God has blessed Melvine and me through the birth, growing up years, adulthood, and her teaching years in the public school system in Barrow County, GA, namely, in Statham, GA. She loves Jesus, enjoys singing and praising God, and really knows how to worship. She is involved in her church, Cornerstone Church of God in Athens, GA. She sings in the choir and occasionally on the praise team, sings solos, and loves her Sunday school class.
Daily we get calls, e-mails, or letters asking about how Stephanie is doing and with the added remarks, "We are praying for Stephanie's healing."
Stephanie is the talk of the town. Wherever I go in the community, e. g., to Barrow Pharmacy to pick up a prescription the pharmacists and staff want to know about Stephanie. After she came home from the hospital the Barrow Pharmacy sent a beautiful basket of flowers that brighten our home, and brought cheer to Stephanie and us.
Melvine and I, along with our son, Greg, are amazed at Stephanie's courage and faith in spite of the adverse affects and effects of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy she was initially given was not in the best interests of Stephanie. She lost a lot of blood, and had other side effects that I will not mention in respect to Stephanie who is a beautiful young woman who radiates the love and grace of Jesus. She had to be hospitalized twice to give her units of blood. We were there with her on Thanksgiving Day, and truly thankful that she is alive.
Stephanie's oncologist has decided to use a milder chemotherapy mixture and now she will only have to take it once every three weeks. We are praying that this new treatment plan will work effectively to help restore health to Stephanie.
We are happy that Melvine and I can offer Stephanie our home during her recovery and ongoing treatments. Melvine is the master planner, and works harder than anyone else to make sure all of the members of our family have their needs met.
Stephanie is determined to do her job and ministry as a teacher of some 21 kindergarteners in her class. She is blessed beyond measure to have the best para pro ever, and teacher friends who offer their help and support. Her principal is a Christian and is supportive of Stephanie. Many children pray that God will allow them to have Miss Morgan as their teacher. This is her 21st year of teaching.
She gets up early each school day, and comes home around 4 o'clock void of energy and strength. However, in our home she can go to her bedroom here and sleep for an hour or so, and get up later to eat a wonderful supper prepared by the best cook in the known world, Melvine, her Mom. We wouldn't make it without Melvine. I have assigned my La Z Boy recliner to her for her comfort and rest. That's what Dad's do for daughters; however mothers give and give constantly, and their work is never finished.
Last Sunday, Stephanie wanted to go to her church for morning worship. She had not been able to attend in over a month. I told her that I would drive her. So, Melvine and I along with Stephanie went to Cornerstone Church of God in Athens for worship. It was a powerful service, great music and an anointed message by Pastor Scott Sheppard. The church was packed, standing room only with about 1,000 people in attendance. The altar filled as Pastor Scott gave the invitation. We sensed the presence of God in our own lives, and I am sure others did as well.
By the way, I called my pastor, J. Brian Williams, to let him know that I would be visiting Stephanie's church. I want him to know of my complete support of him and his ministry. I never want my pastor to guess where I am.
Wednesday night, I asked Stephanie to ask the blessing over the food at our supper table. Her prayer touched us to the depths of our being as she praised God for all of His manifold blessings and the strength to carry on. The tenderness of her spirit and her unwavering trust in God is something to experience in our family.
Very frankly, we do not know why these bad things have happened to our Stephanie. God has not given us a clear message about that. But we know that in and through it all, He is still God, and we are confident that He will never leave us or forsake us. Our trust is in Jesus for He is the mighty Conqueror, and the Savior of our souls, and the Healer of our bodies.
Melvine's theme song, I guess, is "It Took a Miracle." She has sung this song on all the Air Force bases we have been privileged to serve, as well as four churches that I have pastored, and on retreats here in the states and overseas. Let me share that song of faith with you now as I encourage you to pray that God will grant Stephanie wisdom and glowing health [strength, might, and power along with stamina] to meet the challenges of each day. We are so grateful for your prayers.
We are dependent upon your prayers. We believe they are touching the throne of God and the heart of Jesus, Who is our Healer and loving Savior, and Lord.
And now for the lyrics of that song:
"It Took a Miracle"
My Father is omnipotent,
And that you can't deny;
A God of might and miracles--
'Tis written in the sky.
CHORUS:
It took a miracle to put the stars in place,
It took a miracle to hang the world in space;
But when He saved my soul,
Cleansed and made me whole,
It took a miracle of love and grace!
Though here His glory has been shown,
We still can't fully see
The wonders of His might, His throne--
'Twill take eternity.
The Bible tells us of His power
And wisdom all way through,
And every little bird and flower
Are testimonies too.
Posted on
Thu, January 12, 2012
by Hugh Morgan