Life can sometimes seem to be a series of “hurry up and wait” periods. This has seemed like one of those times. So we loosen our grip and settle back. We cannot change some things.

Randy arrived here Tuesday, March 15, to be with me as we make hard decisions. Two days later we visited my orthopedic surgeon and he confirmed (based on the PET scan results) there is damage to the upper portion of the left femur and as a protection against fracture and to eliminate the pain in my left leg, surgery to place rods in the left femur was recommended. The choice is mine, ultimately. Though it appears there is no cancer involvement, a bone biopsy would still be done during surgery.

Randy and I had a few days to consider our response since the doctor called me the day following my PET scan, giving me the results. That was fast! The scan showed there probably was not cancer in the bone, but there is some sort of damage to the bone, most likely due to Fosamax usage for over 10 years, and surgery is recommended.

We have decided to pursue getting the surgery done as soon as possible, as unpleasant as it is to contemplate. The doctor said my healing and recovery time should be faster since there is no fracture in the left leg compared to when I had a fracture to deal with in the surgery done on my right leg. The insurance, he said, with the evidence of the tests I’ve had, should pay for the surgery.

So that is where we were a few days ago. The insurance company had to review the doctor’s notes but I received a call back from the doctor’s office saying they did approve the surgery and the date has been set for April 12.

I also need a couple of units of my own blood collected in case we need it in surgery. That will put off the surgery about 3 weeks. And the issue for us in waiting, is that Randy needs to be back in WV by early May. I will need his help in the first few weeks after coming back home from the hospital so it is going to be very close. I have my first appointment today at the Blood donor center to collect the first unit of my blood.

Please pray with us that all goes well with every aspect of the pre-surgery preparation and that Randy’s time here will be all I need before he has to fly back to WV. He was such a help and comfort to me in my last surgery and initial home recovery period. I am praying I can come straight back here to (our son’s) home after 2-3 days in hospital following surgery.

I’ve struggled through some issues again, God helping me. It is never easy when these things happen to us, when hard decisions are called for, when we face pain and unpleasantness, when life takes a turn you weren’t expecting. There is help and comfort, wisdom and guidance for us when we go to the Lord, time after time. But though He is near and able to give grace, the realities still face you and you must work through each issue as it arises. And as you know, there are never any simple issues, no easy answers! We appreciate your concern and prayers for us as we continue to seek the Lord for His direction in our lives and ministry.

So, what is going on at Mustard Seeds’ headquarters in West Virginia? Our staff is once again admirably “holding down the fort”. Teams have been there this month and they still encouraged Randy to come out and be with me. When teams are in, everyone’s work load changes. The days become longer since they have to work with the teams in the evenings as well as during the days.

In May we have summer interns arriving who must be trained for the work they will do all summer in leading teams in home repair for the needy, elderly and disabled. Even now we are still in the hiring mode to have all the interns we need for the summer work load. Lacy is busy assessing homes and lining up work which will be done by the many teams coming to WV this summer. We have many youth and adult teams as well as more and more family teams.

I continue to communicate (via email and phone) with both “booked” teams and prospective teams as we move toward the summer months. It is all quite exciting when you stop and realize the potential for good all this work represents!

And we as Mustard Seeds staff continue to prepare our hearts for true revival in McDowell County, the kind God wants. We seek Him and have open ears and hearts so that He can accomplish His will through us. Pray with us to that end. Revival must always start with the ones praying for it….

Jacque