God Sent Me a Barnabas with Long Blonde Hair!

This continuation of the Kimberly story (see January,February 2012 blogs) began in the fall of 2011. You will recall that Kimberly credited a daily devotion magazine for confirmation of God's leading to seek cancer treatment in Nashville. Kimberly and her mother had come to Nashville for her monthly treatment and were staying in a hotel directly across from LifeWay Christian Resources—the producer of that daily devotion!

The two of them decided to walk over to our offices and meet the folks who worked on the magazine, Open Windows. As editor of the magazine, I would have been among the first to greet Kimberly. Except I was on medical leave with a hip fracture! But I heard about the visit and the deep impression Kimberly's story had left on the staff.

The magazine staff (thank you especially, Susan) put together a collage of the particular issue of Open Windows that had blessed Kimberly so much. We planned a big surprise break-time celebration for her next trip to Nashville. We would present the collage and enjoy cookies and punch with our new-found friend. But Kimberly came down with a cold and was not able to attend the "party." And—as it turned out—I was not yet recovered from my hip fracture.

Would I ever meet the mysterious Kimberly? All I knew was that she was an attractive, vivacious blonde, and like the biblical Barnabas, had the gift of encouragement. I now know Kimberly lights a room simply by walking into it. Her contagious smile and "people first" attitude attract others to her like the proverbial flies to honey.

When I returned to work, I began a relationship with Kimberly over the phone and by e-mail. I asked about her travels and where she had stayed in Nashville. Kimberly flew in on Wednesday afternoons and left Thursday afternoons. "What do you do on Wednesday nights?" I inquired during one phone conversation.

"Nothing much. I just rest," she replied. Knowing by now that Kimberly loved going to church and being a member of a downtown church near my workplace, I asked Kimberly if she would like to go to church with me some Wednesday night. "I would love that!" she replied without hesitation.

Then the thought struck me. Why should I take Kimberly to a hotel for the night when I would be coming back downtown the next morning anyway? Although the Sarah Cannon treatment facility was not on my beaten path to work, it certainly wasn't far away.

Little did either of us know that Kimberly was going to be an answer to my prayers!

No Room in the Inn? You Just Wait!

I promised a continuation of the Kimberly story (see January blog). And so we come to the spring of 2011. Kimberly and Michael had prayerfully decided to seek her entrance into an experimental treatment program for the melanoma cancer that slowly seemed to be winning the battle for her life. But when Kimberly approached the Sarah Cannon cancer facility in Nashville, TN, she was told there were no vacancies in the program.

Just like Joseph and Mary seeking shelter on the night of Jesus' birth, Kimberly was turned away with a 'No Vacancy' sign. But God had a plan, and like many of His plans that appear thwarted before they even begin, this plan would not be denied. Joseph discovered that plan after being thrown in a pit and then in an Egyptian jail. Jonah's submarine adventure ended on dry ground. And Daniel's influence wasn't curtailed by the Lion's Den dinner menu. So is it any surprise that someone dropped out of the Nashville program, and Kimberly took his place?

Now think about getting from South Carolina to Nashville on a monthly basis, usually for at least an overnight stay. Michael and Kimberly are in the 99% of Americans, not the top 1 %. No medical benefits could possibly cover every expense. Michael and Kimberly prayed in faith God would provide and took the step of faith into the darkness—faith that moves mountains.

Thank goodness for frequent flier miles and programs to assist medically-necessary air travel. Hooray for Southwest Airlines having a direct flight. But transportation to the treatment sites in Nashville, meals on the road, and trips back and forth to the airport were out-of-pocket expenses. Kimberly tried first one hotel, then another, seeking the lowest rate. Kimberly was also concerned about Samuel's well-being while Mom was away from home. She was his ride to school and number one homework consultant! Also, the family was still going to Virginia occasionally to meet with Samuel's doctors about his progress with his cleft palate.

Months went by as Kimberly settled into the routine of travel and treatment. On her July trip Michael and Samuel got to come with her, and they witnessed the fireworks show from Riverfront Stadium in Nashville. Then in October Kimberly's mom made the trip with her. That's when I first heard about Kimberly. But more from that in my next post!