Journey

**I wrote this on my face book and wanted to share this with you. The past few months has been lessons on learning how much God is in control and has His perfect timing for everything.

One thing I do want to share is the journey of having surgery sometime this year. It all stared two years ago when some dear friends kindly suggested the idea of nose surgery to me. I have been totally against it. Through a series of circumstances I finally felt the Lord leading me to get something done...but I wasn't about to go to the doctor. In July I contracted ringworm on my face. It cleared up and then kept on coming back for months. Finally in October 2010, I went to the doctor about it. I found myself saying "I want to have nose surgery how do I go about doing it?" The doctor then refereed my to a neurologist (since the problem has to do with a condition I have with the nervous system). I was afraid to call the neuro doctor. I talked to Mrs. Masitto, my pastor's wife, and shared with her what I was thinking and praying about doing. She prayed with me for wisdom in the decisions that needed to be made. It took an entire month to call the neuro doctor. I then had an appointment for Jan 2011. Thankfully my friend Angela went with me as a "second ear." I shared my concern with the neurologist and he agreed the neuroma was growing back and that it needed to be taken care of. The neuro doctor then referred me to a plastic surgeon that was an ENT doctor and specializes in facial plastic surgery procedure. I went to this appointment in January and the doctor agreed the neuroma had indeed grown back and was growing bigger. It was going out toward my cheek and was causing my lip to sag some and effecting my breathing. He said that the procedure would be a medical necessity to get done...but he also said he would have to get insurance to see that this is not for cosmetic purposes.What he is going have to do is remove most if not all of the right side of my nose. He then will rebuild the nose using cartilage from my tip of nose and ear. I began praying hard and my theme verse became James 1:5 "But let him ask in faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like the waves driven my the wind and tossed." I knew that God would answer this prayer somehow...but I wanted it according to His will.

On February 7, I received a letter from insurance that the surgery was eligible for coverage. How excited I was!!! I was telling everyone! Then on February 9, I received a letter to say it was not eligible. How confused I was and heartbroken. I cried my eyes out and my beloved students were concerned because their teacher was crying. I had a friend see me upset and she encouraged me that God is in control. When I turned on my Patch the Pirate CD for my class the song that came on first was a song about Joseph. THe chorus says "God is good through every trial and test." I broke down and cried again thinking God is good no matter the outcome. At lunch time I called the doctor and they explained to me the situation---insurance would only partially cover the surgery (the removal of the neuroma) NOT the reconstruction. But, even before I called with my concern the doctor's office is already working with the insurance. The doctor is already talking to the insurnace company and has to have a person to person conference with the medical director of the insurance compay PRAY that insurance will see this as a medical need and cover it in full.

I had a talk with my pastor's wife and school secretary and told them both that I am okay with what is going on. I am not upset and know God is in control.  I told them that ever since I been spending more time in God's Word this has helped me focus on HIM more and not worry. I was also told that Satan knows I am trying to have a better relationship with God and he wants to interfere...BUT I am NOT going to let him. I also was reminded by a very godly man in my church that Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible no matter what the outcome.

One more thing...(this is how I know God is working)

I told a friend today that I sat on my bed and grasped the letters the insurance sent me and prayed over them. One of my school parents heard me say that in passing and asked my friend if I was talking about insurance. The school parent then said I had a dream/thought last night that I needed to pray for Miss Page about something that was on her heart and  saw her holding a letter that said yes...wow that gave me chill bumps and tears in my eyes! I know God knows what is on my heart and even without this school parent knowing she is praying! WOW God sure is good!

I can't wait to see what happens and know that whatever happens its the Lord's will. God is good NO MATTER WHAT!

Thanks for the prayers about this matter too!

Love you all!

WHAT CAN I SAY??? GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD! Two years of prayer about whether or not to have surgery, weeks of dr appointments...two weeks of praying since insurance first turned me down. THEN PRAISE THE LORD---I was able to schedule my surgery! Insurance will cover BOTH procedures (which is actually also one all together). I am super excited and give GOD ALL THE GLORY! As I was reminded at church last night..Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible! =)