Do Not Be Afraid

We are back in Cebu after spending the weekend in San Carlos. As expressed in my last post, the entire weekend was bitter sweet. Yesterday we celebrated my Auntie Sonia's (who is visiting from California) birthday at a local resort swimming pool. Lots of fun, food, and laughter - that's what happens when the large Bermejo Clan takes over a pool. Our celebration was temmpered with news of my Auntie Elizabeth's hospitalization due to respitory/breathing problems related to her lung cancer condition. While at the pool, we received news the need for a blood transfusion, which resulted in tears and anxiety.

This morning it was decided that my Auntie Beth had to be transported via amulance to a hospital in Bacolod, which is a few hours away. Our family went to the hospital to see her. I whispered in her ear the same thing I had told her a couple days ago when she was still in the house. "Auntie - don't be afraid. You have nothing to fear. We are here and God is with you. He is close to you." We sang one my favorite choruses - "Great is Thy Faithfulness" - and closed it with prayer. Many other family members, who would accompany her to Bacolod. We told her that we loved her and would see her soon.

Below is a photo of Auntie Beth and my other aunt, Auntie Rebecca who is here from Michigan taken a couple weeks ago. As you can see, she is wrapped by so much love.