The power of prayer

On January 31st 2016 my daughter Jocelyn became very ill. The next day on the 1st of February she was admitted to the hospital. She has internal bleeding in her intestines. She lost a lot of blood. But since Friday she has gotten better. She feels better, she isn't pale or feeling weak anymore. Still bleeding internally though. The doctor said she may have Crohn's disease. Don't feel pity or sad for me and my family. I know in whom  our family believes in in and who we belong to. I am not posting this to get attention or to get pity or asking for money. If they Lord compels you to give, go ahead but I am not asking for money. What I ask is much more valuable and that to keep my daughter Jocelyn, myself, my wife and our beloved son Santino in your prayers.

When all this began, I didn't react very Christ like. I was scared, anxious, angry, irritated and nervous. I didn't start feeling strengthened until I broke out my Bible and started reading Psalms. Oh the Lord just started talking to me through His word. Romans 8:28 it is written that all things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Psalm 119:50 says that in our affliction His word gives life. In Psalm 34:19 it says that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 107:6 says that when we cry out to the Lord in our trouble He will deliver us out of our distress. In Psalm 107:20 God sends out His word and heals us and delivers us from all of our destructions.

I know this is a test of my family's faith and a spiritual attack on us. The Lord is our strength and refuge. The Lord is by our side and with us. If anything, we are showing out even more than before. The other night my wife and my son were on the way to the hospital and my son starts preaching to my wife and comforting her with the word of Lord. He is only 7! But the Lord can even make a preacher out of him. my baby girl says she isn't scared because God has got this. My wife has been so strong through this. When I am weak, I can lean on her. Now as far as me, this is making me draw closer to the Lord. In prayer, I am humbling myself and declaring that I am 100% dependent on Him and all my faith is in Him. I am not boasting about me and my family because this is all of the Lords works.

I was asked a good question yesterday. "Can you imagine if this (Jocelyn getting sick) would have happened a couple years ago?" If this would have happened before I knew the Lord, this would be a TOTALLY different story and outcome. This would have been a catastrophe. A straight up disaster. BUT GOD!!! But God stepped in my life and called me to serve Him. I rededicated my life to the Lord 3 years ago on January 30th 2013. I was at the edge, a cross road. I was going to loose the woman I loved who was the mother of my children. If she left, she was taking the kids. My parents told me I couldn't go back to San Diego because I wanted to get away. I had no friends that I could confine in. I had NOTHING. All I had was the Lord and He was there to receive me. I hit rock bottom but the Rock I landed on was Jesus. My life has been transformed completely. I am not the same person that I use to be. I see it as a test of my faith and a chance to grow in my faith. So that in suffering I may know the Lord even more. We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.God is going to deliver me, my wife, my daughter, and my son from our afflictions. All of His promises are YES and AMEN through Jesus Christ. 

I also wanted to share this. Man, God is good. For the last year our car had been making some sort of squeaking noise. We have a 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon. What a blessing this car has been. because it has been so reliable. It began to vibrate very bad about 2 months ago. It got worse and worse. One day me and my wife went to see out mechanic at a local shop called Subiworx. These guys are so good and the Lord has been blessing their business. Ive known the owner for years and even before there was even a Subiworx. He checked it out and it was diagnosed that the rear drive shaft U-joint had worn out and was getting ready to break! If it broke on the freeway, being that it is close tot he fuel tank, could have spelled disaster. So while we waited for Subiworx to source a replacement driveshaft we took the streets and kept it in prayer. Couple days passed they found a driveshaft. My wife took the "Family Rally Wagon" in and they swapped out driveshafts in less than an hour. Mind you that Subiworx had a waiting list of 2 weeks! But they were so kind to help us out. The repair was also very much within our budget, the car runs fantastic. The Lord knew we needed this. Also, He knew that we would need the car to be running well because the hospital Jocelyn is at is not close by. About 10-15 miles away from our home. If there is one thing I have learned is that there is no coincidences when it comes to God. Praise the Lord. Please, lift Sergei and his crew at Subiworx in your prayers as well.

I really hope and I pray that because of this happening to my family, that many people would draw closer to the Lord and that they would begin to doubt their beliefs. That they begin to doubt the gods they worship. My God is real. He is alive.I pray that believers that their faith would be built up more. Oh I pray that people would come to know Jesus like I do and more. Thank you for your prayers.No matter what happens, no matter the outcome, Jesus Christ is Lord and God is good. By His stripes my daughter Jocelyn is healed.

UPDATE: After months of close calls and false alarms, Jocelyn's health has improved tremendously. Her appetite is back, she plays like she use to and she doesn't complain as much about her tummy. Praise the Lord for His mercy on my daughter and my family. I want to thank everybody who prayed for me and my family.