Update from Michael - Monday, September 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Three weeks have passed since my last update. Time is just flying by now. In this update I’ll tell you about some exciting things that have been happening as well as ask for your continued prayers.

Things For Which We Praise and Give Thanksgiving to God

1. Melissa has gained weight and grown taller! Her weight is now 97.9 lbs. as compared with May 13 when her weight was only 89.76 lbs. She is now 167 cm. tall (5’ 5.7”)as compared with April 7 when she was 162.56 cm. (5’ 4”).

2. As “Mr. B” reported to you, she can now sing “Happy Birthday to You” all the way through, loud and clear. Singing is one of the speech therapies they use here and she can now sing three songs.

3. She can speak few words and count numbers. She can say a few words clearly: “Mama,” “Amen,” “Hallelujah,” “uno” (Spanish for one), “bye,” “no,” and of course, being a teen, “money!” The last time Mr. B was here she recognized him and when asked who he was, said “Mr. B” very clearly.

4. She smiles and giggles every day.

5. She can sit upright in her wheelchair 2 hours every day.

6. Her neck muscles are getting stronger and can support her head for half hour periods.

7. Her memory is about 95% or above. She is very sharp and can remember all her friends, schoolmates, etc. She can also recognize photos and when we say the name of the person in the photo she can recognize it right away. Also, when we say a word she can point to it on a sheet.

8. Her swallowing has improved. Beginning this week we will begin feeding her apple sauce.

9. Even though she can’t eat solid food yet, she really wants to and begs us for it … that’s a very good sign.

10. She now sleeps very well, from 10 p.m. to the next morning at 8 or 9 a.m.

11. She likes jokes and wants me to tell her a new one every day. If you have any good jokes I can tell her, please e-mail them to me (2michaelyu@gmail.com).

12. Her right hand and right leg are just beginning to regain some feeling. Even though it is very little, it is an important beginning. And for this we raise the LORD.

13. The doctors have told us many times that Melissa’s left brain was totally damaged by the two aneurisms and that she would never speak or be able to learn ever again. But God has answered our prayers, and we thank the many of you who have been diligently praying for her. The doctors are amazed that she can speak and is learning.

Pray Requests：

1. It is our dream to bring Melissa home this month. Please pray that we will be able to get the special bed she needs, a wheelchair, medical supplies, a nurse and therapist so we can get her home this month.

2. We are preparing our side yard for wheelchair access. Please pray that we can finish this project within 2 weeks.

3. Pray that Melissa’s heart valve damage can be healed or that she will become strong enough to receive a replacement heart valve. We are in the process of obtaining a second opinion from UCLA.

4. School starts this Thursday. Pray that the school district can send a teacher to tutor her and that she can maintain enough energy to learn.

5. Her brain continues to recover well. Pray that we will be able to put her left skull back within 6 weeks.

Since her condition is a lot of better, we more than welcome you to visit Melissa to offer prayer, jokes and encourage words. She especially misses her schoolmates, friends and her church small group.

May God bless you, and His name be glorified.

In Him,
Michael