April 30. Chilly and damp again today. Very unusual weather. Low clouds and drizzle for a while. Then the sun would shine a few minutes. Then low clouds and drizzle again. Then another few minutes of sunshine. That pattern continued throughout the morning. I did go outside for a little stretch when I thought there was a lull in the rain, but could feel drops of rain on my face. Just before noon, the rain came harder, but when it stopped, the sun still peeked out, but only long enough to say “Hello” before it ran away and hid behind more clouds which brought more rain. This pattern continued throughout the afternoon, with even harder rains as the day went by Was thankful that not as many people came to the door this morning as I was on my feet quite a while as it was. Washed the dishes before breakfast as I was needing a few of them to use for today’s cooking and eating. Made the bed. Prepared veggies and other ingredients for a pot of soup — that took a good deal of time. I did sit down for a while after breakfast and crocheted a row of stitches. Then sat down again after mid-morning as I was needing to get off my feet for a while before continuing the soup preparation. This was a good time for my morning Bible study in Exodus. Then I wrote a bit in my journal and made a new journal notebook as my current one is nearly full. For a cover picture, I found some yellow flowers with a very life-like looking bee on one of them. Late afternoon and this evening, I spent writing another study in Revelation. and finished a good portion of that so should be able to finish it tomorrow. The best part of the evening was chat time with Daddy. We did cut it short this evening, however, as neither of us had much to talk about today. But I was still happy to hear his voice and be able to talk for a while. “11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12) May 1. I was awakened this morning by the Liberty bell (bell for Liberty Baptist Church). Was thankful to have gotten a good night’s sleep. How delighted I was to see the sunshine, blue patches of sky, and white puffy clouds! A welcome change from the past two days of dark clouds and rain. Yes, it would be a good morning to wash clothes. Yes, there was fog, but it was thin; the sun shone through it; and it rose quickly. While I was getting my breakfast drinks, I was also getting the dirty laundry together, filling up the washing machine, sorting the clothes and starting the wash, and doing my morning Bible reading (now in Pidgin Acts). How refreshing it was to get outside in the sunshine and hang out the clothes! When that job was done, I cooked a small saucepan of rice cereal and ate that. Then spent some time crocheting and praying. By the time I finished and had answered the door a few times, it was already 10:00. Fixed a cupful of reishi-ginger-senna tea to drink and walked around outside in the sunshine while I was drinking it. Then I turned on the computer for a time of Bible study in Exodus. Later I worked on the Bible study in Revelation chapter eight. Then I pureed the soup I had made yesterday and warmed up a bowlful for my dinner. After dinner, I went out and brought in the clothes. Spent a bit more time in Revelation, and then had my nap. After nap, I refreshed the kefir and then finished the Revelation Bible study. Then it was time to get to the kitchen and make tortillas and mix up some tuna for supper. While I was working, the winds began to blow and rain began pouring down hard, and then harder and harder. At the same time, the sun was brightly shining, and there was a rainbow above the eastern mountain. When I went outside later to empty the garbage, I could see that the rain had given the south side of the house a good washing. How I love sun showers! And, as the rain was pouring down, I saw the little boys out with their shirts off and having a great time in the pouring rain. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and how much I used to love going outside barefoot to dance around in the summer showers. After supper, there was a pretty good stack of dishes to wash, and then just a few minutes to sit and relax before Daddy called. The connection was bad at first which was rather frustrating; but then I went and sat in the spare room, and what a difference that made! It made our chat time much more pleasant. After we said good-night, I put water on to heat for my sponge bath and then went and looked out the window. Another special blessing for today — stars! Thousands and millions of stars all over the western and southern skies. Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful blessings. “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalm 37:3) “31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... 33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31,33) May 2. What a pretty day! Upon looking out the windows first thing this morning, I saw pink clouds and blue sky all around the horizon, from east to south to west to north and back again to east. And there was no fog anywhere. After seeing the stars last night, I expected it to be cold, but it was still in the upper 50’s. I didn’t have to make pancakes this morning because I still had two left from last Sunday. I made a small pot of tea and drank that (two large glasses full) while I was reading Pidgin Acts chapter 7. Then I warmed up the pancakes and some of the fruit syrup. Mashed up parts of three over-ripe bananas to put on the bottom pancake. After adding the top pancake and spreading it with butter, I smothered the two pancakes with the fruit syrup. Also had time to pray while I was eating and afterward while I was crocheting. Finished the last of several rows that I added to the first afghan. All the afghans now are in gift bags. Also made the bed and folded and put away the clothes and things that were washed yesterday. Then I put eggs on to boil so I’d have something else healthy for snacks. The eggs were just coming to a boil when I heard “Pow!” One of the egg we had gotten in town had blown apart and was soon making a mess in the pan and on the stove. When the eggs were done, I wrote a birthday e-mail to my sister; changed the desktop and lock screen picture on the HP, wrote a bit in my journal. and did Bible study in Exodus. This afternoon, I started setting up the gospel of Mark in the Pidgin Scripture print file. Also reorganized what is left of my yarn into a smaller box. This evening, Daddy and I only talked together for about a half hour as he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest a while again before the evening was over. Then I wrote a notecard to go with the afghans for the students. “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psalm 86:15) “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8)
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April 28. Praise the Lord that Daddy was finally able to get out to town. I just pray that he will be well and not get too worn out like he did last time. He started with a cold yesterday; and last time, he caught a cold while he was in town, didn't get much rest, and was not very well when he returned home. The weather looked so nice when we got up this morning. Lots of blue sky with pink clouds, but off in the distance some dark and thicker clouds with a part of a bright rainbow. It wasn’t long, however, before fog appeared from somewhere, and a couple layers of fog came and went within the next couple hours. By 9:00, it looked like the fog was breaking up and thinning out, and the plane left Goroka with three boxes of supplies that Belinda had purchased for us last week and also with the COVID test kit. Magaret met Daddy at the top of the airstrip and administered the test while the plane was being loaded with coffee. Praise the Lord, the test result was negative. One thing I did before breakfast was turn the fridge off and put some warm water in the freezer to thaw out the layer of ice that had built up on one side and a very thin layer on the bottom. It didn’t take long at all to defrost that bit of ice so the freezer would be ready for the frozen foods that would be coming. Made and drank my Wednesday morning tea while I was doing my morning Bible reading. Then warmed up leftover pancakes and fruit syrup for breakfast. Did a few little things to help Daddy finish getting ready. Also got the bed made. When Judy and Apekio brought the three boxes down, I unpacked them and put things away. After the plane left, I did a little bit of crocheting. Then I had a little snack and wrote an e-mail before doing Bible study in Exodus. Computer time throughout the day again was spent working on the Romans outline. Praise the Lord for helping me finish chapter 12. I’m still going to have to find a way to cut down the outlines as the file is getting too long, and there are still four chapters to go. Didn’t get to talk with Daddy too much this evening, but was thankful for the time we did get. As usual, he couldn’t get in touch with me his first night in town. I had to call him first, and then he called back. Then the connection wasn't very good, perhaps because they were getting rain there, so I missed a lot of what he was saying. He did say there still isn’t much on the shelves in the stores. He does have to have another COVID test before he comes back. He wasn't able to get a booking today, but he did let Kristine know the date that he would like to come back to Owena. April 29. Heard the rain whenever I was awake during the night, but I was thankful to be snuggly warm in bed. Upon arising, I could feel how damp and chilly the air was; and the rain continued until mid-morning. Praise the Lord for a little sunshine off and on after that! What a busy morning it was! Ten phones were brought to be charged. That means ten people to come again later and take them away. At least five other people came to the door with other needs or requests. Erovi brought a popo which I was thankful to purchase for a little packet of salt and a chocolate wafer bar. Amongst the many times of running to the door, I did manage to squeeze in breakfast and quiet time and a little bit of crocheting. Afterward, I made the bed, folded Tuesday’s laundry, and did some cleaning out and reorganizing of the storage closet. After that I wrote a short e-mail and then sat down at my computer to do Exodus Bible study. Bible study time is always a refreshing time. For the rest of the relaxing part of the day, I worked on the English Revelation studies, completing chapter 7 this evening. Praise the Lord for His help and guidance with that. The best part of the day was the evening chat with my best earthly friend. “2) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5) Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103:2-5) “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22) April 26. Praise the Lord for His strength and wisdom today. After breakfast and quiet time, I crocheted a while and spent more time praying. Made the bed and wrote a short e-mail. Then got busy cleaning out the rest of the top cupboard in the entry way. That part is now ready to be dismantled. At the same time, I was doing more organizing in the spare room (which will eventually be the children’s schoolroom), looking through boxes in the office and seeing what supplies are on hand for school and what are needed, moving some of those boxes to the spare room, and then the yucky job of cleaning up the mess the rat had made at the back of the bottom shelf. Had to use the broom to reach and sweep the shelf out; and after spraying with disinfectant, I found the oldest rag I could find, attached it to the end of a short pole, and moved the disinfectant around until the shelf was quite a bit cleaner. Threw the dirty rag into the garbage hole. It was going on 12:00 before I finished this morning’s jobs, made a cup of senna-reishi tea, turned on the computer, and sat down for a few minutes of refreshing Bible study. This afternoon and evening, I spent more time on Romans, finished the outline for chapter 11, added the text, and then the outline for chapter 12 ready to be reorganized and shortened. April 27. Beautiful, deep blue sky and warm sunshine this morning. Thank you, Lord, for giving us richly all things to enjoy. Judy came a little after 7:00 and washed and hung out the clothes. Anna Jean came a little before eight and worked in the yard, thinning out flowers, cutting off dead parts, and cleaning around the plants. She spent three and a half hours out there working. After my breakfast and quiet time, I cleaned some e-mails out of the inbox and the deleted items box. Then I did a little crocheting, actually a little more than I had planned to do; but Elise had come, and I figured I may as well let my hands keep moving while we were talking with her. Went out in the sunshine a short while. Then did a short Bible study in Exodus. Helped Daddy off and on with packing needs as his trip to town is scheduled for tomorrow. Went out again just before dinner and took down the dry clothes. Afternoon and evening time was spent again on the Romans outline. This evening, eight youth from LIBC (Liberty Independent Baptist Church) are here practicing songs for the ladies’ meetings coming up here in July. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7) April 23. It was wash day. The Lord sent us rain through the night and cloud cover this morning. But we were thankful that the rain had stopped and Sunny was able to hang out the clothes. After that, she prepared greens and swept the floors before having a cup of coffee and some bananas. Then she and I went outside so I could show her the various types of work she can do around the yard. She agreed to be my gardener. After breakfast and quiet time, I put a clean sheet on the bed and made up the bed. Also did a little more cleaning in the spare room and wrote a short e-mail. Daddy and I stacked up all the chairs in the schoolroom and put one of the small matching desks on top of the other. We moved everything back to the walls to make it easy for Sunny to clean the room. I did some other odd jobs; and after Sunny left, I had a snack, put the greens on to cook, and then enjoyed my Bible study time in Exodus and wrote a bit in my journal. Daddy was busy looking through the students’ notebooks to make sure all their work is completed before they get their certificates. Thanks to the Lord for helping me finish re-organizing the Kristen Famili lessons this afternoon. Now I need to print a copy for Dallas. This evening, I finished the outline for Romans 9, added Romans 9 text to the file, and put in the outline for chapter 10, ready to be reorganized. Also spent a little time on the next English Revelation study. No matter how dark the night, no matter how difficult the road appears ahead, there will only be victory if we go forward in obedience to the LORD’s command. We should never follow our own counsel and imaginations, turning away from the Lord and going backwards. “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.” (Jeremiah 7:24) “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) April 24. Before bed last night, I had picked out some party bags for the students’ gifts. However, they didn't look big enough. So this morning, I found some tote bags that were a good size for the afghans and put an afghan in each one. Also decided to add several rows to one of the afghans which was a fair bit narrower than the others. Sat down and crocheted for less than half hour. Then had a snack before Daddy and I went out for a short walk. Two people came to the house while we were on our way, but they said they would wait. One wanted her phone that was charging, and the other had bananas to sell. After we came back, we took care of those two matters, and now it was 11:00. Oh, no. I need to make a main dish for our dinner. The rice wasn’t hard to prepare — just put the rice, bouillon cube, salt and water into a saucepan and set it on the stove to cook. After that, I cut up three onions to brown with the beef to make a gravy for the rice. Also got flour and water mixed for the gravy before starting to brown the onions and beef. Had cooked greens yesterday, from which we each had a small serving to go with today’s dinner. This afternoon, I washed my hair. Hadn’t had a chance to turn the computer on all day until now. While water was heating for washing my hair, I changed the computer desktop and lock screen pictures and the color. Chose a pretty autumn picture for this week. The rest of the afternoon and evening, I worked on Romans 10 outline. The Lord will stand between us and the enemy and will not allow the enemy to come near us. “….he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18b) He will give us light so that we may see the way He is leading. His word is our light, and we must believe and obey and move forward through the sea as the Israelites did. As we obey, we will see the salvation of the Lord. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105) April 25. The morning was busy — tea, pancakes, fruit syrup to make; eggs to fry for Daddy; Bible reading and prayer time; kitchen cleanup; crocheting; bed to make; laundry to fold and put away. So thankful to be able to sit down and do a little Bible study after that. Spent a fair bit of computer time today finishing reorganizing the outline for Romans 10 and starting on chapter 11. This evening, we listened to a message by Tom Farrell entitled “The Greatest Business in All the World.” Very heart-searching. Sang a few joyful songs about Christ’s return for His church, and Daddy prayed. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10.) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) April 21. It was a busy morning, but not a morning to accomplish much work around the house or at the computer. It was a morning of interacting with people — Tonka who brought popo, and then later came with his mother who wanted yarn. Mike and Taqita sent up their completed SCMS notebooks to be checked. And after lotu, Mike came himself with the two older children. He brought money for the food they want for the school closing and also for some other things he wanted from town. Lawrence and Rahab enjoyed sitting with me on the rocker and rocking back and forth. They were looking into the bedroom too, so I showed them my lambs and played the lullaby in the lamb that has a music box. Ken came, too, to order something from town. Mike was still here and had the opportunity to explain to him the Scriptural reason he did not go to a certain meeting that one of the other men had called for. I was thankful that I did have time for breakfast, quiet time, making the bed, and folding clothes before people started coming. And, after everyone was gone, I gathered up all the trash and took it out and burned it. Daddy went out and started the generator. He does that every so often just to help keep it working. After we came back in, I put out clean trash bags and turned on the computer. Then Seron came to order something in town, and I spent some time talking with her. She is an adopted sister of Mike and Dallas whose parents died when she was young. (Her father was Moxaqo.) She married an SDA man, and he has left her pretty much on her own and taken a second wife with whom he lives in Meqauna. I took a little time to share her need for Christ with her and then gave her a couple tracts, the translation of Genesis/Exodus, and also of the Gospel of John to take home. Also gave her a little dress for her four-month-old baby girl she brought along. After that, I finally sat down at the computer to do some Bible study and write a bit in my journal. Also found some pretty certificate paper that I thought would look nice for the students’ certificates, so I reformatted the certificate to letter size paper with wide enough margins to fit inside the certificate frame. After nap, I printed the seven certificates and they do look really nice. I also did more work on the Kristen Famili (Christian Family) lessons and cleaned the bathroom. Worked on Kristen Famili again this evening.. “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14) “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8) “Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” (Psalm 85:13) April 22. Am thankful for the smoothies I’ve been able to have for morning drinks a couple times a week now that we have bananas again. Am also enjoying reading through Pidgin John for my pre-breakfast reading. After breakfast, there was prayer time and walking, making the bed, doing some odd jobs in the kitchen, and getting a start on cleaning out the cupboard in the entry way. Wan came and did a few odd jobs — dug out the ditches around the generator shed, moved the electric wire running from the generator shed to the house so it is up above our heads now, and buried the big, heavy, old, old printer that hasn’t worked for years. Daddy kept the fire going in the woodstove until the sun shone brightly and warmed up the house. He also cleaned out the AquaRain water filter. I was about to sit down at the computer when Yanahdo came. Read a portion of Owena John to her and prayed with her. Then gave her, as I do each month, a small gift bag that I had prepared the other day as I figured she’d be coming soon. I thought it was already 12:00; but when I went to the kitchen to hurry and throw the bread dough together before dinner, I took a closer look at the clock and saw that it was only 11:00. The morning was going more slowly than I thought, and here I was already hungry. 😊 Well, guess I got my sit-down time after all, a half hour anyway before I started making Daddy’s bread. If he had gone to town this morning as originally scheduled, he would have had just enough bread to see him through yesterday. After nap and something to drink, I cut up a popo and then started making muffins. Had the last of the other muffins for snack this morning, and there are lots or ripe bananas so it was a good time to make muffins. Besides bananas, I added some mixed fruit, lemon zest and juice, ginger, and cinnamon besides the basic ingredients. Before I started putting the muffin dough into the muffin tins, I lit the oven and set one pan of bread in it to rise a bit more before it started cooking. Then I filled the muffin tins and got them ready to pop into the oven when the bread was done. This evening, there were all the day’s dishes to do plus the baking dishes. Needless to say, I was exhausted before the day was over. I did get some little bits of time here and there to work on the Kristen Famili lessons. Fear. We all face fears, including the fear of death, as did the Israelites. We must remember that our Shepherd is always with us, even through the valley of the shadow of death. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) April 19. After breakfast and quiet time, making the bed, and sewing a button on a blouse, I spent time rearranging things in the office and in the spare room so we can make the spare room into a school room. Spent about an hour on that project, but there is much yet to be done. Daddy called someone in Hagen this morning (Brad had referred Daddy to him) to see if there might be another option for getting Daddy to town. The man is going to send two test kits down to Goroka to be brought in here so Daddy can have the health center do the test for him. It isn’t too likely that he will get them this week, but sounds like they could get here soon and Daddy can reschedule his trip to town. Praise the Lord, and we keep praying. Started setting up journal notes to send to Connie. Then Daddy and I went out for some fresh air. Then it was time to start dinner. The carrots and pumpkin were all cooked so just needed to make the soup broth which included red lentils and onions, as well as butter, milk, and seasonings. Blended it all together; and mmmm, did it ever taste good! Worked more on the journal notes after dinner until nap time. Finished them right after nap, and then washed my hair. The rest of the afternoon and evening, I worked on the family notes so I can get them printed out for Dallas. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 April 20. Early morning was chilly, but it wasn’t long before the Lord brought us sunshine and warmth. It was a good day for cutting firewood (bright sun is needed to run the power saw) so Amos and Nehemiah spent the morning chopping and cutting and then filling up the woodbox. Even young Cornelius helped, not with the cutting, but gathering, boxing, and carrying boxes. This is one blessing that has come from getting the solar power system installed. The ones who help Mom and Dad with firewood are now able to use a power saw to cut their firewood, making the work much easier. Thank the Lord for this blessing. Judy came early this morning too and washed clothes as she usually does on Tuesdays. Nurse Margaret came by (Bonita had gone down to tell her that Daddy would like to talk with her), and Daddy asked her about administering the COVID test when it comes. She didn’t know if she would qualify since she hasn’t had the training so Daddy called Hagen again and was given the okay to have her do it. He also called CRMF to let them know that he wasn’t sure when he would be coming. Christy gave her Belinda’s phone number (Belinda works in Aibai, but is in Goroka, having recently returned from the states), and she was willing to take a list of items that we need so she can buy them and put them at MAF hangar to be brought in here whenever a flight comes. We are not sure when Daddy can get a flight — whenever the test kit is able to be brought in and he can have the test. After my breakfast, quiet time, and making the bed, I spent another hour or so in the spare room, reorganizing and cleaning to try to get it ready to be made into a classroom. This time, I used a mask so I wouldn’t have so much trouble with the dust. Whenever I sweep or dust, I get all stuffed up and start sneezing. In the meantime, Sunny came along to clean all the weeds out from under the house. Afterward, I had a snack, did Bible study in Exodus, and wrote a bit in my journal. My how much treasure there is to be gathered from Exodus! Computer time again today was spent getting the Kristen Famili (Christian Family) lessons organized. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) |
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