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It All Started In March...

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Around March 2020 my family began to face some hard times, as did much of the country. For us, they have been long-lasting hard times that continue to this day. Around March our 8 year old daughter began to have puzzling symptoms of sickness. The symptoms were rare, and they would come and go, and they continued into the summer. Then in August after some blood work, we were told to admit her to the hospital after a blood test result caused alarm to her pediatrician. Three days into her hospital stay, on August 31st it was confirmed that she did in fact have a serious illness – she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The very next day, September 1st, she began her first of many cancer treatments, which will continue for the next two and a half years. Acute Leukemia works fast so the medical protocol is to begin treatments right away. After a week in the hospital she was able to come home. She remains at home and continues her treatments by going weekly to a clinic and is doing well considering the battle that going through chemo is. She’s my little champ! I am proud to be her dad!

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Also in March of this year, our business, like millions of others across the country, needed to shut down to help with the spread of COVID-19. All industries have been impacted in some capacity; some more and some less. My business was in the process of an expansion that entailed construction and moving into a new location and facility. Right before the shutdowns, we were about three weeks away from completing construction, moving, and following through with every facet of the business expansion. Undoubtedly 2020 looked to be an exciting year with our new venture. Unfortunately, every aspect of our business involves congregating both kids and adults, so the timing of COVID-19 could not have been worse.

The other aspect of our business which involves on-sight work and partnerships with local schools, was also unrealistic, as COVID-19 presented schools with their own challenging logistics to manage. And by now most people know that our region, the Rio Grande Valley, was and continues to be particularly impacted by the virus. Obviously, this further complicated a re-opening of our business and any sort of going back to normal operations. It is now September, and despite the enormous uphill battle, we are moving forward with our business.

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You might be thinking 2020 has been a complete catastrophe for us. I share my story on behalf of my family to tell you that despite our circumstances, 2020 has NOT been a complete catastrophe.

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We live in a great country capable of so many great things. It is just going through a rough time right now. I remain and will always be deeply grateful for the many gifts this country has afforded me and my family. It has enabled me and my family to have our home, our livelihood, our businesses. If we want to see the many ills our country is facing fall off, it's not that hard; be good citizens and exercise a little (or a lot) of selflessness.

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It's now September and I'm a little ashamed to admit that prior to this year I wouldn't recognize that September is designated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This helps bring awareness to childhood cancer, which remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14. Now I write hoping to bring you the awareness this cause seeks every year. And I look forward to furthering the cause hoping to bring light to my circle of influence and beyond.

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Finally, the main reason 2020 hasn't been a complete catastrophe is because we serve a mighty and great God. In fact, He is the one true living God of all the universe. He is the source of my family, the one who has given me all that I have, including the wonderful gift of my daughter. We love Him and He loves us. And currently, He has allowed for us to face this tremendous obstacle that will bring us closer to Him than ever before. I am humbled that He would find my family worthy to endure such an extraordinary feat.

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We don't fully know why God has allowed this sickness on our only child we struggled 9 years to have, but we trust that He knows why and that it is for our good and His glory. As we live through this, our prayer is that God's will accomplishes in us what it is intended to do. And that many others who learn of our story are moved to a closer relationship with Him, the Man Christ Jesus, our Savior.

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Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Oh Holy Mother of God pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.