Smiling at 50: My Wonderful Report!

I have lived in pain for several years.
Plantar Fasciitis. 
There haven’t been many mornings where I could stretch without pain and tenderness in my right foot and heel. Going barefoot is almost intolerable. Wearing flat shoes would leave me feeling hobbled in just a few hours. High heel shoes are easy to wear because the ball of the foot bears the weight. Forget about jumping out of bed or rising from a chair and walking normally. What causes it? Don’t really know. I’ve prayed for healing for years.

Last week I began training for a 10K, which involves running, walking, strength training, and cross training. I knew it would be tough on my foot, but if I could push through the pain of each first mile, I could do the training and, ultimately, the race.

However, this week a sharp tugging in my left shin presented. Shin splint. Between this new development and my old issue, I painfully struggled through Zumba Fitness and went home defeated and feeling crippled.

While soaking my leg and foot in a hot bath, I cried to God, one more time, to heal me. “I can hardly walk. I’m empty of myself. I’m empty of pride. I have no Plan B. I believe in Your divine healing.” Later, the thought flew through my brain that when I wake up I could be healed. I giggled to myself, “Now, that’s childlike faith just assuming I’d wake up pain free.”

This morning, I stretched and quickly realized something was different. No pain! I’ve walked stiff-ankled out of habit for so long, I had to be intentional about walking correctly. Every step I take is in victory! I give God the glory for healing! Tonight, my foot is fatigued from being up most all day, but there is no pain! Oh, and the left shin…there’s no pain in it, either!

I waited until now to reveal my wonderful news, because I had to be certain! There is still slight swelling and some stiffness, but I choose to believe He is faithful to “complete that which He started” (Phil 1:6) in me!

What are your thoughts about healing?

Happy #HeartAttackComeback Day!

Terry. 1 month
after heart attack
Glacier Park - MT

December 18th is a new major holiday 

for the Allen Clan!

It's Happy Heart Day!

It's Terry-Survived-a-Heart-Attack Day!

It's #HeartAttackComeback Day!

What?! You didn't hear? On December 18, 2012, my hubby --Terry Allen-- hadn't been feeling great; however, had been keeping that fact from me for about two weeks. That morning when Terry went for a run, he didn't get very far and knew something was seriously wrong. The situation only worsened and by evening, he called me from a parking lot screaming in pain to meet him at the hospital because the ambulance had been called. Our son, Dane, and his then-fiancé, Emily, quickly met us there. 

T was life-flighted to Vanderbilt Hospital where a cardiac team quickly accessed his problem and saved my husband's life. I sat up all night in a dark corner praying, observing the attentive team and listening to the various beeps and breathing of my honey. Being a Believer in God's power for healing, I didn't need to hear comforting words of well-meaning friends, I just wanted to sense the nearness of my Savior, Jesus Christ. And, I did.

Drew & Daney.
Gotta find joy somewhere!

I can recall many details of those next few days. Too many to list. I remember waking in the waiting room to the rustling of a paper bag as our dear friend and pastor, Drew, handed me a cup of hot tea and said, "Wow. You look rough." I remember Aaron "Smiley" Farmer (my summer son) walking around the corner in the waiting room just as my emotions and fatigue collided. He brought my fave hazelnut coffee and bagels. I remember Daney fielding questions on the cellphone and becoming a man in my eyes. I remember driving away from Vandy with T riding shotgun. Kinda hard to drive with your eyes full of tears. I remember waking up early and sitting quietly with "mah mayn" in the glow of the Christmas tree reading our eReader versions of the Bible.

This year, 2013, has been Terry's #HeartAttackComeback year. In celebration of his life and the one year anniversary, I asked (um...really, I told) him when he was finished writing his post on the day before, I wanted to include it on my site, too!

Dane's Recovery Instructions
to Dad
in the Cardiac Care Unit
of Vandy

1 month anniversary
with
Lowell & Tami Hochhalter
Glacier Park - MT

Today I ran and walked 13.1 miles for 14 reasons... (or 13.1 reasons)

Mile 1 - Gratefulness. I am just happy to be alive.

Mile 2 - Fear...For one solid year I have thought about having another heart attack. Every morning it was one of my first thoughts. Every time I took my daily medicine. With every pain has come a whisper of my demise and I am flat sick of it. I will not be controlled by a spirit of fear. Period.

Mile 3 - 12/18 is the heart attack anniversary and I thought it would be great to do it before I go to the doctor tomorrow.

Mile 4 - I set a goal to run a half marathon by the end of 2013, and it was within my grasp. I honestly didn't know if my body could take it, but I refused to give up on the goal and not at

Terry & Drew.
Sunday following heart attack

least try.

Mile 5 - For everyone who struggles with depression. For the darkness that tells you your life is over...Don't believe it.

Mile 6 - For my Hebrews Eleven Life Group (a.k.a LifeNet). I wanted to knock out a hope target for them.

Mile 7 - For my Pastor and best friend, Andrew Wharton, who sat in the car and prayed for me, followed the ambulance, lobbied to get on the life flight and stayed up all night in the hospital with me. ICU will never be the same.

Mile 8 - For every person that has slugged it out this year to change and comeback from addiction, bad health or another life struggle.

Mile 9 - For all my encouraging friends who prayed and took the time to visit, call & care.

T & me.
Our first completed mile
toward the
#HeartAttackComeback

Especially Jim & Bonnie Long, Lowell Hochhalter, Tami Parker Hochhalter, Kent & Kelley Tucker Steven Morgan, Shannon Baugh Morgan, David Morgan, Randy Valimont, Terry Bailey, Glenn Burks, Larry Vine, John & Laura Driver, Roy & Cari Stone, Eduardo & Sandra Rocha, Jonnie & Curry Wethington...and more.

Mile 10 - Because I'm not a quitter.

Mile 11 - Eleven was for my mother and family. My father died in her arms from a heart attack afew years ago and when I had my episode she had to relive those memories. This one was for her peace, happiness and to give another punch in the face to worry for making her cry.

Mile 12 - I ran it for Dane Allen. No kid should have worry about his dad losing his life so early. I ran it to punch worry in the face for making my son uncomfortable. Don't mess with my kid.

T & me.
At Dane & Emily's wedding
September 14, 2013

Mile 13 - I ran it for Samalee Allen and for all of her incredible sacrifice this year in helping me get healthy. Honestly, I also wanted to destroy any fear she may deal with of losing her husband. We are one and I will not stand for fear in the eyes of my wife. 

Mile 13.1 - I ran it because there is "no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. No sweeter name that I've ever known." - Kari Jobe has sung that to me a hundred times this year and I believe it. "You are the light in my heart and my soul. You are the light to the darkness around me." Without Jesus and his help I would not be here. This whole journey is a testament to His grace and mercy. The finish was for Him.

I love you, Terry Allen. 
I love you 'til the day I die.
Together, we can conquer the world in love. 
You and I. 

Happy #HeartAttackComeback Day!

Book Review: Willing to Walk on Water

Willing to Walk on Water:
Step Out in Faith and let God
Work Miracles Through Your Life
by Caroline Barnett
Tyndale Momentum, 2013


Obedient Faith may not be popular. Still, it is required when serving and pleasing our Heavenly Father. Obedient Faith is trusting Him when it does not seem practical, convenient or safe. Obedient Faith is like walking in a God-Fog, where each blind step taken is done so believing His Word as it takes courage to take another and realizing He's trusting you to help build the Kingdom!

Caroline is married to Matthew Barnett and together they co-pastor the Dream Center of Los Angeles, a "volunteer driven organization which finds and fills the needs of over 50,000 individuals and families each month."

Not only does this book relate history of a young, urban ministry, but it is a collection of faith-forward vision casting whereby the hopeless receive Jesus, acceptance, full bellies, skills and hope.

"Use your influence and initiate change where you see a need."

"When God puts something on your heart to do

 and you follow willingly, you can walk on water."

"There is no better confidence booster than knowing
 you are living aligned with God's Word."

"God is on your side. He wants you to accomplish more

 than you could ever imagine."

Why did I purchase this book? In the late 1990's, my honey and I took a small band of cream-of-the-crop senior high school students to serve at the Dream Center for one week. I still refer to and value faith lessons gleaned while I was there.

My life is enriched by the faith of Caroline and the countless volunteer stories, most of which we will never have the honor to read. Again, I am challenged to "find a hurt and heal it, [and] find a need and meet it." I believe your zeal to serve others and God will be renewed while you are reading. And, while you are reading, ask God to be involved in planting ideas to serve in your spirit.

"God does not want fear to dictate our steps of willingness.
He wants us to be obedient."  For more info, click here ---> Caroline Barnett

Book Review: Pathway to the Impossible

Pathway to the Impossible
By Huldah Buntain
India: Devtech Publishers & Calcutta Mercy Ministries, 2009

Always I have loved missions. It seems I have always raised funds for missions. Missions will always be close to my heart. Closer, still, are missionaries --my heroes-- always. Apart from the Bible, if I could encourage you to purchase a book which practically and marvelously demonstrates just how much our loving, living Heavenly Father loves us, it is this collection of memories and miracles fondly recounted by Huldah. For example:

Little Bonnie's Christmas Surprise
Construction of the Hospital: Waters Recede
Vegetable Garden Miracle
Meningitis Healing Miracle
The Blue Dodge Station Wagon & Speed the Light

"It was easily understood that if one only looked at the negative side of Calcutta with its high pollution, disease, poverty and poor living conditions, that staying in Calcutta would definitely be a hardship. ... Calcutta will always remain our greatest challenge, but also our favorite task." --Huldah "Aunty" Buntain

Increase your faith to believe God for the impossible! Proceeds from this book enable Calcutta Mercy Ministries to feed, educate & medically-assist those in need.