Untold Miracles has detailed Dr. Velma Palmer’s life of struggles, faith and victory. She encountered major challenges and obstacles but she overcame them through her confidence in God. Each battle was followed by numerous miracles that made her more determine to serve the Lord. The enemy made several attempts to destroy her and her family. She fought back fiercely with the strong weapon- the word of God, prayer, and fasting. She recalls her early age when she answered God’s call by committing her life to Him. "What a magnificent experience!" she relates to people near and far. This book has provided inspiration, deliverance and hope for every age group, regardless of your faith. Christians’ lives will be impacted by her undeniable faith and her appreciate of Christ blessings. Her simple, modest beginning on a farm in rural Jamaica, has given her courage and determination to 'stand tall' and never give up.

Untold Miracles

An Undeniable Memoir of FaithBy Velma Palmer

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Velma Palmer Ph.D.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-8524-4

Contents

Dedication...............................................................vSpecial Note.............................................................viiForeword.................................................................xiIntroduction.............................................................1Struggles................................................................3Chapter 1 Untold Miracles................................................5Chapter 2 Th e Unexpected Move...........................................18Chapter 3 An Unexpected Encounter........................................29Chapter 4 God's Gifts....................................................45Chapter 5 A New Beginning................................................56Chapter 6 Never Give Up..................................................66Chapter 7 Tragedy Strikes................................................76Chapter 8 A Miraculous Healing...........................................91Chapter 9 Unknown Territory- Eight Years in Politics.....................103Chapter 10 Walk With God.................................................111Testimony................................................................121Bibliography.............................................................122Acknowledgements.........................................................123Authors Biography........................................................124Author's Contact Information.............................................125

Chapter One

Untold Miracles

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But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Mountains are the best description I could find to outline my life and the way God has allowed me to climb these rocky steps, and at times sloping areas in my life. My life began in Highgate, Saint Mary, Jamaica when my young mother, Ivy gave birth to me, a brown curly-haired baby girl that she named Velma Brown. It was a time of uncertainty and disappointment because Ivy's dreams of becoming a teacher became shadowed knowing that her gears had to be shifted to meet the needs of her new baby. Being a single mother in a new town away from family would make it difficult for her to raise a child as well as continue working. To complicate this matter, my father who was a bus conductor was rarely around because his job took him to various parishes in Jamaica.

Within months my young mother had to make a decision, "Ah! I will take my baby to Mama," she muttered, "that's the best thing right now." She packed our bags and boarded a bus with me and headed for Hartland her birthplace; this was another rural district within the parish of St. Mary. My mother was determined for the village to raise me. It was customary for neighbors and communities to be supportive of children and families, by addressing the child's well-being and needs during their upbringing. This method of raising children was considered shared responsibility, and children were fully aware that parenting was not confined to their individual parents only. As a result children had to obey and respect adults who were of no relation to them.

The major economy in Highgate was farming. There were no factories or companies. The prominent professions of the community were teaching, nursing or law enforcement. Finding employment, which was scarce, meant that people had to work on the farm cultivating numerous types of crops or being employed in housekeeping. Most people had limited resources so they were unable to afford college or trade schools for their children. They also maintained their family by cultivating their crops and selling them to exporters as well as the city market.

Mama and Papa were delighted to meet me, their only granddaughter, for the first time at the tender age of six months old. The household also consisted of my oldest brother, two uncles, one aunt-all were attending school. Growing up in a large extended family was a blessing as well as a curse sometimes. I was the youngest and the only granddaughter in the household, which I used to my advantage many times. I considered myself pampered by all the family members and both sides used this to their advantage. I was a scapegoat out of punishment for the boys as well as out of many of their chores. They would prepare me to support their stories with all kinds of references, such as their activities and locations during certain events. My reward from them was outstanding!

According to my aunt, as a result of my curly hair that had a striking resemblance of the picture "Betty" on the condensed milk can, I was nicknamed "Betty". A term of endearment, I was called Betty by everyone except my mother. My mom showed her resentment to the name by refusing to call me Betty. I didn't understand the reason for this; it would become a source for a lot of problems later in life. There were no explanations or discussions as to why and this affected me in numerous ways. I wanted my mother to call me Betty just as all the other members of the family. This may have been one factor that led me to feel unloved by my mother throughout my childhood. I fought with the unanswered question- what is in a name? There was a constant battle that raged within my heart. I carried a huge burden because there were no answers to my questions. I even inquired from my father if I were her step-daughter. I discerned how shocked he was but he calmly said, "No, not at all." My investigations have not unearthed any reasons for this rejection, so I am the first to confess that I do not know. I am blessed to have found strength in this song to deal with my lifelong problem.

Sometimes I'm discouraged
My load's hard to bear
And I feel myself stumble
'Neath my load of care
Then I ask Him this question
Oh my Lord, how long?
Then I hear His voice
Whisper, whisper, whisper
He carry me through

Oh how I need Jesus to carry me through
Along Life's journey
Yes you need him too
And when you're in trouble
Don't know what to do
Just Call on Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
He'll carry you trough

When storm are raging
And the high billows rolls
When sad winds of sorrow
Sweep over my soul
Then I reach for my refuge.
My safe hiding place
And I know that he'll
Keep me, keep me, keep me
In his wonderful grace.

My emotions had escalated to new heights especially when my grandmother (Mama) sent me to my parents for the summer holidays. In Hartland and Kingston my family called me Betty however, my mother refused to call me by any other name than Velma. As the years went by, all my focus and actions were intended to resolve my fears of being unaccepted by my mother. I knew that it is God who kept me through this storm. My sense of rejection haunted me and without His presence it would have been catastrophic.

Although my parents lived in Kingston, the big city, I was desperate to return to Hartland even before the summer ended, to continue my way of life at all costs. One theory concerning my actions can be linked to me being totally bonded to my grandparents at an early age. My mother may have felt some resentment from me at times due to this bonding. My father was an easy-going man who did not believe that children should be punished for their infractions. My mother was the total opposite. She was known as a strong...