2nd Miracle

Second time. We want those second chances when we fail, miss the mark, sin, or hurt another. But we don’t want another round of difficulty, like the wave 2 of covid or when cancer shows it face to your family for the second time.

Daddy was first diagnosed with cancer last 2016. After 2 major surgeries and several cycles of chemotherapy, his body became free of those nasty cancer cells back in Jan 2018. 

Then last quarter of 2021, we got the news that there is a new growth of cancer cells in his liver. For the past several months, his CEA marker results (i.e. lab test that looks at tumor markers) were on an uphill trend. It shouldn’t have been as shocking, but it still hit just as hard.

It was the second time. His cancer has recurred, and there’s this idea that a recurrence signifies a more aggressive attack. 

The thing is God has spoken early on. He spoke clearly at that time. He told me in Jeremiah 30:17 “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.” My mind wanted to hold on to this, but it was tough when the days go on and fear started to creep in. 

God told my mom that he will “do it again.” I wanted to believe this so much, but a big chunk of my heart doubted that God will give us a second miracle. I thought He has already healed daddy once. Who are we that He would do it for our family the second time around? Guilt and blame even joined the war in my heart — Were we negligent? Should we have been stricter? Vigilant? 

God comforted my heart and silenced the lies. He assured me that we will go through this as a family. 

And we did. 

Daddy started his intensive chemotherapy last Oct. It was tough to hold up and fight at his age. He’s older, the cancer has grown, and the treatment was stronger than what he underwent years back. Side effects were there — his hair thinned, his hands and feet have grown darker, and the strong urge to throw up.

It was hard, but he kept on fighting. I realized that I am so proud to be called his daughter — my brave and fighting daddy. 

Now after 8 cycles, daddy and our family got a second miracle. ❤️ Daddy is healed of cancer.

After his 8th chemotherapy cycle

He is a survivor who can testify once again about God’s goodness. 

This 2nd miracle taught me… 

That God keeps His promise even when my faith at times falter.

That God can turn even the bad into something good. He brought our family even closer.

That God is and will continue to be with my family and for this I find peace.

Lunch after daddy’s last PET CT Scan.

God did His first miraculous healing a few years back. He did it again this 2022. And I know that He can do His miracles over and over again when He say He would.

He did it for us, and He can also do it for you. Just keep on believing.

The In-between

It’s 2021 and the increasing trend in the covid 19 cases made a lot of people feel like another wave has started. Many are tired and seeking rest from worries, fears, fatigue, and loss.

I may not know if this is indeed another wave or for how long this will last, but I believe that things are not the same. I’ve been changed in the past year. So from 2020 to where I am now in 2021, there is an in-between, and IT MATTERED.

Some realizations in my in-between:

1. I can enjoy a simple life.

No need to eat at a fancy restaurant every weekend, indulge my need to go out and do something, or grab my favorite cup of milktea. I can stay at home and still enjoy a lovely dinner with my family. I can make my cup of milk tea, with my own tea bag and milk brew. Simple joys.

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2. I will be fine.

Do I worry? Do I feel fear? Do I cry? Yes, yes, and yes.

I have felt so many emotions the past year. There were days that things are looking up then suddenly worry about my family’s health would stop me. So volatile and unpredictable.

What helped? That I let it all out to someone who can listen and comfort me. I need not filter cause He wants me to come to Him in everything – laughter, tears, relief, or fears. All of it. I need not hold it all in, like trying to keep a full jar from overflowing. It will only take some time before it bursts. With my God. I can let it freely flow and let it all out.

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3. I can let go of my plans.

Planner here! But my plans did not hold up the past year with the quarantine, down economy, and virtual set-up. Many disruptions and shifts that called me to change plans, weekly, monthly.

How am I doing now? Good actually. Because when my plans are out, God was able to move. I learned to depend on Him (and still learning this everyday). But I am grateful how in the uncertainty, He showed me that He’s not. He has plans for me that are better and will surely happen.

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4. I have a rich and generous God.

His means and ways change, but His heart doesn’t. He will always be the One to provide.

I had a steady income as an employed person for the past 10 years of my life. Then in 2020, I was a mixed earner, getting payment from different sources –Baked goodies, coaching, training courses, and OD consulting project. The means changed but the provision still came from my true Provider.

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5. I have a faithful God.

When I had to stay at home, with cash running low, with an unseen enemy that threatens, and with worry for my and loved ones health, I realized that I am indeed powerless.

But my God is not. During those times that I can’t control, predict, or protect, I learned that the best I can do is to let the One who can. I’ve prayed for family’s supernatural protection from covid, for our daily food, and for where my career will head to. He is and has been faithful.

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In that time between 2020 when covid19 showed up and to where we are now, I have been changed. I believe you have been too. Things may still seem dark, we may still hear negative news, but believe that we are not the same people that we were before.

How about you? What are the things you’ll see in your in-between?