A Tribute to Peggy Liaw

Peggy – My best friend

2010-01-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

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

2010-01-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

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

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

2009-12-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

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

need prayer...

2009-06-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-04-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-03-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

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.

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..."

2009-03-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

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.

•

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。

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.

•

Thanks..and keep 'em coming!

2009-03-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

thanks so much too all of you who have already sent us stories and encouraging words about our mom. we will start posting them over the next several weeks. i think faye has an online side project that she's putting together too, where the stories may show up :) also, we will be posting some material from our mom's memorial service, for those who could not make it. anyhow, we wanted to thank you all again, and encourage y'all to keep the stories coming! you can email them to prayingformom[ a t ]gmail.com. for more details, see the original post here.

"a dream my dad had"

2009-03-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

The following email was written by Elsa. She is Peggy's niece, the daughter of Peggy's oldest brother. Their family was very close with Peggy, and likewise their entire family was very close to Peggy's heart as well. We think that Peggy is still praying for them, even in heaven.

March 6, 2009

Hello Liaw Clan,

My dad just shared a dream he had last night and wanted me to pass it on to you all. Two things he did not know when he told my mom the dream were that it was her [Peggy's] birthday yesterday and that her [Peggy's] favorite color clothing (according to my mom) is red.

In the dream, my dad was at a fair-like place with booths walking when he noticed someone that looked like her. Then he thought to himself that it can't be but as he got closer, it became clear that it was her. This part of the dream was not clear to him but what followed was. When she turned around, her face was beautiful and radiant. She looked gorgeous (my dad really emphasized this) and she was dressed in red. She didn't say anything to him. He feels that it's her telling him that she is doing well in heaven.

I know it's been a tough week for you all. I'm sending you positive energy and you are in my thoughts.

Love,
Elsa

Happy Birthday, Mom...

2009-03-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

today, march 5th, is my mom's birthday. she would have been 61 years old today. to be honest, the past week has been really tough for me (and i know for the rest of the family as well). i think it's starting to sink in that my mom is no longer here. my mom was one of the first people i would call whenever i got good news, or whenever i needed to ask a question. i remember the other day i was in the kitchen in our apartment in dallas, and i had a question about cooking something. i instinctively reached for my phone to call my mom, and then it hit me real hard that she wasn' t there.

it still hurts everytime i pull into the driveway at my parents house, and my mom isn't there to greet me. it still hurts everytime i walk by her empty piano bench. it still hurts everytime i want to tell her something only to realize that i can't. i feel like there's an emptiness in my heart. i miss her so much, but i know by God's grace He will carry our family through. my mom told us before she left that if it were possible, she would pray for us in Heaven. i like to believe that she is still praying for us this very moment.

happy birthday, mom...we miss you.

And Let Us Not Grow Weary

2009-03-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

i've been reading this devotion book called Streams in the Desert which i pulled off of faye's bookshelf. the devotion for march 5th, our mom's birthday, seemed so fitting for her life...and i thought i'd share it with y'all:

"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" Hebrews 3:14.

It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."

In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.

And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--and I will wait.

--Washington Gladden

My dearest daughter Pichi,

2009-02-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter read by our mom's younger brother (Uncle Jack) at our mom's memorial service on behalf of our maternal grandpa.

Originally written in Chinese, below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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。

Slideshow from Mom's Memorial Service

2009-02-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the Christ Loving Life of Peggy Liaw from Gene Valgene on Vimeo.

*You can double click on the slideshow to bring it to fullscreen*

Please send us your stories!

2009-02-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hi friends and family of Peggy,

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of this tough but encouraging journey with our mom and family. Thank you to all of you who came to celebrate Peggy's life with us a few weekends ago and thank you for continuing to pray for all of us during this time. We know that many of you flew from across the country and globe, so thank you again.

As we have been reflecting back on everything, we realized that there is SO much more about our mom that we don't know in terms of how she's touched so many of ya'll in a personal way. After hearing a few stories from some of you either at the memorial service or afterwards, we were SO touched and moved -- and so much more amazed at how much she truly gave of herself to those around her no matter who you were. It made us really want to know EVEN more about our mom and the life she lived, not just for our own knowledge, but also so that we may share these stories about her with our own kids and their kids in the future and so on...

We are asking you all as her beloved friends and family, to please share with us her story in your own life, and how she has loved you or impacted you personally (including those of you who shared at the memorial service or who wanted to but couldn't). This is very open, so please feel free to share whatever is on your heart. Also, please feel free to write in your own native language whether it be in Chinese or English.

You may either :
1) email us your story about her to prayingformom[ a t ]gmail.com

OR

2) if it's easier to handwrite it, you can mail your story/letter/pictures to our address. You can email us above if you need our mailing address.

We plan on posting all of your stories on the blog as they come throughout the weeks. We know that many, many, people across the U.S. and world have been reading mom's blog and have been so touched by her story from just reading about her. (If you look at the cluster maps on the right side of the blog you can see all the people who read it from all over the world!)

We also plan on creating a scrapbook of all of your stories so that we can share them with future generations of our family.

We invite you all to be a part of continuing on our mom's legacy that is in Christ!

Love,
Morris, Simon, Faye, Gene, Sharon, Matthew, and Mariella

"New Bike, First Rides, and Mrs. Peggy Liaw"

2009-02-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

our friend eric chen from PCAC is participating in a charity bicycle ride from austin, tx to anchorage, alaska called the Texas 4000 to raise awareness for cancer. here is a link to his most recent blog post, where he mentions our mom: "New Bike, First Rides, and Mrs. Peggy Liaw"

you can track more of his journey here.

Slideshow from Mom's Memorial Service! :)

2009-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the Christ Loving Life of Peggy Liaw from Gene Liaw on Vimeo.

*You can double click on the slideshow to bring it to fullscreen*

Our Mom's Memorial Service - RSVP

2009-02-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We would be honored by your presence if you can attend our mom's "Celebration of a Christ Loving Life" service.

Your prayers and friendship has helped us each and every step of the way. God has used you more than you know. We are so grateful for your love for our family.

The service will be this Sat. Feb 7th at EFC of NASA at 2:00PM.
401 N. Texas Ave.
Webster, TX 77598

It would be great if you can stay and have dinner with us as well. It will be a awesome time to catch up.

Please e-mail Simon at leesimon[at]hotmail.com to RSVP by this Wednesday. Of course, if you change your mind about coming, you can always drop by.

Thank you so much! God is good.

Yes, indeed. Our mom is now with Jesus.

2009-02-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

[S & F] Dear Friends and Family,

This morning at 11:30am, Mom went to be with our Lord Jesus. She passed away from this earth very peacefully and is not suffering any longer. Mom's love for all of us is something that we will miss dearly.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and love for our family. We are grieving, but God is comforting us and giving us peace.

We are so grateful for the gift of our mom that God gave us while she was on earth. She belongs to God and not us and we are just so honored to have known such a wonderful loving woman of God.

In the end of all of our lives, it does not matter how much money we have, what kind of car we drive, or the kind of house we own, the only thing that matters is how much we love God and much we love people. Mom did both extremely well. She loved until the very last second of her life. She lived a God-fulfilled life. Even until her last breath, she was praising Jesus. She has finished the race and crossed the finish line. She is now celebrating with Christ in heaven which we are eternally grateful.

The memorial service will be at EFC of NASA at 2pm Sat Feb 7th. (401 N. Texas Ave., Webster, TX 77598).

Everyone is invited and dinner will be provided as well. This will be a time of celebration of God and Peggy's life on earth.

Thank you once again for your love for our family. Your prayers and love were felt.

God is good and we worship Him and Him alone. Christ continues to reign in our family. He will continue to be Lord until our last breath on earth. To Him have all the Glory!

Love,
Simon & Faye