Went to the Sheetz gas station for French fries. Yes, that was too much to do all in one day for Mom's lame leg over here, but hey! We had a free coupon. *laughs* I think Mom agreed only because she believed I deserved it after so long, contrary to the fact that I was satisfied with a simple walk to the church. But I have to say I am grateful. This is where I was able to see the yellow holly. I hadn't had any idea holly was such a stark shade of yellow before it turned red! I even got to see what new garbage that decorated the bridge. *laugh* I'm not sure why, but trash always seems to collect at the end of the bridge above the highway; today was a bottle one quarters of the way filled with cherry soda. Red, how festive. 

Of course, my walk down to the "Kitchen that's always open" consisted of more excitement than what the litter bugs could throw around. That colt, now a mare, turned into a beautifully muscled work horse. Oh, her coat shine like polished copper! A real show-off she is too, prancing around the field and giving us one of those head-tossing sidelong glances. Ah, it was so lovely walking with Mom again, with a destination too, and, after being cooped up in the house for such a drearily long time, it made both of us feel so much better.

Sadly, the weather took no time in reverting back to it's old, simpering self. My area has gotten such a torrent of rain that we had flood warnings! We live right near a creek and in a valley, for goodness sake! If it doesn't let up soon, our parlor will become my personal, mold filled swimming pool. I'm none too hopeful about having a white Christmas. *sighs* On the good side, I heard there may be enough of a cold front to freeze the water in the ponds, but I'm concerned about the water freezing on the roads. I wonder why it has been so rainy this year? Wasn't there more snow when I was little? Mom says it waxes and wanes; I guess it's more believable than global warming.

 Now, on Thursday, she spent the entire morning just making phone calls. It was not as exciting or fruitful, and toward the end a little hopeless, but nonetheless, imperative. She called the hospital, and found out about a grant. Great! We can pay less in a doable payment plan.

Wrong.

You can't take advantage of the grant if insurance is available to you, even if you won't have food because of the huge chunk of money coming out of your pay check each month if you did take it. But hey! You should have a job to help your husband. You know, the whole not being able to lift with your left arm or stand on you left leg can't hamper you that much, can it? *sighs*

And then there was the clinic, the hospital office close to our house, and the doctors office. The doctors office was more understanding, saying they would knock the bill down to $30, payed in $15 increments, but begrudging in allowing it. And that still didn't solve the problem of getting the pap or the breast exam. We can not afford either on our own, or the surgery if it is needed. And there was only two places left to call.

The first couldn't do it.

The lady at the clinic in the city had a waiting list as long as her leg. As a plus, it really didn't matter if you where able to have the tests to know what was wrong. No anesthesiologist or surgeon in Lancaster would touch you with a ten foot pole if you didn't have insurance. That left one option.

In all this I learned that God is never be late, but He is never early. I learned the same lesson when Mom's tooth erupted a few months back and countless times in my life including my own birth. I never doubted Him, yet it never ceases to amaze me.

The woman who picked up the phone was a Believer, a Baptist. The hospital she worked for was an organization specifically for women and babies health. They turn no one away, but are willing to find a way to treat her because of the cancer symptoms, regardless of whether or not a person has enough money prepared to pay. No government grants, but using grants from other organizations like the American Cancer Society.

Mom cried with relief.

The woman, I don't know her name but I'm praying, felt she wasn't worthy to be used to bless someone in such a way. Both her and the doctor when she told him, were refreshed and amazed at the gratitude, something they don't see often in this welfare-minded world. They even prayed over the phone.

And so we're one step closer to finding a solution, or at least knowing what to start preparing for. *smiles*

I think that was by far, the most fabulous Christmas gift besides God's Son to date. Praise the Lord and Blessed Christmas to all~!

Blessings,

~Gabrielle~

PS~ Just a note: I still want a dress patern and another neocash card. *mopes, laughs* Good night!