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 #11 – “Listening For God’s Instructions”

As the vision of a healing center without drugs began to take

form, my understanding needed to be enlightened, because I

thought it would be a center using only natural methods for healing.

Little did I realize that God had me learn the various methods in order to gain knowledge for better communication with those

who were afflicted in mind or illness of body. It took about eleven

years before I began to realize it would be God’s Word, prayers

and the gifts of the Holy Spirit working through anointed

followers of Christ that would be used to heal the sick.

“Apply your mind to instruction and correction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12 (Amp)

One method that greatly benefited Anissa’s mental capabilities

was the Montessori School of Education – a program that was

originally developed for the mentally retarded, based on the

“whole child” approach with hands-on learning. An instructor,

who had just established a new Montessori school nearby, offered

to tutor Anissa in our home during the summer months of 1976.

Because of her rapid progress, the instructor felt it would be good

for Anissa to be in the school environment several times a week

toward the end of the school day, just before dismissal of the

full time students.

We agreed on the condition that we would be alerted of any

infectious illnesses among the students. It was such an uplift for

us to hear Anissa talking about the work she did at school, saying:

“equilateral triangle, quadrifid, square,” etc. The excitement of

her learning, along with the teachings I received, came to an

abrupt halt in November.

In all the busy-ness of the school

routine, the instructor forgot to alert us when a virus had

overtaken many students, as well as the teacher. In a short

period of time, Anissa contracted the virus. After several days of

sickness, multiple seizures returned and regression became a

continuous battle in the days and years that followed.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.” Psalm 34:17 (Amp)

We recognized that Anissa’s immune system was not strong

enough to tolerate being in an environment where communicable

diseases were so commonplace. As one door closed, another

would open! God directed appropriate tutors to help me with

home schooling to meet the needs of Anissa’s learning ability.

Many times, God offers opportunities that transcends trials and

tribulation encountered on earth -just so someone can taste of

His Excellent Grace!

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 # 13 – An Invitation To A Divine Appointment …

Gods invitation

During those difficult seasons for Anissa in the years of 1977 to 1979, there were also joyous times that kept us uplifted in spirit. Our son graduated from college with high honors (summa cum laude), joined an excellent accounting firm, and then married his high school sweetheart. Their visits in our home were especially uplifting times for Anissa.

Since our ministry of Logos Life and Light Foundation was legally established as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization on May 2, 1979, it was important for the public to have access to our meetings. This was good training for Anissa in learning to be quiet during meetings, besides giving her more social interaction.

As there was still no medical answer for the uncontrollable seizures Anissa experienced and was causing her health to noticeably deteriorate, my husband’s boss, Mr. Tom, showed up at our house one day with an Enquirer newspaper in his hand. (He had always held a special place in his heart for Anissa, who he called “Little Bits.” In earlier years, Mr. Tom received prayer with the laying-on-of-hands by several of us for his injured rotator cuff and was miraculously healed.) As I opened the door, to my surprise, in broken Italian-English, he, while pointing to the newspaper article, boldly said, “I pay — you take ‘Little Bits’ — this place for healing!” The place happened to be in Portugal, Spain and was about a woman claiming to be a psychic-healer. I was touched by the sincerity and kindness of his heart, but at the same time I knew it was contrary to the Word of God.

“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 NKJV

Mr. Tom & “Little Bits”/ Anissa

In the evening, after Mr. Tom’s visit that day, we attended a Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship Meeting where the leader asked everyone to write down his/her need for a word of guidance and place it on the prayer-offering plate being passed around. The moment I did so, a vision came before me of the United States “New England” area. I knew it was in answer to what I had written concerning the guidance needed pertaining to the Portugal trip, yet I had not a clue to what it meant.

The following morning while in prayer, the vision again appeared and I heard these words: “Go to New England this year – attend a healing service in that area – drive the car – blessings shall be yours – take this time away from others, but on a mission to save the lost, the weary and the sick – you shall conquer and your child shall bless this ministry of healing.”

The next day a brochure from the Apostolate of Healing, Father/Rev. Ralph A. DiOrio, Director, Leicester, MA, came in the mail with a Worcester Outreach Service Schedule (July – December, 1980) in it. After much prayer to discern the will of God and His timing, it came strongly for us to attend a service at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, 09/13-14/80. This particular service required tickets for guaranteed seats. Since Mr. Tom was of the Catholic faith, I asked what he thought about transferring the trip offer for Portugal, to instead take Anissa to the Fr. DiOrio’s healing service in Massachusetts. He was in agreement, so we ordered tickets and planned our trip.

To this day, we have no idea how that brochure ever got in our mailbox.

How awesome it is when God intervenes with His Excellent Grace!

(The next post will continue the journey — stay tuned!)

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 #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 #24 – Victorious Survivors & A First Lady’s Favor…

waiting on God 3

While driving home from Tulsa, my thoughts turned to eight years earlier in 1978, when I had been impressed to write Anissa’s story, or at least compile the facts — suddenly, I heard: “Shelve Anissa’s book for a time and put together a book of victorious survivors you’ve met along the way with situations similar to your own.”

When the Almighty God wants something accomplished, He also provides! One of our neighbors had a daughter-in-law who often visited them and we became close friends. Previously, she was on an editorial staff of Christian Life Magazine and had written three books. Then one day, she felt a “nudge” to write Anissa’s story. In 1985, the words, “Victorious Survivors Along the Way” became indelibly imprinted across her mind. Since a year had elapsed, during which time I met other victors along the way, and by the confirming word that I heard, we had a better understanding of how to pursue the project.

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

We were instructed to use Anissa’s story as the lead, followed by 15 families who accepted our invitation to contribute their own stories. It was to be a handbook of hope and encouragement for parents and other concerned individuals. We rejoiced the day when a renowned artist offered to sketch portraits from snapshots the parents had sent of their afflicted children.

Members of Logos Life and Light Foundation prayed with us regarding a publisher and helped with the final editing. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that LLL Foundation should be the publishers of the book. The first printing of Victorious Survivors took place in August, 1988, and was given as a “first fruits offering” to individuals, medical centers and organizations connected with various handicaps and afflictions. The leader for a Pastor’s Conference that took place in Washington, D. C., requested 800 copies to be given each attendee. Believing every Pastor could benefit from the stories, the leader planned on using the book as a reading assignment during the conference.

One year later on August 3, 1989, I answered the LLL ministry phone and was taken by surprise when I heard the voice on the other end of the line say: “The White House.” It was “First Lady” Barbara Bush’s secretary, Cathy, calling to say that she and Barbara were both “favorably impressed” with the copy of Victorious Survivors sent to them. They recommended for us to contact Dr. June Jordan of the Council for Exceptional Children, who then requested several copies of the book. I could hardly believe that really happened, because the night before, I had a dream in which Barbara Bush was talking to me on the phone, saying, “I just want to let you know that you’ll be receiving a favorable report regarding your book.”

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Hebrews 11:1 TLB

Here we are, 30 years later, still sharing Anissa’s journey, as well as stories of others who have experienced His Excellent Grace, in an outreach to the world that at one time seemed impossible.

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