She stated she had been more impacted by this woman than any other. She shared that she was changing her work schedule so she could go to her Bible study group. As I glanced down at the article, I exclaimed, “Oh, these are my friends! We go to church together”. The article was a message of thanks and brief as possible explanation as to why Elise was unemployed. Her words were transcribed by Ellen Faller, who had brought her to the hair salon. Elise has for now, lost most of her vision and ability to put her words on paper, which is why it was written for her. As I sat with Elise yesterday, I felt like it would be selfish to not share some of her story of faith and perseverance with you.
Some of her story I had heard and witnessed. Much I had not. It was hard to listen to her story. I can’t imagine living it. As I listened and asked questions two scriptures came to mind. One is
Isaiah 55:8-11
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.
[9] "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
[11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
I can not understand and know why some people have to experience such hardships. I don’t have to understand now, as God is bigger than me and God is good. As with Job, certainly God and Satan are there. God can have great confidence in some to weather tremendous attacks of Satan, and Satan is always on the prowl. Satan seeks to destroy. God will ultimately bless a hundredfold. If not in this lifetime, in our eternal home. This brings to mind the second scripture. Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Whatever we go through here will one day seem light and momentary in comparison to what God has prepared for us.
As a young bride, bright and visionary, Elise had many dreams before her as she began her marriage. God had already spared her life, as when she was 16 she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had been treated and cured. Nine days after her wedding her new husband was killed in a tragic automobile crash, as a tractor trailer fell off a bridge onto his car. She later married a man who was kind and yet hardships awaited again. After losing twins and another child born prematurely, they parted ways as his alternative lifestyle drew him away. She married again, this time also filled with great difficulty which I will not describe. However, during this time she was blessed with two beautiful daughters, now in college. The second daughter the doctors advised her to abort, stating she would be born with severe brain and heart damage. (She is a bright, healthy young woman) Soon Elise developed her second cancer, resulting in a hysterectomy, but which was also considered cured. Later she developed breast cancer, which was treated successfully.
Elise has always had a heart to give and make a difference in this world. She began a very successful business. As a nurse, she worked with terminally ill children, trying to make their end on this earth as pleasant as possible. Many of the things she shares during this time are not only touching, but faith building. She did this because she was gifted in this area, and wanted to contribute in a way that could make a difference in the lives not just of the children, but of the whole family. 
In 1998 her neighbors, the McDaniels, reached out to her and she became a disciple. She was filled with deep convictions and passionate love for the Lord. Not long after becoming a Christian she was doing a routine errand in a nice, suburban area after joining her family group for a movie. Dragged from the parking lot, she fell victim to a violent crime and was left for dead. Found by the store clerk who saw her papers scattered near her car, she was taken to the hospital and recovered, though the trauma was severe. She however, through the power of God and support of her brothers and sisters, recovered and continued to give and to serve others. Involved as a trainer of foster parents for the Department of Social Services in addition to her job, she became aware of dire needs of an infant and toddler, who were distant relatives. For two years she took them into her home and cared for them. Elise takes the example and teaching of Jesus to heart as he calls us to “love our neighbors as ourselves”. She soon developed a different and aggressive breast cancer. She was preparing for a double mastectomy a few months ago as she went to the hospital for an MRI. During this procedure, it became apparent she was extremely allergic to the dye used in the procedure and went into a severe reaction. She was treated with a drug to which she was also allergic. Nearing death, her heart rate rose to over 300 beats/minute for an extended time. As a result she had a severe brain aneurysm. Over 75% of those with this malady never make it to the operating table. Of the 25% survivors, 50% of those don’t make it though the surgery. As prayers and fasting went forth for her, God chose to have her beat the odds and make it through the surgery. I remember speaking to one of the nurses immediately after the surgery who said she could not be given what was needed afterward because of her allergies and that the likelihood of a stroke was imminent.
After surviving the surgery, the doctor came to her room to tell her she would never talk or walk again. She looked at him and asked him to leave her room. Shocked, he said “did you say something?” to which she replied, “yes, PLEASE leave my room.”. She would not hear of faithlessness of what she was confident God still had ahead for her in making a difference in others’ lives. Elise has been talking since and has much to say. Even as I was hearing her more complete story, God was the center of the focus. No matter what you are talking about, somehow Elise will figure out a way to serve you in some way. This is inspiring, yet humbling. She is convinced she will recover. The aneurysm left her nearly blind, deaf in one ear, unable to put her words on paper and with not enough vision to read. Nausea is a constant companion. She has lost feeling in a leg, so gets around with a walker. Each morning she must wrap one arm (to keep swelling from lymphodema down), wrap her abdomen to allow more blood flow to her brain to keep her from passing out (which she will do otherwise) and put on elastic protection over her legs. She then puts on a prosthetic leg piece to help her mobility with the leg she can not feel. Her needed mastectomy has to be postponed indefinitely as she recovers.
I am humbled with the attitude that Elise displays. She holds no bitterness or self pity. She is all about loving God and others. Convinced God wants her alive for a reason, she is eager to live out her days serving him.
I am also inspired as I watch her family group surround her. When you see Elise, certainly Maureen or Ellen, and others will not be far away. This group knows what “family group” really means. This is truly what must have been in the heart of Jesus’ words in Mark 10.
Mark 10:27-31
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
[28] Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
[29] "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel [30] will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
As you read this, please don’t forget to pray for her, and for God to use her life in many ways.
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