need prayer...

i just found out that my grandfather (our mom's dad) passed away yesterday.  if you are willing, please pray for peace and comfort, especially for our family in taiwan.  it's an extremely difficult time right now.

Because He Lives

this past friday would have been our mom and dad's 32nd wedding anniversary.  sometimes i wonder if God could have made things any harder: since our mother left us a couple months ago, we've gone through valentine's day, her birthday, and now her wedding anniversary.  i have to admit at times i struggle to see God's work in all of this, but our family continues to rely and trust Him...i know that's what our mom wanted.

more importantly it was good friday, as we remember Christ's death.  my dad's reading this chinese book that a friend gave him, that helps wrestle with the questions of why bad things happen.  although it doesn't present any concrete answers, it does assure us that we serve a God who can relate to and understand the hurts that we're going through.  it uses the example of Jesus on the cross, crying out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" before He died.  in many ways it is a great comfort to know that Jesus himself knew what it felt like to be abandoned and feel forsaken.

sunday was easter.  i went to efc with my dad today, and it was odd to not have my mom singing in the choir during easter, which she so often did.  one of the songs that we sang was Because He Lives.  when we got to the last verse, i started to tear up, because it made me think of my mom.  the words say this:

And then one day I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns

how fitting this was for her life...

thanks God, for giving us hope.  thank you also for being a God who can relate to and understand our hurts.  thank you for the cross - amidst all the uncertainties and unknowns in life, it is the one thing we can be sure of.  

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

heather, my mom's physician assistant, just ran a triathlon to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer.  heather was such a blessing to our family, especially in the last few weeks.  you can read about her race here: http://triforpancan.blogspot.com/.  if you want to donate, you can do so here: http://www.firstgiving.com/tri4pancan.  

also, for those keeping up with the news, you may have heard that supreme court justice ruth bader ginsburg was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  fortunately, it was caught extremely early, and she was able to undergo surgery.  here are some articles in the media that were written following justice ginsburg's diagnosis - both of them actually mention dr. varadhachary, my mom's oncologist from md anderson:

US News & World Report: 6 Things You Need to Know About Pancreatic Cancer

Wall Street Journal: Justice Ginsburg Plans to Return to Court in Weeks

How deep the Father's love...

the past week has brought some incredible weather to houston, with some gorgeous sunshine, and a wonderful spring breeze.  sometimes i think to myself that i wish my mom got to see spring one last time, instead of spending her last days on earth in dreary, cold winter weather.  however, i have to keep reminding myself that she's in an infinitely more beautiful and magnificent place right now...ironically, i bet she's probably wishing we're all experiencing paradise with her right now.

How Deep the Father's Love for Us from Gene Valgene on Vimeo.

anyhow, i thought i'd share this vid that dr. hwang gave to us.  it's a short clip of my mom playing piano at EFC's 20th anniversary in early december, less than two months before she went home to be with the Lord.  this was one of her favorite songs, and she asked that it be sung at her memorial service.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I knoww that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast inJesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

When cherry trees blossom in April

The following was written by Chao-Dung and Amy Shih, friends of Peggy's for many years.  The Shih family are active in the Clear Lake Taiwanese Association, the same organization that Peggy was a member of.  

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In early April of 2008, Stone and I had a long driving trip from Houston to Boston, I told Peggy that on the way we'll stop by Washington D. C. to see Cherry Blossom. One day before the trip Peggy gave us a gift bag containing her homemade roasted pecan, two Christian music CD and a note she wrote that" thousand Mile's driving would be long and tired, eat the pecan listening the Christian music will keep you awake and safe". We were so moved by reading her note, her caring thoughtfulness warmed our hearts throughout the whole trip. While we enjoyed the beauty of Cherry Blossom in Washington D. C., at the same time we thought of Peggy's great beauty of giving, caring and kindness. Her big smiling face is as pretty as the Cherry Blossom!

Once Peggy said that she wished to hear what friends would talk about her before passing in steads of after passing. I am glad that I did send her a Cherry Blossom card to let her know that we had deeply cherished her friendship, her loving, caring and kindness was very much appreciated.

 

Peggy was a "people's person", she always did the small stuff with a big heart, extended her helping hands to friends including young and old, men and women, poor and rich; she was loved dearly by whose whom knew her. Her big smile and soft speaking voice will be forever remembered, specially when Cherry Blossom in April. 

 

Chao-Dung & Amy Shih

 

P.S. Attached three Cherry Blossom pictures, one of them is about the same cherry blossom card sent to Peggy in April of 2008.

An act of generosity

The following was a story sent to us by Linda, the wife of Dr. Robert Calhoun, the former English pastor at EFC of NASA.  Their family has always had a special friendship with Peggy, and have been close friends for many years.

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I don't know if Morris was aware of this or not...but when we were finally able to move out of our apartment in Houston and looking for a home, we had asked Peggy to be our realtor.  She took it very seriously, and promptly helped us find a house we really liked on Enchanted Isle! (Ha, and we are moving to "the Misty Isle" in a few months!) Anyway, we were so surprised and touched by her generosity in not keeping any commission on the transaction. She instead wanted us to have the money she would've made! I remember her and another lady...I think she was another realtor friend who also gave up her part too, coming over to our house to present the check. We had a nice visit and I expressed our appreciation for their unexpected and generous gift! We were able to put new carpet, that the house really needed, in with the money.  That act of generosity pretty much typified Peggy's lifestyle didn't it? Not wanting anything in return...just seeking ways to serve others. Jesus was very evident in her life. 

"My dearest daughter Pichi..."

the following was a letter written by peggy's father.  it was read at peggy's memorial service by jack, one of her younger brothers.

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璧姬 我摯愛的女兒,

忽然聽到妳因病安息主懷的信息，令我震驚和無限的哀慟，妳從小到大的生活情況都一一的浮現在我的眼前，雖然我的淚水如湧，昔日的情景依然清晰，妳從小聰慧，秉性善良，在家裡妳是父母寵愛的女兒，對父母至孝至順，對兄姊和弟妹都尊敬關懷，在學校妳是功課名列前茅的好學生，老師和同學都讚賞妳，妳以優異的成績畢業於台中東海大學。

•自從妳在美國結婚成家之後，每個星期，我們在台灣都可以接到妳的越洋電話，妳總是貼心的問候我，並且很高興的告訴我，妳的同學和朋友幾乎遍佈美國和加拿大各州，每到一個地方，妳也不忘告訴我遊覽的心得，讓我分享妳的喜樂，而每逢過年過節以及我的生日，妳都記得向我祝賀，並且寄禮物回來給我，妳就是這麼貼心的乖女兒。

•妳是虔誠的基督徒，妳以主耶穌基督的心為心，熱心的在教會侍奉，熱心的投入宣教，並且鼓勵妳的兒女參加宣教，前往各地服務人群。

•想到以後再也接不到妳向我問安的電話，再也收不到妳的聖誕卡，我不禁又悲從中來，雖然我們知道妳已息了地上的勞苦而安息主懷，但身為父親的我，怎捨得我至愛的女兒璧姬離我而去。

我已老邁不適宜長途飛行，未能參加妳的追思禮拜，令我心疼不已，我唯有在祈禱中懷念祝福妳，直到將來在天家相見。

•我感謝上天曾經賜給我這麼好的女兒，璧姬，我的女兒，爸爸永遠愛妳。

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My dearest daughter Pichi,

When I heard about your sudden passing, it broke my heart, and I have been grieving endlessly. Tears well up in my eyes when I think about your life, from when you were just a baby until now. The images I have of you are so clear, that it seems just like yesterday.

You were always so smart. You had a heart of gold. At home, you were the one that your mother and I loved especially much. You always respected and loved your parents, and always looked out for the needs of your brothers and sisters. In school you were always a good student, your teachers and classmates always loved you, and you graduated from Tunghai University with honors.

Ever since you got married in the United States, each week in Taiwan we looked forward to receiving your phone call. You always called to send your regards to me, and were happy to tell me that you had classmates and friends all over the United States and Canada.

Whenever you travelled to a new place, you always shared about your experiences with me so I could share in your joy. You remembered all of the holidays as well as my birthday, and never failed to send me a gift. You were such a wonderful daughter.

I know that you were a devoted Christian, and you took on the heart of Jesus Christ. You joyfully served in the church, and encouraged your children to do the same. You had a heart for missions, and always served others wherever you went in the world.

When I think about how I will no longer be able to hear your voice on the telephone, and that I will no longer be able to receive a Christmas card from you, I am heartbroken. Although I know you are free from pain and suffering in the Lord’s arms, as a father it is extremely difficult for me to let go of a daughter I love so much.

Because I am so old [93 yrs old], I am unable to make the long flight from Taiwan. My heart hurts because I am not able to join you this week. I can only remember you and bless you through my prayers, until we meet again in heaven.

I thank God that he gave me such a wonderful daughter. Pichi, my daughter, your daddy loves you forever.

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