Sunday, June 05, 2005

Dad looking better

Posted by Dawn at Sunday, June 05, 2005
Today, I visited my dad 3 times. The first time was in the morning from 9am-10am. But before that, I went with CT, bro and Pam to the grocery shop to buy some food stuff as well as the asian market which sells thai style breakfast. We bought one that tasted like chee cheong fun. Not too bad. After breakfast, we made our way to visit dad. I brought my MP3 player with speakers (which I borrowed from CT's colleague) and played for my dad as he wanted to listen to some music. He enjoys listening to Christian songs.

He was again trying to communicate through us and we had to play charades with him. It takes a lot of patience for us to figure out the word, letter by letter and sometimes, dad tries to mouth the words but we just cannot figure what he is saying. After visiting for an hour, we went back home. I had to prepare jelly for tonight as we are going to a CT's colleague cum church friend's (Bob and Tracy)place. Actually, they invited me,CT and my parents to their house tonight on this day but now, things have changed a little and instead of my dad, it is now my bro and Pam to join us for this dinner.

I guess most would not have the 'mood' to go out during this trying period....but we feel that no matter what happens, life still must go on and my mum hopes for everything to be as per normal. I also felt it will be good to go as eversince my bro, Pam and my parents came, they have not had a meal in an American home. So, it will good to try the food and enjoy their hospitality.So, I decided to make the Jap jelly to bring and let them try..by putting longan fruit in it.

After making the jelly, we went for the next visiting hour which was 1pm-2pm. So, we left for the hospital again. My heart beats faster when the car approaches the railway track near the hospital but at least I feel safer since this track has warning lights, unlike the other one. When we reached the hospital and went up to the ICU, they were doing something to dad, so, we decided to have lunch first at the cafeteria. While we were eating, Doug and Bette approached us. Doug and Bette are a very great Christian couple. I would say, they were God-sent. It is very amazing how God brought them into our lives and how much they have blessed us.

It all started even before I came to Singapore. My mum passed me a contact name and number of a church in Mobile, Alabama where I was going. She got the contact from the Bible Study International fellowship database. My mum was afraid I did not know which church to go to, so she asked around and got me a contact name, number and a church which I can go to. The name she gave me was actually Bette. So, that was how I first contacted Bette. After the accident, some friends of my mum in Singapore got hold of Bette's contact and told her to pray for my mum and dad who just met with an accident. So, Bette and Doug (her husband) went to my mum's hospital but the hospital did not have mum's name as it was under her maiden name, Chong Teng Yin..but her friends know her as Margaret Ling. So, Bette and Doug decided to go to my dad's hospital in hope to meet all of us (CT, bro, Pam and myself).

At that point in time, we just finished visiting dad and were leaving to go to the car to visit mum when all of a sudden, CT wanted to go toilet. So we all waited for him. Then after that, we made our way to the car and when CT wanted to drive off, someone came knocking at our car window and she intro herself as Bette. I was so surprised. She said she was praying that she could meet up with us to find out where my mum was so that she can pray with her.
Isnt it amazing how God planned everything so well and so timely. If CT did not go toilet, we would not have met Bette and Doug. SO, they followed us to the hospital and from there..many miracles came one after another.

Bette and Doug initially visited my dad and left a card by his side. And when they went with us to visit my mum, we told Bette and Doug that my dad's favourite song was "God will make a way" which was sung by Don Moen. We told them as Doug works with Don Moen (from Integrity). Then the next day when we went to visit my dad, we took the card and we saw that the back of the card has the song, "God will make a way". Bette actually sent us the card even before we told them my dad likes the song. It is like God assuring us that He will make a way. The song goes like this:
"God will make a way where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way."
My dad heard this song in church and it was the song that brought Him to God when he lost his job. This song assured him and touched him that God will be with him and will make a way for him even though everything seems bleak.
This afternoon when we visited dad, Bette and Doug gave us so many things. They bought a new CD player and new Christian CDs, CD album, and a devotional book for us. SO, we can play songs for dad to listen with the CD player. They have really blessed us a lot. Dad loves Don Moen songs..so that is why the CDs were songs sung by Don Moen. Feel really touched.
Today, one amazing thing happened was that dad actually told us to bring a camera to take a picture of him for testimony. He wants to be a testimony for God and to share with others about God despite his condition. So, we took a picture of him and he wanted to see it. I asked him, "Are you sure you want to see yourself?" He said yes..and so we showed him the digital camera of the picture we took of him and he was smiling. The nurse said that they did a Spa Treatment on him and took away a lot of his dead cells, washed his hair and shaved his beard/moustache. He looked very much better and fresher. Dad even told mum to keep a diary to record all of God's goodness so far in our lives.
God is good and even through this period, He is good. We feel so much love and peace. It is just so amazing. I wish I can tell you how happy and excited we are back here by reading the bible and how God speaks to us through His word which is so appropriate.
After our afternoon visit, we went back home to change and get ready for dinner at Bob's house. The dinner was great. Before dinner, we played badminton, volleyball,frisbee with the kids. Their dog is really cute and shaggy. Very dirty. I will post the pictures up soon to show you. Do check it out in my photos website.
Had beef burgers, mashed cheesy potatoes, coleslaw, chicken kebab, grilled chicken breast..and apple turnovers with vanilla ice cream. So yummy and so full!! Over the dinner table, God was def in our conversation. All of us talked about how God has been speaking to them and how good He is that we cannot stop talking about him. We had a good time talking and just encourage one another. Their kids were great as well.
After the dinner, we went back to visit dad and the CD was playing. I left the CD there to play continuously for him as he requested. Tonight, dad told us that he saw people dancing outside. He said he do not know them and they were dressed very colourfully. We realised that what he saw were actually angels and God comforting him that He is with my dad. During one of dad's operation when he was wheeled out of his room, Pam McCarthy (Ct's colleague) saw a vision of angels surrounding his bed as he was being wheeled into the operating theatre. It is so amazing...
Then dad also told me that his left leg is very uncomfortable and he wants it to be straighten. We looked at his left leg and it was straight. Initially we thought he can feel his legs and were pretty excited but when we saw how he thought it was bent but yet, it is straight..we were stunned. We told him that it is straight already and he told us that he feels very uncomfortable and wants us to massage his left leg. So, my mum did and I asked him if he felt anything. He said no...and he was feeling slightly frustrated. I know how he felt and was assuring him that no matter what happens, God is with him and the family will be supporting him. He looked pale when he realised he had no feelings on his leg.
I just pray dad to be strong in the Lord and will feel better. Before we left, we prayed for him and mum gave him a goodnight kiss. He also kissed mum back by moving his lips. So loving.. :)

1 comments:

Hebrew_Star on Sunday, June 05, 2005 said...

What a wonderful testimony!! PRAISE GOD!!! I'm very touched. HUGS dear...

Take The 5 Love Languages profile with this widget

 

M e t a c o g n i t i o n Copyright © 2010 Designed by Ipietoon Blogger Template Sponsored by Emocutez