If you're an Indiana Jones fan, you'll recognize this line from one of the final scenes in The Last Crusade. Indiana and his father have been on the quest for the Holy Grail which, according to legend, yields everlasting life to those who drink from it. Also interested in finding this grail were a group of Nazis who were fairly close to finding, but couldnt quite figure out how to navigate the booby traps which were protecting the grail. The two groups were in a stalemate with Indiana unwilling to help the Nazis, but the Nazis unable to move forward without the knowledge which the Jones' possessed. In an effort to force their hand, the Nazi leader shoots Indiana's father and quickly points out that the only thing that can save him is the healing power of the grail, he tells Indy, "It's time to ask yourself what you believe."
Snap back to the real world. After getting the news that Nikki had breast cancer and after moving thru the initial shock, that line, for whatever reason, echoed in my mind. In some ways it was as if the devil was taunting me in a similar manner, "What do you believe Mike?" All my life I had been taught the Christian worldview, how God created a perfect world that became cursed when man decided to disobey. That the result of that curse was a world filled with strife and toil, but that a loving, all powerful God had a plan for redemption and that this plan involved sacrificing his only son. Yes, this is what I learned, studied and, most importantly, believed. But now what? Was my world view shattered? If God was so awesome how could this happen? Well, for those wondering what our current trial has done to my belief, I'm hear to state with even more certainty than before that My God is in fact real, that His promises are still true, and that, despite this current trial, He has a plan of redemption. That plan may entail more pain and suffereing along the way, it may include some more tears, and it certainly may include a lot of questions, but folks, the Uyboco family believes. To those reading this blog, I know that you too are going thru a trial. Don't try to compare trials, they come in all shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, the Lord is reaching out to you now, wanting to wrap his arms around you if you'll let him. It is our hope and prayer that you'll allow him to take control of you, He has a plan of redemption for you. What do YOU believe? Here's what I know God is good Meeting with surgeon this Thursday- should have all the data needed to make a decision and set a surgergy date Here's what I don't know Full results of pathology report and genetic testing Why Skype (our dog) continues to lick the kitchen floor Praises Friends to watch our kids when we're at Doctor's appointments MRI went smoothly today Prayer Requests Complete healing for Nikki Strength for Mike to support and keep the family moving What You Can Do For Me Fast from your Iphone and use that time to talk with someone in the room Shout Out Virginia B. For the gift card Continue flowing of letters from many people Liz Keizer for orchid and gift Mike's work for wearing pink shirts on Friday to show support Aloha It's been great sharing this chapter of our lives with you. Your love and support have been incredible in keeping us moving and keeping us cheerful. Much aloha ~ Mike
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Thought I'd show off some of the fun clothes and goodies I got in the mail this week...thank you! Much aloha ~ The Englishman on the right eats his Chinese Dim Sum with a fork The Chinese girl using her chopsticks!
Mike told me this analogy from a missionary, David Strong, that God designs our life in a cross stitch pattern. However we can only see the back. Full of knots, and ties. Some small, and some making a giant mess. Only God can see the front, the whole picture, how the knots and ties are there in order to make something beautiful. Something designed, and with a purpose. The back of my cross stitch looks like a mess right now. So many questions and unknowns. Things going every which way, and hard to make sense of it all. But God is good and He's creating something beautiful. Maybe someday we will get to see what all the knots mean. We will get to see the front of our cross stitch. Maybe mine has a rainbow on it.
Here's what I know God is good MRI was moved to Monday 2/13 meet with surgeon 2/16 Here's what I don't know Surgery date Praises Things are moving quicker Sonicare toothbrush heads are on sale at Costco next week (see Sunday's post) Prayer Requests Peace with testing results Again and again for my thoughts to remain on what is "true, honorable, just, pure, lovely...anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Phil 4:8 What You Can Do For Me Send someone a card in the mail (not email) for no good reason but just to say hi, or thank you Made Up Words Blogelousy- when someone is jealous of your blog's popularity because when they had a blog on deployment only 5 people read it Cannesting- "cancer + nesting" making 2 dozen blueberry muffins and 2 batches of pumpkin pancakes and freezing them in preperation for post surgery easy breakfasts Shout Out Lea for the care package San Diego small group ladies, Krista, Reanna and Amy for the apron and care package Teresa and Krista in Kansas for the amazing Lu La Roe gifts! Kathy V and her girls for fasting from "tardiness" for me #thatsthecutestthingever Sheila for the yoga classes Aloha Hope everyone has a nice weekend, my MRI was moved up to Monday so please pray for clear results from that. I will meet with Dr. Peterson Thursday and go over all my results. Please pray for a clear decision for surgery and peace with whatever results show from the testing. Much aloha ~ Nikki Forgive my absence in writing over the past several days. I was waiting to write to give you some more information. Today I got a little. We still don't have a lot, but I know have dates for the MRI and follow up with the surgeon. One of the things right now that is the hardest is the waiting. And the wondering. So sometimes in all that my mind wanders to the negative, if I have any other ache or tweak in my body I begin to wonder "What's that?!" So I am asking God to keep my mind on HIM and his promises. And also on things I can write on this blog, that may help someone else. One thing I was thinking of was trying to describe what this "green monster germ" feels like on the outside. Many women that I have told really just have no idea. So after days of trying to figure this out, this is what I came up with. It feels like an olive pit stuffed in a marshmallow. That is based on zero scientific or educational research mind you, but there you have it. Now you can all go look for olives and marshmallows on sale and test my theory.
Here's what I know God is good MRI is scheduled for 2/16 Meet with surgeon Dr. Peterson again 2/21 to hopefully discuss all results (genetics, biopsy and MRI) My biopsy tissue is currently being studied in Seattle Lunch on the beach with your husband is really nice Here's what I don't know ~ I met with Dr. Clark today and he is so great. He keeps it real. So many "what ifs" still, in terms of treatment possibilities and side effects from those possible treatments. ~Why miniature ants have decided to move into all of our bathrooms Here's what I learned Cancer is really complex Praises Appointments were scheduled today for MRI and follow up with surgeon I have new referrals for 3 different oncologists on island Prayer Requests Continued peace during the days when we are just waiting Again and again for my thoughts to remain on what is "true, honorable, just, pure, lovely...anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Phil 4:8 What I am Reading Don't Waste Your Cancer-John Piper What You Can Do For Me Replace one drink a day with water instead of whatever else you were drinking What Makes today "normal" Yesterday ALL of us slept til 6:45am on a school day and Allie has to leave at 7:15. It was tight but we made it! Shout Out Mom for the new magazine Keiko and Auntie Jenny for the rainbows in California Shara for the lasagne Rachel for introducing me to Mendy Mendy for already providing recommendations and her knowledge of Drs and treatments Erin for the care package Aloha Thank you all for reading and your prayers. Lights on my map are turning on all over the world. Much aloha~Nikki Hi Folks, it's "Mikey Monday", my turn to share from a different perspective. When I recently returned from deployment, Nikki and I discussed the idea of taking on some service projects. We brainstormed some ideas and came up with everything from meals on wheels to using a lemonade stand to raise money for a "worthy cause." We discussed and prayed asking the Lord, what do you want us to do with our time.....and then Nikki was diagnosed with breast cancer. Suffice to say, we thought we had a better idea with the lemonade stand. You know, that's just how God works. You dont always get to choose how to serve him, sometimes he lays it right in front of you, but watch out, you may not like what it is. Nikki and I dont know WHY this happened or WHAT will result, nor do we know WHO wiill be touched be this experienced. We especially don't know WHERE this trial will take us. But one thing we are certain of is that WHEN we seek his comfort in these times He is always faithfful. And by the way, we're still planning on having a lemonade stand. :)
Here's what I know God is good Even Gluten free chocolate chip cookies are amazing (must be the butter, sugar, and chocolate) Here's what I don't know Still waiting on genetic test results and a date for MRI Here's what I learned Waiting is harder than I thought it would be; its a dull but constant stressor I am thankful for: My boss at work giving me the time needed to help at home Family/Friends sharing their personal health stories Ofshore winds, chest high waves and a wife that lets me surf :) Praises Great doctors and medical providers; a former KCC member who works off island has also offered help in this process The property manager and plummer were able to fix the sewer pipe #no_more_giant_hole_in_the_ground Prayer Requests Waiting is more difficult than we thought; pray that negative thoughts leave our brains Patience with the kiddos (we're shorter than usual) We don't lose sight in God and start trusting in our ability to "handle this" What I am Reading Leviticus- working my way thru the Bible "Breast Cancer Husband" What You Can Do For Me Men- take the time today to tell your wife how awesome she is; Do a lemonade stand this month and raise money for Breast Cancer research What Makes today "normal" The Uyboco band- Dad on guitar, Allie on piano, Daniel on the recorder (ok so we were a little of key) Tom Brady won another Super Bowl #he's_still_a_cheater Shout Out Mum sent out an amazing care package Aloha For those of you going thru a storm in life, no matter how big or small, check out the song by Casting Crowns "Praise you in the Storms". IT is our hope that this blog will be a source of comfort for you! Much aloha~ Mike Caption this! (This is a real unedited photo I took yesterday in my bathroom, taken for all those who used to live here and miss it terribly) "Wild" pigs are included with gymnastics class in Hawaii right hand = cereal left hand = oatmeal
I had my genetic testing today no big deal. Daniel was the office mascot by the end of the appt. Yesterday I received a package from my friend Lea. I first found a sweet devotional book, then I could tell there was something else in the envelope but couldn't get it out. I had to cut it open and then I saw it #Ihadntcriedtodayuntilthis. I made her a little poster (see photo) when she was diagnoased 3 years ago. And now it is back in my hands for me this time. I'm signing W.O.W right now. Best recycling I've ever seen.
Here's what I know God is good MRI will be next week sometime, results take 3 days Genetic testing results take 2 weeks Here's what I don't know Surgery date, although will most likely be towards the latter part of the month I am thankful for: ~Not having a language barrier like the other family in the Dr. office today, they had to have a translator ~The heated back massage pad at the dentist office yesterday, complete with Hawaiian fishies hanging from the ceiling. ~The numerous gifts, cards and letters everyone keeps sending me. I've never been so spoiled! I called my dentist office before my appt to let them know about my diagnosis. I didn't want my poor sweet dental hygienist Maryanne to fall off her stool when she asked me, "So do you have any changes in your health?" Maryanne prepped so many goodies for me, with cards and pamphlets to help with possible side effects they hardly fit in the little baggie. Prayer Requests Continued prayer for my back pain, and keeping my thoughts focused on HIM, not the what-ifs during what seems like endless waiting What You Can Do For Me Stop texting in the car (you know who you are) What Makes today Normal I changed Daniel's diaper on the bed and then he kicked it before I had closed it. Diaper and it's contents fell on the floor. Nice. Mike and Allie are currently camping in the backyard. Shout Out Lea Marhulik for such a special gift and encouragment Shara Sever for the pink roses Julia Reimers for the blueberry muffins and healthy food list Aloha Thank you all for reading this, it is helping me process everything and get my thoughts out. I will write again when there's more to update Have a nice weekend. If you have a rainbow in your corner of the world please be sure to send me a picture of it. Much aloha~Nikki Today is Wednesday. There isn't much to report because I didn't go anywhere except to my runnning group. I spent most of the day at home doing regular Wednesday things. However, I noticed being alone for that long was interesting for my brain cells. For several weeks I have been asking God for a project. Even after Mike got home from deployment, we prayed for a project because he was going to have more free time. I even had a thought it might be writing project and I already had the name for the blog. Crazy. So then your say, God answered our prayers? Yes, yes He did. #esthermoment Esther 4:14
Here's what I know God is good Genetic testing will be Friday, I think the traffic will be worse than the Dr. visit I am thankful for: Did anyone else read today's Jesus Calling devotion? Can I get an amen? Praises I am sleeping and eating well, thank you for your prayers. I also usually have stomach aches when anxious and I don't right now. I found the bugs in my oatmeal before I put them into the meatloaf #notalwaysparadise Prayer Requests My low back hurts, and it is distracting me from have peace. This probably has something to do with the 1/2 marathon training I started on the 15th of January. My Dr. said I can keep training until my surgery. Soo I worked out 5 days a week last week. If you think need to tone it down, then you're going to have to talk to my trainer...aka Mike. Or it could have something to do with Daniel being 30 lbs. Can someone else tell him I won't be able to pick him up for 3 weeks after surgery? Please pray I can guard my mind against anything that is not from God. What I am Reading The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp *tissue disclaimer* The Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller What You Can Do For Me Hug someone really tight What Makes today Normal Me: "I have to drive carpool today." Allie: "Who's that?!" Shout Out Emily Donohue for running with me today and taking this picture of Daniel and I Neighbor BFF Juli Price for meatball soup last night and the critical 2/3 cup bug free replacement oats I needed for my meatloaf. Rachel Whipple for the sweetest care package ever |
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