My name is Denise, and I was born with a different formation of the 15th chromosome. It causes issues with the connective tissue called Marfan Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues (tissue that supports the skeleton and internal organs). It commonly affects the eyes, heart, blood vessels and skeleton. I have had over 32 surgeries and one amputation of my lower left leg. I am 58 years old, and Jesus Christ has been by my side every step of the way. 

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to Marfan Syndrome is that they keep watching the measurements of the aorta. The aorta can easily tear or dissect in Marfan patients. A doctor once told me that most people have a sturdy aorta like the strength of a garden hose, an exaggeration but it’s good for the explanation. He continued to tell me, " Your aorta, my dear, has the strength of panty hose. Shocking isn’t it? Yet, David, a servant of God, tells us this in Psalms 139.

Psalms 139:14-16

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

I see this as an opportunity for my Lord and Savior to shine. I was aware of God because my parents took me to church from birth. I would ride my horse and talk to God.  However, Jesus invited me to be in a relationship with Him at the age of 13.

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

It took a long time to get my teaching degree due to the fact that I was legally blind at the age of three from hitting my head on a coffee table like every other toddler. However, the connective tissue let go of my lenses and I could only see out of the bottom fourth of my eyes. My eyes were restructured at age 31. Praise God! I can see very well now!   D.E.

Let’s fast forward to when I was 34 years old and teaching first graders on a crisp fall morning. You see, I wanted to get to school early because it was snowing and there was a school delay. Here in Colorado the first snow is like a celebration and kids have a hard time staying in their seats especially after they have been playing outside in the snow! So, I wanted to be there early to anticipate their exuberant energy. I had not put snow boots on for some silly reason and walked out of my townhome with flat shoes. I hit the ice, took a flying leap into the air, and fell flat on my back. Yes, I was in pain but picked myself up and drove to school. Then when I got out of the car I fell again. The janitor saw me fall and decided to walk me to my classroom. I fell three more times. The school principal came down to talk, after the janitor talked with her about my problems of staying vertical, to suggest I see a doctor. My sister (she is so good) picked me up and whisked me off to Children’s Hospital to see my famous Cardiologist. She works with all ages, but I was put on one gurney but needed three gurneys because I am very tall. The children’s beds were super small, as well.

They saw my aorta dissecting and bleeding out as they took pictures and ultrasounds. They then said they were confused and had to send the films to a research hospital in Canada and to John Hopkins University. As they were waiting for advice from these two hospitals, I was put into a Cat Scan which conveniently has you put your hands over your head, and it seems like a great opportunity to pray. Right outside the Cat Scan room was an ambulance with the motor on, waiting to take me to the University of Colorado Hospital. There they would open me up to patch the aorta, but in order to do that, it all has to be done within 10 - 30 minutes or one could easily bleed out. What the doctors saw was a dissected aorta that needed repair as soon as possible but it stopped bleeding! Yep, Jesus heard our prayers. The doctor told us she had never seen an aorta stop bleeding before, in her many years of specializing in this field. I explained what happened. My Lord Jesus saved my life again! He is an amazing King and Physician, Praise His Holy Name! Not sure what they were thinking but hey, I am not responsible for how they were receiving this beautiful miracle. It does stick in my mind that even scientists need to witness His handiwork. 

Now, you might be thinking, why did God allow me to have this problem in the first place? I frankly do not know all the answers, but He does allow troubles to enter our lives so we can choose to trust Him. He can make beauty from ashes as he sure did for me that day! 

He is my Lord and Savior. I am far from perfect, but He loves us all and wants to have a close relationship with you too. Seek Him and you will find Him. 

 One night, many years ago, I was awake and fretting.  As a teacher, this isn’t that uncommon.  Even when a child appears to be thriving, the responsibility for another parent’s child is a heavy one,.  When a child is troubled and acting out, then much mental energy is expended to determine the cause and the solution.  When a child is troubled, acting out, and the parents are blaming you, it can be unbearable.  I remember lying awake, heart pounding, tossing and turning, imagining all the possible scenarios for the next day, when out of nowhere, I heard a voice.  Not only did I hear the voice, I felt it surge through my brain.  This voice that I firmly believe was God’s voice said very clearly, “Be still and know that I am God.”  I wasn’t praying when I heard it.  I wasn’t thinking about God when I heard it.  God spoke and I listened!  I lay very still in the darkness feeling chastised as if a parent had caught me reading under the covers with a flashlight! I realized that I had been blessed by a Savior who knew me and cared about me and apparently, wanted me to go to sleep!  So I did.  It wasn’t until some months later that I was reading my bible and I came upon those words, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.  It is probable that I had heard or read them in the past at some point, but I had no memory of encountering them until they were seared into my brain on a sleepless night.  I’m humbled by God’s love and grace. R.C.