Pathways

Sunday lunch at Napa Italian restaurant with Ernie, Olive, Ryan, Olive's brother Renan and wife, Susan.

About 2 years ago, a year before Ernie's diagnosis, we had become involved in a Catholic prayer group called Pathways (a part of the oldest Catholic Community - LIGAYA NG PANGINOON). We had not been much involved in the first few months, and were frequently absent during weekly Monday prayer meetings. But slowly by slowly, the spirit of "community" with our brothers and sisters began to seep into our hearts and minds through some kind of "osmosis". We had found ourselves growing in intimacy with our LORD JESUS CHRIST and reading scriptures more.

When the shocking diagnosis came in June 2010 - ten month ago, Ernie and I found so much peace and strength from our LORD through Pathways. Without question, HE was preparing us to have strong faith and trust in HIM. The LORD knew very tough times were coming up ahead and he drew us closer to HIM knowing that we would draw calm and comfort from this family.

Recently Ernie was asked to tell how the LORD has touched his life during Pathway's sharing nite, a task Ernie relished preparing for and eventually performing with so much humour and gusto! People laughed at his cute jokes instead of feeling sad with a heart wrenching cancer story. And yet, he managed to thank and praise GOD for many things good in his life!

After the meeting, people came up and congratulated him...amazed with his healing and his spirit! I beamed at him in the sides while people hovered around him to shake his hand...ever so proud of my wonderful hubby!

Some great scriptural passages shared that night that touched me and may be your strength too in tough times :

"You turned my nailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!" Psalm 30:11-12 and......

"The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1 and...

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" Thesalonians 2 :16-17.

Olive