ARIAS FAMILY (September 2010)
Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ. My name is Paulo Arias and the beautiful woman standing next to me is my wife Olive. Were here to testify about the limitless power of God and His unending faithfulness to His children.
Fourteen, three and two. These numbers might not mean anything to you. But to Olive and I, up until recently, these numbers meant that we would spend the rest of our lives not knowing what it feels like to have a child of our own.
Fourteen. That’s the number of years Olive and I have been married. Olive and I met in our teens and fell in love. I know it’s a cliche but we really were meant for each other. We married in our mid twenties. We matured together, travelled together, shared the same sense of humor and even accepted Christ together in 2002 at CCF Sucat. And although we were more than content with each other’s company, we prayed and asked for God’s favor to bless us with a child. But the years went by, and no baby. We remained hopeful the first few years, but once we crossed the 10th year, and as we got closer to the age of 40, our hope started to dwindle. But throughout those fourteen years, we continued to pray.
Three. That’s the number of times we had a failed pregnancy. Three times we found out that Olive was pregnant. Each time, we experienced the inexplicable joy of an expectant couple. Unfortunately, the pain of losing a baby during pregnancy doesn’t get any easier the more times you go through it. But throughout the joy and the pain we praised God, trusting in the Lord’s plan and asking him to grant us his favor despite the three failed pregnancies. We prayed.
Two. That’s the number of times Olive was diagnosed with cancer. The first time was in 1998 when a tumor the size of my fist was found lying on top of her heart. She had open chest surgery and radiation treatment and was in remission for five years. Just when we started to try to have a baby again, the same type of cancer recurred. This time she had to go through chemotherapy. While we went through the whole experience of seeing her turn pale, lose her hair and become weaker each day, we continued to pray. First for her recovery, then for a child. I have to admit we prayed with less hope of having a child even as the Lord healed her because we knew what chemotherapy and radiation can do to the body. But we prayed nevertheless.
Fourteen years, three failed pregnancies and two battles with cancer.
On January 1 this year just after the new year celebrations, Olive woke me up to give me the news that her pregnancy test was positive. We were just as happy as before, but this time, more guarded and cautious. Looking back, now I know how Abraham and Sarah felt when God told them that they would have a child. Somehow, in the back of our minds we were trying to protect ourselves from the emotional pain in case we lose the child again. But with each month that passed, God fearfully made our baby inside Olive’s womb. Even while our baby was still inside her, the three of us prayed. We prayed for God’s will to be done, praising him and remaining faithful regardless of the outcome.
On Aug 18, 2010, God smiled upon us. Olive gave birth to a healthy, beautiful and perfect child. All 7.3 lbs of her. The first time i laid my hands on my baby, I praised and thanked God for the miracle that He performed right before our eyes. And now, every time I look at my baby’s face I know in my heart that God has blessed my child… also because she looks like me.
Fourteen, three and two. Now these numbers have a different meaning to us. Instead of despair and broken heartedness, these numbers now show us there is nothing impossible to an omnipotent, loving and faithful God.
And to those of you who remain unconvinced of the power of prayer and of the miracles that God can perform in your life, we would like to introduce to you, Angela Therese Alfonso Arias.
To God be the glory.
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