Another favorite saying of his was, "God did most of it." When he said that, I would usually smile and say "You and God work beautifully together."  It was always a great reminder of how God works in the world.  I believe at times God works directly and heals someone or does other things, but many times he depends on us to do his work in the world.

I know some of you have read those statements before by Dr. Francel on my website, but I wanted to bring the words into this page to share some more thoughts about them.  

I believe as Christians God expects us to help other people and to try to make our world a better place.  Sometimes he has made it so obvious what I was supposed to do that I call those "my assignments from God."  How do we know when something is our "assignment from God?"  I think it is when something very obviously needs to be done and we are the only one able and willing to carry it out.  Also, I believe sometimes God speaks to our minds telling us or by nudging us in a certain direction. 

One example in my story Happy Anniversary was when God made it quite obvious to me that my new friend Billy was my "assignment" and I have had others before and since then.  That experience with Billy made me realize the seriousness of things we need to be doing for the Lord, because my husband would be dead now for 10 years if I had ignored what the Lord was wanting and was asking me to do.

I think it is helpful to explore the ways God communicates with us.  That was brought into very sharp focus for me back in the early 1970's when I was in church and the pastor announced he was tired of preaching that day and he was going to call on members of the congregation to do various jobs he normally did during the service.  And, you guessed it, I got picked for the job of giving the sermon.  My mind raced to zero in on the topic and the text of my little sermon.

Almost immediately the Lord laid the topic on my mind.  It was, "How does God communicate with us?"  I hope I can remember them all from that day.  The most obvious was by reading the Bible and by going to church, Sunday School, Bible studies, and other church activities.  Another good way is by reading inspirational stories in books or magazines like Guideposts.  Visiting with other Christians is often helpful.  Praying and listening back is another good way. 

Then I spoke of one that may or may not seem familiar, but it has often worked for me.  For lack of a better name, I have called it "creative thinking with the Lord."  This has happened when I have prayed for God to tell me or inspire me with something.  Sometimes I have had astonishing results with this method.  The Lord has shown me so many ideas. 

The most striking example of this was when I asked God to give me the words to write this website.  It was often like a river flowing with so many ideas, words, and even images.  There were so many times at night I jumped out of bed with the latest thought or thoughts and rushed to write them down so I wouldn't forget them by morning.  If there was ever any doubt in my mind that God does speak through our minds, it was absolutely put to rest with that experience. 

And making the website was also what I consider an assignment from the Lord.  I was definitely not supposed to just sit back and enjoy my husband's healing.  God wanted me to get busy and share it with world so many people would be inspired and realize that God still heals and helps people  in our modern age.  The time of miracles is not just in the past.  It is now. 

And, my friends, it worked wonderfully for me.  It has been a tremendous experience sharing and making so many new friends through my website.  Some people I have corresponded with for over 8 years.  I have heard from people around the U.S. and in other countries. And, I should add, that was also part of the beautiful assignment the Lord gave me years ago, to communicate with people and give them support as a fellow Christian and human being.  I am so blessed.

I would like to thank the Lord for saving my husband's life;  Dr. Francel for his brilliant surgery, friendship, and his Christian inspiration; Dr. Vinko Dolenc for pioneering my husband's surgery, and the Lord for helping me make my website.    It has been an incredible journey.

Nancy Allen, 2010