December 6. About ten minutes before six this morning, I looked at the clock and decided to roll over and close my eyes for just a few more minutes. Well, it turned out to be a few more than I had planned. It was after 6:30 when I woke up again and jumped out of bed. Past time to start the day. After a shower and getting dressed, I got my first morning drink and had some quiet time. Then I put some amaranth on to cook for my breakfast and enjoyed more time with the Lord while that was cooking. When it was ready, I sautéed some onion and mushrooms to go on top and savored a bowlful of amaranth with the topping plus some sliced almonds. Mmmm, good! Spent a few minutes looking online for missionary quotes, especially trying to find one particular quote I heard years ago, but can’t remember who is the author of it. That’s what I was trying to find out but never did find it. Daddy got out one of the packed suitcases for me and helped me put it on the bed. Wanted to take some things out so I could put some larger things in the suitcase. Put some rice on to cook first, and worked on the packing while the rice cooked. When rice was done, I mixed it all up in a casserole with corn, peas, turkey meat, herbs and spices, sour cream, and cheese. Popped that into the oven and continued repacking the suitcase, at the same time packing the other tote with things I removed from the suitcase plus other items. Finished the suitcase before dinner, but not the tote. Before the casserole was done, I whipped up a blender full of the soup I had made yesterday. Put that in the fridge and had some for supper this evening. After nap, Daddy helped me put the other suitcase up on the bed. Was glad not to have to take anything out of it other than a pair of shoes and a couple skeins of yarn. Added a large framed picture and rearranged other things so everything would fit well. Packed a couple more things in the tote, but didn’t finish packing it. Had to make tomorrow’s shopping list and do the dishes before going to church this evening. Pastor Ogle taught on the lampstand this evening and how it pictures Christ, the Light of the World, and the oil of the lampstand pictures the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit can never be separated from the work of Christ. “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” Psalm 39:1 We must carefully guard our tongue and our mouth lest we bring reproach to the name of Christ. December 7. An icy chill in the air today—the feel of winter. As soon as I had finished breakfast and quiet time this morning, Daddy and I were off to town. Had lots of places to go and things to do today. First did our grocery shopping at Aldi and WalMart. Also found some nice white diabetic socks at WalMart (most of my white socks had gone to the trash or rag pile) and looked at fleece blankets. Mom likes the diabetic socks because they are very comfortable. Next stop was Verizon to pay the monthly bill; then Hobby Lobby where I found some fine tip writing tubes to put paint in for writing a Bible verse on Christy’s plaque she made at work, and bought some Sea Breeze Yarn Bee Soft Secret yarn to make a beret for myself; after that, the mall to pick up vitamin E at GNC for Connie; and lastly, Big Lots where we bought a few snack items, and Daddy got some disposable razors to pack for shipping. Oops, I guess that wasn’t last. One more stop, at the discount food mart, where Daddy got some cereal and granola/protein bars. I sat in the car because my knee had told me I’d had enough for today. It was around 12:15 when we got home. Put away groceries. Had lunch. Had nap. By the time I got up, there was just about an hour to do a couple little jobs before heading off to meet with a realtor and look at a house. We appreciated so much the time Jane took with us to answer questions and try to acquaint us with some of the ins and outs of home buying. It was after 5:00 when we finally got home and had supper.
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December 4. So thankful for a better night’s sleep last night. Charlotte Day today; but first, Daddy took Connie to Dr. Cook to see if he could help put her foot back into place. She did some crazy thing to it in her sleep the night before last and got it so out of joint that the ankle bone couldn’t even be seen. He worked on it for a while and helped it out a bit, but she will probably need to go back again. (She didn’t.) Daddy also had his knee adjusted again while they were there. After they came back, Connie finished getting some food ready. Then we climbed into Christy’s car and headed for TJ’s. (We had Christy take the van to work today because we don’t want to take it too far.) Praise the Lord for a safe trip and a lovely day. Came home via Blacksburg, SC, where we filled Christy’s car with gas at Flying J. It was after 1:00 when we got home. Put away food. Had lunch and nap. This afternoon, I got last week’s journal notes ready to send to Connie, and sent those off with some pictures. Translated another missionary song into Pidgin—”Wok I No Pinis” (The Work is not Done) to the tune of “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” And translated one this evening called “Painim Ol Man I Lus” (“Souls for the Saviour).” December 5. Thankful for another good night’s rest. It didn’t seem to get that cold last night so I turned the heat all the way off during the middle of the night. When we got up this morning, it was already 50º. Woke up about ten minutes before 6:00 so was able to get an early start to the day. Since it was cloudy outside and rain is expected, I started the laundry early—right after quiet time, just before eating breakfast. The sheets and pillow cases went into the dryer because they needed to go right back on the bed afterward. All our other sheets are packed now. While laundry was washing, I cleaned off the top of the dresser in the dining room; and when the sheets were dry, Daddy helped me remake the bed. Then I got November progress report done and made a pot of green soup. Off and on, I looked through some old slides and threw many of them away. There are a few that I set aside to have put on a CD. This afternoon, I finished looking through the slides. Then got the progress report into another file, proofread it again (Daddy had proofread it the first time), and sent it off to Pastor Ogle. A little after 5:00, we headed over to B Street where we met a lady who showed us the house that she and her family are wanting to sell. It has plenty of room for Connie to have a craft room, and it seems to be in a good neighborhood. “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” Job 42:2 There is nothing that God cannot do. God knows everything, even our thoughts.
December 3. Last night was another night with little sleep. Took me a long time to get to sleep to start with. Then after a couple hours, I woke up cold. Could not get warm, and could not get back to sleep. Then my mind kept going over one specific matter again and again, and I tossed and turned trying to get back to sleep. Cannot for the life of me remember now what it was that kept going around in my mind. Finally, a couple hours later, I put a long-sleeved warm shirt on over my nighty and was thankful for a couple more hours or less of sleep. Next time I looked at the clock, it was going on 6:15. Did not want to get up, but had to wash my hair this morning. Mrs. Surrett wasn’t there this morning to teach Sunday school. Pastor Surrett had a couple preaching engagements today, and she went with him. Mrs. Ogle taught the class, using the book on choices that she’s been teaching through when Mrs. Surrett isn’t there. Today’s lessons had to do with choosing to accept ourselves as God accepts us. Looking back to years gone by, I have chosen (rather than to accept myself) to rest in the fact that God accepts me in the Beloved, in Christ, Ephesians 1:6. Pastor Ogle preached on Peter: A Man Like Us, The Fame Spreads, Acts chapters 8 & 9. We must not allow the ministry God gives us to be about US; it should always be about HIM! Whenever we do “good”, we should have as our focus an opportunity to advance the gospel. The Carpenters talked with us this morning about a house here in Shelby that they were considering buying. However, they want Christy to look at it first and see if she would like to buy it. It is only a short distance away from where we live now, but in a better area. Mrs. Sandra gave us the name of the owner and the phone number. Took about a two-hour nap this afternoon. Would have loved to have slept longer, I was so tired; but I do hope to sleep tonight. Didn’t have much afternoon left to do anything other than make a couple new folders and move files into them—one folder for my crochet files and one for Pidgin files. “4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding…. 21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?” Job 38:4,21 Who was there “in the beginning” when the earth was formed? God alone, Genesis 1:1. Only God can tell us how the earth began, because only God was there when it happened. December 1. A lovely day! Thank you, Lord. Two loads of wash to do this morning. Had thrown those curtains in yesterday. Then this morning, I threw in some other things and our bath mat—also to be packed away. While clothes were washing, Daddy took down the curtain rod hardware from the one window that no longer has a curtain, and took screws out of the wall that formerly had pictures hanging on them; I took down the last couple pictures off the wall, made the bed, put out clean towels, folded a few clothes (from Monday’s laundry) that hadn’t gotten folded yet. By then the first load of wash was done. Put those items into the laundry basket to be taken outside for hanging, and put the second load in. After hanging clothes, I put the steering wheel cover back on the steering wheel in the van, and put up a curtain rod in the bathroom on which to hang a hand towel. By then the second load of clothes was done washing. Daddy took the clothes basket outside and went off to GNC to get me some cranberry fruit extract because I finished mine up, thinking that I had another bottle. It didn’t take long to hang out that load of clothes because there were only a couple small items to hang. Afterward, I helped Connie move one of her bookshelves. By that time, it was going on 11:00, and I was getting hungry. Went ahead and whipped up some more soup and had a couple cupfuls to drink. This afternoon, Daddy went to Dr. Cook and got his leg adjusted. Somehow his knee had gotten very out of place. I worked on MTC (Missionary Training Course) lessons and made up a batch of Annie’s double chocolate brownies. Worked more on the MTC lessons this evening, looked at crochet patterns, and did some crocheting. “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” Exodus 25:2 The LORD wants us to bring Him our offerings, but they are to be given willingly with our heart. December 2. Was just drifting off to sleep last night when we were awakened by Connie’s voice in far off space. It was 11:00 p.m. +. She said that someone was knocking at the door. They had knocked three times and also knocked at Christy’s window. By the time Connie turned the light on in the office, they were gone, however, Pranksters used to do this in the neighborhood, but not at our house. And it is not a wise thing to open the door to a knocker that late at night unless we are expecting someone. And even more so since there has been a lot of night activity going on in the neighborhood lately. This morning, we told her that if it happens again, just to ignore it unless they persist or try to break in. In that case, call the police and then call us to get up. After that, I didn’t get back to sleep for a couple hours. Got hungry, and then started getting a headache so had to get up and get something to eat. Consequently. I didn’t wake up until after 6:30 this morning and had a hard time thinking straight the first couple hours of the morning. After breakfast and quiet time, I typed out the lists of all the things that we’ve already packed for shipping. Then Daddy and I unpacked the small cupboard we had packed the other day. Decided not to ship it for four reasons: it is too heavy; it is too bulky; it has had some patch work done on it; and we can build one ourselves after we get to PNG. The things we took out were repacked into a file cabinet and a tote, except for a couple things that were too big and need a larger container. Made a hamburger for Daddy’s lunch today and one for tomorrow. Had a long nap this afternoon. Worked on Sunday school lessons for Owena. Transferred a few pictures to computer and edited them. This evening, I downloaded some crochet patterns from lovecrochet.com, and crocheted a few rows of the scarf I’ve been working on. “According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” Exodus 25:9 God’s work is always to be done in God’s way.
November 29. This morning we cleaned off the small shelf unit that is in the bathroom and the small cabinet that was underneath. The cabinet was what we wanted so we could pack it up to send to PNG. So we put things in boxes that we don’t use very often (room for a little box under the sink and one we put on Daddy’s dresser). A few things were set aside to be packed, and the shelf unit was rearranged so everything else fit on it. Then we got out the large box that Daddy brought home yesterday and laid it on the bed. Cut open the box from top to bottom and laid the cabinet in it. That made it easier to pack things inside and around the cabinet. Then the box had to be cut down to size because it was way too big, flaps folded, and box taped up, except for the top. There is still a little room to add some things down the front and on one side. Also the box is not tall enough so we will have to find another box to be put over the top and taped on. That was quite a job—enough packing for one day. This afternoon, I got the shopping list made, put a pot of rice on to cook for supper, and did the dishes. It was good to see Mary and Joe at church this evening. They had been out for a while with health issues. It was good to see Jan there again too. She is a sweet lady. Prayed with her during prayer time. Pastor preached from Exodus 30, talking about the altar of incense. “16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.” Psalm 37:16,17 November 30. Last day of the eleventh month of 2017. Went out shopping as soon as I had finished breakfast and quiet time. Back home a little after 11:00, put away food, and went over to the Bargain Hunters Thrift Shop to find a curtain for the bedroom so I can wash and pack away the curtains we had in there. When we got home, I took down our bedroom curtains and put them in the hamper. Hung up the curtain we had bought. The other window should be fine without a curtain because it has blinds. This afternoon, I wrote a thank you note and put it out in the mail, wrote an e-mail, printed out my December schedule, and cleaned the bathroom sink and toilet. I thought it would take forever to wash the dishes this evening, but it turned out that most of the dirty items were mugs and pots and pans which took up most of the counter space by the sink and only made it look like a forever job. “18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied…. 21….the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:18-25 The inheritance of the righteous will last forever. God will satisfy our needs even in time of famine: we will never be forsaken or have to beg for food. God will always order (direct, prepare, establish) our steps, and wherever his will may take us, it will be delightful and pleasing to us who are good (or valiant, brave, courageous). There will be times when we fall, but we will not fall all together because the LORD upholdeth (props up, stands up, sustains) us with His hand. Thank you, Lord.
November 27. Most of the morning was spent in the kitchen; but first Daddy and I took time to get our visa application properly filled in, we hope. I also found a large manila envelope for all the papers we have so far so they won’t get scattered around and misplaced. Praise the Lord, we received our reports from Dr. Green today, with the results of the tests and chest x-rays. So everything is together—just waiting now on word from John Gray. When I did get to the kitchen, I put a pot of water on for tea and gathered herbs and tea bags from the cupboard to make a gallon of good healing tea. Then I started cutting up the veggies for this week’s pot of soup and finally got that on to cook a little before 11:30. While it was cooking, I made a pizza for our dinner. While the soup and pizza were cooking, I transferred this past week’s journal notes to a file for Connie. This afternoon, I got the journal notes file fixed up, transferred pictures to the computer from the camera and fixed those up, and sent journal notes and pictures to Connie. Then I wrote a note to a friend, and afterward went outside with the steering wheel cover I’d been working on to see if it was the right length before I did the finishing. It was perfect so this evening, I crocheted the edging on it, tucked in the yarn ends, and joined the two ends of the item together. All done now and ready to put on the steering wheel in the morning. When I came back in from the car, I had a bowl of fruit and yogurt and then helped Connie put a rug down in the living room. “3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:3-5 Verses of encouragement as we continue to wait on the Lord for special needs. Our responsibilities: trust in the LORD; do good; delight in the LORD; commit thy way unto Him. God’s promises to those who fulfill their responsibilities: we’ll dwell in the land; we’ll be fed; we’ll receive the desires of our heart; the LORD will bring it to pass. November 28. In the low thirties this morning, but a lovely sunny day. After breakfast and quiet time, I stripped the bed and put a load of clothes in to be washed along with the bedding. Didn’t start the machine right away because it was still pretty chilly outside. Made a vitamin list so Christy can order today while there is an extra discount. Took the crocheted steering wheel cover out to the van and put it on the steering wheel. Nice! Took a couple pictures. Started the washing machine; and while it was running, I made up the bed with clean bedding and folded and put away Friday’s laundry. After we hung out the clothes, Daddy went off to WalMart to pay the rent and get some water and a couple other things. While he was gone, I started repacking the foot locker and adding more items to it. A little after 11:30, I headed for the kitchen to make dinner for Daddy—mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. It looked so good when it was done that I decided to have some myself. Yum, it tasted good too. After a small bowlful of taters and gravy, I had a cupful of soup. This afternoon, I did some research on missions statistics on a site that Daddy found for me, and then finished packing the foot locker. Praise the Lord for helping me get that done. This evening, I made a thank you card for a special friend and washed the ten million (well, a little exaggerated) dirty dishes piled up by the kitchen sink. After our family devotions, I started crocheting a red, white, and black scarf. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him….” Psalm 37:7a How good God is to keep reminding us not just to wait, but to wait patiently and to rest while we are waiting. November 26. Praise the Lord for His goodness today! Right after breakfast and quiet time, I had enough time to run through my notes once more before teaching the ladies’ SS class this morning. When I was done studying and came out to the living room, Christy told me that Jordan Good had just finished preaching a message on forgiveness in the early morning service (We were still home so had livestreamed the service). I was beginning to see how God was directing in the topic I was preparing to teach on. We left home around 9:20 and made good time getting to church so there was time to get things set out and ready for teaching. Connie criss-crossed the sets of papers for me so it was easier for the ladies to pick up copies of the lesson notes. When the ladies saw the title of the lesson, there were remarks made about how God was directing today in the teaching that they were and would be receiving. How thankful I was to the Lord for His help in teaching and that I was even able to complete the lesson. I was afraid I had too much material, but the Lord helped me to just keep talking, and He kept my thoughts clear. Several ladies afterward thanked me for the lesson, so I just praise the Lord for laying this subject on my heart and for helping me with the teaching. Once again, I had to leave and sit in the car during the church service. Spent time praying and reading the Bible. Andrew D came and checked on me to see if I was okay. Appreciated his thoughtfulness. He let me know when they were about to baptize Evan, and then they would be done. When people started coming out, I saw Sarah and gave her the gift bag for Laura. Since Daddy would be going home by way of South Carolina to get gas, I headed back in to use the restroom. Jan was sitting outside on her walker, and I stopped to talk with her and give her a hug. She was waiting for Enid to come out and take her home. The pumps at Pilot were crowded, but we didn’t have to wait too long to get gas. Then Daddy went inside to get his cup of coffee. It was going on 1:30 when we got home and had lunch, and going on 2:30 when we went for nap. Was thankful for a good rest. Around 4:00, I called Jean and talked with her a bit. Then we went over to visit a while. Took the American flag afghan over to Katherine. It needed a good home, and she was happy to receive it. She is so thin and not doing too well. Talked with her a little while in the other room where she was lying on the couch, and Daddy talked with Doug who was lying on the bed in there. Then we went back into the kitchen to sit down and talk with Jean. She loves to talk about the Lord; and even though they differ on some things, it is a blessing to spend time talking with her. No specific verse to write here this evening – have been meditating on the things I’ve been reading in the book of Job during my morning quiet time. All his friends, except Elihu, have already spoken and Job is making his last speech to his friends. Even though Job was suffering physically, his friends added to his mental suffering with their accusations for which they had no evidence. Job knew he wasn’t being punished for sin, but he couldn’t understand why God was silent to his cry. How many times we Christians are like Job’s friends and think we know the answers for suffering that another believer may be going through! How many times we make accusations that we have no basis for, but we just assume that must be the case! How often we add to someone else’s misery by unkind words and actions! Let’s be careful and not assume that we know the answers. Let’s be loving and seek to lift up those who are in affliction. November 24. It’s Friday. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not Saturday or Monday. Yesterday seemed like Saturday too. It has been another on-the-go day. First task this morning was to cook a skillet full of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots so I would have some veggies to go with my quinoa for breakfast. When breakfast and quiet time were over, I prepared the turkey to go into the oven. It still had some ice in it even after a week in the fridge. By the time that was in the oven, the day had warmed up enough to start the laundry. Didn’t want to start it too early because it would have been too cold outside to hang things out. While clothes were washing, I got the bed made and Tuesday’s clothes folded and put away. Even though it was in the 40’s when we hung the clothes out, the sun was shining and it was refreshing to be outside. What was left of the morning was spent making a thank you card for my secret sister who has been so thoughtful and caring. Took the turkey out of the oven a little before 1:00. Just nicely done. Mmmmm, mmm, did it ever taste good! Took the bird out of the roasting pan and put the legs on a plate and the rest of it on a pizza pan to cool. Poured the broth off into a jar to be used for gravy later. Whipped up soup for my lunch, enjoyed a couple cupfuls, and then went for nap. After nap, I took up the task of pulling or slicing all the turkey off the bone (except for the drumsticks which went into Christy’s fridge) and filling quart size freezer bags with the pieces. That was a messy and time-consuming job, but we will enjoy the turkey for weeks to come. After that, I sat down and relaxed a while and did some crocheting of the steering wheel cover that I started yesterday evening. “2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2,3 How thankful I am that the LORD is my God! My God is He who brought me out of the world, out of bondage to sin and Satan. He alone is God, and He alone is worthy of my worship. November 25. After breakfast and quiet time, I looked for recipes for fig bars. Settled on a recipe and got busy making the bars. While I was working on that, a call came on Daddy’s phone from Pastor Surrett. Mrs. Surrett is sick with a very bad sore throat and wanted to know if I would teach tomorrow. Oh, my! What shall I teach on short notice? Well, I’ll try. So after getting the fig bars into the oven to cook, the rest of my day, except for lunch time and nap time, was spent working on a lesson on forgiveness, a subject God has been keeping on my heart lately. “5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5,6 Praise God for the mercy He shows to those who love Him and obey His commandments. November 23. Thanksgiving Day. But every day should be, shouldn’t it? It was a blessing not to have to cook today. Finally was able to finish last week’s journal notes and send them to Connie. Also took a few pictures and transferred pictures to the computer, edited them, and sent a few of those to Connie too. Crocheted an adjustable headband to go with the baby outfit for Eva “C” because I wasn’t sure if the first one I made will be big enough. A little before 1:00, we headed for Mel & Jenny’s. Christy was taking us a shortcut to Grover – along Martin Street. She thought it went all the way through to Grover. So after crossing Sumter, we continued along Martin until we came to iron gates. Hmmm, a cemetery. We continued along a little ways since the gates were open and the sign at the opening still said Martin Street. Soon Martin Street ended, however, and the road curved off another direction. Perhaps it would have eventually come out to Grover. We don’t know, but we turned around and went back to Sumter and down to Morgan, that, we knew, would take us to Grover and on our way to Melvin’s place. It was good to see everyone. Kylie and Kennedy had done most of the cooking and did a great job. There was sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing, turkey, gravy, and broccoli casserole. For dessert, there was pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and a little peanut butter pie left over from Melvin’s birthday. Around 3:00, we headed home so I could get a little nap before "B" came. We expected her to come around 4:00 so by the time we got home, that would give us about a half hour to sleep. I guess I really zonked out because when Connie called us a little before 4:00, it was like I was hearing a far away voice in a dream. After we got up and moving, we found out that she wouldn’t be here until 4:30, but it was too late to go back to sleep now. While I was waiting, I spent time finding miscellaneous crochet patterns to copy off the web. Enjoyed a nice little visit with "B". She couldn’t stay long because her husband was waiting for her out in the car. Looked for more patterns on AllFree crochet. Wasn’t hungry for much supper after that big dinner. Had just an individual-size container of applesauce and a little yogurt with cocoa, a dash of maple syrup, and pecans. Did the dishes and looked at more patterns. This evening after our family devotions, I started crocheting a steering wheel cover for the van. “5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5,6 God gave a special promise to Israel which depended upon their keeping the old covenant, the law. God gave the same special promise to us under the new covenant which depends upon faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” I Peter 2:5 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” I Peter 2:9
November 20. Whew! It’s been quite a busy day. Shortly after quiet time and breakfast, we went out to do shopping—some time after 9:00. Christy wanted Connie to do their weekly shopping for her since we would be going over to Ellen’s this evening to visit with Ruth & Tim who are there for the night, on their way to Indiana. First stop was Aldi, as usual. Seems like we spent quite a bit of time in WalMart, but there were lots of things to get, and our shopping cart was quite full. After WalMart, we stopped at the Post Office so Connie could mail a small package to a couple girls for whom she had crocheted turkey hats. Last of all, we went to Dollar Tree on Marion. They always have lots of neat craft stuff. I spent some of my birthday money on gift bags and craft items. After we got home and got food put away, Daddy went off to Subway to get his lunch. There was no time to make a meal today. I had planned to make soup today, but plans got changed. I added liquid and flavor and made my leftover rice and veggies into soup for today. Before and after nap, I cleaned out two of the drawers in the buffet cupboard where we keep tissue paper, wrapping paper, bows, etc. Then I tried out the pressure cooker we got a month or so ago. Cooked a butternut squash in it. Ate some yogurt and cran-apple sauce while that was cooking. Washed the dishes. Then had a meat/cheese/tomato sandwich. About 7:00, we headed over to Ellen’s. Enjoyed a couple hours’ visit with Mel & Ellen and Tim & Ruth. “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods….” Exodus 18:11 When Jethro heard of the great things God had done for His people, He knew how great their God is. People today still need to hear of the great things God has done so that they too can know God and how great He is. For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Truly there is no God like our Lord. He alone is great in goodness and majesty and power. “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” I Chronicles 16:25 November 21. Whew! What a day again! Have quiet time. Cook quinoa for breakfast. Eat breakfast. Do laundry. Make celery/mushroom soup and put it on to cook. Ask Connie to turn burner off when timer goes off. Go out to courthouse to get police clearance, which to them is known as criminal background check. $25 each now. We were surprised because we had never paid anything before. Took him about two minutes to check up on each of us and fill in a form.. Then he asked if we were missionaries. Yes, sir. He gave us the forms and said $25, then waived the payment. Praise the Lord! Came back home. Added cream to my soup and pureed some for my lunch. Daddy had a half sub left from yesterday. This afternoon, I made spaghetti for Daddy’s dinner tomorrow because we expect to be out again tomorrow morning. Need to go to Gastonia to get passport photos made. Then I cleaned up the kitchen and washed the dishes before having supper. A little after 5:30, we left for church.. Pie and praise service scheduled for this evening, instead of Wednesday service this week. Pie and fellowship was first, in the new building. How good to see Bro. Norm S, and especially to be encouraged as He so loves to talk about God’s word. The praise time was a blessing too, with Scripture reading, singing, specials, and testimonies. On the way home, two warning lights came on in the van — one that said TCS, which we discovered stands for traction control system, and the other was the engine light. We stopped at an Advanced Auto store on the way home, and a man came out and tested things. He tried to turn off the TCS warning light, but the switch wouldn’t work. He advised getting things checked out with our mechanic and/or at the transmission service place. “5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. 6Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. 7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 10O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:5-10 What a blessing these verses were to me the past couple days! November 22. This morning, Daddy called Charlie at A+ Auto and told him about the car problem. His assessment was that the transmission is going bad which is not surprising. Since the value of the vehicle is around $3,000, and the cost of replacing the transmission would be around $2,500, it wouldn’t pay to get it repaired. Charlie said there shouldn’t be any problem with continuing to use it as long as we didn’t go too far away from home. Well, we had planned to go to Gastonia today to get our passport photos made at the AAA place so as soon as I had finished breakfast, we headed out to take care of that matter of business. The first set of pictures were too small according to PNG standards so she did a retake, making them just right. AAA does the passport photos at no charge so we ended up with 16 photos each since eight of them printed on one page, and one set was not accurate. Praise the Lord for that provision. After leaving AAA, we stopped at a Starbucks shop and spent part of our gift cards; and when we got into Shelby, we stopped at Cleveland Transmission which the Advanced Auto man had recommended last night. The CT man was very nice, and his assessment also was that the transmission is going bad. So, we’ll use the car as long as the Lord keeps it running. Last stop before home was Lidl as Daddy wanted to look for shoes as they were on sale today and will be on sale Friday too. As we got into the heart of Shelby, traffic was slowed down/backed up for about a mile. Don’t know how many changings of the traffic lights we waited before we could get into Lidl’s. Daddy didn’t find any shoes that would fit him, and there were no ladies’ shoes to fit me so I ended up buying a pair of men’s shoes (athletic shoes) which look pretty much the same as the ladies’. I also got two pair of thermal socks, and Daddy got some milk. More waiting through several changes of traffic lights until we got past Earl Road. Then the traffic suddenly thinned out. It was somewhere around 12:45 when we finally got home. Was thankful for a nap right after we had lunch. Spent a good part of the afternoon working on the baby hat, trying to get that done today so it would be ready for “B” tomorrow along with the sweater. Praise the Lord for helping me finish up everything this evening. So thankful for Connie’s help in making the pompoms to put on the hat. I got the buttons put on the sweater and got all the ends tucked in on both sweater and hat. “21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” Exodus 18:21, 22 How much better for other men to bear with us the burden of the ministry. We need able men—men “having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mentally; as a man able to perform military service,” men “having strong or unusual powers of mind, or intellectual qualifications; as an able minister.” (Webster) We need men who fear (reverence or venerate) God; men of truth; and men who hate covetousness. Oh, that God might give us such men to help bear the burden of the work in Owena! |
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