As many of you know, my wife, Stella, will be going in for surgery Tuesday, June 3rd, to have a mass removed from her pancreas. I will keep this blog updated as much as I can throughout the days that follow and ask that you check in as often as you can, and that you continue to pray for her healing...
Feel free to post messages to Stella here. Her hospital stay is expected to be between seven and twelve days and your encouragement will be most welcome.
Because of our faith, we know that God will be our peace as we continue this next part of the journey. And though there may be pain and discomfort, it too will pass and give way to joy.
Thank you for being an such an important part of our lives and thank you for praying!
Love
Paul and Stella
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Hope and beyond...
Posted by Papa and Mima Taza at 6:38 AM
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3 comments:
Hi Mom and Dad - we love you and think that your blog is so cool! It will be a great way to keep in touch with so many people who are praying for mom. We can't wait to see you tomorrow. We love you both very much!!
Hi Paul and Stella! I just got off the phone a bit ago with my sister and PRAISE GOD!! What awesome news that Stella came through surgery awesome and PRAISE GOD it wasn't Cancer!! We will be praying for a speedy recovery for Stella!! We would love to bring you a yummy dinner so let us know when you are home and situated and what you would like to eat :0) Hugs Pappa and Mima xxxxxx
In his abundant grace, J, Tan and kiddos!
Becoming a Pearl
I get devotionals sent to me and I have to share this one! It was truly touching!! ENJOY!!
Becoming a Pearl
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.—James 1:2-4
It takes an oyster somewhere between three and six years to produce a perfect pearl. The process begins with a small piece of sand or other irritant entering the oyster. The oyster then coats it with layers of nacre which, after years of this process, we come to know as a pearl, like we see on necklaces in jewelry stores.
Like the sand in an oyster, God uses a little irritation in our life to create beauty. A friend once told me that she never prayed for her children to be happy. For if they were always happy, she said, how would they ever develop character and experience personal growth?
Going through trying times is not pleasant, and James does not tell us to pretend we are happy in the midst of it, but to consider it an opportunity for joy. God gives us a promise that we can “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3b-4). It is through the hurt, pain and ugliness that, oftentimes, God creates beauty in each of us. Without the irritation, God cannot create in us a beautiful final product.
It is said that not all oysters produce perfect pearls naturally. In every three tons of oysters, you are likely to find only three or four that make a perfect pearl. When we embrace the struggle or irritation in our lives, God uses it to make us into something beautiful. When we run from or ignore our pain it is hard for us to learn from it and see God’s hand in it. Embracing the rough times and trusting God will ultimately help you become all God is training you to be.
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