Friday, July 31, 2009

My 36th Birthday today!

As it is my Birthday...I thought I would share some of my testimony of my life with all of you. I grew up in a Christian Family- they are wonderful. My parents taught us from a very early age abut scripture, God's Love for us, repentance, guidance, church, friends in Christ, and sooo much more. As with all children you never realize what you have until you are older or you miss it. That is how I feel as well. I used to cringe when people said I was just like my mom....now I consider it a high compliment. (more on that maybe in a later post.)

So a big part of my life that most people don't know....unless you have heard my testimony before is that I am a cancer survivor. When I was 8! Actually a day after my birthday is when I found out. We were on a camping trip with our family. I had the urge to use the restroom.....again and again....so my parents took me to the doctor. They did tests thinking I had kidney failure. What they later found with more tests is a tumor that had shifted to leaning on my bladder.

They did a surgery a day later- 7 doctors.....14 hours later........and I was done. After a yearish of radiation therapy, hospital stays during the week, and coming home on weekends only......AND DID I MENTION LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF PRAYERS SAID BY SOOOO MANY PEOPLE I WILL NEVER EVEN KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was healed- by our GREAT PHYSICIAN! I was officially pronunced cured at age 18!

This was a very difficult time for our family. My dad was a truckdriver, my 2 brothers stayed with grandparents, and we saw each other only on weekends. Very tough - on my brothers, on my parents, on me.....not to mention my dad lost his sister to cancer about 7 years prior to this happening.

My grandmother called me a "walking miracle"- which is soooo true!!! The cancer weighed a whopping 5 lbs. which for an 8 year old skinny girl was a lot! They took out anything that wasn't absolutely necessary for me to live- including all of my "female" organs, scrapped all kinds of organs, and took bits so they were triple sure to remove anything cancerous. They thought before surgery that it was benign, but discovered during surgery- it was malignant and had burst outside of itself. Making my recovery and life- A MIRACLE OF GOD!!!!

It doesn't get any better than that!!! To be born is a miracle of God!!! To be saved by HIS AMAZING Grace- another MIRACLE!!!! To be cured of cancer- ANOTHER HUGE MIRACLE!!!!!!!! What can I say- you all thought I was crazy and Blessed just because of our family, but I say everyday I am alive and can breath in and out - is a miracle Blessed By God!!!!

What can I say.....my mom was heartbroken that I would not be able to have children. She even had a crazy notion that she would have children for me.....and when she had to have a hysterectomy as well- cried her eyes out. When she told me about it.....I simply said- God has brought me this far and HE has a plan.

I remember those long days sitting and waiting for a doctors......all the time......my mom would be reading scripture, devotions, praying, and just loving every minute she had with me! I could never know exactly what she and my family went through, but I do know that God did many miracles in all of our lives through this crazy, tough, hard- financially, physically, spiritually time.

Praise God I was able to see HIS plans and when He provided my AMAZING husband who loved me - no matter what. When HE provided each one of our little Miracles- I MEAN HUGE MIRACLES!!!!!!! It just goes to show HIS GLORY even more!!!!

I mean our life is a story that no one could just think up. 2 people from different countries meet....at camp.....a girl with cancer.....survives......the marry......and adopt 7 children (more to come!).....I mean who could think that up??? Not me!

But, I am BLESSED on my Birthday to remember all of the many, many, many, many miracles God has given to me....and part of my calling is to share that with as many people as possible! So I wanted to share with all of you!!!!!

Thank you for reading this incredibly long post, and please feel free to share with others my miracle or yours......you never know how it may change someone's life forever- FOR GOD!!!!!

****Also please pray for another little girl- she is 4, and has touched my life. She has the same beautiful name as our oldest daughter.....Abigail- they call her Abby! She is struggling with cancer right now, and has an infection on top of that. Oh the days of wearing masks, and feeling imprisoned...play in my mind. Please pray for her whole wonderful family-
http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com

22 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for sharing! What an amazing testimony--God is so good. Where is your husband from anyway?

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  2. What a testimony! Praise God for your healing. What a gift. I love how God works... so glad you are here to tell us your story!
    Happy Birthday!!!!

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  3. My wonderful amazing husband is from England- "suburb" if you like of London. So going from London area to small town IA, then to camp life.....was a transition that may have it's own post someday. The good thing is now- he agrees that living in a city would be hard for us.

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  4. Praising God for His miracles! We could never think up a better plan than the one He has for us, could we?
    We are praying for Abby as well.
    Have a Happy Birthday! We're the same age now.

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  5. Happy Birthday! So cool to see the wonders of our God in your life!

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  6. happy birthday to you! i hope you get a lot of hugs, kisses, cake and handmade cards. thx for sharing your story...awesome!

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  7. WOW Dawn, what a blessing you are for sharing your testimony and encouraging everyone on your special day!! I so thank God for the way he loves us all!

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  8. Amazing post. thanks for sharing! your kids are so cute!

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  9. I love your blog!! So glad I found it!

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  10. Thank you for sharing your story- I never get tired of hearing how amazing out God is and how He works in ways we could have never imagined. You bless me.

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  11. Wow!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing story with us!!! Your he first blog I opened up this morning and what a great story to start off the day with!
    AWESOME!!!!

    Happy Birthday!!!!

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  12. What a beautiful amazing testimony you have!! Praising God for your life and for the wonderful life you have given to so many children...I can't wait to see the next miracle you bring into your family, kj

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  13. Happy belated birthday! I ordered the rugs online from Nomi Botique in LA. They are so awesome!! And machine washable!

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  14. Happy Birthday Dawn! Thank you for sharing your story! That is just awesome!!!!!

    Even though I had 5 kids biologically, I couldn't have any more. I mourned that decision when it was out of my hands. But I know that is when adoption entered my heart as a reality, and not just something I thought about from time to time! I thank God for adoption in my life everyday!!!

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  15. Wow what a testimony! God does everything for a reason. I really believe you went through all that so you could be a mother to these amazing children!!And I'm sure, looking back, you would do it all over again for them. Happy Birthday!!
    Angela www.journeyforjordan.blogspot.com

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  16. Wonderful testimony of God's grace and power! Thanks so much for sharing. May you feel the love of Jesus surrounding every moment of this next year of your life.

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  17. Happy Happy Birthday! What an amzing testimony.
    Praise the Lord that you were completely healed of cancer. God works everything to His glory and it is so evident in your life.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  18. God gives us some wonderful stories, doesn't He. I too could never have dreamed up my life. I'm English, my husband is American with 6 adopted US foster children, but now living in England.

    And Happy (belated) Birthday

    Michelle

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  19. What a wonderful story! That is so amazing. PTL for all He's done! That is incredible. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Thanks for sending me the link. It's an honor to be in the "survivors club" with you!! Praise God!

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  21. Thanks for sharing this incredible testimony. It makes my heart smile. AND, I just realized we share the same birthday! :)

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