The 17th of October started out like any other day in Costa Rica. I woke up, read, worked out, showered, and ate breakfast. Mal and I took a bus to San Jose to head to Jaco (a beach/surf town) for the weekend. I was thrilled to have a couple days to just relax and sit at the beach.
We arrived in Jaco and when we went to grab our belongings off the bus, they were gone. {we are safe and they were just “things” that can be replaced, nothing important..moving on}
I decided to call my dad and tell him I had my things stolen. What came out of his mouth after I was finished were words I wasn’t expecting to hear.
“Hey Dad, I just wanted to let you know that some of my stuff was stolen.”
“Sorry, honey. I don’t have good news to tell you either. I went to the doctor. {really long pause} I have cancer and they didn’t catch it as soon as they should have.”
“Dad, please repeat what you just said.”
I immediately had flashbacks to February 24, 2013 when I was told my mom passed away. You can read that story here: http://savannahhoward.theworldrace.org/?filename=when-a-parent-dies-while-youre-on-the-race
But this time I was in denial.
“Cancer? But the doctors kept telling us you didn’t have it!?!”
I was so shocked I could barely get the words to come out of my mouth.
“I’ll call you later, I can’t even comprehend what you just said.”
I waited a bit and then called my aunt. She explained things a little more clearly.
My dad does have cancer, stage 4 cancer. They are not sure at this point where it has spread. Doctors are running some scans within the next couple weeks to give a prognosis.
I’ve been asked if I am staying in Costa Rica or if I’ll be going back to the United States. I am going to stay until the middle of December (for now). As far as what comes after, only the Lord knows…Walking this road one day at a time.
Honesty, when I first heard my dad speak those words the first thought that popped into my mind was, “Again?” BUT then The Lord reminded me again- He is faithful, He is sovereign, He is steadfast- ALL the time. ALWAYS.
Jesus allowed us to see what true JOY and LOVE are when he endured the cross. The joy was set before him and nothing was going to stop the fulfillment of that joy.
I am by no means saying I’m not upset, but I’ve made a choice to walk this road with as much joy as possible.
I refuse to ask why, play the victim, or worry about what tomorrow may bring; instead I say with assurance, “God, increase my faith and be glorified.”
He’s gotten me through the darkest of valleys in the past and this time is no different.
Thankful for the abundant HOPE we have in Him.
