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Meet Marlon & Tiffany Mathis
Trusting in God, no matter the circumstances.
As told by Marlon and Tiffany
One year ago, Marlon and I stood before you, giving our testimony about wholly trusting in God, no matter the circumstances. We shared our real life story about how we were depending on God even though we had no idea what would be in store for us during 2007. We would like to share some of the miraculous events that have transpired in 2007. Although there are many, many accounts that we could give you, for the sake of time we chose to only share a few.
In 2007, we were led by the Holy Spirit to create a list of our prayer requests. The purpose of this document was to list the items that we had desired but were waiting on God to manifest. We decided to print this list and hang it on our refrigerator as a daily reminder of the blessings that were yet to come for us through our faith and dependence on God. Some of the items on the list included:
Marlon: To become more of a provider for the family financially.
To be led to a career/job and to seek it.
To remain healthy and free of epilepsy.
Tiffany: For us to become 100% tithers.
For Marlon to remain healthy and free of epilepsy.
For us to become financially secure.
Jazmyn’s prayer was for God to watch over her always and to bless her family.
Again, we would like to reiterate that our lists were compiled separately, however Marlon and my prayer requests were somewhat similar in nature. If you listened to the individual prayer lists, Jazmyn’s was that God watch over her always. We know it to be true that God always watches over her, but it was more obvious on the day that Marlon had a seizure when only him and Jazmyn were at home. God watched over her and saw them both through what could have been a very traumatic situation for someone else.
On May 25, 2007, we were able to update our prayer requests because some of our desires had been manifested. Most importantly, we became 100% tithers!! We also added a few new items to the list.
Marlon: After suffering from seizure after seizure, I knew that something had to give. Although I wasn’t sure what route I would take, I knew that I wasn’t living the complete life that God would have for me. Years ago, a neurologist said that I may be a candidate for an epilepsy surgery. During this surgery they would remove the scar tissue from the part of my brain that caused the seizures. However, back then, I didn’t think twice about having the surgery because I wasn’t having seizures very often. I would have a seizure maybe once every other year, if that. But because the seizures were happening more often, I began to consider this major surgery as a way to get my life back.
Because this was the toughest decision of my life, I knew it was no longer in my hands. The outcome would affect not only me, but my family as well. I knew that I couldn’t make this decision without guidance from the Holy Spirit. As a result, Tiffany and I added this to our prayer request list. I began to go through the necessary testing for the doctors to determine if I was still an eligible candidate for this surgery. I felt that if I did go through with the surgery it would be better if I got the testing done.
A few months before this time, Pastor had taught the series “Receive Your Healing Now”. A very good friend of mine knew the decision that was before me and suggested I go back and review the series because it was so relevant to what I was going through. While reviewing the series, Pastor Rick pointed out that sometimes we have to mix medicine with our faith. This stood out for me. After hearing this for the second time, I realized that I had gotten my answer. I felt a sense of calmness and I had already received my healing!
Tiffany: Also in May, we received notice from the management company we were renting our apartment from saying that our lease would be up for renewal in July. When we moved into this particular apartment, we had decided that we would only be there for a year. Marlon and I stepped out on faith and on June 1, 2007, we gave our 30 day notice of intent to move. We added this request to the list that we would move into our desired place by July 1, 2007.
We were definitely walking by faith because we had no clue of where we would be going. But we knew that God would provide for us and that things would be ok. During this time, we found out that one of the properties owned by the management company we were currently renting from was available. It was a nice two bedroom apartment and it was in an “ok” environment. We decided to apply for this apartment but it fell through. Although we were disappointed, immediately we realized that this just wasn’t the place that God wanted for us. We didn’t get discouraged nor did we give up on God.
To make a long story short, a few days later, we were led to another condominium community and we set up an appointment to view the condo. Before going, Marlon and I prayed that God grant us favor with the owner. Not only was this condominium larger than the other apartment we were interested in, the complex is nicer and most importantly, the owner is a believer! We moved into our new place on June 23, 2007! After moving in, the owner told us that after reviewing 21 more qualified applications, she kept coming back to ours and the Spirit told her that we were the ones for the place! Another manifested prayer request!
Marlon: Once all the testing for the eligibility of the surgery was completed and after being deemed eligible for the surgery, the doctors had to tell us all the side effects that may occur after recovery. There was a list of things: blurred vision, headaches that could even a year after the surgery, speech problems, seizures (from the brain being swollen after surgery), memory problems, and that I would be out of commission for at least twelve weeks. After hearing all this, my wife looked at me and said “these are someone’s side effects. But they aren’t yours!” I totally agreed with her and we were set for the surgery to happen.
In late August, I was led to apply for another position within Kaiser. I knew this was the Holy Spirit because out of all the positions that were open, this is the only one that I was led to apply for. As a matter of fact, when I met with my supervisor to inform her of the upcoming surgery, I told her that I was not going to return to the Emergency Room! When I told my wife what I had told my supervisor, after her initial shock had subsided, she realized I was walking by faith and not by sight and that I was willing to prove it!
The week before my surgery was scheduled to occur, I received a call saying that they wanted to interview me. They scheduled the interview the day before my surgery. Although I left the interview confident in my presentation, I was concerned about the hire date. Then I reminded myself that my prayers were already answered and that it was out of my hands.
Tiffany: Marlon had the surgery on October 11, 2007. As expected, he did not experience any of the side effects that the doctor warned us of. He was up talking and walking around about 5 days after my surgery. At one point, his neurologist felt the need to assure us that they actually did do surgery on him and that they didn’t just cut his head and stitch it back together.
To date, Marlon has had no seizures, he can see just fine, his speech is working and he can remember everything he’s supposed to! Most people that don’t know about the surgery can’t tell that he went through it. ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!
Marlon: About 5 days after my surgery, I received a call informing me that I had been hired for the job! Not only did I receive the job, but the start date was to occur on the exact date my doctor said I could return to work! Also, the job pays a lot more than what I was making before… ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!
Although this is not everything that we went through in 2007, it gives you a major view into our lives. We don’t want to stand here and paint a picture like everything was easy for us and that we didn’t struggle because we did. We do want you to know that from hearing our testimony that if you put all of your trust in God, He will lead you every step of the way!
Because this was the toughest decision of my life, I knew it was no longer in my hands. The outcome would affect not only me, but my family as well. I knew that I couldn’t make this decision without guidance from the Holy Spirit. As a result, Tiffany and I added this to our prayer request list. I began to go through the necessary testing for the doctors to determine if I was still an eligible candidate for this surgery. I felt that if I did go through with the surgery it would be better if I got the testing done.
A few months before this time, Pastor had taught the series “Receive Your Healing Now”. A very good friend of mine knew the decision that was before me and suggested I go back and review the series because it was so relevant to what I was going through. While reviewing the series, Pastor Rick pointed out that sometimes we have to mix medicine with our faith. This stood out for me. After hearing this for the second time, I realized that I had gotten my answer. I felt a sense of calmness and I had already received my healing!
Tiffany: Also in May, we received notice from the management company we were renting our apartment from saying that our lease would be up for renewal in July. When we moved into this particular apartment, we had decided that we would only be there for a year. Marlon and I stepped out on faith and on June 1, 2007, we gave our 30 day notice of intent to move. We added this request to the list that we would move into our desired place by July 1, 2007.
We were definitely walking by faith because we had no clue of where we would be going. But we knew that God would provide for us and that things would be ok. During this time, we found out that one of the properties owned by the management company we were currently renting from was available. It was a nice two bedroom apartment and it was in an “ok” environment. We decided to apply for this apartment but it fell through. Although we were disappointed, immediately we realized that this just wasn’t the place that God wanted for us. We didn’t get discouraged nor did we give up on God.
To make a long story short, a few days later, we were led to another condominium community and we set up an appointment to view the condo. Before going, Marlon and I prayed that God grant us favor with the owner. Not only was this condominium larger than the other apartment we were interested in, the complex is nicer and most importantly, the owner is a believer! We moved into our new place on June 23, 2007! After moving in, the owner told us that after reviewing 21 more qualified applications, she kept coming back to ours and the Spirit told her that we were the ones for the place! Another manifested prayer request!
Marlon: Once all the testing for the eligibility of the surgery was completed and after being deemed eligible for the surgery, the doctors had to tell us all the side effects that may occur after recovery. There was a list of things: blurred vision, headaches that could even a year after the surgery, speech problems, seizures (from the brain being swollen after surgery), memory problems, and that I would be out of commission for at least twelve weeks. After hearing all this, my wife looked at me and said “these are someone’s side effects. But they aren’t yours!” I totally agreed with her and we were set for the surgery to happen.
In late August, I was led to apply for another position within Kaiser. I knew this was the Holy Spirit because out of all the positions that were open, this is the only one that I was led to apply for. As a matter of fact, when I met with my supervisor to inform her of the upcoming surgery, I told her that I was not going to return to the Emergency Room! When I told my wife what I had told my supervisor, after her initial shock had subsided, she realized I was walking by faith and not by sight and that I was willing to prove it!
The week before my surgery was scheduled to occur, I received a call saying that they wanted to interview me. They scheduled the interview the day before my surgery. Although I left the interview confident in my presentation, I was concerned about the hire date. Then I reminded myself that my prayers were already answered and that it was out of my hands.
Tiffany: Marlon had the surgery on October 11, 2007. As expected, he did not experience any of the side effects that the doctor warned us of. He was up talking and walking around about 5 days after my surgery. At one point, his neurologist felt the need to assure us that they actually did do surgery on him and that they didn’t just cut his head and stitch it back together.
To date, Marlon has had no seizures, he can see just fine, his speech is working and he can remember everything he’s supposed to! Most people that don’t know about the surgery can’t tell that he went through it. ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!
Marlon: About 5 days after my surgery, I received a call informing me that I had been hired for the job! Not only did I receive the job, but the start date was to occur on the exact date my doctor said I could return to work! Also, the job pays a lot more than what I was making before… ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!
Although this is not everything that we went through in 2007, it gives you a major view into our lives. We don’t want to stand here and paint a picture like everything was easy for us and that we didn’t struggle because we did. We do want you to know that from hearing our testimony that if you put all of your trust in God, He will lead you every step of the way!
Marlon serves on the Usher, Set-Up and Heir's Together team and is also a mentor for the God Squad. Tiffany is the Team Lead for Babes in Christ and on the Greeter's team.
posted by Berith. Making life better! at
3:56 PM
