Chapter 2 of Mom's book, The Isles Are Singing, has been completed and is available for download below.
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January 14. Set alarm last night so I could get up by 5:00 this morning. Was awake around 4:35, however, and didn’t get back to sleep so finally got up around 4:50. It was supposed to get down in the 40’s overnight, but it felt warm when I got up and didn’t feel like I needed to turn the heat on. Went outside and looked at the thermometer - 57º out back and one degree more out front. Got busy making sure everything was ready to go. Saw that the plane would be a little later than scheduled so didn’t leave quite as early as planned. There were hardly any cars picking up passengers when we got there. We stopped at the curb for a while until a worker came over and told us to go around the loop and then come back. He said to follow the sign that says “Authorized Vehicles Only.” “You’re authorized now,” he said. So we went around the loop and came back. I then jumped out and went inside to see if I could find Daddy. No sign of him yet, and his flight number was not over any of the luggage belts yet. I walked up and down a couple times and finally saw him in a wheelchair being pushed by a woman worker. Saw Connie running toward him, too, from the other direction. Christy had gone around the block again so after giving my hubby a big hug, I left him at the luggage place and went out to let Christy know where to stop. Then I ran back in to get Daddy, but he had made a pit stop. Took his bags out to the car and put them in. They were light - he didn’t bring much home. Then he came out, followed shortly by Connie. We all piled in and headed home. Christy made a quick stop at Walgreens to get some honey for Connie, and we arrived home a little after 8:00. After Daddy unpacked everything, and we talked a bit and wound down, Daddy and I had a nap. When I got up, I got the last two monthly updates for mailing ready to go, and put them in the outbox by the front door. Read all the letters that Daddy had brought home from my students and from some of the ladies. After lunch, we had another nap. After nap, I went through the Sunday school lessons so I could make a list of visuals again for Connie to make. This is for a set of lessons we sent several months ago, and they never showed up in Owena or Goroka. So Mike doesn’t have any more lessons to teach until we get those reprinted and they reach his hands. We also have another set almost ready to be sent. Sent Connie an e-mail with the visual list, and then sent her a file with the Sunday school verses for that set of lessons. “22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 January 15. Again it didn’t get as cold over night as predicted and turned out to be a comfortable 70’s day. Started out with dense fog in the morning, then sunshine, and ending with clouds in the afternoon. Woke up this morning with whole body weak, hurting, and moving only with great effort. Daddy didn’t feel that well either, but I think the jet lag finally caught up to him. He had a good long sleep this afternoon. Mrs. Surrett’s Sunday school lesson this morning was on seeking the Lord in 2017. The theme verse is “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” (I Chronicles 16:11) Pastor Ogle started a series on stewardship with I Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.“ as the theme verse. This morning’s message was mainly introduction, covering the meanings of words in the verse. He talked about four areas of stewardship: 1) stewardship of trust - we have been entrusted with the gospel; 2) stewardship of treasures - all we have belongs to God; He is the owner, we are the managers. How are we managing His resources? 3) stewardship of talents - how are we using the gifts God has given us for the advancement of His work? 4) stewardship of time - are we diligently redeeming every minute for His glory? This evening, Pastor Ogle continued his teaching on stewardship, showing how Joseph was an example of a faithful steward in all four of the areas mentioned above. Joseph was given a type of stewardship that a person wouldn’t have wanted, but he used it for God’s glory. 1) Trust: Joseph’s relationship to God was clearly communicated to other people - Genesis 37:5; 39:3,9,21; 41:16,38; 2) treasure: Genesis 41:46-49; 45:10,21; 50:21; 3) talents: 39:1,2,5,6, 21-23; 41:39-43; 4) time: Genesis 45:5-7; 50:20. Understand that God is in control of things. Every decision you make has the potential for lasting impact. January 12. Didn’t wake up until almost 6:30 this morning. It was well into the middle of the night before I got any sleep, however. Had intense pain in the right side of my back which traveled up to my face, down my arm, and around to the front of the body. I finally got up and took some ibuprofen. Praise the Lord, the pain began to decrease, and I was able to get some sleep. Ibuprofen makes me drowsy, however, so it was hard to really get good and awake before mid-morning. What a beautiful day the Lord gave us today! Up to 69º. Quite a change from the freezing weather. It was so nice to be able to open windows and doors and turn the heat off for a while. This morning I updated the income report. That didn’t take long as I only had a small handful of receipts. Also sent out a few ministry updates via e-mail, acknowledging support, and wrote a couple other e-mails besides. Later in the morning, I made a pot of soup as I finished up my other soup yesterday. This afternoon, I washed up the dishes as there were lots of pots and pans that we had dirtied since I did the dishes yesterday afternoon. I was glad to get those done. Went outside a few minutes in the nice fresh air. Finished up a black and gold crocheted headband I’d been working on. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7 Spiritual blessing number 22: the gift of grace. EVERY believer has been given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ALL are given grace, but it is given by measure. Not everyone is given the same amount of grace, but all are given grace sufficient for their needs. I have been given all the grace I need to enable me to live as I ought to live and to fulfill the ministry God has given me, and it all comes through Christ. January 13. Friday, the 13th. What a beautiful summer-like day the Lord gave us! Up to 76º! I think we’ve seen all the seasons within a week’s time or so. Woke up at 6:00 on the dot this morning. Lots to do today so got right up. Had a shower. Got a load of clothes in to wash. Had breakfast and quiet time. Hung out first load of clothes and put in second. Made bed. Made tea. Cooked chicken. Hung out second load of clothes. Cut up taters and onions, threw them into a pot with some thin baby carrots, pulled the chicken off the bones and threw that in, added water and chicken broth and seasonings. Turned on the burner and Daddy’s chicken soup was on its way. Helped Connie gather boxes to take to Christine who is in the process of moving. (She and a friend have been moving everything by small shopping cart loads.) Read text from Ellen, replied, read another, replied. Photocopied ten monthly updates for mailing. Wrote notes on seven of them, enveloped and stamped them, and put them out for the letter carrier. Took boxes over to Christine, plus some Subway coupons and a few dollars so she could get herself some lunch. Talked a while with the woman who was helping her. Blended up Daddy’s soup and put it away in the fridge. Blended up my soup and sat down for lunch. An exhausting morning. Time for nap. Afternoon. Swept bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, and dining room/office. Got hot. Took off socks so feet could breathe. Looked outside and saw that the temperature was 76º. Came inside and went around opening doors and windows to let in fresh air. Cleaned tub, toilet, sink. Dusted dressers. Brought clothes in from the clothesline. Put away dresses and shirts. Sat down for a snack. Christy took van over to Christine’s to help carry a load of stuff over to her new residence. Connie went along for the ride. Made a big batch of pancakes so Daddy would have something to eat for breakfast when he gets home and for the next couple weekends. Fixed supper. Put strawberries in peroxide water to soak. Feet hurt. Time to sit down a while. Evening. Got bowl of grains, greens, and fish ready to warm up in morning for breakfast. Made fruit salad to take in car. Got out cooler to carry fruit, and also a drink for Daddy. Collapse! Had prayer time with C&C. Time for bed. “20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21 Amen! As in Ephesians 1:19,20, the power that worketh in us is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. What power! With that power God not only can answer prayer according to what I ask or think, and not only can He answer according to ALL that I ask or think, but He can answer ABOVE all that I ask or think. And not only that, He can answer EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY above all that I ask or think. In other words, there isn’t anything that God cannot do. January 9. 20º this morning. Still feels as cold as yesterday inside. Christy didn’t have to go to work until 9:00 this morning so she had a chance to sleep in. I’m thankful for a good night’s sleep. This morning seemed to go by way too fast, even though I was up a bit before 6:00. Spent a little extra time in prayer. Fixed amaranth for breakfast. Added leftover veggies and a few pecans. Found Pastor Ogle’s sermon online so I could get the ten principles since I didn’t get them written down yesterday. Got journal notes fixed and sent off to Connie. Prepared shopping list and sent that off to Connie as well so she could print it. Christy thought she’d be off at 3:00 so we could go shopping. Since I had had a late morning snack, I wasn’t hungry for lunch at noon so took an early nap and had lunch after I got up. Then I worked on revising Pidgin John and started writing the book Wasman Wantaim Lain Sipsip (The Shepherd and the Flock). Christy arrived home a little after 3:00; and as soon as we were ready, we headed out for the stores. Christy finally finished her shopping, and we headed home. What a beautiful sunset tonight! Wish I’d had a camera with me. It was already quarter to six when we got back. Brought groceries in and put things away. Fixed some supper. Read a couple e-mails and a text message. Wrote a couple e-mails too. Now I need to do dishes. “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 18th spiritual blessing. Individually, we each have received the Holy Spirit. But here as a body, a building that is framed together and growing into a holy temple in the Lord, we are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. God inhabits His church, and I am part of that church - a fellowcitizen with the other saints, a member of the household of God, a building block in His holy temple. What a blessing to be part of this building! January 10. Not quite as cold this morning - in the mid-20’s. Didn’t wake up until around 6:20 so was late getting started with the day’s tasks. Hair had to be washed so went to the shower first. After breakfast and quiet time, I emptied all the trash and took them out to the bins. While I was out there, I saw the long beautiful icicles hanging from the railing so went to get the camera and take some pictures. That reminded me of the ones I had seen out front earlier when I went out to check the temperature so I went to take pictures there as well. After coming back inside, I got the dining room table cleared off, including the tablecloth, and put the heirloom tablecloth on so we could get pictures. Yes, I finished the edging on the tablecloth last night. I am excited to have that done. Next job was to cut up the papaya I had gotten a week ago at Aldi. Just ripe and ready to eat now. When I finished cutting it up, I blended some together with kiwi and banana, added a little juice and almond milk, and enjoyed a nice tropical smoothie. Last job of the morning was making question cards for a game for the Sunday school children to play at the end of a series of lessons. Will send that file off to Connie for printing and cutting. This afternoon, I finished revising John chapter 7. At 3:45, I called Daddy and talked with him. I could tell he has a cold. He said that after his last time of preaching, then he came down with the bad cold like most everyone else has been having. Said there was good response to the missions message he preached on Sunday. Eight men came to the altar to pray. He was thankful that Remi was able to get in and take him to town. They didn’t really get much sunshine since Sunday, but at least not as much rain. Remi had to stay to the right side of the strip. He had to change his schedule and take loading to other places because the places he planned to go were closed in by the weather. He said the bad weather is all over the country. After talking with Daddy, I got the memory verse file for the Pidgin Sunday school lessons ready and sent to Connie. Then I cooked mushrooms, onions, and celery and made wraps for supper. “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16 The next spiritual blessing would be number 19 on my list - strength for the inner man. How I need that! The word “strengthened” means to “increase in vigor.” Thus my vigor can be increased with might, that is mightily, abundantly, with great power. This mighty power is available to me through the Holy Spirit. January 11. A nice warm day. Mostly cloudy. Most of the snow gone now. Just a tiny patch here and there.
This morning, I cooked some fish to go with my breakfast grains. After breakfast and quiet time, I wrote a few e-mails. Finished the next chapter in The Isles Are Singing. Enjoyed a nice chat with Beth. Revised a few verses of John 8 while I was having lunch. And just before nap, I finished sewing the hem on one of my dresses. This afternoon, I revised a few more verses of John 8, did a little work on the Pidgin missionary story, washed the dishes, had supper, and got ready for church. Pastor Ogle covered Exodus chapter 8 this evening, his title being “Deplorable Conditions.” You cannot defy God and win; you may have to endure your own mess. This chapter, and ones to follow, deal with discussion between Moses and Pharaoh, destruction sent from God, and Pharaoh’s defiance. “17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 Spiritual blessings 20 and 21: to know the love of Christ, and to be filled with all the fullness of God. How can I possibly comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love, for that knowledge is beyond knowledge? And yet, according to these verses, that knowledge is available to ALL saints. It comes through allowing Christ to have permanent residence in my heart. It comes as I am firmly established in love, as a tree whose roots go deep into the earth. That is, God’s love should be as firm in my heart as a tree’s roots are in the soil. I can become rooted as I trust in the Lord. (See Jeremiah 17:7,8) January 8. It didn’t get as cold as predicted overnight - only 14º instead of 9º. :-) It was the kind of day a person would love to stay in bed and keep warm. The sun did shine, however, and the air warmed up to lower 30’s by mid-afternoon. The sun’s warmth felt good as it beamed in through the storm door in the laundry room. Driveways and roads were too icy for traveling today. This morning, the girls and I listened to an online Sunday school lesson on separation. The sermon came from Madison Baptist Church. Wish we could hear the rest of the lessons. This afternoon we listened to Pastor Ogle’s sermon live-stream. This was a really good message too, from Daniel chapter 3 bringing out ten principles on standing for right, things we can learn from the three Hebrews who refused to bow to the image of Nebuchadnezzar. The title of the message was “Stand Up; You’re Not Alone.” “You must look to God for your salvation and not to man.” The ten principles: 1. There will always be those who will accuse you for doing right. (Do right anyway.) 2. People who are wrong normally react in anger. (When they know they’re wrong, they often become furious. If you respond in anger, ask yourself, Why am I angry?) 3. Godly people are not disrespectful of authority. 4. It is not a question of CAN God deliver, but HOW He will deliver. 5. Godly people do not change because of threats. 6. Anger usually hurts innocent by-standers. 7. When you’re in the center of God’s will, don’t be in a hurry. (Instead of looking for ways out of difficulty, ask God what He wants you to learn in the midst of the difficulty. 8. Many times God’s presence is most evident in difficulty. 9. Others will be amazed at your God when you stand up for truth. 10. Sometimes you will be promoted. (It is never fun to stand alone.) Late this afternoon, there were more gray clouds, and a little bit more precipitation (wintry mix) descended upon us. It didn’t last long, just enough to make the roads a little icier. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19 Spiritual blessing number 17: fellowcitizens with the saints, of the household of God. Gentiles along with the Jews, through the work of Jesus Christ, have all the rights of citizenship in the kingdom of God. We all belong to the same household, to the family of God. We aren’t just guests or foreigners sojourning among the citizens, but we are true citizens and members of the same family. I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God! January 6. Woke up early this morning, and got up around 5:50. Wrote one e-mail today, and marked down prayer requests from others. Washed and hung out clothes. Wrote a monthly update. Finished reformatting the rest of Luke up to where we have completed revising and checking (chapters 11 and 12). Did a little writing in The Isles are Singing. A little before 3:00 this afternoon, rain and sleet started falling. I was snuggled in my bed for nap and was sound asleep. When I woke up, Christy said, “It started sleeting about ten ’til three. Sleeting! I’d better hurry out there and get the clothes in! Thank the Lord for dear Connie. She had already thought of the clothes and had just finished bringing them in for me. Most of them went into the dryer, and a few are on hangers. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 Spiritual blessing number fifteen: made nigh by the blood of Christ. Before Christ came, before He lay down His life and shed His blood for my sins, I was a stranger, far away from God, far away from the people of God, and from the promises of God. I had no hope. Without the shedding of the blood of Christ, there would be no way for me to be reconciled to God. But now I’ve been brought near to Him. Hallelujah! I’m no longer a stranger. January 7. Snow, snow, beautiful white snow! Snow started falling around 8:00 last night and continued through mid-morning today, giving us an accumulation of about 6 inches. Isn’t it wonderful to be reminded that we have been washed whiter than the snow through the blood of Jesus Christ?! And that as the snow comes down from heaven and doesn’t return there, so God’s word accomplishes what He pleases and prospers wherever He sends it? Took a few pictures of the snow yesterday evening from the front porch, and some early this morning from the back door in the laundry room, before the sun came up when there were long shadows on the snow, and the snow was still unspoiled. I was sad because I have no boots and thought I wouldn’t be able to go out in the snow. But then an idea came to me - homemade boots, using plastic shopping bags. So after breakfast, I found four bags that didn’t have holes (two for each foot just to be sure), tied them onto my feet, bundled up in scarf, winter jacket, and mittens, and went out to take a few more pictures. The snow was fairly deep and somewhat crunchy, not slippery. Under the snow, however, was a layer of ice. Temperature was just around freezing, but the wind wasn’t blowing yet and it was refreshing to get out. First, I put a ruler in the pile of snow on the roof of Christy’s car - 5 3/4 inches. Snow was still falling, however, and accumulated another 1/4 inch before it stopped. Took a number of pictures before coming back into the house. This afternoon, the sun came out, and a lot of the snow has melted away. Now, however, the sun is going down, and the temperature is going down, and is expected to keep going down, down, down until it reaches around 9º by morning. (It only got to about 14º) That means the snow that has been melting onto the road will turn to ice and be quite slippery. Emmanuel Baptist Church is planning just one service tomorrow - at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Ogle said to be very careful, however, as there is water on the parking lot and there may be black ice. Today was not a computer day. This morning, I crocheted some on the baby afghan I am working on and also made a mini hat and scarf set for the teddy bear Connie had crocheted. It felt so nice and warm snuggled in bed at nap time that I didn’t want to get up. When I finally did get up, I went to the kitchen and started making soup. I forgot to do that this morning so didn’t have a dish of soup for lunch as usual. By the time the soup was on and boiling, it was time to call Daddy. Hooray! Daddy is doing well, praise the Lord, but much sickness there in the village. Philemon is the only health worker right now as the head nurse is on vacation. Daddy said Philemon has been going day and night treating people, some of them with pneumonia. Daddy said he would be preaching today on missions again as he did the last day of the special meetings. The Lord has been working in Matthew’s heart concerning going somewhere else to preach. A couple churches have asked him to come and be their pastor; and now that he has gotten things right with the church, they could surely give him a letter of reference. Dallas and Elise also expressed their desire to go out to do evangelistic or missionary work. Mike was ordained as pastor on Thursday, and on Saturday he gave a testimony regarding a letter given to him by the youth, when the ordination gifts were given. In the letter they shared how they had been watching Mike’s life and saw in him a godly example that they would like to follow, and that they would like to serve the Lord just as Mike does. (Please pray for Mike to remain godly and faithful) Late this afternoon, our neighbor Earl came by to ask about picking us up (or the girls) for church tomorrow. He drives a van that picks up people for a church. Christy and Connie met Earl a week or so ago at Christine’s house. He says he is saved and seems excited that he knows the Lord. I asked him if he could come by and talk with us some time so we could learn more about the church and himself too. He said he works two jobs so doesn’t have a lot of time, but he would try to come by and talk with us. “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18 Number sixteen among the spiritual blessings - access through Christ by the Spirit unto the Father. Through Christ’s death I was reconciled to God and the way was opened for me to have direct access, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to God as my Father. I’m so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father, a living Saviour, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, all there to help in time of need. January 4. Partly sunny today, enough to open the back door in the laundry room and let some sunshine warmth in. Temperatures were about the same as yesterday. Got a couple more letters answered today, visuals planned for the next set of Sunday school lessons, another couple chapters of Luke reformatted, and the best part of all, another chat with Daddy. My, the Lord has been giving them an abundance of rain! But He has also been sending showers of blessing. Daddy said he has preached 31 times so far since he has been there. Praise the Lord for how He is working in hearts! This morning was going to be given to question/answer time, then testimonies, voting on accepting Mike for ordination, baptism of one of Eric’s sons who was saved this past week. Fellowship dinner will follow, and the ordination will be in the afternoon if the vote is favorable, which it appears that it will be. Daddy has just five more days in the village. Left early and stopped for gas on the way to church tonight. Arrived early and had time to talk with Kathy Mc and the Howards. Pastor Ogle covered Exodus chapter 7 this evening. His title was “The Beginning of Judgments”. “You will never win a fight with God.” With God, surrender is victory. God always has a purpose even though we don’t always know what it is. Our enemy has incredible power. Our sin always stinks. You never smell your sin as much as other people do. “6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6,7 These two verses are actually a continuation of verse 5, giving us two additional spiritual blessings (twelve and thirteen) - raised together with Christ, made to sit together in heavenly places. Since He quickened me, gave me life, then it follows that I have been raised up from the death of sin. January 5. Down to freezing this morning and mostly cloudy today. Connie saw in her dream last night a stranger kneeling by Christy’s car and praying all night long. God’s angel of protection? Praise God that His angel encamps round about those who fear him! That verse, Psalm 34:7, has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Today I wrote an update e-mail about Daddy, reformatted two more chapters of Luke, and finished writing the first chapter of the story “Lait I Kamap long PNG” (The Light Comes to Papua New Guinea). During my relax time, I finished crocheting a child’s hat and started on a baby blanket. “8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 Spiritual blessing number fourteen: grace, faith, salvation - the gift of God to repentant sinners. Thank you Lord for this exceeding wonderful gift. January 2. When I awoke this morning, as I lay in bed, I could hear the rain falling heavily for some time. I wondered if it would be a good enough day for us to go to Charlotte. By the time I showered and dressed, however, the rain had slowed down, although it was quite dark and foggy outside. It was a busy morning. After breakfast and quiet time, I made a pot of soup because I didn’t know when else I would have a chance to do that. Then I made a digestive tonic with cucumber, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger. And last of all a smoothie to take on our trip to Charlotte. Got everything together for our trip - purse, jacket and hat, bilum, instructions for how to get places, book to read in the car, snacks, water to drink, coolers with ice packs. Christy brought the van down close to the house, and around 9:45 we headed out. Connie’s chiropractor appointment was at 11:00. It turned out to be a good day for going into Charlotte - not much traffic at all, and only a handful of large trucks. We arrived at the chiropractor office with time to spare, and it wasn’t even 11:30 when we were out of there and on our way to Earth Fare. Bought a bunch of kale for 99 cents and several whole grains - amaranth, buckwheat groats, oat groats, and quinoa. Last stop was Trader Joe’s before we headed for home. There was a bit more traffic on the way home, but still not many trucks (maybe they’re having their New Year holiday today). Arrived home before 2:00. Put away food and had a light lunch. And then a nap. After nap, I got last week’s journal notes set up and sent to Connie. “18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:18-20 The magnitude of the spiritual blessings which are ours is hard to comprehend! Here we find the tenth blessing - enlightened understanding. January 3. A damp, foggy, chilly day. Prediction was for 63º, but it stayed on 49º most of the day and finally made it up to low 50’s late afternoon before the sun went down. But the real feel was about the same as the rest of the day. Kept busy most of the morning getting cards and notes ready to mail or be taken to church. Realigned a couple chapters of English/Pidgin Luke. After nap, I completed one Sunday school lesson, and started on another this evening. Our shopping trip to Aldi and WalMart this afternoon was rather unprofitable. Aldi’s shelves were about half empty, and the produce section (especially veggies) was just about completely empty. WalMart had a lot of empty shelves as well. I guess the delivery trucks were all on vacation over the holidays. Finished tucking in and trimming the last of the 166 strings on the crocheted tablecloth. Hooray! Now I am ready to start the border “1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)….” Ephesians 1:2,4,5 The eleventh spiritual blessing is found in the first verses of chapter 2 - we have been quickened. Before we trusted in Christ, we were dead, dead in trespasses and sins. As far as spiritual life before salvation, I was like a dead person. I could not see, hear, feel, make decisions…. But God gave me life! Mom has begun to write the story of "how the isles of Papua New Guinea, and the inhabitants of the villages of Owena, learned to sing a new song, a song of praise unto the LORD." Below you will find chapter 1 in pdf format. For personal and ministry use only please.
In just a few hours, Dad will begin his journey back to the USA. Here is an update and a few praise and prayer requests. Thank you so much for praying.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, everyone, for praying for Lewis. He did make it safely to town (Goroka) on Tuesday. Even though the Lord didn’t give them sunshine, He did slow down the rains so the airstrip wasn’t too soggy for the plane to land as long as it stayed to the drier side of the airsrip. Fog almost kept the pilot from landing, but the Lord opened up a hole where he could get in and back out. Right after Lewis preached his last message on Sunday, he came down with a bad cold (much respiratory illness going around the village); but he was thankful the Lord kept him well and kept his voice strong the whole time he was there in the village preaching. God’s word worked in hearts, and we pray that the decisions made will have lasting effects in the lives of God’s people there. Lewis is scheduled to leave Goroka tomorrow morning at 9:30 (this evening 6:30 NC time). He has just an hour flight to the capital city, Port Moresby, where he will spend the night. Then Friday morning (Thursday evening our time), he’ll start the rest of his journey home via Manila, Philippines, and San Francisco, due to arrive in Charlotte around 6:30 Saturday morning. Would appreciate your continued prayers for him – for his health and for safety, protection, and strength for the long trip. We appreciate so much your helping us through prayer. Judy, for all of us |
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