one more update from california

In two days I head back to Buenos Aires after almost two months in the United States. July included our WMF Staff Gathering in Nebraska, fun times with friends in Omaha, and sweet times in Toronto visiting my sister & crew! August was spent in California with family and friends. As many of you know, my mom was diagnosed with endometrial cancer this month. I extended my stay about 10-days to have some extra time to absorb it all, support, and accompany my mom and dad during these days. I am so very grateful I was able to be here for her surgery and these first three weeks of recovery. My sister and oldest niece will arrive to Cali for a visit two days after I leave!

My mom was asked to consider a clinical trial for her treatment. After sorting through all the materials, studying, and asking lots of questions to the doctor, my mom has decided to participate in this treatment trial at UCI Medical Center. She will now be randomly selected for one of two treatment options they are researching for her type and stage of cancer. She will either have the standard chemotherapy OR a combination of chemo and radiation. Currently, chemo is the standard treatment for her cancer, but they are hoping that a combo with radiation will decrease the chances for the cancer to return. Obviously, the radiation treatment will be much more involved, but she (and we) feel peace about whichever option she is selected for. Both treatment options last 18-weeks.

This weekend I am feeling extra sad about leaving and saying goodbye. I will miss being here during this time. Thank you for your love, care, notes, and prayers for my mom and family. I am confident that all that support and prayer will continue to encourage and sustain each step of the way. We trust in God’s ongoing abiding nearness, grace, peace, and healing! I plan to blog (or email) updates along the way.

Witness to Remembrance

Last year our community in Buenos Aires participated in a photo project with communities in Seal Beach, California and Freetown, Sierra Leone. We were given disposable cameras to take photos of places and things that reminded us of a loved one who passed away. It served as witness to the individual’s remembrance. The project was first displayed at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach late last year. Now the exhibit is posted in an “Online Gallery.”

I participated in the project and remembered my Uncle Don who passed away unexpectedly in 2007.

Click here to see the entire Witness to Remembrance "Online Gallery":
http://www.greenlyartspace.com/Current%20Projects.html

Happy Birthday, MOM!!!

2009 is a year of big decade birthdays in our family! Today my mom starts us off with celebrating 60 years of life! My grandma is next with 80. Then my bro-in law with 40. Then I turn the big 4-0 in June. Finally, my niece hits her first decade with 10 years. I will miss celebrating these milestone birthdays together!

Today I am sending lots of birthday love to California from Buenos Aires! Happy Birthday, Mom! Today I celebrate you and give thanks to God for all you are to me! Have fun at Disneyland!

today

Today was the memorial celebration for my grandfather in California. While I miss being there with my family during this time, God has provided so much comforting love and care from family and friends here and at home. So many caring emails and e-cards these past couple of weeks have meant to much. The Forcattos, Deans, and the community here have loved me well these past two weeks and today!

Today during the service I was just about to put on my ipod and listen to my favorite hymn cd from Dorothy Collins ("Jazz Hymns"), since my grandpa enjoyed hymns had picked out some favorites for the service awhile back. Just as I was getting the headphones untangled...my lifelong friend, Matt Archuleta sent me an instant message from his iphone at the memorial service...sending his love and prayers and saying he would give my family a big hug from me! :) Matt then emailed me the below photo of the beginning of the service from his iphone. The honor guard had just presented my grandma with a flag to honor my grandpa's years of service in the army during World War II....grandpa was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and also fought in Europe. Taps was being played at this moment of the photo. This was, especially, meaningful since grandpa was a bugler in the army and a cousin, Russell, played it on the trumpet!

The combination of hearing Dorothy's familiar, comfortable voice singing hymns and this one photo from Matt, triggered the tears! Good tears of sweet sorrow! God provided just what I needed, at the right time! (Gotta love technology!)

Sweet Sorrow

Tomorrow is my grandfather's memorial celebration in California. My grandma wrote this poem years ago. It will be read at the service and printed on the memorial program. What a testimony to God's faithfulness and promises, as my grandma and our family experience God's grace, peace, and comfort in the sorrow!

Sweet Sorrow
By Fay Hutchens

Abundant grace God gives to us,
When there is a special need;
With tender love and understanding,
Each problem He will heed.

He calms the heart with gentle peace,
When loved ones from us go!
Learn to trust His perfect timing,
Because He loves us so.

When sorrow floods the human heart,
With memories of the past;
He reaches down to bless His child,
Giving assurance that will last.

Rejoice! for they are home in Heaven,
Released from earthly pains;
And someday are will meet them there,
Where Christ, our Savior, reigns.

So for today He’ll renew our strength,
As we plan for that tomorrow;
Keeping true to His every Promise,
Through our joys or sweet sorrow.

Homecoming for Grandpa Hutch

Early this morning my grandpa went home to be with Jesus. He passed away peacefully at home at 1:30 am with my grandma by his side. Grandpa was ready to go to heaven after several months of declining health. He was bedridden at home since mid-June. The past week was filled with special, comforting moments for my family as grandpa expressed that Jesus was talking to him and holding his hand. A couple nights ago, he said, “glory, glory” and told my grandma he saw angels.

While I am very sad to be away from home to share tears and celebrate his life with my family, I am grateful for special memories shared with my grandfather these past few years in between my travels and before my move to Argentina. I am thankful for the gift of memories and time shared with my grandparents, growing up about 15-minutes away.

My Grandpa Hutchens was known as “Hutch” since his days in the army. He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, experiencing the attacks on Pearl Harbor and fighting in WWII in both the Pacific and Europe. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and his remaining army buddies. We are comforted and have hope in knowing he is in the presence of Jesus and we will see him again!

photo memories with my grandpa

Family Photo taken in January 2007. We are so thankful we took this photo, as both my grandpa and Uncle Don (in the center with the denim shirt) are no longer with us.

Me and grandpa this past Christmas 2007

Here's Great Grandpa with my nieces and nephew this past March just before I left for Buenos Aires.

a special rose parade connection - life takes flight

Life Takes Flight is a float in this 2008 Rose Parade. The float is sponsored by Donate Life to honor organ and tissue donors. A rose dedicated to honor my Uncle Don was included in the Family Circle Garden of roses on the float. I posted more info on the ceremony here.

I started my year off by making sure my organ and tissue donor signature card is in my wallet with my donor sticker on my driver's license.

For more photos of the Life Takes Flight Rose Parade float click here: http://www.donatelifefloat.org/prod/components/media_center/journal/journal_010108b.html

autumn in toronto...

Just sharing a few pictures from my first few days in Toronto with my sister and her family...

Apple picking with my nieces & nephew

Ashlyn, Aidan, and Alyssa

Downtown Toronto with Donja