February 2. Forty-fourth day of winter. FEELS like winter too. Very icy wind blowing today. After washing clothes this morning (so thankful that Daddy hung them out—too cold for me), making the bed, folding and putting away the rest of Tuesday’s laundry, and wrapping a gift for Connie’s coming-up spiritual birthday, Daddy and I headed for Blacksburg to look at a Kia Sedona van and then to Gastonia to look at a Buick LeSabre. Both of them looked nice and rode well, but we aren’t sure which, if either, the Lord would have for us. It was around 2:00 before we finally got home and had lunch, and going on 3:00 when we lay down for nap. In the middle of nap time, Mel called Daddy to tell him about a man in Boiling Springs who may be able to help us with a car, but the man doesn’t have anything in our price range. Shortly after nap, I went into a long sneezing spell and got hit with a cold just that suddenly. Now I’m all stuffed up and have been doctoring with all kinds of herbs, teas, etc. Wrote a couple e-mails this evening. “1A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126 Truly the LORD has turned again our captivity, having delivered us from sin’s bondage. What laughter should fill our mouths and what singing our tongues! Then the heathen will see and say, “The LORD hath done great things for them.” And we can say “the LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” And since we are redeemed from captivity, we can go out with tears and weeping, sowing precious seed. If we do so, we are promised that we shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing our sheaves with us. February 3. Forty-fifth day of winter. Very cold this morning, but the Lord sent sunshine to brighten the day. Later this afternoon, clouds came and scared the sunshine away. It has been a rather short day for me. The first part of the night, I kept waking up because my throat filled up with phlegm and needed to be cleared out. Toward morning, I was able to get more restful sleep and didn’t wake up until 8:00. I also slept over two hours this afternoon so that didn’t leave very many hours to do any work today. I was thankful, though, to be able to get extra sleep and to be feeling better today after taking all kinds of stuff last night. This morning, I wrote a letter and a thank you note, and I changed Connie’s Sunday school teaching notes to outline form and made places for ladies to fill in blanks. This afternoon (what was left of it) and evening, I started making a couple anniversary cards, printed a copy of the Sunday school lesson for Connie and twenty copies with blanks for the ladies who come to class, and cut Daddy’s hair. “5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” Psalm 130:5,6 Yes, we wait for the Lord and we hope in His word. The LORD has been showing many verses about waiting, and here He talks again about waiting. We are thankful that He continues reminding us that He is still in control; and as we wait and hope in His word, He is working out His plan for us. Although sometimes the waiting seems long, just as a sleepless night can seem long, morning WILL come, and the waiting will be over. Lord, help us to continue to wait patiently for the morning light.
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January 31. Forty-second day of winter. Quite chilly this morning (in the 20’s), but another pleasant, sunny day. Most of the day was spent at the computer—getting last week’s journal notes ready to send to Connie, transferring and editing pictures, and sending the notes and a few pictures off to Connie; making a shopping list; researching vitamin supplements and making a supplement list so Christy can make an order; making corrections in John 17 and getting that chapter set up in the Scripture print file. Before supper, I had to do dishes so we’d be ready to leave for church by 6:15 or so. After the meeting, we talked with several other people so it was late when we left church and already 9:30 when we got home. “The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:64 See also 33:5; 48:10; and 104:24. February 1. Forty-third day of winter. Started out sunny and chilly with a light damp breeze, and later in the day turned out cloudy and chilly. I was thankful for a short shopping trip this morning. We left here a little before 9:00 and were on our way home by a little after 10:00, with stops only at Aldi and WalMart today. There was time for Daddy and me to do a little checking of John before dinner, covering the first 15 verses of chapter 18. My head kept nodding while I was eating lunch and praying so went for nap quite a bit earlier than usual. Afterward, Daddy and I finished checking John 18. Then I found files that Connie had compiled with music for a lot of the Pidgin songs that had been translated and started making a book with the music for the songs in “Aleluya Long Bikpela #1.” “71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Psalm 119:71,72 May I not forget that God knows what is good for me, and it is He who says that affliction is good for me. What a great example the Psalmist has set of proclaiming Gods word to be far better than thousands of gold and silver. How much better for me to give more diligence to seeking His word rather than seeking riches or the things of this world.
January 29. Fortieth day of winter. Another cloudy day. Around 8:40, we left here for Charlotte, for our now bi-monthly shopping at Trader Joe’s and for a chiropractor visit for Connie. We are grateful to the Lord for safety there and back. We had to make a pit stop in Gastonia on the way. Restrooms were out of order at the gas station, but there was an Arby’s right next door. As we were getting out of the car, a manager (we assumed) who was outside doing some cleaning around the building informed us that they didn’t open until 10:00. Daddy told him we were hoping to use the restrooms because the ones next door were out of order. “You just want to use the restrooms? He’re I’ll let you in for that.” In his kindness, he unlocked the doors and let us in. We were very grateful. As we headed back onto I85, the Lord helped us to avoid side-swiping a vehicle as we attempted to enter onto the highway from the entry lane. Daddy couldn’t see the vehicle in his mirror, and didn’t realize there was a vehicle directly beside him. Because of the pit stop, we were a little bit later than expected in getting to TJ’s, but figured we still had plenty of time. Just had to hustle a little bit. By the time we got done shopping, loaded up the car, and were headed out of the shopping area, we had about seven minutes to get to Connie’s chiro appointment. That should be just about enough time. As we approached Pineville-Matthews road onto which we would turn to get to Dr. Schulman’s office, however, we saw police cars and a tow truck at the intersection. We had to wait for cross traffic to go by, and then we had to go the opposite direction and turn around and come back the direction of the chiro office. In the mean time, Connie called the office to let them know we were being delayed by an accident and that we would be there as soon as we could. Amazingly, we still arrived on time for Connie’s appointment. After that, we headed home and were thankful to arrive home safely a little after 12:00. Took about an hour and a half nap. The stress of these trips to Charlotte really seems to wear a person out. What time was left of the afternoon, I searched for a book of missionary stories I had packed (finally found it) and then started translating one of the stories for use in the MTC. Also made up a gallon jug of herbal tea. After writing several e-mails this evening, I washed up the large pile of dishes that was sitting by the kitchen sink. “So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.” Psalm 119:42 How important it is to know God’s word so that we can answer those who reproach us. January 30. Forty-first day of winter. A cold wind blew most of the night, and it was down to freezing this morning. The sun is shining, however, and Daddy hung the first load of clothes outside for me, except for our sheets and pillow cases which went into the dryer. The second load was curtains, table runners, Christy’s sheets, etc. Some of those went into the dryer, and I hung a few outside including Christy’s sheets. Besides doing laundry, I was on my feet most of the morning making soup (which didn’t get made yesterday because we went to Charlotte), preparing chicken and mashed potatoes for Daddy’s dinner, putting sheets back on the bed after they dried, and helping Connie figure out how to put her rolling cart together. Daddy made a couple calls about purchasing a vehicle. Daddy also went to WalMart to pay the rent, and to Ingles to find cereal, but he didn’t find what he wanted. This afternoon, Daddy and I started checking John 17 and finished it this evening just before our family time. We ran into a couple hard places, but we praise the Lord for His help in making decisions. “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Psalm 119:60 May the Lord help me also to be quick to obey, not procrastinate, not wait and do it when it is convenient for me, not ask why, but obey immediately, without delay. January 28. Thirty-ninth day of winter. A rainy night; a cloudy day, and raining again this evening. Very foggy as we headed for church. Still some fog as we headed home via South Carolina. Mrs. Ogle’s lesson this morning was on choosing to rejoice, and it was good preparation for Pastor Ogle’s preaching from I Peter 1:6-12. We must realize that one day our faith will be sight. We must live like it now. Saying that you believe something is different than living it out in difficulties. Left as soon as we could after church so we could fill up Christy’s car with gas in South Carolina on the way home. By the time we got to the house, Jason and his helper were already here. Jason came to take care of some plumbing problems. He unclogged our bathroom sink and replaced the leaky faucet unit in the girls’ bathroom sink. It didn’t take them very long, but it was 3:00 before we got settled down to nap, and I didn’t wake up until 4:30. “30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:30,32 God does not force us to do His will, but has given us the power to make choices. We must purpose in our hearts to go in the way of truth and to run the way of His commandments.
January 26. Thirty-seventh day of winter. A pleasant, sunshiny day. I was delighted to be able to hang the wash outside. Most of the rest of the morning was spent packing. Spent a few minutes after lunch and more time this afternoon on finding already-translated Pidgin songs that haven’t been put into a song book yet so I can start getting another song book together. And this evening, I cut paper, found Bible verses, and wrote poems so I can make cards of encouragement for friends with special needs. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18 If we ask God to open our eyes, He will surely show us wondrous things out of His word. January 27. Thirty-eighth day of winter. A cloudy day, and rain expected tonight. This morning, I made pancakes for Daddy’s breakfast. Then after my breakfast and quiet time, Christy and I put together a list of items to order from CBD (Christian Book Distributors). The rest of the morning and the rest of the afternoon after nap were spent on putting together the greeting cards I had prepared materials for yesterday. Addressed two of them and sent them out in the mail, and the other two will go to church with me tomorrow. This evening, I cooked a pot of veggies for myself—baby bellas, zucchini, onion, and corn; then heaped some of the veggies on top of a bowlful of red quinoa for my supper. After supper I soaked my eye with goldenseal tea because it had been hurting all day like a sty was coming up. Before our family time, I did some crocheting of Ruth’s afghan. “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Psalm 119:24 If we would but delight in God’s word and allow His word to be our counsellor, surely God would keep our feet on paths of righteousness and keep our hearts from following man’s ideas and worldly ways.
January 24. Thirty-fifth day of winter. In the low thirties over night, but sunshine warmed up the day as time went on. This morning, I did some packing, and Daddy and I went for a short walk in between. Cleaned everything out of my dresser drawers that was still there and put things into small boxes on top of the dresser. Packed another bucket this afternoon and was going to do another, but then I remembered that it’s Wednesday evening and I had to do dishes before church and we also had to leave a little earlier to pick up Cindie. So I hurried and had a little bite to eat, did the dishes, got things together for going out, had another little bite to eat, and off we went. We picked up Cindie and arrived well ahead of time so had time to talk with people. Talked a while with Karen C. “1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments…. 6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” Psalm 112:1,6-8 These verses came to mind today as I thought about how important it is to fix our hearts upon the solid foundation of God’s word, holding fast to sound doctrine and high Biblical standards, to trust in the LORD and be firmly established in His word so that we will never be moved away from God’s righteousness and God’s commandments.” January 25. Thirty-sixth day of winter. Around freezing point this morning, but was nice and sunny and got up to around 55º in afternoon. As soon as I had finished quiet time and breakfast, Daddy and I got ready to go out and do our weekly shopping. Besides shopping at Aldi, Big Lots, and WalMart, we stopped into K-Mart to check on the sales, but even their closing sale prices are higher than other places. We were able to get some boxes there for packing, however. Thankful that we were able to get the last bucket packed this afternoon as well as a box. Worked on a youth lesson as well. I was happy to hear from Cilla early this evening. “9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:9-11 Purity and holy living can only be ours as we seek after, remember, and obey God’s word. January 22. Thirty-third day of winter. Mostly cloudy today, but warm. Only got down to the low 40’s last night. Plans for this morning were to do packing and make the weekly soup; but when I was cleaning my eye glasses, the left lens popped out. The screw on that side has given me trouble ever since I got the glasses early last year, loosening up and needing to be tightened, but this is the first time the lens has come out. (I was thankful that my other pair of glasses were in my dresser drawer, and I can see just as well with them as with the new ones.) So around 9:30, we headed to town, making a stop at K-Mart first to look at sale items. (K-Mart is closing, and everything is on sale.) Prices are still fairly high so we decided to wait until prices go down more. After K-Mart, we headed across to WalMart where Daddy returned some socks he had bought and where I had the glasses fixed at the vision center. I told the worker about the screw coming loose so often, so after she put the lens back in, she put a dab of some kind of glue on the screw. Also picked up some quinoa at WM, some yarn—one more gold one for the ladies in Owena, and three colorful skeins for the afghan I am working on, and the right kind of socks for Daddy. After returning home, I went to work making the weekly soup. Once that was on cooking, I had lunch (leftover soup) and then nap. I did get our bathroom and bedroom floors swept before we headed off to town this morning. And this afternoon, I got a greeting card written and out into the mail and got one box packed for PNG. Psalms 105-107 all begin by telling us to give thanks unto the LORD, and chapters 106 and 107 tell us to do so because He is good. These three chapters are all stories of God’s goodness and great mercy to His children in spite of their frequent rebellion against His word. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.” Psalm 105:1 “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1 “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 107:1 Because God is good, the redeemed of the Lord should praise Him for all His goodness and wonderful works. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8,15,21,31 January 23. Thirty-fourth day of winter. A very warm night last night. Already 60º when we woke up this morning. The clouds came up after a while, but there was a chilly wind. We did, however, enjoy getting out in the fresh air and hanging the clothes outside for a change. The wind died down later and the Lord brought us a warm sunshiny afternoon. Answered a few e-mails this morning too. Then Daddy and I went out thrift store shopping at Bargain Hunters and bought well over $100 worth of items for under $40, mostly children’s clothing for filling in small spaces in the boxes we are packing to ship to PNG. Most of the children’s clothes were only $.25, .$50 or $.75, and almost all of them appear to be brand new, never been washed, no wear or fading of tags. Praise the Lord for this provision. By then it was about noon, but we went and dropped off a little gift for Mary M. before having our lunch and nap. This afternoon, I took all the tags off the clothes and laid them all out on the bed to take some pictures. They smelled quite strong like dryer cloths (fabric softener). Got those all put away, but not too far away so they can be packed in our boxes. Made spaghetti for Daddy’s supper. Then had my supper. Christy and Connie went off to the secret sister meeting this evening. After I did dishes, I transferred more pictures to this computer from old CD’s, read the last chapter in the story of John Paton, prayed together with Daddy (since the girls weren’t here to join us), and did a little crocheting. Received a reply e-mail from John Gray this evening, giving us an update on the permit situation. He said that all the paperwork had to be resubmitted. (So, it looks like Mom and Dad will be waiting a while before they return to the field. Please pray that the paperwork can be processed quickly. Thank you!) “1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111 One of my favorite Psalms of praise. |
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