Happy Valentines Day Mom!

Mom,

Happy Valentine's Day! I love you a lot and am very excited to see you this weekend. I am so lucky to have you as a mom. It feels so good to be in your presence. I pray that God will restore you physically so you can help advise me again and so that I can treat you to nice meals in New York and vacation with you in different cities!

Best Regards,

Warren

Letter from Dear Friends

Dear Alex and Miriam:

Seeing your Christmas card with the picture of Warren and Howie made me think again of Miriam.  You raised such outstanding young men who love the Lord and are willing to serve God in the church as pianists, just like Miriam used to play the piano in the Chinese church and BSF.  Also, both of your sons show such respect for others and are so polite whenever they see us.  They remain humble men even though they excel in so many areas.  This is because they were raised by wise and God-loving parents who taught them well.  As it says in Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.”  Seeing your boys must bring you comfort and joy.

Although it was more than 3 years ago, I still think of Jan 4, 2011, when I received Frank’s call letting me know that Miriam was ill and that we needed to pray for her.  During these past 3 years, we have prayed daily for you and Miriam.  Much of the time, we do not comprehend why these things happen because we are too limited in our understanding.  One day when we are face-to-face with God, everything will be clear to us.  We believe that God is trustworthy and merciful.  2 Corinthians 12:9 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Alex, what you have experienced over the last 3 years, is more than many people can endure.  We can only imagine how hard you work each day, the pressures you are under, your hope for Miriam’s awakening, and the loneliness that you must feel as you take care of everything.  We know how much you love and care for Miriam.  Even under these circumstances, you still remember God’s sacrificial love for us and remain obedient to God.  We admire your Christian example and steadfastness; you are a witness to us.  We feel that we cannot do the same.

For many years you and Miriam have loved and helped us.  We wish we could do more to help you now.  As Psalms 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.”   How is your health?  Take care of yourself as well as Miriam. 

We will continue to pray for each other. 

D and F

Card from Friends

Three Years Later

Dear Family and Friends,

It has now been 3 years and 8 days since  Miriam's catastrophic hypertensive bleeding stroke event. 

Life  remains a roller coaster but she is gradually improving. There is no functional recovery and any improvement is coming at a snail's pace. 

My health has changed significantly this past summer. It is hard but Christ suffered too. He gave all what he had...His life while He was here on earth. It is my privilege to love and help my wife. I am not quitting because Miriam and I have seen God perform miracles in our lives. He remains real and alive to us. He knows it all and he sees it all.

I thought this song "I've seen Him do it" is very appropriate for everyone to listen to. Never give up and never give in. He lives! So we have hope!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgAjN9Aa3-k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59IWHgH995g

Please pray for my health and continue to pray for Miriam's healing. 

In His Time,

Alex

Dear Family and Friends,

Miriam is recovering well from her surgery and urinary tract infection. Thank you for your prayers. 

Not too long ago, Howie was in town for a short summer break. I was able to record Howie playing and practicing the piano at home. I showed it to Miriam and she cried with joy. I am sure a flood of memories came back to her. She made music fun for the boys. Miriam could easily turn a "boring" music piece into a wonderful lively piece to play. God gave her that gift of music. She had the ability to compose, transpose and improvise all types of music. They came so easily for her. She gave God the glory.

Recently a dear friend of Miriam wrote her this letter and I received her permission to include this in her blog. It is my prayer that someday Miriam will be able to read this herself.

"Miriam, we love you and continue to keep asking God to heal you. We know you bear a lot of pains not only physically but also deep inside your soul. The deepest pain I guess is that you want to tell our beloved ones how much you miss talking to them and want to hug them and participate in their lives but couldn't so far! You are a devoted wife and mother. You always bless your family with all your heart. You love the Lord deeply and even now you look to Him daily for deliverance. 

Miriam, you are still serving your family through your faith in God! We are here to join you in prayers! We hold God to His Word that nothing is impossible with Him. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine! His Word will not go back to Him empty! Our hope is in Him, our faithful God!

Miriam, you have a beloved family who loves you and can read your heart through every facial expression and sound you make. What a special family! May God restore you soon and redeem the days the locusts have eaten.

I really want to hug you even though I am cannot right now since I live so far away. I ask God to give you His divine big hug for you! I know He will and does everyday because you are His child!

Love, 

Siu-Ling"

Please do not give up praying for her healing. She is ready to receive her healing from God. We continue to wait upon the Lord.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

August 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

I have not updated the blog for quite some time. Miriam has had very minimal progress but she has had close calls during her suprapubic catheter placement. As a result, I have pulled Miriam's foley catheter and she seems to be tolerating it without any skin breaks for the past 3 months. 

What is most pressing at the moment is to pray for her upcoming Baclofen Pump and Intrathecal catheter removal this coming August 13, 2013. The catheter tip was positioned too high by the neurosurgeon in Atlanta. This made it very difficult to titrate her intrathecal dose. I consulted with her neurologist and agreed to lower her dose to the lowest possible dose. If she tolerates this lowest possible dose then Baclofen pump and intrathecal catheter removal will follow. Miriam has tolerated this lowest dose. 

Interestingly, I received an FDA warning that the Baclofen Pump has a recall. So, this Baclofen Pump and Catheter removal is really divinely ordained.

Miriam has had very little progress. We continue to wait for His healing.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

A Special Friend,Flowers and a Special Song

Recently a dear friend from Costco came to visit Miriam to brighten her day....thank you for caring about our dear Miriam :-)

Mrs P also dropped by and left flowers for Miriam....beautiful!

Jenny and HK sent these beautiful flowers from Taiwan for Miriams birthday....so thoughtful.

Also Mike sent a link to a meaningful song.....it is called "Blessings" by Laura Story.
. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ
We don't always have the answers, we don't know the outcome, but we move forward in faith.

God Bless you friends and family.....keep praying!