Daily fever. Lumbar punctures. Pain. Hospital tests. Fatigue. Disappointment. All of these were present in my life this summer. The diagnosis of the rare disease sarcoidosis was slow in coming, and many of the early days in bed at home and then in the hospital, I could only lie there and pray for God’s mercy. He heard my prayers and those of people all around the country. Whether it was the Nazarene Church or the Christian Assemblies Church in Beaver Falls or the Seattle or Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Churches, hundreds of people prayed, and God has graciously answered those prayers.

Because God is healing me and I have felt such love from people all over this land, I want to tell you of my memorable summer and thank you for praying for me.

Having been blessed with excellent health all my life, this summer was a learning experience indeed. While lying day after day with no improvement and no answers to the question, “What is this?” I was made very aware of the only place to look. That was up! Sometimes God chooses methods of getting our undivided attention that we would not choose. Now I look back with pleasure at the times in prayer and, after I felt well enough to read, the time I spent in His word. Psalm 77:1-15 became my daily theme passage, and I was always comforted by it and reminded of God’s faithfulness to His people.

The summer brought keen disappointments—no family vacation in the Grand Tetons and the Badlands, no time of spir-itual and social refreshment at the RI International Conference with old and new friends, no shopping with our daughter for “going-to-college” clothes and supplies, and no trip with Bob to take Katie to Westminster Choir College in New Jersey. Instead I had cards and notes of encouragement and gifts of flowers and meals for the family to show me that God loves me and provides for my every need.

My recovery seems slow, but I know it is in His hands and I am praying for a full recovery. Some of my challenges this fall are to be able to teach my regular college teaching schedule and to adjust to the empty nest, after almost 31 years of having at least one child at home. This house stays too neat these days!

Thank you to those of you who prayed for my family and me over this past summer. I felt covered by a blanket of pray-er and concern and continue to marvel at God’s providence in my life. Praise be to God!