Why I wasn't surprised

January 11 '10, Monday
- I dreamth that my uncle's right leg is in pain.
- The moment I woke up, I wanted to pray and then call my lola to check on my tito. I got busy, I kept reminded to call my lola that whole day, but I kept ignoring the thought, and the day passed by, I wasn't able to call her.

Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
I've totally forgotten about that dream already.

Jan 15, Friday
I was at MarcNicdao's studio for a photoshoot. That morning I got the news, my tito was rushed to the hospital 'a few days ago' because something went wrong on his right thigh, he was brought to the hospital but the doctors couldn't figure out the cause of his 'disease'. He was getting worse and no medications could aid him, he was dying they said. They were then forced to sign a waver, and they took him home.

That afternoon after my shoot, I went to visit him. There I found my tito, lying on his bed. His right thigh, from his foot to his hip - he was swelling, and he was all bruised up -making him unable to walk (You've gotta understand, his thigh swelled-up twice bigger than his normal size!!) And for some reason, he was having a hard time breathing, and speaking. He was so weak, he almost couldn't move.

I didn't know what to say. I had to lock myself in a room, I wanted to be away and talk to God.
I praised Him, for being so......... how do I describe it? He knew that my tito is going to suffer, He revealed it to me. And He was very specific when He did so. I mean hey, that's the God of the universe and He took time to 'message me' !! He loves my tito and He cares about him. I wasn't crying because I was worried ike everyone else in the house, I wasn't worried because I knew God could heal him. I was crying because I was just in total AWE.

I knew what I had to do - Pray. But I didn't know how to.... No, I know how, I know the verse -Isaiah 53:5 'By HIS stripes we are healed' .... I know very well, that no sickness or disease has the power over us! Jesus took it all on the cross! But I was so hesitant, because first of all, I haven't been that prayerful during those times, I feel like I'm not 'worthy' you know? I mean my prayer might not be 'effective'. And I haven't prayed for a sick person before, and I mean as sick as my tito? He's dying! So I wrestle with God in prayer, Ok Lord I'm going to do this, the way I know how.. please help me, please give me the courage to do this. And Lord I don't want to delay this, my tito needs to accept You as his personal Lord and savior, just in case he dies he will go to heaven.... I need to lead him to prayer! No one else could (that time) !

So I went back to my tito's room, his wife and my lola were there. I told them about my dream, and I told my tito how much God loves him, and that he cares enough to even let me know in advance what was about to happen. He thinks about him. He wants to save him and heal him!
I told him it's not important if the doctors can't find the cause of his disease, it doesn't matter, God can heal him!

I prayed for him. I asked him to come to church with me that sunday.
I left that house, carrying in my heart so much faith. God's going to do something.

Sunday
-On a wheelchair, my tito went to church with me. With my lola, and my tito's wife and their kids.
-He got better, he could breathe properly and he coul talk!!

-My friend from church (who's a doctor) acidentally saw us in the parking lot, when we were about to leave church. She saw what happened to my tito, she prescribed some pain relievers for the swelling and to help ease the pain (won't make my tito's situation worse anyway). She told my tito to come back to church next sunday so she can check if the medication will get him any better.

Some of my friends and I kept him in prayer that week.

Friday, saturday, sunday .. I fasted and pray.
Asking God for my tito's healing, fast recovery.

Jan 24, Sunday
He didn't need a wheelchair going to church anymore.
He couldn't walk straight, but the fact that he can already stand up is a big impovement!
We thought he's getting better and better! And his complete healing is on its way!
And then my doctora friend saw him again after church, she's happy with the changes, that he just need to continue on with the medication. But she also insisted that my tito should have another check up to make sure he doesn't need any further treatment, coz my tito was swelling still. She has the idea what the illness could be, so she recommended another doctor, a 'specalist'. But again, we were all at peace already, praising God for the big improvement.
In my heart I was already assured, he is healed!

Monday, Jan 25
-I woke up early that morning, keeping my tito in prayer. This is the day of his check up.
-At 6:42 pm I got a text message from doctora:

'Good eve Jewel, your uncle is diagnosed to have Renal failure (kidney failure), septic arthritis and other complications.'

-For some reason, I wasn't bothered. I was at peace. I ignored the txt message.

-Monday night, my lola got home, alone. Weeping. She said the doctors didn't allow my tito to leave the hospital anymore because, his case is serious, they can't allow my tito to go home because that disease/infection/virus can kill him ANYTIME. It's a serious case, it's accute. They immediately had to make some blood transfusion. The virus has been posining his blood. They will try their best to 'save him' .

-I heard the stories.. from my lola, from the driver... All of them crying in the hospital.. My tito couldnt hold back his tears anymore.

-I was calmed all along.
I just talked to God.
Lord, parang whirlwind...... he was dying, you made him better, you made him walk again, we thought he's okay na.. and now he is dying again. Wow.
I said Lord, I prayed for him as much as I could. I trust You with all of my heart. And yet my tito didn't get any better and in fact here comes the big blow now, he is dying. I am already thankful that my tito is going to heaven now if he dies. I submit to You, if You want to take him that's fine with me. But Lord please prepare the hearts of my lola and lolo, my tita and the kids..... I pray that they won't question and doubt Your love and reality, ako I understand completely... But them? After all the prayers and trust... they might question You why... Please Lord, don't let that happen. Don't let them turn away from You if my tito dies.

-I don't know..... I never questioned Him... I was so calmed all along... I was never in doubt.. I was at peace. Unwavering in faith. I know HE IS GOD. Thy will be done.

Tuesday, Jan 26

Morning - my lola approached me, they were about to go to the hospital to visit my tito. She was so down.. she was like 'kawawa naman tito mo, he's too young to die......'

I remained silent.

-A few hours after that, around 11 am....
I got a txt message again:

'Nakakakapag-taka. Biglang nag clear yung kidney, lahat ng tests sa kanya negative. Even his sugar. He doesn't need to undergo any dialysis anymore. Pano nangyari yon in less than 24 hours since he was diagnosed? Pauwi na lola dyan, nakatawa na!'
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Well. A miracle took place. I wasn't surprised at all.
I went straight to my room and bowed down before THE LIVING GOD!