Latest Results – Update

Hello friends and family,

As promised I am getting out an update regarding Tuesday’s Dr. visit and results of the PET scan. But before I do that I also promised that I would share about some understanding I have gained on Hope, which is still being revealed as I write this. Feel free to skip down to RESULTS. To me they are both directly related.

Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick, but when it, (what we have been hoping for), comes, it is the tree of life. Anybody else ever experience a bummed out, tired of waiting heart ? Or the tree of life part ? Webster says that Hope is; the desire with confidence. Last week and with the recent elections we saw the overwhelming desire and excitement for Hope. It starts as an emotion and moves down to the core of our soul. In Psalms 37:2-4 it says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good: dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. *** Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. What a huge promise but we must realize that if we are delighting, (partaking in His goodness and obedience to His Word) in God, our desires will not be selfish desires but for things that line up with God’s heart for us. Confidence means – certainty, reliance, assurance. I have asked myself how assured or certain can I put my trust in really anything in this world. No body is perfect so our confidence in any person has limitations, Our confidence in the outcome of various circumstances is usually only derived by past experiences we or others may have encountered, and at best a probabilities. Going back to the idea of death and taxes, lol. So I think confidence is directly related to faith, (the evidence of things hoped for but not yet seen). The level of faith and even confidence in a person or even with God really comes down to trust, and trust based on track record or faithfulness and abilities to come through. For me, not that He had to, but God has proven His faithfulness in my personal life so many times in so many amazing miracles. And as I read the bible it has a common thread of God’s faithfulness and overwhelming love for us. So I know God as faithful, to His word and His promises of eternal life, and therefore my confidence in Him is great. Even in ALL the areas that I may not understand or question. Like the trials I face now. I think we all have to ask, “where is my confidence, security, faith, and what am I hoping for ?” We Hope, examine what our confidence is in, we trust, all knowing that it still requires faith.

Through the night I was thinking about the scripture in 1st Peter 1:3-8 which really sums up my last update, read it if you get a chance. In looking it up today I came across verses 20-21 which sums up what I am writing today. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him Glory, so that your faith and Hope are in God.” I am also standing on Psalm 91.

RESULTS –
Well, we did get not the results we had hoped for to be honest. The PET scan showed some activity in some lymph nodes in the neck, and abdomen as well as a nodule on the bottom of my lung. The doctors are inconclusive at this point of what they are but have some concern. The next step would be to take a biopsy with in the next week and go from there. Of course many things are running through our heads and plenty of emotion, but since the earth didn’t spin off it’s axis, I am confident that God is still on His throne and perfectly in control. We have the comfort of His Peace as in Him we put our trust, our confidence, our hope, and know that we have been given the freedom to approach His throne room boldly making our request / desire known petitioning Him for a miracle of healing and long life.

I will send out an update once we get the results of that biopsy and know that we humbly ask you to stand with us in prayer and petitioning for; 1) God’s perfect will, 2) complete healing of all cancer, and 3) continued strength & peace for Maria, Duke and myself.

Meanwhile, enjoy reviewing some pictures if you would like; Just click each one.

Wedding: Felipe Wedding on Flickr

Honeymoon in Miami & Keys: Felipe Honeymoon on Flickr

Reception: Felipe Wedding Reception on Flickr

I welcome and tremendously appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for reading and God bless you and yours.

(visit richardfelipe.com to view past updates and more)

Richard Felipe
Development Officer – URM / Hope Gardens Family Center
Union Rescue Mission
545 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90013
213.673.4893 Office
310.261.1999 Cell
213.673.4589 Fax

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God is Good.
I pray that He shows you extra today. Or, that we just have the eyes to see it.