True Stories

A Cholesterol Success Story

At last year's health fair, I had a cholesterol level of 286.  On their advice, I went to my doctor for a follow-up.  My doctor did a second check which resulted in a near panic phone call telling me that the test came back at 320 and to begin taking a prescription.  A third test confirmed that 320 was correct. 

My father had 4 heart attacks and 3 strokes, my Aunt Mary died of a heart attack climbing the stairs for choir practice, my Uncle Jim died at 40 of a heart attack, and my Aunt JoAnne has suffered 2 heart attacks.  With a family history like this, and me quickly approaching my 40th birthday, I was beginning to feel like I was living on borrowed time.

I started walking...and walking...and walking... I have been working out regularly for 4 years but I had always put cardio on the back burner.  Lifting made me feel powerful but I clearly needed to do cardio.  While walking, I began praying as well.  During the building campaign, I added oatmeal, apples and fasting one day a week.  I spiritually began to grow even as I physically began to shrink.  I'm not sure how much weight I've lost but my clothes seem bigger, and I feel great. 

Another visit to the doctor resulted in a changed prescription.  I thank God for doctors and scientists and the medications they develop.  My doctor reported that my cholesterol reading last week was...175!!!  Praise God!  -Tonya 

Real Life Stories
I was very anxious last September when I came to VCC. It was the first time I attended a non-Christmas or Easter service in 11 years. During that first service, I was overcome by the sense of peace, love, and joy that I felt. It was almost like I had come home. It was there on that Sunday during the end of service when Pastor Dave was praying that my hands felt tingly and I was overcome by such a sense of relief and saddened that I had wasted so much time looking everywhere else for answers. I started to cry but was embarrassed. It was also on that same Sunday that God spoke to me that something was wrong with my daughter and I needed to do something. I prayed for God to show me the answers. Four days later a coworker, who rarely speaks to me let alone comment about my personal life, asked how I was and commented that I looked tired. I brushed it off and said that the baby cried a lot at night and couldn’t sleep. He suggested we take wheat out of her diet as his son was misdiagnosed as having Celiac disease and I may want to try changing her diet. This information was the miracle that got the doctors going in the right direction. The next Sunday Phil Di Yanni did the sermon and he talked about how to live your everyday life as a Christian and then spoke about the importance of confessing Christ as your Savior. I was moved by the Spirit to go to the front that day and that was the day, I let myself cry and the old me washed away. I felt reborn. I began having a personal relationship with God from that day forward. He has worked directly on my life several times since.

A few weeks later my husband’s sister called asking for a substantial loan that would seriously deplete our Christmas fund, but it was the only way she and her children would not be evicted the next day. Although we knew her family to have drug problems and to be irresponsible, I told my husband to give them the money. They agreed to pay back the money, but several weeks later had not paid it back and were not in any position to do so.
We had a service a few Sundays before Christmas and Pastor Dave talked about not going into debt for Christmas gifts. After the service he asked for people to turn in their credit cards. I put my faith in Jesus and placed my credit card in the safe. A member prayed with me to be open to God’s will to forgive the debt and find a way to pay for Christmas, and to also spare our family relationship from any strife. Four days later my dad called and said that he needed to get rid of some money in order not to pay taxes. He asked if he could give the money to our family. It was the same amount we had given to my husband’s sister. God is so good!  -Annetra

Making an Impact in the Community
I just wanted to let you know what an ongoing impact your messages on getting involved in our community has been.  I have caught that vision, and numerous things have happened where I  know my involvement has made a huge difference.  I have seen how God has given me wisdom and opportunity to help and affect the lives of my family in the schools. 

I have been a PTA president for the last 3 years, and as a result of that have had opportunities to speak with the superintendent of our district.  To ensure a better image for our school district, I have been asked to sit on a Community Leader's Forum.  Out district is the 6th largest in the state with 20,500 students.  I just wanted you to know that because of VCC, I have been able to make an impact and be a blessing in my community!  -Lorrie