Onto the Water

Because of You

2009-05-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

My all-time favorite love songs are the ones that are sung just for me... literally! Just like a love-letter written in your beloved's own handwriting, music performed in my beloved's own voice is priceless. So imagine how time stood still for me when my fiancee-to-be singled me out in the middle of a "highlight-of-the-year" talent show to sing me our song... and then asked me to marry him in front of our closest friends of LLUSM (along with a couple hundred other students and faculty)!! After making me an offer I couldn't refuse, he did it again as I walked down the aisle to close the deal. Needless to say, I was not the only one crying at either of those events!

Believe it or not, this is a "pre-dating" picture.

It's amazing to me that 5 years have already passed since I was so sweetly serenaded. And when I think about what I've been blessed with and how I've grown in that time, I can honestly say, "It's because of you!" I love you, Michael!

We've been through thick and thin...

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;

yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

--Ecclesiastes 3:11

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Like all things underrated and taken for granted, I never fully appreciated my mother until I became a mother myself. And I'm learning that the rewards of motherhood far outweigh its costs... they must, because my mom has surely forgotten all the heartache (well, most of it) that I remember I caused her!

A package from Mike gets Mother's Day weekend started early

A tower of treats from Harry & David - Max was excited, too!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

The fruit of the womb is a reward."

--Psalm 127:3

Moms were honored with roses during church service

Giving Mom the gift of music with a private live concert

No, that's not our sister. ;)

Great husbands come from great moms (and grandmothers)!

The best gifts on Mother's Day

In the children committed to her care, every mother has a sacred charge from God. "Take this son, this daughter," He says; "train it for Me; give it a character polished after the similitude of a palace, that it may shine in the courts of the Lord forever."

The mother's work often seems to her an unimportant service. It is a work that is rarely appreciated. Others know little of her many cares and burdens. Her days are occupied with a round of little duties, all calling for patient effort, for self-control, for tact, wisdom, and self-sacrificing love; yet she cannot boast of what she has done as any great achievement. She has only kept things in the home running smoothly; often weary and perplexed, she has tried to speak kindly to the children, to keep them busy and happy, and to guide the little feet in the right path. She feels that she has accomplished nothing. But it is not so. Heavenly angels watch the care-worn mother, noting the burdens she carries day by day. Her name may not have been heard in the world, but it is written in the Lamb's book of life.

--Ministry of Healing (E.G. White), p. 376-377.

Max's Great Rescue

2009-03-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

If there were ever a time that Maxwell would prove his love for his sister, today was the day. We were seeing my brother off at the train station, which may seem like an ordinary and mundane place. But for Max, the sight of trains and buses ignites a burst of energy and eloquence that is otherwise reserved for sightings of large earth-moving vehicles and favorite uncles and aunties. He was so focused on the train that I didn't even think he was aware of Maya's presence who was peacefully sleeping at his feet in the car seat carrier... until...

He suddenly became anxious and upset about an approaching baggage cart. I saw the cart and expected that it would be passing by us, though several feet away. However, in the eye of this toddler, he was perceiving impending danger. I quickly realized what he was thinking when he suddenly pointed and expressed that something was "coming", which was immediately followed by a valiant effort to grab Maya's carrier and move it away from the path of the baggage cart. My initial concern was that he would tip her over, so I helped him move her a couple feet over to where I was standing.

Max's eyes stayed on the baggage cart as it passed without incident. Then, gradually his brow relaxed, and his face was full of relief. As I replayed in my mind the sequence of events that took place in those few seconds, my heart swelled with pride and admiration. "Were you trying to protect Maya from the cart?" I asked. He just nodded and looked at Maya. I tried not to cry as I pondered the bravery and sense of responsibility and love that was displayed by this little man! Thank you, Max, for reminding me and inspiring me to do what I can to protect and facilitate the well-being of those entrusted to my care and those unable to protect themselves.

The Hero!

Maya and big brother Max

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

John 15:13

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T23:02:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's a subconscious thing. Maybe it's a "I'm-too-busy-to-think-about-anything-but-the-kids" thing. Whatever it is, I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge that Valentine's Day was coming 'round the bend. So when a box of fresh flowers showed up on the doorstep on Friday afternoon, it set my mind in a time zone of its own for a few moments. I appreciate the simple beauty of flowers anywhere on any day, but the ones in this box were a touching and tangible reminder that even though the other half of my heart is on the other side of the globe, my Michael is closer to me than any other person in the world. And with a man like this, I've found that the real reason this little holiday caught me by surprise is that every day with Michael is a Valentine's Day renewed. I LOVE YOU, Michael!

So close and yet so far away!

The Champion

2009-01-16T22:37:00.000-08:00

8 years ago today was the date I officially submitted and admitted to "defeat." After years of strictly platonic relationships and "being picky" (which, in many cases, was essentially romantic snobbery on my part), I finally decided to give someone "a chance." As a fairly independent, self-sufficient, women's college graduate, I initially thought for sure that this dabbling in the dating world would be a fleeting chapter in my medical school career. Little did I know...

how quickly I would fall for my very first boyfriend
that my first dabbling would evolve into THE deepest dive of my life

In my pride (and secretly competitive spirit), I was awestruck that my heart had actually been successfully hooked by another. I even remember expressing my acceptance of his courtship by telling him, "OK, you win. You're the champion." [It didn't seem like that eventful of a victory for Mike... until I saw written in his calendar "I AM THE CHAMPION!"]

The rest is history. It's been a bumpy ride, but I have no regrets! Michael, darling, you may have been victorious... but I'm the one who got the prize! ;D I love you!!!

In the arms of my CHAMPION!

Resolved

2009-01-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

Well, after 3+ months of bloglessness, I am finally emerging from cyber-hibernation! The main inspiration: the arrival of a new year and a felt need to keep loved ones -- most importantly, a very loved husband and father who is currently working WAY too far away to commute from home -- updated on the state of affairs of the rest of the Mercado family.

The remainder of 2008 was more blogworthy than I could ever imagine, full of birthdays, family outings, and precious moments of parenthood. But to keep this train of thought moving forward, I will save the reminiscing for another day.

It's time to declare my 2009 resolutions... which are probably better-termed as "projects."

1. Invest in eternity
2. Get fit
3. Stay educated

So there's my list in its simplest form. (I guess I could've added "Simplify life" to that list, too!) Hopefully, I can take these raw goals and come up with a plan to attain them... and make my little world a better place.

"And do this, knowing the time,

that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;

for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed."

--Romans 13:11

Maxwell is 2!

2008-09-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Maxwell's 2nd birthday over the weekend at one of his all-time favorite places: the aquarium! And on the way home, we stopped for Japanese food (another Max favorite) which was topped off with tempura ice cream (which, ironically, we had to trick Max into tasting). Today, he & I had some one-on-one time at the park which was followed by a pizza dinner with Grandma & Grandpa and more birthday ice cream (courtesy of Auntie Val). The only favorite thing that was missing was Daddy, whom he did get to talk with on the phone and webcam... and who sent Thomas the Train as his representative! (Can't wait to see you again, Mike!)

Scenes from Max's birthday:

It's hard to believe that my baby son has become a little boy. His personality and unique characteristics and interests have been developing and evolving along with a rapidly expanding vocabulary and unexpected motor skills. I have been especially amazed by his increasing self-confidence and independence. Not that he's doing his own dishes or anything. (Although, I can hardly wait till that day comes!) From the simple task of using the appropriate utensil to move food from his plate to his mouth (without spilling most of it somewhere between), to fearlessly swimming across the pool with nothing but inflatable arm floaters to assist him, to sharing his toys with Maya or cousin Josiah without even being asked... these little things make the infamous "two's" seem not so "terrible".

Early rhythm perception and motor coordination at 1 year old:

Refining his hand-eye coordination at 2 years old:

Here She Is!

2008-09-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well, she must have inherited Mike's punctuality... or, rather, his admirable habit of being early! Although Daddy had plans to welcome her into the world over Labor Day weekend, our baby girl took the initiative to welcome him home from Kansas. I guess she was so excited to see her daddy, she just couldn't wait for the weekend. ;)

Maya Lourdes Miranda Mercado was born on 8/28/08 at 12:08pm--less than an hour after I walked into the hospital! Weighing in at 6lbs 4oz and measuring 18.5 inches (with APGARs of 8 and 9 for the medically-inclined audience), she made quite an entrance.

The labor that preceded this unexpected delivery was nothing like my experience with Maxwell's birth, hence, the vagueness and my uncertainty of whether or not I was truly in labor! With strong contractions almost every hour starting at around midnight, Maya gave me plenty of warning to tell me she was on her way, but I still wasn't convinced. Even at 6:30am, when the contractions started coming every 8-10 minutes, I kept telling myself "Maybe if I just relax or go for a walk the contractions will slow down." Looking back, I think I was just in denial that I was going to have this baby without my dear husband to coach me through it! Kudos to my beloved mom for taking on the role of coach, camera person, and videographer all at a moment's notice--literally!

As healthy as she was (and has been), Maya unfortunately did have a temperature of 101.6 just a couple hours after birth, which bought her a ticket to the NICU (neonatal ICU) and 5 days of IV antibiotics. As soon as she was discharged from the hospital, we took her straight to the airport with us to bid goodbye to Mike once again. Needless to say, we're looking forward to some quality family time when Mike comes home one last time before he leaves the country.

Here's a glimpse of Maya's first week of life...

His Eye is On the Sparrow

2008-08-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

My due date is fast approaching! And although yesterday's OB visit was just the 38-week mark, I left the clinic without a return appointment. Apparently, my cervix has been busy preparing for the arrival of this baby...and is just about ready! For those of you who like the medical details, the cervical exam showed 90% effacement and 3-4cm dilation. Yikes! I hope Mike gets here before the baby does! What a relief and a blessing it is to know that those training in Kansas get to have the 4-day weekend for Labor Day and that I get to give Mike a real live hug this Friday night. :D

All the busyness of transitioning and settling into a new home environment has helped this first month pass fairly quickly, but it's hard not to have moments of doubt and anxiety when thinking about how we're going to survive this separation... or more specifically, how I'm going to survive being a single parent of a toddler and a newborn.

A couple weeks ago, God seemed to speak to me and my worries when someone at church sang the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow," which tells of the hope and peace that comes from knowing of His protection and provision. First of all, this is a song that I've enjoyed hearing Mike sing in the past, and one of the Bible texts that inspired its composition comes from a passage (Matthew 6:25-34) that he and I had used to encourage each other through medical school and residency. Second is how the word "sparrow" is translated in Tagalog -- the main Filipino dialect and the language in which the singer at church performed the second half of the song:

sparrow (English) = maya (Tagalog)

Just before Mike left for deployment, we had decided to name our baby girl Maya. I liked the sound of the name but was having a hard time finding a significant meaning/origin of the name. So when I heard the Tagalog portion of this song, I became teary-eyed. I began to think of our soon-to-arrive daughter and her long-to-be-absent father... and all the concerns I had, especially for their relationship or possible lack thereof. The song reassured me that Maya will be loved and cared for by her earthly father and her Heavenly Father. And that no matter where Mike is, God will be watching over her and providing her every need.

Here's a simple and sweet rendition of the original song:

Look at the birds of the air,
that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
Matthew 6:26

Harana

2008-08-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of hosting a harana last Wednesday night in my parents' home. Traditionally, a harana is a serenade performed as a means of courting. However, the term has come to describe any form of music presented with a gift-giving spirit in the setting of a private residence. Alongside fellow church members, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors, we spent the evening enjoying the harmonious blend of ~20 young voices turn our living room into a concert hall! And this musical magic was pulled off by the "Ambassadors", an internationally acclaimed choral ensemble from the Adventist University of the Philippines. They are about 1 month into their 3-month U.S. tour having visited the San Diego and L.A. areas and stopping in Bakersfield for the week before moving on to Fresno, Visalia, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

Warming up for the harana

Warai-Warai -- a Tagalog song about a Visayan community known for their "tough chicks"; featuring Carmi Flores

Sabbath performance at Hillcrest SDA Church

During each of these stops, the members of the choir have been hosted by families who have opened up their homes to provide meals and a cozy place to sleep. Carmi Flores & Redeem Ebora are the 2 lovely young ladies who have been staying with us. You might think this would be a bit untimely with us trying to get stuff ready for a new baby, but Carmi and Redeem have actually been quite helpful in keeping Maxwell entertained throughout the day. It's almost as if we inherited instant babysitters! And in between performances, it's been fun to share ordinary (and extraordinary) life with such pleasant company... see the slideshow for some Kodak moments!

On the homefront

2008-08-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

Being back in California has definitely softened the blow of being without Mike, especially through the closeness of family and the convenience of having simple luxuries... like Target and Jamba Juice!

Unfortunately, after living in the sheltered world of military healthcare, I am now discovering the woes of health insurance in the civilian world. Between referral authorizations and separate lab test bills, it's no wonder some people avoid dealing with their health and doctors altogether!

On a brighter note, this relocation allowed Max and me to attend my cousin's wedding in Las Vegas where I was able to reconnect with several relatives... What's funny is that the last time I saw most of them, I was pregnant with Max! (I may be making a new reputation for myself!) And since Vegas is "on the way" to Utah, Max was able to hang out with cousin Josiah throughout the wedding weekend--woohoo!

Through The Sand

2008-08-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Mike left for his deployment. I had to part ways with my best friend and confidant to let him fulfill a duty that I have yet to fully comprehend. The proverbial "fork in the road," however, doesn't seem to fit this situation. Because, although we have to be separated physically, we are still undergoing this trial together... as the one that man and woman become when we commit to the sacred union of marriage. And that in itself helps to lift the cloud of alone-ness.

To stay true to the unique experiences that he will be undergoing apart from me and Max, though, Mike will be sharing his side of deployment life at his own blog: Through the Sand. I know I'll be following his every post!

I also praise God for the family whose presence I was immersed in during Mike's departure and throughout that day. The joy of seeing loved ones whom I have been separated from during our year in Guam was a timely blessing that effectively dissipated any feelings of loneliness.

Not Goodbye But See You Later

2008-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Being in the military can be bittersweet...often times more bitter than sweet! Gemma can attest to the many times that I often complain and whine about how the "system" is broken, and how it affects the care of my patients. One of the joys of being a family physician is the continuity of care that I can deliver to my patients which leads to a more trusting physician-patient relationship. Military deployments are often the biggest threat to that relationship as physicians are being called to the Middle East for 6 months or longer. In my case, I have been called to serve in Afghanistan for 12 months and will be leaving for 3 months of training this August (actually, in few days). The details of my assignment are a bit hazy at this point, but every time I watch CNN I get a little more nervous. This calling has been a bit of a shock for my family, but the Lord has enabled us to find strength in this time of great trial and uncertainty.

Before we arrived on Guam I could feel the Lord calling our family to this little island in the middle of the Pacific. I wasn't sure what was in store for us, but I prayed that the Lord would use us in a mighty way. He has truly blessed us with "more than we can ever ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20) The opportunity for medical ministry, youth ministry, music ministry, and even radio ministry has unleashed a sense of discipleship that can only be attributed to the changing power of Christ. Thank you, Lord, for Your work in us.

"And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God,

to them who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Being in Guam for 1 year has allowed me to care for people who are truly deserving of the highest standards of medical care...our active duty, active duty dependents, retirees, and veterans who have sacrificed much for the good of our country. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your health care provider.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least these,

my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Matthew 25:40

Me and Sid working together at the SDA clinic

To my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who have embraced my family from the first day we arrived on island, I thank you. To the radio crew at Joy92 and listeners of Total Health Live, thank you for allowing me the unique opportunity to spread our health message on the air...I will be back!

To the Guam SDA Clinic, thank you for the sacrifice and zeal that you have demonstrated towards the people of Guam, and for the opportunities that you have given to us for medical ministry.

To the precious youth and young adults who have allowed themselves to be teachable and open to the power of Scripture...may we all remain faithful to the finishing of the work. And may that work begin in all of us!

Our final Sabbath potluck on Guam... until next time!

An army of youth!

"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.

Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest,

that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."

Matthew 9:37, 38

A Change of Plans

2008-07-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Last May, a routine “Are-you-on-your-way-home-from-work-yet?” call to Mike turned my uneventful Tuesday afternoon into a major turning point for the Mercado family’s life.

It’s practically a law of nature that life just doesn’t go as planned… even when it seems a coin toss has already decided your fate. You may recall that last April, Mike was assigned to be an alternate for his colleague who was chosen to deploy to Afghanistan (see “Heads or Tails” for the story). As an alternate, Mike still walked around with the cloud of possible deployment over his head, not convinced that he was in the clear until someone physically left on a plane to Afghanistan. I thought it was just his pessimistic side coming out. But maybe that was God’s way of preparing him, and me, for the news that would eventually push Mike’s cloud to bear precipitation.

Just 2 days before our trip to CA, we learned that there had been a change of circumstances for Mike’s colleague who was now unable to deploy …and we knew it meant that Mike must go in her place. That brief phone conversation on Tuesday opened an emotional floodgate, filling me with disbelief, disappointment, and devastation, especially with Max and the new baby at the forefront of my mind. Praise God for giving us a getaway to CA to absorb the shock!

Since then, I’ve taken advantage of quiet times alone to process my own thoughts and feelings about Mike’s deployment and the implications for each member of our family. Through meditation and journaling, talking with God, and reading His Word, I’ve come to a place of acceptance and peace. It’s also been encouraging to talk with family and friends and be reminded of His sovereignty and His goodness. In fact, the only thing that abates any feelings of anger, doubt, or resentment is knowing that He holds the whole universe in His hands (Psalm 8:3-4) and that things happen for a divine purpose (Romans 8:28).

After much prayer and family discussion, we made the decision to relocate temporarily back to CA while Mike is deployed. I’ll be staying with my parents in Bakersfield and will return to Guam with Max and the baby tentatively by next summer.

So here we go on another Mercado adventure, taking a step in a new direction.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
--Proverbs 16:9

California Adventures - part 2

2008-07-29T23:14:00.000-07:00

After celebrating Sid’s graduation, we proceeded north to Stockton, CA, to enjoy the hometown life with Mike’s side of the family. Grandma Linda and Grandpa Jun had a fantastic time with Max at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where they witnessed first-hand Max’s passion for marine life! He also discovered the joys of karaoke, shopping, and the smooth ride of Great-grandma Lourdes’ walker.

Our final week on the mainland was spent at our favorite getaway in Dana Point, CA. And joining us in this place of escape were my grandfather, my parents, and my brothers and their families. With all of us being so busy and separated by distance, time with them is something to be treasured. It was an extra special treat for Max, though, to have 10 whole days with his cousin Josiah (just 5 weeks older than Max) who came all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah! …with George and Barbie, of course. ;)

California Adventures - part 1

2008-07-26T19:25:00.001-07:00

After 10 months away from home, we finally made it back to the other side of the Pacific Ocean! We spent 3 weeks soaking in the presence of family and friends… and, of course, eating at our fave restaurants (Mike’s real reason for ever being homesick!).

The timing of our visit was focused on a grand event that took place on the grassy field of our alma mater Loma Linda University in southern CA. On May 25, Mike’s little brother Sidney joined the club of “Dr. Mercado’s”, receiving his Doctorate of Medicine degree as a member of the largest graduating class in the history of LLU’s School of Medicine. Among his classmates were Van Geslani (fellow Guamanian and son of Uncle Bevan Geslani who is the SDA Clinic director). Thanks to all the connections that come out of attending a reputable church-affiliated medical school, we were also delighted to run into old friends who were celebrating other graduates.

It was a nostalgic experience to watch Sid walk across the same stage that we and my brother George did just 4 years ago--the walk that symbolizes all the paths that lead there and those that go forward from it. Sidney has, so far, survived the first month of his Internal Medicine residency at the Harbor UCLA hospital in Torrance, CA. Although intern life is treating him as expected (quite rough!), we’re confident that God is growing his knowledge and character in preparation for the mission field—a desire that we were excited to see evolve and solidify during his visit to Guam. We’re proud of you, Sid!

Click on the picture below to see more:

Sid's Grad

We do owe a huge Si yu’us ma’ase to our faithful friends Merrick and Lynne for providing a comfy and Max-friendly home environment during our stay in Loma Linda. We were also more than grateful for the warm clothing they loaned us to help brave the rain and 53-degree weather which we were totally unprepared for!

Catch-Up

2008-07-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ahoy mates! These past couple months have whizzed by without much “free time” to tell you all about the latest occurrences… hence, long time no blog. But now that Max is sleeping, and I have no other distractions while I’m sitting on this Amtrak train for the next few hours (more on that later), it’s time to get all you faithful readers up to speed on the Mercado family’s recent journeys.

So as not to overwhelm you (or myself, for that matter), I’ve decided to organize recent events in a series of entries that will be published over the next several days. So stay tuned and tread along with us on a path that has taken us to both peaks and valleys.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-19T02:27:00.009-07:00

This past weekend was Father's Day, and what a better way to spend Father's Day than with Gemma and Max! We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday brunch at one of our favorite dine-in spots, Top O the Mar, which has an excellent view of the Philippine Sea.

The joy that comes from being a father is indescribable! From the first smile to the first hand sign to the first step to the first vocalizations of the word "daddy", I am constantly reminded of the blessing that comes from having a precious son in Max.

Here are just a few snapshots of our "Max and Daddy" adventures ...

If I could be like "Mike"...

The beautiful island of Rota

Talofofo Falls

Max and Daddy at Sea World

The Days of My Youth

2008-05-20T05:01:00.007-07:00

I never envisioned that my time spent on Guam would extend beyond the confines of Naval Hospital and the occasional day at the beach. How boring...! Despite having absolutely no experience (and no set of instructions), the Lord showed me a much more exciting endeavor: mentoring young people. These are some of the most energetic, intelligent, passionate, and loving group of kids whose desire to learn about Christ has enabled me to grow exponentially in my own spiritual walk. Each with their own individual personality and life story, but each with a similar desire to have Christ formed within.

Meet the crew...

The key to working with youth is to take them seriously.

...but not too seriously!

Cassi and Lance

Max enjoying his favorite thing...Attention!

"Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity,
in spirit, in faith, in purity."
- I Timothy 4:12

Round 2

2008-05-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ding, ding, ding! Well, I guess that since I just can't hide it anymore from my fellow Guamanians, it wouldn't be fair to hide it from our friends and loved ones across the globe...

We're pregnant! Yup, Baby #2 is on the way! We are certainly excited to expand our family a bit and have a playmate to keep Max company. I can't quite tell if Max comprehends this whole "Mommy's having a baby" concept, but whenever little Jasmine Lee is nearby, he seems to want to check in on her and make sure she's okay--as if those big brother instincts are ready to be activated!

So, the Mercado adventures shall soon take on a new dimension. The due date for this little one is September 7, 2008, which means I'm going to have a really hot summer! In the meantime, we're praying that Mike doesn't get called for that deployment to Afghanistan (which would start in August) and thanking God for each moment that God gives us together as a family.

Our first glimpse of the baby's face. In the middle of the dark area are the baby's nose and lips.

Profile shot.

Drum roll please...

It's a girl!!!

Pagat Cave

2008-04-27T02:28:00.010-07:00

The adventures just keep getting better! Last Saturday was Sidney's last Sabbath on Guam, so this final hike had to leave a lasting impression. We had no idea what the hike to Pagat Cave would have in store for us, but even people who had never been there said we should go. It wasn't until we met up with the rest of the group that we found out that there was a water component to this journey. That's OK. I can handle wet socks and shoes, I thought to myself, expecting a little wading reminiscent of our Shark Pit hike.

Well, we finally reached the entrance to the cave...

and descended down a rocky and slippery path...

to find this waiting for us:

The rest of our "hike" was by
candlelight,
flashlight,
and glow-sticks!

We were amused and awestruck to discover that the whole point of the Pagat Cave hike is the water! A natural "indoor" freshwater pool (supposedly clean enough to drink!), it was like an oasis from the heat and humidity that weighed on us with every rock and ledge that we overcame on the way to the cave. Kinda funny that everyone else that hiked alongside us knew exactly what was at the end of the trail...no wonder they were so enthusiastic!

There aren't many times in life that what I expect to be a minor inconvenience actually ends up being the very thing I am striving for. It makes me think about how we initially enter a relationship with God (often with a little hesitation), expecting that He's probably going to ask us to change a few things. Maybe give up certain habits or rearrange our priorities. And we anticipate those changes are going to be a burden, an inconvenience. But then, when we come to that point of change, we find ourselves desiring to change... wanting to leave behind the way life was without God. And as we continue to grow in our relationship with Him, that change, that transformation, becomes the very thing we hope for: a manifestation of Christ in us. That's sanctification.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Max: "Am I supposed to be this wet??"

Emerging as survivors, thoroughly refreshed by an indoor swim!

Heads or Tails

2008-04-19T06:44:00.007-07:00

Well the "invitation" for Mike to go to Afghanistan for 15 months came around--again. This time the probability was a little less in his favor considering there were only 2 candidates to choose from. It was between Mike and our friend Ericka--fellow Camp Pendleton Residency graduate. And since no one volunteered (duh), the future was decided by a coin toss... literally! There's no such thing as "winning" or "losing" when it comes to watching your friends go through the fire instead of you. But as a wise king once said:

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven...
(see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

After what seemed to Mike the longest airtime a quarter's ever had, Ericka was told that she would be deployed and that Mike would be the alternate. God has been merciful towards us once again. We are, however, coming to realize that if the deployment trend continues as it has been, we as a family need to be prepared for when (not if) Mike does finally get deployed.

It's not easy to be reminded that your husband is "Property of the U.S. Navy", but what a comfort to remember that the real Owner of all created things, all time and space, is the same God that gave Himself to save us from our sins and give us a life that could never compare to anything this world has to offer.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Shark Pit

2008-04-12T14:36:00.007-07:00

On the hiking trail again, we decided to pursue something with a more horizontal path. Unlike our last hike at 1000 Steps, however, this one required some "wading" skills. Low tide and cool waters actually made for a very refreshing trail and made me wish for even more water obstacles! The endpoint of the trail was the so-called "Shark Pit" which is an underwater drop-off in the midst of a reef, allegedly a place where sharks were once encountered. Along the way, we came across some intriguing critters who were chosen to exhibit to Max the wonder of God's creative power.

Pre-wading picture

Hermit the Crab

"2 are better than 1"

Tickle, tickle, Mr. Starfish!

"Wade in the water... Wade in the water, children..."

The location of the Shark Pit is indicated by the turquoise blue color
in the midst of the almost clear water.
Lucky Sid has 3 lifeguards supervising his swim!

Mission: Rota 2008

2008-04-09T05:09:00.012-07:00

Our very first time leaving the island of Guam was for a higher purpose than pure leisure. We were on a mission--really! As brief as it was, this was our first mission trip as a family. Although it seems ironic that we would be leaving an area that much of the world already sees as a mission field, there are hundreds of tinier islands here in the Marianas that have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Guam's closest neighboring island of Rota is just 47 miles (20 minutes by plane) away and is an island where there is a great work to be done.

In mid-February, medical providers from the SDA Clinic started flying out to the island of Rota every weekend to give a series of lectures about healthy living. Health screenings for blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar were also performed at each meeting and tracked on a progress report for each individual who attended. This allowed people the opportunity to see how those health indicators changed over time as they put the health principles they learned (such as diet, exercise, temperance, etc.) into practice. Throughout the month of March, these health lectures were then supplemented by teachings of Biblical truths via Pastor Tony Moore's series on the travels of the apostle Paul.

I learned that Rota means "peace" in the Chamorro language, and peaceful it was. As soon as we stepped outside the airport, you couldn't help but breathe in a sense of calm and serenity. And the visual beauty that surrounded us during those 3 days paralleled the spiritual experience we partook of that weekend.

We took so many pictures, you'll have to click on the picture below to see them all.

Mission: Rota - March 2008

Here are some highlights:

All aboard!

Come one, come all!

Sunday morning health fair.
Student physician Sid took blood pressures for almost 2 hrs straight!

Mike and I counseled patients on their results of cholesterol and blood sugar testing.

Integrating faith and medicine

"Come, let us reason together..."
Sid discussing beliefs and convictions with a Muslim patient

12 year-old Juanita publicly declares her choice to follow Jesus Christ via baptism...
This is what it's all about.

Pastor and Mrs. Ondap (our gracious hosts!) with Pastor Tony Moore

Our final day together with the people of Rota

Island Easter

2008-03-30T17:43:00.009-07:00

A renewed life in Christ is the greatest inspiration to re-new relationships with our fellow man. And even deeper grow the roots of a family tree when we actually take the time to talk and walk with those who should really know us best.

For Easter weekend, we had the privilege of sharing the beauty of Guam with Mike's brother Sidney and my dear cousin Nikki. And of course, like part of the family, we were honored to have Beverly come out from Saipan and visit, too! Max was smothered with love from his aunties and uncle and has enjoyed re-acquainting himself with his inherited guardians. :)

Overlooking Cetti Bay with Uncle Sidney

Auntie Nikki crossed the Philippine Sea (and more) just to see us!

The boys standing watch at the old Spanish Fort Soledad

Grubbin' on kelaguen at Jeff's Pirates Cove...
and awaiting comments from Bev the food critic!

Catching coconuts with Nikki... What a team!

The one-man show!

"Wild" bananas outside Micronesia Mall

Someone to watch over me :)

Now this is a vacation!

Max And a Half

2008-03-24T20:49:00.013-07:00

Who would've imagined that such character and personality could be developed in just 18 months of eat, sleep, and play? Now 1-1/2 years old, Maxwell has been unfurling his true colors throughout the past several months and revealing to us little glimpses of who this little man really is.

Daycare was a new frontier which he boldly explored and made himself at home in. As much as he blossomed there, so did the microbes. (Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.) Mike and I were desperate for an alternative, and God apparently anticipated that. Last December, a young couple had arrived to Guam: Mike Woods accepted a call to work in the SDA Clinic's IT department, and his wife Larae "happened" to be a certified nanny. Before starting my job at the SDA Clinic and while looking into childcare options, we had heard about her soon-arrival, even saw a copy of her resume, and actually contacted Larae via e-mail about possibly working for us in caring for Max. Because of the timing of my start-date and their arrival, however, things didn't work out... until early February when Max seemed to have an eternal cold and we found out that Larae had not yet found a long-term job!

Since the beginning of March, Larae has been coming to our home 3 days a week and giving Max the quality of care that we had been praying for. With a predictable meal and nap routine AND a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, Max's personality and enthusiasm for life has grown tremendously... and we're much happier to not be chasing him around with a Kleenex. ;)

Here are snippets of Max's adventures over the past few months:

Max explaining the proper use of a sphygmomanometer...

...as would be used by the next American Idol.

Bailamos!

Calmly allowing Dr. Krejci to perform the 18-month well-baby exam

Auntie Larae and Uncle Mike

Sun-kissed by a Guam sunset (15 months)

Max's 1st visit to the dentist! (Dec '07)

Showing off those pearly whites

Max with dental hygienist and Loma Linda alum Shoshanna Ordelheide

Max... the real Super Mercado!

Some of Max's favorite hobbies:

A sampling of Max's photography!...

FORE!!

2008-03-12T23:29:00.005-07:00

I wish I had pictures. I just wanted to take a few minutes to document today as the first day that I played on an actual golf course. Apparently, my nurse, LVN Ayala (male nurse... just needed to clarify) is an avid golfer and needed a partner today. We hit the par 3 course so I only used my 8-iron, 9-iron, and PW (pitching wedge for the golf-naive) although I really wanted to give my new Sumo Nike Driver a test "drive". Even though I played horribly, I still felt the most genuine sense of accomplishment. Ahhhh nothing beats a beautiful Guam day, a free afternoon off from work (gotta love Thursday afternoon "training"), and good company. Good times!

The pictures below were taken on the fairway in our "backyard":

The February Chapter

2008-03-07T02:52:00.020-08:00

With or without that extra "leap day", February seems to disappear before I'm ready to let it go. It was such an action-packed month for us that I didn't even get a chance to stop and blog about it! Well, speaking of action, we had our share of faith-testing events this month--as minor as asking God to start our car engine, and as major as praying over the decision "Uncle Sam" was to make about whether or not Mike would be sent to Afghanistan for over a year. God is always worthy of praise, and in these instances... well, we drove home safely that Valentine's night, and Mike shall continue to enjoy the ocean view from Guam with Max and me! Many thanks to those of you who joined in our prayers... for the car and for Mike!

To start it all off, Dr. Merrick Lopez along with wife Lynne and daughter Mia flew all the way from CA just to spend the month with us! Well, actually, Merrick is a third-year pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center, and he came to do a rotation at the SDA clinic as his mission elective. Joining him in the clinic was his fellow resident Krisha (Igo) Torgerson, who also happened to be a former classmate of ours! The Lopez's are like family to us and were the primary reason for all our "galavanting" this month. Merrick's dad and Lynn's mom went to high school with my dad, so our ties go as far back as the generation before us! Plus, Mike & Merrick spent a lot of time together during the pre-med school days, especially out on the basketball court... you guys know tight those bonds can be.

Here are some pictures to summarize the month:

Hafa Adai! The Lopez family's first trip to Guam.

Max welcomes Mia with a hearty high-five.

Sushi party at Grandpa and Grandma Jimeno's house
...complete w/ turon and halo-halo!

The start of a beautiful friendship. :D

Our little Mercado-Lopez-Lee barkada!

My, how we've grown!

Valentine's Day dinner at the Firefly Bistro -- a quaint restaurant with a romantic atmosphere... and a memorable place for a suprise triple-date! (with the Lee's and Lopez's, of course!)

Featured here are the vegetarian Portabello Mushroom Napoleon (foreground) and the non-vegetarian Rack of Lamb (Merrick's order)!

And the course that Mike had been waiting for all night... dessert! None other than a freshly-baked chocolate souffle. Mm-mm.

The end of February brought more than one farewell. Besides bidding good-bye to Merrick, Lynne, and Mia, Maxwell had his final days at daycare. This was another big household decision that came about after much prayer and divine providence (more on that later).

We were very pleased with the atmosphere and care that Max received at Amazing Kids daycare, and Max himself had a grrrreat time there. Unfortunately, his frequent colds and other illnesses were starting to take a toll on him (and us), and that is just the nature of daycare. His last week there, miraculously, was runny-nose-free, and the obvious joy he received and gave made for a sad good-bye.

Miss Lynette -- Pre-Toddler group leader and Maxwell's favorite!

Chowing down on oatmeal on his very own!

Sharing tickles and giggles with Miss Lynette and friends.

Max's last day at Amazing Kids.
Adults (left-right): Ms. Leona (co-director), Ms. Tania (Toddler group leader), Ms. Lynette
Joined by friends from the Pre-Toddler and Toddler groups.

I just wanted to include this clip of Mike & Ken -- a little reminder that there's a time for work ...and a time for play. ;)

Until Then

2008-01-22T00:59:00.000-08:00

The agony of waiting. I am convinced and convicted that just as sure as this world had a beginning, there shall be an end. And for those who have a relationship with the God of the universe--the Creator and Savior of this world--the end is a cherished event that ushers in a long-awaited reunion between God and man. In the meantime, we've got more than just waiting to do.

A couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to do special music at the Ordot-Ypao SDA church. Since Mike & I sometimes feel our repertoire is limited (partly due to the paucity of piano skills between the 2 of us), we decided to call on the talent of Ken & Gizelle to help us present something different... A little variation on the husband-wife duet, you might say.

This particular hymn is one of my favorites, reminding me that despite the trials that we must endure before Christ comes again, He has put a song in our hearts that allows us to experience and sing of joy until His blessed return.

1000 Steps

2008-01-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

This Sabbath afternoon, we ventured outdoors and finally went on our first "hike" on Guam! OK, so this particular picture reveals that the trail has several sets of steps with handrails... but for good reason!! The trail is a downward path that descends along the side of a ~150-foot cliff thriving with tropical foliage.

Mike & Ken took on the fatherly responsibility of bearing the weight of the little ones. What would we do without "Baby Bjorn"?? I must say that Mike had the most challenging workout having to carry an extra 20 lbs. and almost guessing where to place his feet! Thanks to Ken, we found out where NOT to step. :)

After the first 10 min of walking over broken steps and through overgrown bushes, we started to doubt whether the hike was such a good idea... especially since there were rain clouds following us all along the car drive to the path! When we caught a glimpse of the ocean over the trees, though, we were encouraged to press on and find out what awaited us at the end of the hike.

Ah, finally! Back on "level" ground. The ground that led to the water was actually a bed of coral rock with beautiful plant life and, believe it or not, pine trees! Greeted by the ocean spray and cool winds, I almost felt like I was back in Dana Pt., CA... it felt good to have a little taste of home.

The Baby Bjorn club

We made it!

The Pacific coast... thousands of miles from home.

Shaded by papaya trees

Despite the multiple mosquito bites and painfully sore legs, we were thankful that we didn't pass up the opportunity to see such majestic beauty. It was another reminder of how the path to Heaven, though arduous and daunting, allows us to enter into something more glorious than we ever imagined.

Live With Dr. Mike

2008-01-18T03:19:00.000-08:00

I often laugh just thinking about it. I can't believe that I have my own health segment on an FM radio station on Guam! Just this past week I had the privilege of being a part of "Total Health" which is a weekly hour-long radio broadcast on KSDA 91.9 FM (or "Joy 92" as it is affectionately called). The goal of the broadcast is to educate people on a variety of health topics and to provide advice on how to maintain our bodies -- the "temples" that the Lord has blessed us with. Topics range from nutrition to women's health to diabetes to preventive care to just about any other health topic. It's surreal to think that hundreds (maybe thousands) of people are listening to me talk so I try and sound intelligent, and pretend that it's just me and the microphone. It really does blow me away to see how the Lord can use me well beyond the confines of the clinic.

Here's a clip that Gemma recorded while at home listening to my initial appearance as a guest on the show:

A GU Christmas

2007-12-25T03:49:00.000-08:00

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah's birth, the Savior of the world. And He did everything to earn those rightful titles; He fulfilled the word. It's expected that His birthday celebration should be nothing short of worldwide participation, complete with lights, cameras, and action! But as fun and inviting as trees and nativities and presents are, Christmas would still be Christmas without it. So what do you need to celebrate the birth of Christ? All you need is Him. All He needs is your heart--as open and bare as a vacant stable.

With the foundation of Christmas in place, there are 2 "essential extras" that tend to set this season apart from any other time of year: family & tradition.

First, a word about family... we sure missed the presence of the Mercado's, Miranda's, and Guinto's who have always been at the heart of our Christmas celebrations until this year. (A big Maligayang Pasko to all of you!) In God's grace, though, He has supplied a family on Guam for us to belong to--thanks to the Coloma branch of the Miranda family tree! Lola Oning (Coloma) Jimeno and her husband Pastor Eli have been kind enough to adopt and treat us as their own grandchildren. And Lola Oning's grand-niece Gizelle (also a member of the Coloma clan) and her husband Ken Lee have been our barkada since the day we met! Guam is all the more home because of them.

Christmas Eve dinner was hosted by the queen of the kitchen, Lola Oning herself! She and Lolo Eli, once again, opened up their home to us ... and our tastebuds! On the menu were tantalizing casseroles, savory lumpia (eggrolls), a perfect pancit, and homemade calamansi juice. Deeeelicious! Then to top it all off (as if there was room for any more goodness!), Lola's famous Mango Pie--a la mode! I think I ate enough to last me till New Year's Day.

Nobody does it better!

Christmas morning was the dawn of a new tradition. This being our first one celebrated overseas and on Guam, we took advantage of our natural resources and made this Christmas like none other before. We went snorkeling! What better way to experience serenity and joy? After recounting the Christmas story over breakfast and having Max open his 1st present of the day, we gathered our beach gear and headed to Gab Gab Beach (on the Navy base) with the Lee family. Max and I, along with Gizelle and baby Jasmine, chose to admire the fish from above the surface while Mike ventured into the deep blue with snorkel-compadre Ken.

Props to Ken for braving the waters despite his quiet disdain for water deeper than his height. Before taking their exploration further away from the land, he courteously warned Mike, "If anything happens to you out there, you're on your own." Good thing guardian angels can swim!

We were also blessed to celebrate Christmas with Mike's side of the family! After parting with the Lee's, we paid a visit to the Meyer family. Mike's newfound 2nd cousin Lerna and her husband Jeff were our very first "island tour guides" of Guam, pointing out many of the sites we took Mom & Dad to during their visit. Their household of 3 energetic boys reminds me of a good old American family who are faithful church-goers and football fans: loyal to their God and to their Green Bay Packers! Their generosity and hospitality has widened the circle of our Guam family.

Manong Jeff & Manang Lerna with Jeffrey, Joseph, and John Paul

The Mercado Christmas finally came to a close when we opened the last present under our tree (2 days after Christmas!). But the real story of Christmas lives on with every moment Christ lives in you. Our prayer is that it's a story that never ends.

Welcome to Our World

2007-12-22T03:59:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had to take responsibility for something that wasn't yours? Well, when it comes to something so valuable that you can't put a price-tag on it, the responsibility is a privilege and a sort of calling. Today, Mike & I had the privilege to stand by our dear friends Ken & Gizelle Lee as they dedicated their newborn daughter Jasmine Ha Eun Lee into God's keeping and guidance during this Sabbath's church service. The seriousness of the role that we had been asked to play in this little one's life didn't really hit me until we were asked to sign the Certificate of Dedication. Beneath the signature line was printed the title "Spiritual Guardian."... whoa. So much weight in such a little phrase. To guard and protect, nurture, defend... the eternal salvation of this precious soul. Not just in the event that Jasmine's parents were no longer available to do so, but in partnership with them now and throughout her life.

As a parent, I have a subconscious wish and hope that the rest of the world would desire the safety and well-being of my child just as much as I do. And when I witness someone doing something truly good for him, what a relief it is to know that there are others who are watching out for him. How much more important is his faith and relationship with God? As members of the Family of God, each one of us has been given the responsibility to help protect the other from the attacks of Satan. Don't let the opportunity pass to guard the heart of a little one within your reach.

Thank You

2007-11-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

It's our first Thanksgiving on Guam, and although we may be separated from our loved ones back in the States, God has given us more than enough reasons to celebrate this holiday with grateful hearts. At the top of the list, He has been gracious in actually leading us to build new relationships with dear friends and relatives here on the island... which means we have some awesome food and fellowship to look forward to later today!

Our most recent blessings include a smooth transition into me going back to work and Max starting daycare, surviving another birthday, and acquiring an additional form of transportation. I'll have to expand more on the work/daycare experience later (maybe after we get some heavy-duty cooking done!).

"O taste and see that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."

-- Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

Maxwell's just as excited as Mom is about her birthday silicone baking pans!

Mike's new macho car... in classic "Military Green"

We pray your hearts would be filled with joy and laughter as we praise God for His gifts of love.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thirty!

2007-11-06T04:16:00.000-08:00

I'm trying not to see myself as old but rather as wise or experienced! I actually had a pleasant birthday experience which included a weekend visit from a good friend and favorite Saipan resident Bev, dessert at Cold Stone (yes Guam has a Cold Stone!), golf stuff, snorkeling, discovering local Japanese cuisine, and spending time with Gemma and Maxwell. God has truly blessed this past year and I know he has so much more in store for the future.

Since I don't blog as often as I would like I wanted to share other October experiences. Last week, I went on my first medical evacuation--a.k.a. "medevac"--to Tripler Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. I had to fly with two hemorrhagic stroke patients who needed a higher level of care. As a family medicine physician, this really was out of my comfort zone, but it was cool to get into my cammies for the long military flight (sorry no pictures)! The trip went well, and the patients were safely placed in capable hands. The rest of my trip consisted of jogging, reading, NBA on TNT, Spiderman 3, and Chinese take-out. Good times.

Upon my return from HI, the next morning I ran my first PRT (physical readiness test) on Guam. For those of you unfamiliar with the PRT, it is a semi-annual test which consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. There are minimum requirements for passing based on age. This PRT marks the first test that I get to be placed in the 30 and over bracket! What I am most proud of is that my numbers have improved in all categories despite being placed in a new age bracket. 10:59 on the run, 71 sit ups, 75 push ups...not bad for an old guy! :)

One last story. These last few days have been a bummer. Our clinic has been pushed to the very limits trying to meet the demand for appointments. We have been shrinking our appointment times to 10 minute appointments, increasing our walk-ins, seeing patients post-call...all bad things. Also, 2 providers from our department are being sent to the Middle East for 9 months which doesn't help the situation. We are constantly being asked to do more with less. I was starting to feel a hint of burnout. But through all this the Lord seems to find ways to speak to me. Today, I saw a patient in clinic with a problem list that included chronic pain, bipolar disorder, depression (the list goes on) and a warning from my staff that the patient was "not being nice". By the way, the patient had no chart and was asking for more narcotic medication. The pain of primary care. My strategy was to listen. He gave me an earful about his horrible experiences with surgeons, his medications, his shoulder pain , his knee pain, his neck pain, his memory loss, his career. I continued to listen, nothing more. After what seemed like an eternity, he began to calm down and then said something that really touched me. He said, "Don't let this hospital get in the way of taking care of the patient." What? Did I just receive sound advice from my bipolar, chronic pain, mad-at-the-world patient?? I laughed quietly to myself. Thank you, Lord, for such timely wisdom.

Eureka!

2007-10-31T04:15:00.000-07:00

We've found it!

After almost a month of searching, we have finally found a daycare worthy of our dear Maxwell!

...Which translates into "the daycare that makes Mommy the least nervous to leave her only begotten son." And the corollary (as my dad would say) to this discovery is that I am now available to join the workforce. Bittersweet.

Since July, I've had the priceless opportunity to be Max's primary caregiver 24/7 (of course, with the exception of "Daddy duty" hours). And during that time, I've seen him grow and learn and be all the things that make him Max. With all his "firsts" that we've awaited and celebrated, tomorrow will be a "first" that I can't say I've been looking forward to. But at least I know that Max loves to be around other kids and that he'll be in a clean, safe environment with very caring and qualified people. The biggest reassurance, though, is that I get to see him again! ...before rush hour! Ah, yes. The beauty of working part-time.

Wow. I can only imagine how heavy-hearted God the Father was to send off His Only Begotten Son to this unclean, unsafe world filled with very uncaring and unqualified people. It's a good thing the Creator loves to be with His created! And an even better thing that reunions are a big part of God's plan. ;) Speaking of reunions, tomorrow I get to see my hubby again after a 3-day assignment off-island! Yay!! (I'll let him expand on the details.)

So this is it. Keep us in your prayers for a smooth transition into a new world. Anchors aweigh!

Guam Revealed - Part 1

2007-10-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

After several minutes of quiet excitement and anticipation, there emerged from the security-restricted doorway 2 faces that made home feel not-so-far-away. Max required a little transition time to reacquaint himself with Grandma & Grandpa, but after lots of hugs & kisses (and the comedic gestures that only occur between grandparents and their grandchild) he appeared quite content to have 2 more sources of undivided attention.

Despite the unpredictable precipitation pattern, it was great to have Mom & Dad Miranda spend some time with us and experience a bit of Guam life. It was also an excuse for us to slip back into the touristy exploration mode. When the sun was out (or when the rain was up), we made sure to visit the island's most beautiful sights. Many of them rich with a stories of the past...

Just behind us is the bay in which Magellan landed upon his discovery of Guam in 1521.

Further out towards the water is an old Spanish fort--Fort Nuestra Senora de Soledad (Our Lady of Solitude)--complete with intact watchtower...

...as so well-demonstrated by Mom here!

One of the several tiny uninhabited islands along Guam's coastline.

Near the northern tip of Guam, a cliffside lined with coral--evidence of the water line's previous location.

Ga'an Point--a component of Guam's "War in the Pacific National Park" complex--where Japanese and American forces battled for weeks during World War II.

The beautiful Talofofo Bay on Guam's eastern coast.

With Navy privileges, we seized the opportunity to lounge at the military's own Gab Gab Beach.

...and to explore Guam's UNDERwater sights! We were tickled (literally!) to have exotic fish nibbling bread at our fingertips.

Our last day of sunshine before Mom & Dad left was spent admiring the Talofofo Falls which had been somehow converted into a sort of amusement park by a Korean entrepreneur.

One of the park's features was a replica of "Yokoi's Cave" named after a Japanese sergeant who fled into hiding during WWII and was not discovered until 1972 by 2 hunters...who informed him the war had ended! This mural illustrates the structure of his hideout.

Within just a few steps, a scenic gondola lift ride, and an obligatory walk through the "Ghost House" (ask Mom & Dad), we reached a place of beauty and serenity... which, apparently, mosquitoes enjoy also.

Well, that sums up the outdoor portion of Mom & Dad's visit. As captivating as those scenes were, however, I think it was all the "resort fun" they had at Leo Palace that made Dad ask if they could come back next Christmas! We'll save those pictures for the "Leo Palace Revealed" entry!

Having my parents go out of their way (and out of their continent) to come spend time with us was really a sweet blessing and a reminder of how God uses family to teach us what it means to belong. And for the relatively nomadic life we're living, that sense of belonging is invaluable. Praise God, He's been fulfilling our need with awesome friends and neighbors... and even new found relatives! (More on that later!) Of course, in the greater scheme, all of us who've been adopted into the Family of God know that Home is a long way off, but what a comfort to belong with those who journey there together--all the others on the water, too.

ONE

2007-09-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

Today, Maxwell is 1 year old! (Although, technically, tomorrow is when it will be September 22 in CA.) At 11:07 pm, on a late Friday night, Max was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in southern CA. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 14 oz, he made his presence known--thanks to a healthy pair of lungs! Now estimated to be at least 20 lbs and pulling some of his own weight around, my itty bitty baby is turning into a little boy.

The 1st birthday seems to be a milestone for us parents just as much as, if not more than, for our child. Sure, he's growing and learning to make sense of this strange new world... but so are we! If only babies came with owners' manuals! Maybe Mike & I should bake a cake to congratulate ourselves for keeping Max alive and kicking (and celebrate our own survival) for a whole year! Truly a miracle. :)

The main festivities will take place next week with some of our closest friends on the island. But the climax of today's celebration is the welcoming of Lolo GJ and Lola Beth (the Miranda grandparents) whose plane shall be landing in about an hour! Here's how Max is keeping busy in the meantime...

Before...

You want a piece of this?

...

...After! :P

On My Own

2007-09-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

The journey towards physicianhood can be arduous, painful, and thankless (8.50 per hour!). Nothing is sweeter than breaking through to the "other side", and removing the "resident" label which now entitles me to a little more freedom, respect, and reasonable monetary compensation. At the same time, nothing is more frightening than removing the "safety net" we residents refer to as "the attending". No more drawn out inpatient rounds, required lecture attendance, gathering data at o'dark thirty in the morning, or "guess what I'm thinking" medical trivia...I am on my own!

This past week marked my first week on the Inpatient Medicine Service which equated to heart failure, GI bleeding, pancreatitis, stroke, heart attacks, cancer (all bad things)...all managed by a team of 1 (also a bad thing). The week was inaugurated by a call night of laboring OB patients and crashing heart failure lady. Also, crashing heart failure lady didn't seem to care if I was post-call either. The week seems like a blur to me. Was it scary...yes. Did I kill anyone...no! Can't wait to do it again!?!

Step by step

2007-09-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

A milestone reached... A frontier entered... A step taken...

Max is walking!!!

This little guy's first observed step actually took place about a week ago as he crossed the ~20-inch gap between the chair and the couch. But it's the kind of event that incites both excitement and doubt--for fear of rationalizing it into reality because you're so eager for it to happen. "Did he really take a step? Or was he just moving his foot while falling?" Well, we held off on marking it as Max's official first step since we weren't sure if it was "for real"... plus, Mike wasn't there to see it (and believe it).

Since then, Maxwell has been proving to his father that he, indeed, can walk. It fascinates me how he grows more and more confident with his new found skill, and I'm even delighted by Mike's expressions of amazement every time he watches Max walk.

Oh, how deep the Father's love for us! That even our grasping of simple truths brings joy to His heart. That He watches us test, then try, then reach those new horizons... places He has been waiting for us to enter and enjoy.

Back to the Beginning

2007-09-05T02:24:00.000-07:00

Well, the moving-in is still in progress with over 10 boxes that have yet to be unpacked. Not too shabby, though, considering there were 130-something numbered items unloaded from the moving truck! With God's grace, that day actually went a lot smoother than expected. And despite the dreaded precipitation (the movers had to take 2 breaks due to sudden downpours!), all our stuff was moved in and major furniture assembled in less than 3 hours! Woohoo!! The only apparent casualty was our corkboard bulletin board which arrived broken in pieces... so long, faithful office accessory.

We did, however, locate and unpack the intact USB cord for our camera which facilitated the downloading of ~480 pictures! (Hey, carpe Kodak!) But we shant overwhelm you with all of them at once. We'll give just enough to keep you coming back for more. ;)

And now... the long-awaited visual update begins!

Our very first day on Guam is, honestly, a big blur... likely due to its 1am commencement! Hence, the lack of pictures documenting our "first day." What we do have is a photo of our first Sabbath breakfast on Guam which took place in our fairly spacious hotel room. Nothing beats Goober PB&J and "pan de leche" from K-Mart!

We took advantage of our jet lag (it was ~2pm Califronia time!) and went for a morning stroll outside our hotel before heading out to church. What a great way to start the Sabbath!

"Toto, we're not in Murrieta anymore! "

Here, the Philippine Sea reminds us just how far we've come... and how far God has yet to take us.

More to come!

Babies, BBQ, and Bugs

2007-08-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

Just finished my first inpatient hospital week on the OB/Newborn service. Delivering babies without someone looking over your shoulder was weird...almost scary. Praise God no mishaps this last week:) Nothing beats ending a busy work week with a healthy dose of full court hoops. I haven't played in months. My body is paying for it today, but it was worth it:)

Brief comments on Curry Kebab. Good Indian food at Guam prices. Love the eggplant. Appreciate the toys for Max.

Brief comments on Chamorro Village. BBQ galore. Insulin resistance everywhere.

Brief comments on mosquitoes. Hate them.

Until next time...

"Home Coming"

2007-08-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Today, we bid goodbye to the military-issued loaner furniture we first received 19 days ago, which was the only furniture we've had since we moved into our home (besides Max's crib). Now all we have to sit on is the floor and toilets. :( Pity thee not, however, for the departure of someone else's couch simply heralds the coming of our own! (trumpets sounding.) The Navy housing office called the other day to inform us that the remainder of our household goods (which also happens to be the majority of our possessions!) had made it to Guam. Whether those goods survived and are in the same number of pieces as when they left sunny SoCal... that is another story which shall unfold itself tomorrow. And since Mike has inpatient hospital duty this week, Max and I will be directing the moving show ourselves. :o Prayers will be appreciated for a minimally-chaotic and rainless day!

After our things come in tomorrow, I think we'll start to feel settled in and finally call this place "home." To celebrate the coming of our very own stuff, we made plans to eat out for dinner tonight. The lack of a dining table and chairs also makes a good excuse not to cook! We're actually doing a double date (chaperoned by Max) with new friends Ken and Gizelle Lee (more on them and other Guam friends later). It's our first visit to Curry Kebab --the island's primary venue for Indian food-- and to Guam's weekly street-fair-esque tradition "Chamorro Village." Stay tuned for Mike's formal eval of the cuisine. ;)

Apologies for the pittence of pictures so far on the blog. We'll be able to download pix after our USB cord comes in with the movers tomorrow!

Get to Work!

2007-08-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

We are at the end of week # 3 in Guam and I wanted to share with you the Navy side of things. Our primary objective (military talk) for coming to Guam is to fulfill my obligation to the Navy as a family physician. Without going into too much detail, this week marks the end of my first official work week...and boy it was a lesson in patience.

If there is one thing that the Navy teaches you, it's adaptability. I am told one thing ("take a few days off, get settled."), and then told another ("...oh someone called in sick, go ahead and start seeing patients."). Then the addendum ("...by the way, you don't have access to anyone's medical records yet...and you are on call this weekend."). And that sums up my less-than-ideal welcome to work. Hopefully I will get promoted from my current rank of "newbie".

As a new family physician serving in the United States Navy I am looking forward to exciting times. To say it in just one word, my goal here in Guam is growth. Growth as a husband, father, doctor, and Christian. I know the Lord has so much in store for me and my family.

Guam or bust!

2007-08-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

A new chapter in the Mercado book has already begun, yesterday marking the end of week #2 for us as new Guamanians. On July 25, 2007, we embarked on a lengthy but safe flight from San Diego over the Pacific Ocean and across the International Dateline which concluded with an uneventful landing on the island of Guam at ~1am on July 27. (I think I sleep-walked off the plane.) Maxwell, now ~10 months old, handled the trip relatively well... unmedicated! ;) Within a few days we all were recovered from our jet lag, and Max has resumed his wonderfully convenient routine of 10-11hrs of continuous sleep every night!

The main reason we started this blog was to keep our beloved family and friends updated on our adventures in island life (and post pictures of Max, of course). But Mike & I thought it would also be a great tool for us, personally, to remind ourselves of how this move provides opportunities for spiritual growth. We recently started reading the book of Matthew for family worship, and it was during one of our worship times that we were inspired to use our blog in this way.

Matthew 14:22-32 tells of a unique meeting between Jesus and His disciples in the middle of a lake. It's pretty amazing that He walks on water to meet them. However, the true excitement comes when Christ invites Peter to step out of the boat and onto the water. I encourage you to read it for yourself. The passage does reveal Peter's strength and weakness of faith, but the point is that he exercised it. Today, Christ invites each of us to do the same. Whatever those "waters" may be (career, relationship, finances, health, church), take a step of faith in the direction that brings you closer to Christ and to where He is. We know that God's got a purpose for us here in Guam; you're welcome to join us as we venture out to discover what that is... and, in the meantime, maybe you'll find yours.

This is the story of the Mercado family's voyage ONTO THE WATER.