A Prayer from your Dad's Friend and Mentor

This is a prayer from my mentor and friend, Dr.Samuel Ling for us through e-mail, when he knows of your birth.

"Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise you for your grace, for the birth of Fidel.

We pray that he will learn to fear you, love you,

trust in you, serve you.

We pray that Liana and Joseph will receive strength,

wisdom and grace,

sufficient for each day,

to fulfill their calling as parents.
We trust in you, overcome our unbelief.

Give each one the physical rest needed for each night,

each day.

In Jesus name, Amen."

Your name is Fidel

When I was first married with your mom, I was very afraid of bringing a baby to the world.
Not because I didn't want you, but it was because I was worried of you being born into this world of pain and suffering.

When considering a name for you, I asked myself.
What I want my son to be?
What I wish my son to have in order for him to be able to face the trials of life ahead of him?
The answer that came to my mind was Faith.
I wish and pray that you would be a man of faith.
Not a kind of self-confidence, but faith in the One true God of Trinity.
Therefore I named you 林怀信.
Fidel is your name.
Which in Latin roots means Faithful.

I know, you will be a man useful in God's kingdom, and a blessing to people around you, if you remain Faithful to God and faithful of who you are and what He entrusted you.
Dad and mom cannot accompany you through out your life's journey.
But, we are grateful to have each moment with you.
Only God can lead you all the way,until we shall meet again in eternity.

Remember son, Your name is Fidel.

Our first encounter

(your first photo)
(the next day of birth)









The moment and the feeling of the very first time we met is still very clear in my mind.
Your mom was still in the ICU after operation when the nurse push you into the room where I was waiting anxiously.
I almost cannot believe what I see.
My little boy, my own son, opened his eyes and staring back at me.

A life is a gift, as well as a miracle.
When a son is born, at the same moment, a father is born.

Our relationship begins here.
On the 20 Sep of 2008, 12:09am.
I will be your father and you will be my son.