God is Still Working

I thought I'd take a minute and fill you in on all the ways God is still working in my life right now.

Wolford College in Naples, where Jason was pursuing his nurse anesthetist degree informed my brother last week that they would be granting Jason's posthumous degree in anesthesia. Jason was so close to graduation when he was diagnosed with leukemia. This was ONE of the many disappointing things about his diagnosis and the timing of it all. A little background information...Jason graduated in 1997 with a degree in biology in hopes of going to dental school. He applied for 3 years and got very close, but was never accepted. We were so disappointed, but knew God must have had something else in store for him. Anyway, after much prayer he felt led to nursing school. He finished nursing school in 2004. He knew while in nursing school that his long term goal would be to attend anesthesia school. He worked 2 years in ICU gaining the critical care experience he needed before he was accepted into Wolford. Whew! (doesn't that make you tired?) Anyway, basically since Jason and I married he was working to get to this point and then BANG leukemia. SO close yet SO far away! Obviously, Jason will not reap the benefits of this degree, but I am so proud that Wolford chose to remember him in this way by granting this degree. He had worked so very hard for this. So many times since his passing I have cried out to the Lord asking WHY He didn't just let him get his anesthesia degree before getting leukemia. The whole time I am sure God was thinking, "Stephanie, rest and be patient, I am still working." And He did. Wow, how I hope the Lord has shared this with Jason!

Next bit of news from our home is that I will be starting a part time job on Tuesday. I am going to be working as a tutor at Anna Lea's school 3 mornings a week. I have known for a while that I needed to do something, but the thought of work just literally would make my head spin and my stomach turn. I have been praying fervently something would just fall into my lap. Yet again, God has been faithful. Going back to work is very overwhelming to me, but I am trusting that the Lord will make this an easy transition. I am going to be surrounded by some incredible people at the school and for that I am so thankful.

Now for another way that God is working...

While in Destin, Sherri and I got to talking to a couple, who was standing near us. (Sherri and I both have the gift of gab and talking comes very EASY to us both!) Anyway, we mentioned the reason that we were in Destin after Christmas was because we were trying to make the holidays a little easier because we had experienced the passing of my husband and her brother in law over the last year. They were intrigued and began to ask questions. I began to share with them of Jason's leukemia. I noticed immediately when I said leukemia that the guys eyes got large. He then proceeds to tell me that his brother had also died of leukemia a year and a half ago. He was also 33 when he died, had a wife and 2 very young children. Wait, the world gets smaller. We then discover that some of his relatives are members at our church here in Hattiesburg! Anyway, I wanted to know about his sister in law. Long story short...this precious sister in Christ and I have since gotten in touch with each other through email. I am very much looking forward to speaking with her more and possibly even meeting face to face. We have so much in common and I am so thankful to know she is dealing with some of the same things I am dealing with on a daily basis. Friends, ONLY God could orchestrate this meeting in Destin, FL! I still stand in awe of how He works. Please pray for my new friend, Melissa and her 2 young children. She, too, is having to walk down a very dark path. She is a strong believer and like me is clinging very tightly to our Lord right now.

My God continues to amaze me. I pray I never get over how He works!