Lift Up Amber and Derek

This message is so very difficult for me to write.  Amber and I have hoped and prayed that we would never be in a situation like this.  All of the planning, budgeting, and my second job don’t count for anything when the funds simply are not there.  Amber has been on long-term disability for two years now.  Every two years she is required to be recertified as unable to work.  This is such a nerve wracking process, as Amber deals with an invisible illness that is easy for others to choose to not see.  For her recertification due this year the Hartford had Amber meet with an independent doctor they hired.  We had posted on Facebook prior to the appointment soliciting prayers to ease Amber’s anxiety and give her the right words when they can be so hard to find.  We were overwhelmed by your prayers, and Amber had felt divine peace during the process. We have been awaiting the results of the recertification.  In the meantime, Amber’s disability payments continued and we’ve been getting by the best that we can.  Today Amber called the Hartford to check in.  They haven’t reached out to us, or sent us anything in a while.  Not sure when they were planning on telling us, but on the 5th of December Amber’s disability claim was denied.  This afternoon has been rough for the Hanisch family.  Amber and I have shed many tears of frustration, anger, sorrow, pain, and dumbfoundedness while our cats crawl all over us, trying to lend us comfort.  We knew a denial was a possibility, yet we know that Amber’s pain, limitations, and symptoms from her autoimmune diseases are completely real, and limiting.  We truly thought that no one would be able to truly look at what Amber is dealing with and be able to say she can work.  News like this can easily send one into a spiral of fear, doubt, depression, and anxiety.  We desperately need the $3000 a month we receive in order to pay our mortgage, bills, and to feed our family.  I have faith that God will see us through, but it’s hard.  I worry.  We are in the process of requesting the denial letter, along with the file that the Hartford used to make their denial decision.  Two years ago we had to appeal their denial, and it appears this time it will be no different.  Gathering all of our supporting notes and data, putting together the appeal, and waiting for a decision is going to take time. I’ve spent time in earnest prayer this today, and am currently listening to worship music as I pen this.   One thought keeps repeating in my head, over and over.  This situation is impossible.  We serve the God of the impossible.  Amber and I simply cannot overcome this situation alone.  Our only option is to surrender all control we have over the situation and release it to the Lord.  We believe He will get us through.  Lord, overcome our unbelief! It is so difficult to ask for help.  It is unbelievably humbling to admit that we need help and our own efforts are insufficient.  My pride often stands in the way of asking for help.  Two years ago when we went through this situation for the first time I was utterly amazed at the generosity of our family and friends.  We were thanked over and over again for giving you the opportunity to share with and support us.  Amber and I understand now is not a good time for a lot of people.  We know with the Holidays fast approaching most people tight their budget.  We know that many of you might want to support us who just are not able.  We also know that any sort of generosity you are able to share will be an incredible blessing.  Without the large payment from disability we were anticipating this month, and beyond, we are simply unable to pay our mortgage and bills.  We are desperately reliant on your help today, and over the next several months as we fight this. It’s unknown how long it’s going to take to resolve this with the Hartford.  We hope to have the denial rational by the end of this week or early next week.  We hope to have all of our supporting documentation from Amber’s doctors by the end of the month.  If we can get all of the data we need I will be able to write the appeal by the first week in January.  Then we will wait for a response.  With both Christmas and the New Year fast approaching, and being subject to the level of urgency often found in the medical world, we understand that this timeline may be unrealistic, but we are putting our trust in the hands of our Lord to see us through and will be acting with the utmost haste on what we are able to control. First and foremost Amber and I covet your prayers.  Please lift us up in this situation.  Pray that we will have trust in the Lord during this difficult time.  Pray for Divine healing for Amber.  Pray the Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and chronic fatigue will be crushed by the power of God.  This is not the life Amber ever imagined.  She was called to be a nurse.  She was led to give care to those who were going through life’s hardest challenges.  She never in her wildest imagination would have imagined being put in a situation where she is completely and utterly reliant on others.  With the debilitating pain Amber has, she cannot work, as much as her heart and spirit long for it.  Oh how Amber wishes she were healthy enough to work, instead of feeling like a perceived burden (which I have told her many, many time is far from the truth!).  Amber tells me nearly every day that she wishes she could go back to nursing.  She would so much rather choose a fulfilling job than days spent at home and doctor’s appointments, unable to  drive herself even to Target.  Pray that God will give Amber healing, and relief, from the daily torment of her chronic pain diseases. In the coming days of this Advent season, if you’re able to help us financially Amber and I would be so thankful and grateful.  Our needs are urgent, and way too big for any one person to take on their own.  Yet, God is bigger than all of this, and He has given us a loving community that is bigger than our health and financial woes.  We deeply appreciate any encouragement you can send our way, via prayer, words, and finances.  We know that we will never be able to properly express our gratitude for you all.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out of you have any questions or encouragement.  Thank you and God Bless, Derek and Amber