Goodbye 2012

"Be assured,  if you walk with Him
and look to Him and expect help from Him,
He will never fail you."
[george.mueller]

If you were to tell me December 31, 2011, that I would be looking back on the year 2012 in gratefulness, I probably would have half way believed you. Every day we should be grateful because it is another day God has given us, and another day of living. How is it possible for me to even summarize this past year in one blog post? Well, I will attempt to try my best with the following highlights.

*Cancer-free in 2 1/2 months

There is no question that this is probably the biggest highlight of my year. As you all are aware being told that I cancer back at the end of March was no easy thing. Having PET scans and biopsies and ER visits are not the best. And going through chemotherapy wasn't the most pleasant thing. Not understanding why God would let me go through this was frustrating. But, knowing that God completely killed all the cancer cells that were in me in just 2 1/2 months, is mind boggling and amazing.

*End of treatment celebrations

I don't think that I will ever be done celebrating the end of treatments. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that you can travel and make visits and not have to worry about going to Hopkins for check ups and treatments.

I road tripped to the little town of Grove City, PA to visit my best friend for her last semester of college. It was full of crazy fun, apple festivals, late night talks, and flat tires. I also surprised my best friend for a weekend back in November. There are no words to describe how wonderful that trip was - just watch the video. It speaks for all words that could be spoken to describe that trip. I also took a girls weekend trip with my mom, her best friend since elementary school, and her daughter (aka my older sister) to Lancaster, PA. We shopped, ate, went to see a Sight and Sound play, ate, laughed (a lot), talked, ate.

lancaster, pa

lancaster, pa

grove city, pa

louisville, ky

*Hopkins

Well it is no surprise that the majority of these past 9 months have been trips back and forth to Hopkins. Every week it was a struggle to get out of bed and to have to go for check ups or treatments or scans. It made things harder when you aren't feeling 100% either. But those trips were life-changing. Not only with medicine and being healed, but with the people we interacted with.

The first day I ever went to Hopkins, met with the doctor and my nurse we met this couple from Lancaster, PA. She had been coming to Hopkins for treatment for several years and my parents and I instantly connected with them. We didn't see them very often, but when we did they always said how they had been praying for me. There was another woman, an architect who my dad use to do work with, who was also there for treatments. We would occasionally see each other and she would encourage me and my parents as we were going through this journey. It's amazing how at times when we feel alone in a situation, God provides people who we don't even know and have never met in our lives to care for us and pray for us.

And I could not complete this highlight without mentioning the wonderful nurses that took care of me. Nurse Lynne was my primary nurse. The moment we first met her she immediately became part of our family. We developed a close friendship with her as she would tell us about her life and vacations, and asked me us and if there were any potential boys in my life. (ha. no.) She was not just the nurse who gave me my chemo injections, she was caring and compassionate and took a real interest in her patients. This was not just the case with her, but all of the nurses I interacted with.

*New baby cousins

On to more fun highlights. June 25 a new little chunky monkey was born into our crazy, cuban family. Over the past 6 months it has been wonderful seeing this little guy grow each day. And back at the end of September, we found out that there is going to be a new addition to the family this coming May.

*Monumental Birthdays

It still is crazy to think that my little brother, the one who would climb up the walls in-between the door frames and the one who my friends and I would stuff in the dryer to see if he would fit, is officiall legal. Like it just blows my mind. On top of THAT! A daughter of one of our dear, close family friends turned 13. I remember when she was first brought to the States from Nicaragua, and now my little baby sister is a teen ager. I'm getting old.

*Youth Retreat

Being able to participate on the youth administrative team at our church has been such a blessing. Since I knew I was going to be home for a while and not going back to school in Virginia, I was thrilled to come back and help on the team. The youth retreat is the biggest highlight of the beginning of the school year for the youth. My parents were hesitant in letting me go because I was still undergoing treatment, it was in the middle of the summer and hot, and as admin we are in charge of setting up and running the games. And being the strong-willed person I am, I tend to want to be superwoman and do everything I can. Well, I paced myself and was able to take a lot of pictures and make slideshows. It was a different type of hard work, but totally worth it. These kids bring me so much joy and serving along side of the other admin members is so encouraging. Every day I learn from them the meaning of true servanthood and what it means to show the light of Christ.

doughnut sales on sunday morning

we are team admin

*Summer Camps

After we found out that I was cancer-free back in June, it allowed me to help out with two different summer camps at our church. The first one was a week long, 3 hours a day. It was full of teaching, worship, drama/acting, and games. There is no question that this is one of the best weeks of the summer. I was also able to participate administratively in a 2 week musical camp for children grades 3rd-8th. It amazes me that in 2 weeks, 50 or so kids can learn an entire script, music, and  put on a short play.

summer musical

summer celebration

summer celebration

summer musical

*Youth Drama

No. This has nothing to do with high school drama and who likes who, etc. When my family moved to Maryland and became move involved in the church I participated in plays that are put on by the youth of our church. I participated by being in 2 of the plays while I was still in high school, and after high school by taking pictures. Now, I am able to intricately be involved and help with music and take pictures. This year the cast is performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Stay tuned for more information on this. If you're in the Gaithersburg area in the middle of March 2013, come on by. You won't want to miss this powerful performance.

*Family

Being able to spend time with my family during Thanksgiving and Christmas was definitely a highlight. I would not have been able to get through these past months without their care, support, and prayers. Sure, my family could best be described as the Cuban version of "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding" but I wouldn't trade them out for anything in the world.

*Complete remission

It is amazing to think that just a short 9 months ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins. Now, I am in complete remission. God has been so good and faithful. In the hard times, in the happy times, God never left us. When we are faithless, He remains faithful. What an amazing truth we can hold on to. Although this past year has been full of "highs" and "lows" I have much to be thankful for. This year definitely didn't go the way I might have planned for it to go. But God knew what He was doing. And He already knows what this next year will bring, not only in my life, but in yours also.

Morning by morning I wake up to find,

The power and comfort of God's hand in mine.

Season by season I watch Him amazed,

In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.

All I have need of, His hand will provide,

He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a trial or a pain,

He did not recycle to bring me gain.

I can't remember one single regret,

In serving God only, and trusting His hand.

All I have need of, His hand will provide,

He's always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song,

The theme of the stories I've heard for so long.

God has been faithful, He will be again,

His loving compassion, it knows no end.

All I have need of, His hand will provide,

He's always been faithful to me

He Called Them Home

"When my world is shaking,
Heaven stands.
When my heart is breaking,
I never leave Your hands."
[j.j.heller]

As American citizens we are blessed with so much. From clothes to food to houses to modes of transportation, etc. We also have many educational opportunities and a variety of vocations. As a nation we are greatly blessed. We have men and women over-seas fighting wars and protecting our nation and our freedom. Many of these men and women have lost their lives and are recognized as heros. No one can forget the horrific terrorist attack 11 years ago where hundreds of lives were lost. There are no explanations for events like this.

However, not all recognized heros are those who fight in wars. I do not want to diminish the honor and respect that the men and women fighting over-seas deserve, but some heros are found in the lives of the young children and teachers who's lives were lost over the weekend in the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

None of us can begin to imagine how these parents and families are dealing with this loss. I can't imagine being that mom or dad who have to return the Christmas presents they bought for their 6 or 7 year old who can't join them this year. Christmas is suppose to be the most wonderful time of the year. But these parents and families are grieving. Some parents will even have to explain to their younger children why they won't be able to play with their older siblings. The traditional holiday cheer and gift will instead be full of funerals and tears.

This tragic, unexplainable event should make us more aware that our days are numbered. Although we do not understand why these young children had to die, God knew and had planned out all their days. And He has planned out each and every one of our days as well. After reading this blog post you could suddenly have a heart-attack and die. [I pray that doesn't happen, but you get my point.]

Although this blog post is not very long, I encourage you to make the most of your days. That might mean calling or texting that one person just to say that you love them. Or it might mean volunterring and helping out at your local Soup Kitchen and serving those who are less fortunate than you. Jesus Christ came to this earth, became a human, not to be served, but to serve. As Christians, we are to be image-bearers of Christ. So whatever you do to "make the most of your days", use this holiday season to share the love of Christ to those who may not know His love.

Satan's job is to kill, steal, and destroy. He will try any possible way to get people to question God. He will even allow a young adult to take the lives of 26 innocent children and teachers in an elementary school. But, God's light is stronger than the darkness of the evil one. He is a Father to the fatherless. "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

Where is God in situations like this?
Where is God when innocent lives are taken?
Right where He has always been.
Waiting with arms wide open to heal the brokenhearted.
Hope and trust in Him friends. He will never forsake you.

The True Christmas Story

"You bore the wrath reserved for me.

Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah, All I have is Christ.

Hallelujah, Jesus is my life."

[sovgracemusic]

During the Christmas season we can get wrapped up in the "holiday spirit" with all the pretty decorations and department store sales. We live in a culture where Santa and giving presents to people have turned our eyes from the real meaning of Christmas. We started a new series at church this month entitled "What Christmas Creates". Josh Harris opened the series and spoke about Gratefulness. "Why talk about gratefulness as the opening of a sermon series on What Christmas Creates? Isn't that more of a message during the Thanksgiving holiday?" Well, I'm glad you asked.

On October 3, 1789, President George Washington declared that in November a certain day would "be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks." Yes it is true that he was referring to that certain day as the Thanksgiving holiday. But is that the only day for us to be grateful and thankful what what we have been given? I think not. We have millions of reasons to be thankful to God, no matter the circumstances. "How am I suppose to be grateful in all circumstances? Isn't that going a little bit too far?" It is only through Jesus that we can be thankful in all circumstances. It is because He loves us and cares for us that we can rejoice in all things and give thanks.

Why? Because Jesus was born to save us from our sins. All of us are familiar with the Christmas Story whether we regularly attend church or not. Over 2000 years ago a baby was born of a virgin and they called His name Jesus. He became human and dwelt among men, lived a perfect life and perfectly obeyed his Father. Then one day He was led up a hill called Calvary and die a brutal death that we deserved. This my friends, is the gospel. If you are a Christian and believer in Christ, your eternal destiny is secure. What an amazing truth. The Bible says that in this world we will face tribulation and different problems. I know some friends who are going through significant trials. I know other friends who are just trying to make it through their undergraduate degree. But, our biggest problem is our sin and guilt before a Holy God. Why on earth would he allow sinners like us to call him 'Abba, Father' and allow us to approach the throne of grace in time of need? Are you more aware of everything that is going wrong in your life than the amazing work of the cross and the hope that your eternal destiny is secure? No matter what we are facing, we can give thanks because our biggest problem has been taken care of on the cross because of what God has done through Christ.

Not only was Jesus born to save us from our sins, because of the birth of Jesus God is truly with us. They called him Immanuel, which means "God with us" - not "God sometimes with us when He feels like it". No - God. With. Us. In the good times and the bad times, we can be assured that God is with us. Sometimes in trial we may not feel like He is with us helping us, but He is there with us every step of the way, loving us and caring for us. We do not worship a God who loves us from a distance. We are not in our circumstances alone. Jesus is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, 

but one who in ever respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [hebrews 4:15]

Sometimes I feel like I just go about my life, doing my agenda that needs to be done for the day, and then things that I do not plan for myself [aka: getting sick and having to leave school...] randomly happen. But, our lives are not a bunch of random events. God, before time, perfectly ordained the path that each one of has taken and will take in the future. No matter what happens in this life, no matter where we live, no matter where we go to school, no matter what trials we face: we have already been predestined. He works all things for our good.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who 

are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to 

be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many 

brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he 

also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." [romans 8:28-30]

How does God work all things for our good? What about wars? What about cancer? What about corrupt government? If God is a good, loving Father, why would He allow such horrible things to happen? Well, because of Adam and Eve and the fall of man we have become a sinful people who do sinful things and we will not experience paradise until that one day when all things will be made right and heaven is our home. Each trial that we face is conforming us to the image of Christ, whether we realize it or not. Our sufferings are not outside of Gods plan.

So. Will you see gratefulness as an issue of obedience and transformative because of what Christ has done for us? Will you see your trials as part of God's plan? Or will you continue to be more aware of everything that is going wrong in your life?  If you would like to listen to the full message click here. 

"There is no circumstance, no trouble, no testing, that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with great purpose." _alan.redpath