Welcome! Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa ...Our house is your house

A glimpse into the life of Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and their 12 precious blessings. Thank you for visiting; we pray that what we share here may always bring glory to our wonderful God and Saviour. May you praise the Lord with us for the great things He has done and continues to do as we serve Him sharing the gospel here in the little town of Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. He alone is good and faithful!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Daniel 1.4- God has written a story

I'm going to start this post a little differently. I want to share something that has been on my heart for a long time. Have you ever had a time when the Lord has spoken to you? Put something on your heart and in your mind that you know is from Him.
He has written a story on my heart. It is not a story I would have ever written, but He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. His ways are perfect. I have prayed and prayed for a long time over this...shed tear after tear. And have heard Him clearly say that what I know in my heart is from Him and He will sustain us through all.
The past several days, the pages are beginning to turn. And as they do, I have been sharing them. There are still many pages left and as they unfold, I share more. As Daniel has been going through this trial, the Lord has so tenderly and graciously laid the same things on his heart. I can't begin to tell (although I am writing it all down in a notebook) the number of things we never talked about but have both known. From the tiniest details to the larger ones.
Oh, the Lord is so gracious, so loving, so merciful, so faithful, and as we stand on the Rock that never trembles, we are sheltered under His wings and have the peace that truly passes all understanding. Has this time shaken our faith? I can honestly from the bottom of my heart say not a bit. It is not us...it is Him. In fact, our faith is growing by leaps and bounds, our hearts are closer to Him and each other than we ever imagined possible, and we know His love and presence like never before.

The Lord's hand was again through every thing today. Brother Humberto arrived at our house early in the morning to take us to La Paz. As we traveled, my heart began to ache thinking of the day ahead; the tears began to flow; and I began to pray. I specifically asked the Lord to clearly direct every single little detail...to let us know what to do. Oh how He answered!

We assumed we'd get to the hospital, they'd admit Daniel, Brother Humberto would go back home, and later they'd do the surgery. When we got to the hospital, they told us that the other hospital had never called to make the arrangements and we'd have to return at a later date.

I have to say this...Brother Humberto is a pastor in the town where Daniel was first hospitalized. Year ago, he had cancer. La Paz is a big city and we don't know where anything is. Brother Humberto took the reigns so to speak and we just followed. He did all the talking (we didn't know what we were doing). We walked from this building to that. Finally, he got us an appointment at another hospital for the CT scan. After the scan, he tried to get Daniel an appt. to see the surgeon at the first hospital, but he couldn't. We had less than an hour to get to a bank to get some money and to get to the appt.

When we arrived at the other hospital and walked in, our hearts were calmed. This hospital was so clean, the staff and doctors were so understanding, professional and kind. They have Daniel 2 big cups of juice with dye he had to drink. He hasn't been able to eat or drink anything but small sips of water for days, and he was told if he threw up, he'd have to try again. The solution was sour. He asked me to pray...I was happy to bow my head and ask the Lord to help him be able to drink it as I was having a hard time seeing him trying. When I looked back up, he had almost finished and was able to keep everything down!

The CT doctor did the scan, said that there was something in the gallbladder, but he was sure it would be fine. He said it was this or that. Though we wanted to relax in that hope, we both knew he wasn't right. We went to the Oncologist...Dr. Napoleon Rodriguez. He went through all the studies and put up the scans. He was very concerned. He said the studies are not conclusive because the situation is complicated.

Yes, Daniel's gallbladder has a mass. But this should not cause him to be so very jaundiced. The CT scan also showed some spots on the liver. The doctor explained everything so patiently and well. He does not want to alarm, but did say tumors in the gallbladder are 98% of the time malignant and are very aggressive...we already knew the survival rate is less than 1%. But he said as Daniel is so very sick they need to opperate and 1) remove the gallbladder and even equally importantly 2) find out what is going on inside...it the liver involved and other areas.
The surgery will be about 3 hours depending on what they find when they get in there.

We have a great peace about this doctor. He will be doing the surgery tomorrow. We were blessed to be able to return home tonight around 7 pm, spend another evening with our children, and Daniel will be able to rest once more in our own bed.
Tomorrow, Brother Humberto will arrive here at 5 am in the morning. He will take Daniel back to the hospital for his blood work. They will admit him at 1 pm. In the meantime, Brother Humberto will take Daniel to Los Cabos (about 2 more hours south) to pick up Eliseo's passport which we may need soon. I will be here with the children for the morning and take the bus at 11 am to be with Daniel (should arrive around 2 pm). Josefina will be with the children and Hna. Meche, a dear older lady from our church, has been taking care of Eliseo. I will stay with Daniel and wait to hear the results from his surgery and then take the bus back home.
I will update once I get home.
The Lord has given so much peace...even as our hearts ache so much it hurts, we know our Lord and Savior suffered so much more for us. He knows, loves us, and will take care of us. Thank you for your prayers. I can't say it enough. We cry as we read the comments and emails. The Lord is so good.

22 comments:

  1. I will be keeping your family in my prayers.
    God Bless you all
    Jamie in Texas

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  2. Jaynee,
    God certainly has been arranging everything well...praise to Him! I continue to pray and think of you very often. I truly believe that God is gently and skillfully carrying you, Daniel, and your children in His hands and He will not leave you alone.
    Love,
    Jen

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  3. Praise the Lord for another night of togetherness with the family. I am sure you cherish these blessings that we generally take for granted. God has provided some great tools/help in all the people lending a hand and wisdom there. I am always amazed in God's perfect timing but even more so from reading your blog. I will pray for your family (and especially Daniel and the hospital staff) into my sleep as the Lord tells us to pray without ceasing. Please let us know if you have any financial needs!
    Prayers and blessings,

    Megan Reed
    reedsoftn.blogspot.com

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  4. Jaynee, you are so right when you say God's hand is in all of this! My sister-in-law lost her husband a year and a half ago to cancer. They have 6 children and at the time the oldest was 17 and the youngest 1-1/2yo. My sister-in-law and her children always prayed for him, he was not a Christian, and she would take them all to Church by herself. A few months before he was diagnosed he had a conversation with his wife (one of many over the years about being baptized) and his exact words were "I would have to be on my death bed to convert". Sadly enough, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He worked in an auto body shop repairing and painting vehicles and never wore protective gear EVER. He was THE most kind, loving and giving man you would ever meet. . .a model example of a Christian even though he didn't realize that was what he was. He completely changed his diet, the doctors only gave him a few months to live and he lived for almost exactly a year from the date he was diagnosed.

    I'm not telling you this story to sadden you, but to give you hope. Hope that whatever it is that God is going to use this trial in your life that it is truly for His GLORY, possibly many conversions from the town you live in. We will continue to pray for healing for Daniel, you and your family as your story is near and dear to our hearts having gone through a similar situation just 1-1/2 years ago.

    May God continue to bless you!

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  5. Jaynee and Daniel,
    There is a song that keeps going through my heart tonight, "Bow the Knee". In a portion of the lyrics there is a reminder to "trust the heart of your Father; when the answer goes beyond what you can see..." We are truly humbled by your walk of faith and we are holding you in prayer.
    Your SBC family in Redding, CA.

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  6. Oh, Jaynee! My heart is aching for you all! I will be praying and praying. I trust that God will be glorified no matter the outcome.

    Much love,
    Connie

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  7. Praying for your family during this time.
    Does the newest blessing go with you to the appts so you can nurse?

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  8. Jaynee,
    Just wanted you to know that our family has been praying for you all since we heard about this yesterday. We are all very distressed and saddened to hear this. We know in our heads and hearts that God doesn't make mistakes, but somehow this thing doesn't seem right to us. So, we are hoping and praying that maybe the doctors have made a mistake. Please tell Daniel and the kids that we love you all and hold you close in our hearts and prayers. May the Lord hold you ever closer, give you strength, grace and wisdom.
    Love and blessings,
    The Hodgdon Family

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  9. My entire family (the Wallace/Bowman family) are praying for you! I work for ACE Ministries and had some email contact with Daniel a few years ago about the PACEs. I have all of the staff at ACE praying as well! God is Good! We will pray!

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  10. Jaynee and Daniel,

    I have been thinking about you all day and checking in frequently for updates. My heart breaks for you during this trial. I wish there was something I could do here in Illinois to help. If I had the resources, I would come to help you in a heartbeat even though I don't even know you. I am happy that your faith sustains you. I know that is a very important thing to have during times like these. I will be thinking about you and praying for you and your beautiful children. I am glad you were able to come home this evening to be with your children. I am sure they were thrilled to have their daddy home again tonight. God bless you all.
    Gina in Illinois

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  11. Bro and Mrs. Lockwood: Our family is in continued prayer for you. Thank you for taking the time to update. Your testimony is such an encouragement to me! Blessings!

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  12. Your whole family is in our prayers,Jaynee. We are very touched and humbled by the gracious testimony God has given you and how you have shared it.
    love, the Hendrichs

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  13. Oh Jaynee, you humble us all with your sweet testimony of God's amazing grace. You and Daniel have allowed God to grow your strength and your faith by your response to Him through so many trials, and now this greatest of trials.

    It is a wonder to see how God teaches so many as we watch you during this time. Our hearts and our prayers are with you. God is good---all the time.

    We love you. Thank you for being so faithful in keeping us all updated.

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  14. I am praying for you in Alaska.

    ~A Sister through HIM~

    ~Leah~

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  15. Daniel and Jaynee,
    We thought about you MANY times yesterday and prayed for you. Praise the Lord He is faithful to be with us through life's storms -- His Word tells us that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. I am so glad He is a personal friend in whom we can lean upon, and I know He has a plan and purpose for the trials He allows. Your testimony and faith are a challenge to me; it blesses me to see how He is working daily in your lives, your sweet attitude in all things -- PTL!! I know your heart is aching these days, and the enemy will try to bring doubt and fear, but be assured your family is being held before the throne by your many friends. Even though I don't know you personally, I feel like I do, and I want to help bear the ache and pain in your family's hearts. Will be praying again today as the surgery is performed.

    With His love and ours,
    Pastor John and Faithe
    Pennsylvania

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  16. Jaynee,
    Praising God for showing you His faithfulness at such a time like this. It is so very comforting to feel the presence of God, leaves such an undescribable peace that carries us through the difficulities and the unknown.
    Again, we praise God for being so faithful and pray he will continue being faithful as this day comes and goes. May you have a heart filled with peace as you await the results, knowing all along God already knows what lays in store for Daniel and you. Remember, He already knows....nothing will be a surprise to Him. How awesome is that, to have a Savior who is the authour of our lives and knows each and every detail of our lives. So comforting!!
    I had to check first thing this morning on your husband. I continue giving God the glory for reaching our and guiding you and Daniel wherever you went. Yes, He does love you both so so much, He is even hurting as you, Jaynee hurt. Please continue staying strong in faith and dont let Satan ever rob that from you. You are an amazing wife and mother. Daniel is so blessed to have such a praying and faithful wife. Ho how he will need you today, Bless you for your loving heart. May you travel through this day with a peaceful heart and a soul filled with strength that comes only from the Lord!
    Proverbs 3:5,6

    We will be praying for you throughout the day....you are never far from our thoughts.

    Please let Daniel know we are Praying for him in Indiana.:)

    Will check on you again tonight or early morning.:)

    Heidi C.

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  17. I am praying for your family as we live 13 hours ahead of you. I am very touched by your testimony and pray that the Lord will keep you in His Peace

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  18. Jaynee,

    I cannot express everything that is on my heart. You and your family are once again a beautiful and inspiring example of faith. We continue to pray fervently here in Maryland.

    In Christ,
    Katie

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  19. I am praying for your family as I live 13hours ahead of you. I ask the Lord to continue to give you His Peace in this difficult situation

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  20. Praying for your entire family. A friend once shared this phrase with me and it has stuck in my heart for many years and seen me through many trials:

    "Faith is believing in advance what will only make sense in rewind."

    Faith is a 'gift' and what a gift He is giving you all right now. Yes, your hearts ache and yes, you're human through all this -- but He is blessing you with the ability to trust His faithful leadership over your lives. He is not surprised...He has been building into you beforehand what you would need to withstand this trial. He can be trusted to see you through it.

    Praying for you!

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  21. I just came across your blog a few days ago and was intrigued as I am a Spanish teacher in NYC. Praying for you here. Thank you for finding time to update

    Lauren in the Bronx

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  22. We will be praying for you. Keep looking to God, He has all of us in His hands. Praise be to God!
    Pitagoras and Cleusia from Pensacola, FL

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