Recently Donn and I were reminiscing about long-ago moments of decision in our lives, looking back now from the perspective of things God already knew. So I’d like to invite you to take a walk down memory’s lane that connects to where we are today..
In 2001 when we knew God had called us to go to Japan for a year, we learned that if we kept Donn’s insurance at Penn State during that year, he could return without losing seniority (he had been at Penn State for nineteen years). That decision seemed to make sense, and we chose to do that.
During our year in Japan (2003-2004), I began to believe God was calling us to go back to Japan for a longer period of time. My heart had so bonded with the people of that country that I could hardly bear the thought of leaving them—even though staying in Japan would mean leaving our loved ones in the United States which also broke my heart.
The wrestling match began…Donn said he wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment, so I prayed that God would change his heart. When we returned to the U.S. at the end of our year, I left half of my heart behind–trying to figure out what I would do as I waited for God to change Donn’s heart. Seven months later when God revealed that He wanted us to lead a Japan Prayer Ministry under the layman’s branch of OMS, my heart found some measure of peace, but still I prayed.
Even though Donn had discovered when we returned from Japan that his boss wanted him to teach Physics (which he hated), as well as Math and Electrical Engineering Technology, he still wasn’t ready to commit to a longer time in Japan. Eventually, he decided he would be willing to return to Japan, but he wanted to teach four more years until he could take an early retirement at age sixty. This, along with 15 years of experience, would allow us to keep our insurance when he retired.
My heart was broken, and I felt like it wasn’t a very spiritual decision. Where were we placing our trust? The years before we could return to Japan stretched before me long and dreary until our leaders at OMS said it wasn’t too early to start fund raising to return to the most expensive place in the world for a missionary to live. This somehow gave me more peace but still I prayed for God to change Donn’s heart. God didn’t answer that prayer and at times, I fretted about what I perceived to be my husband’s lack of faith.
At last four years had passed, and we were fully funded to return to Japan because of the early start we’d had on raising funds. Donn took his early retirement, and we maintained our Penn State insurance. Our support account remained healthy the entire time we served in Japan (8/2008 to 8/2011).
When we arrived in Japan, we learned that the OMS insurance was much more expensive than our Penn State insurance, with a huge deductible before any medical bills were paid because OMS had an aging population of missionaries. Suddenly my husband’s decision to work until we could retain his insurance looked a lot better. God had already known about the OMS insurance situation.
Later, after we’d returned to the U.S. and become eligible for Medicare, we switched to the excellent Penn State Medicare supplement plan which has covered us well ever since. Several years ago when my C-Pap machine showed up on the list of machines being recalled and has still not been replaced by that company, I needed to replace my machine. I learned that I was eligible for a new machine through our Penn State supplement—no co-pay. When I told my home health provider, they refused to believe I wouldn’t have to pay any part of the expense and said, “We’ve never had anyone who didn’t have a co-pay to replace their machine.” Turned out I was the first and I thanked God again for my husband’s decision.
Through the years as we’ve looked at the long line of zeroes under “Your Share” on our Explanation of Benefits, we’ve given thanks to God for His provision. Last week as I pulled out the EOB that contained the bills from my surgery in May, I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the long line of zeroes. God already knew I would need surgery fifteen years after Donn took his early retirement and had provided excellent insurance through Penn State. Donn hadn’t lacked faith but had been led by the Holy Spirit, making a decision that wasn’t popular with me at the time.
I simply can’t tell this story without telling a recent connected insurance story that many of you haven’t heard yet. However, telling it now would make this blog too long, so you’ll have to wait until next week. Believe me, it’s worth waiting for.
Heavenly Father, help us always to remember that regardless of how much we think we know, you always know so much more! Amen.
HEALTH UPDATE
Chemo went well on Tuesday. We were again blessed to be in Annie’s POD. (I’m pretty sure I’ve been getting preferential treatment being in her POD every time I’ve actually gotten treatment. Other cancer patients have told me they’re all over the place in different oncology nurse’s PODs.) Annie asked if I wanted her to do the beginning chemo slowly again, but this time I asked her opinion. She said she thought we’d be fine, so I trusted her judgment and we were fine! Praise God!
While I was getting chemo, I was looking at the results of Tuesday’s blood work on my UPMC app and talking to Annie about them. She told me my white blood cell count numbers were so low it could have prevented me from having chemo that day. When I asked what we can do, she said if the doctor determines my numbers to be too low on a given day, they can give me a shot and I can come back for chemo the next day. Please pray with us that my white blood cell numbers would rise.
On Tuesday we were blessed again with two sisters who were sweet followers of Jesus who sat near us in Annie’s POD. We enjoyed our conversation with them so much. Nicole, the Christian friend I’d made during my first treatment, stopped by to see us and say hello, and when one gentleman was leaving, I asked if we would see him next week. He said no, and Annie said, “Every three weeks is often enough, isn’t it?”
A gentleman who was there with his wife had been observing all this and said, “This is just one big happy family, isn’t it?’
Annie turned around, looked at me and said with a smile, “Daisy talks to everyone.” That so blessed me because I so want to be a blessing to everyone we encounter on chemo day. Please pray that we can continue to bring the sunshine of Jesus love with us every time we enter the Hillman Cancer Center. It is our assignment during this season.