Through The Sand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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