Firsts

Andrey and I find ourselves in a place we have dreamed of being in for a while.  A place where we have a bit more time to ourselves and with each other and have more of an overall balance to our family life.  It has always felt far off until recently and then what feels like suddenly, (even though it's been very gradual) we are here.  We've had several firsts in the past few weeks.

Andrey and I had our first overnight without Ella, a whole 24 hours!  We celebrated our 10th anniversary by staying in a hotel in the city (and got upgraded to an extra nice room!) while Ella had her first sleepover at her best friend Tessi's house.  She did better than we expected.  She didn't show the least bit distressed by us leaving and was totally fine when we returned.  She seemed to have a really great time.  Andrey and I are were amazed at how smoothly things went... and so happened to have the most amazing time away together.

The other night Ella woke early in the night when we both were still up.  For the very first time instead of calling for me she called for Daddy.  I waited for her to change her mind and ask for me.  Not only did that not happen but Daddy brought her back to her room and got her back to sleep and in bed!  Unheard of.  So great. 

Last week I put Ella to bed and decided to try to see if she'll get to sleep without me in the room.  This has never gone well.  But on this night she surprised me.  Could this be the beginning of not having to wait till she's asleep before I exit?

Last weekend Andrey and I saw a movie... in the theater!  First time that's happened in two years. We saw the latest Batman movie and enjoyed some wine and chocolate that we brought in.  Yep, you can do that here.  It was sweeet!  The wine and chocolate, that is - I didn't care much for the movie.  Date nights out of the house rock!

When Ella chose to go on a rather high zipline off a mountain over the ocean with her Daddy during our recent trip to Palawan, I saw it as indicative of how far we've come as a family in less than two years.  We feel like all the time and energy not rushing her into things has paid off.  She is secure and confident (and quite brave!) and is very attached to both me and her Daddy.  And the bonus? Andrey and I are really enjoying dating each other again. ;-)

Miracles Abound!

Thanks for praying for Ana Mae!

As of today we were out of money but in the last day I have miraculously received 32,000 pesos! The family received 10,000 pesos from the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office yesterday. These together add up to enough to cover the next two weeks of treatment - all but 1 radiation treatment and 2 chemo treatments remain after that! We are only short 15,000 pesos to complete her treatment and I have no doubt the money will come in when we need it. 

AND... just minutes after an unexpected donation was left at my house an hour ago, I received a text from Ana Mae's sister about the latest CT result - More than 60% of the cancer is gone. From her nose down to her neck, the cancer is gone, there is only cancer left near her eyes.  I will have the chance to speak to the doctor myself on Monday to confirm this and to get some more details.

Join me in doing a HAPPY DANCE in celebration of God's loving faithfulness and care for Ana Mae and for hearing our prayers and for answering so quickly and timely.  I am blown away and in awe of his power and goodness. You are good, Lord, and all praise and glory goes to YOU!

Thank you for taking part in these miracles.  God is using you!

Ana Mae, 20 Treatments In

I saw Ana Mae today.  The difference in her appearance is remarkable! 

A few days before she started treatment (June 18)

After 20 of 33 radiation treatments,
3 of 7 chemo treatments (July 18)

This week's treatments have been paid for but as of the end of this week, there is no more money.

Please join us in prayer for the following:

1) Complete and miraculous healing for Ana Mae

2) That the CT scan she had today shows better than expected progress and will result in a better prognosis

3) Financial provision so she can continue and complete her treatment.  Ana Mae's sister is going to another government agency tomorrow in hopes of receiving some help.  So far, they've only received 2,000 pesos ($48 USD).

I admit, I'm worried.  I'm a bit stressed about the money.  I am close to tapping out my own resources and ability to be of practical help.  Oftentimes I'm presented with something within my ability to act - I just have to pray and decide whether it's the right thing to do or not.  But in this case, what I'm able to do isn't nearly enough.  This is beyond me and I really have no idea how the Lord is going to move but I believe he will.  It is uncomfortable but I know it is a good place to be because when we're desperate and willing to stake our lives on the faithfulness of God and not on our own abilities or resources, that is when we see the Lord move is mighty ways.

When we chose the bit about not worrying in Matthew chapter 6 for our discussion this past week with this family and community, I had no idea I would have to work so hard to apply it myself.

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Now is the time to pray with faith in our Mighty and Loving God.  I look forward to sharing what he does. Those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.

Ana Mae, 8 radiation treatments in

I saw Ana Mae today.  I had the privilege of bringing more money.  Although not reflected on my Paypal giving widget, at the end of my first week of fund-raising, I had the equivalent of $950 USD to put toward Ana Mae's care.  At the end of the second week, I unexpectedly received another $800 USD!  God is so good!

So far I have used all of the first week's donations.  This paid for Ana Mae's blood transfusion last week, eight radiation treatments (treatments #4-11 of 33, this week's remaining treatments were paid in advance), some pain meds, and her first chemotherapy treatment tomorrow.

I have about 33,000 pesos left ($785 USD).  This is enough to get all of next week's treatments.  Yay! This is giving us some breathing room and time for the family to follow up on promises of help from local sources.  They will be going back to the mayor this week.  We are all very hopeful.

Ana Mae's tumor is noticeably smaller.  I will take a photo when I see her again this week and will post it here so you can track her progress.  She reports being able to smell and taste again and her appetite is returning.  She was very smiley today.

Another good thing is that her blood count increased remarkably due to the blood transfusion last week and this means she can start chemotherapy tomorrow.

We continue to have weekly worship meetings in Ana Mae's neighborhood (which has gone on for years albeit not always as regular).  Those who come pretty much make up a big part of her extended family.  Some really great things are happening.

Thanks for praying and please keep it up!  And more financial help is needed.  There is a long road ahead but we know that God is good, and his unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him (Psalm 32:10).