Happy Birthday, Samuel!

We went to Sweet Tomato (Souplantation) to have dinner for Samuel's birthday. When we were eating, Joshua asked "I thought we're celebrating Samuel's brithday!". And ya, celebrating birthday shouldn't be just eating... so we take turn saying something we're thankful for having Samuel. While we were saying all these nice thing about Samuel, he just smiled and smiled. Yes, I'm very grateful to God for giving us such a sweet boy, Samuel. I remember times when I was mad at Joshua and Samuel would come to me and give me a loving smile and said "I love you, mom". Those words really touched my heart. Sometimes when I disciplined Cheryl for taking things away from her brothers' hands, minutes later I'd find Samuel give up the 'thing' in his hands and give it to Cheryl. Samuel is a very considerate boy. Before he sleeps, he would always ask me this question "Is Daddy gonna come see me later?" He looks for the affirmation that Daddy will come to see him later. Whenever I say 'yes', he would give me a glowing smile.

When he gets up in the morning, he would looks for Daddy. Of course, he is a gift from the Heavenly Father to Jerry. Samuel was born on 爸爸節.

I remember when Samuel was born, he had apnea. Even when I was discharged from the hospital to go home, I insisted to travel to the hospital everyday to visit Samuel in NICU. He was more important to me than my physical recovery. I remember I would cried whenever I hold him in my arms. God gave me wisdom to speak words of hope and live to him whenever I get a chance to see him. I told him "Be a good boy and breath!" He did! Praise God for healing Samuel.

Samuel is so blessed to have Joshua, Cheryl, Max and Brianna to celebrate his birthday, a beautiful creation of God. Yes, birthday is a time to celebrate because God creates a unique and precious human being in His own image. I can imagine the rejoicing going on in heaven for the birth of every human beings. Birthday celebration is a time to remember the value of a person. I want my children to know that they are important because they are created by God, and God has a destination and calling for their lives which will unfold to them as they grow up and seek God. I want my children to know who they are in Christ.

Birthday is a time to share and give. Contrary to my childhood, I want my children to know that when it is their birthday they get to share goodies with their friends. I remember when I was a child, birthday is about me me me me me and what I want! I was very selfish. I'm glad I don't see that in my kids, yet. I learn a lot from Jerry's kindness. Jerry bought some fruits, juices, and snacks for our classmates for Samuel's birthday. Samuel's birthday became an opportunity for us to give and share. Giving is a big thing here at IHOP. They teach us to give when we don't have much, like the 2 coins of the widow Jesus was impressed by.