"I will make up to you for the years taken."(MSG)(Joel 2:25).
Wow, how I stand in awe of how God has upheld that promise to me and my family this past year!
2012 began with me coming home after 3 years in Mexico, and beginning my new life! It has been a year of continued progress in my health, miracles, re-discovery and blessings too numerous to count! On all fronts, I can honestly say 2012 has been the most incredible year of my life. :)
The low point of 2012 was when my sister Katherine became ill and was diagnosed with crohn's disease.
I trust everything happens for a reason... But still, I was finally home and better, and now she was sick!! In the middle of all of my happiness, I felt sad for Katherine.
People always tell me that I am one of the most joyful people they know, despite the rough circumstances of these past years.
Yes, "Happiness" depends on circumstances, but "joy" comes only from Jesus. There is a big difference!
What I've found is that often people want what you've got... But don't want to go where you've been.
Of course I am happy now, but there is not even 1 minute of my pain I would ever choose to re-live!
I wish I could say I never felt angry, or bitter, or forgotten, but the truth is, I spent a good amount of time feeling that way. I knew with one word God could heal me in an instant, but it didn't happen that way.
For the past month we have been attending a new church called Living Word Family Church (http://napleschurch.com) This church is so alive and spirit filled! We love it there and so many people have embraced us with open arms and so much kindness. And it seems all of Pastor Paul's sermons have been geared toward me and my family, as if he was looking at & speaking directly to us... Every single time. (amazing how that happens!)
Last night I went to Wednesday worship service at Living Word and Pastor spoke about healing miracles-- My favorite topic! He spoke about how the SAME power that rose Jesus from the grave, is alive in us... Now, today! That we have the authority to claim the supernatural into being, if we only have faith. He said you don't need to have a large amount of faith when you are trusting in a mighty large God- Faith as small as a mustard seed is more than enough.
I know that to be true! But I have to be honest, while I am living proof of the miracles God is able to perform, my faith in "quick" and "instantaneous" miracles was somewhat lacking.
As I listened to Pastor speak last night, I secretly felt like he was making it sound a little too easy.
My miracle took sooooo long. I prayed for it, wanted it and believed in it... Completely and totally. And I wasn't alone- So many people from all over the world joined us in praying for my healing... Yet, it still took years!
Yes, God is faithful til the end, but on His timetable, not ours. :)
Today, my sister Katherine was scheduled to have a colonoscopy to check on the progress of her crohn's disease.
Last night after hearing that message in church we prayed and thanked God for healing Katherine, today and now! We claimed victory over crohn's and prayed that the results of this test would be favorable, show improvement and amaze and shock us... We prayed her crohn's would be gone!
I believed in what we prayed 100%, but I was also acutely aware from experience that God's plan could be different from what we wanted.
Tonight, the results of the colonoscopy are in....
& Katherine found out she is in complete REMISSION of her crohn's!!!
Look at these before/after photos below! Her intestines that were ulcerated, black and highly inflamed are now perfectly pink & normal!!
Her doctors are amazed! They said that this type of improvement is unprecedented in only 6 months of being diagnosed!! We are so happy!! We are claiming another miracle and feel so blessed!
Needless to say, my faith in 'quick' miracles is restored ;) Thank you Jesus!
The Stevens girls are both starting 2013 feeling well and both in remission of our illnesses!!
I can't think of a more amazing way to start off 2013!
It's a new year and in it Jesus offers a new purpose, new peace, new hope and new life!
I hope and pray this year brings nothing but health and happiness for everyone!
Grateful for His healing power,
Jessica (&Katherine)
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
