I will never forget my tenth birthday, May 5th, 2000. Since February of that year I had been having a lot of aches and pains. My mom just thought I was having growing pains...but with every week it got worse. By May I was in constant pain and was always tired. It was hard to even walk home from school. It was even harder to concentrate on school work. I loved gymnastics, but found that I couldn't do any back walkovers anymore because of the pain in my back. I could only do handstands if I did them with my fists since my wrists hurt if I bent my hands back. I also loved to play the piano, but couldn't play without pain in my hands. We went to my doctor but he could find nothing wrong with me. Since I complained that it hurt to walk he sent me to a foot doctor. The doctor took x-rays and told me I was fine. But, after a week, the pain suddenly became severe. We were referred to a rheumatologist who had no immediate openings. My parents called out to God. The next morning there was a cancellation and they agreed to see me right away. It was my birthday. The doctor took only a few seconds to put a name to my aches and pains, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA. I had no clue what that was. But, I had to get a blood test. What a way to spend a birthday!

Things went from bad to worse. JRA is treatable, but it takes months for the medicine to help. That June I went to a Stars Retreat at Potomac Camp Grounds. While everyone was outside playing, I was on my mattress in my dorm in lots of pain. I decided to read my Bible. God gave me a verse that has become my theme verse, James 1:12. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has given to those who love Him."

A month later, God led us to Hershey Medical Center to a wonderful doctor, Dr. Groh. I was on my way to lots of blood tests and pills and shots...But even with all the pain, God became so real to me. When I went to Kids Camp that July I could barely walk. I had to bring a wagon to ride in so that I could get around. I was really embarrassed to have to ride in it. In fact, the only thing I found it useful for was carrying everyone's things. My friends were great. They never laughed at me but they helped me have a good time anyway. They had fun pulling me around. During that week the speaker spoke on listening to God. I realized that I did a lot of asking when I prayed but not a lot of listening. So at altar time that night I listened to God. He began speaking very clearly. He said that He would heal me soon. But it wouldn't be instantly. It would be gradually. I knew then that He would heal me, but I was hoping the process would maybe take a month!

The months went on...By the fall the medicine was helping. I was still in pain, but the flares were not as extreme. In March we had a special pre-teen "7-hour fast" to help us understand the world hunger. During the fast, Patricia Law talked to us about her experience in other countries and how they really need the Lord. She mentioned Pakistan. On the way out, I asked God what He would want me to do. I listened and He said, "You're going to be a missionary to Pakistan."

By the beginning of this summer, with much medication, I was doing much better. But I knew that God was going to heal me all the way. I hated to take shots every week. My doctor said that I would probably always be on the medicine. I had little chance of growing out of it. But at Stars Retreat that June, God spoke to me again at the altar. This time He said that I WAS healed. He also told me that my testimony would help me start a Bible club in school and become a missionary later in life.

I was so excited! I knew I was healed. Suddenly, I realized that I was able to kneel completely to the floor. I hadn't been able to do that in a year and a half. That next week I went to the doctor who saw how much better I was doing. I told him my testimony. He didn't believe me when I said that it was gone. He told my mom not to do anything drastic. We would slowly reduece the medicine. I couldn't understand why he couldn't just stop the medicine. My mom said that God hadn't spoken as clearly to her and that she needed to have God speak to her. A few weeks later while preparing my shot suddenly my mom felt that she shouldn't give it to me. Still a little worried and wanting the doctor to be a part in acknowledging my healing, she called the doctor. She explained again what God had done and that I wanted everyone to know this was God, not just the medicine. To our surprise, he said he was willing to let me completely stop my medication.

So here I am...It has been almost six months since I stopped the medicine and I have not had a single sign of arthritis. God did what He said He would do. Boy, am I glad I took time to listen to Him.