“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
So. I get an email from a woman asking if I’d be willing to meet with her to talk about a project she has in mind using my photography. She explained a little about what she had in mind … and I had already heard about the organization she’s working with, A Friend In Need {AFIN}, so we agreed to meet and discuss it further.
I really feel like I’m in a place where I shouldn’t add any more to our already busy lives, so prayed all the way to the meeting that the Lord would give me some guidance in making a decision.
All worries were swept aside as soon as I met Nancy and heard what she had in mind … I knew I was in!
Nancy explained that God had put my name in her heart since last October! When she couldn’t take it anymore … she told Him, “alright, alright … I’ll call her!” :)
So here’s the deal. AFIN is an organization raising money to help an AIDS stricken area in Africa {you can read more on their website}.
Where do I come in? We’re going to have a gallery night, displaying contrasting images like the one below.
We’ll display an image taken in Africa, showing the poverty and desperation … and next to it will be one of my images, contrasting the image from Africa.
The night will be a fundraiser with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, the gallery viewing … and a good time, doing a good thing!
I left my meeting with Nancy feeling good, while marveling how God works for His greater plan.
Little did I know how grand of a plan He had in mind.
A few days after our meeting, Nancy sent me a note saying she’d read my blog and read about my experience with MS. She explained that she too, has MS and if I have any questions or need to talk, to let her know.
What I haven’t shared with all of you yet, is my follow up call with my new doctor. If you haven’t read the last post … to bring you up to speed, the new doc told me, “I’m not convinced you have MS,” took vial after vial of blood and said he’d call in a couple of weeks.
Two weeks passed and I didn’t hear from him, so I called and left a message. He called back and went over my results. The only thing showing was some inflammation somewhere in my body/system, but not enough to be concerned about. So come back in the Fall for some more blood work and we’ll go from there.
Hold up! “That’s it?” What about my symptoms? What about the ickiness going on in my body?
He pretty much didn’t have anything to say about any of that. Yet, he took me off my MS meds and now I feel like I’ve been left hanging.
I had one perfectly good, world-renowned MS specialist diagnosis me with MS. And another perfectly good, world-renowned MS specialist undiagnosis me.
And here I sit. Sick. With no answers.
Okay … so back to Nancy. I immediately emailed her back and told her about my recent undiagnosis.
Are you sitting down?
She emailed back and said she too, had been undiagnosed at one point! And the docs exact words were, “I’m not convinced you have MS.”
A God thing? I think yes!
So we met again. Turns out her current doc {who she’s completely happy with}, was my old doc. AND … her MS started with Optic Neuritis {same as my situation}.
She gave me lots of information and encouragement. She also gave me the name of her initial doc … who specializes in MS, starting with Optic Neuritis. I have an appointment with him {in New York City … you have to say it like the Pace salsa commercial} on July 7th. I can’t believe they could get me in so quickly!
Anyway.
I think most importantly Nancy, gave me the knowledge that I’m not alone. And to not give up.
And … that God definitely has my back!
This post is linked up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky
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I love that as you were willing to say yes and be a friend…God simultaneously brought you a friend that you needed. He is so in the very details of our lives!
since we’re using our southern accents today (Praise the Lord – I fit in), that’s stinkin’ ridiculously awesome!
I get geeked out excited when I read how God continues to move the chess players around this board of life – and brings people together according to His AWESOME plan! PRAISE BE TO OUR FATHER! Who knows so much better than we could possibly ever imagine! I’m over the moon excited for you and this new adventure – and praying for your trip to NYC!
This is the most amazing post ever. I’m absolutely in awe how God is working in your life. Thank you for sharing HIS plan as it unfolds in YOUR life— yet another chapter to wrte in your BOOK!!! :):) Your story is beautiful and you offer us such a fantastic reminder to us all that God is working in ways we can’t even begin to fathom.
I dont think I’ve ever commented, but I follow your blog because I love your work. I just had to comment today though to say this post ran chills down my arms. In my family, instead of saying that something is a coincidence (sp?) we say a Godcidnece and this fits that word perfectly!
Incredible, Tracie! Truly incredible! The past year has definitely taught me to pay attention to God’s whispers!! So glad you and Nancy found each other — and I’m so excited that you’re headed to NYC to see that doctor!
God is good and faithful to bring into our lives just the right person and the perfect time! Have you ever checked into a wholistic doctor to treat your MS? I highly recommend Dr. Joel Fuhrman (drfurhman.com) and his book “Eat to Live.” He has successfully helped scores of people heal their bodies through nutrient dense foods (or foods that are alive). I have only been eating according to his plan one week and have already seen great results…and I suffer from fibromyalgia! Check him out!! May God bless you and yours!
wow, some things are just MEANT to be. :)
WOW! God brings us the people we need at the right time too huh? I think he gave Nancy that big final push because you needed her RIGHT THEN!! And a huge thanks to Nancy for steering you to a new doctor who can hopefully give you the answers you need so you can feel better! Symptoms be gone!!!!!! This is just incredible!
Truly amazing. I hope you get it all sorted out one way or another….. and that you are comfortable with whatever diagnosis or undiagnosis this Dr. comes up with. How disconcerting….
Wow! God definitely puts people in our life for a reason and I’m so happy that you found Nancy. I pray that your trip to NYC brings you the answers you need & can help you feel better. I was thrilled with the undiagnosis but if you’re not feeling any relief then it doesn’t do much good. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It absolutely gave me goosebumps. God IS working in our lives.
What an amazing thing to be a part of and to feel assured it’s what the Lord wants you to do. Awesome.
So, regarding the MS, I have a friend who sells some all natural stuff. I’m totally not someone to push things on people, but there are numerous success stories and I would hate to not share the info with people if I knew it could help them. If you want info about it, email me. My friend is a believer and probably the sweetest girl you’d ever meet and she’d be more than happy to chat about it. :) And if you’re not interested, I completely understand.
absoutely amazing! i cannot wait for you to get to that appointment in NEW YORK! so lucky & so BLESSED!
OMGoodness…that is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! This is incredible…and July 7th, really?? I can’t imagine how you must be feeling…and I can’t wait to hear…what next. What a fantastic project, opportunity, friendship, answers and what God’s Will has to do with it.
You are in good hands…He is looking out for you. He’s got a plan for you…and you’re obviously following the right path. Keep us posted…and we’ll keep up with our prayers. xo
Truly amazing!! OK…can I say it again….amazing! ; )
Hey! I wanted to tell you, I’m sorry for all you are going through and I understand your frustrations! I was diagnosed with unspecified connective tissue autoimmune disorder several years ago and I deal with the same vagueness and treatment from my doctors also. (It’s in the Lupus family but alot of symptoms overlap so they’ve not diagnosed me with one specific diagnosis) They treat my symtpoms as they come and I am afraid I will never have a definitive answer, unfortunately. I think alot of people with MS/autoimmune disorders can relate to what you are going through, and I just wanted to tell you I know it’s hard!
And you’re right, it does help to know someone who is experiencing what you are, so I’m glad you have your new friend to relate to also! :)
I don’t know anyone with my specific health problems and I soo wish I did! I think it would really help! Especially in the sympathy department because people who don’t have it, it’s hard to relate to them how hard it can be sometimes. :)
Hang in there! :) I know it’s frustrating!
Isn’t it amazing and awesome how God works sometimes?!!!
I don’t even know what to say except how incredible and amazing!!! I love what Elizabeth said…not a coincidence but a Godcidence! xoxoxo
i hope your visit with this doc goes well, and that you get some good answers. as for the photo… what a great project… very powerful. and a great opportunity for exposure for you, too.
He is fantastic isn’t He? A new project…a new friendship. The scripture from Jeremiah is my current memory work.