May 23, 2006
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Paul Chung : August 16, 1980 – May 23, 2002
I can’t believe it’s been four years now. There isn’t a single day that goes by for me w/o remembering|thinking of my late brother, and I don’t ever want him to be forgotten for the impact he’s made in this world. The last few years he had on earth was a small glimpse of the type of person he was . . . as cancer got a hold of his life, every single day was a hard day. It’s difficult to explain but my heart literally hurts when I keep thinking back on all the pain he had to suffer [twice b/c the cancer recurred], but I remind myself of the glorious life he’s been given now! All throughout, his faith and outlook on life did not waver – in fact, it only got stronger. It definitely puts life into perspective when someone who goes through dreadful times like that and can still be passionate and praise God. Only cherished memories somewhat fill the void in my heart . . .
Currently playing – “It’s All About You” – sung by my brother Paul and Joey Wandler [pictured below].
Comments (48)
ok, i bawled watching the visa commercial, i cried at donna’s wedding and now i’m tearing up reading this entry…no more crying. the two of you look so happy in that picture “happy thoughts”.
ur brother = a great person…
awesome song…
very nice to see that you’re making the best of your situation! bringing a lighter, more positive aspect of a tragedy. i guess it’s all possible only because of your relationship with God! =P
paul is awesome. i remember paul back when i was a baby, you guys are awesome. (plus he had some mad pingpong skillz lol)
Paul’s impact continues, and I believe his life will continue to be a life changing testimony to many…. I can’t forget that prophetic vision over his life where he was ministering to thousands. His ministry and committment to follow Jesus didn’t end when he left us. He’s still so vivid…through you. I was so blessed to have known Paul, but I’m equally blessed to know his beautiful and loving sister. I am reminded of him often, because I see him in the way you are so aware of people and their needs. Love you Grace.
tears…dang it…tears! you made me cry ;]
okay. seriously though…I will confess this…it’s amazing how even to this day whenever Paul comes to mind it takes some serious effort not to cry. I’d have to say just about everytime I’ve thought or had a dream about Paul it was from God, because it would just be so powerful and overwhelming. I’m not joking when I say the time I spend thinking about Paul is an anointed and wonderful time in His presence.
I believe his impact will never be forgotten gracie! :]
Even if it was short, it was AMAZING. Jesus said that this one lady would always be remembered because wherever the Gospel would be told her story would be told with it, and I think for anyone who knew Paul and the signficance he had…could never forget to associate his life with the Good News of Jesus. I’m sure the Holy Spirit will make sure of that!
I hope and you are well.
with love for you and Paul.
Grace. I can’t say that I knew Paul when he had cancer, but I remember him before that and how he was ALWAYS smiling and laughing; and that is the Paul Cheung I continue to remember. ^_^
i didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with Paul…but even in the short conversations we had…i remember his kindness…and of course the way he smiled.
it must be hard to lose someone you love… i’m in tears.
He was an awesome bro
I’ll always remember the time we shared. It was few but it will last me a lifetime.
he really was a great guy… love you grayc!
Where would i be without Paul in my beginning stages of my new creation life? memories…good times, thank you Paul. i’m glad he help me pick the right type of plant to be seeded in me. =)
I wish I could have known your brother….everyone always speaks so highly of him! Although, I think I might have met him once! Has he ever been to Harvest Church? Well, I hope your having a blessed day! Btw…I love the pictures that you’ve been taking! Very nice!
That is an absolutely beautiful picture to cherish
hi grace,
this is teddy youn from the east coast. i found your site through your husband’s crazy photogenic xanga site and found this tribute to your brother. i wanted to write down a few memories i had of him.
it’s weird b/c i never knew him well: mostly acquaintances from h.s. when we used to hang out randomly with a mutual friend. i just remember thinking he was a nice guy. after coming to faith in college, i found out about jubilee from one of my college friends who knew about it. i came to visit a few time during breaks. Paul was the first person i really got to know at jubes before i even really knew Pastor Shin. i remember thinking he was super nice and welcoming to me - a stranger from his past. i never felt unwelcomed by him the few times i came to visit even though it was socially awkward at times.
when i heard about his condition, from a friend later on, i remember being struck by how peaceful and joyful he seemed through the whole process. it humbled me to see someone my age handled his mortality with total abandon for christ. later on during my senior year in college, i heard that his cancer went away. i never really heard about the remission. so, by the time i graduated from brown, i was looking forward to coming home to bellevue b/c i thought it would give me a chance to reconnect with people, including Paul.
i was shocked to find out later about his passing. in fact, i remember actually weeping when i read it on the jecseattle.org announcements section. it was weird b/c i never knew him well at all; but, i was genuinely felt loss for such a great servant of the Lord. i’m still not sure why that was.
when i graduated from college, i wasn’t sure about a lot of things. the end of college was a particularly hard time in my life and i felt unsure about continuing on to medical school. Paul’s life and death really touched me in a profound way that, even now, i view his witness as a partial reason why i chose to continue on in medicine.
anyway, i just wanted to echo what everyone has said about your brother. he was an extraordinary person; God blessed many through his witness. he certainly blessed my life.
hope the Lord is blessing you and your family, teddy.
I’ll never forget one of the nights when he sang the song ‘with everything that has breath praise the Lord.’ Although he was struggling to sing, I felt the joy and freedom he had in Christ as he sang those words. I’m honored to have known him. Thank you.
God is with us all, and won’t put anything in our path he knows we couldn’t handle. you’re a strong person, grace. =)
one of my 5 stars…. can’t wait to see him again.
sorry to hear about your loss
i wish i could have known him, he sounds like such an extraordinary man.
your brother was definitely unique and one of the kindest souls i have ever met.
Your brother is one of my heroes.
This is a very nice tribute to your brother. Paul is truly a man of God. I didn’t know him to well but we drove down to Cali for JAMA together in 1999. I remember him laughing and smiling a lot and taking lots of pictures.
i remember him dominating in vollyball
in heaven ill get to know him better :]
touching entry Grace…isn’t it amazing…how God’s gift of salvation can take so much of the sting away…b/c we know Paul still lives on…and you’ll see him once again in heaven…
what a blessing your brother was. his spirit is still apart of you and remembering this makes you a better person, stronger and servant for God’s purposes in your life.
=)
i truly regret never meeting him. he was much loved.
i miss him.
i can’t say i knew much about your brother, but you are fulfilling your wish in keeping his life remembered through your words and actions. my thoughts and prayers are with you.
it was good seeing you guys last night!
i thought his memorial was yesterday and was thinking about him all day…
he is sorely missed!
i’m sad that eliana never got to meet him!
hope to see you again before you guys leave…
4 years already.. I dont think I’ve shared this with you Grace but as a fellow roomie, one night I heard him cough a lot so I went out to check on him and I saw him sleeping sitting up while he held tightly onto his bible. I stood there staring at him, captured by the passion that he had as he went through one of the toughest obstacles life can bring, yet fighting the good fight of faith. I don’t know why but just seeing him going through what he was going through and yet holding onto Jesus, will always be engraved in my heart. Never forgotten. =)
thanks for sharing that. it’ll be over soon. (the pain…that is…)
love, marcia
o paulio…ur brother was truely a great guy…i kno alot of ppl that met him at least once and they were always left with a great impression…god bless grace + it was great seeing u guys last night
i thought you guys were twins when i first met him and saw you. same eyes and smile.
what a great guy.
you are a great sister.
i remember paul leading worship even though he was sick… his passion for Christ was so great…
one day…we shall party with him again
I miss him as well
Paul had the voice of an angel…the ability to block any tennis ball or ping pong ball and smash it in your face…and of course, his love for pho! Thoughts of him are not just simply memories but a recognition of character and integrity. I’d have to agree with Tony… you ARE a great sistter!
posting again a year later… wow, time really has flown… i really do cherish my memories with paul… he’d often come over in the middle of the day after his chemo treatments and take a nap on our sofa… and he was always so grateful when all of us just felt so… like it wasn’t enough… and mad crazy bowling… he was hard core… we once played 3 more games, after everyone else was too tired and quit… just to use the coupons! our scores sucked, but it was fun.
did you ever know that you’re one of my heroes…? yay!! only 3 more wks. : )
After one of his treatments he came over, this is when I lived with Shinhee and Insun, and for about an hour he played the guitar and taught me a song. It was one of the most simplist children’s praise songs but I could not get it right, the melody that is. So for the whole hour and some mins, he patiently taught me the song and held through my tone deaf voice. He would teach me, I would get it right, so we sing it and I’d get it wrong. ^^” He was “rollercoaster” fun, a gentle man with such a great agressive passion for God.
His Love for Christ, his passion for people, and his legacy to impact the youth continues! That’s what I remember when I think of Paul. Go Mariners! He is one of the reasons why my loyalty to the Mariners will never die. Let’s catch a game in July! Love you.
Hahaha I remember him being my small group leader back at BKPC. He told me he’d take me to Kid Valley for a cheeseburger cause I never had one. I still haven’t had one yet and I refuse to eat one til Paul gets me one.