Memorial Box Monday: Her Ankle

Yes, I am aware its Tuesday, but I wanted throw this post in before another week went by.

This is a time to remember God's wondrous works on our behalf and help us not to forget what a Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving God we serve. For more, visit Linny at http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com.

Last week, I was visiting with some new friends at our local health foods store when we noticed 3 small kittens wandering around on the sidewalk just beyond the window. A young teenage girl was with them along with a cardboard box. One of my friend's children found out the girl was giving away the kittens and wondered if she could go play with them. Her mother said yes. A little while later, we mothers joined them and began talking with the girl.

The girl by this time had her sister and brother sitting on the sidewalk on either side of her. My friend's children were gathered all around and I had 7 month old Zuzu on my hip. We began to speak with the girls about the Lord and they said they did know Him. My friend told them to listen for His voice because those who belong to Him hear His voice and they follow Him.

As she went on, I found a little tract with Psalm 91 on it and I handed it to the eldest sister. I explained it a little, telling them that God is our refuge and He cares for those who love Him.

Then, I noticed that the eldest sister had an aircast on her ankle and I asked her about it. She said she just got her real cast off and now has this cast on and her ankle had been throbbing all day. She was in pain.

"Can I pray for you?" I asked.

"Yeah," she mumbled.

"Father, in Jesus' name, heal this ankle completely, let there be no pain and let this be a testimony to her of how much You love her," I prayed.

Afterward, she smiled a little and said thank you. None of us really moved. Then, my friend began speaking to them again and encouraging them in the Lord. I felt a little like a coward since I hadn't asked her to move her ankle in faith or anything. I was afraid nothing happened.

But then, I decided, Okay, Lord, You could have done it, so I'm gonna go for it.

I told the girl, probably about 16 years old, if she would stand up and try her ankle out. I told her I had seen Jesus heal people before (see my other Memorial Box Monday posts).

So, to my surprise, she stood right up, bent and stripped the cast off her leg with zeal. (I wasn't prepared for that! :)) Then, she stood back up and rocked from foot to foot. There was no indication she felt any pain whatsoever. She looked at me as a slow smile spread across her face.

I said, "Try to walk on it."

So she stepped out and began walking around on that ankle and there was NO LIMP or anything!!! She was not in pain. Praise Jesus! Thank You, Father!

Excitedly, I exclaimed, "Jesus healed you! See? God really loves you!" For some reason, she needed to know that that day. I praise the Lord. Her smile at that moment was precious and dear to my heart.

Memorial Box Monday: Do Y'all Need A Stroller?

A few months ago, my little family moved from the West coast to the East coast. We lived in a hotel for 5 days and then moved into a cute little house God provided for us. When we moved in, we waited for a week for our stuff to finish being moved across the country. We used an air mattress our landlords lent us, but it had leaks in it so we were basically sleeping on the hardwood floor, my husband and I, with a newborn.

Our stuff arrived and we were so thankful for our lovely pillow-top mattress! However, we had left our car back West, planning to sell it. We had not yet bought a stroller either since this was our first baby and with the move and all, I guess I didn't think of it. After a couple days in the new house, it was apparent we were going to have to get more groceries (surprising, I know :) )!

Well, without a car or the motorcycle (when it arrived, it was unusable; now it is fixed), we resorted to walking the mile or so to the nearest grocery store. One of us carried Baby Zuzu while the other carried all the grocery bags back. My dad would probably call these "character-building moments."

On our way back from the store, once a lady gave us a ride which was God because as soon as we got home, it down-poured.

The other time is the time I want to remember as God's goodness to us...

We were probably halfway back from the store, carrying baby and food, when suddenly off to our left on a side street, a woman's voice called out to us in that Southern drawl, "Hey! Do y'all need a stroller?"

We smiled and said, "Yes, we do." And she said, she drove past us, and the Lord spoke to her telling her to give us her stroller. She said, "I'm a Christian." With that, she opened the back of her SUV and pulled it out.

Ever since then, we have enjoyed the use of this lovely stroller God gave us.

I don't have a Memorial Box yet (oops), but if I did, I would put a toy stroller in it! :)

Memorial Box Monday: The Onion Story

This story, The Onion Story, is to commemorate a wonderful thing the Lord did in my life a couple years ago. For more about Memorial Box Monday, click the image above or visit Linny's blog at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com. Most of my life, like many people, if I had to be around onions, my eyes would water. If I ever had to cut onions, this was certainly not fun, since I experienced burning and tears in my eyes and I could hardly see what I was cutting. I didn't like it.Then one day, I prayed to the Lord, "Lord, please, don't let me cry when I cut onions. Help my eyes." I believed. He did it! The next time I was around onions, I noticed I had no issues whatsoever. Then, my friend April was cutting onions for a party (a lot of onions!) and she was wiping tears away. I said, "Let me do that." She asked, "Really?" And I chopped those onions with no burning and no tears in my eyes. Praise the Lord! That was two years ago. I have cooked with and chopped onions since then and have never had a problem. He hears our prayers. Praise You, Jesus.Brittany

Memorial Box Monday: One Rainy Chicago Night

Its time to remember the wonderful works of the Lord!!! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Memorial Box Monday, please visit Linny's blog over at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com. You know what, just go visit her anyway, her blog is inspiring and blesses so many people... including me!

And so begins my first Memorial Box Monday story...

One rainy night in Chicago, I was walking through the streets with my newly found friend, Joel. We often had adventures together such as the one you are about to read... and they still continue today. I am blessed to now call him my husband. Anyway...

Joel and I had just gotten off the train and it was already dark in the city. And it. was. pouring. I wasn't sure how long my snow jacket would hold out the rain and my jacket did not have a hood. Uh-oh. I think I may have had a scarf which I quickly covered my head with. We strolled along together, not going anywhere in particular, but just listening and seeking what the Lord would have us do. (Another of our favorite pastimes... maybe more on that at another time. ***Note: this practice has led to some interesting situations as well as some divinely blessed situations. Never a dull moment.)

Well, our strolling was beginning to become tedious. And I was hungry. I prayed that around the next corner there would be a place to eat. Mind you, the streets were deserted (probably the weather and time of day). Did I mention it was pouring? We turned the corner and....

No, it was just a Very long sidewalk lined by the thick cement wall of a Very tall building. No doors, windows, and definitely no restaurants. I almost cried. I prayed, "Lord, You know I'm hungry. Please do something!" I also realized neither of us had much money.

As we continued down the Very long sidewalk, all I could see was the cement of the sidewalk and building, the pavement of the road, and the constant rain. Off to my left, suddenly, something caught my eye. It was a paper lunch bag. I don't know why, but I picked it up. As I opened it and looked inside, I felt my excitement growing. "Joel, look!"

Inside the lunch bag was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut in half diagonally (just how I like it!) and three chocolate chip cookies (my favorite!) The bag was totally drenched - it had been raining for hours - but the sandwich and cookies were completely dry!!! Yay, JESUS!

What do you think we did? We took our treasure, headed across the street to a park we just realized was there, and gave thanks. We danced in the rain and jumped off cement half-walls in our giddiness - God had provided for us food when we were hungry.

That was the best sandwich and cookies I have ever had. Praise the Lord!

Brittany