Peggy – My best friend

The friendship between Peggy and me goes way back – we had been friends for a very long time. We were classmates in middle school, high school, and in college. We were best friends in our work and later on, we decided to further our studies in the U.S. together. When Morris – Peggy's husband – graduated from University of North Texas, they moved to North Carolina for Morris’ teaching position. Soon after, Morris and Peggy then moved to Clear Lake in Houston. We became closer friends ever since.

She was a very easy going and caring individual. All of our friends knew that she took care of Morris extremely well. She wholeheartedly looked after her sons, daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. So, the relationships between all of the family members are very genuine and sweet. On the other hand, no appropriate word can be found to describe Morris' love for Peggy. Faye, Gene, Mathew, Simon, and Sharon all loved Peggy deeply and respect her highly. Particularly, the deep regard and compassion for Peggy expressed by Simon and Sharon are the envy of us all.

When Faye was born in 1978, I brought Morris' mother from Taiwan to help Peggy take care of Faye. They got along so well that his mother stayed with their family until her very last moment. Peggy took her with the rest of the family to travel around the country, visit friends – and this gave her mother-in-law complete joy until the end of her life.

Peggy was loved by each and every classmate. I was the luckiest one – we spent a lot of time together and had many beautiful memories. During the post-graduate study years, we drove all night to San Antonio, had fun all day there, and then we drove all night to Dallas. We visited Peggy's host family – Carol – and enjoyed her delicious pudding. During Christmas of 1987, we drove a mini-van together, including 10 members from both of our families, to Florida. Those fond memories will last forever.

Peggy loved us to the extreme; she would invite my family to her sweet home and also to her church activities in Clear Lake. Because of Peggy's patience and enthusiasm in keeping the Tunghai alumni well-connected with one another, we all remain very close to each other.

All this time, I knew that Peggy was a true and faithful Christian. Until later during these last few months, I began to realize her level of deep faith. Last August, when she first knew of her terminal illness, she told us that if this were God's plan for her, she would obey. She pleaded that we should not feel sorry for her and instead, should celebrate her new life in heaven. Her confidence in facing death deeply moved me - a beginner of faith.

Peggy’s life has ended in this world. However, she had a truly meaningful life. Every friend misses her. However, we also know that Peggy has left all the worry and pain behind – she now rests in our Lord's arms, and is enjoying true happiness forever. I wish for God's grace to heal the hurts and grant peace to everyone.

Li-Chu Liu

3/13/2009

我們所愛的璧姬姐

敬愛的廖教授及家屬們平安:

感謝主! 我們所愛的璧姬姐, 按照主的時間, 回到慈愛天父的懷抱裡. 想到將來我們可以再相聚一起, 在天堂日夜敬拜頌讚我們的主, 就倍覺安慰及充滿盼望.

何等榮幸與你們夫婦及全家在拿撒教會一起服事上帝, 承蒙你們多方代禱及扶持.成為我們一家的祝福. 去年12月14日, 當我們返回美國參加Daniel及Esther的畢業典禮,欣逢拿撒教會成立20週年慶, 我們又有幸與璧姬姐同桌用餐,她的許多美好見證又再次激勵我們. 在週年慶中廖教授夫妻一起點亮教堂燭台的那一幕,歷歷在我們心中, 彷彿看到你們夫妻靠著主的愛一次又一次地點燃無數人心中的亮光般.感謝主, 聖徒的腳蹤何等佳美!

謝謝你們來臺灣體育大學(我們的宣教工場)各個系的課堂上, 分享你們的專業知識及婚姻家庭之寶貴經驗, 使學生們獲益良多; 謝謝你們特地來參加臺中豐盛教會2008年新春感恩禮拜及黃恩典牧師的按牧典禮, 你們的蒞臨及勉勵帶來無數溫馨及鼓舞.

還有很多的感謝及懷念,紙短情長. 謹獻上我們的祝福及代禱!

啟示錄14:13 我聽見從天上有聲音說：「你要寫下：從今以後，在主裏面而死的人有福了！」聖靈說：「是的，他們息了自己的勞苦，做工的果效也隨著他們。」 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. from henceforth...: or, from henceforth saith the Spirit, Yea

詩篇 116:15 在耶和華眼中，看聖民之死極為寶貴。 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

主內 臺中豐盛教會
黃錦壽牧師
黃恩典牧師
Daniel Eng
Esther Eng
全體長執及會友 一同

憶一位人生勇者─陳璧姬女士

憶一位人生勇者─陳璧姬女士

丘靈光

從事牧職20年來，無論是在教會擔任牧師或是在醫院做院牧，在曾經探訪過難以計數的癌症患者中，以居住在大休士頓區的陳璧姬(Peggy)女士令我印象最深刻，也最令人敬佩！

今年年初，因病魔肆虐，使她不得不離開人世，暫時放下一起牽手30多年的先生—─廖懋榮教授和所心愛的子女與家人，回返天家與神相聚；看似她被打敗了，然而，她卻向我們展現另一種令人忽略的勝利，因為，在過去的三、四年的抗癌過程中，她所展現出的信心、勇氣、樂觀精神、積極正面的態度與喜樂的心，在在使探視者忘掉她是個癌症患者，反而感受到她像是一位勵志作家，正用她的生命與抗癌經歷徐徐道出一篇篇令人鼓舞又感動的文章。

在一次角聲癌症中心所辦的活動中，看到她隨著講師教導的歡笑活動中，盡情地歡笑，也因她常常保持著煥發的容貌面對周圍的人，使我們完全看不出她是患者；不僅如此，她不甘於做個被關懷者，反而在醫院裡擔任義工，也因為好學的緣故，只要有合適的講座，她就儘量參加，把所學有關關懷和輔導的知識用來服務其他患者。
沒有癌症患者不希望自己馬上得到痊癒，所以她就配合接受先進的醫療以控制病情；不僅如此，她也常常喜歡牧師、親人或教會的弟兄姊妹們為她禱告，把自己的病情交託給神。我不是她教會的牧師，但自來休士頓牧會時就認識她；偶有機會見到她並為她禱告，每當禱告後，她總是面露笑容，並不時堅定地表示不管有否痊癒都要心存感恩，因為醫治與否的主權乃在於神，即便沒有痊癒，她也欣然接受並已準備好去見神。

記得在她臨終前，我們夫婦特別到醫院去探望，當時她非常虛弱，正處於昏迷狀態中，不便我們久留，我們只好離開，然而，才走出病房沒多遠，我們夫婦就被其子女叫回，因她聽到是牧師、師母來探望，就一定要我們回房為她禱告。當時，她雖然無氣力說話，卻手指向天示意她已準備好見主面，去神為她所預備的更好地方。她對她的人生充滿感激與滿足，因為她有深愛著她的夫婿、兒女、女婿、媳婦與孫女陸續出現陪伴著她過去60年的人生旅程，更重要的是，她有基督信仰和天父的愛陪伴著她，成為一生中最寶貴的資產；然而，唯一的小遺憾就是沒能在臨終前跟親友們一一地道別，特別是在台灣的親人。

做為一個女兒、妻子、母親與外婆的璧姬姊妹，雖然遺憾不能與親人一一地話別，然而，我相信，這地上的一點遺憾必將轉化為親友們對她最深的懷念，因為她讓我們看見一個如何以優雅姿態和堅毅的神情來對抗病魔的典範；也讓我們見識到，一個重病患者卻常存憐恤的心投身於服務別人的義工行列中；更讓我們發現基督信仰在她身上所生發的鎮定與豁達。她的確做到了使徒保羅所說的名言：「那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了」。在她的一生中，以不屈不橈的精神來面對艱鉅的挑戰，為所當堅持的奮戰到底，把該盡的本份盡忠到底，活出了該有的信仰堅持，不僅留給我們一個深刻而感動的回憶，也留給我們一個優雅而堅強的典範。

對舅媽璧姬的懷念 A Remembrance of Auntie Peggy

對璧姬舅媽的懷念：

璧姬舅媽是一位負有「愛」的行動者，
不僅對家人有愛，對親戚朋友有愛，
她更是耶穌愛的使者，散播愛的福音種子在人間，
我懷念著她每年寄的聖誕賀卡、年終感恩卡和生日賀卡、
懷念著她每次回台為我們準備週到的禮物、
懷念著我們前往美國探親，她熱心週到的款待、
懷念著她對我及安安不時的關懷與關心、
Auntie Peggy 對您的懷念太多太多．．．
您對人愛的付出，永存在我們的心中，
如今，您雖先回天家，
但您所留給我們的愛，已成為我們思念您永遠連繫的橋樑。

外甥女
玫蓉　思念
2009/3/16

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A Remembrance of Auntie Peggy:

Auntie Peggy is a great executor of “GODLY LOVE”.

Not only did she love her family, her love spread throughout the relatives and friends. Most of all, being the loving ambassador of our Lord, Jesus Christ, she seeded the gospel of love among the people.

I miss ~
All of the Christmas cards, year-end thanksgiving cards, and birthday cards she mindfully sent;
All of the souvenirs whenever she came back and visited us;
All of the warm and thoughtful welcomes when I visited the States;
All of the care she bestowed upon me and my son, Peter;

Oh! Auntie Peggy I miss all of your ……
which I can not express with my own words.

You are a love giver and your love will always be in my heart. You may have gone home before me but… The “LOVE” you left turns to be the bridge where I see you and meet you …..

Niece
Marion Chen
March 16, 2009

璧姬與我 Peggy and Me

3月7日2009年

璧姬與我

我雖然沒有與璧姬一同住在休士頓，但我的媽媽璧姬的婆婆與她共處15年。記得我的媽媽告訴我，璧姬出自有錢人的家，但嫁給懋榮後，她很節儉、不浪費、又顧家。所以她老人家非常的讚美她的品德。

我自己的母親多年與璧姬一起居住，她對婆婆的照顧無微不至，當她老人家年紀大時，出外旅行也都帶著她一起去，從來沒說托朋友幾天，自己去旅行。就是全家去加拿大，幫廖評超相親，都帶她也一同去。她鼓勵我的媽媽去Alabama旅行，說趁著自已可以走的時候，有這種機會當去，她買票讓她與老人團去旅行，我的媽媽常常念念不忘。

最感動的是，我的媽媽在最後一程旅行時糖尿病很嚴重，他們折回休士頓，把媽媽送去住院時，我在澳洲接到壁姬的電話時，說媽媽要鋸腿時，我說妳怎麼辦？她說：「如果上帝要我照顧婆婆，祂就會賜我足夠的力量來服侍她。我很感動，她的信仰、信心何等堅固，實在是一個特好的媳婦。

貴美〔懋榮的三姊〕

March 7, 2009

Peggy and Me

I didn’t live with Pi-Chi here in Houston, but my mother (Pi-Chi’s mother-in-law) did live with her for 15 years. My mother used to tell me that Pi-Chi came from a very wealthy family, and yet she still married Morris (my brother), who did not have much money. She would manage their finances very frugally – she saved much and never wasted anything. So my mother would praise her for this, in saying that she was such a good daughter-in-law.

I was unable to look after my own mother at the time, but Pi-Chi took care of her with so much love and self-sacrifice. Pi-Chi and the whole family took her to travel with them wherever they went – even in her old age. They never left her behind to stay with others, but always insisted for her to come with them. When Pi-Chi wanted to take Ping-Chau to Vancouver to meet Ya-Yun, she took the whole family – even my mother. My mother told me of the time that Pi-Chi bought her a travel ticket to Alabama with the senior group tour, and told her that she should go while was she was able to walk. She was always so thankful for Pi-Chi’s generosity and thoughtfulness.

The most memorable moment was the last time she traveled with the family to Big Bend National Park. During the trip, she became very ill from her diabetes. The family returned home immediately and quickly took my mother to the hospital. Pi-Chi called me without delay, and she told me that she was going to learn how to give my mother insulin injections. Unfortunately the next day, my mother developed a severe clot in her leg, in which the doctors told her they needed to have her leg amputated. At that moment, I asked Pi-Chi, “How will you deal with this? It will be so difficult…” Pi-Chi told me, “If God wants me to look after mother, certainly He will give me enough strength to take care of her.” I was so deeply touched by her words and actions – they indeed showed her strong faith and love. Sadly, my mother passed away soon after; however, Pi-Chi truly was such a great daughter-in-law to my mother.

Kuei-Meei (Morris’ 3rd sister)

對璧姬的懷念 A Remembrance of Peggy

璧姬是一位非常「順服」的人，
她對人順服，是個孝順的好媳婦、好太太、好弟媳；
她對還境順服，勤儉持家，是丈夫的好幫手，孩子們的好母親，將三個孩子教養有成；
最後更以超乎常人的勇氣與信心坦然面對一切；
其一生所結生命的果子，是我們的好榜樣，永存在我們的心中，
我一生懷念她。

大組
錦環 思念
2009/3/16

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A Remembrance of Peggy:

“Dedication and surrender” describe the best to my beloved sister-in-law, Peggy.

She dedicated (順服) herself to her family
~ as a good daughter-in-law who honored her mother-in-law as her own,
~ as a good wife, and
~ as a good sister-in-law.

She surrendered (順服) herself to the life God prepared for her.
~ a great helper of her husband. She strived to be a good steward for her family
~ a great mother of her children. She raised her three children to be mature and useful people in God’s eyes.
~ an abundant faith in the Lord. She humbly faced her last days on earth

The fruits of her life are the model we are eager to bear and the memory we ink in our heart. I miss her ……


Sister-in-law
Chin-Huan
March 16, 2009

To Auntie Peggy - Celebration of Her Life on Earth

Auntie Peggy has a tremendous influence to my life. 18 years ago, I came to the States as a young single international student. Uncle Morris and auntie became my most immediate family here. Whenever, I faced the loneliness or struggled with my school work. They always make themselves available and welcome me to their family and to be part of their family.

Over 18 years, Auntie Peggy has encouraged me and helped me to open my eyes to our great Lord Jesus Christ. From her, I saw …

~ as wonderful daughter-in-law, who always took good care of grandma
~ as a loving wife, who submitted herself to uncle
~ as a sacrificial mom, who put all of herself to raise Faye, Gene and Matthew; and
~ as a faithful servant of the Lord, who served and praised Him all of her life

Although she passed away, I am celebrating her life in Christ on earth. “Victory”… It is the word always coming out of my mind when I think of Auntie Peggy’s life.

Her life is a victory over death ~
Auntie Peggy has overcome death at the moment when she trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. The everlasting life she has victoriously conquered death. Since I know, I will see her again on the day come.

Her walk on earth is a victory over the world ~
Look at it… How may people have been touched by her? How many souls have been saved through her witness, pray, and her walk in Christ? I don’t know where you are spiritually, but, surly, I am the direct beneficiary of her witness. Through her, I saw the true Love from God. Through her, I saw the significance of great gift of salvation which led me to restore my relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.

I am certain that it is a victory of her life as the faithful servant of the Lord. And I know, on her home going, our Lord stood up and received her joyfully in heaven. She will reside with Him forever and ever.

Do I miss her? Absolutely… But she did not disappear from me. Her love, faith, and hope in Christ and, especially, her smile will always be remembered deep in my heart.


Nephew
C. Benjamin Chen
Shared on Feb. 6, 2009
Edified on Feb. 9, 2009