Anissa’s Story – Post #10 – Waiting For God…

gods timing

As a result of the healing Anissa received in October-November, 1975, she was able to learn and do more things for herself. It then gave me some free time to concentrate upon God’s call to build a healing center. During that time, there was no internet to access, so we had to seek other means of obtaining information.

There just happened to be a woman visiting our church who was credited for establishing Prayer Rooms in USA state capitol buildings. She began attending the prayer group meetings in our home, giving us wise counsel in laying a solid foundation that would carry forth the vision of a healing center.

Several members of our prayer team gathered with her for a day of prayer and fasting to first seek a name for the ministry. The Holy Spirit led us to the Scripture, “In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.”

John 1:1, 4

The Bible I used translated the Word as Logos. The revelation we received was that the written Word, Logos, would give life and light for the building of a solid foundation – thus – LOGOS LIFE AND LIGHT FOUNDATION. Four years later, the ministry was legally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.

Little did we realize it would be 25 years before the healing center would become a reality. Once again we are reminded of how God’s timing differs from our concept of time. Just like the Biblical story in Genesis when God promised Abraham that he would have a son. We learned from that example how important it is to wait upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not take matters into our own hands and end up with an Ishmael rather than an Isaac!

Over that long period of waiting, many of our faithful prayer group members had to watch from the balconies of heaven the completion of the healing center. I feel certain they, along with a host of heavenly angels, were all singing high praises when the center was dedicated on February 27, 2000, to the glory of God and established by

His Excellent Grace.

welcome wellspirng

To reach Anissa’s mother, email blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

For a virtual tour of the Center, go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org

Anissa’s Story – Post #16 – “Following His Leading & Feeling His Healing…”

Upon our arrival at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, there were so many busloads of people, as well as numerous concrete steps that Anissa had to walk up. With God’s help and the kindness of others, we made it inside. An usher tried to find us three seats together but from my viewpoint, it didn’t look like there was even one seat available, so I prayed quietly: “Jesus, I know You didn’t have us come all this way without having a place prepared for us.” The usher returned saying, “Looks like you’ll have to go to the balcony.” At that exact moment, a man spoke from behind us, “If you like, you can have these three seats that we were saving for some friends. They found seats on the other side they liked better.” Our seats were right at the intersection of aisles next to the main section.

bevs post 16

Worcester Auditorium — Healing Service

As we waited for the service to begin, we learned that Fr. DiOrio walked the aisles, touching people as the Holy Spirit would lead him. After several hours, he began his first walk, passing by everyone on the previous aisles, then came right to Anissa. He touched her head and by the Spirit spoke a word of knowledge: “Mental Retardation!” Anissa was the only person he touched on that walk. During that service she sat for over five hours spinning a stick on her lap desk, being fed at intervals, one bite at a time, to keep her happy if she began to fuss.

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant … there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord … for to one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit … to another faith … to another gifts of healings … to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, dividing to each one individually as He wills.”

1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11 NKJV

The next day, Anissa was having a most difficult time going up the auditorium steps. Wondering why there was such a struggle, I happened to look down and noticed that her panty and diaper had slid down below her knees. A Security Guard saw the trouble I was having and gave assistance while assuring us there would be seats available. He then escorted us to the front of the auditorium and told the usher to put us in the “Reserved Seats” section. When my husband came from parking the car, a place was also made for him.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

mass bevs

Fr. Ralph DiOrio & soloist Maria

At this service, Fr. DiOrio touched many people, including each of us. Following the Eucharist and his message on love and healing, a strong presence of God filled that auditorium. During the time of praise and worship, people began to fall back into their seats and onto the floor. Suddenly, the power of the Spirit came upon me as I heard the words: “Let God have His way.” I had no recall of hitting the floor, but was aware of everything being spoken and experienced a great peace. It was a surprise to hear, from my inner most being, the strong voice of the Spirit say: “Arise!” That was my first experience of having been overcome by the Holy Spirit.

After the healing services, we decided to spend an extra day resting before going on to Canada. That decision opened the gateway for us to receive even more of His Excellent Grace.

(Stay tuned for my next Post of the surprise blessings received!)

To contact Anissa’s mother email blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org

Anissa’s Story – Post #17 – Mystery Mail & A Miracle In Massachusetts…

Having attended healing services at the Worcester Memorial
Auditorium from noon to evening on Saturday and Sunday, we
were ready for an extra day of rest before going on to Canada.
Also, it gave us an opportunity to meet other guests staying at
the hotel. One couple from the Midwest who had attended the
services, but did not receive healing, asked us to pray for them.
They spoke of their desire to go see Fr. DiOrio’s ministry
headquarters in Leicester, MA. Since it was only a ten minute
drive from our hotel and they had no car, we offered to take them
to visit the place.
Upon our arrival at the ministry offices, we were asked our reason
for being there. After briefly sharing our testimony, they wanted
a summary of Anissa’s seizures for their files. Then, if she showed
definite results of healing from the services we attended, Fr.
DiOrio would be notified.
The secretary related that because of his busy schedule and being
in conference with the Bishop at that moment, it would not be
possible for Fr. DiOrio to meet personally with us. She suggested
that we all go into the Chapel for a time of prayer.
In the Chapel, a Sister of the Order wanted to know more about
the seizures that Anissa experienced. She was interested
because her niece and nephew suffered with tonic-clonic seizures.
The Sister went on to say that if Fr. DiOrio was led by the Holy
Spirit to come into the Chapel, he would. Just then, the door
opened and to our surprise, Fr. DiOrio entered. Upon seeing
Anissa, he said, “I touched her twice at the service on
Saturday.” We shared with him about her seizures. He sat
beside her, placed his hands upon her and prayed silently for
about ten minutes, then said, “She’ll be all right – in time.”
While he was in prayer, a vision appeared before me of a brain
with an “S” shaped form in the midst which suddenly shifted in
the opposite direction.

To our amazement, Anissa never complained while Fr. DiOrio’s
hands lay on her head during the lengthy prayer. Afterwards, he
asked how we knew about the healing services that we had just
attended in Worcester. I related how a brochure of the scheduled
meetings showed up in our mailbox. He quickly responded,
“But we don’t send out such pamphlets!” He then questioned the
Sister for a confirmation. She stated that the only way a schedule
was sent would be upon special request and that maybe someone
had asked them to send it. In the following year, we did meet
several persons who had attended Fr. DiOrio’s miracle services –
but the mystery of the pamphlet still remains!

IMG_1111[3029] Anissa 2 before

Anissa before healing services ( above) and then after the services.

IMG_1109[3027] Anissa - after3

The change in Anissa’s countenance and strength of body was so
evident. Once again, seizures were less frequent, she was able to
feed herself and eat a greater variety of food. In God’s mercy,
we were given the boost of faith needed to continue our journey –
sustained by His Excellent Grace.

To reach Anissa’s Mother email blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org

Anissa’s Story – Post #23 – The Power Of A Praying Doctor…

Again and again, it appears to be an unending venture in seeking a cure for my daughter. Through the search, it is my hope that others who suffer with uncontrollable seizure activity, or are diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, such as Anissa, will receive helpful information.

“But in our trouble God has comforted us—and this, too, to help you: to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you the strength to endure.”

2 Corinthians 1:7 TLB

Upon our arrival in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the City of Faith Medical Center, we thought it best to transport Anissa to and from scheduled appointments in a wheelchair because of seizures being so unpredictable. She enjoyed the rides and was especially happy to be outdoors in the beautiful weather. Sometimes God answers prayers in areas we least expect, but need the most. While many were suffering from severe allergies due to an abnormally high pollen count that season in Tulsa, Anissa showed no sensitivity to the outdoor air.

The faith-filled atmosphere that encompassed the City of Faith complex was so peaceful. We were especially impressed with our first appointment when the neurologist, Dr. Liphard D’Souza, asked Pastor Joel Vesaner to come into his office and pray for Anissa. Surrounding her, we all reverently joined hands in prayer.

IMG_1127[3389]Anissa & Doctors -Tulsa

The honest concern that Dr. D’Souza had toward Anissa and our situation showed his heart of compassion. For several months, her digestive tract had been upset and was making grinding noises. He recommended an enzyme tablet with everything in it. I realized, then, this doctor knew the benefits of good nutrition. After two days of enzyme therapy, the noises subsided. It was then we learned the medical name given for Anissa’s condition is Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.

After getting the results of Anissa’s blood tests, there were several drugs that Dr. D’Souza wanted to try. He handed me his 1986 Physician’s Desk Reference Manual so I could read the description of Depakote (divalproex sodium), the drug he was considering. Since that drug is equivalent to the Sodium Valporate given to Anissa in the past, we hesitated in our decision to give Depakote a try. But after learning the tablets were enteric-coated with less chance for gastrointestinal upsets, we gave our approval.

While it controlled the absence seizures, after Anissa ate any mildly spiced foods, she would vomit, so her diet was very limited. It took high dosages of a combination of the drugs, Depakote, Valium, Tegretol and Tranzene to keep her seizure-free for three months. After that time, however, reactions set in: multi-seizures returned and in addition, her hair began to fall out, sores appeared in her mouth and blood in her stools.

Upon hearing this, Dr. D’Souza was very disheartened and said, “I’ll keep praying for her and we’ll come up with something!” True to his word, he has phoned me throughout the years to check on Anissa and discuss various drugs that may be helpful. Several years ago, while on a business trip to Florida, he and his wife came to our home – not as a visiting doctor but as good friends. The following quote by Nobel Prize winner, Francois Mauriac, describes our time in Tulsa:

“No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.”

When taking Anissa outdoors, Dr. D’Souza prescribed a wheelchair for her protection against injury. We followed his advice and for several years were able to enjoy the sunshine blessings of living in Florida. I have learned that when God places someone special in our lives, then no one can separate what has been joined together by His Excellent Grace.

To contact Anissa’s mother email her at blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org