August 6, 2011
Yesterday I was unable to speak much, which is the same case this morning. My voice is gone. However, when Jacqueline stopped by and described her soup for me … the baby kafta balls, swimming with baby carrots, green beans and special spices … something inside of me “moved”. I felt as if my appetite was back … I really wanted her home-made soup and wanted it now. So the nurse brought it in, and of course, I was very cautious since I tend to get excited about food, until I taste it, then I am, typically, immediately full. However, in this case, I tasted how good the soup was and could not stop eating it. I was eating those baby kafta balls, drinking the delicious soup, the carrots were out of this world … I could not stop eating. For once I was hungry and feeding my hunger ! It’s as if I had no food for ages. I had to force myself to stop in fear that it was too much. Then, after resting for a while, rejoicing for the moment, I grabbed Jacqueline’s rise pudding (Riz Be Hallib) and clobbered it. It was delicious. Then a thought came to me … forget about my voice, who needs it in isolation ! give me my appetite back. That’s what I need. For a moment, it reminded me how sometimes our preachy voices can be heard everywhere, but down deep, our appetite for the Word of God is not much. So my prayer is for Him to hunger me for his Word, to the point that I “cannot stop eating it”, just like Jacqueline’s delicious soup. That’s what I need. What about you?
I appreciate all of your priceless prayers for speedy recovery. I need and count on them.
Sami Lahoud 
habibi Sami
u r continously in my thought and prayers…I wish I was closer to be around u all in this time of uncertainty…( I could have got u pealed Sausages:) ).I know God has a purpose in all this…..however it is hard to see it now… I pray that God uses u through this time to be a blessing to many around the world.. I am blessed everytime I read ur blog with tears …..I love u samsoum ..keep holding up to ur strong foundation of faith and look up .I am sure there is a light at the end of the tunnel
u r all in my thoughts and prayers daily
Good Afternoon Sami!!
PRAISE GOD for your appetite!!! Bless you my friend!! We read your blog everyday and the strength we get from your words is amazing and such a blessing. It has never been more evident than it is now how blessed our family has been to call you and your family, your whole family, our friends. I have shared your story with some very close friends of mine who are strong prayer warriors. One comment to me was “wow, just wow! I know Sami has already won!” Your faith is a true testament to how we should all live our lives. I see and hear the Lord shine forth thru you in every word.
Sami, we continue to lift you up in prayer, as well as, our Jackie, Wadad, Jeanette, and Samir. Bronwyn prays for you every night before she goes to bed. Her prayer is always the same……Dear God, please make Sami better so he can come home from the hospital and be with his family. AMEN.
To us, Sami you are a true example of this passage from Psalm 62: 2 – 3; Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
Love, Neala, Joe, Bronwyn, and Mary Anne
Wlek rito alef sahtein!!! I can’t wait to try Jacqueline’s soup with you at your house 🙂
I hope every day is a better day for you habibi. We are all praying for you Sami.
I love you.
So glad you got to enjoy such a meal Sami. You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
Sami,
That’s been my prayer too this past week – to have a hunger for God’s Word. Here’s what I read this morning and I prayed for you and me:
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened will all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Col 1:10-12
God give you endurance and a thankful heart. Remember always, this is not your home.
I love you brother.
Dear Sami,
This is Bronwyn. I am praying for you and your family. I miss you. I am smiling for you. 🙂
Love,
Bronwyn
Dearest Sami;
We have started reading your blog here in Brummana. Our thoughts are with you and we hope you will be out of isolation soon.
We are so happy that you are in a good mood. Chemo I understand is really tiring, and bring your immunity dow. So please do not over exert yourself, and make your the antivirus on your computer is updated..we do not want you catching a computer virus (:.
Will be visiting your blog often so keep the good news coming and hope you will be back with the family soon
Love
Sami and Najwa
Jacqueline to the rescue again…yippee!!! He who finds a wife finds a good thing; you have a doubly “great” wife. Great cook and prayer warrior all in one package. Love ya bro. Keep on speaking even if without your voice.
Dear sami, I, really, do not know what to say about you. You are the greatest teacher to us in this world. You are always with us, and so everyone of your family. Your sisters Nada who prays, and Mariam who loves you very much. Hope to meet you soon my dear.
Hi Sami .. may be you do not know me closer but I am sure that we are brother in God .
I am George Morshed, Sameh Stefanos’s brother .
Sameh sent to me email regarding you and I read some of your daily posts , Really I feel that you are a special person who loved God so much and believe in him much more. you encourage me in some of your words . we believe that God allowed us to pass many problems and pains in our life the main reason for that is to be more closer and see his hands in our life. Be strong in him he is the only one can give you that ..many words will not be enough but only one words from him is enough. me and my family will keep you in our daily prayers . Be strong man, keep your spirit high and be trust in our mighty God the healer .
Love and pray for you .
George
Dear Sami,
I am daily praying for you, for your physical and spiritual strength. I was on my way to work early Friday morning, and I felt strongly led to pray for you. I miss you and your family. The Lord is my Shepherd, I’ll follow Him always.