As Irene has ventured out of the house more frequently she’s been sporting colorful scarves on her shoulder/neck areas.  Not only is she somewhat self conscious of her nearly black skin from the chemotherapy and stem cell transplant but she has 3 very distinct SCARS on the side of her neck from the temporary “Quinton” dialysis access port (3 lines) during the UCSF stay.  The Quinton was ultimately removed and replaced with the Tesio which is the existing dialysis access port which was surgically implanted directly into a heart artery.  (One quick side-note: please recognize that the darker hue is not a defining matter for Irene or me; she merely wants to return to her natural olive complexion).

As Irene and I examined her skin and discussed the scarring on her neck, this passage came to mind:

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Mathew 20:24-31

Every knee will bow. Every tongue will praise God.
Romans 14:11
© 2005 Hosanna Loh

Over the last several months Irene’s FAITH has amplified to stratospheric levels. As we conversed about the scarring, she made the following observation regarding the steroid treatment wherein she lost vision in both of her eyes from detached retinas, completely baffling the UCSF medical team.  You’ll recall that she lost her vision for several months.

It

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CRUCIBLE defined:

A vessel made of a refractory substance such as graphite or porcelain, used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures
A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial
A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces

I would say that Irene qualifies under option 2 …. “A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial.”  Do you agree?  Personally, I am convinced that she PASSES the severe test with an “A+” for her poise and carriage throughout the entire ordeal.

I am mindful of this relevant passage:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 3:9

I was recently inspired after reading Walt Wilson’s (a good friend who’s wife Dee is battling cancer and also the author of the book, The Internet Church) account of several young Marines as they completed their own CRUCIBLE ….

…. These men witnessed the Commanding General’s Flag Raising Ceremony, the graduation of 3rd Battalion Marines, and the Emblem Ceremony for Lima Company, 2nd Battalion. Lima Company was on their return from the

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