CHIP

**Just writing this to show how amazing God is and how He makes a way where there seems to be no way

There were several things we had to step out in faith and believe that God would handle (how Madi would like it here and how she'd adjust to living with us, whether we could get the guardianship paperwork figured out, transferring her to Ethridge, etc...).  My biggest concern was healthcare.  I told God several times that I was nervous about it and I felt like I just had to trust that He knew what He was doing.  And figured that if we were doing what He wanted us to do, that He would protect her from sickness, injury and provide what we needed to take care of her.

We were not going to get her healthcare and figured we would just risk having her without it.  Couldn't find the right programs using the internet and didn't have anywhere to turn (so it seemed).  Our guardianship is done by an affidavit and not through the courts so we don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare for children.  Madi can not be added to either of our policies because she doesn't qualify.  So once Madi came here, it became apparent very quickly at how much faith we'd have to have that she would be fine.  "What?  You want to go horse back riding?  You want to ride a bike?  You want to take karate at VBS?"  Trust in God would definitely be high on the list of what I would have to do this year if I was going to let go of my fears of what could be.

A few weeks ago, I was talking to Shannon Stellman, a friend of mine and our pediatricians wife.  She recommended looking into a program called CHIP, healthcare for children.  I didn't think we would qualify based on our income and other factors.  So I let it sit for a few days.  About two weeks ago, I went online one night and looked at the CHIP website.  I decided at that moment to open the file we had with all of Madi's documents and apply for the healthcare.  Jeremy thought I was just looking into it and didn't realize that night that I finished the entire application.

About a week and a half went by and I hadn't received any word about it.  Several days ago we received a letter from CHIP saying that Madi has healthcare starting 7/1 - tomorrow!  And listed her healthcare coverage as well as her insurance number AND dental care number!!  We just had to pick a pediatrician from the booklet.  There were three different plans we could choose to go with.  The plan they had picked for her had a local doctor.  The plan we were able to change her to allows her to go to our daughter's pediatrician here in The Colony.  And what is amazing is that he is the ONLY pediatrician within The Colony that takes CHIP using the program we choose for her.  We could have driven to Lewisville or Plano, but what a blessing to be so close.  And to have a friendship with the Stellman family (pediatrician).

The most amazing part of all is that we were told it was possible that we would have an enrollment fee as well as monthly fees and copays for the health insurance.  I was expecting at least $50 a month.  Our paperwork (and the lady we talked to on the phone) states that there is $0 enrollment cost.  On her insurance card, it reads the following:
hospital copay - $0
generic/name brand drug - $0
office visits - $0
emergency room visits - $0

Total miracle.  And a Total blessing!  Her healthcare starts tomorrow and we're so blessed.

Another blessing:  The Camp KidJam that we signed her up for at church mandates that every child that attends must have health insurance.  No health insurance, no opportunity to go to camp.  We are late signing up, but if we had tried to sign her up earlier, she would have been denied.  God provided this insurance so that she can go to camp.  He has a great plan for her.

Such a blessing in so many ways!