The Presidential Suite

Since day 1 that they had their fever we have been praying for healing. Resting in God’s sovereignity we knew we do not need to end up in the hospital. When Kyle was having hallucination on his first day of fever, I was freightened but I know the Lord will see us through. Simone on the other hand was also chilling and having a high grade of fever. We were just really down on our knees praying.

The following day we had them checked in a clinic nearby. The long line for sick patients was unbelievable. Feeling sick and weak they waited until night and finally the doctor was able to check on them and was advised to have some blood tests. Morning came and they had their blood extraction. The results came in late in the afternoon and we were advised to have a dengue test for the kids because of low platelet count and Kyle was having few rashes.

And so we did. We decided to take them to Medical City to get the results faster. After waiting for a couple of hours we were relieved that it was negative. But the doctor advised us to have the kids admitted in the hospital because of low platelet count and they were reddish and dehydrated. They said we cannot be complacent, with a negative dengue test result. Monitoring of their platelet count is best.

I was crying to the Lord because we knew that this is something we cannot afford at the moment. But still His answer to our prayer was different.

With no healthcard, God is teaching us to depend on Him instead. He is our healthcard.

They were waiting in the ER with no bed because of so many patients and was just sitting in a monoblock chair. We decided to obey with the doctors recommendation trusting God that He is in control. My husband then opted for a ward room only since it is the cheapest.

While they were in the ER our third child Sean started to have fever too. We were at home and I was wondering how we will be able to manage taking care of all of them.

It was a sleepless night for us. Our eldest son Ivan hurriedly went home too.

Arnel then told me to go to hospital by morning so we can all be together and help each other in taking care of the kids.

In God’s majestic ways, He surprised us...the hospital advised my husband that they will be given the Presidential suite and Executive Suite as their rooms because of no room availability. This is all worth 40,000 but we were only charged with the amount of a regular room. How amazing! Praise God!

When I entered the room I was amazed beyond words with what God has prepared for us. I can still vividly remember that first moment when we were entering the room, every glimpse of each corner was perfect. I wondered how much more the kingdom He has prepared for all of His children. Opening the door slowly and my eyes peaking inside, I can’t believe we have the best room at the highest floor with all the special assistance. When their pedia came to check on them she can’t believe it too that we were there.

We were beyond grateful that God provided for a comfortable room for us. The Presidential Suite was big enough to accomodate all six of us witnessing the daily sunrise and sunset.

It has a beautiful view where we meet with God. Our favorite spot where we kneel down and pray. It eased our burden. The heaviness in our hearts were lightened and assured by our Creator.

Apart from the room, the food and water was overflowing. Their food serving was a lot so we did not have to spend so much. Surprisingly, our visitors would always bring Jollibee food for the kids which is their favorite. God made us feel so special.

While we were confined I was asking God if we did not trust Him enough that is why we still ended in the hospital. But then He made me realized that His reason is not because of our desire or our prayer of healing but because He wants us to experience His majestic glory just like what He did with the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. God became our pillar of cloud at night and pillar of fire at day. It was a bittersweet journey.

For 5 days in the hospital God gave us the best room. We were never transferred into a regular room. That alone is because of His goodness and graciousness. He orchestrated everything.

But God was not yet done, each day He has something in store for us to experience that He is our God almighty.

What God taught us....

1. He is always in control. We pray for our desires and if the answer is no, He has a better reason and purpose, we may not understand it but we just need to keep on trusting Him.
2. Each situation is not about us. It is about WHO He is.
3. We felt our togetherness as a family that God allowed us to fit in one room and be with each other.
4. We felt so loved by people who graciously prayed for us. We received a lot of messages that they are praying for our family and we felt comfort and joy.
5. It was a humbling experience. From being a proud person swiping our healthcard before, we were left with nothing but God to depend on.
6. Patience and wait on the Lord. We wanted to be out of the hospital on our 3rd day but their pedia discharged us on our 5th day. It was God’s way in giving a treat for my husband to celebrate his birthday on our 5th day in a presidential suite with all of us being together and my kids were well and playing, that alone is one of God’s greatest gift.
7. God taught us that we can always find joy even in our darkest times. We danced, played and laughed. We chose to be joyful! It was a different staycation that God prepared for us but the lessons He taught us matters the most.
8. God comes before us. He already knew what will happen. He knew from the beginning that my kids will be confined. God was thinking about us, he knew that my husband will be celebrating his birthday there thats why he prepared the best room for Him. Amazing!
9. God pursues us. He wants us to know that He would always have that gentle bond to pull us gently close to Him in our trying times. He wants us to find comfort in Him.
10. We felt God’s love through our spiritual family who cared for us, prayed, called and visited us. It was a loving moment to see and talk to someone in times of need. People who went on their way despite of their busy schedule to visit and pray for the kids. We were also so touched when one couple visited us, helped us generously, took us out to eat and reminded us not to be anxious. God used them to remind us to always have faith.

When we were discharged and I was looking at our bill I saw a big amount but did not realize how big our God is.

God lovingly provided, we received help without asking unexpectedly. For me, this is a miracle. God will send people who thinks about you and give wholeheartedly. Someone even went to the cashier to make a partial payment. It was humbling and yet fills our heart with love. We can hear God whispering to us...never will I leave you nor will I forsake you and He just did what He has promised.

My heart is beyond grateful.

I was able to understand why God allowed it to happen...He wants us to experience His presence and His majestic glory. His compassion through our spiritual family, friends, relatives, parents and siblings. He is my God and my Almighty Father.

I am in awe of His goodness and faithfulness.

During our 5 days in the hospital and seeing the vastness of His creation, God keeps on telling me “ Be still and know that I am God” - Psalm 46:10

What I felt was God’s unconditional and unfailing love. His undeserving to a sinner like me. He is beyond compare.

“ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15

All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!