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.
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| lancaster, pa |
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| lancaster, pa |
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| grove city, pa |
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| 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.
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| doughnut sales on sunday morning |
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| 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.
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| summer musical |
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| summer celebration |
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| summer celebration |
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| 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
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