Dedication to the Lord

Lemuel Dorsett Palaia Matagi, AVM Survivor

1 Chronicles 16: 34 says:

"OH, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD! FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER!"

I thought about what I should write for my very first blog post and it clicked in my mind that I should first dedicate this blog to the Lord. 

You may be wondering about the picture so let me briefly tell you a story about it. This is my first cousin, Lemuel Dorsett Palaia Matagi. Since we've grown up together all our lives he became more of a brother than a cousin. Today is his 22nd birthday and I thank the Lord for adding another wonderful year to his life. My family nearly lost Lem on January 6, 2012 when a blood vessel in his brain had ruptured which led to a terrible vehicle accident. When we received the news about his accident, all we could think to do was to pray. My parents had taught us to turn to God for everything but we tend to forget God in times where things are going so well. Lem's accident definitely made us uncomfortable and sad so we all got down on our knees. It did not take long before a prayer chain was spreading like wild fire throughout Facebook. People that did not personally know Lem prayed for him as well. The power of corporate prayer before our Heavenly Father was truly unimaginable. Lem opened his eyes and started talking within a week. My brother now is slowly but surely progressing in his recovery. He's talking clearly and he had just gone through another surgery recently to place the right side of his skull back on. Lem is starting to walk but he still has a long way to go to fully recover. When I first spoke to Lem after his surgery, the first thing that came out of his mouth were praises to our Heavenly Father. Lem said that he wants to return the favor that the Lord has shown upon him. Please continue to pray for my brother Lem in his recovery and know that with God, ALL things are possible.