.  I had met him through an annual Christian Bassists gathering that I put on in the area. He wanted to talk to me about something.  He dropped by that Saturday and handed me a bass guitar case.  In it was his custom made, stunningly beautiful Watts electric bass.  These instruments were hand made by a Christian man near our home town.  There are only 46 of them, and every one is built to order.

My friend told me that God had directed him to give the bass to me.  I was to be the new steward.  I did not own it; it was not mine to buy or sell.  I was to worship with it until God directed me to pass it on to the next steward.

This was just the beginning.

Within weeks, a message popped up on a Christian Bassist email list that I follow.  Someone was having problems with their hands when playing their 5 string bass and had decided to change to a four string bass.  The blue bass I had spent a year building was a four string bass.  I felt God leading me to offer the blue bass to him, so I contacted him and made him the same offer I had received; take this blue bass and worship with it until God asks you to pass it on.  I later learned that he was struggling with re-joining their worship team.  He wasn't sure whether he was doing it to serve God or to be "on the stage".  My offer convinced him that God was in it.

There's more.

This man had been saving money to buy a good four string bass.  My blue bass filled his needs, so he turned to a boy at their church who wanted to be a percussionist.  This boy played on their youth worship team already.  He was from a single-parent family and they could not afford lessons.  So the man took the money he had saved for a four string bass and provided drums and lessons to the boy at his church.

I know this story isn't over yet.  I am excited to see how it all plays out.  I wonder sometimes what God has in mind with all of this, but until He presents the next chapter to me I will worship with all my heart, on the bass that he provided for me.

I love to hear all the "Wow" stories on Wednesdays and I finally have one to share.  I grew up without my dad around and when I met him and even lived with him as a teenager, he never showed any emotion or love, never said "I love you" to me or really even talked much to me.  When I moved out of his house 11 years ago, I didn't hear from him again.  I was very hurt and felt like I could never forgive him for not wanting to be part of my life.  But I prayed a lot for God to soften his heart.  Well, about a month ago, my aunts and uncles arranged a 90th birthday party for my grandpa and my aunt helped me financially to be able to go to Florida for this party with my husband and 2-year-old daughter, whom nobody in my family had met.  When we arrived there, we saw my dad first and he immediately wrapped his arms around me and just hugged me, then gave my daughter a hug and I could tell immediately that he was a changed man.  He's been going to church now and God has completely changed his heart.  We spent time together talking and he and my daughter played together like they had known each other all of her life.  It was incredible and I've prayed about it since then and have forgiven my father for what he did.  I'm so excited about the relationship that my daughter and I can now have with my dad.  Praise God for answering prayer!

Thanks  for sharing your insights on this with all of us. I am sure there are many that are like me who needed to hear the message this sends.

great piece of writing. I add this blog to my bookmarks.

Great blog. Superb work. That's the reason I need to continue coming back to this website.

Thanks. Please post more about spiritual growth.

I would like to share a WOW God story with you,
My late Dad, whom was also the pastor of our church lived a very close walk with the Lord. Being human there are times when no matter how impossible a task may seem for us- God can do the impossible.  When I was about 9 years old my Dad was trying to fix the roof on our house, working so hard and then... it started to rain, he started to pray,"God, you held up the heavens for Elijah would you do it for me"?  Through the grace of God it rained on both ends of our house, and not a drop of rain touched the roof until my dad drove the last nail.  And then the rains poured down....Wow God.  Nothing short of what my God can do.

I just had to share my WOW GOD story with everyone!

I attend Russellville First Assembly of God in Russellville, Arkansas. It's like God has just opened up the heavens and is pooring out his blessings at church and all the people who are willing to recieve are recieving! We have been in revival for I believe two weeks now! Over 100 have been baptized in ONE WEEK! We had exactly 101 baptized from year 2010, and now we have already surpased that amount, WOW!!! I have to say I'm one of those that have been baptized this week, on Sunday night actually and it couldn't have been a better moment for me. God spirit has just been soo strong, walls are coming down and chains are breaking free!!

The scripture we are basing our revival on is John: 2. Talking about the "Third Day"

John 1:50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’the Son of Man.”

I give God all the glory and to see him touching lives close to me is just such a blessing!!! Revival continues this coming Sunday night, and we are all hungry and thirsting for MORE GOD!

Soon and very soon we are going to see the KING!!!

Hello, I want to share a story with you. Hope I have room to share it all or sum it up.
I am 47 yrs old and believe me in those yrs I have seen and done alot. God has had a hold om from childhood, but I have left Him way to many times, and each time I found myself in trouble i found that God is still there and didn't leave me. God's love for us is so great. Today, I have had some hard times lately, and guess what, God is still there, but this time wanted to die, i felt I had nothing left for me or anyone and being dead was what was best, I was so wrong again. I question God, "why am I still here, what plan have got for me", the answer was there and had been for most of my life but more resently the past 15 yrs, SERVE GOD WITH ALL MY HEART. The things I have lost, CARS, HOUSES, MY COMPANIES, FREINDS, are gone, but God is still here.
So you may ask yourself what am I saying here, I have first hand experanice of Gods love and His power, from God saving my mom to God saving me.
Today I am listening to what God is telling me to do, I am not rich with money and things but I am rich with God's love.
I am hopeing to find a ministry to help tell anout how Great God is, jail or prison, kids or adults, I just want to continue to share God's love with others, everywhere, all the time.
KLove is so great, i don't listen to the other music anymore, not that it is bad music, just love hearing Gods love, His powerful Love He has for us through the music.
If anyone knows of a ministry in the San Marcos Texas area, I would like to know and talk to them.

Gary Freeman