It all began a few weeks ago while I was in Zimbabwe. March 17. It was an e-mail I wasn’t expecting, followed by many phone calls, lots of tears, hugs and prayers.
My grandma, Bev Lynn, was sick. She had been rushed to the hospital. The Doctor’s had no idea what was causing the pain, 
swelling and lack of breathing. Days went by…no change. She laid in her hospital bed. There were no answers. Just an amazing women who blessed many lives – and the family that constantly came to love a women so dear to our hearts! God – what is going on!? I am not at home. I can’t see my grandma. You know how much she means to me. You know when I’m planning on coming home. Please, Lord, keep her alive so I can see her!
swelling and lack of breathing. Days went by…no change. She laid in her hospital bed. There were no answers. Just an amazing women who blessed many lives – and the family that constantly came to love a women so dear to our hearts! God – what is going on!? I am not at home. I can’t see my grandma. You know how much she means to me. You know when I’m planning on coming home. Please, Lord, keep her alive so I can see her!
(Grandma at Christmas with Madelyn Grace)
It was a few days later (March 27). I hadn’t heard anything in a few days, and usually no news is good news…Felix insisted on calling my parents. No electricity. So much for skyping! Instead, Felix pulled out his phone so we could call home, as he knew we needed to. It was a call that put me over the edge. I was just DAYS away from boarding a plane home. I could tell by the way my dad spoke on the other end of the phone that it wasn’t good. My grandma was now in ICU – worse than she was a few days earlier. She went from having one of her best days and getting better, to taking a turn for the worse. She was on a breathing machine. She was praying and
struggling for every single breath she was taking…asking God, crying out to God for one more breath, just one more breath!
struggling for every single breath she was taking…asking God, crying out to God for one more breath, just one more breath!My heart shattered. I found out my mom and Aunt were flying in to be with family. Dr’s had determined she had ARDS. They were trying to reach family and call them together. Things did not look good. I was just praying I would make it home in time. All I could do was cry and pray and trust and wait. To not have phone or internet access while traveling was going to be the hardest and longest 36 hours…but I had no choice!
(My mom and Grandma in the hospital – still with a sense of humour)
I said farewell to Felix (which was hard enough) and boarded the plane for Nairobi (March 30). To my surprise, I had internet connection and time – 
so I quickly called home. I was shocked to find out that not only was my grandma OUT of ICU, but she was sitting up and slowly moving around. What an answer to prayer. (Who says miracles DON’T happen in Canada…) I was overjoyed. I knew I had nothing to fear or worry about. I would see my Grandma in a day!!! I called Felix, and we prayed and rejoiced together.
so I quickly called home. I was shocked to find out that not only was my grandma OUT of ICU, but she was sitting up and slowly moving around. What an answer to prayer. (Who says miracles DON’T happen in Canada…) I was overjoyed. I knew I had nothing to fear or worry about. I would see my Grandma in a day!!! I called Felix, and we prayed and rejoiced together.(Grandma and I two days before she got out of hospital)
I couldn’t wait to see my family. It was amazing. We were hardly able to contain ourselves or fully express what just happened. I never saw my grandma when she was at her worst, but hearing my Aunt’s talk about it made me thankful I saw her the way I did. They didn’t think she’d make it. The Doctor’s didn’t think she’d make it. To be honest, I didn’t think she’d make it – but SHE DID! God knew – and performed a
miracle. everyone was talking about it. Even my grandma told people as they came in to talk to her that she almost died. GOD (and the countless amounts of prayers) is the only reason she is still alive today.
miracle. everyone was talking about it. Even my grandma told people as they came in to talk to her that she almost died. GOD (and the countless amounts of prayers) is the only reason she is still alive today.
(Four generations…Grandma, my mom, sister Sherri, niece Madelyn Grace)
What’s neat about all of this, is that she LOVES the nursing home she is apart of. It has been the best thing for her, as she has friends and activities to keep her busy and encouraged. She hated being in the hospital to begin with, and now it was Easter weekend. She tried to stay positive (she never complained the whole time she was in the hospital – just kept praying), yet knew that she wanted to be able to enjoy such a special weekend with family and friends. Another miracle. Doctor’s said she could go home Monday…but we got the call on Thursday that she’d be able to leave on Friday (April 2), which means she’d be able to enjoy Easter at “home” with those she loves. Praise the Lord.
None of us had never seen my grandma so close to death, yet now we are saying that we have never seen her so alive. 
Within minutes of being back in the nursing home, she was rolling around in her wheelchair laughing with people and smiling the biggest smile. We were amazed. What a story to go along with such an amazing weekend…a weekend that was full of death AND life…with Christ, and now my grandma!
Within minutes of being back in the nursing home, she was rolling around in her wheelchair laughing with people and smiling the biggest smile. We were amazed. What a story to go along with such an amazing weekend…a weekend that was full of death AND life…with Christ, and now my grandma!
(Welcome home, Grandma)
Thank you for those of you who prayed faithfully. I enjoyed being able to spend time with family, and seeing more people than I could have dreamed of seeing. It’s amazing what brings people together – a hard beginning turned into a joyous end! God is GOOD and FAITHFUL and I, along with my family, have much to thank God for and rejoice in!
