July 9, 2007, Monday

After a couple of weeks in Taiwan, and 30 hours of non-stopping flights, waiting, connections, and car rides, we are back to US.

Many people asked me, “How was the vacation?”

“It’s good.” I would answer, “Very good. I felt a mission accomplished.”

During the stay in Taiwan, the girls got to meet all their first cousins, uncles and aunts, grand parents and many other relatives. And of course, also for the relatives to see the girls. It was very important to me. And I am sure they are all old enough to remember this trip forever.

In quite a few occasions, during the introduction to relatives or friends, I pointed to the girls one by one, “Esther is the oldest, Deborah is the second, and Priscilla, the fourth...” Then, there would be silence for a few seconds. Surely, laughs and conversation continued afterwards with the praise how big and how beautiful the girls have become. Very few would mention or ask about Lydia (they all knew what happened), unless I brought it up myself (and I often did). For that, there is no difference in US or in Taiwan. Most of people could not handle the wounds and hurts. I hope I could hear at least something like, “I am sorry…”

I am sure they felt that way, just did not say it...

We were able to attend several churches which were praying for Lydia during her illness. We were able to shared Lydia’s story and wristband to many people.

The girls also got to visit many places where mom and dad came from and lived.

We also contacted a Christian publisher who may be able to publish Lydia’s story. We need to pray very hard about it. Our main difficulty is that we were not able to re-read the earlier entries yet. It’s too painful. We need to get other people to do it for us.

We took a family portrait in a studio, wearing Lydia’s “Living It ALL” T-shirt and wristband. Although only five people in the picture, we are always the family of six. Lydia was there, in the picture, all the red colors.

I have a story I would like to tell again and again for the rest of my life: a ten-year-old girl with amazing faith, tremendous hope, and true love to others, and her ultimate trusted Lord Jesus.

Recall her last words spoken was asking Jesus to help her…