Can't Stand the Heat

Gee, there's no denying it. It's summer. Some enjoy summer, I don't. I can't stand the heat! Yesterday, I thought I was going to have a heat stroke. I felt like burning inside. 36.1˚C... can you believe that? I was out on a meeting yesterday and as soon as I stepped out of the building, I thought I was going to faint. It was super hot!

Anyway, because of the weather yesterday, I noticed how easily I snapped at the most trivial matter. I went to get an NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance as part of the requirements in getting our Chinese visa. It was simpler if I only had to renew my clearance, but I had to change my name on it to match the name on my passport. So I was done filling out the application and was in line to place my finger marks on the form. Then this elderly guy who was assisting us on it immediately pulled a sheet of wet tissue, gave it to me and said, "Five bucks."  What the ??? I had the most puzzled and shocked look on my face and I was pretty sure many saw it. He didn't even ask me if I needed it.  What a way to earn money!  It wasn't the amount that shocked me. It was his impudence.  

Hello?! I had wet wipes in my bag!!!  The nerve!

Anyway, my mom, dad and sister got theirs today. We're waiting for the release of my dad's passport on Monday. We already received the LOI (letter of invitation) yesterday from the hospital in China. 

Please remember us in prayer. 

Mixed Emotions

Happy Easter, everyone!

I'm having mixed emotions right now.  I'm happy because dad attended the church service for the first time.  He recently accepted Jesus in his heart.  My mom, my SIL, my sister and my nephews all enjoyed the service.  I'm downhearted because of my dad's condition.  His strength and health are deteriorating.  My life's journey for this season is about being with my dad as he fights for dear life against cancer.

Here are some photos taken at Johnny Rockets, Galleria after the service.

 Me and dad

Mom and dad

We were recently referred to Fuda Cancer Hospital at Guanzhou, China by Mr. Ernie Uy, a cancer survivor.   I emailed them and inquired about the procedure as soon as we got the information from Mr. Uy.  Dr. Rita Lu, from Fuda Hospital replied the following day and gave us an instruction on what to do step by step.  I emailed Dr. Lu my dad's laboratory test results, x-rays, MRI, CT scan results... everything.  Dr. Lu wanted to see my dad.  We're fixing dad's passport so we can leave for China as soon as possible.  

Please remember us in prayer.

WFW - John 19:30

Do you have anything in your heart that's weighing you down?  Trials that seem impossible to overcome?  Jesus died for them too.  And He said IT IS FINISHED.  

Let's reflect on what Jesus did on the cross for us this season with a grateful heart.  


Hop on to Lori's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

Yada Yada...

Tomorrow is already the beginning of Holy Week.  Some people are still going to work until Wednesday (I'm one of them) and some are already on vacation mode as early as yesterday.  Sigh...

I'll be dropping by my parent's house either Tuesday or Wednesday to check on them and give my dad these two boxes of Yogi Green Tea Decaf.  Dad said he'll be seeing his doctor again tomorrow.

Anyhow, what did I do today?  Let's see... I cleaned the house, watered my plants, had my laundry picked up, I'll be ironing my clothes in a while, had lunch at 2 p.m. (sigh...), checked my email...  I'm bored!

Yesterday was our last day in class which I've been attending for the last three months. It's what our church calls Training for Victory.  This was designed to equip us to make disciples.  April 30 will be our recognition day, sort of like a graduation ceremony.  Woohoo! No more classes, no more books! *grin*

Anyway, what are your plans this Holy Week?

Dad 2

***UPDATE***

April 11. My mom and dad went back to the hospital to get my dad's biopsy report. It was so strange because the doctor said there was a misdiagnosis. Last April 4, the doctor saw the three masses on my dad's lungs as per CT scan. One near the bronchial tube, one attached to the superior vena cava (One of the two main veins bringing de-oxygenated blood from the body to the heart. Veins from the head and upper body feed into the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium of the heart). The other one was located at the side of the lungs. The doctor said the most practical to do a biopsy on was the one near the bronchial tube, the two others were not advisable to even touch because of its very sensitive location.

Being the expert on these matters, he said just by looking at them, he was almost certain that Dad had stage 3B cancer. He even said that he will just have to test one and it will be conclusive for all three masses.

Then the result says MISDIAGNOSIS. What does that mean? Did the masses found turned out benign? I'm confused. My sister is bringing Dad to the lung center for a second opinion. Will keep you posted.

Please continue to include my dad in your prayers. Thank y'all.


To see previous posts about Dad, click here.

While I'm Waiting

Hi standers!  Here's a devotional written by Delon from Georgia.  Stay encouraged!

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For many of us we can be so focused on God restoring our marriages and restoring our homes that we don't say, "Okay Lord, what are You trying to get out of this?"

Everything has to pass through the hand of God for it to occur; God has to give his approval. So even in the fire you are walking through right now, even with your heart bleeding and fragmented, God says, "I approve this...because I know the unfathomable Glory that will come out of it." He didn't lure your spouse out of the house; that was the work of the destroyer. But God said, "This was not My "perfect will" for your life, but since we are here, I will use this as an opportunity for my Glory!"

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." John 11:3-7

God could have saved your marriage a while ago, but God has chosen you specifically for such a time as this and He has chosen you to be an instrument of his Glory. Notice Jesus said: This sickness is not onto death, but for the Glory of the son of God. How is he going to get Glory you ask?

So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." John 11:14-15

How will He get the Glory? Because everyone that said, "Your marriage is dead, it's over, move on with your life. Don't be a fool anymore, etc etc," will see with their own eyes when God resurrects your marriage. When they see the miracles God is getting ready to do, they will have no choice but to say, "There is a God!!" There is a God in Heaven that still honors the faithful, that still honors obedience and still honors the covenant. God is using your situation to increase the faith of everyone around you . So don't give up, no matter how long you've been praying. No matter what the enemy says. Don't give up. Don't stop praying. Instead pray longer, fast more, and consecrate yourself to the Lord. And while you're waiting for God to put the finishing touches on your miracle allow Him to improve you.

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"John 11:21-26

Your marriage will rise again! He is the resurrection! Believe in His resurrection power as it will be better than you could ever ask. Do you believe this? Start praising him NOW!

Dad

***UPDATE***

April 7.  Dad's checking out of the hospital today.  The biopsy result will be out on Monday.  Dad looks okay.  We continue to pray and ask God for healing and miracles to happen. Ultimately, not our will but His will be done.

Please continue to include my dad in your prayers.  Thank y'all.

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***UPDATE***

April 5.  Dad's biopsy is scheduled at 7 a.m. tomorrow.  Dad's feeling lousy today, probably because of the meds.  He still has a good appetite in spite of his condition.  I brought one of our youth pastor to the hospital and we prayed together with my mom and dad. 

Please continue to include my dad in your prayers.  Thank y'all.

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***UPDATE***

April 4.  I got an email from my sister updating us all of Dad's condition.  The MRI report is out, but final interpretation will be given tomorrow.  The Pulmonologist wanted Dad to undergo a biopsy based on the CT scan result where three masses were seen. Dad is scheduled to have the biopsy on Wednesday.  My sister who's a registered nurse wanted to bring Dad to the Lung Center to have a second opinion on which approach or treatment is best for Dad.

Please continue to include my dad in your prayers.  Thank y'all.

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God is really faithful. 

I have been praying for my dad's salvation for decades and finally yesterday, April 2, my dad accepted Jesus in his heart.  My dad was a tough guy.  When he says something, we better follow or else!  My siblings and I somehow got our strong personalities from our dad.  We are all strong willed.  But my dad can also be very sweet. 

I thought the day my dad will finally receive Christ in his life will never come.  I thought wrong.  Really, nothing is impossible with God. He does answers prayer... in His perfect timing.

My dad is in the hospital now.  We are waiting for the MRI and CT scan results.  Hopefully we'll get them on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  If you happen to pass by and read this post, please pray for my dad.  

Dad, we all love you!  I love you.  Get well soon.