Blog

Trials

My Wonderful Church Family

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My church family is amazing. They have poured into us during this difficult time of Tom’s hospitalization and sickness. As soon as they got word of Tom being in the ICU, the phone calls and texts started pouring in. They were ready to storm the hospital and lay hands on Tom.

Since coming to the hospital was not ideal, my brothers and sisters in Christ stormed the gates of heaven on Tom’s behalf. While in the ICU I’d receive a text letting me know they were praying.  Their words were faith filled, saying things like, “God’s going to heal Tom” “God is faithful” “Healing is His hobby”.

It was so encouraging as everything we saw looked like death. They have stood in the gap for us and they continue to do so. Our pastor and his wife have been supportive and willing to help us, and our whole church family is praying for us. I want to give honor to this very special group of believers that I call not just friends, but family. Here are just a few of my church peeps that I want to give a shout out to. 

Sharon is a pillar of the church and a faithful prayer warrior. She has sent us the most beautiful letters filled with scriptures, encouragement, and hope. She regularly calls and asks for updates. She is a blessing who has weathered her own storms, yet is full of faith. 

My sweet friend Hawah called me while Tom was in the ICU as she was getting ready to leave the country. She took the time to reach out and encourage us as she was preparing for a long trip overseas. Incredible woman.

Joyce is the perfect name for a woman filled with joy. She is an encourager and every single time we talk, or she texts, she reminds me of God’s faithfulness. Her reassurance is so comforting. 

Koffi is a faithful prayer warrior. Originally from Gambia, he’s around six foot five with a booming voice. When Koffi prays I feel like I just experienced God’s presence. He prays with confidence, authority, and humility. 

Koffi called me the first week Tom was home from the hospital. He said in his thick accent, “How is my brother Tom doing?” Then he went on to tell me that he’d been praying for us all day, and that the Holy Spirit impressed on him to pray for us at that moment over the phone. I put the phone on speaker so Tom could hear as Koffi sang a hymn, “There is Power in the Blood”. Then he began to pray a powerful prayer for Tom. 

A couple weeks ago, Koffi and Joyce, who is also from Gambia, showed up at our house with donuts and prayer. Since Tom was sleeping we stayed outside. Koffi wanted to pray, so the three of us huddled on the sidewalk as Koffi called out to God for healing. It was beautiful. 

I share these stories to give glory to God, and to give thanks to some very special people in our lives. When we haven’t had the words to pray, our amazing church family has prayed. They stand in the gap for us, and they keep standing. 

My church family has shown me what love looks like. What humility and sacrifice is. I have so much to learn from these precious people. What an example they are to me. I am grateful. Thank you God for this loving group of believers. Bless each and every one of them for their steadfastness. 

And thank each of you who have prayed for Tom. Our battle is not over, and every prayer matters. Thank you! 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13 

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Food

Watergate Salad

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Nothing says dessert in the 1970’s quite like Jell-O pudding and Cool Whip. No, this is not a green salad. It’s a treat that’s fluffy, sweet, and yummy! This type of pudding dessert has been around since the early 1900’s. The Watergate name has nothing to do with President Nixon, except the timing.

In 1975 Jell-O introduced pistachio pudding mix which coincided with the Watergate scandal. There are several stories as to the origin of the name. No one can say for sure why it’s called Watergate Salad. Originally this was called Pistachio Pineapple Delight. Some call this Pistachio Fluff, Green Goop, or Green Fluff. I prefer Watergate Salad, it’s attention getting. Whatever you want to call it, a delectable dessert is what this is. 

There is no cooking involved. You are just dumping ingredients in a bowl, and stirring it all together. How easy is that! Dump, mix, refrigerate, and eat. Enjoy this enticing, nostalgic recipe.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

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Watergate Salad

Ingredients 

3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding mix 

20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice

1 cup mini marshmallows

½ cup chopped walnuts

8 oz whipped topping thawed

Instructions 

  1. In a large mixing bowl add dry pudding mix, and the entire can of crushed pineapple, including the juice, marshmallows, and nuts. Stir until well combined.
  2. Gently fold in the whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour.
  3. Garnish with additional whipped topping, nuts, and maraschino cherries. Enjoy!

Notes 

  • Do not drain the pineapple. 
  • Pineapple is very sweet on its own. Use pineapple in juice instead of syrup to cut some of the sweetness. 
  • Use whatever nuts you prefer like pecans, or pistachios.

 

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sickness

We’re Not Out of the Woods

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Tom is home! He was released from the hospital last Thursday afternoon. Thank God! We were sent home with a large pile of prescriptions, and a long list of his team of doctors that we need to see. Tom is out of the hospital, but not out of the woods. There is much healing that needs to take place and still many unknowns. 

He is resting, and finally getting some sleep. If you have ever stayed in a hospital you know that you do not sleep well. Tom looks good on the outside. I have no clue what is going on inside of him, but God does. We wait, we pray.  Tom is doing his part by taking all his medications, eating well, and getting lots of rest. 

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Tom! We cannot thank you enough. Prayers are still needed for healing of his kidneys, low hemoglobin, and heart damage. It’s a long list that looks impossible. With God all things are possible. I continue to believe that God is healing Tom. I will keep asking and persisting in prayer. 

We take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do. That’s all any of us can do. Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support. May God bless you greatly for your faithful prayers for my husband.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:3-5, NIV 

Love you all, 

Meghan 

Photo credit: Meghan E. White 

sickness

There Are No Hospitals in Heaven

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It’s been an eventful several days. Not the kind of events that are fun. My husband Tom is in the hospital. Friday, he had four seizures really close together, which he’s never had before. I called 911. He was rushed to the ER, where we were told kidney failure, and dangerously low hemoglobin. It was a nightmarish deja vu, as we went through a similar situation two years ago with the very same problems. This time it’s more complicated because of the seizures. 

Tom was admitted to the ICU Friday night with a large team of doctors overseeing his care. He was given five blood transfusions which then caused fluid on his lungs. So transfusions had to stop to clear out his lungs. Hemoglobin has gone up and down since Friday. However, after a sixth blood transfusion yesterday, his hemoglobin was improving. The blood loss has been one of the top priorities in all of his symptoms and problems. His kidneys are still not doing well and were worse yesterday afternoon.

There have been non stop scans, tests, procedures and everything in between. Because of the seizures, there is a special camera in his hospital room that monitors him in case he has more seizures. Thank God Tom has not had any more seizures. It was more than likely caused from losing two thirds of his blood combined with kidney damage.

There are so many things going on his body I can barely keep up with all of the specialists and their prognosis and assessments. There is far too much information to share in this post so I’m trying to hit the highlights. Tom was moved to Intermediate Care on Monday, it’s a step down from Intensive Care. That’s a good thing.

We have excellent doctors and nurses taking care of Tom. We are grateful. Tom has a good attitude. I just want him healthy. I am praying for healing and so many others are as well. We have a large prayer team of friends, family, and strangers, praying for Tom. We are truly blessed. 

Our church has been incredible! They are storming the gates of heaven for Tom. Church members are calling, texting, and emailing to let us know they are praying and here for us. Our church family is ready to bust through the hospital and lay hands on Tom. We are grateful for such a wonderful body of believers supporting us. 

Every prayer matters, so thank you to all of you who have been praying. I believe in prayer and its power, because it is God’s power on display. He does some of His best work in impossible situations. I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do for Tom. He has already done so much for us. I know He’s not done.

In the middle of our crisis God has given me peace. I have times where fear and discouragement come in, but it doesn’t last long. The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me of the truth, and Who is in charge. Tom is in God’s mighty hands, no matter what a doctor says.

Spending some time in the ICU has given me a fresh perspective on suffering. Each time I walk the hallways I see so many names on the outside of hospital rooms. That’s someone’s loved one, suffering and sick. Some rooms are filled with people and some are quiet.

The other day I heard loud shouting, and I thought, “Oh no, someone is angry and letting a staff member have it.” I leaned my head out of Tom’s room to check out the commotion, and realized the loud voice was a loud prayer for healing. It was coming from a room of a very young man, late teens, maybe early twenties. A man was calling on the Lord to heal this young guy. How many others are praying right now in a hospital, asking God for a miracle.

Yesterday, Tom’s daytime nurse was answering my questions and updating his vitals and all his numbers to me. I shared my concerns about Tom’s kidneys and mentioned that we are Christians which she replied that she too is a Christian. She began to share scripture with me and encourage me greatly. As she was talking I noticed her name tag said Comfort. A wonderful nurse, placed at the right time, at the right place named Comfort. Thank you Lord.

There is someone reading this right now, and you are in the middle of your own crisis. You might be wondering, Where are you God? He is right there, as close as your next prayer. He is faithful and He will see you through your trial.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV 

Thanks for your prayers, love, and support. 

Love you all,

Meghan 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for taking such good care of my husband during this scary time. You bring peace, comfort, wisdom, and healing. I am asking You to heal Tom, completely. You have the final say on Tom’s health, and life. You are faithful, perfect, holy, awesome God! We praise and thank You!

I lift up the person reading this who is overwhelmed in their own crisis. Lift up their head Lord. Provide every single thing they need. Bring healing, breakthrough, peace, freedom, and absolutely anything that they are crying out to You for. Nothing is impossible with You. Comfort and protect them.

In Jesus Mighty Name, 

Amen!

Photo Credit: Meghan E. White 

Joey Flynn's Extraordinary Tale

FREE Middle Grade Book

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It’s been a while since I’ve promoted my book, two and a half years to be exact. That’s just too long. The Lord is reminding me to get back to what He has called me to do, which is write. And this blog started because of my book, Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale. I wouldn’t be here without my labor of love, my middle grade Christian fiction book. It’s great for as young as 6 and up to 13, and beyond. Adults and kids have enjoyed Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale. Go to the link to read reviews, and preview some chapters. You’ve got nothing to lose because its FREE!

Free Kindle Book

Promotion is from 4/13/23 to 4/17/23

 Why Did I Write A Children’s Book? 

Thanks for stopping by, and thank you for supporting me as an author. Have a great day. Please feel free to send your prayer requests to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com.

Love you all,

Meghan