SamBeller.org

Sunday, August 29, 2004

EXTRA! EXTRA!! The Dallas Morning News Features Article on Sam Beller & Family!

Look for Sam on the FRONT PAGE of today’s (8/29) Sunday edition of The Dallas Morning News! Journalist Robin Galiano Russell has written a beautiful story about Sam, his life, his challenges and his family, and photographer Melanie Burford spent parts of three days with them taking glorious pictures. Click here to VIEW the article, which includes all of the photos in living color!

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Sam's Busy Summer

Dearest Sam Fans,

We’ve had a busy summer.  Sam’s been healthy and enjoying a lot of time to play with his siblings while they are all out of school.

Sam (with Mom and Dad, of course) spent a week staying with our friends in Lewisville in July, while we put tile in his room and several other rooms in the house.  This was much needed!  There is so much traffic in his room with nurses and therapists ... not to mention just our family of 6!  The carpet was worn out.  He had a great time in a different environment and we are glad to have this project behind us.

The very next week, we were off to Minnesota for Kelly’s family reunion.  Since Sam’s nursing program is Texas-based, it won’t cover nurses outside the borders of Texas.  So, we traveled without a nurse, with our van full and pulling a trailer full of medical supplies, equipment and regular vacation gear.  However, with no help and out on the road, it proved to be a vacation that was fun for the kids, but wore Mom and Dad out!  We were gone 8 days - four of those spent driving.  Still, it’s great to allow Sam to blossom in other unexpected places.  We called him the “Party Animal” since he really did great on the trip and had extended times in his wheelchair, but didn’t wear out at night.  He did sleep in every morning… why didn’t the other kids? 

On the trip, we also called him “The Little Prince” since David and I were his personal assistants, dressing him, bathing him, and caring for every need.  We like the idea of him being our visiting prince from another far off place.  It’s taken us a while to allow God to change us into servants to care for him.   And, he may not be easy to care for, but Sam seems to bless all of us in his service.

Summer draws to a close and Sam will start school in SIXTH grade on August 19th.  We can’t believe that this will be our last year in the safe haven of elementary school.  But, Sam will be turning 12 in January and we tell him that sometimes he already acts like a teenager… he can be quite demanding for someone who is not able to speak with words!   I guess he’s just flexing his royal muscles ... you know, being a prince and all.

Love to you all,

The Beller family

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Sam's Baptism

Dear friends and family,

Sam was baptized in our home on June 22nd while about 40 of our friends and fans of Sam watched and celebrated with us that night.  It was a truly awesome night.  We started with singing songs and talking about Sam’s walk of faith.  David baptized Sam by pouring water over him while he was lowered into the bathtub.

Afterwards, we celebrated by letting go several dozen red and white balloons into the sky with the help of all the kids.  Red, for the blood Christ shed to forgive our sins and white for the cleansing of Sam’s soul through his baptism.

Sam and I talked after his baptism and he indicated that he felt God’s presense with him during his baptism.  He was very happy that night.  It was an awesome night.

Thanks to all who have prayed for Sam and loved him in his first 11 years on this earth.

Kelly & David

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Sam Prepares to be Baptized   

Dear Friends & Family,

Earlier this year, Sam and I studied the bible about baptism.  We read a lot of verses and I explained to Sam about why he should be baptized.  Sam smiled a lot and has indicated as best he can that he does want to be baptized.  David and I have wanted to baptize Sam for some time now.  We believe that God will bless this act and will indeed bless Sam by filling him with the Holy Spirit, who is our Comforter and Counselor.  We do believe that this will deepen Sam’s relationship with God.

Last week, we talked about it some more and later I wrote out a statement of faith with Sam watching and listening.  I read it to him and told him that if he believed all that we wrote and did want to be baptized that when I put the pen in his hand that he should push on it to tell me to help him to sign his name.  He pushed hard and together, we signed his name.  Sam’s statement of faith is this:

“I, Sam Beller, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for my sins.  I believe that God the Father sent Jesus to be my Savior and wash away my sins so that I can live with God in heaven some day.  I want to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.”

X_________________________________________

We are planning on baptizing Sam on Tuesday night, June 22nd, during our Tuesday Night prayer group/bible study at our home.  The safest way to do this for Sam is to use our ceiling lift and lower him into the bathtub filled with water (not fully under, of course).

We hope to share pictures or video of Sam’s baptism next Sunday at church so you can all share in this moment with him.

We are really excited and happy for Sam.

Love and hugs,

Kelly & David

Sunday, June 06, 2004

Sam Back Home!

Well, God is good!  Sam had his infected medi-port removed late Thursday, May 27th.  And they let us go the very next day!!!!  That is a miracle!  The Medical City PICU staff was caring as always.  And we had a wonderful new surgeon added to our list of favorite doctors.  He assured us that even though O.R. was backed up, he would get that thing out of Sam and he did - 10:30PM and all!  Rumor has it that he is a Christian and has been involved in missions - our kind of guy!
 
The infection did spread to Sam’s bloodstream and the bacteria found was extremely rare and resistant to many antibiotics.  However, the antibiotics that do work well to attack it can be taken through Sam’s g-tube - NO IV antibiotics required!!! Yeah!
 
Sam is still a little worn out and tires easily.  So, we continue to pray for strength and recovery for him.
 
God has seen us through again and was visible in all the smallest details of this situation.
 
Thanks for your prayers.
 
Much love,
Sam and the gang

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Sam in the hospital with serious bacteria infection

After our emergency trip last night we thought everything was fine, and Sam got to go home. However, this morning some more blood tests came back and Sam is being admitted to Medical City this morning.

There is bacteria in the blood culture, and it is a serious bacteria. Doctors will start antibiotics immediately. Since it is a serious bacteria they will be consulting with an Infectious Disease specialist immediately about treatment. There is also a risk that Sam could become Septic. We pray that this doesn’t happen.

Several specific issues:

• We need a conscientious, compassionate doctor to remove/replace/move Sam’s medi-port.
• Pray that the infection does not move from the medi-port into the blood stream.
• This will be a protracted stay: Doctors say we will be in the hospital until infection is completely gone.

My mother will come to Dallas soon to help care for our other three kids. Other friends will hopefully help with them to fill in the gaps. Another prayer request is the care and health of the whole family - understanding from the kids, and peace for Kelly and me.

I’ll keep you informed.
dlb