Memorial Box Monday- Just FOUR Years Ago…..

Linny Saunders33 Comments

“For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”
Psalm 52:9
I actually wrote & posted this story last February 3, 2009. We were living in the hotel. I will share it again, each year, right around the anniversary. It is a miraculous story of God’s powerful healing touch! If you read it last year – please rejoice with us again!

February 3, 2009 (from the hotel)….
I have to start off by telling everyone that I was actually going to type this post the morning of the fire. I had been woke up by the smoke alarm and decided to just stay up so I could spend some time with the Lord. After the time with the Lord I was going to type this Memorial Box Monday post, because it had just been the anniversary of a very special date in our lives…January 10, 2006.

If you are new to A Place Called Simplicity and are wondering what in the world a Memorial Box is, then read about it here.

As many of you may or may not know, I have Mulitple Sclerosis. It showed up when I was in my late 20’s and then I was officially diagnosed in 1991. I grew up in Buffalo, NY and Buffalo is known as a ‘hot spot’ for MS. My cousin has it, friends of mine from high school have it, a girl Dw dated for ages while in college has it and one of Dw’s cousins even died of it. Infact my sister-in-law, Mary, has three sister-in-laws and even a sister with it! Really, it’s everywhere.

My MS started out slowly, but after about 10 years it got much more aggressive and soon I was having exacerbation after exacerbation on a regular basis. Before long I needed a cane to walk. And often, with my cane for balance and support on my right side, family and close friends would allow me to use their arm for support on my left side. I also had exacerbations that affected my hearing, my speech (slurring for weeks like I was drunk), my vision, my balance (I would fall into walls regularly) and so on. Multiple Sclerosis is a very yukky disease.


(My cane looked like this one….beautiful and flowery……I figured if I had to use one it was gonna’ be feminine, extra special & fun!)

Then in about 2001, I had an major exacerbation that left my right arm and hand trembling and shaking 24/7 – permanently! It was embarassing. It shook boldly all the time. From the moment that exacerbation started there was a never, ever, ever, ever even a moments break from the trembling, twitching and shaking. I could not lay on my right side because my body would shake so much that I couldn’t sleep. I love to write long hand letters to special people in my life but I did not like to write anymore because of how awful my handwriting looked. It was humbling to be in a prayer circle and hold hands with someone who didn’t know me because of how my hand and arm continually bounced and trembled. I would accidentally knock things over without much effort. So from 2001 there was not a moments reprieve from the trembling, twitching and shaking of my right arm/hand.

And the MS continued to daily make my body a mess. We finally had to build a handicapped accessible home for my wheelchair. I affectionately named him Charlie, as I would have to, from time to time, spend a day or two in him.

In June of 2004 we moved to Colorado to pastor. We had been told by doctors that it would slow the progression of an autoimmune disorder like MS to live in a drier climate.

THEN one day, January 10, 2006 to be exact, Dw and I were on a four way call with treasured friends of ours (Dan and LaVonne) who live in San Antonio, TX. We had wanted to pray with them about a prophetic word that the husband, Dan, had had about me. It’s a long story, maybe for another day (but probably not), just suffice it to say that what we were praying about had nothing (directly) to do with the MS. It was a monumental time of prayer, but we didn’t really know just how monumental it was about to be.
Dw & I were tucked away in our master bedroom as we talked with Dan and LaVonne and then prayed together. I prayed, Dw prayed and then our friend Dan prayed. We were asking the Lord to move in the supernatural in a huge way about something from 40+ years before.

When we finished praying we hung up and I walked out to the kitchen.
As I was walking over toward the island where Graham was sitting I felt
like the Lord said, “Look down at your arm/hand.”
I looked and there my right hand and arm,
that had only seconds before shook uncontrollably for the last 5 years,
was now completely and perfectly still. I started to
squeal and turned to Graham, “LOOK GRAY! LOOK!”
He looked down and there both hands of mine were positioned
next to each other and both were absolutely still.

Graham started gasping and screaming along with me and everyone came running….yes, my hand and arm that had trembled and shook for FIVE years was now perfectly still!!!!
We called our grown kids and friends around the country – it was a true miracle!! Everyone who knew me was in shock!! I felt like the man with the withered hand that is mentioned in scripture. For months, many, many, many times a day I would stop and just stare at my hand/arm. I can’t imagine that man with the withered hand did any different – stopping and staring and remembering and rejoicing!
The following Sunday when we told our church during both services people stood and cheered. God had moved in a mighty way – and we hadn’t even been praying for the MS to be healed.

What I firmly believe is that when Dan, Lavonne, Dw & I asked God to move in the supernatural He indeed moved. I felt like He said, “I am doing what you asked in the supernatural and I am going to evidence it in the physical by healing your arm/hand.”

From then on I would stand many times a day and just stare at my two hands. That right hand was just as still as my left now – after all those years. It was a true healing miracle. When I showed my neurologist my right hand and arm – he literally jumped up and hugged me and with utter delight said, “Linn, it must be God – Multiple Sclerosis does NOT go away! I bet God is going to completely heal you.” These words from a man who has said he does NOT believe in God!!

And then a few months later……..even though I had used my cane for many years, after the instant healing of my hand/arm I began to notice that my legs began to feel stronger. They were actually feeling really strong!! I was wondering what was going on. Could the words of my neurologist been prophetic?

Within four months even people at church began commenting that it looked like I hardly needed my cane. By mid-July of 2006, I felt like I should take the courageous plunge and try a day without my cane. The rest is history and I have never, ever used my cane again.

I call my arm/hand healing “my microwave healing”…done in an instant!!

I call my legs healing “my crock pot healing” – slow and steady. There are occasional days yet when I know that my legs are still not 100% healed….and if times get really stressful they still can go a teeny-bit “funky-chicken” like. BUT I still have never used my cane since that day in July of 2006.

So on this Memorial Box Monday I stand in praise of Almighty God and thank the Lord for His miraculous healing of my arm and hand and legs. He is truly the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God – Jehovah Rapha the healer of trembling and shaking arms and hands, Jehovah Rapha the healer of broken hearts, Jehovah Rapha the healer of broken dreams, Jehovah Rapha the healer of painful pasts, Jehovah Rapha the healer of blind eyes, Jehovah Rapha the healer of deformed limbs, Jehovah Rapha the healer of traumatic memories, Jehovah Rapha the healer of wounded relationships, Jehovah Rapha the God of the universe!! Yippee Jesus!! Rejoice with us!!
The symbol for this Memorial Box story is a rock…as rocks are steady and solid….and I usually sign emails to our friends in TX who prayed with us:

Your steady friend,

33 thoughts on “Memorial Box Monday- Just FOUR Years Ago…..”

  2. God is in the miracle business and i love this story and how it shows how he's "got your back" even when you don't realize it's what you long for… such a great story. (and i loved, LOVED the stick man illustration!!)
    in the midst of all of your trials (and if i believed in luck, i'd say you're having rotten luck, but i don't so it's trials) it is great to see you rejoicing in the Lord. such an awesome reminder to all of us, such a sweet encouragement.
    i can't wait to see photos from your new home. i can't imagine going through all you have gone through in this past year… you are a testimony that ALL things are possible with Christ.
    yippee Jesus!

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  5. No words big enough to describe how awesome our God is! This was a great reminder to me that the God who did miracles over and over again in the bible times…is still the same God and can still do them today! I am sitting in awe this morning after reading this:0)

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  8. Thank You, Jesus! "Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits;…Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies"… (!) from Psalm 103…He loves you and will take care of you for ever and ever 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
    Caroline

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  9. I read this last year and it still gives me goosebumps to read it this year. I know a number of people with MS. I've been praying for their healing. I firmly believe we are going to see many healing miracles. A word given at a friend's church a couple Sundays ago was "suddenly". God was going to do many "suddenly's" in 2010. I can't wait to see more healings like yours Linny. God is a miracle working God. Hugs

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  11. Oh my goodness, a total miracle. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes the entire read. Thank you for sharing it again!!!

    WOW! What a way to start my day, good bible reading and this, love it!!!

    Sisters in Christ,
    Amy

    PS.. forgot to answer your question. I live about 45 minutes south of Chicago. We're not even considered a suburb, just a little Illinois town. I truly love the midwest! =)

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  14. I have tears in my eyes. I needed to hear this today (and I didn't even know it :). I plan on posting a link to your blog today. I think everyone needs to read this.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It is so comforting to see God work in others lives. Because when I cant see Him working in my situation I know He must be, my eyes just cant see it yet. Your family is beautiful and I am so thankful for your testimony. I pray one day soon He will open up the floodgates in response to our obedience. Waiting on Him.

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  21. An amazing story of God's grace. Thank you for the encouragement. My husband has been battling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for almost 3 years, and it is good to read a story like yours and be filled with renewed hope that God still performs miraculous healing.

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  22. I'm so glad you shared that story again, and I'm sure we will never get tired of hearing it!!! Praising the Lord with you!!!!! (And by the way. I have a friend with MS. She struggled with annoying effects for years, and assumed that in time she would have to give up her amazing gift and talent, the piano. But for a few years now she has been symptom free! Praise the Lord!!!)

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  30. Dearest Linny, All of your testimonies are incredible and I know the Lord will use this one again and again. You and yours have been in my prayers with all that has gone on lately. Hugs to you today!!!!
    Noreen

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  31. So, I wanted to thank you for, yet again, being open to being used by God. Earlier today (before I read your post) I had been in a class and we were praying in groups (I adore going to a Christ-centered university!) and my anxiety was flaring up hardcore. See, we were using the ACTS method & we were only on the "A" and I was having trouble forcing the words out of my mouth. Anyway, I sat there, praying silently, telling God how frustrated I was/am with my anxiety and the obstacles it creates… and I sort of felt as though I should consider praying for healing/relief from my anxiety. So, I get back to my room a bit later, read your blog, think how cool it is… and neglect to make any connection to my own life. And then, a couple of hours later, I start thinking about this post and thus… I believe I am going to begin praying that God will (1) ultimately be glorified through my anxiety, no matter what He chooses to do with it, (2) heal/relieve me of my anxiety completely, if that if how He chooses to be glorified, & (3) for a better attitude and perspective about it, if He chooses to glorify Himself through my continuing to have anxiety.
    So, again, thank you.

    -Stephanie

    (Sorry this is so long!)

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  32. Glory be to God!! Amazing! Thank you for reposting this story – I love it and will read it every year as an awesome reminder of God's amazing love and power!!! Thinking of you all and praying for DW's mom and brother and for your ex-landlord and that whole situation. Lots of love – Charissa

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  33. Praise the Lord for your healing! I think people really don't understand how dehabilitative MS can be, my mum works with MS patients. I just hope during that time you had more support than many of them get!

    So humbled by how you always share these personal journeys. Thank you! As someone who doesn't have believing parents or aunts/uncles or grandparents, these faith based experiences help me so much! Thank you!

    Reply

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