A Cloud of Witnesses

Okay, all you awesome people out there, I've got an update and a request.

Update first:

I had my appointment with my neurosurgeon and I am having surgery again. After my original surgery, there was a considerable amount of pain that my doctor did not feel was normal or good. We have tried every non-invasive plan that there is (because I do NOT want to do another surgery) and given it almost 6 months, but the pain is actually becoming increasingly worse with time instead of better.  I had a CT done and it showed that at the surgery sight there is something metallic sticking out of the side of my head in at least two spots.  Even my completely untrained eye could actually see the pieces of metal sticking about an eighth of an inch out of my skull on the scan.  Basically what happened is this: there is a titanium mesh in the hole where my skull used to be that is covered with cement. As my scar tissue formed, it has pushed up the mesh out of place and that mesh is now sticking out of my head. And titanium mesh is sharp. So basically it is continuously cutting the inside of my head against my skull. Like, think splinter but then larger and made of metal.  Yeah so since the pain is becoming so bad, my doctor has said it is time to take care of this because it will not resolve itself and needs to be dealt with. So he says surgery.  Fun times. 

Prayer needs?

Insurance and all of that jazz

Safe surgery and recovery

My poor family that has been functioning with half a mommy

That Jesus will get some crazy awesome glory from this time in the hospital and with the doctor. He and his medical assistant are so sweet and I just want to know what Jesus wants me to say to them in all of this. 

Now here is my request of all of you:

Can you share your Jesus story with me?

I was thinking about Hebrews 12:1-2 and it talks about how because we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us (the hall of faith-ers were just right before this), we have what we need to throw off every weight that hinders us and better run the race of faith that is before us.  And that is so TRUE!!!!  That's one of the amazing benefits of reading that book every single day!  I can get all self focused and then I come across Hannah or Jospeh and I'm all whoa okay just kidding, I'll chill out and thank Jesus instead of all of this whining.

BUT

Then I thought about all of you...

Each of you has a beautiful story of Gods sovereign grace in your life. Some of you, I know the story. But not really.  It's different to hear bits and pieces of the story as we live life together than it is to hear it written out as a story. And I would LOVE to leaf through your stories as I lay in bed recovering from this surgery and seeking to find His face in this beautiful mess!  And even if I know it, I would like to read it again, be reminded of all that He has done. And if we haven't really talked about your story, let's fix that!? I would be so encouraged by that. I would love to just read through the stories and be reminded if how awesome of a God we serve. 

So will you share with me your Jesus story?  Will you be part of that great cloud of witnesses that spurs me on towards my finish line? Long and thought out, short and in a hurry, whatever you've got. Who you were before Christ's transformative power...who you are now...crazy awesome triumphs...beauty from the defeats that He works together for good...I want to read it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly, as it were. If you send me yours, I will do my best to send you mine back. You can email me at joleenslye@gmail.com and I'll try to return as fast as I can. 

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers and the love and hopefully your stories. Thank you for walking through this with me!

Much love from Colorado!