"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations"
Psalms 100: 3-5
As the first few minutes 2014 began with the usual fireworks, wine noise and merry-making...Ryan Ernie and I hugged each other from the front patio of our home. We have so much to be thankful for in the past year...so much over-flowing gratitude to the LORD!!
Counting the blessings :
1. Despite occasional bouts of mucolitis (mouth sores) Ernie continues to eat well, stay active upbeat positive and excited. Truly amazing!!! I have one mouth sore and my whole day goes down the drain with a bad attitude. I watch him with multiple sores...I know he is in pain but he overcomes it with with a indomitable spirit!
2. Despite occasional pin size bleeding in his fingertips and toe-tips when bumped against objects (another side effect of oral chemo)- Mr Overcomer emerges positive and happy!!
2. Ernie was voted NO 1 Kagawad here in Barangay Philam!! First time ever to enter the field of politics and already number one favorite by residents! He is expectant and thrilled about serving the community. He wins people all around with his wit and humor. You have to know him to agree with me all the way! He is simply just so fun to be around with!
3. We have dear family and friends who continue to love, care and support us during these difficult times battling a dreadful disease. It is a time when we need you to be alongside us the most!To all of you who have supported us with prayers, gifts, kind words- words that lift us, many people have no idea about the power of words -power to destroy and hurt as well as power to build up and encourage--- Thank you so much!! For those whose words are like little gifts in "silver boxes"!! And some of you for just being there asking about Ernie's progress and breathing into us hope and unconditional love...THANK YOU!!
4. We continue to grow in our business endeavors - developing new markets and finding new key leaders to mentor and empower so they too can achieve their dreams and goals in life! We find so much purpose and significance in our day to day business activities!!
5. For my continued health..Ryan's continued health and good spirit.. and his leadership in Corridor of Hope St Lukes Cancer Support group of which he is president - a cause we support with all our mind heart and body!
5. We continue to grow in our LIGAYA ng PANGINOON community...develop deeper relationships with our brothers and sisters and strengthen more our personal relationship with the LORD. Only by HIS goodness and mercy is Ernie healed. Thank you dear LORD.
And so much more to enumerate!! So much more indeed.
For the roof on our head and the healthy organic juice and veggies we have.
For the househelp that do the cooking and massive juicing for Ernie (3 liters of organic greens and carrots) each day.
For great supplements we all take that add the vital plant phyto-nutrients into Ernie's bloodstream
That as another year passes...3 year anniversary now since Ernie felt the first pain symptoms in his right pubic ramus, we become more and more an "oddity", a tiny percentage of stage 4 cancer patients that OVERCOME!!
For this and many more...WE THANK YOU LORD!!
Olive
