Thursday, January 3, 2013

New Year 2013!

"I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten"

"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

23 comments:

  1. That is so awesome to hear, have a fantasticically happy 2013 :)

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  4. All I Can Say is AWESOME. It is amazing with what all you and your family has been through and the multiple maricles that have happened in your lives. Not just random possibly maricles that can sometimes be percieved but huge awesome maricles that are in no dought what so ever due to you and yor families devoted faith in God. Its just so wonderful to actually be able to see.
    I too have RSD like you Jessica but not anywhere even remotely close to the extent that your case was. I have talked to a lot of RSD patients as I well know you have also and yours is by far the if you can say Worst (I say this meaning no disrespect toward you in anyway) that I have ever heard of or have seen as far as the videos. I am sure for the Doctors also your case had to be the most advanced case they had ever witnessed and how you fought and won this horrible condition is just unimaginable but it happened and you are now in probably the most wonderful place in your life at this point and I know it was by you families determination and love for you that made the difference and got and guided you through as well as of course the many amazing maricles the God has bleesed you with. And now for your sister Katherine to be blessed as well. (I don't know but I can say there is deffinately something special there in those Three Steven's girls that is just Awesome and amazing). You all give people extreme hope in there cases some of witch or just horible but to see the maricles that you and your family members have been blessed with is truly inspirational. Anyway before I write a book here I also Have RSD like you and would like to talk to you about your journey if you would like. If so Please respond back with how I can contact you. I know that you are in Naples and I live just on the other side of the ally as I think you would that is Alligator ally you living on the west and my living on the east if that makes sense.
    Anyway God's blessings to you and your sister Katherine and your whole family.
    My email: rsd032010@hotmail.com
    Hope to hear from you soon.

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  5. God is Awesome! God is Good! God Bless All of You!!!I pray God's miraculous healing of you, Katherine , and your Dad every day! Love to All!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Katherine and Jessica, I'm very happy hearing from you that God has been so merciful.I'm glad that you have a wonderful community in Naples that keep in praying and praying. Blessed be God. Ciao from Agrigento,Sicily.Pippo & Family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Katherine & Jessica, we are glad that God has blessed you in a particular way. Pippo e Giusy from Agrigento.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jessica!

    We are running out of words that mean "WOW!" :o)

    What wonderful news for Kathryn (and all your family) She must be elated! That was a low blow when she was diagnosed with Crohn's last year. But, God is merciful and good. You are reaping the rewards of your non wavering Faith in Him. There is so much for you to celebrate!

    As this New Year begins, we can not help but wonder where will it lead you? It is hard to imagine all that has happened in this past year and how far you have come. We're looking forward to the next big leap in your recovery. So proud and so very happy for all of you!

    Love,

    Rosemary & John

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  11. Dear Jessica --

    Woweeeeee, Wow, Wow!!!! How wonderful you are doing! We couldn't be more thrilled to see you making the biggest steps forward and to hear that Katharine is also doing so well is simply grand. We think of you all often and send our love and best wishes for the best 2013 . . . may all your dreams come true and may every wish be yours!

    With our love,
    The Klatts

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  14. Dear Jessica,

    Wow- Today your 25 years old. a quarter century! Thank you dear Lord for Blessing Jessica with such wonderful health and happiness!

    Love

    Daddy

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  15. Happy Birthday To You
    Happy Birthday To You
    Happy Birthday Dear Jessica
    Happy Birthday To you!

    May God Bless You Now & Always,

    Rosemary and John XOXOXO

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  16. I don't think God was responsible for a tick biting you, nor for you recovering. I would pray to the Doctors and other health professionals who continue to use science and technology with awe inspiring results, such amazing people, for them, I rejoice. Their years of sacrifice and dedication bring so much life to us all!!

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  18. Hi Jessica,
    My dad just met you today. He told me about your journey. He also showed me the news video. I would like to meet you one day. I live in the same neighborhood. That would be nice. I heard you met the President. That must of been cool. I hope I can grow up as strong as you.
    P.s. My dad showed me a picture of your dog he or she is very cute.
    Love Lily Lucas:). 7 years old :)

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