When Johanna was born we were
overwhelmed by God’s new little creation and chose the verse “For I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.” Years later we found out that her heart was
formed with a birth defect in the aortic valve. Through this entire trial we have
been aware that this was a divine appointment, our destiny with God, he planned
this from the beginning. What a wonderful confidence we have had to be in the
center of God’s will and with His help to be able to walk through this valley.
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2013 July 27th, two days post-op
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The only thing more expensive
than open heart surgery is a heart transplant! On top of the medical expenses,
we had to fly four people home from Kenya, plus the incidentals of housing,
transportation and food. God has provided EVERYTHING in abundance! This is
amazing to me because missionaries are not rich people. Just to name a few of
God’s provisions: We have medical insurance! In June, before Johanna's surgery, they lowered the
deductible by $2000 (unheard of). In June before the surgery, we received a large tax refund that we didn’t
even ask for (unheard of). Various churches
and friends gave Johanna money so that she didn’t need to work until
second semester.
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| 2013 July Johanna at the Freckled Frog with Grandma, a month before surgery |
God’s love spans the 8000 miles
between Johanna and her mom. Being 8000 miles away God provided a very good friend who is a Cardiac ICU RN
to accompany Johanna to her appointments, answer her questions, help us
anticipate the surgery and post-surgery needs. Praise the Lord for Skype so
that I could see Johanna in person. There was Wesley to be emotional support
for Johanna. My Dad returned to town to be close to Johanna. There were and are
people around the world praying for Johanna; Missionaries in Japan, Hungary,
Albania, Brazil, Australia and others. Our little church in Thika, Kenya has its prayer
meeting Thurs at 7pm which is Thursday 11am WI time. Johanna’s surgery was on
Thursday and the most intense moments of that surgery was at 11am that morning.
Leaving Johanna in pre-op to be
wheeled into surgery was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.
Waiting in ICU waiting room 8 hours, dealing with fear, knowing too much,
understanding all the things that could go wrong. Without God I would have
crumbled. His grace and power is found in the promises of His Word and accessed
by simple faith that rests in His promises. These are some of the verses He has
given me specifically for this trial.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I
give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the
stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa 55:9 For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down,
and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth,
and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and
bread to the eater: Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth
forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I
sent it. Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth
with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall
come up the fir tree, and instead of the
brier
shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting
sign that shall not be cut off.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because He trusteth in thee. Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH Is everlasting strength:
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat
11:29 Take my yoke
upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall
find rest unto your souls. Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made Perfect
in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.
Jer 23:23 Am I a God at hand,
saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Jer 23:24 Can any hide
himself in
secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven
and earth?
saith the LORD.
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his
own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely
give us all things?
Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack,
and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not
want any good thing.
Mar 11:21 And Peter calling to
remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig Tree which
thou
cursedst is
withered away. Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith
in
God.
Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be
strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
Neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God
is with thee whithersoever thou
goest.
1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth
you, who also will do it.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children: how
Much more shall your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God. (7) And
the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts
of peace,and not of evil, to give you an
expected end.
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2013
July 24th, 10 hours before surgery, Johanna gave us a concert
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2013 July at lake front, sisters
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How did we cope? Our pastor and
his wife were right there with Brent and I in the Pre-op room. We prayed and
talked with Johanna then they waited the first few hours with us distracting us
and talking about Kenya and looking through Johanna’s baby book with us. Then
our family descended on the waiting room and it felt like Christmas sitting
around laughing and celebrating on Ma’s patio in Florida. While in the ICU
waiting room many of our church family dropped by, sat, talked, supported us.
What was very overwhelming was to be the
recipients of sacrificial love from our family members. 8 adults from the
Halstead clan took two weeks of vacation, traveled three days, encamped
around us, cared for us, fed us, entertained our children, and spoiled us.
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2013
August,
3 weeks after surgery,
Johanna
playing piano at Grand-pa’s house
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God's love is an infinite, expanding love. God
constantly wants me, is seeking me, desiring my attention. My understanding of
God’s love has new dimensions, it is growing, Things about God I knew
intellectually, I have now experienced. I can trust Him in future trials, I can
encourage others because now I not only know how much He loves me but I have
experienced His love.
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| 2013 November, 3 months after surgery, Johanna jumping rope in Cardiac Rehab |
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| 2014 June 26th Miss Drew (Johanna’s piano teacher) took Johanna out for an ice cream treat for her birthday and then they stopped off at the Stienway piano showroom to play the grand pianos. |
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2014 June 26th
Playing all the pianos in the showroom
is like sampling fudge in all the fudge shops on Mackinac Island.
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by Mrs. H.
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