18-year-old junior at Baylor University

In 1991, at twenty years old, Natalie was a senior honor student at Baylor University, a talented musician and a gifted motivational speaker. God's hand had been upon her life and each day contained more of His blessings. But, in a matter of weeks, her world turned upside down. The blessings, so visible and numerable, began to disappear from her life.

With a passion for God and a desire to be used by Him, Natalie had begun ministering as a young teen. At fifteen, she began singing and sharing her Savior's love in churches, crusades and state prisons, all the while homeschooling and entering college just days after her sixteenth birthday.

Miss Texas Pagent at 20 -- 1991

In 1989, at eighteen, she had been accepted as a junior at Baylor University. There she remained an honor student in the top 5% and diligently pursued her dream of becoming an accomplished musician. She had been offered scholarships for graduate studies at home and abroad. Her participation in the Miss Texas Pageant provided a training ground of which she intended to take advantage. Every day she awoke with excitement, filled with anticipation of the new opportunities for performing and for witnessing. She was on top of her world!

However, Natalie's life began to change dramatically. In a matter of weeks, an undiagnosed illness suddenly progressed, taking her on a downward spiral. Since discovering the piano at age four, her life had largely revolved around developing and mastering her skill as well as expressing herself through the keys. But now, her hands and forearms had become stiff and painful. She was no longer able to play the piano. Soon she became unable to attend college as the decline of her health continued.

With undiagnosed Lyme Disease in 1996

Finally, in 1996, after eight years of increasing illness, a correct diagnosis was made—Late Stage Lyme Disease, a disease that over time disseminates more deeply throughout the body if not accurately diagnosed and aggressively treated. By this time there was little left that resembled the 18 year old who had begun this journey. What began with a flu, fatigue, stiffness and pain had progressed until she was confined to a wheelchair, then confined to bed. She was unable to feed herself, speak above a whisper, turn her head or get words and images into her mind. Lyme disease had ravaged her physical health, cognitive skills, personality, and emotional health.

Waiting for God's restoration in 1997

Only the grace of God sustained Natalie through those years. His grace and His written Word assured her that He loved her, that He, and He alone, is in control and that all things work together for the good of them that love Him. Through His Word and a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, she has been infused with His comfort, his peace, His strength and His eternal perspective.

God is continuing to restore her health as she continues to receive aggressive medical treatment. Natalie, however, is most grateful for the blessings that reap eternal rewards which are given in both trying and triumphant times.

These blessings come in many shades of God's Grace:

• Grace to live in fellowship with Him and be sustained by His Word
• Grace to praise Him in difficult circumstances and to thank Him for them
• Grace to be more than a conqueror IN all things
• Grace to trust in His sovereignty, His plan and His time
• Grace to receive His comfort, peace and contentment
• Grace to endure hardship by His strength;
• Grace to patiently wait for His deliverance, be it on earth or in eternity.