Life After COVID - 1 Year Later

Dear sisters in Christ, 

This week marks my 1 year anniversary surviving COVID. Since the day it began, my life has completely flipped upside down, sideways and in ALL directions! I'd like to share with you this journey that completely changed my life and has me thanking the Lord every day for having got sick!

I had been at my graphic design job, in Tampa, FL, for almost 16 years. Right at the beginning of the whole 2020 COVID pandemic scare I had just found salvation through Jesus due to a near-death drug overdose experience. Then suddenly the ultimate Design Manager position opened up. This position had opened up a couple of times over the past 16 years but everyone knew that I was not interested...I loved my freedom and party lifestyle way too much! But, this time was different, I was made new, that life was behind me. So, I was Divinely guided to ask for the position, this would be the perfect way to shine bright with my new found light! 

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light." -Luke 8:16

Meanwhile, businesses were shutting down all around us and the whole world was falling apart due to COVID. But our company never really skipped a beat. I was loving my new posh office life in this position for over a year. During that year I was jumping at any and every opportunity to evangelize to each associate. Divine supernatural moments were constantly taking place. I was able to openly pray and read the Bible throughout the office with everyone. I enjoyed being a spiritual shoulder for all to cry on. Even incorporated Bible verses into artwork that was distributed around the country which had never been done before. Oh believe me though, Satan was lurking around every corner attempting to block all of my passes. I was still so joyful to be able to boldly grow openly in my walk with the Lord and it to be so accepted by most of my co-workers. 

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." -Mark 16:15

Sadly, there came a time when all of the seeds I had planted were just that...seeds. I would continuously try to water those seeds but they just didn't want to grow...God had not given the increase. I would be heart-broken seeing those who called themselves "believers" deliberately sinning or those who were lost not grabbing the lifejacket that the Lord had thrown them.

"So neither he who plants is anything, not he who waters, but God who gives the increase." -1 Corinthians 3:7

Then it happened...I got the dreaded COVID! First, my husband got severely sick with all the right symptoms but wasn't officially diagnosed. With neither doctors nor medicine, he was a little beat up but was right back to work in 3 days. Then it hit me...I had been at work and it felt like a freight train. Left early from work that day and it was all downhill from there. 2.5 weeks of pain and madness. I couldn't eat, bathe or even read...all I could do was listen to the audio Bible and seek the Lord through constant prayer. I was ready to die and was calling out for the Lord to take me! For a moment I felt lost, I loved Him so much but felt like He had abandoned me. I was constantly asking Him, "why, what did I do?" I was constantly reminded of the book of Job...he had everything taken away from Him and made sick...all to test his faith. 

"But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does." -Job 23:13

My job had eventually gave me an ultimatum...I could not go back to work without a COVID test. Medicine and physicians are against the teachings of the Bible so that was not even an option for us. Surely it would've just been easier to go get the test and life would've just gone back to "normal"...OR would it have? Could I live every day knowing that I turned my back on my Lord and His Word? This was truly a test to see if I would cave in under pressure of the world and seek physicians OR seek my Lord. After much prayer, He guided me to give my resignation. It was tough because I had grown to care so deeply for this company and the girls who worked there. Also, I was content after 17 years and was frightened of what was to come. But sure enough, the same day I gave my resignation, I started feeling better! I had put my trust in Him fully and obeyed his commands, even with all of my fears and worries. He  showed me exactly what I needed to do!

"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." -Mark 5:34

So now, after 17 years, we were dependent on my income. I am almost 50...where do I work? Who would want me? Do I start all over again? Once again, through fervent prayer and faith, He guided us every step of the way. We already had 15 primitive acres of property on the Suwannee River a few hours away in northern Florida so we started looking for RVs. It was a bit discouraging because they were way out of our budget and then lo and behold, an old city bus appeared for sale in our price range right around the corner from the property...not even where I was searching in the first place. Once I had enough strength, we drove out to see it, bought it and drove our 36 foot long new home back to the city!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." -Matthew 6:34

Then the next challenge...downsize from a 2-bedroom house to a bus and get ready to live completely off-grid in 2 weeks! This meant get rid of basically everything! At the same time, I was still a limp noodle trying to gain my strength back from near death. Once again, lots of prayer! Hope you are seeing a pattern here.

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." -1 Timothy 6:7

Now, we did it...dwindled our stuff down to just enough things to live in a bus for my husband and I, 2 cats and a dog. Somewhere in all of that that, I also hit a parked car with the bus! But wait, there's more...now our property is flooded waste deep, where do we go? Bus is not up to RV standards, not street legal and campgrounds are not in our budget. Thank God the person whom we bought the bus from, who ended up being near the property was a believer in Christ and was so kind to let us park and live there for a couple of months.

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19

While staying with this person, my husband was shown that this man was under a false doctrine and being led astray by false teachers. The Lord Divinely lined all that up just right to try to save a lost brethern and his family. But after 2 months, there was no success. This person was deep into heresy and shunned the Truth...we were no longer welcome on his property. It was sad to have to leave what we thought were our first "brethern" in the area. However, this opportunity opened my husband's eyes to see what the Lord was really calling him to do...to correct and teach those who are under false doctrine.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." -2 Timothy 4:3-4

So we finally made it! We planted our bus on 15 acres off the Suwannee River in Old Town, Dixie County, Florida... Florida's Bible belt and the smallest and poorest county in the state. A big switch from living the highlife in the heart of Tampa, one of Florida's biggest and fastest growing cities.

10 months later, my husband has been diligently obeying the Lord's commands of teaching and correcting. The Lord has been rebuking churches through him, preaching on the street corners of large cities and now on his 4th job. My husband has been persecuted, physically and verbally threatened. He actually was fired from one job for his beliefs. But he never has given up or backed off of this mission. Sure, we have had our ups-and-downs but when the Lord would close one door, another would open. He promises food and clothing and that is exactly what He has provided, all else is pure luxury.

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

The Lord had put on our hearts to have me be a home-maker. I am turning 50 this year and it is the first time in my life since I was a teenager that I haven't had to go into a job. It sure has taken some getting used to but I work harder at home than I ever have at any job! By the Lord having us live off-grid, it has really made us appreciate life. We have to get dirty and work hard for the things we want...life isn't handed to us on a silver platter anymore. It is a beautiful thing to disconnect from TV, radio, social media and other worldly distractions. Being able to work hard at home, emmerse myself in God's word and prayer all day long is such a wonderful privelage.

"When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you." -Psalms 128:2

Next, Camp REJO!CE Suwannee River is born! I've enjoyed meeting new people from around the country and getting a chance to evangelize. Some campers have even joined us for Bible study. We can see how the Lord has lined up each camper with their own individual spiritual needs.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:12

It is now exactly one year after purchasing the bus. The next chapter of our lives is underway...we are being called to take our ministry on the road. Lord willing, we will be selling the bus and land. Then converting a van into a tiny home. But this my friends, I will save for another article!

"But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God..." -2 Corinthians 6:4

On a side note, 2 years ago this same month of July, I was officially saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. On this day, a complete stranger literally walked over to my porch, laid his hands on me and healed my high blood-pressure through the power of Christ. Over a course of an hour many other supernatural meraculious things took place. He said, "You need to stop worrying and quite your job." and "After this day, your lives will never be the same!" Glory be to God, his profecy came true! 

"For Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." -Romans 11:36

It is my wish to whomever is reading this, to see that not just by "believing" or reading and praying but actually LIVING the true Word of God will please and glorify Him. To not cave in under pressure, never ever conform to wordly ways. It is only through the blood of Jesus will you find protection and true salvation.

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." -John 14:15

God bless you,

A humble servant of Christ, April