Sunday August 14, 2001
< Update – 8/15/2011: Just found out this Monday morning that my Bone Marrow test was not scheduled for today, however, will be scheduled for Tomorrow – Tuesday the 16.>
IF THE CLOUDS ARE FULL OF WATER, THEY WILL POOR RAIN UPON THE EARTH – Ecclesiastes 11:3
” It is true that for a while clouds hide the sun, but it is not extinguished and it will soon shine again. Meanwhile those clouds are filled with rain, and the darker they are, the more likely they are to bring plentiful showers. How can we have rain without clouds? … Before long the clouds will be emptied and “every” tender plant will be happier due to the showers. Our God may drench us with grief, but will refresh us with His mercy … Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and thereby making the hills on every side REJOICE ” Charles H. Spurgeon
THE CLOUDS ARE STARTING TO EMPTY
I had rashes under my arms, chest and all over my left arm … all gone. I started feeling “real” hunger now, and started eating everything in sight. I thirst, and able to drink all I want. PTL. My energy is up. PTL. My fever is gone. PTL. I feel like dancing with my Jacqueline but … can only dance with “Alaris“, my IV machine – (reminds me of Wilson the volleyball that became Tom Hank’s best friend in Cast Away – Now I understand). My lungs are clear. PTL. I breath freely. PTL. I have no body pains and all of my vital counts have started moving in the right direction. PTL. The Lord is answering our prayers (I cannot thank you enough).
I am very well aware that the road ahead is still challenging, however, I am also very well aware that our living God is in full control and He can pave any road according to His Will. He also knows my weight limit and will not overload me. (1 Corinthians 10:13). So I cannot but rejoice and submit it all to Him and make the most out of such a rare cloudy opportunity where I can grow and experience God in a way not possible during our normal shiny daily routines.
SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS
Thank you for your faithful prayers for speedy recovery.
The next two weeks are very critical
– Monday August 15 – first bone marrow test, since I had my Chemo, to be used as a base line. Please pray for a negative result.
– Monday August 22 – decisive bone marrow test. Please pray for a negative result.
– Eight possible bone marrow transplant donors have been identified. Please pray that at least one will be a good match.
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you
Sami Lahoud 
Sami, What good news! Jean and I read your blog and think if you and your family daily. The amount of grace that you exhibit it this most difficult time is truly inspiring. I look forward to the day that you are cancer free and know that the power of prayer carried you there. Scott
Sami,
You and the family are definitely in my prayers. I will put you on our prayer chain at St. Martha’s for healing and good results of your upcoming tests. Praise the Lord for you and your faith. You are a great witness to the power of our loving God.
God Bless!
Carol
My beloved, I’m thankful for God’s grace toward you and all the prayers on your behalf. I’m inspired by the reports and especially the way you deliver them. We’re looking forward to continued good results in the coming weeks. I owe u 3 kisses if u recall per my msg thru Rima!!!!
Sami…. You are in our prayers every day! God is good! We thank God for you and for what He is doing in your life. Love you. Keep being strong and keep trusting Him. He knows what He is doing!
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!!…I’m so happy for your renewed strength. Praying for good results tomorrow! I love the Wilson analogy; you are so funny Sami, your spirit is so cheerful even under a rainy cloud. Much love to you and Jacqueline.
Sami,
Take heart, be of good cheer. Our God, Jehovah-Rapha, has covered you with the precious blood of His Son. Your journey and healing has been and will be a great and wonderful testimony to others. A testimony of faith and perseverance and the mighty hand of God. Now, we rally around you to pray and support you. But soon, others will rally around to hear your testimony and the wondrous healing God has brought. Through your words and your story, God will strengthen them and give them hope. Keep looking up.
Sami, Just knew you are ill, and this blog from Ramsey last Friday. I have prayed for your speedy recovery, and will continue to pray. What a tough month you have been through, yet your courage, faith and calmness have shy the cancer satan away. You inspire us to keep positive attitude and humor no matter how difficult we are facing. So nice to know you have gained strength back today. Pray it will be NEGATIVE Monday, next week, and whenever…
YEA!!!! Praise the Lord!!! AMEN!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!! I knew the news would be good tonight from you because Jackie called me this morning and told me she was bumping my platelet donation to standby. We were rejoicing this morning!!! When and if you need more, my doctor said I had enough to make two donations at once!!
We are praying and will be praying. I have notified my prayer warriors we will be not only lifting you up, but we will be throwing you up in prayer. NO PUN INTENDED!!!! LOL!!
We can’t wait for you be able to dance with your beautiful Jackie and home with your beautiful family. We love you Sami and we thank God for you every day my friend!!
God bless you and keep you. May His Holy Spirit continue to fill you with peace. May your body be flooded with the healing power of the blood of Jesus. May His blood flow through your marrow, throughout your body so that you get that negative result in the name of JESUS!! Thy will be done LORD!! AMEN!!
Sami
my praying for you everyday, I ask God to cure you, and give you a good health, please feel good, and we are waiting Allah to respond us, and as our friend said up, we are waiting you to come to Iraq to dance together……take care……feel good
My greetings
Continuing to pray without ceasing for your complete recovery and for your bone marrow tests to be negative. Grace and peace. Ginger
Sami – this is wonderful news. You are an inspiration to us all. We’ll continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers until you are fully recovered.
So many prayers for you and your family, my friend. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases! You are dear to me and to so many others. I am praying that the Lord Himself will minister to you, and that you will be aware of His many tender mercies. Much love to you!
You are in our prayers here at The Edge. Kellie shared your site with us. Our thoughts are with you and Jackie. Love to you all. Becky for all of us
I love you man. We pray for you this past weekend. Look on the bright side, you can always be a preacher :). We will continue to pray for you. I am glad your old eating habit is back to normal
Sami. I just heard the news today. Be strong and I know you will pull through this challenge. God will lead you to the end of the road. I will keep praying for you and your family. Be strong and God will always beside you. Tuan Pham
Sami, I am so happy that you are feeling better. And I feel sure that it is due to your body responding well to the treatment and healing. My Sunday School class is praying for you. I gave them your blog address also so that they could be inspired by your faith and spirit as so many of us are.
Diane Burnett
Sami – I just got back from donating platelets in your name and I will continue to do so as long as you need it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Also, I will be more than happy to be tested as a potential bone marrow donor – just let me know what is needed. Keep the faith – I added your name to my church prayer list (Grace Community Church).
Mimi Patterson (XOM)
Hey Sami – Just learned of your Blog this morning in our weekly meeting. I have been out for a week or more – last week my Mom had another stroke and this one took her home to be with the Lord. I know she is in a better place now. I will continue to pray for you and your family. Hold strong and I know you will be better in the Lord’s timing……sometimes it just seems to take a little longer than we want it to. We need you back on the project, but more than that, we need you to get better and back on your feet…….Love ya man – I hope to see ya soon……..Randy Hroch…….
Sami – Your news is rippling through the organization, and reached my ears today. Needless to say, shock and disbelief is everyone’s first reaction. How? Why? What can we do? Tried to get to your site earlier in the day, but our trusty protection mechanisms prevent that (I’m sure you’ve heard that by now). Your postings are truly an inspiration to the faithful and the doubters alike!
I don’t qualify for platelet donations, but will be watching this space for appeals for any kind of other help. I live 10 mins from MDA, so park that in your memory, in case you need to call on someone closer to the hospital.
You’re on my prayer list, as of 2pm this afternoon. It’s clear from this Blog that prayer warriors across the globe are lifting you up. Rest on that cushion of love and comfort. Lynn
Psalm 30:2
LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
Love
The Walthers
PTL indeed Habibi.
Keep the good news coming…
I love you.
Sami….Yes, we are praying for you and your family. This is shocking but keep your spirits high. PTL.
Jeremiah 30:17 “For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord.”
fasting and praying for u tomorrow samsoum.. Glad to hear that u r feeling better .Our God is an awsome God
love
My Dear Sami,
My prayers and my thoughts are with you every single day. I write to you from the bottom of my heart, i hope and pray for a complete recovery and to be able to see your larger than life smile very soon in Dubai.
Im in regular contact with Issam and if there is anything that you or Jacqueline need from here please do let me know.
Reda
Sami, good news indeed.
Love you habibi and praying for you.
Said
Dear Sami,
I just came to know about this shocking news regarding your health…May Allah give you and family strength and courage to overcome the situation. You and family are in my prayers..I told Najma about your health, she got shocked as well. From now on we will remember you and family in our prayers and as you know this is the month of Ramadan…prayers are accepted all the time, therefore I am 100% sure that you will be perfectly OK within few days – InshaAllah & Ameen.
Best regards my friend..love to Kids.
Faraz Subzwari.