Flu Symptoms Instantly Removed

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"Patty began to talk to God....As soon as she did, I felt warmth come into my feet and start working its way up."

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In 1992, after finishing university and then spending some time not thriving in an office job in Burnaby, I moved to the beautiful False Creek neighborhood of Vancouver. A couple of friends living in the area had spotted a worn but stylish and very cool heritage house with a For Rent sign in the window, and we found out it offered very inexpensive, albeit temporary, accommodations due to being scheduled for complete renovations! I was able to acquire two roommates through the newspaper, and we were set for about eight months. I left office work once and for all and started a sparse income in ESL private tutoring. (Incidentally, 5 or 6 travelling Australian young adults moved into a similar house next door and were hooting it up, having a great old time. Residents of the townhouses across the street called the police on them at least once, but the Auzzies were a friendly and fun bunch and we got along fine. One of them even came to church with me one evening. Nothing to do with the miracles, just a fond memory; you know--that time of life when you still feel like you will be young forever.)

Meanwhile, up north in Williams Lake, Marni (my younger sister) had made a friend named Patty, and they both occasionally spent time with me in Vancouver. Patty was a JEEP driving, intense, faith-filled beauty with flashing dark eyes and black hair, and to be honest--a bit intimidating in personality. She had suffered severe sexual abuse for years as a young girl until she was a mid-teenager when she finally stood up to her abuser and ordered him to GET OUT of the room and not dare to ever come back. The damage was done, however, and she subsequently fell naturally into the high paying job of stripper for a period of years, which, from my perspective, is another form of sexual abuse, except that it is often rewarded with quite a lot of money. The Spirit of God had at some point reached and rescued her from the lifestyle and although it was hard to leave the high income behind, she had escaped the degradation. Now, Jesus was everything to her, and prayer anytime, anywhere was a top priority that came as naturally as breathing. I wasn't quite there yet, but welcomed friends like her who were, since I also knew my need of a living, powerful and active God.

One day, when Patty was in town, I came down with a flu; I was feeling lousy and terribly cold! I turned up the heat in the house and had on thick layers of clothing, but I couldn't warm up. Patty wanted to visit and for some reason I didn't want to tell her I was sick and should probably be in bed. Come to think of it, maybe I did tell her, but she was coming to see me anyway. Back then I had not yet been introduced to the topic of "boundaries", and really I can't recall what conversation we had; I just remember her coming over.

As usual, the first event for Patty was to spend some time in prayer. I clearly recall that I had not thought to ask for prayer; Patty just wanted to pray. So, we sat down in the living room and Patty began to talk to God--not about me, just getting into the "Presence". As soon as she did, I felt warmth come into my feet and start working its way up. You could have drawn a horizontal line across my ankles and just kept raising it quickly up my legs and body to the top of my head and the tips of my fingers! It was a complete surprise! I immediately felt totally normal. I had never experienced that before and have not since. Unfortunately, I can't remember what transpired after that, not even what we said. I only remember being amazed. It was just another one of those unforgettable moments that have kept me going on the journey with Jesus.

As I pointed out earlier, Patty had a very intense and passionate personality. I was quieter, and we never became close friends, but she was a true blue lover of God with all good intentions, and I very much appreciate that still. Also, she had a big, generous heart; for example, she received a small inheritance and gave a great deal of it away to struggling young believers even though she herself struggled financially. Sadly for me, for Marni, and in my opinion, for the world, Patty died about eleven or twelve years ago in a head on collision with a big highway truck in northern BC, and it hurts my heart now to think of it. What a loss! She touched so many lives in her unique way. I have changed very much since I knew her, and I wish I could see and pray with her today. I can't. However, I am grateful to know that one day we will meet again. How exciting that will be! Thank you, Patty, for being among the first to show me that God is willing and able to do far more than most of us expect. I'll see you later.